In recent years, the people of Hawaii have begun to look at their past in the hope of reviving their fading culture. One avenue is through language - teaching the younger generations the native tongue. The following steps will direct you to the meanings and spellings of some Hawaiian names for children.

Steps:
1. Decide on a floral name for a girl, such as Kalei, which means flower wreath; Kiele, which means gardenia; or Mohala, which means flowers in bloom. For a boy, Kealoha means fragrant and Mamo means yellow flower.

2. Select a name that describes nature. For a girl, Kai means sea, Makani means wind and Nana means spring. For a boy, Kamakani means wind and Kele means sparrow hawk. Kele is the Hawaiian form of Jerry.

3. Decide on a name synonymous with the heavens. For a girl, Leilani means heavenly child, Lulani is the highest point in heaven, Anela means angel, Kalena means pure, Okalani means heaven and Nalani means calm as the heavens. For boys, Kaili is a Hawaiian deity and Kalani means heaven.

4. Choose a beautiful and endearing name. For a girl, Ani means beautiful and Kalea means bright. For a boy, Kaipo means sweetheart.

5. Opt for a strong name. For a girl, try Keilani, which means glorious chief, or Lea, the goddess of canoe makers. For your boy, try Kekoa, which means bold and courageous.


Tips:
The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters. The language uses the same vowels as in English - a, e, i, o and u. The only consonants used are h, k, l, m, n, p and w.

Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.


Tips from eHow Users:
eHow to Give Your Baby a Hawaiian Name by Gehrig S.
My last name is Stone - "Pohaku"
My middle name is Kaleo O'Kalani meaning the "Voice of the Heavens".
My brothers middle name is Kinoa meaning "Warrior"
My sisters name is Ku'uipo meaning "Sweetheart".



Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:

Mahalo Okole by Shuzo
Our son's middle name is Kukaua (Guardian of Heaven) and out new daughter's is Ke'olani (Heaven's continuation or Tranquility)
1. Puali'ili'i eHow Friend
My name is Puali'ili'i (small flower). I got it because I was very tiny. So see, I was named for what I looked like.

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


2. Jennifer Jen
Kinipela is Jennifer in Hawaiian - a unique version of a classic name.

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


3. Malia Aimee
My daughter's name is Maleia, which is our version of the Hawaiian name Malia. I have found a few meanings for the name, such as "unique girl" and "beautiful young woman."

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


4. Kilauea eHow Friend
Our daughter's middle name is Kilauea. Hopefully she won't emulate the volcano and constantly blow her top.

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


5. eHow to Give Your Baby a Hawaiian Name Gehrig S.
My last name is Stone - "Pohaku"
My middle name is Kaleo O'Kalani meaning the "Voice of the Heavens".
My brothers middle name is Kinoa meaning "Warrior"
My sisters name is Ku'uipo meaning "Sweetheart".


Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


6. Hawaiian names are sacred maka W.
Although the allure of naming your child a Hawaiian name sounds beautiful and romantic, it's a very sacred event. Hawaiian children in Hawaii aren't given their name by their parents, but by an elder in the family who names the keiki (child) upon birth. The name usually appears to the elder in the form of a dream, and is never uttered till the keiki is born. It is considered bad luck to give your child a Hawaiian name before they are born. My Hawaiian name was given to me by my grandmother's brother (it's Kamakalenaokeko'olau). My younger sister was given her Hawaiian name by our grandmother (it's Ka'ilimakuluwaioleokekai). With the naming of my sister, my grandmother gave her her name before she was born, and my mother had a dry birth and almost lost Ka'i. Her Hawaiian name means "the child is the sea without any tears." You can put two and two together. My advice is that if you are not Hawaiian and not familiar with the procedure of naming a newborn child, you shouldn't take the risk.

Mahalo a nui loa,
Maka Wiggins

Thanks. Your vote has been counted.Rate this tip:


7. Mahalo Okole Shuzo
Our son's middle name is Kukaua (Guardian of Heaven) and out new daughter's is Ke'olani (Heaven's continuation or Tranquility)

Enter supporting content here