Hawaiian Baby Names and Their Sacred Meanings

Names are far more than sounds or marks; they are carriers of memory, identity, and culture. This book is a thoughtful, authentic guide to Hawaiian baby names, created for parents, educators, writers, and anyone who treasures language. Drawing from the Hawaiian language's simple yet profound 13-letter alphabet, it presents names with accurate meanings, pronunciations, gender, and cultural context. Each entry also includes short story snippets to show how names live in real life. Hawaiian names often spring from nature-ocean, sky, winds, flowers-and embody values such as aloha (love), pono (righteousness), and mana (spiritual power). The book corrects common errors, preserves traditional knowledge, and invites readers to treat names with respect. More than a dictionary, it is a bridge between past and present, offering a glimpse of the spirit of Hawaiʻi. Through these pages, readers will find not just names but living expressions of heritage, beauty, and timeless meaning.