The Most Popular Hawaiian Girl Names
In this article you'll find an extensive list of Hawaiian baby girl names. It covers everything from traditional Hawaiian girl names and modern Hawaiian girl names to gender-neutral, unisex Hawaiian first names and the most popular Hawaiian girl names of the last 100 years.
Hawaiian girl names: you had me at aloha
Hawaii, the one island state where the clichés are everywhere, the beaches are long, the feet are sandy and there are surfboards as far as the eye can see. Many people think the islands are permanently in vacation mode and that the only thing anyone counts there is sunshine, but Hawaii actually has more diversity, cultural meaning and depth than the internet would have you believe. So one thing is certain: the fiftieth US state makes big waves. And those waves carry more than surfers. They are deeply rooted in the wisdom of the ancestors and are embraced by Hawaiians today, with or without a hula skirt.
Hawaiian pizza as an example of that deep cultural meaning? Eat again. Hawaiians certainly know their way around pots and pans, but the "aloha" culture shows most clearly in how children are named. For Hawaiians, girl names are far more than letters strung together. They are pure poetry, closely tied to nature, family lineage and spiritual beliefs.
Traditional Hawaiian girl names
With only five vowels and eight consonants, the Hawaiian alphabet might seem too small to produce a wide range of names. Nothing could be further from the truth, because Hawaiian girl names are full of depth and melody, not least because of their meanings. Take a look at the list of traditional Hawaiian girl names below.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Anela | Angel |
| Kaʻala | The free one |
| Kaimana | Power of the sea |
| Kehlani | Heavenly clarity |
| Lani | Sky |
| Leilani | Heavenly flower |
| Mahina | Moon |
| Moana | Ocean |
| Nalani | The heavens |
| Noelani | Heavenly mists |
These traditional Hawaiian girl names sound as light as a breeze and as deep as the ocean, just like the islands themselves. If that doesn't inspire you for your own little girl or your next vacation, we don't know what will.
Modern Hawaiian girl names
Speaking of a breeze: many Hawaiian parents today choose a classic girl name with a fresh twist to bring tradition and trend together. Below are some examples of modern Hawaiian girl names and their meanings.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Alana | Awakening or offering |
| Halia | Remembrance or loving remembrance |
| Iolana | Rising to the heavens |
| Kailani | Sea and sky |
| Kailea | Joy of the sea |
| Kainani | Beauty of the sea |
| Kailani | Heavenly sea |
| Keala | The way or the path |
| Leina | Passion or leaping place |
| Mele | Song or chant |
| Nohea | Pretty or beautiful |
| Olina | Joy |
| Pualani | Flower of heaven |
| Ululani | Inspiration of heaven |
Whether on the playground or out surfing, these modern Hawaiian girl names show that old and new are like pineapple juice and coconut water: better together.
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Gender-neutral Hawaiian first names
If there's one place on the planet where meaning matters, it's Hawaii. That's why first names are chosen for what they mean rather than explicitly for a particular gender. As a result, many names are unisex and suit female, male and non-binary people alike. In the list below you'll find some gender-neutral Hawaiian names.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ailani | High chief |
| Kai | Sea or ocean |
| Kalani | The heavens or heavenly |
| Keanu | The cool breeze |
| Koa | Warrior |
| Leilani | Heavenly flower |
| Makana | Gift |
| Mālama | Care or protection |
| Nalani | The heavens |
| Noelani | Mist of heaven |
Whether it is progressive or simply practical, the people of Hawaii certainly make the most of their alphabet. Because at the end of the day, a lovely sound and a special message are all you need, right?
Most popular Hawaiian girl names of the last 100 years
Ever wondered what a century on 137 islands covering 28,311 square kilometers adds up to? Well, among other things, the following list of the most popular Hawaiian girl names of the last 100 years.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ailani | High chief |
| Alana | Awakening |
| Anela | Angel |
| Halia | Remembrance |
| Iolana | Bird of the sky |
| Kaia | Sea or ocean |
| Kailani | Heavenly sea or sky over the sea |
| Kalea | Clear |
| Kehlani | Sea and sky |
| Keona | God's gift |
| Kiana | Divine, derived from Diana |
| Lani | Heaven or heavenly |
| Leilani | Heavenly flower |
| Malia | Calm or peaceful, derived from Maria |
| Moana | Ocean |
| Nalani | The heavens |
| Noelani | Mist of heaven |
| Olina | Joy |
| Malea | Flower |
I packed my bag, and in it I put... Well, for a trip into Hawaii's past you need to leave plenty of room for nature, tradition and history. And don't forget your sunglasses, so you can keep an eye on all these popular Hawaiian girl names.
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Our top 100 Hawaiian names for girls and women and what they mean
If none of our Hawaiian girl names has won you over so far, here are 100 more Hawaiian baby girl names and their meanings.
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ailani | High chief |
| Akela | Noble one |
| Alana | Awakening |
| Aloha | Love, compassion |
| Anuhea | Cool, sweet scent |
| Aolani | Heavenly cloud |
| Apikalia | Abigail |
| Aukai | Seafarer |
| Elikapeka | Elisabeth |
| Halia | In memory of a loved one |
| Haukea | White snow |
| Healani | Heavenly mist |
| Hina | Moon goddess |
| Hokulani | Heavenly star |
| Iolana | To fly like a falcon |
| Kai | Sea |
| Kailani | Heavenly sea |
| Kalani | The heavenly one |
| Kalena | The pure one |
| Kamaile | Beloved child |
| Kamea | The one |
| Kana | The dark one |
| Kanani | The beautiful one |
| Kapua | The flower |
| Kaulana | Famous |
| Kawena | The rosy one |
| Kealoha | The beloved |
| Keanu | Cool breeze |
| Keiki | Child |
| Keilani | Heavenly flower |
| Kekepania | Stephanie |
| Kelena | The pure one |
| Kiana | Divine |
| Kiele | Gardenia |
| Kina | China |
| Kona | Lady |
| Lahaina | Cruel sun |
| Lani | Sky |
| Lanikai | Heavenly sea |
| Leilani | Heavenly flower |
| Lilinoe | Fine mist |
| Lilo | Generous |
| Lokelani | Little rose |
| Luana | Content, happy |
| Mahina | Moon |
| Maile | Fragrant plant |
| Makana | Gift |
| Malia | Maria |
| Malina | Soothing |
| Manu | Bird |
| Mehana | Warmth |
| Mele | Song |
| Melia | Honey |
| Moana | Ocean |
| Nalani | The heavens |
| Nani | Beautiful |
| Noelani | Heavenly mist |
| Nohea | Charming |
| Nui | Big, important |
| Oliana | Oleander |
| Olina | Joyful |
| Pua | Flower |
| Puanani | Beautiful flower |
| Pualani | Heavenly flower |
| Puamana | Fragrant mountain flower |
| Roselani | Heavenly rose |
| Ululani | Heavenly inspiration |
| Waiola | Water of life |
| Wailana | Calm water |
| Akoni | Priceless |
| Alika | Protector |
| Auli'i | Dainty, delicate |
| Emalia | Emily |
| Haunani | Beautiful snow |
| Hiwalani | Heavenly star |
| Iwalani | Heavenly heron |
| Kahula | The dancing one |
| Kaili | Delicate |
| Kaimana | Power of the sea |
| Kalama | The torch |
| Kawailani | Heavenly water |
| Keala | The way |
| Keani | Gentle wind |
| Kei | Beloved child |
| Kini | Many |
| Laka | Tame |
| Lana | Calm as still water |
| Lehua | Red blossom of the ohia tree |
| Liko | Bud |
| Lola | Queen |
| Mahealani | Night of the full moon |
| Makanani | Beautiful eyes |
| Malu | Calm, peace |
| Inoa | No known meaning |
These names often reflect Hawaii's nature, culture and spirituality, and many of them have beautiful, meaningful translations.
Final thoughts on Hawaiian girl names
Hawaiian girl names are like the colorful flower garland (a "lei" in Hawaiian) you receive as a welcome, and they embody the culture of the islands: hospitality, acceptance and compassion. Whether a name stands for a blessing or is more of a tribute to Mother Nature, it sounds just as melodic as Hawaii's exotic birds.
One of the many clichés about Hawaii is that the people who live there are permanently in "vacation mode". But like every country and state, Hawaii keeps changing quickly, and we at Lottili are curious to see which new names will find their way to its shores.
