The baby name Noelani combines an ethereal beauty with a stylish sound.
Thanks to Hilary for suggesting her daughter’s middle name as our Baby Name of the Day.
BABY NAMES IN HAWAIIAN CULTURE
Hawaii officially joined the United States in 1959.
That’s relatively recent. As part of the Pacific islands, the indigenous language is part of the Polynesian family. For over a century, from 1896 until 1987, repressive laws forbid the teaching of Hawaiian in public schools.
Despite this, the language and culture have endured. Plenty of visitors to the island have embraced Hawaiian names, possibly to commemorate a honeymoon or even a destination wedding.
Hawaiian names were once almost unique – invented by parents to signify the events around a child’s birth, to bestow good fortune, to honor a relative – and could be very long.
In 1860, King Kamehameha IV signed The Act to Regulate Names. Hawaiians had to receive a Christian – or at least an English – given name. You might be not immediately recognize the names, though: Daniel became Kaniela.
By 1960, unique names may have still be in use. But the official popular names for girls were Susan, Donna, and Karen, with Michael, David, and John on top for boys. It could be a list from Connecticut or Idaho.
And then things began to change. The Name Act was repealed in 1967, and native Hawaiians began taking steps to reclaim their language from the brink of extinction. Names followed, and now Makoaand Leilani appear in the state’s Top 100 along with more conventional choices.
WHAT DOES THE NAME NOELANI MEAN?
Noelani shares the second element with Hawaiian names like Leilani, Hokulani, Keikilani, Kailani, and Ululani. Ululani was a member of the royal family during the eighteenth century, and Lili’uokalaniruled in the nineteenth. The element -lani refers to the heavens, and appears to have a long history of use.
Noe means mist, so the typical meaning given is “heavenly mist” or “mist of heaven.”
The similar-sounding Lilinoe is the name of a goddess of mist. It’s associated with romance, and mist is something you’d likely experience if you visited the islands – a true nature name with strong ties to Hawaiian words and experiences.
Pronunciation is on the third syllable: no eh LAH nee.
FAMOUS FIGURES NAMED NOELANI
A few native Hawaiians named Noelani have made their mark, including:
- Ballerina Noelani Pantastico
- Singer Nohelani Cypriano
The 2010 reboot of Hawaii 5-0 introduced Dr. Noelani Cunha as a medical examiner in the later seasons. Her character also appeared on the reboot of Magnum P.I. Cunha was played by Hawaii native Kimee Balmilero.
Given the name’s rise in use, the character’s 2016-2017 introduction probably gets some credit for the popularity of Noelani.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME NOELANI?
The baby name Noelani has yet to rank in the US Top 1000.
It was given to 124 girls in 2023. That’s not an all-time high. Strictly speaking, Noelani peaked with 145 girls in 2006. That earlier peak coincides with the dancer’s rise to prominence.
What is different now? Names endign with -lani are enjoying significant popuarlity, far outside of Hawaii.
Leilani ranks in the current US Top 1000. Names like Alani and Kehlani aren’t far behind. Nalani is in the Top 1000, as are Kailani and Kaylani, Meilani, and several more.
The element -lani can feel more like part of a mix and match girl’s name, making Kaylani a successor to Kaylee. Noelani’s letter N makes it stands out from the many A, K, L, and M -lani ending names.
LOVELY AND STYLISH CHOICE
The first name Noelani is an authentically Hawaiian name, a choice connected to the culture and natural beauty of the region. It’s easy to see the appeal of this name, a trending sound mixed with plenty of charm.
In another era, choosing a Hawaiian name might have felt like cultural appropriation. Given our love of Noelle, Noa, and Noemi and so many girls’ names ending with -lani, though, Noelani seems like a mainstream choice for parents with some connection to the culture and place.
With a lovely sound and a powerful image, this stylish choice might be perfect for parents who appreciate the name’s rich history.
What do you think of the baby name Noelani?
First published on May 29, 2012, this post was revised on March 23, 2025.
I accidently came across this information and my daughter is the Ballerina, Noelani Pantastico who is now dancing in Monaco. Noelani was born in Oahu, Hi. in 1980.
Her family have an amazing Hula troop which tells me that dancing is in the blood. Noe left Hawaii at about 4 years old, after her father passed away. Her father, John. B. Pantastico could dance the Mens Hawaiian Hula beautifully. Noelani moved to Portsmouth NH, then Colorado, Maine, and then Pa. where she was trained at Central Pa. Youth Ballet to then become a professional dance and went on the become a Principal at Pacific NW Ballet in Seattle, before moving on to Monaco. ‘Les Ballet de Monte Carlo’.
It is traditional that the Grandmother in Hawaii choose the babies name, and I think it’s a very special tradition. And the beginning of the child being gifted and loved by all, which Noelani has had that pleasure all through life.
Thanks, Marylou – and congratulations to your daughter on her achievements! I didn’t realize the role of grandmothers in traditional Hawaiian naming customs – interesting to know.
Noelani reminds me of Noelia – the Spanish version of Noelle.
Thanks for this, Abby!
Though neither of us is native Hawaiian, my husband lived his first 10 years there. The other people I know who’ve considered Hawaiian names (usually in the middle) tend to have similar connections.
Like many Hawaiian names, I love Noelani Рalthough not as much as No̩mie.
I went to school with a Noelani. Her parents were from Poland. I guess her parents had heard the name on a trip to Hawaii and decided to use it. I think its pretty.
I agree with the poster above. I would never use a Hawaiian name for fear of being appropriative, particularly now I know about the repression of Hawaiian names among the natives. It wouldn’t feel right.
I’ve always found Noelani pretty. It’s not my culture though, so I’d feel like a poser!
My cousin, though, married an ethnic Hawaiian guy. Their kids all have Hawaiian middle names – Keona, Makana and one that’s so long I always forget it!
Nohelani strikes me as being a combination of Noelani and ‘nohea’, which means “lovely, handsome, etc.”
When we lost our baby we searched for names with appropriate meanings — we looked and looked and couldn’t find anything that we liked that seemed to fit. Ultimately my husband discovered the beauty of Hawaiian names and decided that he wanted a Hawaiian middle name to go with a first name meaning “star” [I’ve a ‘thing’ for stars.] We ended up choosing the middle name Keikikalani, so the entire meaning turned out to be “heavenly child of the stars.” [A second middle was a family name, we never use it when referring to the baby.] Though neither of us have Hawaiian ancestors, we both feel a connection to the culture — I think it sort of seems like a blending of our partial heritages, his Native American and my Chinese — appropriate, I think, since Hawai`i is midway between the US and China. 🙂
Just wanted to let you know that Keikikalani doesn’t mean “heavenly child of the stars” it just means “heavenly child”. Not trying to be rude or anything, I am just correcting you. I know because my parents lived there, and my name is Keikikalani.
I am really sorry if that sounded rude, that was the opposite of my intention. I was just trying to correct it.
The person said that the child’s first name had a “star” meaning, and that the child’s middle name (Keikikalani) means heavenly child, so ALL TOGETHER the child’s entire name means heavenly child of the stars. The person was not incorrect in the name meaning. Not trying to be rude either, just trying to clarify