If there’s anything that could get you interested in history, geography, mythology, and languages – it’s Hawaiian names for boys. Interestingly, Hawaiian names have traditionally been unisex, with naming practices branching into male and female only in the last hundred years. So this list not only has Hawaiian names for boys, it has plenty of gender-neutral names as well.
Hawaiian naming traditions used somewhat literal names with hidden symbolic meanings that were only known to the family. Also, many Hawaiian words have double meanings, most notably “flowers” and “child” (as in the name Lei, Kalei, Kapua, and more,) with the idea that parents carried their children on their shoulders like a Lei.
Read more: 99 Pretty Hawaiian Girl Names – Powerful, Radiant, and Heavenly
With these intricate meanings, you’ll find that many Hawaiian names for boys contain the word “lei” – meaning “child” or “flowers,” the word “kai” meaning “sea” among others. There are also many names beginning with “ka” or “ke” which is Hawaiian for “the.”
Another interesting fact about these Hawaiian names for boys is that many of them are Hawaiian versions of Christian names such as Adam, Anthony, Matthew, Mark, etc. These names were phonetic versions of western names (Akamu, Akoni, Makaio, Maleko) that have become names in their own right.
Last thing to note, was that in ancient Hawaii, last names did not exist, however after the 1860s Hawaiian residents began to use Christian names as first names and their Hawaiian names as surnames. Today it’s common for families to give their little one a more western first name, and a Hawaiian middle name.
So without further ado, here is a list of Hawaiian names for boys rooted in history, geography, mythology, and an ancient language.
Hawaiian Names for Boys
Akamu.
Akamu is the Hawaiian version of Adam, which comes from the Hebrew word meaning “man” and refers to the first man created.
Akoni and Anakoni.
These Hawaiian names for boys are a form of Anthony which comes from the ancient Roman name Antonius.
Ekewaka.
This name is the Hawaiian version of Edward, which means “rich guard” through Old English roots.
Iakopa.
This name is the Hawaiian form of Jacob, which means “may god protect.”
Ikaia.
Ikaia is the Hawaiian version of Isaiah, which was a biblical name meaning “god is salvation.”
Ikaika.
This name means “strong” in Hawaiian.
Iokua.
This name is the Hawaiian version of Joshua, which means “god is salvation.”
Kai.
Kai is a unisex name popular in many Polynesian cultures, meaning sea or ocean.
Kaimana.
This name has two meanings, “sea power” and “diamond.’ It also happens to be unisex, making it on lists of Hawaiian names for boys and girls.
Kaipo.
Kaipo is another one of Hawaiian names for boys and girls, and it means “sweetheart.”
Kalani.
Another unisex Hawaiian name that means ‘the heavens.”
Kale.
Kale, which might remind some of the leafy-green superfood, is the Hawaiian version of Charles, which means “man” through Latin and Germanic roots.
Kalei.
Kalei means “the flowers” or “the child,” and also belongs on a list of Hawaiian names for boys and girls.
Kaleo.
This cool Hawaiian name for boys means “the sound” or “the voice.”
Kamalani.
Kamalani means “heavenly child” or “royal child” and happens to be a gender-neutral Hawaiian name.
Kapena.
Kapena means “captain’ in Hawaiian, derived from English roots.
Kapono.
This cool Hawaiian male name means “the good one.”
Kapua.
Kapua means “the flower” or “the child” in Hawaiian, and is a unisex name.
Kau’i.
This cute name means “the youthful one,” and is meant for both Hawaiian boys and girls.
Kaulana.
Kaulana is a unisex Hawaiian name that means “famous.”
Kawehi.
Kawehi means “adornment,” and is gender-neutral.
Keahi.
This gender-neutral name means “the fire.”
Keala.
Another gender-neutral name which means “the path.”
Kealoha.
Kealoha means “the loved one” in Hawaiian. This name is gender-neutral.
Keanu.
This famous name, which means “the cool breeze” didn’t only make it on the list of Hawaiian names for boys. It happens to be for Hawaiian girls as well.
Kekoa.
This cool name means “the warrior.”
Keola.
This profound Hwaiian name for boys means “the life.”
Keone.
This name means “the homeland” in Hawaiian and is meant for both males and females.
Keoni.
This name is actually the Hawaiian version of John, which means “god is gracious.”
Kimo.
Kimo is the Hawaiian form of James, which itself is a version of Jacob, and means “may god protect.”
Koa.
This cool Hawaiian male name means “warrior.”
Konane.
This fun name means “bright,” and belongs on the lists of Hawaiian boy names and girl names.
Lehua.
This is the name of a Hawaiian flower, and is another unisex name.
Lei.
Lei means “flowers” as well as “child” in Hawaiian. This name is gender-neutral.
Makaio.
Makaio is the Hawaiian form of Matthew, which means “gift.”
Makana.
This gender-neutral Hawaiian name also means “gift.”
Maleko.
Maleko is the Hawaiian version of Mark, which was derived after the Roman god of Mars.
Maui.
The name Maui pops up in Polynesian mythology (as well as the popular movie Moana) for a trickster who created the Hawaiian islands and bound the sun to the earth.
Mikala.
This is the Hawaiian version of Michael, which means the question “who is like god?”
Nalani.
This unisex name means “the heavens” in Hawaiian.
Noa.
This name is the Hawaiian version of Noah, which means “to rest.”
Peni.
This is the Hawaiian version of Ben, which means “son of the south.”
Pika.
Pika is the Hawaiian version of Peter, which means “the stone.”
Pua.
Pua is a unisex Hawaiian name which means “flower.”
U’ilani.
This is the last name that belongs on the lists of Hawaiian names for boys and girls, and it means “heavenly beauty.”
Read more:
99 Pretty Hawaiian Girl Names – Powerful, Radiant, and Heavenly
131 Polynesian Names and Meanings With Profound Pacific Islander History (Boys + Girls)
Hawaiian Names For Boys – Final Word
Did you like this list of names? We know that name trends will always change, but our growing list of baby names will always have you covered!
