Rising since 2015, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Moani since 1976
Babies named Moani per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2005, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Moani's real moment was 2019.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 38 |
| 2010s | 29 |
| 2020s | 32 |
Meaning & origin
Moani is a rare Hawaiian name drawn from the word meaning 'to breathe,' 'breath,' or a gentle breeze, reflecting a deep connection to nature and life force. First recorded in the United States in 1976, its usage has been sparse but has shown a rising trajectory since 2015, likely influenced by growing interest in Hawaiian names. As of 2025, the name ranked 11,932, with approximately 1 in 229,610 births, and its peak year was 2019. Though it has not been adopted widely enough to register top states, Moani remains a distinctive choice with a poetic and tranquil essence. Its modern emergence aligns with the trend of using meaningful Hawaiian vocabulary as personal names, making it a subtle yet evocative option for parents seeking a name with cultural resonance.
Moani is a Hawaiian word meaning 'to breathe' or 'breath,' often poetically extended to signify a gentle breeze or life force. Its use as a given name is modern, reflecting a broader trend of adopting meaningful Hawaiian words as names, particularly from the late 20th century onward. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1976 and has seen gradual, though sparse, use since the 2010s.
Sibling names for Moani
Names that share Moani's style, for a brother or sister.
