Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!

Polynesian names - Baby names with the origin Polynesian

Showing 47 of 197 names
Name Meaning Origins Gender Popularity (last 10y)
Moannah Ocean, sea Polynesian Girl
Moke Varies by origin. Often a nickname with no independent meaning in English; in Polynesian contexts it can be a shortened form of longer names; in African contexts it may derive from a family name. English, Hawaiian, Polynesian Boy
Mokko Varies by origin - possibly 'wood/woodworking' (Japanese) or 'tattoo/mark' (Maori); also used as a modern invented name with no fixed traditional meaning. Japanese, Māori, Polynesian Unisex
Muki Varies by language and use; often a diminutive or nickname rather than a single, established meaning. Hebrew, Japanese, Polynesian Unisex
Nanai Varies by origin - from the Nanai ethnonym meaning 'local people' or 'the people'; in Japanese the meaning depends on chosen kanji (no single fixed meaning); phonetically similar to Hawaiian 'Nani' meaning 'beautiful'. Hawaiian, Japanese, Polynesian Unisex
Napia Unknown - not widely attested; may be a personal or place name rather than a word with a clear, documented meaning Polynesian Girl
Nekeahia Likely 'cherished/precious fire' or 'beloved flame' (compound interpretation) Hawaiian, Polynesian Unisex
Nony Usually a diminutive form associated with 'gift' when from Igbo Onyinye/Nonye; otherwise an affectionate pet name or a name inspired by the noni fruit. English, Igbo, Polynesian Girl
Nui Polynesian: 'large, great'; Thai: a common affectionate nickname (cute/ small connotation depending on context). Hawaiian, Polynesian, Thai Unisex
Okalana Possibly 'of the calm/serene' or 'from the district' - exact meaning uncertain Polynesian Girl
Okelani Heavenly one / of the heavens ('lani' = sky, heaven; prefix 'Oke' uncertain) Hawaiian, Polynesian Girl
Onaona Fragrant, sweet-smelling Polynesian Girl
Opelei Uncertain; possibly 'of Pele' (belonging to the goddess Pele) or a Polynesian form/adaptation of Ophelia Polynesian Girl
Opeli Derived from Abel, meaning 'breath' or 'vapor' (used as a Polynesian form of the biblical name). Polynesian Boy
Paea Associated with the place-name Paea (a town on Tahiti); the precise original meaning is not well-documented and can vary by language/island. Polynesian Boy
Pakala No widely attested given-name meaning; may be a family or place name in Hawaiian - exact meaning uncertain Polynesian Unisex
Palauni No widely attested meaning; may be a place- or family-name (possibly 'from Palau' or a local Polynesian name), meaning uncertain Polynesian Unisex
Peatea Meaning uncertain; possibly derived from Māori elements or a place name (e.g., Patea); may relate to concepts of clearing or openness Polynesian Unisex
Peli Varies by origin: in Finnish 'peli' means 'game'; in Hebrew-related usage it can echo 'pele' (wonder/miracle); in Polynesian contexts it may be associated with or influenced by Pele (Hawaiian goddess) or serve as a diminutive of names like Apeli; in Greek contexts a short form of Pelagia/Pelagios ('of the sea'). Finnish, Greek, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Latin, Polynesian Unisex
Pii-Kea Kea = 'white, pure' in Hawaiian; the element 'Pii' is uncertain. Overall possibly interpreted as 'pure white' or a compound with an unclear first element. Polynesian Unisex
Piki To climb, ascend; to go up or mount Polynesian Unisex
Pikoka From Hawaiian 'piko' meaning 'navel' or 'center' - often interpreted as 'center of the family' or 'little center' Polynesian Unisex
Pita Rock, stone (from Peter) Polynesian Boy
Poo-Kela Likely related to 'flower' if derived from Tamil 'poo'; overall meaning uncertain Polynesian Unisex
Pookela Unclear or not well-documented. Possibly derived from Hawaiian elements and sometimes interpreted as relating to excellence or distinction; exact literal meaning is uncertain. Polynesian Unisex
Pua-Mana Flower of spiritual power ('pua' = flower, 'mana' = spiritual power/authority) Hawaiian, Polynesian Unisex
Pulaka Giant swamp taro, a staple root crop (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) important in Pacific Island cultures Polynesian Unisex
Salu Grove, small wood (from Finnish 'salo'),In Polynesian use: typically a personal name or nickname without a single fixed lexical meaning,As a diminutive: meaning depends on the full name (e.g., 'savior' for Salvatore, 'peace' or 'righteous' for related Arabic/Hebrew names) Finnish, Polynesian, Samoan Unisex
Samoane From Samoa; 'Samoan' Polynesian, Samoan Girl
Sateane Crown, wreath (derived from Stephen/Stephanos) Polynesian Boy
Satini Not well-documented; specific meaning unclear or possibly a local/formal adaptation of an introduced name Polynesian Boy
Sealea Possibly related to Samoan leʻa ('joy, contentment') or to Tongan Siale ('gardenia'); generally associated with joy, beauty or island/sea imagery Polynesian Girl
Tabu Sacred, forbidden Polynesian, Proto-Oceanic Boy
Tafa Varies by origin - commonly a short form of Mustafa ("chosen one") or a diminutive of Tafadzwa (Shona, "we are pleased"); may also function as a family or place name with local meanings. Arabic, Polynesian, Shona Boy
Tahitian From Tahiti; of the island or its people Polynesian Unisex
Tahuru Uncertain - possibly related to Māori verbs meaning 'to hide, shelter, or cover' (not definitively attested) Polynesian Unisex
Tanieli God is my judge Polynesian Boy
Tanoa Associated with the traditional Fijian kava (yaqona) wooden mixing bowl called a tanoa; used as a masculine given name in Polynesia. Polynesian Boy
Tarita Likely a diminutive of Tara - 'little Tara'; Tara is associated with 'star' (Sanskrit) and is a traditional feminine name in several cultures. Polynesian Girl
Te Varies by culture - often a short form or diminutive of names beginning with 'Te-' (e.g., Teresa, Teagan). As a standalone syllable it has no single universal meaning. Polynesian, Vietnamese Unisex
Te'a Varies by origin: often 'gift of God' when derived from Dorothea/Teodora; in Polynesian contexts meanings vary (often related to day, light, or clarity). Greek, Polynesian, Slavic Girl
Tealani Heavenly; child of heaven (from Hawaiian lani = sky/heaven/royal) Hawaiian, Polynesian Unisex
tehani Generally associated with joy/happiness or beauty in Polynesian contexts (meanings vary by culture). Polynesian Girl
Teina Younger sibling (younger brother or sister; a Māori kinship term) Polynesian Unisex
Tiaura Likely 'radiant' or 'beautiful' - associated with brightness/beauty (from Tahitian elements such as ura = red/beauty/dance) Polynesian Girl
Tiki A carved human figure; in Māori myth the first man or ancestor; symbol of fertility and protection. Polynesian Boy
Vanu Likely 'land' or 'home' (Polynesian) or 'forest/grove' (Indo-Aryan). Exact meaning depends on cultural origin. Polynesian Unisex

Polynesian name popularity over time

Aggregated births across United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany for every Polynesian-origin name in our dataset.

197
Names in this origin
1
With data in 2025
0
Births 2025
3,015
Peak year 0