Moana is a Hawaiian and Polynesian word meaning "ocean" or "vast expanse of water" — and it became globally recognizable after Disney's 2016 animated film of the same name. On a female dog, it's a post-2016 pop culture name with genuine linguistic roots: one of the more meaningful Disney-derived pet names because the word itself is beautiful, not just the character.
The Disney Film Effect
Moana (2016) introduced mainstream American audiences to a Polynesian name that actually means something poetic. The film's cultural impact on pet naming was immediate — the name appeared in pet registries starting in 2017. Compare Elsa (from Frozen) or Nala (from The Lion King) as parallel Disney-origin pet names that remain popular years after their films.
The Ocean Association
For owners who live near water, love the ocean, or simply find the word beautiful, Moana works independently of the Disney association. The Hawaiian meaning is self-sufficient — a female dog named Moana who loves swimming is just a dog named Ocean in a more interesting language.
The Counter-Reading: The Film's Shadow
Some owners will always hear the Disney film first. That's a permanent cultural layer on this name now. Owners who want the word's Polynesian meaning without constant film references may find the association inescapable, at least until the 2016 generation ages past it.