Kamalu
A boy's name of Hawaiian origin with 22 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Kamalu is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 2009 to 2022, Kamalu has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Kamalu is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Kamalu is a Hawaiian masculine name meaning "the peaceful one" or "the gentle" — from the Hawaiian alu (to move gently) combined with kama (child). Hawaiian names often carry layered natural meanings that describe both a person's character and their relationship to the natural world.
In the United States, Kamalu is given primarily by families with Hawaiian heritage or deep connections to Hawaiian culture. It has the musical, vowel-rich quality of Hawaiian names and the peaceful meaning that feels like a gift to a child.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Kamalu is rooted in the Hawaiian tradition, but its presence in American naming since 2009 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Kamalu’s rarity (22 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kamalu has 4+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2009.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 11 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 6 | — |
The Story of Kamalu
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2009, Kamalu is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kamalu are most likely born between 2009 and 2019.
How rare is Kamalu?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Kamalu is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2009, peaked in the 2010s with 11 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(4 years, 2009–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | #13291 |
| 2016 | 6 | #11430 |
| 2011 | 5 | #13333 |
| 2009 | 6 | #11720 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kamalu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kamalu most popular?
How popular is the name Kamalu?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2009–2022