Find a Hawaiian name you can explain.

In the United States, Leilani, Malia, Kai, Keanu, Kalani, Kailani, Moana, Noa, and Koa are the most widely used Hawaiian names. Leilani has ranked in the U.S. top 100 girl names since 2020, and Kai is a top-100 boy name.

Lani means sky or heaven and also signals royalty or high rank. It is the most common element in Hawaiian names, found in Leilani (heavenly lei), Kalani (the heavens), Nalani (the heavens), Kailani (sea and sky), and Pualani (heavenly flower).

Traditionally, yes. Most Hawaiian names were given without regard to gender, and many still are. Kai, Kalani, Keola, Makana, and Kealoha are used for any child. Modern usage has made some names lean feminine (names ending in lani) or masculine (Koa, Ikaika, Kekoa).

Every vowel is pronounced. A as in father, e as in bet, i as ee, o as in go, u as oo. W sounds like v after i or e. The ʻokina (ʻ) is a brief pause, and a kahakō (a line over a vowel) makes it longer. Stress usually falls on the next-to-last syllable, as in lay-LAH-nee and keh-AH-noo.

Hawaiian names (inoa) are considered to carry mana, or spiritual power. Names could come to a family in a dream (inoa pō), commemorate an event (inoa hoʻomanaʻo), or be given by a chief. Many families still choose names that describe the child's birth, a place, or a quality they hope the child will carry.