Hilda Wong

Hawaiian Baby Names for Your Little Surfer

Are you looking for the perfect Hawaiian baby name that encapsulates the aloha spirit? There is a great selection of beautiful and meaningful names for your little one to choose from. With so many unique cultural, historic, and traditional roots to draw inspiration from, you can create something truly special for your bundle of joy. Keep reading as we uncover some of our favorite Hawaiian baby names that are sure to make your surfer stand out from the crowd.

Related Link: Top Boy Names: Find the Perfect Name for Your Little One

The Cultural Importance of Hawaiian Baby Names

In a Hawaiian family, names are incredibly important. Each name holds within it cultural and familial knowledge that connects past generations with those of the present. Names carry special connections to personal values, identity and history. Baby naming ceremonies in Hawaii represent a time-honored tradition used to mark the transition of a child into the world. The baby’s name often comes from lengthy ancestral lineages, references of nature and communities around one’s family or beloved poets, proverbs, or other sayings with significant translations for the parents. Through these thoughtful choices, Hawaiian names provide meaningful insight into rich traditions that are meant to be treasured within each unique family.

Need more advice about caring for your baby? Check out 123 Baby Box for more tips. 

Popular Hawaiian Baby Names for Boys

father with baby surfing in hawaii

  • Analu: The Hawaiian name Analu means "manly," so it's a strong pick for a boy.
  • Akamu: The cool nature-related meaning of the word "red earth" gives the unusual Hawaiian boy's name Akamu an edge.
  • Kahalo: The Hawaiian name Kahalo means "light-footed one," which could be especially fitting once your tot masters walking and starts running around.
  • Kalani: Kalani is a common Hawaiian name for boys that means "sky chieftain" or "sky spirit."
  • Kaleo: Consider the Hawaiian name Kaleo for your son if you come from a musical family. Kaleo means "voice" or "sound" in Hawaiian.
  • Keanu: One of the most well-known Hawaiian baby names on our list, made popular by actor Keanu Reeves, Keanu means "cool breeze over the mountains."
  • Luano: The Hawaiian name Luano, or simply "Lua," means "enjoyment."
  • Mano: Mano is a Hawaiian name for boys that can mean either "shark" (which every boy loves) or "a passionate lover."

Related Link: Games for Babies: Play Time that Encourage Development

Popular Hawaiian Baby Names for Girls

  • Halia: Halia is a beautiful name for a girl that can be given in honor of a departed loved one, or just because you like the way it sounds.
  • Lolana: Iolana means "to soar like the hawk" in Hawaiian, and it's a lovely name for a girl.
  • Kaia: The name Kaia has both Scandinavian and Hebrew origins. The original Hawaiian word for "sea"
  • Kiana: Kiana is a beautiful Hawaiian girl's name with an otherworldly meaning that your little "moon baby" will adore.
  • Kona: Kona, which can be used for either gender because it means "lady" in Hawaiian, is more commonly given to young girls. It's also the site of the Ironman World Championship, so it's a place name (so for triathlete parents, this could be a draw).
  • Leilani: A little Hawaiian princess would be fitting for a name like Leilani, which means "heavenly flower" and "child of royalty" in Hawaiian.
  • Malia: Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary and is used frequently in Hawaii. It can mean "rebelliousness," "the wished-for child," or "sea of bitterness" (the English translation of Mary).

Unisex Hawaiian Names

  • Healani: Healani is a relatively modern Hawaiian baby name that has become popular for both boys and girls in the twentieth century. The name Healani literally translates to "haze from heavens."
  • Kai: Kai is one of the most well-liked Hawaiian names because it sounds cool and gets right to the point. This gender-neutral name means "sea" and is perfect for people who adore short names.
  • Mahina: Mahina means "moon" in Hawaiian, and it's a lovely name inspired by the natural world.
  • Noelani: The Hawaiian name Noelani is both lovely and gender-neutral, meaning "heavenly mist."

Considerations Before Naming Your Little One

When deciding on a baby name, there are several considerations to take into account. Depending on the family, an important factor is determining whether or not the parents want to honor Hawaiian culture by giving the baby a traditional Hawaiian name. Do they want to use a modern twist, such as combining English and Hawaiian elements? Before settling on a name, it may be beneficial to research its meaning and make sure it reflects the values of the family. In addition, finding out how easy or difficult it will be for people to pronounce can ensure that everyone can call the baby by his/her name with ease. Ultimately, these considerations can help guide families when selecting the perfect Hawaiian name for their bundle of joy.

Have additional questions about caring for your baby? Visit our blog today!

Choosing The Right Hawaiian Name

hawaiian mother with baby

In the grand tapestry of life, one thread stands out more vibrantly than any other—the magical moment of naming your child. Imagine this: an adventure set against the backdrop of the enchanting Hawaiian landscape, where each name is a pearl washed ashore, gleaming with profound meanings and deeply entwined with the rich tapestry of the island's culture.

Here, in the radiant heart of Hawaii, where the sun dances upon the waves and paints the sky in a spectacle of color, lies a bounty of exquisite baby names. Each name is like a lei, a beautiful garland of culture and tradition strung together by the spirit of aloha. Selecting a name from this bountiful garden of options is not a task, but a joyous celebration, a melodic dance swaying to the rhythm of the ocean waves.

Now, picture yourself standing on this beach of possibilities. The sun is setting, painting the sky in vibrant hues and casting long shadows on the pristine sands. As you sift through these sands in search of that one pearl, that one name, remember—the Hawaiian culture is a canvas of colors and captivating images. It's a melody that harmonizes nature's beauty with human spirit.

Choosing a Hawaiian name is not just selecting a word, but planting a seed—an invaluable cultural legacy. It's imbuing your child with an identity that's as beautifully unique as Hawaii itself, an identity rooted in a tradition that celebrates life, love, and unity.

After this beautiful rite of passage, the sun has set, and you are holding a name that glimmers like the stars above. Now that you've navigated this exciting voyage, you can set sail on the sea of parenting, armed with more than just a name.

Remember, our blog is your trusty compass, guiding you through this vast ocean. It's packed with wisdom and advice, charting the course to nurture and care for your little one. So, as you embark on this incredible journey of parenthood, know that you're not alone. Together, we'll navigate the waves, always keeping in sight the vibrant horizon that is your child's future. Aloha!

Related Link: How to Hold a Baby: The 5 Safest Ways to Hold Your Baby

What to read next

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Consequat aliquet tellus suspendisse semper. Pulvinar semper porta tortor venenatis dictum. Neque et non tincidunt turpis mauris aliquet nunc aliquam volutpat.

Baby Box Subscription

Monthly subscription box for babies aged 0-3 years - delivering unique, fun products

star star star star star
(5.0 rating)
take baby quiz