Hawaiian Last Names: A Guide to Their Meaning and Origin

Hawaiian last names, also known as "ʻohana" names, are deeply rooted in the rich history and culture of the Hawaiian islands. These names often reflect a family's lineage, ancestral home, or a significant event in their history. Understanding the meaning behind these names can provide valuable insight into the rich heritage of Hawaiian families. This guide explores the origins and meanings of some of the most common and unique Hawaiian last names, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of Hawaiian genealogy.
1. **Akana:** Means "leader" or "chief"
2. **Alama:** Means "torch" or "light"
3. **Amona:** Means "peace" or "tranquility"
4. **Ane:** Means "gift" or "treasure"
5. **Apa:** Means "cloud" or "mist"
6. **Au:** Means "ocean" or "sea"
7. **Aulani:** Means "messenger of the gods"
8. **Benton:** Means "fort" or "hill"
9. **Brown:** Means "brown" or "dark"
10. **Campbell:** Means "bent field" or "curved valley"
11. **Carvalho:** Means "oak" or "oak tree"
12. **Castillo:** Means "castle" or "fortress"
13. **Chang:** Means "long" or "extended"
14. **Chun:** Means "spring" or "well"
15. **Clark:** Means "scribe" or "secretary"
16. **Costa:** Means "coast" or "shoreline"
17. **Crowell:** Means "black raven" or "dark bird"
18. **DeLima:** Means "from Lima" (Peruvian city)
19. **DeSilva:** Means "from the forest"
20. **Diaz:** Means "day" or "sun"
21. **Domingo:** Means "Sunday" or "Lord's Day"
22. **Fernandez:** Means "son of Fernando"
23. **Flores:** Means "flowers"
24. **Fontenelle:** Means "little spring" or "small well"
25. **Fong:** Means "phoenix" or "mythical bird"
26. **Garcia:** Means "warrior" or "spearman"
27. **Gonsalves:** Means "son of Gonzalo"
28. **Harbottle:** Means "hare's burrow" or "rabbit's nest"
29. **He:** Means "breath" or "life force"
30. **Heana:** Means "beautiful" or "graceful"
31. **Henderson:** Means "son of Henry"
32. **Ho:** Means "to call" or "to shout"
33. **Ho’opi’i:** Means "to protect" or "to defend"
34. **Ka'aukai:** Means "ocean" or "sea"
35. **Kaha'i:** Means "strong" or "powerful"
36. **Kalei:** Means "joyful" or "happy"
37. **Kamaka:** Means "brave" or "courageous"
38. **Kanoa:** Means "to paddle" or "to navigate"
39. **Kealoha:** Means "beloved" or "treasured"
40. **Kekoa:** Means "warrior" or "fighter"
41. **Keauhou:** Means "royal" or "noble"
42. **Kekona:** Means "to love" or "to cherish"
43. **Kelleher:** Means "church" or "holy place"
44. **Kennedy:** Means "handsome" or "brave"
45. **Kim:** Means "golden" or "precious"
46. **Kimo:** Means "silent" or "calm"
47. **Kio:** Means "to cut" or "to carve"
48. **Kohala:** Means "to cut" or "to carve"
49. **Koloa:** Means "to return" or "to come back"
50. **Lee:** Means "plum" or "willow"
51. **Leialoha:** Means "royal love" or "noble affection"
52. **Leilani:** Means "child of heaven" or "heavenly child"
53. **Lono:** Means "peace" or "harmony"
54. **Lopez:** Means "wolf" or "wolf pup"
55. **Maikai:** Means "good" or "beautiful"
56. **Malo:** Means "to wrap" or "to cover"
57. **Manaku:** Means "to see" or "to perceive"
58. **Mano:** Means "shark"
59. **Mendoza:** Means "from the mountain"
60. **Molina:** Means "mill" or "grinding wheel"
61. **Moana:** Means "ocean" or "sea"
62. **Nakamura:** Means "middle village" or "center of the village"
63. **Nakoa:** Means "brave" or "courageous"
64. **Nani:** Means "beautiful" or "pretty"
65. **Navarette:** Means "from Navarre" (region in Spain)
66. **Oliver:** Means "olive tree"
67. **Paiva:** Means "peacock"
68. **Pake:** Means "white" or "light"
69. **Palakiko:** Means "to be strong" or "to be powerful"
70. **Pali:** Means "cliff" or "precipice"
71. **Pavao:** Means "peacock"
72. **Peña:** Means "rock" or "stone"
73. **Pereira:** Means "pear tree"
74. **Pililaau:** Means "sacred" or "holy"
75. **Po'o:** Means "head" or "leader"
76. **Ramos:** Means "branches"
77. **Reyes:** Means "kings"
78. **Rivera:** Means "riverbank" or "riverside"
79. **Rodriguez:** Means "son of Rodrigo"
80. **Romero:** Means "pilgrim" or "wanderer"
81. **Rosa:** Means "rose"
82. **Santos:** Means "saints"
83. **Silva:** Means "forest"
84. **Smith:** Means "blacksmith"
85. **Souza:** Means "from the south"
86. **Tamayo:** Means "house of the tamarisk tree"
87. **Tauala:** Means "to bring" or "to carry"
88. **Te:** Means "to stand" or "to be present"
89. **Torres:** Means "towers"
90. **Umeke:** Means "canoe"
91. **Valdez:** Means "from the valley"
92. **Velasquez:** Means "little veil"
93. **Vierra:** Means "old man"
94. **Vivas:** Means "lives"
95. **Wong:** Means "yellow"
96. **Wright:** Means "right" or "correct"
97. **Yamamoto:** Means "mountain root" or "base of the mountain"
98. **Young:** Means "young"
99. **Zoe:** Means "life"