Hawaiian names are one of the origins that are the most trendy at the moment, a sudden surge of popularity in that category that is really quite astonishing. But if you love Hawaiian names that have potential to blend in with the crowd but aren’t created “Hawaiian” names like Daylani or Evalei, then do I have the collection of names for you. Today, I’ve curated a couple of Hawaiian names that I think have the most potential for striking a chord with parents and trends today. Oh, and don’t worry about Daylani and Evalei. I assure you that all of the names on this list will be 100% authentically Hawaiian for families who value origin story or those who wish to honor Hawaiian heritage with a name that truly belongs to Hawaii. Bearing all that in mind, let’s take a look at some names, dear readers!
Kalea- Visually, Kalea already checks plenty of boxes. She resembles Kaylin, Kayla, and Alea/Aalyiah very closely, making her appearance instantly satisfying. As for pronunciation, there seems to be a variety of ways. Kuh-Lee-uh and Kuh-Lay-uh are both accepted, again, matching the vibe and sound of other popular names like Kaylee and Layla. Top that priceless package off with a fairly rare, but not completely unheard of #1398, a ranking that distinguishes your little one but ensures she doesn’t go through life with an unbearably rare choice. The meaning of Kalea is highly debated apparently, with all of my favorite sources for name meanings clashing in their opinions, but among the most common theories are that Kalea derives from Kalei, meaning “flower wreath” or “beloved,” although “joy” is also a repeating tangent.
Nohea- A unisex name that I quite like on both genders, Nohea seems like a beautiful or handsome extension of family favorites Noa and Noah. Pronounced No-Hay-Uh, at least in the United States, this name has a soft and subtle X factor that definitely appeals to both genders in this day and age. At #10209, Nohea is extremely rare, but that doesn’t mean that the name will be misunderstood everywhere you go. I would say that the pronunciation is fairly intuitive, and given the similarity to Noah, Nohea hardly sticks out. Not only that, the meaning, “beautiful” or “handsome,” feels perfect for an adorable bundle of joy.
Halia- A name that looks mainstream and current, a kind of cross between feminine Thalia and cutesy Hallie, Halia could have some real potential over the next few years. She isn’t necessarily extinct, just fairly uncommon at #3503 (44 US girls given the name), and is pronounced Ha-Lee-uh, with the emphasis on the Lee. Girly but not overly frilly, sweet and long, but not visually too lengthy (like Olivia and Ariana). If three syllables is a bit too much for you, though, maybe Hallie or Haylee would work as nicknames if you pronounce the name slightly differently.
Lani- Sure, Lani is the base for many created Hawaiian style names. Slap a -lani on something of your desire and you have a fairly convincing Hawaiian name. Vivilani, Lilani, Iyalani, and more all manage to feign authenticity with the help of Lani. And that’s not just a fluke, because (surprise, surprise!) Lani is actually a Hawaiian name! Mind blown, I know. Although Lani is mostly credited as a stylish last syllable for a tropical and stylish girl name, the light and airy quality of Lani’s sound is hard to pass up on her own. If you’re into nickname-names, then Lani offers a name complete enough to stand the test of time, but short enough to have a youthful appeal. Lani ranks at a surprisingly rare #2244, perfect for your shortlist.
Naia- If you’re a fan of Maia, Naia may be a lovely Hawaiian alternative. That stunning spelling of Maia replicated with the much rarer Naia, this girl name could be a glorious way to swerve the popularity of #64 Maya without losing the beauty of her sounds. Not only that, Naia has the wonderful origin story of being the Hawaiian word for dolphin, giving her the meaning of “dolphin” as well. I don’t know about you, but dolphins are pretty adorable, extraordinarily clever, and have a lovely sense of humor. And at #1918, but with instantly recognizable sounds and easy spelling, Naia pretty much ticks a couple key boxes for the majority of families.
Leilani- Ahh, the name that started it all. That’s right, Leilani is indulging in major popularity as she sits just outside of the top 100 at #107. Despite her popularity, I would still urge you to consider Leilani if you desire a Hawaiian name that honors family heritage without you worrying too much about dooming your daughter to a lifetime of embarrassment and questioning regarding her name (although I personally find names that boldly honor heritage wonderful, some people find themselves concerned with their functionality.) With that in-demand -lani ending and a gentle and relaxing ‘Lay’ sound at the beginning, this name meaning “heavenly” is certainly a pretty one.
Kailani- The arguably second most popular Hawaiian girl name, Kailani takes the success of Kai and the public adoration of Leilani and hops right onto that trend train, riding up to a decent sweet spot at #350. However, I would say that Kailani has so many infinite alternative spellings, including the variant Kehlani who ranks among the most popular at #242, she most definitely secures a spot in the 200s, but that’s just my opinion. Either way, Kailani has a free feeling about her, and her meaning “Sea and sky” is certainly quite delightful. Add in some phonetically simple spelling and pronunciation and you have a winning combo.
Luana- A gorgeous, feminine, and smooth Hawaiian girl name, Luana has all of the sounds necessary to make it big. And with Leilani and Kailani paving the way for a nationwide love of Hawaiian girl and boy names, she might just have enough traction to punch her way out of the depths of the below top 1000 gang and soar above. Currently she ranks at #2030, a name that models modern day favorite Luna, ties in some of spunky Lucy, gives that -ana ending of Tatiana, Elliana, and Lilliana, and gives a certain calming serenity of her own to the mix. Honestly, Luana is such a gorgeous name, and I find her a striking choice.
Thank you all so much for reading! As usual, the comments section is open for sharing your thoughts on this article with the rest of the Warehouse, and my contact form is always there if you have article ideas or any commentary on my website. Have a wonderful rest of your day, readers, and I hope you enjoyed.
Sincerely,
-Delphina Moon
Living in Hawai'i I always hold my breath when people list Hawaiian names because a lot of "Hawaiian names" are actually Polynesian influenced. But all these are perfect and Hawaiian. I knew that I enjoyed your posts already, but this cements why I come to your website. Great job!