Koa

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOH-ah /ˈkoʊə/High

Meaning: Brave, bold, fearless; also the name of a prized Hawaiian hardwood treeHigh

In 30 seconds: A short, powerful Hawaiian name meaning 'brave' and the name of a sacred hardwood tree. Koa is everything parents want in a name right now: brief, bold, nature-rooted, and radiating quiet strength.

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Origin HighHawaiian

MeaningBrave, bold, fearless; also the name of a prized Hawaiian hardwood tree

U.S. rank (2025)#269 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births1,281 boys (0.07% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 7,691

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Koa is a Hawaiian name meaning 'brave' or 'bold,' and is also the name of the Acacia koa tree, Hawaii's largest native tree and most valued hardwood. In traditional Hawaiian culture, the koa tree was sacred and its wood was reserved for the canoes of chiefs and the weapons of warriors. The name thus carries dual connotations of natural strength and personal courage.

As a given name, Koa has spread beyond Hawaii, gaining popularity on the U.S. mainland as interest in Hawaiian and Polynesian names has grown. Its short, vowel-ending form fits neatly with the trend for brief, meaningful names, and it entered the U.S. top 500 for boys in the mid-2020s.

Did you know? Koa wood (Acacia koa) is Hawaii's most prized hardwood, used for surfboards, canoes, and instruments — it was so valued that only the high-born were permitted to own koa canoes in ancient Hawaii.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Koa — etymology notesU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Ko'a

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Koa…

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Rio— two-syllable nature name with the same bright, vowel-ending vibrancy

Finn— short Celtic nature name with the same bold, effortlessly cool character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Koa mean?

Koa is a Hawaiian name meaning 'brave' or 'bold.' It is also the name of the Acacia koa tree, Hawaii's most prized native hardwood.

How do you pronounce Koa?

It is said KOH-ah /ˈkoʊə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Koa a boy or girl name?

Koa is used predominantly as a boys' name, though it occasionally appears for girls.

How popular is Koa?

Koa entered the U.S. top 500 for boys in the mid-2020s and continues to rise.