Samoa is a beautiful place with beautiful people and some really great baby names.
The island country is appreciated for its stunning natural beauty. However, there are also many beautiful baby names to discover in the country too.
As well as lots of great baby names, Samoan last names are pretty cool too, ranging from Aaitui and Palepoi to Maivia and Savea. One of the famous Samoans is Dwayne Johnson. Popularly known as The Rock, he is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. Perhaps you could name your baby Dwayne to honor his success?
Due to the 1952 Act of Immigration and Nationality a number of American Samoans migrated to the USA and a number of them settled in Hawaii.
As such, many Samoan names on this list have links to Hawaiian origins. Therefore, if you want to know more about Polynesian names for your baby boy or baby girl you are in the right place!
We hope you find the perfect Samoan baby boy or baby girl name for you from the list below, as we uncover the meanings behind the best Samoan names and the coolest Pacific islander names.
Let’s kick things off by taking a look at some of the most commonly given Samoan boy names and the meanings of these baby names. Some Samoan boy names are also commonly found in other islands located in Polynesia such as Hawaii. If you have a baby boy, be sure to consider these Samoan baby names.
1. Akamu (Samoan origin), Akamu is the Samoan version of the English name Adam, which means “man”.
2. Akoni (Polynesian origin), Akoni is the shortened version of the name Anakoni, which is a Polynesian name from the English name Anthony, which means “priceless one”.
3. Anaru (Samoan origin), Anaru is the Samoan version of Andrew, and it means “masculine”.
4. Ekewaka (Samoan origin), Ekewaka means “wealth” or “fortune”.
5. Hemi (Samoan origin), Hemi is the Samoan version of James meaning "supplanter" or "heel".
6. Heremoana (Samoan origin), Heremoana means “loved ocean” in the Samoan language.
7. Hohepa (Samoan origin), Hohepa is the Samoan version of the name Joseph, and it means “he will add”.
8. Iakopa (Samoan origin), Iakopa is the Samoan version of Jacob, and it means “holder of the heel”.
9. Ikaia (Samoan origin), Ikaia is the Samoan version of the name Isaiah and it means “to save”.
10. Iokua (Samoan origin), Iokua is the Samoan version of the name Joshua, and it means “to save”.
11. Kale (Samoan origin), Kale is the Samoan version of the name Charles, which means “man”.
12. Kaleo (Hawaiian origin), Kaleo means “sound” and “voice”.
13. Kapena (Samoan origin), Kapena is the Samoan version of the English word "captain".
14. Kapono (Samoan origin), Kapono means “the good one”.
15. Kauri (Samoan origin), Kauri is a Samoan name that is based on a tree found in Oceania.
16. Kekoa (Hawaiian origin), Kekoa means “the warrior”.
17. Keoni (Samoan origin), Keoni is the Samoan version of the English name John, meaning "God has been gracious".
18. Kimo (Samoan origin), Kimo is the Samoan version of the English name James, meaning "supplanter".
19. Koa (Samoan origin), Koa is a name with two meanings; the “koa tree” and “warrior”.
20. Makaio (Samoan origin), Makaio is the Samoan version of the English name Matthew meaning "gift of Yahweh".
21. Maleko (Samoan origin), Maleko is the Samoan version of the English name Mark meaning "warlike".
22. Mikaere (Samoan origin), Mikaere means "one who's like God."
22. Mikala (Samoan origin), Mikala, like Mikaere, is the Samoan version of the English name Michael.
23. Nikau (Samoan origin), Nikau refers to a particular type of palm tree that’s common in New Zealand.
24. Noa (Samoan origin), Noa means "rest".
25. Paora (Samoan origin), Paora is the Samoan version of the English name Paul meaning "humble".
26. Patariki (Samoan origin), Patariki is the Samoan version of the English name Patrick meaning "nobleman".
27. Peni (Samoan origin), Peni means "blessed".
28. Petera (Samoan origin), Petera is the Samoan version of the English name Peter meaning "rock".
29. Pika (Samoan origin), Pika, like Petera, is another Samoan form of the English name Peter.
30. Piripi (Samoan origin), Piripi is the Samoan version of the English name Philip meaning "fond of horses".
31. Rangi (Samoan origin), Rangi means “sky” and refers to the Polynesian God Ranginui.
32. Tama (Samoan origin), Tama means “boy” and “son”.
33. Tamati (Samoan origin), Tamati is the Samoan version of the English name Thomas meaning "twin".
34. Tamatoa (Samoan origin), Tamatoa is a Samoan baby name that is a combination of two names; Tama meaning “boy” and Toa meaning “warrior”.
35. Tane (Samoan origin), Tane is a Samoan baby name based on the Polynesian God of the same name that means “man”.
36. Timoti (Samoan origin), Timoti is the Samoan version of the English name Timothy meaning "honoring God".
37. Tipene (Samoan origin), Tipene means "crown".
38. Wiremu (Samoan origin), Wiremu is the Samoan version of the English name William meaning "with gilded helmet".
Samoan Baby Names For Girls
We’ve covered the best Samoan boy names, and now it’s time to take a look at the best Samoan girl names. Some of these names Samoan are also derived from other Polynesian islands like Hawaii and Tahiti.
39. Anahera (Samoan origin), Anahera is a girl name and means “angel”.
40. Apikalia (Samoan origin), Apikalia is the Samoan version of the name Abigail and means “my father is joy”.
41. Aroha (Samoan origin), Aroha is a girl name and means “love”.
42. Ataahua (Samoan origin), Ataahua means “beautiful”.
43. Awhina (Samoan origin), Awhina means “support” and “help”.
44. Elikapeka (Samoan origin), Elikapeka is the Samoan version of the English name Elizabeth meaning "my God is an oath".
45. Haukea (Hawaiian origin), Haukea means “white snow”.
46. Haunani (Hawaiian origin), Haunani means “beautiful snow”.
47. Heirani (Tahitian origin), Heirani means “crown sky”.
48. Heitiare (Tahitian origin), Heitiare means “crown flower”.
49. Herenui (Tahitian origin), Herenui means “a lot of love”.
50. Hine (Samoan origin), Hine means “girl”.
51. Hokulani (Hawaiian origin), Hokulani means “heavenly star”.
52. Huhana (Samoan origin), Huhana is the Samoan version of the English name Susan meaning "lily flower".
53. Iekika (Hawaiian origin), Iekika is the Samoan form of the English name Jessica meaning "God beholds".
54. Iolana (Hawaiian origin), Iolana means “to soar”.
55. Kailani (Hawaiian origin), Kailani means “ocean sky”.
56. Kakalina (Samoan origin), Kakalina is the Samoan version of the English name Katherine meaning "pure".
57. Kala (Samoan origin), Kala is the Samoan version of the English name Sarah meaning "lady".
58. Kalea (Hawaiian origin), Kalea means “joy” and “happiness”.
59. Kalena (Samoan origin), Kalena is the Samoan version of the English name Karen meaning "pure".
60. Kanani (Hawaiian origin), Kanani means “beauty”.
61. Kekepania (Hawaiian origin), Kekepania is a Hawaiian origin name and the Samoan version of the English name Stephanie meaning "crown".
62. Kiana (Samoan origin), Kiana is a girl name and the Samoan version of the English name Diana meaning "supplier of wellness".
63. Kilikina (Samoan origin), Kilikina is the Samoan version of the English name Christina meaning "follower of Christ".
64. Kiri (Polynesian origin), Kiri is a Polynesian name, and it means “skin of a fruit” and “skin of a tree".
65. Lani (Hawaiian origin), Lani is a baby name with multiple meanings; “heaven”, “majesty”, “royal”, and “sky”.
66. Leimomi (Hawaiian origin), Leimomi means “pearl child”.
67. Maata (Samoan origin), Maata is the Samoan version of the English name Martha meaning "lady".
68. Maeva (Tahitian origin), Maeva is a Tahitian origin name that means “welcome”.
69. Maile (Hawaiian origin), Maile is a Hawaiian origin name that is based on a local vine.
70. Malia (Samoan origin), Malia is the Samoan version of the English name Maria meaning "drop of the sea".
71. Malie (Hawaiian origin), Malie means “calm”.
72. Mele (Hawaiian origin), Mele means “song”.
73. Melika (Samoan origin), Melika is the Samoan version of the name Melissa meaning "bee".
74. Mere (Samoan origin), Mere is the Samoan version of the English name Mary meaning "beloved".
75. Momi (Hawaiian origin), Momi means “pearl”.
76. Nani (Hawaiian origin), Nani means “beauty” and “glory”.
77. Ngaio (Samoan origin), Ngaio refers to a certain sort of tree found in Samoa.
78. Ngaire (Samoan origin), Ngaire means “wetland”.
79. Noelani (Hawaiian origin), Noelani means “heavenly mist”.
80. Pua (Hawaiian origin), Pua means “flower” and “offspring”.
81. Pualani (Hawaiian origin), Pualani means “beautiful flower”.
82. Roimata (Samoan origin), Roimata means “teardrop”.
83. Ruiha (Samoan origin), Ruiha is the Samoan version of the English name Louisa meaning "famous warrior".
84. Tiare (Tahitian origin), Tiare means “flower”.
85. Vaihere (Tahitian origin), Vaihere means “loved water”.
86. Vaimiti (Tahitian origin), Vaimiti means “seawater”.
87. Vaitiare (Tahitian origin), Vaitiare means “water flower”.
88. Waimarie (Samoan origin), Waimarie means “good luck”.
89. Whetu (Samoan origin), Whetu means “star”.
90. Wikolia (Samoan origin), Wikolia is the Samoan version of the English name Victoria meaning "victory".
Unisex Samoan Baby Names
In Samoa, several names can be given to your baby boy or your baby girl and some of them are common with names from other Polynesian islands like Hawaii and Tahiti. Let’s take a look at these unisex Samoan baby names and their meanings.
91. Kahurangi (Samoan origin), Kahurangi means “sky blue” in Samoan language.
92. Kaimana (Hawaiian origin), the name means “the power of the ocean”.
93. Kaipo (Hawaiian origin), meaning “sweetheart”.
94. Kalani (Hawaiian origin), this name means “heaven”.
95. Kalei (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the child” and “the flowers”.
96. Kamalani (Hawaiian origin), meaning “heavenly child”.
97. Kapua (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the flower” and “the child”.
98. Kau’i (Hawaiian origin), this name means “the youthful one”.
99. Kaulana (Hawaiian origin), meaning “famous”.
100. Kawehi (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the adornment”.
101. Keahi (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the fire”.
102. Keala (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the path”.
103. Kealoha (Hawaiian origin), the Samoan name means “the loved one”.
104. Keanu (Hawaiian origin), meaning “the cool breeze”.
105. Keone (Hawaiian origin), meaning “homeland”.
106. Konani (Hawaiian origin), meaning “bright”.
107. Lei (Hawaiian origin), the name means “flowers” and “child”.
108. Leilani (Hawaiian origin), Leilani means “royal child” and “heavenly flowers”.
109. Makana (Hawaiian origin), Makana means “gift”. A lovely Samoan girls' name.
110: Manaia (Polynesian origin), refers to a Maori mythological creature that has a human’s body and a bird’s head.
Kidadl has lots of great baby names articles to inspire you. If you liked our suggestions for Samoan baby names then why not take a look at these Polish girls' names, or for something different take a look at these Hebrew girl names.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art
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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