Nakoa

An uncommon Hawaiian pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsHawaiianRising fast
#1537 15in 2024

Meaning & Origin

a male given name from Hawaiian

Nakoa is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hawaiian origin meaning 'warrior' or 'brave one,' from the Hawaiian nā koa (the warriors). It is a name of strength and courage in Hawaiian culture, evoking the warriors who protected the islands and their communities.

Nakoa gained cultural visibility through actor Jason Momoa, who named his son Nakoa-Wolf — a name combining Hawaiian warrior spirit with Germanic wolf imagery. It's a powerful, three-syllable name that announces itself with confidence. A name for children expected to be fierce and capable.

Compare Nakoa with another name

Popularity Over Time

Nakoa climbed 3402 spots in the last 20 years — from #4939 to #1537.

0295887116198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nakoa
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s504
2010s319
2000s137
1990s41
1980s8
1970s21

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(35 years, 19772024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nakoa
YearBirthsRank
2024114#1537
2023116#1522
202299#1716
2021105#1619
202070#2036
201975#1970
201853#2462
201737#3172
201628#3859
201522#4500
201424#4219
201329#3635
201218#5193
201116#5596
201017#5404
200922#4543
200820#4844
20079#8695
200614#6002
200510#7488

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Nakoa as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Nakoa has also been given to 68 girls in the U.S. since 2010.

#8769
Current rank
68
Total births
2024
Peak year
Compare Nakoa as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Nakoa be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Nakoa is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1537. As a girl's name, it ranks #8769.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19772024) · Methodology