Choosing a name for a baby is a deeply personal decision for parents, often reflecting cultural heritage, family traditions, or personal preferences. For those interested in Polynesian names, they offer a rich tapestry of meanings and history. Polynesian cultures, which include Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, and Maori influences, provide a range of beautiful and meaningful names. In this article, we’ll explore Polynesian origin names for both boys and girls, highlighting their meanings and cultural significance.
Polynesian Origin Baby Boy Names
- Ake - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "breath" or "life."
- Aloha - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "love" or "hello."
- Aukai - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "pathway to the sea."
- Bula - Of Fijian origin, meaning "life" or "health."
- Dano - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "little Daniel" or "God is my judge."
- Enoka - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "God is gracious."
- Fetu - Of Samoan origin, meaning "star."
- Finau - Of Tongan origin, meaning "wealth" or "riches."
- Haku - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "chief" or "poet."
- Hale - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "house" or "home."
- Hemi - Of Hawaiian origin, a variation of "James," meaning "supplanter."
- Hona - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "honest" or "truthful."
- Ikaika - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "strong" or "powerful."
- Iona - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "one" or "unity."
- Jace - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "healer" or "one who heals."
- Jalen - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "young" or "youthful."
- Jax - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "son of Jack" or "supplanter."
- Kael - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "warrior" or "man of strength."
- Kai - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sea" or "ocean."
- Kaipo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sweetheart" or "beloved."
- Kainoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sea" or "ocean."
- Kalani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heavenly" or "royal."
- Kaleo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "voice" or "sound."
- Kanoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the free one" or "freedom."
- Kapono - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "righteous" or "good."
- Kepa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "keeper" or "guardian."
- Kimo - Of Hawaiian origin, a variant of "James," meaning "supplanter."
- Koa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "brave" or "warrior."
- Kole - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "victory of the people."
- Kuli - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "skilled" or "talented."
- Lani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heaven" or "sky."
- Lehua - Of Hawaiian origin, referring to the lehua flower or "blossom."
- Loko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "inside" or "within."
- Makaio - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "gift of God."
- Maleko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "Michael," meaning "who is like God?"
- Manu - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "bird" or "spirit."
- Makoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "brave" or "fearless."
- Mako - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "shark."
- Muli - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "last" or "end."
- Nainoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "companion of the sea."
- Nalu - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "wave" or "surge."
- Niko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "victory of the people."
- Nui - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "great" or "large."
- Ono - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "delicious" or "tasty."
- Pali - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "cliff" or "precipice."
- Pono - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "righteous" or "correct."
- Raro - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "red" or "scarlet."
- Riki - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "rich" or "powerful."
- Roni - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "song" or "joy."
- Sia - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "shadow" or "reflection."
- Taika - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "tiger" or "powerful."
- Tane - Of Maori origin, meaning "man" or "male."
- Taro - Of Polynesian origin, referring to the taro plant or "root."
- Tasi - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "sea" or "ocean."
- Teva - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "nature" or "earth."
- Timo - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "honorable" or "timely."
- Tui - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "chief" or "king."
- Viliami - Of Tongan origin, meaning "William," meaning "resolute protector."
- Wali - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "guardian" or "protector."
- Wani - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "shining" or "bright."
- Weka - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "bright" or "luminous."
- Wiki - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "quick" or "fast."
- Zane - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "gift from God" or "God’s gracious gift."
- Tupa - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "god of creation."
- Tiare - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Tupu - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "chief" or "noble."
- Taheo - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "warrior" or "defender."
- Tano - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "warrior" or "defender."
- Teo - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "gift" or "present."
- Vaka - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "canoe" or "boat."
- Vili - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "powerful" or "strength."
- Uli - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "black" or "dark."
- Vaea - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "wise" or "intelligent."
- Kapua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Liko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "bud" or "young shoot."
- Malu - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "peace" or "safety."
- Makana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "gift" or "present."
- Maka - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "eye" or "face."
- Nani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "beauty" or "lovely."
- Ika - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "fish" or "sea creature."
- Kolo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "companion" or "friend."
- Maika - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "gift of God."
- Kana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "to the right" or "straight."
- Kala - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sun" or "to forgive."
- Noa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "freedom" or "freely."
- Leo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "lion" or "brave."
- Kekoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the warrior."
- Kani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sound" or "music."
- Kilo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "to observe" or "to measure."
- Raimi - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "joy" or "delight."
- Rongo - Of Maori origin, meaning "god of peace."
- Hau - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "breeze" or "wind."
- Ikaika - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "strong" or "powerful."
- Lani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heaven" or "sky."
- Makoa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "brave" or "fearless."
- Mana - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "spiritual power."
- Nai - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "persistent" or "enduring."
- Niko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "victory of the people."
- Tane - Of Maori origin, meaning "man" or "male."
- Vahi - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "home" or "place."
Polynesian Origin Baby Girl Names
- Ailani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "high chief" or "royalty."
- Aloha - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "love" or "hello."
- Anuhea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "fragrant" or "sweet-scented."
- Aroha - Of Maori origin, meaning "love" or "compassion."
- Halia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "remembrance" or "memory."
- Hanalei - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "lei maker’s bay" or "bay of the lei maker."
- Hina - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "goddess of the moon" or "moonlight."
- Iolana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "to soar" or "sky."
- Ipo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sweetheart" or "beloved."
- Keala - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the path" or "the way."
- Keanu - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "cool breeze" or "breeze over the mountains."
- Kaimana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "power of the sea" or "ocean."
- Kaimi - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the seeker" or "searcher."
- Kaia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sea" or "ocean."
- Kaiulani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "royal blood" or "royal family."
- Kalani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heavenly" or "royal."
- Kalea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "joy" or "bright."
- Kamea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the one" or "unique."
- Kamali - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "noble" or "high-born."
- Kapua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Kawai - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "water" or "river."
- Kelea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "joyful" or "cheerful."
- Kiana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "divine" or "heavenly."
- Kili - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "dear" or "beloved."
- Koa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "brave" or "warrior."
- Leilani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heavenly flower" or "royal child."
- Lokelani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "red rose" or "heavenly rose."
- Lani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heaven" or "sky."
- Lilo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "generous" or "lost."
- Makana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "gift" or "present."
- Malie - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "calm" or "peaceful."
- Malia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "calm" or "serene."
- Mana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "spiritual power" or "energy."
- Mele - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "song" or "poem."
- Miki - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "great happiness" or "little one."
- Moana - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "ocean" or "sea."
- Nani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "beauty" or "lovely."
- Nalei - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "green leaf" or "leafy."
- Nalani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the heavens" or "serenity."
- Nohea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "handsome" or "beautiful."
- Pua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Rangi - Of Maori origin, meaning "sky" or "heaven."
- Rona - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "moon" or "moonlight."
- Rose - Of Polynesian origin, a classic name meaning "flower."
- Sari - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "princess" or "noble."
- Talia - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "dew" or "gentle rain."
- Tiare - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Tani - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "mist" or "dew."
- Ula - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "red gem" or "precious stone."
- Vaea - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "wise" or "intelligent."
- Vaiana - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "water" or "ocean."
- Vani - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "grace" or "beauty."
- Wailea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "waters of joy" or "peaceful waters."
- Waiola - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "water of life" or "living water."
- Wailana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heavenly water" or "moonlight."
- Wahine - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "woman" or "female."
- Wili - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "to twist" or "coil."
- Winona - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "first-born daughter" or "first woman."
- Alani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "orange" or "fruit."
- Hae - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "red" or "scarlet."
- Hano - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "to be delighted" or "joyful."
- Kalei - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "garland" or "flower wreath."
- Kamana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "spiritual power" or "strength."
- Kua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "back" or "spine."
- Lehua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the lehua flower" or "blossom."
- Luana - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "happy" or "content."
- Mahealani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "the full moon night" or "moonlight."
- Moena - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "dream" or "moonlight."
- Nanea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "serene" or "peaceful."
- Noa - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "freedom" or "free from restriction."
- Ola - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "life" or "health."
- Piko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "navel" or "center."
- Riko - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "child of the sun" or "radiant."
- Wailani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "heavenly waters" or "moonlight."
- Waimea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "red waters" or "muddy waters."
- Keona - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "God's gift" or "grace."
- Kaela - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "rose" or "pure."
- Makai - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "toward the sea" or "ocean."
- Manaia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "guardian" or "protector."
- Ikaika - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "strong" or "powerful."
- Malu - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "peace" or "protection."
- Tasha - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "birthday" or "joyful."
- Eia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "here" or "present."
- Vea - Of Polynesian origin, meaning "beauty" or "grace."
- Halia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "remembrance" or "memory."
- Meleia - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sweet song" or "melody."
- Kelea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "joyful" or "cheerful."
- Nalu - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "wave" or "surf."
- Pua - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "flower" or "blossom."
- Aloha - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "love" or "hello."
- Kimo - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "James," or "supplanter."
- Leialoha - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "beloved child" or "heavenly love."
- Loke - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "rose" or "blossom."
- Maile - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "twisting vine" or "garland."
- Oli - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "song" or "chant."
- Pikake - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "jasmine flower."
- Kailani - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "sea and sky" or "heavenly sea."
- Laniakea - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "spacious heaven" or "immense sky."
- Kahuna - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "priest" or "expert."
- Eli - Of Hawaiian origin, meaning "high" or "elevated."
Cultural Significance and Considerations
Polynesian names often carry deep cultural meanings and connections to the natural world, mythology, and familial bonds. When choosing a Polynesian name, it’s essential to consider the cultural context and meanings behind the name to honor its origins and significance properly.
Cultural Sensitivity
Using names from Polynesian cultures should be done with respect and awareness of their significance. Understanding the meaning and proper usage of these names helps in preserving and honoring Polynesian heritage.
Family and Tradition
In many Polynesian cultures, names are more than just labels; they often reflect family history, personal traits, or important cultural values. When selecting a name, families may consider how the name fits within their own traditions and the legacy they wish to pass on.
Conclusion
Polynesian names for boys and girls offer a wealth of meaning and cultural depth, reflecting the rich heritage of Polynesian peoples. Whether you’re drawn to the sea, the sky, or mythical figures, these names provide a beautiful way to connect with the traditions and values of Polynesian cultures. By choosing a name with such significance, parents can imbue their child's life with a sense of history and connection to a vibrant cultural legacy.
