| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Akamu
|
Of the earth
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Alaula
|
Light of Dawn
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Aloha
|
Love; greeting; family
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Aolani
|
Cloud from Heaven
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Aulani
|
King's Messenger
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Aulii
|
Delicious
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Haaheo
|
Cherished with pride
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Hailama
|
Form of Hiram
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Hale
|
Hero; from the hall
|
English
|
|
|
|
Halia
|
Memorial
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Hanale
|
Variant of Henry
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Hilo
|
Hawaiian place name; "to twist"
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iakopa
|
Form of Jacob
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iakopo
|
Form of Jacob
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Ikaika
|
Strong
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Inoke
|
Devoted
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Ioane
|
Variant of John
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iokepa
|
Variant of Joseph
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iolani
|
To fly like a hawk
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iosua
|
Form of Joshua
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Ipo
|
Sweetheart, lover
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Iwalani
|
Heavenly Seagull
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahakuokahale
|
Marked house of crying out
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahale
|
The house
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahananui
|
The great work
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahele
|
To go
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahiau
|
Generous
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kahue
|
Gourd
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kai
|
Sea
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kaili
|
Name of a Hawaiian deity
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kaimana
|
Powerful sea
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kaimi
|
The seeker
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kainalu
|
Wavy sea
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kaipo
|
Sweetheart
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kalani
|
The heavens, sky; royal one
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kalei
|
One who Works for the King
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kamea
|
Precious One
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kanoa
|
The free one
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kapena
|
Captain
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kapule
|
Prayer; magic
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kauʻi
|
Youthful beauty
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kaulana
|
Ilustrious; famed
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kawai
|
The waters
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kawelo
|
Family trait
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kawena
|
Rosy Reflection in the Sky
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keahi
|
Flames
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keaka
|
Of the shadows
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keala
|
Path
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kealaalohi
|
One shining path
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keanu
|
The breeze
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keao
|
Daylight
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keawe
|
Twisted string
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keiki
|
Child
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kelekolio
|
Variant of Gregory
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kelii
|
Chief
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keoki
|
Alive
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Keoni
|
God is gracious
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kimo
|
Variant of Jim
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Koa
|
Brave, bold, fearless.
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kona
|
Leeward
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Konala
|
World ruler
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Kūaliʻi
|
Hawaiian god of war
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Laakea
|
Sacred light
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lahahana
|
Bright-headed
|
Indian (Sanskrit), Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lakalo
|
Form of Lazarus
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lani
|
Heaven or Chief
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lewi
|
United
|
Hebrew
|
|
|
|
Liko
|
Bud
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lilo
|
Generous One
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Loe
|
King
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lopaka
|
Variant of Robert
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Lulani
|
Highest Heaven
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Mahelona
|
Form of Mahlon
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Māhoe
|
Twin
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Maiele
|
Eloquent, skilled in speaking
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Maikaʻi
|
Good
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Maikaikeakua
|
Way of the white sea back
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Makaio
|
Form of Matthew
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Makani
|
Wind
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Makenna
|
Abundance
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Makoa
|
Bold one
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Maleko
|
Variant of Mark
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Malo
|
Winner
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Malulani
|
Under heaven's protection
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Mana
|
Spirit
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Mano
|
Shark
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Manollo
|
Shark
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Manu
|
Bird
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Mauli
|
Dark skinned
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Pali
|
Bird
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Palila
|
Bird
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Pekelo
|
Rock
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Peneki
|
Form of Bennett
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Peni
|
Variant of Ben
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Peniamina
|
Form of Benjamin
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Pika
|
Form of Peter
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Pila
|
Form of Bill
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Pilipo
|
Horse lover
|
Greek
|
|
|
|
Pua
|
Flower; child
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Uilama
|
Form of William
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
|
Wilama
|
Form of William
|
Polynesian
|
|
|
Hawaiian boy names capture the natural beauty and wonder of the islands, along with their deep culture and history. Naming has always been a tremendous responsibility among Hawaii’s people, with much consideration given to every child’s moniker. They view names as forces with the power to help or hurt their wearer, so the decision is never made lightly. Symbolism is huge, as are meanings interwoven with the islands’ features, including beautiful waters, ocean breezes, and so much more. Let’s meet some Hawaiian names for boys together.
Hawaiian monikers aren’t too common, but a few of these fierce finds have risen in use. Kai is one you likely know, meaning “sea.” He’s a soft, one-syllable pick, yet his personality is the size of the ocean itself. Another is Keanu, who got a boost in popularity thanks to actor, Keanu Reeves. His pronunciation can be tricky for some, but the Hollywood connection makes it much easier for people to catch onto. Koa is also beloved, meaning “brave; bold; fearless.” He’s an excellent alternative to the mega-popular Noah. Other popular Hawaiian boy names include Keoni, Makoa, and Kanoa.
Hawaiian boy names can be variants of other names from around the world. One example is Mikala, a Hawaiian form of Michael. Another is Iosua, a variant of Joshua. Iakopa is a form of Jacob, while Pika is a version of Peter. Using a Hawaiian variant of a name is a great way to honor your heritage and a special person in your life with the name. See Makaio and Wilama for more.
The meanings behind Hawaiian boy names range from breathtakingly beautiful to powerful. A great meaning can help a name stand apart or speak to you on another level, so always pay attention to this often overlooked aspect of naming. Alaula means “light of dawn,” while Aolani means “cloud from heaven.” The “cool heights” behind Nu’uanu can transport you to the peaks of Hawaii’s many volcanoes, or you can plunge into the sea with Mano‘s “shark.” Malo‘s “winner” is super positive, as is Kamea‘s “precious one.” Check out Kaipo, Keahi, and Inoke for more incredible meanings.
Browse more Hawaiian boy names and meanings on our complete list.
