Polynesian names belong to the Polynesian language tradition. This collection contains 7 Polynesian names with their meanings, cultural backgrounds, and pronunciation guides. You'll find 1 names traditionally given to boys and 6 names for girls, reflecting naming patterns from regions where Polynesian is spoken. These names carry the linguistic heritage and cultural values of Polynesian-speaking communities. Common themes include nature, new, showing what Polynesian cultures have valued across generations.
This name derives from New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie), a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and has inherited from the Polynesian term “maeva” which means “welcome, well come.” According to L’Institut national de la Statistique et des études économiques in 2010, the name Maeva ranked 57th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby girls. Furthermore, in 2001 Maeva ranked 21th out of the top 100 names.
This name derives from the Polynesian and Māori “Moana,” meaning “oceanic, large body of water.” A poetic name for the Pacific Ocean is Te moana nui a Kiwa (The great ocean of Kiwa). Kiwa's first wife, in some of these legends, was Parawhenuamea, ancestor of brooks that flow from the land to the sea and of fresh water generally. Kiwa's second wife was "Hinemoana" (Ocean woman), a personification of the sea.
(Hawaiian mythology) A navigator who sailed between Tahiti, Samoa and Hawaii.
This name derives from New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie), a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and has inherited from the Polynesian term “maeva” which means “welcome, well come.” According to L’Institut national de la Statistique et des études économiques in 2010, the name Maeva ranked 57th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby girls. Furthermore, in 2001 Maeva ranked 21th out of the top 100 names.
This name derives from New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie), a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and has inherited from the Polynesian term “maeva” which means “welcome, well come.” According to L’Institut national de la Statistique et des études économiques in 2010, the name Maeva ranked 57th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby girls. Furthermore, in 2001 Maeva ranked 21th out of the top 100 names.
This name derives from New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie), a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and has inherited from the Polynesian term “maeva” which means “welcome, well come.” According to L’Institut national de la Statistique et des études économiques in 2010, the name Maeva ranked 57th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby girls. Furthermore, in 2001 Maeva ranked 21th out of the top 100 names.
This name derives from New Caledonia (French: Nouvelle-Calédonie), a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean and has inherited from the Polynesian term “maeva” which means “welcome, well come.” According to L’Institut national de la Statistique et des études économiques in 2010, the name Maeva ranked 57th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby girls. Furthermore, in 2001 Maeva ranked 21th out of the top 100 names.
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Polynesian names developed within the Polynesian language tradition. The naming traditions from regions where Polynesian is spoken have evolved over centuries, shaped by migration, trade, religion, and cultural exchange. Today's Polynesian names carry this history.
Polynesian naming traditions reflect the values and beliefs of regions where Polynesian is spoken. Names served multiple purposes: identifying individuals, honoring ancestors, expressing hopes for a child's future, and marking religious or cultural affiliation. These functions shaped which names became popular and how they were used.
Today, Polynesian names appear far beyond regions where Polynesian is spoken. Immigration, global media, and cultural exchange have made many Polynesian names familiar worldwide. Parents choose these names to honor heritage, appreciate their meanings, or simply because they like how they sound. The 7 names in this collection range from ancient choices still popular today to names that have fallen out of use but retain historical interest.
Polynesian naming traditions have developed their own patterns and preferences. Names may honor family members, reflect religious beliefs, describe hoped-for qualities, or commemorate significant events. These patterns explain which names stayed popular.
These traditional patterns still matter, but modern parents also mix things up. Some combine traditional and contemporary elements, pick names from other cultures, or create unique variations of classic names.
This collection breaks down to 14% masculine names (1) and 86% feminine names (6).
Polynesian names follow the phonetic rules of their language of origin. English speakers may need to adjust their pronunciation for sounds that don't exist in English. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide to help.
When in doubt about pronunciation, listening to native speakers helps more than reading transliterations. Each name page has a pronunciation guide. If you're considering a Polynesian name for your child, say it out loud and think about how others in your community will pronounce it.
The 7 Polynesian names in this collection offer choices ranging from familiar options to rare discoveries. Each carries cultural meaning from regions where Polynesian is spoken.
Polynesian names for girls outnumber those for boys in our collection. Many cultures have developed distinct naming traditions for each gender.
Current naming trends show renewed interest in heritage names, with parents seeking meaningful connections to cultural roots. Some Polynesian names have crossed over to mainstream use, while others remain specific to Polynesian-speaking communities.
Popular Polynesian names for boys include Maeva, Moana, Kahaʻi, Maheva, Maéva. Our database contains 1 Polynesian names traditionally given to boys, ranging from classic choices to unique options.
Our collection includes 6 Polynesian names for girls. Popular choices blend traditional sounds with meaningful origins. Use the feminine tab to explore options organized by popularity.
Polynesian names carry meanings from the Polynesian language tradition. Common themes in Polynesian names include nature, new. Each name in our database includes its specific meaning and cultural context.
Polynesian names follow the phonetic rules of their language. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide. When uncertain, listening to native speakers provides the most accurate reference.
This database contains 7 Polynesian names: 1 for boys and 6 for girls. This represents documented names that have been used historically or are in current use. The actual number of Polynesian names ever used is certainly higher.
Spelling difficulty depends on the specific name and your familiarity with Polynesian phonetics. Some Polynesian names have been adapted to English spelling conventions, making them straightforward. Others retain original spellings that may be unfamiliar. Consider how important easy spelling is to you when choosing a name.