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Kainalu

♂ Boy

Pronounced ky-NAH-loo /kaɪˈnɑ.lu/Medium

Meaning: From Hawaiian kai, 'sea', plus nalu, 'wave, surf' — 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave'Medium

In 30 seconds: The rolling wave: Kainalu is Hawaiian for 'the billowing sea, the surf'. Breezy, soulful, and warm.

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Origin MediumHawaiian

MeaningFrom Hawaiian kai, 'sea', plus nalu, 'wave, surf' — 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave'

U.S. rank (2024)#4956 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births20 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 652

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kainalu comes from Hawaiian kai, 'sea', plus nalu, 'wave, surf' — 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave'. A breezy, soulful name across Hawaii.

In the U.S. it appears in Hawaiian families. Rare, the-rolling-wave at the root, and breezy.

Did you know? Kainalu joins kai ('sea') with nalu ('wave, surf') — 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave'; a breezy, soulful Hawaiian name (a Hawaiian surf-rock band too).

Overall data confidence 75%

Hawaiian references — Kainalu — etymology

Variations

Kai Nalu

Nicknames

KaiNalu

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kainalu…

Kai— the 'sea' element

Kaikoa— a fellow Kai- Hawaiian name

Keanu— another Hawaiian boys' name

Kekoa— another Hawaiian name

Kamani— a fellow Hawaiian choice

Explore names like Kainalu

By themenature hawaiian

By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kainalu mean?

Kainalu is Hawaiian for 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave' (kai, 'sea', plus nalu, 'wave').

How do you pronounce Kainalu?

It's said ky-NAH-loo /kaɪˈnɑ.lu/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Kainalu a boy or girl name?

Kainalu is a boy's name.

How popular is Kainalu?

Kainalu is a rare name in the U.S.