86 Polynesian and Pacific Islander baby names for parents to consider

The recent pop culture spotlight on Polynesian baby names may have more parents considering the Pacific Islands as a source for name inspiration.

“Polynesian mythology names, which include Moana and Maui from the movie, are perhaps the most familiar internationally,” said baby naming consultant Pamela Redmond of the baby name website Nameberry.

While Polynesian names are still rare in the United States, parents looking for unusual and distinctive baby names may be turning to names from the Pacific islands.

Polynesia is a region of more than 1,000 islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. Polynesian islands include Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the islands of Hawaii.

Many Polynesian baby names are inspired by nature, often related to the ocean that surrounds these beautiful islands.

Nameberry’s list of popular Polynesian names include Maori, Fijian, Tongan, Tahitian, and Polynesian mythology names.

“The most popular are names with roots in those cultures as well as internationally,” Redmond told TODAY.

Read on for more Polynesian baby name inspiration.

86 Polynesian baby names

1. Aleki
2. Aimata
3. Anaru
4. Enele
5. Enoha
6. Eteroa
7. Fetu
8. Kahaia
9. Kahurangi
10. Mahana
11. Mahine
12. Maima
13. Manea
14. Mareva
15. Mateata
16. Mere
17. Nikora
18. Orihei
19. Oro
20. Patariki
21. Piripi
22. Poehei
23. Raina
24. Ravanui
25. Ruiha
26. Taaroa
27. Temanao
28. Tereva
29. Tevahine
30. Tamati
31. Tiare
32. Tua
33. Vairani
34. Waimari
35. Wiremu
36. Vaheana
37. Maia
38. Kane
39. Kai
40. Maeva
41. Tai
42. Manu
43. Malakai
44. Ana
45. Moana
46. Tane
47. Kiri
48. Kirrily
49. Maui
50. Nikau
51. Anahera
52. Kauri
53. Aroha
54. Ngaio
55. Oliana
56. Pele
57. Ngaire
58. Nyree
59. Pania
60. Tahiti
61. Winiata
62. Mele
63. Manaia
64. Maaka
65. Tangaroa
66. Heirani
67. Viliami
68. Marama
69. Roimata
70. Rangi
71. Sione
72. Erena
73. Awhina
74. Tevita
75. Maata
76. Vaihere
77. Vaimiti
78. Vaitiare
79. Papa
80. Hine
81. Herenui
82. Heremoana
83. Heitiare
84. Moerani
85. Tama
86. Pomare