Makoa

♂ Boy

Pronounced mah-KOH-ah /mɑːˈkoʊ.ɑː/High

Meaning: Fearless; bold; courageous; from Hawaiian makoa (bold, brave, fearless)High

In 30 seconds: A Hawaiian name meaning 'fearless' or 'bold.' Hawaiian names have a euphonious quality — every syllable ends in a vowel — giving Makoa a flowing, open sound that evokes the Pacific Islands.

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Origin HighHawaiian

MeaningFearless; bold; courageous; from Hawaiian makoa (bold, brave, fearless)

U.S. rank (2025)#1119 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births191 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,479

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

Makoa comes from Hawaiian makoa (brave, bold, fearless). Hawaiian is a Polynesian language of the Austronesian family, and its names typically have clear, positive meanings rooted in the natural world or in qualities of character.

Makoa is used in Hawaiian and broader communities. It ranked #1117 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? The Hawaiian language has only 13 letters (5 vowels and 8 consonants) — one of the world's smallest phonemic inventories. This is why Hawaiian names like Makoa, Kai, Hana, and Kahananui have such a distinctive vowel-rich, flowing sound.

Overall data confidence 89%

Behind the Name — Makoa — Hawaiian etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MakenaMakani

Nicknames

MakKoa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Makoa…

Kai— Hawaiian word-name (sea) with the same vowel-open Pacific quality

Koa— Hawaiian name meaning brave/strength, sharing the -koa element of Makoa

Kenji— Pacific/Japanese name with the same vowel-rich island feel

Kekoa— shares Makoa's Hawaiian roots

Makaio— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Makoa

By themethree-syllable hawaiian bold polynesian brave

By meaningBrave / Courage

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Makoa mean?

Makoa means 'fearless,' 'bold,' or 'courageous' in Hawaiian.

How do you pronounce Makoa?

It's said mah-KOH-ah — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Makoa a boy or girl name?

Makoa is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Makoa?

Makoa ranked #1117 for U.S. boys in 2024.