70 Cute Hawaiian Pet Names For Dogs, Cats, And Other Animals

Georgia Stone
Feb 15, 2024 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Nov 16, 2020
Dog surfing on a surfboard wearing sunglasses at the ocean shore



Why Hawaiian Pet Names?

Hawaii is an archipelago state of the United States. It is also the only US state that is separated from the North American landmass and has a tropical climate.

These are only a few characteristics that influence the unique culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people of Hawaii. It is also evident in their naming practices.

Hawaiian names for people are chosen based on revelations in dreams, a family patronymic, or certain events in life. Hawaiian names can also be based on an object, an adjective, or an idea, symbolizing a deeper second meaning.

Thus, the Hawaiian language can be a great source for finding interesting and creative names for your pets as well. Most people have dogs, cats, or birds as pets.

In the Hawaiian language, a dog is called ‘ʻīlio’. The Hawaiian word for a cat is ‘pōpoki’, while a bird is called ‘manu’.

You will find several Hawaiian names for pets with their meanings listed below. The meaning and short descriptions can help you clarify if a name fits your need of giving an identity to your pet.

Hawaiian Names For Dogs

1. ʻAilana - is a fitting name for a pet dog that means ‘loving’.

2. Akamai - means ‘intelligence’. It can be a great name for your trained pet dog. 

3. Alakaʻi - means ‘a leader’. Use this as a nickname for a bulky and strong pet dog. 

4. Hanale - a Hawaiian form of the English name Herny, meaning ‘home ruler’. The Hawaiian name is also a fitting name for a pet watchdog.

5. Hauʻoli - means ‘joy or happiness’. It is a great name for a pet that always makes you happy.

6. Ikaika - meaning 'powerful' or ‘strong’, is a great name for a well-built pet dog.

7. Kahiau - means ‘selfless generosity’. The name also represents pet dogs' tendency to stick with their masters. 

8. Kahoku - means 'the star', and is a great name for a skilled pet dog.

9. Kahu - means ‘guardian’, which is a name for a helpful and caring dog. 

10. Kaimi - means ‘the seeker’. Use it as a name for your pet dog who sniffs out missing objects.

11. Kaipo - means 'the sweetheart', making it a fitting name for your pet dog.

12. Kalia - means ‘waited for’, and is a nickname for a pet dog who always welcomes you when you arrive home. 

13. Kalua - means ‘the second one’ or ‘companion’. Use this if your dog is your best friend.

14. Kapena - a Hawaiian term derived from English meaning ‘captain’.

15. Kapono - means ‘the good’ or ‘the upright'. Use it as a name for a caring pet dog. 

16. Keola - meaning ‘the life’ or ‘the healthy one’. 

17. Keone - means ‘the sand’, which could be a suitable name for a pet dog with yellow ochre fur. 

18. Koa - meaning 'courage’ or ‘warrior', is a great name for your brave pet dog. 

19. Laka - means ‘tame’. It could be a name for a pet that follows you around. 

20. Liko - meaning ‘bud’. It is a great name for a pet dog you consider your friend. 

21. Minoʻaka - means 'smile'. It is a fitting name for a pet dog with a wide mouth. 

22. Nāinoa - meaning ‘brave’, is another suitable name for a pet dog that will always be by your side. 

23. Pika - a rare Hawaiian name for boys meaning ‘rock’ or 'stone', an alternative to Peter. Use it as a name for a grey-colored pet. 

24. Pupule - means 'crazy'. It could be a fun name for a pet dog that runs around the house. 

25. Wikiwiki - means ‘fast’, making it a suitable name for a pet dog that runs at high speeds. 

Hawaiian Pet Names For Cats

26. Ailani - means 'chief', which is a great name for a pet cat that acts like the boss of the house. 

27. Amoka - is a Hawaiian form of Amos, meaning ‘strong’.

28. Etana (Germanic origin) - means ‘overeater’.

29. Hanai - means ‘adopted’, and is a fitting name for a rescue pet. 

30. Hoku - means ‘star’. It is a great pet name for a proud and attractive cat. 

31. Honi - means ‘kiss’. Honi is a cute name for your beloved pet.

32. Kaʻanāʻanā - means ‘black magic’. It is a fitting name for a notorious pet. 

33. Kamaka - meaning ‘bud’ or ‘beloved one’, is a fitting name for your beloved pet.

34. Kapua - meaning 'the yellow’, is an apt name for a pet cat covered in yellow fur.

35. Kauʻi - meaning ‘the youthful beauty’, can be a great name for a good-looking pet.

36. Kealiʻi - means ‘the nobleman’ or ‘the chief’, and is a fitting Hawaiian name for a proud pet cat. 

37. Kealoha - meaning ‘love’.

38. Kekipi - means ‘the rebel’. It is a name for your rebellious cat who is difficult to train. 

39. Kekoa - meaning ‘koa tree’, ‘the warrior’, or ‘courage’. 

40. Lomi - means ‘moon’. Lomi would be a perfect name for a pet cat with white fur. 

41. Luana - means ‘leisure’, and is a suitable name for a lazy pet cat.

42. Maka - means ‘eye’ or ‘beloved one'. It can be used to name a pet close to your heart. 

43. Malia (Hebrew origin) - is a Hawaiian form of Mary meaning ‘beloved’ or ‘love’.

44. Momi - means 'pearl', which is a cute name for a pet cat.

45. Muraco - means ‘white moon’. Use it as a name for a pet cat with white fur.

46. Nahoa - meaning ‘bold’.

47. Nakoa - meaning ‘brave’.

48. Nani - means ‘beauty’. Use it as a name for a well-groomed pet cat. 

49. ʻŌpūnui - meaning ‘large-bellied’, which is a name for a pet cat that likes to eat. 

50. Pilialoha - means ‘beloved companion’. It is a perfect name for a pet you love a lot. 

51. Pūlikito - means 'embrace'. Use it as a name for your cute and cuddly pet cat. 

Popular Hawaiian Pet Bird Names

52. Anela - means ‘angel’ or ‘messenger of God', which is a great name for a white bird.

53. Haukea - means ‘white snow’. Haukea could be a name for a pet bird covered in white feathers.

54. Hiwahiwa - means ‘precious’, and is an excellent name for your beloved pet bird. 

55. Hoʻopiʻi - means ‘to elevate’ or ‘ to raise’. 

56. ʻIolana - means ‘to soar’. It is a fitting name for a pet bird that flies high.

57. Kai - means ‘sea’, which is a great name for a seabird.

58. Kailani - meaning 'sea and sky', is a fitting name for a bird that flies long distances. 

59. Kea - means ‘white’, and is a fitting name for a white bird.

60. Kuʻuipo - means ‘my sweetheart', which is a sweet name for your pet.

61. Lani - means ‘sky’, ‘heaven’, or 'royalty', and is a great name for a good-looking bird. 

62. Makamae - means ‘precious’. 

63. Makana - a sweet name for a pet bird that means ‘gift’. 

64. Makani - means ‘to blow’ or ‘wind’.

65. Makanui - means ‘big eyes’. You can also use this name for a big-eyed pet bird.

66. Moana - means ‘sea’ or ‘ocean’. It is another suitable name for a seabird.

67. Nalani - means 'the heavens'. The name implies your pet bird can fly very high. 

68. Nohea - means 'handsome' or ‘pretty’. Use it as a name for your charming, good-looking pet bird.

69. Olina - means ‘joyous’.

70. Puʻuwai - means ‘heart’. It is a great name for a pet you love.

71. Uʻilani - means ‘heavenly beauty’ or ‘youthful beauty’, which makes it an excellent pet name for a pet bird.

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Sources

https://petpress.net/hawaiian-cat-names/

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Kalia#Hawaiian

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Kealiʻi

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Kailani#Hawaiian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hānai

https://thehappypuppysite.com/hawaiian-dog-names/

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Laka

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/etana

https://www.rover.com/blog/best-hawaiian-dog-names/

https://www.mydogsname.com/hawaiian-dog-names/

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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