Traditional Hawaiian Names For Girls, Boys and Gender Neutral

All parents spend a lot of time trying to pick the perfect name for their child. However, choosing Hawaiian names may be even more significant. Here’s why:

• Hawaiian baby names represent love and protection;
• In the Hawaiian culture, naming a baby creates a relationship between the spirits and humans;
• Hawaiian names are meant to provide guidance and security to the baby;
• Names are often used to link generations within the bloodline;
• Hawaiian names often commemorate people both living and dead, or events that are significant to the family or to the time.

Below is a comprehensive list of Hawaiian baby names for boys, Hawaiian names for girls, and gender-neutral Hawaiian names.

Hawaiian Names For Boys

Akamu

Akamu means “red earth” or “of the earth” and is pronounced as ahKAAMuw-. 

Akiliano

Akiliano means “from Hadria” and is pronounced as aa-Kiy-Liy-AA-Now. 

Akoni

Akoni means “a form of Anthony” and is pronounced as ahKOW-Niy-. 

Alaka’i

Alaka’i means “guide” or “leader” and is pronounced as AHLaaKAAiy-.

Alapai

Alapai means “coastal area” and is pronounced as a-la-pai.

Alebana

Alebana means “from the city of Alba” and is pronounced as AHLeh-BAHNaa.

Alekanekeio

Alekanekeio means “defending man” and is pronounced as AHLeh-KAANeh-KEH-Low-. 

Alika

Alika means “a form of Alec” and is pronounced as ahLIY-Kaa. 

Alo

Alo means “the face” and is pronounced as ah-loh.

Amosa

Amosa means “strong” or “form of Amos” and is pronounced as ahMOWSaa.

Ano

Ano means “awe” or “reverence” and is pronounced as AHNow.

Apekalmoa

Apekalmoa means “my father is peace” and is pronounced as ah-PEH-kahl-mo-ah.

Apela

Apela means “old” and is pronounced as ah-PEH-lah. 

Aukai

Aukai means “seafarer” and is pronounced as au-KAH-ii.

Bane

Bane means “long-awaited child” and is pronounced as BAA-Neh-. 

Hailama

Hailama means “most noble one” or “my brother is exalted” and is pronounced as HHaa-iy-LAA-Maa-. 

Haoa

Haoa means “hot as the sun”. 

Havika

Havika means “beloved” and is pronounced as HHAEVIYKAH.

Hema

Hema means “south” and is pronounced as hei-mah.

He pohaku

He pohaku means “stone”. 

Ikaika

Ikaika means “strong” and is pronounced as EE-kuh-ee-kuh.

Iki

Iki means “small” and is pronounced as IHKIY.

Iokia

There is no specific meaning for Iokia. Pronounced as AYOWKiyAH.

Kahale

Kahale means “home” and is pronounced as KaaHHAALeh-.

Kahikū

Kahikū means “star”.

Kaholo

Kaholo means “swift” and is pronounced as KaaHHOWLow.

Kaimana

Kaimana means “beach” and is pronounced as Kaa-iy-MAA-Naa-. 

Kaipo

Kaipo means “sweetheart” and is pronounced as Kaa-IY-Pow-.

Kainalu

Kainalu means “surf” and is pronounced as Kah-YEE-nah-loo.

Kainoa

Kainoa means “the namesake” or “place” and is pronounced as KAY-NOW-ah.

Kalākaua

Kalākaua means “the day of battle” and is pronounced as ka-LAH-kah-OO-ah. 

Kale

Kale means “free man” and is pronounced as KAA-Leh-. 

Kaleo

Kaleo means “the sound” or “expression” and is pronounced as Kaa-LEH-ow-. 

Kana

Kana means “God has judged”. 

Kanakamana

Kanakamana means “powerful man”. 

Kane

Kane means “warrior” and is pronounced as KAA-Neh-.

Kapu

Kapu means “forbidden” and is pronounced as KAA-puh.

Kawika

Kawika means “beloved” and is pronounced as KAO-ihKAH or KAh-wii-KA. 

Keaka

Keaka means “theater” or “person of shadows” and is pronounced as KIY-KAH. 

Keanu

Keanu means “cool breeze over the mountains” and is pronounced as Kiy-AA-Nuw-. 

Keawe

Keawe means “southern star” and is pronounced as Keh-AHWeh-. 

Kekapa

Kekapa means “the cloth” and is pronounced as Keh-AHWeh-.

Kekoa

Kekoa means “the coral” and is pronounced as Keh-KOW-aa-. 

Keona

Keona means “God’s gracious gift” and is pronounced as KIY-aaN-aa-.

Kimo

Kimo means “supplanter” and is pronounced as kee-moh or KAHMOW.

Kimokea

Kimokea means “honoring God”.

Koa ikaika

Koa ikaika means “strong warrior” and is pronounced as ko-ah-ee-kah-ee-kah. 

Koi

Koi means “urge” or “implore”. 

Konane

Konane means “bright moonlight” and is pronounced as KowNAANeh-.

Koukakala

Koukakala means “dark river“.

Ku

Ku means “god of prosperity”.

La

La means “the sun”. 

Lokela

Lokela means “famous warrior” and is pronounced as lo-keh-lah. 

Lono

Lono means “god of the harvest” and is pronounced as LOW-Now-.

Lopaka

Lopaka means “shining fame” and is pronounced as LowPAEKAH.

Mahi’ai

Mahi’ai means “farmer”.

Māhoe

Māhoe means “twin”.

Makaʻala

Makaʻala means “vigilant”. 

Makani

Makani means “wind” and is pronounced as Maa-KAA-Niy.

Mamo

Mamo means “yellow bird” and is pronounced as MAAMow.

Meka

Meka means “eyes” or “benevolence” and is pronounced as MEHKAH.

Nahele

Nahele means “forest” and is pronounced as Naa-HHEH-Leh-. 

Nikolao

Nikolao means “victory of the people” and is pronounced as NIHKOWL-aw. 

Nohea

Nohea means “lovely” and is pronounced as Now-HHEH-aa-.

Oliwa

Oliwa means “olive tree” and is pronounced as owLIY-Waa-.

Onaona

Onaona means “sweet fragrance” and is pronounced as owN-OW-Naa. 

Pono

Pono means “righteousness” and is pronounced as POH-noh.

Pukalani

Pukalani means “heavenly gate” and is pronounced as puh-KAH-lah-nii.

Hawaiian Baby Names for Girls

Ailani

Ailani means “chief” and is pronounced as EY-LAANiy.

Alana

Alana means “handsome and cheerful” and is pronounced as aa-LEY-Naa- or aa-LAH-nah.

Alaula

Alaula means “light of dawn” and is pronounced as AHLaaUW-Laa. 

Aloha

Aloha means “hello” and “goodbye”.

Anuenue

Anuenue means “rainbow” and is pronounced as AA-Nuw-eh-NUW-eh-. 

Aolani

Aolani means “heavenly cloud” and is pronounced as ahHHow-LAANiy-. 

Haleakala

Haleakala means “house of the rising sun” and is pronounced as HAH-lee-ah-kuh-lah.

Halia

Halia means “remembrance of a loved one” and is pronounced as HAH-lee-uh.

Hawika

Hawika means “beloved” and is pronounced as HAH-wee-kah. 

Iekika

Iekika means “one who can foresee” or “watchful” and is pronounced as Yeh-kee-ah.

Iolana

Iolana means “soaring like a hawk” and is pronounced as iy-owLAA-Naa-.

Ipo

Ipo means “darling” or “lover” and is pronounced as ii-POH. 

Kaia

Kaia means “fast asleep” and is pronounced as KAYYaa. 

Kaila

Kaila means “crown” or “laurel” and pronounced as kai-lah. 

Kailani

Kailani means “beach” and “sky” and is pronounced as Kaa-iy-LAA-Niy-. 

Kailua

Kailua means “two seas” and is pronounced as kai-lu-a.

Kalama

Kalama means “flaming torch” and is pronounced as KaaLAAMaa.

Kalea

Kalea means “joy and happiness” and is pronounced as Kaa-LEH-aa-.

Kanani

Kanani means “the beautiful one” and is pronounced as KaaNAANiy-. 

Kani

Kani means “steadfastness” and is pronounced as KAA-Niy-. 

Keilani

Keilani means “heaven” or “royal one” and is pronounced as KEY-Laa-Niy-. 

Kiami

Kiami means “gift of God” and is pronounced as KEY-ah-mee. 

Konani

Konani means “bright” and is pronounced as KOH-nah-nee. 

Kumulāʻau

Kumulāʻau means “tree”.

Laka

Laka means “gentle” or “tame” and is pronounced as LAAKaa.

Lana

Lana means “rock” or “handsome” and is pronounced as LAANaa.

Lanai

Lanai means “porch” and is pronounced as LAH-nay. 

Lea

Lea means “meadow” or “weary”. 

Leia

Leia means “weary”. 

Leila

Leila means “night”. 

Leilani

Leilani means “a heavenly flower”.

Lilo

Lilo means “generous one”.

Mahina

Mahina means “moon” and is pronounced as MaaHHIY-Naa. 

Makaha

Makaha means “fierce” or “savage” and is pronounced as MAH-ka-hah. 

Makani

Makani means “wind” and is pronounced as MAH-kah-nii.

Makena’lei

Makena’lei means “flower of heaven”.

Malie

Malie means “calm” and is pronounced as MAH-lee or MAH-lee-ii.

Miliani

Miliani means “gentle caress” and is pronounced as MIY-Liy-AA-Niy-.

Moana

Moana means “deep ocean” or “sea”.  

Nahoa

Nahoa means “defiant” and is pronounced as NAH-ho-wa. 

Nalani

Nalani means “calm skies” and is pronounced as NAH-lah-nii.

Nani

Nani means “grace”. 

Noelani

Noelani means “heavenly mist” and is pronounced as Noweh-LAA-Niy-.

Okalani

Okalani means “from Heaven” and is pronounced as OW-Kaa-LaaNiy-. 

Oliana

Oliana means “oleander” and is pronounced as ow-Liy-AA-Nuw- or oh-lee-ya-nah. 

Olina

Olina means “holy” and is pronounced as Oh-lee-nah. 

Palila

Palila means “a bird” and is pronounced as pah-li-la.

Pōhaku

Pōhaku means “rock” and is pronounced as poh-hah-kuh. 

Pua

Pua means “flower” and is pronounced as POO-ah.

Pualani

Pualani means “heavenly flower” or “royal offspring” and is pronounced as Puw-aa-LAA-Niy-.

Ulani

Ulani means “cheerful” and is pronounced as uw-LAA-Niy-.

Wai nani

Wai nani means “beautiful water” and is pronounced as WHY-nah-nii. 

Gender Neutral Hawaiian Names

Hale

Hale means “someone who lives in a hollow”.

Hau’oli

Hau’oli means “happiness” and is pronounced as HH-uw-OW-Liy-. 

Hiapo

Hiapo means “first born child” and is pronounced as HHiy-AHPow. 

Ka Hiwa

Ka Hiwa means “sacred vine” or “my favorite” and is pronounced as KA-hih-wah. 

Kai

Kai means “sea”.

Kalani

Kalani means “the heavens” and is pronounced as KaaLAANiy-.

Kaulana

Kaulana means “famous” and is pronounced as KAAuw-LAANaa.

Kekoa

Kekoa means “the warrior” or “brave” and is pronounced as Keh-KOW-aa-. 

Kealoha

Kealoha means “the loved one” and is pronounced as KEH-ahLOWHHaa.

Keone

Keone means “the homeland” or “the sand” and is pronounced as KIYOWN- or keh-OH-neh.

Koa

Koa means “warrior” or “hope” and is pronounced as KOWAH. 

Maka

Maka means “favorite one” and is pronounced as MAH-kuh.  

Mana

Mana means “divine power” or “protectress of stillborn babies”. 

Mano

Mano means “God with us” and is pronounced as mah-NOH. 

Mililani

Mililani means “carried from Heaven” or “to praise” and is pronounced as Miy-Liy-LAA-Niy-. 

Nana

Nana means “spring”.

Niele

Niele means “cloud” and is pronounced as NIY-YiyLeh- or NIY-Leh. 

Noa

Noa means “motion” and is pronounced as NOW-aa-. 

Noe

Noe means “peaceful” and is pronounced as NOW or Now-EY. 

Palani

Palani means “free man” and is pronounced as PAH-lah-nee.

Pilialoha

Pilialoha means “close friend” or “beloved” and is pronounced as PAYLiyAHLAHHHaa.

Punahele

Punahele means “favorite” and is pronounced as puh-nah-heh-leh.