Moana

♀ Girl

Pronounced moh-AH-nah /moʊˈɑː.nə/High

Meaning: From Hawaiian and Polynesian moana, meaning 'ocean' or 'wide expanse of water'; used across many Pacific island languages to denote the open seaHigh

In 30 seconds: Moana is a Hawaiian and Polynesian name meaning ocean or sea. Bold yet melodic, it carries the spirit of the Pacific and soared in recognition after Disney's 2016 animated film of the same name.

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Origin HighHawaiian, Polynesian

MeaningFrom Hawaiian and Polynesian moana, meaning 'ocean' or 'wide expanse of water'; used across many Pacific island languages to denote the open sea

U.S. rank (2025)#4141 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births35 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,144

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

Moana comes from the Proto-Polynesian root moana, meaning 'ocean' or 'deep water'. The word is found across the Polynesian language family, including Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and Tongan, where it consistently refers to the vast open sea. Its use as a given name in Hawaiian culture reflects the deep spiritual connection Pacific Islanders hold with the ocean as a source of life, navigation, and identity.

The name Moana gained extraordinary global recognition with Disney's 2016 animated film Moana, which told the story of a Polynesian girl who sets sail across the Pacific. The film was developed with guidance from the Oceanic Story Trust, a group of Pacific Island scholars and community members. Since 2016, the name has appeared in U.S. baby name charts and surged in Australia, New Zealand, and European countries.

Did you know? The name Moana appears across many Polynesian languages — in Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and Tongan — always referring to the deep ocean or open sea, reflecting how central the Pacific was to these seafaring cultures.

Overall data confidence 95%

Hawaiian Dictionary, Pukui & Elbert — moana defined as ocean, open seaProto-Polynesian Lexicon — shared root across Polynesian language family

Variations

MoanaMoanah

Nicknames

MoMona

Famous Bearers

★Moana Maniapoto (1961-)
New Zealand Maori singer and songwriter
★Moana Hope (1988-)
Australian rules footballer in the AFLW
★Moana Pozzi (1961-1994)
Italian actress and television personality

If you like Moana…

Leilani— Hawaiian origin and similar lilting, ocean-linked Polynesian sound

Kalani— Hawaiian name with the same melodic three-syllable structure

Kailani— means sea and sky in Hawaiian, directly parallel oceanic meaning

Malia

Naia

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By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Moana mean?

Moana means ocean or wide expanse of water in Hawaiian and across many Polynesian languages.

How do you pronounce Moana?

It is pronounced moh-AH-nah, with the stress on the second syllable, in three syllables.

Is Moana a boy or girl name?

Moana is primarily used as a girl's name, though it is a gender-neutral word in Hawaiian meaning ocean.

How popular is Moana?

Moana rose sharply in popularity after Disney's 2016 film and is now used across many Western countries, especially in Australia and New Zealand.