There's a particular kind of music to Hawaiian names. They flow easily, built on a language that uses only 13 letters and always ends syllables with vowels — meaning every Hawaiian name has a natural melodic quality that works beautifully in English-speaking families too.
Hawaiian names have been crossing over into mainstream American baby naming for decades, driven by the beauty of their sounds and the warm cultural associations with the islands. Today, several Hawaiian names rank in the US top 100, and the trend shows no sign of stopping. Here's a guide to the best of them.
The Most Popular Hawaiian Baby Names Right Now
Leilani — #66 (Girls)
The queen of Hawaiian girl names in America. Leilani means "heavenly lei" or "heavenly flowers" — lei (the flower garland) + lani (heavenly, royal). It's been in the US top 100 for years, appealing to families who want something feminine, exotic, and genuinely meaningful. Leilani has Hawaiian authenticity while being completely accessible to non-Hawaiian families.
Kai — #76 (Boys)
Short, strong, and modern, Kai has become one of the breakout name stories of the past decade. In Hawaiian, it means "sea" — a simple, elemental meaning that resonates with parents who love nature names. Kai also exists in several other languages (it means "earth" in some Scandinavian dialects), which has broadened its appeal globally. At #76, it's solidly mainstream but not oversaturated.
Alani — #178 (Girls)
Meaning "orange tree" in Hawaiian, Alani has the lush, tropical quality that makes Hawaiian names so appealing. It's three syllables with a beautiful flow, and it sits in the sweet spot of being recognizable without being overused. Parents who love Leilani but want something slightly less common often land on Alani.
Kailani — #275 (Girls)
A compound of kai (sea) and lani (heavenly, sky), Kailani means "sea and sky" — an image so beautiful it practically writes its own poetry. It has the lilt of Leilani with a slightly more distinctive feel. Several variant spellings (Kailany, Keilani) are also charting, reflecting strong parental enthusiasm for this name.
Koa — #292 (Boys)
One of the great boy name discoveries of the past five years. Koa is a type of Hawaiian hardwood tree — one of the most prized and beautiful in the world — and it carries the meaning of strength and resilience. For parents who want a short, punchy boy name with serious nature credentials, Koa is a compelling option. It's also easy to spell and impossible to mispronounce.
Malia — #326 (Girls)
The Hawaiian form of Mary or Maria, Malia connects an ancient, beloved name to the islands' culture. It gained mainstream attention partly through the Obama family — Malia Obama brought this name to national consciousness in 2008 — but it has continued rising on its own merits since. Soft, warm, and genuinely lovely.
Kalani — #339 (Girls)
Meaning "the heavens" or "royal one" in Hawaiian, Kalani has a regal quality that sits well on a child. It's unisex in Hawaiian culture but trends girl in current US usage. The lani suffix (heavenly) is shared by several other Hawaiian names on this list, giving them a family resemblance that works well for sibling sets.
Nalani — #529 (Girls)
From na (the, plural) + lani (heavenly), Nalani means "the heavenly ones" or "calmness of the skies." It has an unusually serene quality — there's a stillness in its sound that matches its meaning. A beautiful and underused choice for parents who want something slightly beyond the Hawaiian top tier.
Keanu — #632 (Boys)
Meaning "cool breeze" in Hawaiian, Keanu is forever associated with Keanu Reeves, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your perspective. But the name itself is genuinely beautiful and carries real Hawaiian cultural meaning. It's been a consistent presence in US naming data for years, and the Reeves association arguably adds a certain cool factor.
Kiana — #721 (Girls)
Kiana emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as a distinctly American coinage drawing on Hawaiian sounds and aesthetics. Whether or not it has traditional Hawaiian roots, it has become part of the Hawaiian naming tradition in the US. Friendly, melodic, and accessible.
Rising Hawaiian Names to Watch
| Name | Gender | Rank | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meilani | F | #814 | Heavenly / beautiful (mai + lani) |
| Maliyah | F | #587 | Hawaiian variant of Maria |
| Makai | M | #535 | Toward the sea |
| Leilany | F | #701 | Variant of Leilani |
Understanding Hawaiian Name Sounds
What makes Hawaiian names distinctive — and why they work so well in English — is the language's phonetic simplicity. Hawaiian has 8 consonants (H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the 'okina glottal stop) and 5 vowels, all of which are pronounced the same way every time. This means:
- Every syllable ends in a vowel, giving names a flowing, open quality
- Pronunciation is completely consistent — no silent letters, no ambiguous sounds
- Most names have clear, beautiful meanings drawn from nature, the sky, and the sea
The lani element (meaning heavenly, royal, sky) appears in many Hawaiian names — Leilani, Kailani, Nalani, Kalani, Meilani — giving parents a natural theme to work with for siblings.
Hawaiian-Inspired Names for Non-Hawaiian Families
Is it appropriate for non-Hawaiian families to use these names? This is worth thinking about thoughtfully. Hawaiian culture has a long history of cultural appropriation concerns, but Hawaiian names are generally considered to be a positive bridge — especially names that have been in mainstream American usage for decades. If you're drawn to these names, taking time to learn the pronunciation and meaning shows genuine respect.
For more nature-inspired options with a similar vibe, explore our names meaning beautiful, browse Latin names for their melodic qualities, or check the trending names for what's gaining momentum right now. You might also enjoy comparing a few favorites on our name comparison tool.
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Analysis by NamesPop.