Many Hawaiian names sound almost like lullabies: They have beautiful cadence and flow, rolling off the tongue in a melody of vowels and syllables. In addition to their sweet sounds, Hawaiian names also carry powerful depth and meaning.<\/p>
“Naming children, places and objects is important since a name carries mana [the spiritual energy of power], along with the hopes and dreams of family members,” explains David J. Wallace — better known by the honorific Kahu Dave — who is a native Hawaiian healer and author<\/a>. “Names can serve as protection from evil or illness, and remind us of who we are and our purpose in life.”<\/p> Most Hawaiian names, Kahu Dave explains, describe things in the natural world. “These metaphors have multiple meanings, known as kauna, that can change over time, revealing themselves at different stages of a person’s life,” he says. <\/p> Elements of nature are frequently used in Hawaiian baby names, including:<\/p> “Each element or combination of elements will create a story and new meanings to the new word,” he says. “For example, by pairing Kawai (water) with Lani (heaven) we create the name Kawailani.”<\/p> “Since there is so much meaning to a Hawaiian name, being able to share the story behind your name helps you connect to your ancestors as you prepare yourself for the future.”<\/p>—Kahu Dave, native Hawaiian healer and author<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> Kahu Dave explains that Hawaiian names carry the hopes and dreams of parents and ancestors. “It tells a story, like a hula, with its imagery and hidden meanings that change over time,” he says. “Since there is so much meaning to a Hawaiian name, being able to share the story behind your name helps you connect to your ancestors as you prepare yourself for the future.”<\/p> For all the transporting beauty and symbolism behind Hawaiian names, do be mindful of sensitivities if you choose to give your baby any name outside of your own culture.<\/p> “Name appropriation is a form of cultural appropriation and is something for white parents to consider when naming their children,” notes Jennifer Moss<\/a>, the founder and CEO of BabyNames.com and one of the country’s foremost baby name experts.<\/p>The meaning behind Hawaiian baby names<\/b><\/h2>
Cultural sensitivity and Hawaiian baby names<\/b><\/h2>
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