23 Real Hawaiian Names for Girls
The sound of the times in girls' names is freshness with a liquid grace. It's no surprise, then that Hawaiian names are on the rise, both in the Hawaiian Islands and throughout the United States. Their distinctive flow is a perfect twist on current style, and captures the imagination, too.
If you're looking for genuine Hawaiian girls' names that are currently popular in Hawaii, you can scroll down now to browse the list. But if you'd like a little more background on Hawaiian names, read on.
The Hawaiian language is built from a small set of sounds, including very few hard or rough-edged consonants. Consonant sounds are always separated by vowels—almost like islands surrounded by the flow of water. The shape of the names conveys a powerful sense of place, which makes parents particularly eager to match the sound to literal meanings and origins.
Understanding the full meanings of Hawaiian names, though, can be a challenge. After generations of suppression, Hawaiian is an endangered language with few native speakers. It's also a language with no traditional writing system, so written Hawaiian is an English-based alphabet that can blur some distinctions, especially when you drop the markings that distinguish, say, kalia from kālia from kali'a.
What's more, many popular name roots have a wide range of meanings that can lead to wildly different interpretations. Take the classic Leilani, which has been familiar to mainlanders ever since Bing Crosby sang about a "Sweet Leilani" back in 1937. You'll usually see the name's meaning given as "heavenly flowers," because it's built from the word lei (a garland, as of flowers or shells) + lani (sky, heavens). But lani also means "highness" or "royal," especially when used as a form of address to a high chief…or in a name. And lei can also refer to a beloved child, reportedly due to the lei-like shape of a child's legs as she rides on a parent or sibling's shoulders. So "royal child" may be a better interpretation of the name.
I am no expert on Hawaiian language or culture, but understanding and respecting names is high on my agenda. To compile a list of real Hawaiian names, I looked in two directions: to scholarly resources, and to the people of present-day Hawaii. Every name on my list is currently used as a baby name in Hawaii, and much more common there than in the rest of the country. And every meaning and derivation has been verified in multiple reputable sources. Note, though, that in name origins "real" doesn't necessarily mean "traditional." Names continue to evolve in every culture. Some of the names listed are contemporary, or borrowed from English words (like Anela, meaning "angel"). But every one is distinctly, and proudly, Hawaiian.
Photo: Getty Images
| NAME | MEANING |
|---|---|
| Anela | Angel |
| Anuhea | Cool mist; fragrance of a mountain forest |
| Hali'a | Fond recollection, cherished memory |
| Hi'ilani | Praise, exalt; care for |
| Kaila | Style, stylish |
| Kailani | Heavenly sea ("sea" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
| Kailea | Joyful sea ("sea" + "joy, pleasure") |
| Kaʻiulani | The most elevated majesty or sacred heaven (the name of an admired Hawaiian Crown Princess) |
| Kalea | Joy, pleasure |
| Kealani | Clear sky ("white/clear" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
| Leilani | Royal child; heavenly garland ("garland" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
| Lilinoe | Fine rain or mist, and the name of a goddess of mist |
| Luana | To be at ease and live in pleasure |
| Mahealani | Night of the full moon ("hazy, as moonlight" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
| Mahina | Moon, moonlight; also the name of the lunar deity |
| Maile | A native Hawaiian plant from which leis are made, which also represents four maile sister dieties |
| Malia | A Hawaiian form of Maria/Mary |
| Mana | Power, powerful |
| Moana | Ocean |
| Nai'a | Dolphin |
| Nalani | The heavens; the high chiefs ("plural article" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
| Nanea | At ease, tranquil; to relax |
| Noelani | Heavenly mist ("mist" + "sky/heavens/highness") |
12/07/2018, 10:21AM
Comments
I named my daughter Leilanna, a spin to Leilani...havent met another one yet!
Thanks For Sharing Great Article <a href="https://www.myetsymart.com.pk/vcare-vip-hair-colour-shampoo.html">Vip Hair Colour Shampoo in Pakistan</a>
I Just your Name t my Sister
KailaniHeavenly sea ("sea" + "sky/heavens/highness")KaileaJoyful sea ("sea" + "joy, pleasure")KaʻiulaniThe most elevated majesty or sacred heaven (the name of an admired Hawaiian Crown Princess)KaleaJoy, pleasureKealaniClear sky ("white/clear" + "sky/heavens/highness")Leilani
Royal child; heavenly garland ("garland" + "sky/heavens/highness")
These Names i chosen and <a href="https://www.myetsymart.com.pk/vcare-vip-hair-colour-shampoo.html">Vip Hair Colour Shampoo in Pakistan</a>
Luana, Nice name and seems rare too. Considering the same as well. I remember a sitcom "A million Stars" and there was a woman called Luana. And I don't know why, but all these names are very appropriate names, or some apple iphone buyers guide.
I never knew Hawaii was blessed with beautiful names like these. I thought the place was only known for tourist destinations and sights. Nice one
class hall
maria is mirror name to mahina. mana is trendy name. Nice
I think if I lived there and had a girl, I would name her Palm. Very fitting and a palm is religious and a huge part of history that will not ever go away! <a href=http://www.ctpalmtrees.com>Palm Trees</a>
One of the best financial service provider in Hong Kong which aims at providing Low Interest Rate and No Handling Fee Loan Services for overseas domestics helpers. We understand different customer needs, therefore we focus on what we good at and provide better service.
Helper Finance
I Just your Name this is my Sister
and this necklaces
Create a free website or build a blog with ease on mitha.app. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.
these names are even prettier when you hear them spoken by an indigenous Hawaiian - the sounds become musical.
dazzlers
tent reviews
This post is awesome..
www.sepeda.me
The Hawaiian language is built from a small set of sounds, including very few hard or rough-edged consonants. Consonant sounds are always separated by vowels—almost like islands surrounded by the flow of water. The shape of the names conveys a powerful sense of place, which makes parents particularly eager to match the sound to literal meanings and origins. Download: Run 3 online.
nice baby blog. good to see you.
www.trendmicro.com besbuypc
A nice selection of beautiful names for girls.
lenny face
Thank you for sharing this! Just what I’ve been searching for. Great info! We are offering high-resolution website design and that put us the supreme web design company. We are providing the best website design and development services in an affordable pricing plan among other companies. Here company's website: https://www.adwebstudio.com/web-design-company-riyadh-jeddah-saudi-arabia
If you are looking for the top Freelance web developer, look no further as I am providing the best Freelance web designing services ever in town! Here you will get all the top responsive websites with easy navigation accompanied with the latest trends and designs, the top Web developer and Web Designer is known for its exceptional techniques worldwide. As a Web Developer NYC I will promote your company and its product and services like no other! here my website: https://www.digitalsaad.us/
Hali'a - Fond recollection, cherished memory.
Reviews rabbit