Surnames or last names are common, and most of us have one. This is because surnames are an integral part of our identity and it traces our family history.
Hawaiian families did not have the last name until the west colonized them and started the tradition of Hawaiian last names.
Let us have a closer look at some of the famous Hawaiian last names and what they mean.
Popular Hawaiian Last Names
- Ai’la’ausd
The surname has a powerful meaning attached to it. It means the Fire God.
- Ailana
The meaning of this surname is as beautiful as its melodious sound. Ailana means the moonlight and is a popular Hawaiian last name.
- Akamai
Akamai comes from the word Akeakamai which means the one who seeks out knowledge. Akamai also means intelligent and clever and shows the brainy family tradition.
- Aka
Aka has several meanings. It means noble and affectionate. At times, this surname also denotes clarity and lightness.
- Akana
Akana means playing the music and bright. The Hawaiian surname traces its origin to the Kanji culture of Japan.
- Akamu
We all have heard of the word Adam. Akamu is the biblical version of this name. The surname Akamu also means the “one who is of the earth.”
- Ailana
Ailana is one of the prettiest surnames on this list. It means beautiful child. It has another vital meaning which is the strength of God.
- Akina
Akina is a Hawaiian surname that also belongs to Japan, and it means bright and autumn.
- Alama
Alama has a Swahili origin and means symbol and sign. It also means eternity and earth, which is usually what the Hawaiian surnames mean.
- Alana
Alana means precious in German. However, its Hawaiian meaning is an awakening and beautiful offering.
- Alohi
Alohi has two meanings in the Hawaiian language. It means shining and brilliant.
- Alika
Alika has a Nigerian origin and is a popular Hawaiian surname. In both languages, the meaning of the name is the same. It means the one who is the most beautiful.
- Anela
Anela has a Greek origin. The surname resounds with the English name Angela. You will find this surname commonly used among the Hawaiian Christians of the early times.
- Aolani
Aolani or the beautiful clouds is a surname that belongs to the heavenly world.
- Aukai
The surname Aukai refers to the sailor or the seafarer.
- Anakoni
Anakoni is a lovely last name that means priceless and precious in the Hawaiian language.
- Aouli
Aouli means the clear and blue sky, which reflects a perfect day.
- Aria
Aria is a Hawaiian surname that means solo melody. It is a sweet surname with an Italian origin.
- Ano
Ano has a German origin, and this Hawaiian last name means pristine.
- Etana
The last name Etana shows strength. It means strong and dedicated.
- Haku
The surname symbolizes responsibility and power and means the supervisor.
- Haoa
The name in the Hawaiian vernacular language means the chief or the army guard. It is believed to have come from the English word Howard.
- Halia
Halia is reminiscence in the Hawaiian language. It reminds you of the person you cherish with all your heart. Halia also means memorial.
- Hale
Hale means home and is Hawaiian for the English name Harry.
- Haukea
Haukea is a surname that does touch hearts. It means the white snow and depicts a soft personality.
- Havika
Havika is a surname that pronounces one to be the dearest or the beloved.
- Hikialani
The surname means to look up at heaven.
- Hekekia
The vernacular name of the Judah king, Hekekia comes from Hezekiah, which is a biblical name.
- Inoa
Inoa means the name chants. It also means the Virgin Mary in the Hawaiian language.
- Ikaika
Ikaika, or the strong man, traces its origin to Hawaii.
- Ionakana
You have heard of the Hebrew name Jonathan. Ionakana is the Hawaiian version of the name, and it means the gift of God.
- Isaia
Isaia means the God of salvation, and it is the Hawaiian of the name Isaiah in the Bible.
- Iosua
Iosua comes from Joshua, which is a Biblical name.
- Iona
Iona is short of Ionakana and means the one who is the gift from God. The surname is the Hawaiian version of Jonah.
- Kahananui
The last name means excellent work or a significant undertaking.
- Kahele
Kahele is a popular Hawaiian surname and means to go.
- Kahale
The place where we seek comfort or home is what the Hawaiian surname Kahale means.
- Kai
Kai means the ocean. The Hawaiian surname comes from Japan, and it means the same in the Japanese language as well.
- Kahie
Kahie comes from ka or the, and hue or gourd. It is a unique Hawaiian surname composed of two Hawaiian words.
- Kaiwi
The surname depicts life’s significance. It means the bone in the Hawaiian language. The word, however, comes from Polynesia and means the keeper of the ancestors.
- Kainoa
The title means the free-flowing ocean or the sea child and is a surname pretty popular in the Hawaiian region.
- Kalani
The surname means the royal one or the heaven. Kalani is also a popular Hawaiian first name.
- Kalama
Kalama is a torch in the Hawaiian language.
- Kaleo
Kaloe reminds you of the music of the ocean. It means one sound and one voice.
- Kamealoha
The surname means the beloved one.
- Kalua
Kalua is both a Hawaiian first name and last name and means companion.
- Kalawaiʻa
The last name comes from two Hawaiian words: ka or the, and lawaiʻa, which means the fisherman.
- Kamaka
Kamaka means the eye in the Hawaiian language. In Maori, Kamaka means rock.
- Kama
Kama means the child in the Hawaiian language.
- Kana
Kana comes from Hawaiian mythology. It refers to a demigod who had the power to keep stretching indefinitely.
- Kane
Kane is the father of all the living creatures in Hawaiian mythology. The God of procreation, Kane is the highest-ranking among the four gods.
- Ka’uhane
The Hawaiian last name has a lot of impact and means the soul and the spirit.
- Keaka
Keaka means reflection in the Hawaiian language.
- Kawai
Kawai means the water or coming from water. So the surname does remind you of the Hawaiian region.
- Kapule
The surname gets inspiration from eternal belief in God. It means prayer and magic.
- Kayl
Kayl means a free man and is a popular Hawaiian last name.
- Keahi
The surname resonates with the powerful elements of nature, namely fire. In the Hawaiian language, Keahi means the flames.
- Kealani
Lani means heaven in the Hawaiian language. Kea refers to white. The Hawaiian last name Kealani means the white heaven or a clear sky.
- Kealoha
Kealoha means love in the Maori language and is a typical Hawaiian surname.
- Keanu
This Hawaiian surname means the breeze and calm, letting you picture an authentic Hawaiian experience with vast oceans and full of trees.
- Keawe
Keawe means the thread, and this name has a Hawaiian origin.
- Kealohilani
The surname means the bright heaven, and the one who carries it brings hope.
- Kekepania
The Hawaiian of Stephanie, this surname means the woman who bears a crown.
- Kekoa
Kekoa is a Koa tree or the warrior, and the surname symbolizes strength and subtleness.
- Kehaulani
The Hawaiian surname means the heavenly dews that fall from the sky.
- Keli’i
It is a rare Hawaiian surname and means the head of the chief.
- Konani
Konani means to add a dazzling touch, and it also means bright.
- Keona
Keona means the gift of God, and this surname finds use both in the Hawaiian and the Polynesian region.
- Kulani
The unique surname Kulani means to disclose to heaven.
- Kiana
Kiana means the moon Goddess. It is a pure Hawaiian surname.
- Kelekolio
The name is the Hawaiian version of Gregory. It, however, traces its origin to the ancient Greek islands.
- Lee
Lee has a Korean origin though it is also a Hawaiian surname and means the plum tree.
- Lani
Lani means the blue sky and also the heaven. It is a pure Hawaiian origin surname.
- Leimomi
The surname draws parallels to the ocean and means the pearl wreath.
- Likeke
Likeke is a Hawaiian surname that shows courage. It means brave and powerful.
- Luda
The surname Luda is the Hawaiian vernacular form of Jude.
- Leilani
Leilani comes from Lei or the flower. Lani means heaven. Leilani is a charismatic Hawaiian surname that means the heavenly flower.
- Lui
The surname has a French and German origin, and it is the vernacular of Louis.
- Louanne
When you become a parent, you feel your life has a new meaning. And parenthood is one of the best parts of our lives. The surname Louanne has a similar essence. It means one who is full of joy and relaxed. So, if you want your little one to have a happy life, you can give them this name.
- Lilo
If you have watched the movie “Lilo and Stitch,” you may have already come across this awesome last name. It has become a popular surname after the release of that movie. Lilo is one of the main characters in it. Lilo comes with the meaning of “someone who is giving and generous.” You can choose this last name if you want your kid to grow up as a kind-hearted person.
- Laia
Soft-spoken people are loved and respected by all. If you want your kiddo to be someone like that when they grow up, you can choose the last name Laia as an option. It holds the meaning of someone who speaks very softly.
- Mahi’ai
The Hawaiian surname refers to a farmer.
- Mahelona
The name Mahelona comes from Mahlon, which is a Biblical character. He is Ruths’ first husband.
- Makali
Makal refers to the myrtle tree or small eyes. The surname has a Hawaiian origin.
- Makaio
Makaio means the gift from God. It is an uncommon surname used by those of Hawaiian origin.
- Mahoe
Mahoe means twins and is a rare surname used in the Hawaiian region. It also means a small and bushy tree.
- Manu
Manu means the bird in Hawaiian. It is a lovely last name that lets one stay in the lap of nature.
- Mana
Mana is a sacred word and means the spiritual energy in the Hawaiian language. It is originally a Japanese word.
- Maliah
Maliah is Hawaiian of the English word Maria, and the surname traces its origin to Hebrew.
- Mililani
Mililani means the love of heaven, and it is a beautiful Hawaiian last name.
- Moana
Moana means the ocean or sea. The surname comes from Polynesia and Hawaii, and it is also popular as a first name.
- Maui
Maui has both a Polynesian and Hawaiian origin and means the God of fire. The name is a Hawaiian first name as well.
- Malana
Your baby is the light of your life. And that is what the last name Malana signifies. Malana means “someone full of lightness.” it is perfect for your little one if you want them to be someone who brings love, joy, and happiness into other’s life.
- Nani
Nani means pretty. It also means an attractive flower. So the Hawaiian surname is indeed a winner.
- Noelani
Just as sweet as the name sounds, the meaning of the name Noelani is heavenly mist and dew.
- Nakamura
Nakamura means the middle village. It is a Japanese name but is now a Hawaiian surname as well.
- Palakiko
Palakiko is a Hawaiian surname that has a Spanish and English origin.
- Pualani
Pualani is a charming Hawaiian surname that means a heavenly offspring.
- Pele
Pele refers to the volcano God in Hawaiian mythology. Pele is the creator of the Hawaiian islands and is a famous last name.
- Urima
Urima means the earthen fruit. This popular Hawaiian surname has a Polynesian origin too.
- Wong
Wong is a Hawaiian last name that initially belonged to China. It means the monarch or king.
- Wailani
Wailani means the holy water, and it represents the oceans of Hawaii.
Summary
Above is the list of some rare and common Hawaiian surnames. Most of them trace their origin to Hawaiian and Polynesian mythology. The immigrants have bought some Hawaiian surnames. The Hawaiian people connect with nature, and this is reflected in their surnames too.
Hi, I am Claudia, I run TheQueenMomma’s content creation team, personally focusing on topics which add joy to people’s life. You would usually see me writing on topics like Jokes, Riddles, Truth & Dare as well as Baby Names etc.
In my professional career, I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s in sociology and specialize in media and crime. Once I finished my education, I began my career working as a journalist, reporting on various topics like crime, justice and family law. Even though I valued journalism, I came to the realization that I wanted to have a more immediate impact in people’s lives as well as bring joy to them.