Polynesian Name Generator
Hawaiian, Māori, Samoan, Tongan and Tahitian names
Generate Polynesian given names from Hawaii, Aotearoa (Māori), Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands, many of them rooted in the sea, sky, and ancestral gods. Ideal for writers, parents, tabletop players, and anyone naming a boat, pet, or character with an ocean-voyaging spirit.
About Polynesian names
Polynesian languages descend from a single ancestor spoken about 3,000 years ago, which is why the same name shows up across the Polynesian Triangle in slightly different clothes: the sky god is Rangi in Māori and Lani in Hawaiian, the trickster hero is Māui everywhere, and John becomes Keoni in Hawaii, Hone in Aotearoa, Ioane in Samoa, and Sione in Tonga. Names are built from a small inventory of sounds (five vowels, roughly eight to ten consonants, and no consonant clusters), which gives them their open, flowing quality.
Most traditional names are transparent words or phrases. Hawaiian names in particular are often compounds: Kailani (sea and sky), Noelani (heavenly mist), Kaimana (power of the sea), Kealoha (the loved one). Māori names likewise carry meaning: Aroha (love), Anahera (angel), Kahurangi (precious, blue), Manaia (a guardian figure). Samoan and Tongan naming absorbed Christian names in the nineteenth century and reshaped them to local phonology, so Tevita, Semisi, and Malakai sit alongside pre-contact names like Sina, Fetu (star), and Ofa (love).
This list draws from Hawaiian, Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Tahitian, Cook Islands, Rapa Nui, Niuean, Tuvaluan, and Marquesan sources, and includes deities, navigators, and historical figures such as Kamehameha, Kupe, and Liliʻuokalani. Keep the ʻokina (glottal stop) and kahakō (macron) in Kaʻiulani or Hōkū: they change both sound and meaning.
How to choose Polynesian names
- Choose one island culture per character rather than mixing: a Hawaiian Keanu, a Māori Rangi, and a Samoan Sione each signal a specific homeland to readers who know the region.
- Look up the literal meaning before committing; Polynesian names are usually real words, and a name like Pōhaku (rock) or Ānuenue (rainbow) can be chosen to reflect a character's personality.
- Keep the ʻokina and macron in Hawaiian and Māori names (Kaʻiulani, Hōkū, Tāne); dropping them is the equivalent of misspelling the name.
- For a modern character, pair a Polynesian given name with a Christian or English one, since many Pasifika families use both (for example, Sione David or Malia Grace).
- Names of major deities (Pele, Kāne, Tangaroa, Māui) and of royalty (Kamehameha, Liliʻuokalani) carry weight in their communities; use them for gods and chiefs in fiction rather than casual side characters.
Frequently asked questions
What do Polynesian names usually mean?
Most are ordinary words for natural things and qualities: sky (lani/rangi), sea (kai/tai), star (hōkū/fetu), flower (pua), love (aloha/aroha/ofa), or strength (ikaika/mana). Compound names combine two of these, so Kailani is literally "sea-sky" and Pualani is "heavenly flower."
Is Moana a real Polynesian name?
Yes. Moana means "ocean" or "deep sea" in Hawaiian, Māori, Samoan, Tongan, and Tahitian, and it was used as a given name long before the 2016 film. It is one of the few names that is identical across all Polynesian languages.
Are Hawaiian and Māori names the same?
They are closely related but distinct. Both languages descend from the same Eastern Polynesian ancestor, so many words correspond (Hawaiian k often equals Māori t: Kāne/Tāne, Kanaloa/Tangaroa), but spellings, sounds, and the specific names in use differ.
Can I use a Polynesian name for a baby, pet, or boat?
Many people do, and names like Kai, Leilani, Moana, and Koa are widely used outside Polynesia. Be aware that some names belong to deities or to specific chiefly families and carry cultural weight; if you are naming a child, it is worth learning the meaning and, where possible, asking someone from that culture.
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All 1,000 Polynesian names
A: 70 names
- Ahutoru
- Ailani
- Aito
- Akaiti
- Akamu
- Akela
- Akenehi
- Akoni
- Alamea
- Alani
- Alapaki
- Alapaʻi
- Aleki
- Alesana
- Alika
- Aliʻitasi
- Alofa
- Alohi
- Amiria
- Amosa
- Anahera
- Anakoni
- Analani
- Analu
- Anaru
- Anela
- Aniva
- Ānuenue
- Anuhea
- Aolani
- Apelahama
- Apelu
- Aperahama
- Apii
- Āpirana
A, continued
- Arama
- Arapeta
- Ariihau
- Ariinui
- Ariipaea
- Ariitea
- Ariki
- Aroha
- Aroha-Rose
- Ata
- Ataahua
- Atalina
- Atamu
- Atanua
- Atarangi
- Atawhai
- Atea
- Atonio
- Aukai
- Aukuso
- Aulani
- Ava Rei Pua
- Awa
- Awanuiārangi
- Awapuhi
- Awatea
- Awhi
- Awhina
- ʻAhoʻeitu
- ʻAisea
- ʻAkanesi
- ʻAlisi
- ʻAlohilani
- ʻAmanaki
- ʻAna
B: 1 name
- Boki
E: 16 names
- Ekewaka
- Elenoa
- Elikapeka
- Elisara
- Emalani
- Emere
- Eneliko
- Enosa
- Erana
- Eru
- Eruera
- Esera
- Eseta
- Etuale
- ʻEhu
- ʻEpeli
F: 22 names
- Fāo
- Fataaiki
- Fatafehi
- Faʻafetai
- Feleti
- Fereti
- Fetu
- Fetuao
- Fiafia
- Fifita
- Filemoni
- Filifilia
- Filimone
- Filipo
- Finau
- Fineasi
- Fiti
- Folau
- Fuatino
- Fuimaono
- Fusi
- Fusipala
G: 1 name
- Galu
H: 97 names
- Haimona
- Hākau
- Haku
- Halaevalu
- Halia
- Hāloa
- Halona
- Haloti
- Hāmiora
- Hamuera
- Hana
- Hanale
- Hariata
- Hatupatu
- Haukea
- Haulani
- Haumaka
- Haumea
- Haumia
- Haunani
- Haungaroa
- Hauʻoli
- Hawaiʻiloa
- Healani
- Heiarii
- Heiata
- Heifara
- Heilala
- Heimana
- Heimata
- Heinui
- Heirani
- Heitiare
- Hema
- Hemi
- Hemoana
- Henare
- Heneli
- Hēni
- Hera
- Hereiti
- Heremaia
- Herenui
- Hereveri
- Hikuleʻo
- Hina
- Hina-i-te-marama
- Hinaikamalama
H, continued
- Hinano
- Hinarii
- Hinatea
- Hinauri
- Hine
- Hine-nui-te-pō
- Hine-raukatauri
- Hine-raumati
- Hine-takurua
- Hine-te-iwaiwa
- Hineahuone
- Hinekura
- Hinematioro
- Hinemihi
- Hinemoa
- Hinemoana
- Hinepiripiri
- Hinepūkohurangi
- Hinerangi
- Hinetītama
- Hinewai
- Hiria
- Hirini
- Hiro
- Hitiura
- Hiwalani
- Hiʻiaka
- Hoana
- Hoani
- Hoapili
- Hoera
- Hōhepa
- Hohua
- Hōkū
- Hōkūlani
- Hone
- Hōne
- Hongi Hika
- Honoʻura
- Hōpoe
- Hōri
- Horiana
- Horomona
- Hotu Matuʻa
- Hoturoa
- Huanaki
- Hufanga
- Hūhana
- Huia
I: 38 names
- Iakopa
- Iakopo
- Ianeta
- Ieremia
- Ihaia
- Ihaka
- Ihapera
- Ihenga
- Ikaia
- Ikaika
- Ikatere
- Ilaheva
- Ilikea
- Ilima
- Ina
- Inia
- Ioane
- Ioela
- Iokepa
- Iolana
- Iolani
- Iona
- Iosefa
- Iosua
- Iotete
- Ipo
- Irawaru
- Irihapeti
- Irirangi
- Iritana
- Iro
- Isaako
- Isaia
- Iulia
- Iwalani
- ʻIlaisaane
- ʻIsileli
- ʻIwa
K: 156 names
- Kaea
- Kahalaopuna
- Kahekili
- Kahele
- Kahiau
- Kahiwa
- Kahoku
- Kahu
- Kahua
- Kahukura
- Kahungunu
- Kahurangi
- Kai
- Kailani
- Kaili
- Kaimana
- Kaimi
- Kainalu
- Kainoa
- Kainuku
- Kaipo
- Kairangi
- Kaiwi
- Kalākaua
- Kalama
- Kalani
- Kalanianaʻole
- Kalanikūpule
- Kalaniʻōpuʻu
- Kalawaiʻa
- Kalea
- Kalei
- Kaleimomi
- Kalena
- Kaleo
- Kalolaine
- Kalolo
- Kaloni
- Kamaka
- Kamalani
- Kamalei
- Kamāmalu
- Kamapuaʻa
- Kamea
- Kamehameha
- Kamila
- Kamohoaliʻi
- Kamuela
- Kanaloa
- Kanani
- Kāne
- Kanoa
K, continued
- Kanoe
- Kapena
- Kapiʻolani
- Kapo
- Kapono
- Kapua
- Kararaina
- Karauria
- Karihi
- Karika
- Katalina
- Kaufana
- Kauikeaouli
- Kaulana
- Kaulani
- Kaumualiʻi
- Kauri
- Kauʻulufonua
- Kawai
- Kawelo
- Kawena
- Kawika
- Kaʻahumanu
- Kaʻala
- Kaʻena
- Kaʻeo
- Kaʻiulani
- Kaʻohu
- Keahi
- Keahilani
- Keaka
- Keala
- Kealoha
- Keanu
- Kearoa
- Keawe
- Keikahanui
- Keikilani
- Keita
- Kekai
- Kekaulike
- Kekāuluohi
- Kekepania
- Kekipi
- Kekoa
- Kekona
- Kekuaokalani
- Kekūhaupiʻo
- Kekumu
- Kelekolio
- Kelesi
- Keliʻi
K, continued
- Keneki
- Keoki
- Keola
- Keonaona
- Keoni
- Keōpūolani
- Keōua
- Kepano
- Kereama
- Kereopa
- Keʻeaumoku
- Keʻelikōlani
- Kiana
- Kiele
- Kiha
- Kikilia
- Kila
- Kilikina
- Kimiora
- Kimo
- Kimona
- Kīnaʻu
- Kingi
- Kiona
- Kiri
- Kiriana
- Kiritapu
- Kiwa
- Kīwalaʻō
- Koa
- Kohai
- Kohana
- Kolini
- Kolomona
- Konane
- Konani
- Kōwhai
- Kū
- Kuakini
- Kūaliʻi
- Kūhiō
- Kuiwai
- Kūkahi
- Kulani
- Kupe
- Kupono
- Kura
- Kurangaituku
- Kuʻualoha
- Kuʻuipo
- Kūʻula
- Kuʻulei
L: 62 names
- Lafaele
- Lagi
- Lahela
- Laka
- Lalelei
- Lameko
- Lana
- Lanakila
- Langi
- Lani
- Lanuola
- Latu
- Lātūfuipeka
- Laupepa
- Lavinia
- Laʻa
- Laʻakea
- Laʻamaomao
- Lāʻieikawai
- Lehia
- Lehua
- Lehuanani
- Leialoha
- Leilana
- Leilani
- Leilua
- Leimana
- Leimomi
- Leinani
- Leolani
- Leone
L, continued
- Leota
- Lesieli
- Liholiho
- Liko
- Lilia
- Liliha
- Lilinoe
- Liliʻuokalani
- Līloa
- Lisiate
- Lohiʻau
- Lōkahi
- Loke
- Lokelani
- Lolohea
- Lono
- Lonoikamakahiki
- Lopaka
- Lopeti
- Losa
- Losana
- Losi
- Luana
- Luisa
- Luka
- Lukela
- Lukia
- Lunalilo
- Lupe
- Luseane
- Lusia
M: 118 names
- Maaka
- Maata
- Maeva
- Mafi
- Māhaki
- Mahealani
- Mahie
- Mahina
- Māhinaarangi
- Mahuika
- Mahuta
- Maia
- Maika
- Maile
- Makaio
- Makala
- Makaleka
- Makalita
- Makaliʻi
- Makamae
- Makana
- Makani
- Makareta
- Makaʻala
- Makea
- Makelina
- Makemake
- Makena
- Makoa
- Malaefono
- Malakai
- Malaki
- Malama
- Maleko
- Malia
- Malie
- Malietoa
- Malu
- Malulani
- Mana
- Manaaki
- Manaia
- Manase
- Manava
- Manawa
- Maniapoto
- Manoa
- Manono
- Manu
- Manuarii
- Manuia
- Manutea
- Māra
- Maraea
- Marama
- Marama-kiko-hura
- Mareva
- Maru
- Maselino
M, continued
- Masina
- Matagi
- Mataginifale
- Matahi
- Mataio
- Matalena
- Mataora
- Matarii
- Matariki
- Mataʻafa
- Mataʻaho
- Mateaki
- Mateata
- Mātene
- Matiaha
- Matiu
- Maui
- Māui
- Maʻake
- Meilani
- Mele
- Meleana
- Meleane
- Meli
- Melia
- Merahi
- Mere
- Mereana
- Mereana Tere
- Meri
- Metua
- Mihi
- Mihimana
- Mii
- Mikaele
- Mikaere
- Mikala
- Mililani
- Miriama
- Miro
- Moana
- Moani
- Moea
- Moeata
- Moeava
- Moehau
- Moerani
- Moeroa
- Moetai
- Mohi
- Moke
- Mokihana
- Mokoroa
- Momi
- Momo
- Mose
- Mosese
- Moʻikeha
- Muriwai
N: 35 names
- Nafanua
- Nāhiʻenaʻena
- Nainoa
- Nalani
- Nalu
- Nāmaka
- Nanasipauʻu
- Nanea
- Nani
- Naniloa
- Napua
- Nēpia
- Ngahuia
- Ngaio
- Ngaire
- Ngamata
- Ngametua
- Ngārimu
- Ngata
- Ngatokorua
- Ngātoroirangi
- Ngatupuna
- Ngāwai
- Niheu
- Nikau
- Nikolao
- Nikora
- Niwareka
- Noe
- Noelani
- Nohea
- Nohealani
- Nohoarii
- Nohokai
- Nooroa
O: 8 names
- Ofa
- Okalani
- Olina
- Omai
- Onaona
- Orama
- Oriata
- ʻOro
P: 65 names
- Paea
- Paikea
- Pākī
- Palakiko
- Palani
- Palila
- Pania
- Paora
- Papahānaumoku
- Papatūānuku
- Paraire
- Paratene
- Pare
- Parekura
- Pauahi
- Paulo
- Paʻahana
- Pāʻao
- Peata
- Pekelo
- Pele
- Pelenato
- Peni
- Peniamina
- Penina
- Penisimani
- Penitito
- Pesamino
- Petelo
- Petera
- Pika
- Pikake
P, continued
- Pīkoi
- Pila
- Pili
- Pilialoha
- Pilipo
- Pilolevu
- Pirihira
- Piripi
- Pita
- Piʻilani
- Poasa
- Poehere
- Poema
- Poerava
- Pōhaku
- Poliʻahu
- Pōmaikaʻi
- Pomare
- Pono
- Porourangi
- Pōtatau
- Pounamu
- Pua
- Puaiti
- Puakea
- Pualani
- Pualei
- Pualena
- Puamana
- Puanani
- Puāwai
- Punga
- Purea
R: 47 names
- Rāhera
- Rāhiri
- Rahiti
- Raiarii
- Raihau
- Raimana
- Rainui
- Ramari
- Rangi
- Rangimārie
- Ranginui
- Rangitāne
- Rāniera
- Ranitea
- Rata
- Raukawa
- Raukura
- Rāwinia
- Rawiri
- Rehua
- Renata
- Rereahu
- Rewa
- Rewi
- Rewiti
- Riki
- Rimu
- Rīpeka
- Riria
- Riripeti
- Riro
- Rona
- Rongo
- Rongo-mā-Tāne
- Rongokako
- Rongomai
- Rongomaiwahine
- Ropata
- Ropati
- Ruatapu
- Ruatara
- Rūaumoko
- Ruihi
- Ruka
- Rupe
- Ruta
- Rutene
S: 41 names
- Saia
- Sailele
- Sakaio
- Sala
- Salaevalu
- Salamasina
- Salesi
- Salote
- Samasoni
- Samisoni
- Samiu
- Samuelu
- Sanele
- Saveasiʻuleo
- Sefa
- Sefo
- Seini
- Sela
- Semi
- Semisi
- Sesilia
- Seti
- Setu
- Siale
- Siaosi
- Sieni
- Sifa
- Simi
- Simona
- Sina
- Sinalei
- Sione
- Siosaia
- Sitani
- Sitiveni
- Siueni
- Soane
- Solofa
- Solomona
- Sosefo
- Sunia
T: 158 names
- Taare
- Taema
- Tafaʻi
- Tafili
- Tagaloa
- Tahia
- Tahu Pōtiki
- Taiaroa
- Taika
- Taini
- Tainui
- Takalaua
- Takau
- Tala
- Talalelei
- Talatama
- Talia
- Talosaga
- Tama
- Tama-nui-te-rā
- Tama-te-kapua
- Tamahou
- Tamarii
- Tamarua
- Tamasese
- Tamatea
- Tamatea-pōkai-whenua
- Tamati
- Tamatoa
- Tame
- Tāmihana
- Tāne
- Tāne-rore
- Tāneatua
- Tangaroa
- Tangiia
- Tangotango
- Taniela
- Tanielu
- Tanoa
- Tanumafili
- Tapuarii
- Taraare
- Taranga
- Tarati
- Tarita
- Tasi
- Tauarii
- Taufa
- Taufaʻahau
- Taurua
- Tausaafia
T, continued
- Tausala
- Tautala
- Tavae
- Tavake
- Tavita
- Tāwera
- Tāwhaki
- Tāwhiao
- Tāwhiri
- Tāwhirimātea
- Taʻaroa
- Te Aroha
- Te Kani
- Te Kooti
- Te Puea
- Te Rangi
- Te Rauparaha
- Te Whiti
- Teanuanua
- Tearii
- Teariki
- Tearoa
- Tefatu
- Tefolaha
- Tehani
- Tehau
- Teheiura
- Tehina
- Teiki
- Teina
- Teiva
- Tekura
- Telesia
- Telito
- Temana
- Temata
- Temoana
- Teofilo
- Teoti
- Tepaeru
- Tepano
- Terai
- Teraimana
- Terava
- Tere
- Tereapii
- Teremoana
- Teriirere
- Teriitahi
- Tetuanui
- Teuila
- Teuira
- Teva
T, continued
- Tevaite
- Tevita
- Tiahuia
- Tiaki
- Tiare
- Tiemi
- Tilafaiga
- Timeri
- Timote
- Timoti
- Tinilau
- Tinirau
- Tinomana
- Tiopira
- Tipene
- Titaua
- Tītokowaru
- Tiueti
- Tiʻitiʻi
- Toa
- Toanui
- Tofiga
- Togia
- Toi
- Tokerau
- Toloa
- Tomasi
- Toroa
- Tuaine
- Tuakana
- Tuarii
- Tūheitia
- Tūhoe
- Tui
- Tuilagi
- Tuitoga
- Tukuʻaho
- Tūmatauenga
- Tumema
- Tupaia
- Tupe
- Tupou
- Tupoutoʻa
- Tupua
- Turi
- Turia
- Tūrongo
- Tutai
- Tūtānekai
- Tuterai
- Tūwharetoa
- Tuʻitātui
- Tuʻu ko Iho
U: 10 names
- Uaisele
- Uenuku
- Uesele
- Uetonga
- Uilani
- Uili
- Ulani
- Ululani
- Uʻi
- ʻUmi
V: 25 names
- Vaea
- Vaekehu
- Vaiana
- Vaihere
- Vaimiti
- Vaimoana
- Vaine
- Vainerere
- Vainetutai
- Vainui
- Vaiola
- Vairea
- Vaite
- Vaitea
- Vaitiare
- Vaosa
- Vaʻa
- Vea
- Vehiatua
- Veisinia
- Vetea
- Vika
- Vili
- Viliami
- Viliamu