50+ Popular Hawaiian Boy Names and Their Meanings

Hawaiian names, whether for boys, girls, or unisex, are known for their unique sounds and meanings. That's because the Hawaiian language is beautiful, and the tradition of naming babies adds something special. Whether you're from Hawaii, have island roots, or simply love the islands, you'll find inspiration in our list of over 50 Hawaiian boy names.

Traditions Behind Hawaiian Names

The Hawaiian language not only has beautiful-sounding baby boy names, but the naming process itself is also unique and special. In Hawaiian culture, names aren't just labels; they carry deep meaning and significance. Traditionally, a name can be sacred and isn't always chosen by the parents. Instead, there are seven traditional ways a baby might receive a name:

• Inoa pō is receiving a name through a family member’s dream.

• Inoa hō‘ailona is determining a name through visual signs, such as in a vision or seeing an image in nature (like in the clouds).

• Inoa ‘ūlāleo is when a family member hears a name through voice, either directly or via nature, like in the wind.

• Inoa ho‘omana‘o means preserving history through name, so your baby boy’s Hawaiian name can commemorate past events.

• Inoa kūamuamu is giving a specific name to a child to deter evil spirits.

• Inoa kupana means handing down a name from ancestors.

• Inoa ewe names are given based on personality traits.

In Hawaiian culture, it's believed that if a name comes to you through a dream, vision, or voice, you should use it. Otherwise, your baby might fall ill until they get the right name! If you don't receive a name spiritually, you can choose another method.

Nowadays, Hawaiian parents often choose names based on personal preference rather than tradition. Still, it's interesting to learn about the rich history and meanings behind these beautiful names!

Popular Hawaiian Boy Names

Hawaiian boy names don’t tend to make the list of popular baby names in the United States. However, traditional and authentic Hawaiian male names always make it into the list of favorites in Hawaiʻi and the neighboring islands. And some of these names are also popular throughout the country.

1. Kahiau. If you’re looking for real Hawaiian boy names, this one is particularly rare and authentic. The name refers to the act of doing something generously without expecting anything in return. It’s pronounced ka-hee-OW.

2. Kai. As one of the most popular Hawaiian baby boy names, Kai also landed in the top 100 names in the United States in 2020. Kai (simply pronounced KIE) means “sea.” It’s also a popular international name in Germany, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, and various English-speaking nations.

3. Kaimana. Kai means “sea,” and combining it with mana (which means “power”) creates a beautiful Hawaiian boy name with the meaning “powerful sea.” It’s pronounced kie-MA-na.

4. Kainalu. Pronounced kie-NA-loo, this name means “sea wave,” as it combines the Hawaiian words kai (“sea, sea water”) and nalu (“wave, surf”). It’s perfect for an island boy name!

5. Keanu. If you’re a fan of the actor Keanu Reeves, whose father has Hawaiian ancestry, then you probably recognize this name. Anu means “cool breeze,” so Keanu (pronounced keh-A-nu) means “the cool breeze.”

6. Makoa. Although this traditional Hawaiian boy name can mean “aggressive,” it also means “fearless, courageous.” It’s a popular name in Hawaiʻi for boys and is pronounced ma-KO-a.

7. Mikala. This popular Hawaiian boy name is a version of the English name Michael, which means “who is like God.” It’s pronounced MEE-ka-la.

8. Noa. You may recognize this Hawaiian male name, spelled more commonly as Noah in the United States. But Noa is also a popular spelling in other cultures, such as Croatia and France. Pronounced the same as Noah, this Hebrew name means “rest, repose.”

Hawaiian Boy Names With Cute and Unique Meanings

Finding charming Hawaiian names for boys is a breeze. In Hawaiian, a Polynesian language, there are far more vowels than consonants, and every syllable ends with a gentle vowel sound. That's why traditional Hawaiian names for boys often have such a beautiful, melodic ring to them!

Hawaiian boy names are equally as interesting, each with unique meanings. The monikers below have cute, sweet, and original backstories that will give your baby’s name a double “Aw! ” Many are also unisex baby names. that could be good choices if you don’t know your baby’s gender yet or prefer a gender-neutral option.

1. Kaipo. If you’re on the hunt for the cutest Hawaiian boy name, Kaipo might be it. It simply means “sweetheart” and is pronounced KIE-po.

2. Kalei. Pronounced ka-LAY, Kalei is one of the Hawaiian boy names with a fairly simple and cute meaning. It means “the flowers.”

3. Kamalani. Combining kama , meaning “child,” with lani , which has several meanings, including “heavens,” “sky,” “majesty,” and “royal,” you get a “heavenly or royal child. ” This cute Hawaiian boy or girl name is pronounced ka-ma-LA-nee.

4. Kapono. Perfect for a little baby boy, this Hawaiian name sweetly means “the good one. ” It combines ka , meaning “the,” with pono , meaning “good, moral. ” It’s pronounced ka-PO-no.

5. Kapua. Kapua can also mean “the flowers,” like Kalei from above. But the Hawaiian word pua has two meanings, so Kapua can also mean “the child. ” It’s pronounced ka-POO-a.

6. Kauʻi. As you may already know, Kauʻi is one of the Hawaiian Islands, and since uʻi means “youth, beauty,” Kauʻi means “the youthful one. ” This name features an apostrophe known as an okina in the Hawaiian language, which creates a glottal stop between two vowels. Therefore, you pronounce Kauʻi like ka-OO-ey.

7. Kawehi. So far, most of the Hawaiian boy names on this list start with ka , which is a definite article, usually meaning “the. ” So, because wehi means “adornment,” the name Kawehi means “the adornment” or “adorned. ” It’s pronounced ka-WEH-hee.

8. Keala. Ke is also a definite article, so when combined with ala (meaning “path”), you’ve got “the path. ” There’s a more traditional version of the name with an okina , changing it to Keʻala. Because ʻala means “esteemed person,” you have “the esteemed. ” Keala is pronounced KAY-ah-la, and Keʻala KAY-ah-la.

9. Kealoha. Because it has the word aloha in it, which means “love,” Kealoha is an excellent choice for a cute Hawaiian boy name! Kealoha means “the loved one” and is pronounced KEL-oh-ah.

10. Kōnane. This is one of many Hawaiian baby names with a macron, a line over the vowel. Called a kahakō , the line simply indicates an elongated vowel sound. So, you pronounce Kōnane, which means “bright,” as koh-NAH-neh with a slightly longer "O" sound.

11. Lehua. As a unisex name, Lehua (pronounced leh-HOO-ah) is significant to the state of Hawaiʻi. It’s actually the name of the state flower, the lehua flower, which blossoms on the famous Ohia tree.

12. Lei. The word lei is practically a symbol of Hawaiʻi. If you've ever had a lovely flower lei draped around your neck, you get the idea! It's short and sweet, pronounced LAY, meaning "flowers" or "child. Since it's brief, it's also a great middle name for Hawaiian boys or girls.

13. Leilani. You may recognize the two Hawaiian words that make up this girl or boy name: lei and lani . Pronounced Lay-LA-nee, you can pick and choose the final meaning. Lei means “flowers” or “child” and lani means “heaven,” “sky,” “royal,” or “majesty. ” Your baby boy could be a “heavenly child,” “royal child,” or “heavenly flowers!”

14. Uʻilani. Pronounced oo-ee-LA-nee, uʻi means “youth, beauty” and lani means “heaven,” “sky,” “royal,” or “majesty. ” So, this cute Hawaiian boy name means “royal beauty” or “heavenly beauty.”

Hawaiian Boy Names With Strong Meanings

Perhaps it’s not too surprising that many Hawaiian male names have strong meanings, given the traditional naming processes described above. It’s common for baby boy names to refer to aspects of nature, a physical place, or the spiritual world. Along with strong meanings, these names uphold that gentle rhythmic cadence of the Hawaiian language.

1. Ikaika. If you’re looking for a straightforward and strong name for boys, you might like the Hawaiian name Ikaika, pronounced ee-KAI-ka. It simply means “strong.”

2. Kalani. This is quite a popular Hawaiian name for girls, and less so for boys. However, it has a strong and significant meaning that fits perfectly for any gender. The most traditional meaning is “the heavens,” as ka means “the” and lani means “heavens,” “sky,” “majesty,” or “royal.”

3. Kaleo. This powerful name means “sound” or “voice. ” Pronounced KA-lee-oh, it’s a perfect inoa ewe to give to a little one with a calm or vocal personality.

4. Kapena. Kapena is a traditional Hawaiian name for men, but it comes from English origins. It’s pronounced ka-PEN-ah and means “captain.”

5. Kaulana. Meaning “famous” in Hawaiian, you have quite a strong baby boy name here! Plus, it has a unique pronunciation, as the A-U combination naturally creates the sound “ow. ” So Kaulana is pronounced kow-LA-na.

6. Keahi. Keahi combines the definite article ke with ahi , which means “fire. ” So, Keahi, pronounced keh-AH-hee, means “the fire. ” It doesn’t get much stronger than that!

7. Kekoa. Meaning “the warrior,” Kekoa combines ke , meaning “the,” with koa , meaning “warrior” or “koa tree. ” It’s pronounced keh-KO-ah.

8. Keone. This Hawaiian boy name is both strong and unique. The word one means “homeland,” so the name simply means “the homeland. ” Keone is pronounced keh-OH-neh.

9. Koa. The Hawaiian word koa means either “warrior” (when combined with a definite article in the name Kekoa above) or “koa tree” (when used alone, as with this name). Pronounced KO-ah, the koa tree is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and is the archipelago’s largest native plant species. This short name makes an excellent Hawaiian middle name for baby boys.

10. Makana. Although it could be classified as a cute boy name, its Hawaiian meaning could also be considered strong. Makana is pronounced ma-KAH-nah and means “gift.”

11. Moana. If you’ve seen the film Moana , you’ll know why this unisex name is so strong! You’ll find Moana in Hawaiian, Maori, and other Polynesian languages. It’s pronounced mo-AH-nah and means “ocean,” “wide expanse of water,” or “deep sea.”

12. Nālani. Nālani falls into the cute, strong, and unique categories of Hawaiian boy names , as its meaning is either “the heavens” or “the chiefs. ” It’s pronounced nah-LAH-nee.

Related Articles

Top Baby Names for Boys

Hawaiian Versions of English Boy Names

If you want to name your baby after a family member with a traditional English name, or you love a good classic, you’re in luck! Many Hawaiian boy names are versions of English names for men, including the ever-popular Adam, John, and Benjamin. So, you get the best of both worlds.

1. Akamu. Pronounced AH-kah-moo, this boy name is the Hawaiian version of Adam, which is the Hebrew word for “man.”

2. Anakoni. As the Hawaiian name for Anthony, Anakoni is pronounced ah-nah-KOH-nee. It comes from the Roman name Antonius, which has unknown origins. It was the name of the first-century Roman ruler Antony, whose life was dramatized by Shakespeare in the play Antony and Cleopatra .

3. Ekewaka. If you’re looking for the Hawaiian name for Edward, a common male name in English, you have Ekewaka. It’s pronounced eh-keh-WAH-kah, but the two middle syllables naturally blend together, so you may hear a more colloquial pronunciation of eh-KWAH-kah. The name Edward means “rich guard.”

4. Iakopa. Of course, the very common boy name Jacob has a Hawaiian equivalent! It’s pronounced ee-ah-KOH-pah, but many Hawaiians blend the first two syllables to pronounce it yah-KOH-pah. It has the same meaning as Jacob, which is “may God protect.”

5. Ikaia. Isaiah is an ancient Hebrew name for boys, and the Hawaiian version is Ikaia. It’s pronounced ee-KAI-ah, and the name Isaiah means “Yahweh is salvation,” referring to the Hebrew God, Yahweh.

6. Iokua. This Hawaiian baby boy name is the equivalent of Joshua, which means the same as Isaiah, “Yahweh is salvation. ” Iokua is pronounced ee-oh-KOO-ah, although many Hawaiians blend the first two syllables into the pronunciation of yoh-KOO-ah.

7. Kale. With a sweet pronunciation of KAH-leh, this is the Hawaiian version of Charles. From the Germanic name Karl, Charles means “man,” although other theories suggest it means “army” or “warrior.”

8. Keoni. It doesn’t get much more traditionally English than John! The Hawaiian version is Keoni, pronounced keh-OH-nee. John has interesting roots, including English, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. It means “Yahweh is gracious.”

9. Kimo. Pronounced KEE-moh, this is the Hawaiian boy name for James. As a biblical name closely related to Jacob, it also has the meaning “may God protect.”

10. Makaio. As the Hawaiian version of Matthew, Makaio is pronounced mah-KAI-oh. Matthew also makes its way back to Hebrew and means “gift of Yahweh.”

11. Maleko. Maleko has a cute colloquial pronunciation of mah-LEH-koh. It’s the Hawaiian version of Mark, which comes from the Roman god Mars. The name means “male” in Latin.

12. Peni. This Hawaiian baby boy name actually sounds a bit like its English equivalent, Ben. Peni is pronounced PEH-nee, much like the nickname Benny for Benjamin or Benedict, which are the longer versions of Ben. Benjamin means “son of the right hand” and Benedict means “blessed.”

13. Pika. Pika is pronounced PEE-kah and is the Hawaiian boy name for Peter, meaning “stone. ” Peni and Pika would be cute names for twins!

Hawaiian Boy Names From Island Mythology

All the boy names on our list are real Hawaiian names, but if you’re looking for unique authenticity and tradition, consider a mythological name. These names originate from Hawaiian, Maori, or Polynesian languages, many honoring mythological gods. They also work perfectly as interesting Hawaiian middle names for boys.

1. Māui. You may already recognize Māui as one of the Hawaiian Islands, which, like the name, is pronounced MOW-ee. According to Hawaiian mythology, Māui is a trickster and got his brothers to create the islands for him—by fishing them out of the ocean! The name is also connected to the sun and its movements.

2. Kāne. This name, pronounced KAH-neh, actually means “man” in Hawaiian. But in local mythology, Kāne is the highest of the four major gods and creator of all living things.

3. Rangi. Pronounced RAHN-gee, Rangi means “sky” in Maori. Married to Papa, the earth goddess, Rangi is the god of the sky.

4. Tāne. Similar to the name Kāne, Tāne is pronounced TAH-neh and also means “man,” although in Maori. Tāne is the son of Rangi and Papa and is the god of forests and light. Many stories suggest he created man.

5. Tangaroa. Another son of Rangi and Papa, Tangaroa, pronounced tahn-gah-ROH-ah, is the god of the sea.

The Bottom Line

Hawaiʻi is a stunning group of islands, each with its own unique customs and culture. The fascinating traditions and stories offer charming, unique, and strong Hawaiian names for baby boys and girls!

Picking a baby name can be both exciting and tricky. We hope our collection of Hawaiian boy names helps you decide on the perfect first and middle names. But if you're still unsure, you can always try our Baby Name Generator.

This tool allows you to create custom searches to find the perfect name to fit your baby boy!

Other ways to get some naming inspiration are to host a baby naming party, or read some of our other baby name articles, like old-fashioned names or middle names for boys.