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Help[Opinions] Hawaiian names - do they work?
I love Hawaiian names, but always wonder if they work. Would people be confused on how to pronounce them? (I live in Minnesota, hopefully to move to Colorado/Oregon area before having kids.) Would they fit with my hubby's surname? (Which is unknown for the time being, but for the fun of it, I'll say my boyfriend's, which is Stewart.)
Boys:
Akoni
Kale
Keanu
Unisex:
Alani
Kalei
Kalia
Kalino
Kei / Kai / other various spellings
Kalani / Kelani
Kulani
Malu
Malana
Girls:
Keana – unknown
Maila
Malie
Moani
Nalani
Qiana
Another name I came across: Liora
Boys:
Akoni
Kale
Keanu
Unisex:
Alani
Kalei
Kalia
Kalino
Kei / Kai / other various spellings
Kalani / Kelani
Kulani
Malu
Malana
Girls:
Keana – unknown
Maila
Malie
Moani
Nalani
Qiana
Another name I came across: Liora
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Replies
I think so.
It depends on the name, obviously... my name translates into Hawaiian as Lala, which is a Teletubby to most kids out there. This became a big teasing factor for me in the 2nd grade. :-(
I'll give you my thoughts on the ones you've listed:
Akoni -- Fine, interesting
Kale -- No, this is a vegetable
Keanu -- Sure, but it sounds like celebrity worship after Mr. Reeves.
Alani -- Feels girly, but it's very pretty
Kalei -- Much better than Kale.
Kalia -- Definitely too girly for mainstream use on a boy; very pretty. Have you thought about the Hebrew name Kelila?
Kalino -- Feels pretty masculine, pretty cool
Kei / Kai / other various spellings -- How many ways are there to spell this? I prefer Kai, and I like it better on a boy.
Kalani / Kelani -- Feels girly, and it's pretty
Kulani -- I don't like this as much as Kalani or Kelani
Malu -- Nah... IDK why
Malana -- It's okay, but not my favorite
Keana –- Feels kind of trendy, but it's fine.
Maila -- Very sweet
Malie -- I'd pronounce this as "Molly," which takes away the whole exotic element.
Moani -- I don't like that it has "moan" in the beginning, but it's okay.
Nalani -- Reminds me of "The Lion King" for some reason, but it's very pretty
Qiana -- Nah. Feels trendy.
Also, Liora is Hebrew (and my Hebrew name). I really love it and I would use Liorit on my own daughter. Have you thought about Eliora?
Some more suggestions:
Akamu (b)
Haukea (g)
Ikaia / Ikaika (b)
It depends on the name, obviously... my name translates into Hawaiian as Lala, which is a Teletubby to most kids out there. This became a big teasing factor for me in the 2nd grade. :-(
I'll give you my thoughts on the ones you've listed:
Akoni -- Fine, interesting
Kale -- No, this is a vegetable
Keanu -- Sure, but it sounds like celebrity worship after Mr. Reeves.
Alani -- Feels girly, but it's very pretty
Kalei -- Much better than Kale.
Kalia -- Definitely too girly for mainstream use on a boy; very pretty. Have you thought about the Hebrew name Kelila?
Kalino -- Feels pretty masculine, pretty cool
Kei / Kai / other various spellings -- How many ways are there to spell this? I prefer Kai, and I like it better on a boy.
Kalani / Kelani -- Feels girly, and it's pretty
Kulani -- I don't like this as much as Kalani or Kelani
Malu -- Nah... IDK why
Malana -- It's okay, but not my favorite
Keana –- Feels kind of trendy, but it's fine.
Maila -- Very sweet
Malie -- I'd pronounce this as "Molly," which takes away the whole exotic element.
Moani -- I don't like that it has "moan" in the beginning, but it's okay.
Nalani -- Reminds me of "The Lion King" for some reason, but it's very pretty
Qiana -- Nah. Feels trendy.
Also, Liora is Hebrew (and my Hebrew name). I really love it and I would use Liorit on my own daughter. Have you thought about Eliora?
Some more suggestions:
Akamu (b)
Haukea (g)
Ikaia / Ikaika (b)
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Of course!
of course they'll work! Darn near anything, any word, any sound, will work. You may get different reactions from people because of personal taste, but any of your choices will certainly suffice as a name. Hawaiian names are melodious and have such poetic meanings. They will probably be complimented on the attractive uniqueness of their name many times.
The only thing I would think of is that, once you tell people it is a Hawaiian name, they will ask you if you are from Hawaii :)
of course they'll work! Darn near anything, any word, any sound, will work. You may get different reactions from people because of personal taste, but any of your choices will certainly suffice as a name. Hawaiian names are melodious and have such poetic meanings. They will probably be complimented on the attractive uniqueness of their name many times.
The only thing I would think of is that, once you tell people it is a Hawaiian name, they will ask you if you are from Hawaii :)
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