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Nainoa

♂ Boy

Pronounced nah-ee-NOH-ah /nɑ.iˈnoʊ.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Hawaiian Nainoa — often glossed 'the answers' or 'one who calls/seeks'; gloss variesLow

In 30 seconds: A seeker's name: Nainoa is Hawaiian, often 'the answers' — borne by master navigator Nainoa Thompson. Wise, ocean-bound, and proud.

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Origin MediumHawaiian

MeaningFrom Hawaiian Nainoa — often glossed 'the answers' or 'one who calls/seeks'; gloss varies

U.S. rank (2025)#4649 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births22 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2002

Total births (all-time)≈ 621

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

Nainoa comes from Hawaiian — often glossed 'the answers' or 'one who calls/seeks' (the gloss varies, which we note). Borne by celebrated wayfinding navigator Nainoa Thompson, it's a wise, ocean-bound name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, the-answers at the (likely) root, and wise.

Did you know? Nainoa Thompson, the master Polynesian navigator who sailed by stars and waves, made the name famous — it's often glossed 'the answers' or 'one who seeks'.

Overall data confidence 60%

Hawaiian references — Nainoa — gloss varies

Variations

Nainoah

Nicknames

Nai

Famous Bearers

★Nainoa Thompson (1953-)
Native Hawaiian master navigator who revived traditional Polynesian wayfinding

If you like Nainoa…

Kainoa— a fellow Hawaiian name

Keanu— a companion Hawaiian name

Makoa— another Hawaiian boys' name

Koa— a fellow Hawaiian name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nainoa mean?

Nainoa is Hawaiian, often 'the answers' or 'one who seeks'; the gloss varies.

How do you pronounce Nainoa?

It's said nah-ee-NOH-ah /nɑ.iˈnoʊ.ɑ/ — four syllables, stress on the third.

Is Nainoa a boy or girl name?

Nainoa is a boy's name.

How popular is Nainoa?

Nainoa is a rare name in the U.S.