Top 86 Polynesian baby names, from Aleki to Vaimiti
The recent pop culture spotlight on Polynesian baby names may have more parents considering the Pacific Islands as a source for name inspiration.
“Polynesian mythology names, which include Moana and Maui from the movie, are perhaps the most familiar internationally,” said baby naming consultant Pamela Redmond of the baby name website Nameberry.
While Polynesian names are still rare in the United States, parents looking for unusual and distinctive baby names may be turning to names from the Pacific islands.
Polynesia is a region of more than 1,000 islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. Polynesian islands include Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the islands of Hawaii.
Many Polynesian baby names are inspired by nature, often related to the ocean that surrounds these beautiful islands.
Nameberry’s list of popular Polynesian names include Maori, Fijian, Tongan, Tahitian, and Polynesian mythology names.
“The most popular are names with roots in those cultures as well as internationally,” Redmond told TODAY.
Read on for more Polynesian baby name inspiration.
86 Polynesian baby names
Aleki
Aimata
Anaru
Enele
Enoha
Eteroa
Fetu
Kahaia
Kahurangi
Mahana
Mahine
Maima
Manea
Mareva
Mateata
Mere
Nikora
Orihei
Oro
Patariki
Piripi
Poehei
Raina
Ravanui
Ruiha
Taaroa
Temanao
Tereva
Tevahine
Tamati
Tiare
Tua
Vairani
Waimari
Wiremu
Vaheana
Maia
Kane
Kai
Maeva
Tai
Manu
Malakai
Ana
Moana
Tane
Kiri
Kirrily
Maui
Nikau
Anahera
Kauri
Aroha
Ngaio
Oliana
Pele
Ngaire
Nyree
Pania
Tahiti
Winiata
Mele
Manaia
Maaka
Tangaroa
Heirani
Viliami
Marama
Roimata
Rangi
Sione
Erena
Awhina
Tevita
Maata
Vaihere
Vaimiti
Vaitiare
Papa
Hine
Herenui
Heremoana
Heitiare
Moerani
Tama
Pomare
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
