Traditional Hawaiian names have specific meanings and are usually given to a person at birth by a kupuna (family elder) or by their parents. A traditional Hawaiian birth name is typically chosen based on the following:
inoa po: name in the night; a name received in a dream
inoa ho’ailona: name in a sign; a name received in the form of a vision, mystic sign, natural phenomenon
inoa ‘ulaleo: voiced name; a name heard
inoa ho’omanao: commemorative name for an event or to honor a person
inoa kupuna: a name handed down; of an ancestor
inoa ewe: a name based on traits or personality
Traditional Hawaiian names are commonly given as first and/or middle names by both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians in Hawaii and beyond. Below are some of the more popular traditional Hawaiian names. If you don’t find what you are looking for you can try contacting the Bishop Museum which has Hawaiian language experts available for hire for translation work.
Name
Phonetic Sound
Literal Translation Meaning
`Auli`i
[au lee’ ee]
Dainty, Cute, Exquisite, Cute, Perfect, Trim, Nice
Aikane
[ai kah’ neh]
Friend
Ailani
[ah ee law nee]
High Chief
Alana
[ah law nah]
Awakening
Ali’ikai
[ah lee ‘ee kai]
King or Queen of the Sea
Alohi
[ah low hee]
Brilliant
Anuhea
[ah new hay ah]
Cool and Fragrant
Aolani
[a oh law nee]
A Heavenly Cloud
`Eleu
[eh’ leu]
Alert, Lively, Energetic, Spry, Nimble, Agile
Hau’oli
[how ol ee]
Joy, Happy
Hawika
[hah vee ka]
Beloved
Hepualaha’ole
[heh pooh ah lah ha oh lay]
Uncommon Flower
Hiapo
[hi ah poh]
First Born
Hiwalani
[he wah law nee]
The Attractive One
Hiwahiwa
[hee’ vah hee’ vah]
Precious, Beloved, Darling, Indulged, Favorite
Hokuikekai
[hoh’ koo’ ee keh kai]
Star of the Sea
Ho’opono
[ho oh poh no]
Faithful
Ikaika
[ee kai’ kah]
Strong, Powerful
Iolana
[ee oh law na]
To Soar Like a Hawk
Ka Hiwa
[kah hee vah]
The Favorite One
Ka Nui
[kah new ee]
The Greatest
Ka Pua
[kah poo ah]
The Blossom
Kau’i
[kah ooh ee]
The Beauty
Kaila
[kah ee lah]
Style
Kaimana
[kai mah nah]
Divine Power of the Sea
Kaimi
[kah ee mee]
The Seeker
Kalani
[kah law ee]
Of the Heavens, Chieftain
Kalea
[kah lee ah]
Bright
Kamea
[kah may ah]
The One and Only
Kanunu
[kah new new]
The Strong One
Kapa`a
[kah pah’ ah]
The Firm, The Steadfast
Kei
[kei]
Dignified
Keilani
[kay ee law nee]
Glorious Chief
Kekipi
[keh kee’ pee]
The Rebel
Kekoa
[keh koh’ (w)ah]
The Brave, The Courageous
Keli’i
[key lee ee]
The Chief
Koa
[koh’ (w)ah]
Brave, Bold, Fearless, Warrior
Konani
[co naw nee]
Bright
Ku’uaki
[koo’ oo (w)ah’ kee]
Guardian
Ku`u Hoaloha `Oi
[koo’ oo hoh (wah) loh’ hah oi]
My Best Friend
Ku`u Maka
[koo’ oo mah’ kah]
Apple of My Eye
Ku’oko’a
[koo oh koh ah]
Independent
Kupa`a
[koo’ pah ah]
Loyal
Ku’uipo
[koo oo ee poh]
Sweetheart
Lae`ula
[lae oo’ lah]
Clever
Laka
[lah’ kah]
Gentle, Tame
Lalama
[lah lah’ mah]
Daring, Fearless, Clever
Lana
[lah nah]
Calm as still waters
Lanakila
[lah nah key lah]
Victorious
Lea
[lay ah]
Mythological goddess of canoe builders
Leia
[lay ee ah]
Child of Heaven
Leialoha
[lay a low ha]
Beloved Child
Leilani
[lay lah nee]
Heavenly Lei; Royal Child
Luana
[loo on ah]
Content; Happy
Lulua`ina
[loo loo (w)ah’ ee nah]
Freckles
Maka Koa
[mah’ kah koh’ (w)ah]
Bold, Fierce
Maka Launa
[mah’ kah lau’ nah]
Friendly
Maka Nani
[mah ka nah nee]
Beautiful Eyes
Maka
[mah’ kah]
Favorite One
Makaha
[mah’ kah hah]
Fierce, Ferocious, Savage
Makamae
[mah kah mae’]
Precious, Cherished
Makana
[mah kah’ nah]
Gift
Makani
[mah kah nee]
Wind
Makani
[mah kaw nee]
The Wind
Malana
[mah law nah]
Calming, Soothing
Malie
[mah lee ee]
Calm
Malu Lani
[mah loo law nee]
Protected by Heaven
Maluhia
[mah loo hee ah]
Peaceful
Mano
[mah no]
Shark, Passionate Lover
Mea A`a
[meh (y)ah ah’ ah]
Adventurer
Meli
[meh’ lee]
Honey
Miliani
[me lee on nee]
Gentle Carress
Na`auao
[nah au (w)ao’]
Intelligent
Nahoa
[nah hoh’ (w)ah]
Defiant, Bold
Nalani
[nah lah nee]
The Calm of the Skys
Nani
[nah’ nee]
Beautiful, Pretty
Niele
[nee’ (y)eh leh]
Curious
Noa
[noh’ (w)ah]
Free, Freedom
Noelani
[no eh lah nee]
Beautiful Girl from Heaven
Nohea
[no hay ah]
Loveliness
Nui
[nui]
Big, Large, Great, Important
Okalani
[oh kah lah nee]
From Heaven
Palani
[pah law nee]
A Free Man
Pauo’le
[pow oh lay]
Never Ending
Pili Lani
[pee lee lah nee]
Close to Heaven
Pilialoha
[pee lee ah loh’ ha]
Close Friend
Po`okela
[poh oh keh lah]
Champion, Best, Foremost, Superior
Polunu
[poh’ loo noo]
Chubby
Pomaika`i
[poh’ mai kah’ ee]
Lucky, Blessing, Good Fortune, Blessed, Prosperous
Pono
[poh no]
Righteous
Pua
[poo’ (w)ah]
Flower
Pualani
[poo ah law nee]
Heaven’s Flower; Heavenly Flower
Puanani
[poo ah naw nee]
Beautiful Flower
Punahele
[poo nah heh’ leh]
Favorite
Ualoheke Akua
[oo’ (w)ah loh’ heh keh ah koo’ (w)ah]
God Has Listened
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