Hawaiian Boy Names
116 hawaiian boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
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There is an ease to these names that is genuinely hard to fake. Hawaiian boy names are short, vowel-rich and unhurried, and the strongest ones are tied directly to the ocean and to courage. Kai means sea, and it has travelled further than almost any Hawaiian name in the last twenty years without losing its shape. Koa refers both to the brave warrior and to the great hardwood tree the islands are known for, which is about as good a double meaning as a name can hold. Kekoa extends it, and Makoa keeps the same fearless spirit in a slightly longer frame.
Beyond the water names sits a warmer, more melodic set. Keanu has a breeziness to it that an entire generation now associates with quiet decency, and Kaleo, built on leo for voice, sounds like something you would want to be called. Keoni is the Hawaiian form of John and makes a beautiful way to honour a grandfather without repeating him exactly. Kainoa and Kaimana both stretch into four confident syllables, while Makai and Kye stay lean. These names belong to a living language and a living people, so wear one with genuine respect for where it came from.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning where the record supports one, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Hawaiian Boy Names
Kai#93 in the U.S.Sea — from Hawaiian kai▶Koa#269 in the U.S.Brave, bold, fearless; also the name of a prized Hawaiian hardwood tree▶Makai#481 in the U.S.Likely a variant of Micah or Michael, from Hebrew 'mikha'el' meaning 'who is like God?'; also c▶Keanu#649 in the U.S.From Hawaiian ke anu meaning the cool or the coolness; also interpreted as the cool breeze or c▶Kaleo#898 in the U.S.From Hawaiian ka (the) and leo (voice, sound); meaning the voice or the sound; used in Hawaii a▶Makoa#1117 in the U.S.Fearless; bold; courageous; from Hawaiian makoa (bold, brave, fearless)▶Kye#1195 in the U.S.Earth; sea; a spelling variant of Kai, from Hawaiian kai (sea) or Welsh Cai/Kay (a form of the ▶Makaio#1473 in the U.S.the Hawaiian form of Matthew, ultimately from Hebrew meaning 'gift of God'▶Nakoa#1537 in the U.S.From Hawaiian 'na' ('the', plural) and 'koa' ('warrior, courage'), meaning 'the warriors' or 't▶Alakai#1574 in the U.S.from the Hawaiian word 'alakaʻi' meaning 'leader' or 'guide'▶Kainoa#1698 in the U.S.From Hawaiian 'ka' ('the') and 'inoa' ('name'), commonly given the sense 'the namesake' or 'the▶Keoni#1720 in the U.S.Hawaiian form of John ('God is gracious')▶Kekoa#2604 in the U.S.the warrior, the brave one▶Kaimana#3290 in the U.S.Diamond — the Hawaiian rendering of the English word — and, read natively, kai + mana, 'power o▶Kalani#3292 in the U.S.The heavens, the sky; royal, chiefly — from Hawaiian ka lani, an element of many Hawaiian royal▶Lakai#3299 in the U.S.Modern American coinage extending Kai — Hawaiian for 'sea' — with an La- opening; also the name▶Kaimani#3631 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Kai (Hawaiian 'sea') to the -mani sound of Imani/Amani; also reads as a ▶Akoa#3683 in the U.S.Rare modern name, plausibly echoing Hawaiian Koa ('warrior; the koa tree') with an a- prefix; n▶Kamani#3919 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kamani, the Pacific beach-tree prized for canoe wood — also a melodic -ani coinag▶Kanoa#4128 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kanoa, 'the free one, the commoner; freedom'▶Makhai#4139 in the U.S.Kh- styling of Makai — Hawaiian, 'toward the sea, ocean-side'; also a modern -ai name; routes l▶Kairen#4243 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Kai ('sea' in Hawaiian) to a -ren ending (echoing Kairo/Karen); no singl▶Nainoa#4384 in the U.S.From Hawaiian Nainoa — often glossed 'the answers' or 'one who calls/seeks'; gloss varies▶Dakai#4440 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Da- to Kai ('sea' in Hawaiian); no single fixed root▶Ikaika#4461 in the U.S.From Hawaiian ikaika, 'strong, powerful, mighty'▶Mekai#4639 in the U.S.Modern coinage echoing Micah/Michael ('who is like God?') and Hawaiian Makai ('toward the sea')▶Mahkai#4799 in the U.S.-h- spelling of Makai — Hawaiian, 'toward the sea, on the ocean side'; routes layered▶Makani#4801 in the U.S.From Hawaiian makani, 'the wind, a breeze'▶Kaikoa#4954 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kai, 'sea', plus koa, 'warrior, brave, fearless' — often read 'the brave warrior;▶Kailon#4955 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Kai ('sea', Hawaiian) to a -lon ending (echoing Kalon/Dillon); no single▶Kainalu#4956 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kai, 'sea', plus nalu, 'wave, surf' — 'the billowing sea; the rolling wave'▶Kailoh#5134 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Kai ('sea', Hawaiian) to a -loh ending (echoing Kylo, Shiloh); no single▶Kanaloa#5139 in the U.S.From Hawaiian Kanaloa — the great god of the ocean, the deep sea, and the underworld (one of th▶Kale#5317 in the U.S.Hawaiian form of Charles ('free man', Germanic karl); also a spelling of Cale ('strong', or sho▶Mahki#5346 in the U.S.Spelling of Makai — Hawaiian, 'toward the sea; on the ocean side'; a modern coinage; routes lay▶Kaiyan#5536 in the U.S.A modern name joining Kai ('ocean; sea', Hawaiian) with a -yan ending (echoing Kian, 'ancient; ▶Makana#5558 in the U.S.From Hawaiian makana, 'a gift, a present, a reward'; used for both sexes; here for boys▶Maui#5566 in the U.S.From the Polynesian demigod Maui — the legendary trickster hero who fished up islands and snare▶Macai#6049 in the U.S.A spelling of Makai — from Hawaiian, 'toward the sea, by the ocean'; also echoes the Scottish M▶Keahi#6304 in the U.S.From Hawaiian ke ahi, 'the fire; the flames'▶Kona#6314 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kona, 'the leeward side (of an island)' (the Kona coast); also a Hindi word, 'a c▶Alekai#6454 in the U.S.A modern name joining Alek (from Alexander, 'a defender of the people') with Kai ('the sea', Ha▶Keo#6637 in the U.S.Variously the Lao/Thai keo, 'a gem; glass; crystal', and a Hawaiian short form of Keoni (John, ▶Kahiau#7010 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kahiau, 'to give generously/lavishly and from the heart, without expecting return▶Kalo#7016 in the U.S.Variously from Hawaiian kalo, 'taro' (the sacred staple plant, regarded as an ancestor), and fr▶Kawika#7022 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of David — from Hebrew, 'beloved; dear'▶Keola#7030 in the U.S.From Hawaiian ke ola, 'the life; the health; the well-being'▶Kawai#7100 in the U.S.From Hawaiian, ka wai, 'the water' — often part of place and family names (as in Kawaiahao). Di▶Akoni#7242 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of Anthony — from the Roman family name Antonius (of uncertain meaning, long ▶Makaii#7562 in the U.S.Makaii is a double-i respelling of Makai, the Hawaiian directional word meaning 'toward the sea▶Kaeo#7992 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian, 'the victorious one; the vanguard; one who goes ahead'▶Kaien#7995 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Kai (variously 'the sea', Hawaiian; 'ocean', Japanese) with an -en endin▶Nalu#8113 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian nalu, 'a wave; the surf; the surging/swell of the sea'; used for both sexes; ▶Haloa#8381 in the U.S.From Hawaiian tradition, Haloa is the sacred taro (kalo) plant and an ancestral figure — the el▶Makale#8455 in the U.S.Makale is a modern boy's name of debated origin. It is read either as a variant of Makai, Hawai▶Kaipo#8625 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian Kaipo — ka, 'the', + ipo, 'sweetheart/darling', hence 'the sweetheart; the da▶Kalai#8628 in the U.S.Variously the Hawaiian kalai, 'to carve/shape/design', and the Tamil kalai, 'art; learning'; ro▶Keano#8642 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Keanu/Keano — from the Hawaiian ke anu, 'the coolness; the cool breeze'▶Makeo#8693 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Makai ('toward the sea', Hawaiian) and the Hawaiian maka, 'eye▶Nakoah#8728 in the U.S.A spelling of Nakoa — from the Hawaiian na koa, 'the warriors; the brave/fearless ones'▶Aukai#9030 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian aukai, 'a seafarer; a sailor; one who travels the ocean'▶Jaylani#9350 in the U.S.A modern name, joining a Jay- element with -lani ('heaven; sky; royal', Hawaiian); no single fi▶Kaii#9384 in the U.S.A spelling of Kai — variously 'the sea/ocean' (Hawaiian/Japanese), 'forgiveness' (Japanese), an▶Kapono#9391 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian — ka, 'the', + pono, 'righteous; good; upright; proper', hence 'the righteous▶Kealii#9407 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian — ke, 'the', + alii, 'a chief/noble/royal one', hence 'the chief; the noble o▶Keone#9423 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian — ke, 'the', + one, 'sand', hence 'the sand'; also the Hawaiian form of John,▶Kimo#9443 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of James/Jim — from the Hebrew Yaakov (Jacob), 'supplanter; one who follows'▶Kupaa#9461 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian kupaa, 'steadfast; firm; loyal; to stand firm/be constant'▶Laakea#9471 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian — la, 'light/sun/day', + akea, 'wide/clear/bright', hence 'clear light; wide ▶Maleko#9513 in the U.S.A Hawaiian form of Mark/Marcus — from the Latin, 'warlike; of Mars (the god of war)'▶Mkai#9553 in the U.S.A modern name, a contracted spelling of Makai ('toward the sea', Hawaiian); no single fixed roo▶Zkai#9855 in the U.S.A modern name, a contracted spelling joining a Z- element with Kai ('the sea', Hawaiian); no si▶Akela#9899 in the U.S.Variously a Hawaiian form of Adela ('noble', Germanic) and the name of the wolf-pack leader in ▶Alani#9903 in the U.S.Variously the Hawaiian alani, 'an orange tree/fruit', and a form of Alan ('a rock; handsome', C▶Alii#9912 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian ali'i, 'a chief; royalty; a noble/monarch'▶Kahekili#10341 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian Kahekili, 'the thunder' (ka, 'the', + hekili, 'thunder'); the name of a famed▶Kahleo#10343 in the U.S.A spelling of Kaleo, from the Hawaiian ka leo, 'the voice; the sound'; a lyrical Hawaiian name▶Kalei#10356 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian Kalei, 'the flower wreath (lei); the beloved child' (ka, 'the', + lei, 'wreat▶Kealoha#10370 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian Kealoha, 'the love; the beloved' (ke, 'the', + aloha, 'love/affection'); used▶Keno#10390 in the U.S.A short form of names like Keanu ('the cool breeze', Hawaiian) or Kenneth; the English word 'ke▶Mehkai#10516 in the U.S.A modern spelling of Makai, from the Hawaiian for 'toward the sea; on the ocean side,' sometime▶Noahkai#10574 in the U.S.A joined name pairing Noah (Hebrew, 'rest; comfort') with Kai (Hawaiian 'sea,' among other root▶Alika#10876 in the U.S.In Hawaiian, Alika is the local rendering of the English name Alexander, itself Greek for 'defe▶Kaia#11278 in the U.S.Kaia is far more often a girl's name — a Scandinavian form of Katarina ('pure') and a Hawaiian ▶Hanalei#11377 in the U.S.A Hawaiian place name — Hanalei Bay and valley on Kauai — carried into given-name use. It is po▶Iokepa#11425 in the U.S.Iokepa is the Hawaiian form of Joseph, ultimately from Hebrew Yosef, 'he will add' (or 'may God▶Kelii#11561 in the U.S.Kelii comes from the Hawaiian ke alii, 'the chief' or 'the lord' - ke, the definite article 'th▶Kianu#11599 in the U.S.A modern respelling echoing Keanu, the Hawaiian for 'the cool breeze over the mountains' (made ▶Kamuela#11605 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of Samuel, from the Hebrew Shemuel, 'God has heard; name of God.' A warm isla▶Kavika#11630 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of David, from Hebrew Dawid, 'beloved'. A warm heritage name we note respectf▶Keawe#11640 in the U.S.A Hawaiian name borne by ruling chiefs of the island of Hawaii, tied in some readings to 'the s▶Lawakua#11736 in the U.S.Lawakua reads as a Hawaiian name, built from Hawaiian sound elements (the language favors open ▶Manoa#11765 in the U.S.Hebrew Manoah, 'rest, resting place', borne in the book of Judges by the father of Samson. Mano▶Ailani#12365 in the U.S.A Hawaiian-rooted name glossed 'high chief' or 'noble,' linked to ali'i, 'chief,' and lani, 'he▶Analu#12420 in the U.S.Analu is the Hawaiian form of Andrew, ultimately from the Greek Andreas, 'manly; brave; strong.▶Hoku#12952 in the U.S.From Hawaiian hoku, 'star.' A luminous nature name, noted here respectfully and often used in l▶Kaileo#13163 in the U.S.Kaileo is a Hawaiian-styled name joining kai ('sea') and leo ('voice'), read as 'voice of the s▶Kaikea#13180 in the U.S.Kaikea is usually read in Hawaiian as kai ('sea') plus kea ('white; clear; bright'), giving 'wh▶Kalino#13192 in the U.S.Kalino is a Hawaiian name generally read as 'the bright one' or 'the brilliant one', from ka ('▶Kamahao#13195 in the U.S.Hawaiian kamahao, 'wonderful; marvelous; astonishing' — a word of awe and wonder carried into n▶Kamea#13198 in the U.S.Hawaiian Kamea, understood as 'the one; the only one' and warmly as 'precious one'. Used here f▶Kanekoa#13204 in the U.S.Hawaiian, built from kane ('man') and koa ('brave; warrior; the koa tree'), so it is often read▶Kapena#13207 in the U.S.Hawaiian kapena, 'captain' — a Hawaiianized form of the English word, reshaped to fit Hawaiian ▶Kauai#13225 in the U.S.Kauai is the name of the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, sometimes called the Garden Isle.▶Kaulana#13226 in the U.S.From Hawaiian kaulana, 'famous; celebrated; renowned' — a word known from songs and place names▶Kehlani#13252 in the U.S.A modern name styled on Hawaiian Kalani, 'the sky; the heavens' (ka, 'the', plus lani, 'sky; ro▶Keoki#13267 in the U.S.The Hawaiian form of George, adapted to Hawaiian sounds. George comes from Greek georgos, 'farm▶Lopaka#13316 in the U.S.Lopaka is the Hawaiian form of Robert, ultimately from the Germanic Hrodebert, 'bright fame' - ▶Kaua#13354 in the U.S.Kaua travels two honest routes. In Hawaiian it is linked to words for rain and shower. In Brazi▶Lilo#13398 in the U.S.Lilo is a Hawaiian name popularly glossed 'generous one' — though the Hawaiian word lilo also c▶Mahalo#13431 in the U.S.Mahalo is the Hawaiian word for thanks, gratitude, admiration and respect — one of the best-kno▶Lono#13552 in the U.S.From the Hawaiian Lono, of uncertain meaning (variously 'sound; news'); the Hawaiian god of agr▶Keala#13604 in the U.S.From Hawaiian, ke ala, 'the path; the way; the fragrance' — a gentle, guiding nature name used ▶KalawaiaFrom the Hawaiian Kalawaia, 'the fisherman' (ka, 'the,' + lawaia, 'fisherman; fishing'). A name▶KaleioA Hawaiian-styled name whose elements (ka, 'the,' with leo, 'voice,' or lei, 'garland') are rea▶KamakaFrom the Hawaiian Kamaka, 'the eye; the face' (ka, 'the,' + maka, 'eye; face'), and by extensio▶
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Frequently Asked
What are popular Hawaiian boy names?
The leaders are Kai, Koa, Makai and Keanu. You can compare their real U.S. birth counts on each name page.
What Hawaiian boy name means warrior?
Koa carries the sense of a brave one or warrior, and Kekoa and Nakoa build on the same root. Makoa belongs to that same courageous family.
Is it respectful to use a Hawaiian name?
Many Hawaiian names are used warmly and widely, but they come from a language and culture that was actively suppressed for generations. Learn the true meaning and pronunciation first — every page here gives you both — and use the name as it was intended.