Top 100 Hawaiian Last Names or Surnames With Meanings

Hawaii has a vibrant culture and picturesque landscape, and every time we think of it, we see images of people surfing, hibiscus flowers, and white sand beaches. The Hawaiians have an inseparable connection to the land, sea, and nature itself, and this beautiful connection is reflected in their names, too. Traditionally, Hawaiians didn’t have any last names. Colonisation made Hawaiians adopt the Western surname culture, and thereafter, many given names of Hawaiian and Japanese names were given a surname. You’ll find that Hawaiian surnames are basically the translation of Western names or surnames. From common Hawaiian last names to popular ones, we have collected everything. Here’s a collection of unique Hawaiian last names that prove it right.

Beautiful Hawaiian Last Names or Surnames With Meanings

Here are some popular Hawaiian last names:

1. Ailana

“Ailana” has different meanings in different cultures but the Hawaiian form means “loving”.

2. Aka

“Aka” has a Hawaiian origin, and the meaning of the name is “noble”.

3. Akamai

The popular name “Akamai” means “smart”, “clever”, or “wisdom”.

4. Akamu

“Akamu” has a Hawaiian version of the name “Adam”, and the meaning of this unique name is “of the earth”.

5. Akana

This is a very common Hawaiian last name and the meaning of the name is “bright”.

6. Akina 

The meaning of “Akina” is bright and autumn. It is also a popular Japanese last name. 

7. Alama

“Alama” is another frequently used last name; it means “earth and eternity” .

8. Alana

The meaning of this surname is “arise” or “awakening”.

9. Alika

“Alika” means “the most beautiful”. The name has elegance alongside captivating charm.

10. Alohi

The name “Alohi” means “Shining”. This uniquely mesmerising name gives vibes of a tropical nation with magnificent beauty, justifying its Polynesian roots.

11. Anela

“Alena” is mostly used in Hawaiian-speaking countries, and the meaning of this last name is “angel”.

12. Aukai

“Aukai” is a popular Hawaiian surname, and it means “sailor”.

13. Ele

The meaning of the name is “black”. 

14. Etana

This robust name literally means “strong”. 

15. Eusebio

The name “Eusebio” means “worships well”. 

16. Haku

In Hawaiian, “Haku” is a word used to describe the writing action of poetry or songs.

17. Hawea

The name means “peacemaker”. 

18. Hale

The Hawaiian name “Hale” means “home” or “house” and it is a short and wonderful option for a surname.

19. Halia

“Halia” has a Hawaiian origin surname that means “memorial”.

20. Haoa

“Haoa” is the Hawaiian form of the name “Howard” and it means “exalted protector”, “chief” or “chief guardian”.

21. Haukea

The pretty Hawaiian name “Haukea” means “white snow”, and is derived from the Hawaiian words “hau” and “kea”.

22. Havika

“Havika” has a Hawaiian origin and the meaning of the name is “beloved”.

23. Hekekia

This is the Hawaiian form of the Hebrew name “Hezekiah”, and the name means “Yahweh strengthens”.

24. Hikialani

The name means “look to heaven” in Hawaiian culture.

25. Ikaika

The name “Ikaika” means “strong”, “powerful”, or “determination” and the name is pronounced as Ikei-ka.

26. Illima

The origin of the name “Illima” is a small shrub of the genus Sida 

27. Inoa

“Inoa” means “of the virgin Mary”.

28. Inoke

“Inoke” is a Hawaiian surname that means “devoted”.

29. Iokua

“Iokua” is the Hawaiian form of the Hebrew name “Joshua”. “Joshua” was derived from two Hebrew words; “Yahweh” meaning “God” and “sha” meaning “to deliver”. It also means “God is salvation”.

30. Iona

This is a name with Hawaiian origin and it means “a gift from God”.

31. Ionakana

The name is a modified version of “Iona” and means “a gift from God”. 

32. Iosua

This is the Hawaiian version of the name “Joshua” which means “God is salvation”.

33. Isaia

This is a Hawaiian version of the name “Isaiah” and it means “To deliver to God”. 

34. Ka’ana’ana

The name “Ka’ana’ana” is believed to have a Hawaiian origin, and it means “the black magic”. If you were looking for a Hawaiian name with a dark meaning, then this name is perfect.

35. Ka’aukai

The name “Ka’aukai” is believed to mean “the swimmer” in Hawaiian.

36. Kahale

“Kahale” means “the house” and it is a very common name in Hawaiian speaking countries.

37. Kahananui

“Kahananui” means “the hard job” or “the great work” and was derived from the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the”, “hana” meaning “work”, and “nui” meaning “big”.

38. Kahele

The name “Kahele” has a Hawaiian origin, and the meaning of the name is “to go”.

39. Kahie

The name is of Hawaiian origins and means “superb”. 

40. Kahue

The meaning of this name is believed to be “the gourd”.

41. Kai

“Kai”, in Hawaiian, means “sea” and it is a short and pretty option for a last name.

42. Kainoa

The name means “father’s namesake”.

43. Kaiwi

The Hawaiian surname means is symbolic of “life and old age”.

44. Kalama

“Kalama” means “the torch” or “flaming torch” in the Hawaiian language. It is quite a powerful sounding last name.

45. Kalani

This Hawaiian name has multiple meanings but the most popular one is “heavens”. 

46. Kalawai’a

The name “Kalawai’a” is derived from two Hawaiian words, “ka” meaning “the” and “lawai’a” meaning “fisherman”.

47. Kalili

The name “Kalili” is derived from two words “ka” meaning “the” and “lili” meaning “jealousy”.

48. Kalua

“Kalua” means “the companion”.

49. Kama

“Kama” is believed to have so many origins but in Hawaiian, the last name means “child” or “person”.

50. Kamealoha

“Kamialoha” means “the beloved one”. It is a combination of the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the”, “mea” meaning “thing”, and “aloha” meaning “love”.

51. Kane

“Kane” has a Japanese, Welsh, and Hawaiian origin and the meaning of the name in Hawaiian is “man of the eastern sky”.

52. Kapule

“Kapule” is derived from the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the” and “pule” meaning “magic” or “prayer”.

53. Ka’uhane

“Ka’uhane” means “the spirit” or “the soul”. The name was derived from the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the” and “uhane” meaning “spirit”.

54. Kawai

The meaning of the name “Kawai” is “the water”.

55. Keahi

The name “Keahi” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “fire” or “flames”.

56. Keaka

“Keaka” means “God’s gracious gift”.

57. Kealani

The name “Kealani” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “white heaven” or “clear heaven”.

58. Kealoha

“Kealoha” has a Hawaiian origin; it means “the love”. The name was derived from the Hawaiian words “Ke” meaning “the” and “aloha” meaning “love”.

59. Keawe

In Hawaiian, the name has several meanings. One meaning of the name is “southern cross” and is believed to be the name given to the ancient chief. The other meaning is “the bearer”.

60. Kekoa

“Kekoa” means “the warrior” and the powerful-sounding name has a Hawaiian origin.

61. Keli’i

“Keli’i” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “the chief”.

62. Keona

“Keona” has a Hawaiian origin and the meaning of the name is “sweet fragrance”.

63. Konani

“Konani” means “bright” and is derived from the Hawaiian language.

64. Lani

This short and sweet Hawaiian name means “heaven”. 

65. Lee

This common surname means “shelter from wind given by a neighbouring object” in Hawaiian culture. 

66. Leilani

“Leilani” means “heavenly flower”.

67. Leimomi

“Leimomi” means “pearl child”, and it is a beautiful option with a Hawaiian origin.

68. Leo

This common name means “voice” in Hawaiian. 

69. Likeke

“Likeke” is the Hawaiian variation of the German name “Richard” and it means “powerful” or “brave”.

70. Lilo

In Hawaiian culture, this name means “generous one”.

71. Luda

“Luda” means “love of the people”. 

72. Lui

“Lui” is a popular Hawaiian name and the meaning of the name is “famous warrior”.

73. Mahelona

The name “Mahelona” is the Hawaiian form of the Biblical name “Mahlon” which means “a harp” or “pardon”.

74. Mahoe

The Hawaiian name “Mahoe” means “twins”. 

75. Mahi’ai

“Mahi’ai” means “farmer”. It is also believed to be a variation of the English name “George”.

76. Makaio

This popular Hawaiian name means “gift of God”.

77. Makali

The name “Makali” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “small eyes”.

78. Maliah

“Maliah” means “rebelliousness”, “sea of bitterness” or “beloved” and it has a Hawaiian origin.

79. Mana

The meaning of the name “Mana” is “spirit”, and the name has a unique Hawaiian origin.

80. Manu

The meaning of the name “Manu” is “bird”.

81. Maui

This short name means “trickster god” in Hawaiian culture. 

82. Mililani

“Mililani” means “love from heaven”. 

83. Moana

“Moana” means “sea” or “ocean”, and it is believed to have a Hawaiian origin.

84. Nainoa

This brave name means “The one who guards small children”. 

85. Nakamura

The name is a Japanese name adopted by Hawaiians and it means “middle village”.

86. Nani

This short and sweet name means “beautiful”.

87. Noelani

The charming name “Noelani” means “heavenly mist”.

88. Okalani

The name means “heaven”.

89. Olina

This Hawaiian name means “joyous”

90. Palakiko

In the 1920s, Hawaii had the largest population of “Palakikos”. It means “Frenchman”.

91. Palapala

“Palapala” means “deed” in Hawaiian.

92. Pele

“Pele” simply means “to peel”.

93. Peleke

The name “Peleke” means “peaceful ruler”.

94. Pualani

“Pualani” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “royal offspring” or “heavenly flower”.

95. Sophia

This name has Greek origins and means “wisdom”. 

96. Ualoheke

This name means “it’s gone” in Hawaiian.

97. Urima

The name “Urima” means “the fruit of the earth”.

98. Wailani

“Wailani” has a Hawaiian origin and it means “heavenly water”.

99. Wong

This is a name of Chinese origin and means “king”.

100. Zariyah

This name means “God has favoured”.

History of Hawaiian Last Names

In ancient Hawaii, surnames were not traditionally used. However, with the arrival of Christianity in the 1820s and later American influence, naming practices began to change. After baptism, Christian Hawaiians often used a Christian first name while keeping their Hawaiian name as a surname. Since the Hawaiian alphabet has only 13 letters, many Hawaiian Christian names were adapted from English but looked quite different.

Surnames became more common later in the 19th century, particularly after King Kamehameha IV signed the 1860 Act to Regulate Names. This law required Hawaiians to adopt their father’s given name as a surname, use a Christian name as their first name, and keep their Hawaiian name as a middle name. Under the law, married women took their husbands’ surnames, and illegitimate children took their mothers’ surnames. This act remained in effect until 1967, so many Hawaiian surnames today come from the father’s first name.

Because of the cultural diversity in Hawaii due to immigration, you’ll sinf several other cultural surnames, like Japanese, Portuguese, and Chinese, simmering in a hotpot alongside the native Polynesian surnames.

FAQs

1. Are there any gender-neutral names in Hawaii?

Yes, there are several gender-neutral Hawaiian names.

2. Why are names given significant importance in Hawaii?

In Hawaiian culture, names are a window to the traits of a person. Thus, a name’s meaning has the power to inspire and shape a child accordingly. Thus, naming a child with a good given name is considered an important task.

3. Is there any diversity in Hawaiian surnames?

Hawaiian culture is predominantly the native Polynesian culture. With the later arrivals of immigrants from various countries, like Japan, Portugal, and China, the people bought their culture as well, which added diversity in Hawaiian last names and meanings.

These Hawaiian family names reflect the beauty of the Hawaiian culture. Those searching for a Hawaiian last name are sure to find a good one in the list above.

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