Comments on: How to Give Your Baby a Hawaiian Name

on 12/4/2008 E kala mai, I made a mistake in my first sentence.

"Hawaiian names are not something that are something you give to a child because you think it sounds pretty."

*Hawaiian names are not something you give to a child because you think it sounds pretty.

on 12/4/2008 Hawaiian names are not something that are something you give to a child because you think it sounds pretty. To Hawaiians, the name is very important--and giving the child the wrong name, or stealing someone's name without permission can actually make the child sick. If you are to name your child with a Hawaiian name; understand the Hawaiian culture and the meaning and kaona (deeper meaning) behind the name.


Corrections:
Your 'olelo (words) are off in translation and the Hawaiian language had 13 characters---the 'okina counts as a character.

And, if you're going to give your child a Hawaiian name, please know how to actually pronounce and spell it correctly.

Mahalo. E malama pono.

on 6/28/2008 yeeeah...sooo you're translation is a bit off...well that's cool you have a how to to help preserve culture. But the thing is, not just any child can be named a Hawaiian name, they have to be partially Hawaiian. Well, they don't haveto, but in a way it sort of disrespects the culture. I guess if you don't understand the culture and history, it would be hard for an outsider to see this. I don't mean for that to sound harsh, I guess thats how some of my family feels, plus my tutu has always told me you should never act to be something you're not. I think that tory by Kapo is so funny! Things get lost in translation, a boy that thought he was local called me "wahine" trying to make it like an insult...im like uhhh...yeah ima girl... he meant to say "haoule" ha ha

on 2/26/2008 Nana doesn't mean pretty. I can't even tell you what it means without the kahakos and 'okina's. Ani means to beckon, wave, or to blow softly. Who'd want to name their daughter with a name like that! If you want a great Hawaiian name, try to find and contact a Kupuna (elder/teacher) and see if they can help you. At the very least, yes, do your research with books and contacting someone who actually speaks Hawaiian (you could even try to see if one of the busy Hawaiian language professors at the University of Hawai'i system can help you). But FYI, this article is inaccurate.

on 2/26/2008 This article is quite inaccurate. Listen to Anonymous and do your research. Or better yet, consult with a Kupuna (Elder, Grandparent, Teacher) to help you come up with a great Hawaiian name. Kealoha does not mean fragrant, maybe it means the love, or the hello, or the goodbye. Mamo is the hawaiian word for the black honey creeper. Nana does not mean spring. There is no word for "spring" in Hawaiian b/c the Hawaiians didn't recognize spring. It was either the wet season or the dry/hot season. Ani doesn't mean pretty, it means to beckon, wave. Not sure I'd like to name my daughter that!

on 2/26/2008 This article is terrible. Listen to "anonymous"... Kealoha does NOT mean fragrant. Aloha means love, hello, and goodbye. "Ke" is the Hawaiian version of "the." But beware, the Hawaiian language is full of deeper meanings. Mamo does NOT mean yellow flower.. it is the black honey creeper bird, safflower, sergeant fish, or descendant. I suggest consulting with a Kupuna (Elder or Teacher) if you want a great Hawaiian name.

on 1/20/2008 My husband is also native Hawaiian. We gave our boys Hawaiian names. It is tradition. All three match their names perfectly.
Kalani (chiefly one)
Kuuipo (sweetheart)
Koapaka (the last one)

on 10/30/2007 Aloha, I am Native Hawaiian. Please, please do some research before chosing a Hawaiian name. Example. A few months ago while vacationing in Wyoming I came across a beautiful family. They had twin girls and they both wanted to share with me the wonder of their Hawaiian names. One quickly told me that she was Leina and that it meant "fragrant garland" the other blurted out that her name was "Punani" and that it meant beautiful flower. I was shocked at the names, trying to correct Leina to Leina'ala and Punani to Puanani. The mother said that it didn't matter so long as they knew the true meaning. Well I told her that ALL the letters needed to be there. The names as they are mean something totally different. Leina meant a ledge for jumping. A "leina" is a place a newly deceased spirit goes to in order to leap into the next world. Punani is Hawaiian slang for "vagina".

on 6/30/2006 Even Hawaiians should be careful when choosing a name for children, as those who are removed from the islands may choose a name that is generally reserved for a certain gender and not include an 'okina - and completely misspell the name. Or misplace an 'okina.
Thorough research and intention are key. Names are powerful. Names should have real meaning. You will spend the next 18 years doing everything you can to nurture your child and instill good character. Why not start with the name? A child should be able to reflect on their name every day for the rest of their lives, and feel proud that this is their name.

on 6/30/2006 Do your own research. With books! Kai is traditionally a boy's name. Kealoha does not mean fragrant, but even if it did, "fragrant" should not be used for a boy.
There are some basic guidelines with Hawaiian names, and rules in the language/grammar.
Research first, so you don't choose a name that really doesn't mean what you thought/hoped it did.

on 12/27/2007 Our son's middle name is Kukaua (Guardian of Heaven) and out new daughter's is Ke'olani (Heaven's continuation or Tranquility)

on 11/22/2005 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

on 11/22/2005 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".

on 11/22/2005 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.

on 11/22/2005 Our daughter's middle name is Kilauea. Hopefully she won't emulate the volcano and constantly blow her top.