The Hawaiian Name Finder is a free online tool that turns your English first name into its traditional Hawaiian equivalent — complete with meaning and pronunciation — from Kahana Designs, a Native Hawaiian–owned studio in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. Type a name like John, Mary, or David and it returns Keoni, Malia, or Kawika, along with how to say it and what it means.
Hawaiian names carry mana (spiritual power) and story. For generations, Hawaiian families have used island forms of familiar English names — many first written down in the Hawaiian Bible, the Baibala Hemolele, and still spoken today. The Hawaiian Name Finder is a warm, respectful way to discover the name behind your name.
What is the Hawaiian Name Finder?
It is a free tool that looks up the established Hawaiian version of an English first name. Because ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) uses only five vowels and eight consonants, English names were historically adapted into Hawaiian sounds — so John became Keoni, Mary became Malia, George became Keoki, and Robert became Lopaka. The tool draws on these long-standing transliterations, not on random invention.
How do I use the Hawaiian Name Finder?
- Open the Hawaiian Name Finder.
- Type your first name into the box (for example, Mary).
- Tap Find it.
- Read your Hawaiian name, its meaning, and a simple phonetic pronunciation guide (for example, Malia — mah-LEE-ah — calm, serene).
If your name has no traditional Hawaiian equivalent, the tool gently “Hawaiianizes” it using the 13-letter Hawaiian alphabet, so you still get a fun, island-style version to share with your ʻohana.
Are these real Hawaiian names?
Yes. Most are long-established Hawaiian transliterations that Hawaiian families have used for well over a century. Keoni (John), Kawika (David), Kimo (James), Malia (Mary), Ana (Anna), and Kamuela (Samuel) are all names you will still hear across the islands today. They are shared here with respect for ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, a living language that was once suppressed and has been beautifully revived through immersion schools and everyday use.
Why do some names only change the sound?
Hawaiian has a compact sound system, so names that never had a formal Hawaiian form are adapted phonetically — consonants shift (t and d become k, r becomes l, s becomes k), and a vowel is added so each syllable ends in a vowel, the way Hawaiian words do. It is a playful approximation rather than an official translation, but it follows the same sound patterns that shaped names like Lopaka and Pila generations ago.
A note on Hawaiian names and culture
In Hawaiian tradition, a name (inoa) is a gift. Names could arrive in dreams, honor an ancestor, or mark an event, and they were believed to shape the life of the person who carried them. That is why we treat name-play with care: the Hawaiian Name Finder is meant as a friendly doorway into the language and its beauty, not a replacement for the deeply personal Hawaiian names families give with intention. If a name sparks your curiosity, learning a few words of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is a wonderful next step — and a small way to honor the culture that gave it life.
Love the sound of your island name? You can wear that aloha every day. Browse our Hawaiian Tees collection for original, culturally grounded designs.
Bring the islands home: Explore our Hawaiian Tees — original designs from our Native Hawaiian–owned studio in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. A few of the newest additions:
Hawaii Ohana Family Tee — a tribute to ʻohana, where nobody gets left behind.
Hawaii Legend Status Tee — for those who don’t just visit the islands, they belong to them.
Aloha Social Butterfly Tee — spread the aloha everywhere you land.
Hawaii Introvert Life Tee — recharging solo on a Hawaiʻi beach is basically self-care science.
More free Hawaiʻi tools: Try the Hawaii Pidgin Translator, the Hawaiian Word of the Day, and the Hawaiian Baby Name Generator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hawaiian Name Finder free?
Yes. The Hawaiian Name Finder is completely free to use, with no sign-up required. It comes from Kahana Designs, a Native Hawaiian–owned studio in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi.
What is my name in Hawaiian?
Enter your first name in the tool to find out. Common examples include Keoni (John), Malia (Mary), Kawika (David), Kimo (James), Lopaka (Robert), and Loke (Rose). Each result includes the meaning and how to say it.
Are these authentic Hawaiian names?
Most are established Hawaiian transliterations recorded generations ago and still used across Hawaiʻi today. Names without a traditional form are adapted phonetically into Hawaiian sounds as a fun approximation.
How is a Hawaiian name pronounced?
Every vowel is voiced, and words end in a vowel. The tool gives a simple phonetic guide — for example, Kawika is said “kah-VEE-kah” and Malia is “mah-LEE-ah.”