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Home › Baby Names Directory › Kawena

Kawena

♀ Girl

Pronounced kah-WEH-nah /kɑˈweɪ.nə/Medium

Meaning: From Hawaiian kawena, 'the glow; a reddish radiance' — a name carried respectfully by the scholar-poet Mary Kawena Pukui, a keeper of Hawaiian language and lore.Low

In 30 seconds: A glowing Hawaiian name: Kawena means 'the glow' (said 'kah-WEH-nah'). Carried with respect by scholar Mary Kawena Pukui.
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Origin LowHawaiian
MeaningFrom Hawaiian kawena, 'the glow; a reddish radiance' — a name carried respectfully by the scholar-poet Mary Kawena Pukui, a keeper of Hawaiian language and lore.
U.S. rank (2024)#16398 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 176

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519882024

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

Kawena is Hawaiian for 'the glow; radiance,' its warmth tied to the legacy of Mary Kawena Pukui. It reads soft and luminous, rare outside Hawaii and used with respect (said 'kah-WEH-nah').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. mainland, more familiar in Hawaii. Rare, radiant, and heritage-rich.

Did you know? Kawena comes from Hawaiian for 'the glow; a reddish radiance,' a name honored through the work of scholar-poet Mary Kawena Pukui, a guardian of Hawaiian language (said 'kah-WEH-nah').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Kawena — Hawaiian 'the glow'; tied to Mary Kawena Pukui

Variations

KawennaKaweenaKawenah

Nicknames

WenaKawe

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kawena…

Leilani— a like Hawaiian nature name
Kalani— a like Hawaiian heritage name
Malia— a like soft Hawaiian pick
Noelani— a like luminous Hawaiian name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kawena mean?

Kawena is Hawaiian for 'the glow; a reddish radiance,' a name honored through scholar-poet Mary Kawena Pukui.

How do you pronounce Kawena?

It's said kah-WEH-nah /kɑˈweɪ.nə/ — three syllables, stress as marked.

Is Kawena a boy or girl name?

Kawena is a girl's name.

How popular is Kawena?

Kawena is a very rare name in the U.S. mainland, more familiar in Hawaii.

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