Hawaiian Boy Names

235 Hawaiian names for boys, including traditional unisex names, with meanings and pronunciation. From short favorites like Kai and Koa to the names of Hawaiian kings and gods.

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235 names found

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Kai
sea
KYE🌊💧Unisex
Kalani
the heavens, the royal one
kah-LAH-nee✨👑☁️Unisex
ka+lani
Keanu
the cool breeze
keh-AH-noo🍃🌿Boy
ke+anu
Koa
brave, bold, fearless, the koa tree
KOH-ah💪🛡️🌴Boy
Moana
ocean, the open sea
moh-AH-nah🌊💧Unisex
Noa
freedom, free from restriction
NOH-ah🕊️Boy
Ikaika
strong, powerful
ee-KYE-kah💪🛡️Boy
Kāwika
Hawaiian form of David
kah-VEE-kah📖❤️Boy
Kealoha
the beloved, the loved one
keh-ah-LOH-hah❤️Unisex
ke+aloha
Kekoa
the brave one, the warrior
keh-KOH-ah💪🛡️Boy
ke+koa
Keola
the life
keh-OH-lah🌱🌅Unisex
ke+ola
Keoni
Hawaiian form of John
keh-OH-nee📖Boy
Kimo
Hawaiian form of James
KEE-moh📖Boy
Lani
sky, heaven, royal
LAH-nee✨☁️👑Unisex
Makoa
fearless, courageous, bold
mah-KOH-ah💪🛡️Boy
Ailani
high chief
eye-LAH-nee👑✨Unisex
aliʻi+lani
Aolani
heavenly cloud
ow-LAH-nee✨☁️Unisex
ao+lani
Hōkū
star
HOH-koo⭐☁️🔆Unisex
Kaimana
power of the sea, diamond
kye-MAH-nah🌊💪Unisex
kai+mana
Kainoa
the namesake, also read as the free sea
kye-NOH-ah🌊🕊️Unisex
ka+inoa+noa
Kaipo
the sweetheart
KYE-poh❤️Unisex
ka+ipo
Kalei
the lei, the beloved child
kah-LAY❤️🌺Unisex
ka+lei
Kaleo
the voice, the sound
kah-LEH-oh🎶Unisex
ka+leo
Kamalani
heavenly child, royal child
kah-mah-LAH-nee✨👑Unisex
kama+lani

What makes a Hawaiian boy name

Hawaiian boy names tend to be short and built from words for strength, the sea, and the natural world. Koa is both “brave” and the hardwood tree used for canoes. Ikaika is strength, Makoa is fearless, Kekoa is the warrior, and Kanoa is the free one. Kai (sea) and Keanu (the cool breeze) are the two most recognized Hawaiian male names worldwide.

A second group comes from the Bible and from English names adapted to Hawaiian sounds after 1820, such as Keoni (John), Kimo (James), Kāwika (David), Akamu (Adam), Kamuela (Samuel), Makaio (Matthew), and Lopaka (Robert). These are common in Hawaiʻi and easy to pronounce anywhere.

Royal and legendary names

The names of Hawaiian aliʻi (chiefs) are used sparingly out of respect but remain a source of inspiration: Kamehameha (the lonely one), Kalākaua (the day of battle), Liholiho (glowing), and Kūhiō. From mythology come Māui, the demigod who snared the sun, and the four great gods Kāne, Kū, Lono, and Kanaloa. See all royal names and names from Hawaiian mythology.

Popular Hawaiian male names in the United States

Kai is a top-100 U.S. boy name, and Koa, Noa, Keanu, Kalani, and Makoa have all entered the top 1000 since 2015. Kai and Noa are also popular in Europe and Israel, which gives them cross-cultural reach.

Unisex names that also work

140 traditional names used for any child. See the full unisex list.

Kai
sea
KYE🌊💧Unisex
Kalani
the heavens, the royal one
kah-LAH-nee✨👑☁️Unisex
ka+lani
Moana
ocean, the open sea
moh-AH-nah🌊💧Unisex
Kealoha
the beloved, the loved one
keh-ah-LOH-hah❤️Unisex
ke+aloha
Keola
the life
keh-OH-lah🌱🌅Unisex
ke+ola
Lani
sky, heaven, royal
LAH-nee✨☁️👑Unisex
Ailani
high chief
eye-LAH-nee👑✨Unisex
aliʻi+lani
Aolani
heavenly cloud
ow-LAH-nee✨☁️Unisex
ao+lani
Hōkū
star
HOH-koo⭐☁️🔆Unisex

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Questions people ask

What is the most popular Hawaiian boy name?

Kai, meaning sea, is the most popular Hawaiian boy name in the United States and ranks in the top 100. Koa (brave) and Noa (freedom) are the next most common.

What Hawaiian boy names mean strong or warrior?

Ikaika (strong), Koa (brave, warrior), Kekoa (the warrior), Makoa (fearless), Kanaʻi (the conqueror), Lanakila (victory), and Kaimana (power of the sea) all mean strength or courage.

What does Keanu mean?

Keanu means 'the cool breeze', from ke (the) and anu (cool). It is pronounced keh-AH-noo.

Is Noa a Hawaiian name?

Yes. In Hawaiian, noa means free or released from kapu (sacred restriction). Noa is also a Hebrew girl name and a Japanese name, which makes it a rare cross-cultural choice.