Hawaiian Girl Names

What makes a Hawaiian girl name

Traditional Hawaiian names were not divided by gender, but modern usage has settled on a few patterns that read as feminine. The most common is the ending -lani (heaven, royal), Leilani, Nalani, Kailani, Pualani, Noelani, and Hōkūlani. Flower words are the second big group, because pua means both blossom and child, Pua, Kapua, Puanani, Melia (plumeria), Kiele (gardenia), Lehua, and Maile.

Many Hawaiian women’s names are also adaptations of English or biblical names made with Hawaiian sounds. Malia is Mary, Kalena is Karen, Lahela is Rachel, and Kiana is Diana. These arrived after 1820 and are now fully Hawaiian in feel.

Popular Hawaiian female names in the United States

Leilani has been a U.S. top-100 girl name since 2020 and reached the top 60 in 2023. Malia climbed after Malia Obama entered public life in 2009. Kailani, Kalani, Moana (after the 2016 film), Alana, Kiana, and Leia are the other Hawaiian girl names that appear in the U.S. top 1000.

Rare and unique Hawaiian girl names

For something less common, look at names built from mist, dew, and light, Kehaulani (heavenly dew), Kanoelani (heavenly mist), Alaula (light of dawn), Kawena (glow of sunset), and Māhealani (full moon night). Names from Hawaiian legend, like Hiʻiaka, Lilinoe, and Poliʻahu, are rarely used but deeply rooted. Browse names meaning rain or names meaning light for more.