810+ Pacific Islander Last Names: Unveiling Rich Cultural Lineages

Pacific Islander last names hold special meaning, reflecting the diverse cultures of the region. These names often connect to the islands’ languages and tell stories about ancestors, places, or roles in society.

They are a source of pride, showcasing the rich tapestry of Pacific Islander identity across Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.

Whether tied to ancient legends or passed down through families, these names highlight the strength and cultural diversity of Pacific Islander communities. They serve as a reminder of the unique histories and vibrant heritage that shape the lives of those who bear these names.

Top Pacific Islander Last Names

Pacific Islander last names often reflect rich cultural heritage. Common surnames include Tuiasosopo, Tuivaiti, and Finau. These names carry familial significance, often linking individuals to their ancestral roots. Each surname tells a unique story, embodying the diverse traditions and histories of the vibrant Pacific Islander communities.

Pacific Islander Last Names and Meanings

Pacific Islander last names often reflect cultural heritage and traditions. Common among them are names rooted in nature, geography, or family history. For instance, “Moana” may signify the ocean, while “Lagi” could denote the sky. These names connect individuals to their island roots and carry deep cultural significance.

Last Name	Meaning
Moana	Ocean
Lagi	Sky
Afi	Fire
Malama	Care, protect
Tala	Story, legend
Fale	House
Vai	Water
Fa’alupega	Genealogy, ancestral connections
Tafiti	Explorer
Nofoa	Reside, stay
Fia	Desire, want
Loto	Heart
Sa’ili	Inquire, ask
Lelei	Good, excellent
Fualaau	Student
Matai	Chief, leader
Pulotu	Heaven, afterlife
Tofa	Farewell
Tui	King, ruler
Fa’amatai	Chiefly authority, governance

Popular Pacific Islander Last Names

Common Pacific Islander last names often reflect cultural and familial ties. In Polynesia, surnames like Mahe, Tala, and Tuia signify heritage.

Melanesian names such as Koroi and Natadra are prevalent, while Micronesian surnames like Nena and Mori convey ancestral connections. These names encapsulate the rich diversity and traditions of Pacific Islander communities.

Rare Pacific Islander Last Names

Rare Pacific Islander last names often carry rich cultural significance and trace ancestral roots. Names like Tuiasosopo, Tofilau, and Aiolupotea are unique to the region, reflecting the diverse histories and traditions of Pacific Island communities. These surnames contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Pacific Islander identity.

Unique Pacific Islander Last Names

Pacific Islander last names reflect rich cultural diversity. Surnames often connect individuals to specific tribes, ancestral lands, or significant family events.

Examples include Tongan surnames like Ma’afu, Fijian names like Rabuka, or Samoan names like Tuiasosopo, each carrying a unique historical and familial significance within the Pacific Islander communities.

Pacific Islander Last Names Hawaiian

Hawaiian last names, often reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the Pacific Islands, hold significant meaning. Rooted in nature, family, and history, these names carry the essence of Hawaiian heritage.

From “Kamehameha” to “Kawehi,” each surname weaves a narrative, connecting individuals to the islands’ vibrant traditions and ancestral legacies.

Most Common Pacific Islander Last Names

Common Pacific Islander last names often reflect cultural and familial ties. In Hawaii, surnames like “Kamaka” and “Kahale” are prevalent, while in Samoa, “Fale” and “Taula” are common. In Fiji, names like “Ravoka” and “Qalovaki” are widespread. These surnames carry the rich heritage and traditions of the Pacific Islands.

Famous Pacific Islander Last Names

Famous Pacific Islander last names often reflect rich cultural heritage. Common surnames include Ma’afu from Tonga, Tagaloa from Samoa, and Ngata from New Zealand. These names carry a legacy of ancestral pride, symbolizing the diverse and vibrant histories of the Pacific Islander communities across the region.

Ma’afu	Tagaloa
Ngata	Sopoaga
Tuiasosopo	Pulu
Faumuina	Fonoti
Seiuli	Ah-Mau
Latu	Tofilau
Halapio	Vaaelua
Faleomavaega	Noa
Taufa	Va’aiga
Kepu	Ausage
Faumuina	Kivalu
Toilolo	Sunia
Fakatoumafi	Manumaleuna
Matagi	Ah Koi
Siliva	Toomalatai
Mulipola	Lomu
Vaka	Tofilau
Aiono	Taufa
Taua	Va’ai
Lefiti	Sopoaga
Te’o	Fonoti
Nanai	Vaaelua
Luafalemana	Pulu
Kava	Ah-Mau
Mauga	Tofilau
Timoteo	Manumaleuna
Kefu	Noa
Tofa	Ah Koi
Ah You	Tavai
Fa’apale	Kivalu
Lolohea	Va’aiga
Toetu	Ausage
Sooalo	Lomu
Siaosi	Toomalatai
Tuivaiti	Taufa
Tavai	Va’ai
Fa’aita	Fonoti
Vaaelua	Ah-Mau
Manumaleuga	Tofilau
Fonoti	Pulu
Tavita	Sopoaga
Fa’amausili	Ah Koi
Va’auli	Noa
Tufele	Va’aiga
Poutoa	Kivalu
Vaifale	Ausage
Talamaivao	Manumaleuna
Tapasa	Toomalatai
Talakai	Taufa
Toilolo	Va’ai
Moeakiola	Fonoti
Alesana	Ah-Mau
Vaipulu	Tofilau
To’o	Pulu
Kioa	Sopoaga
Vaotuua	Ah Koi

Cool Pacific Islander Last Names

Oceanic islands beyond that which neighbor Central America and South America are among the last inhabitable places on earth to have been discovered by humans.

All of these islands were annexed by Latin American nations a few hundred years after their discoveries and were initially sometimes used as prisons for convicts.

Below are a few cool last names given below:

Ailana –  “Ailana” has different meanings in different cultures but the Hawaiian form means “loving”.

Aka –  “Aka” has a Hawaiian origin, and the meaning of the name is “noble”.

Alika –  “Alika” means “the most beautiful”.

Akamu –  “Akamu” has a Hawaiian version of the name “Adam”, and the meaning of this unique name is “of the earth”.

Akamai –  The popular name “Akamai” means “smart”, “clever”, or “wisdom”.

Alama –  “Alama” is another frequently used last name; it means “earth and eternity” .

Akana –  This is a very common Hawaiian last name and the meaning of the name is “bright”.

Alohi –  The name “Alohi” means “Shining”.

Akina –  The meaning of “Akina” is bright and autumn. It is also a popular Japanese last name.

Alana –  The meaning of this surname is “arise” or “awakening”.

Matthews

Evans

Wright

Clark

Scott

Johnson

Webster

Forester

Harris

Campbell

Wood

Murray

Thomas

Cox

Hamilton

Rogers

Barnes

Black

Baker

Green

Turner

Carter

Sanders

Dawson

Davies

Davidson

Ward

Brown

Simpson

Hill

Collins

Adams

Walker

Gibb or Gibbs

Fleming

Peterson

Williams

Stevens or Stephens

Roberts

Wilson

McDonald

Smith

Thompson

Fox

Hall

Phillips or Philips

Atkins

Parker

Berry

Murphy

Gray

Marshall

Russell

White

Anderson

Smythe

Morris

Lewis

Paters

Osborne

Foster

Richardson

Moore

Mitchell

Summers

Porter

Jones

Lee

Davis

Shaw

Warren

Taylor

Reid or Reed

Cooper

Bennett

Young

Holmes

King

Gardener

Miller

Fun fact: Miller is a South African cricketer.

Catchy Pacific Islander Last Names

The pacific island contains three regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Melanesia is the great arc of islands located north and east of Australia and south of the Equator.

In addition to those places listed above, Melanesia includes the Louisiade Archipelago, the Admiralty Islands, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, and some small islands.

Below are a few catchy last names:

Kahale –  “Kahale” means “the house” and it is a very common name in Hawaiian speaking countries.

Ka’ana’anaKahie –  The name is of Hawaiian origins and means “superb”.

Hekekia –  This is the Hawaiian form of the Hebrew name “Hezekiah”, and the name means “Yahweh strengthens”.

Kaaukai – The name “Ka’aukai” is believed to mean “the swimmer” in Hawaiian.

Hikialani – The name means “look to heaven” in Hawaiian culture.

Kahananui  – “Kahananui” means “the hard job” or “the great work” and was derived from the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the”, “hana” meaning “work”, and “nui” meaning “big”.

Ka’ana Ana – The name “Ka’ana’ana” is believed to have a Hawaiian origin, and it means “the black magic”. If you were looking for a Hawaiian name with a dark meaning, then this name is perfect.

Kahele –  The name “Kahele” has a Hawaiian origin

Burns

Robinson

Snyder

Kelly

Allen

Nicholson

Edwards

Hunt

Morrison

Powell

Cook or Cooke

Jackson

Bell

Hughes

Wallace

Henderson

Patterson

Bishop

Richards

Stewart

Tony or Toni

Pat

Sidney

Morgan

Cary

Jessie or Jesse

Peyton

Mackenzie

Ashley

Ryan

Kelly

Devon

Quinn

Erin

Blair

Stacy

Glen

Drew

Ariel

Alex

Adrian

Kim

Jordan

Sam

Shannon

Taylor

Shelby

Charlie

Lesley or Leslie

Francis

Keegan

Casey

Cory

Teagan

Terry

Shane

Toby

Billie or Billy

Mallory

Kennedy

Sasha

Lindsay

Danny

Riley

Brett

Jaden

Lee

Cameron

Avery

Bailey

Fun fact: Shane was a legend name of Australian spinner.

Best Pacific Islander Last Names

The 2010 Census counted 1.2 million Pacific Islanders throughout the United States, with half identifying as Native Hawaiian, alone and in combination. Samoan and Chamorro’s populations are the next largest groups.

The 2020 Census update on Pacific Islander populations in the United States is pending. Below are given best last names:

Ele – The meaning of the name is “black”.

Halia – “Halia” has a Hawaiian origin surname that means “memorial”.

Haku –  In Hawaiian, “Haku” is a word used to describe the writing action of poetry or songs.

Hawea –  The name means “peacemaker”.

Aukai – “Aukai” is a popular Hawaiian surname, and it means “sailor”.

Haoa – “Haoa” is the Hawaiian form of the name “Howard” and it means “exalted protector”, “chief” or “chief guardian”.

Eusebio –  The name “Eusebio” means “worship well”.

Etana –  This robust name literally means “strong”.

Alena –  “Alena” is mostly used in Hawaiian-speaking countries, and the meaning of this last name is “angel”.

Hale –  The Hawaiian name “Hale” means “home” or “house” and it is a short and wonderful option for a surname.

Randy

Wayne

Phillip (Phil)

George

Jason (Jay)

Harry

Benjamin (Ben)

Ryan

Roy

Jeremy

Tyler

Alex

Eric

Owen

Sean or Shaun

Aaron

James or Jamie

Nicholas (Nick)

Scott

Adam

Charles (Charlie)

Noah

Austin

Dylan

Thomas (Tom or Tommy)

Leo

Evan

Anthony (Tony)

Adrian

Jacob or Jakob (Jake)

Theo

Stanley

Matthew (Matt)

Andrew (Andy)

Logan

Arthur (Art)

Samuel (Sammy or Sam)

Jerry or Gerry

Craig

David (Dave)

Donald (Don)

Richard (Rich or Dick)

Gary

Ronald (Ron)

Robert (Bob)

Paul

Lucas or Luke

Colin

Jack

Blake

Brandon

Daniel (Dan)

Frank or Frankie

Isaac

Brian

Bruce

Justin

Oscar

Nathan or Nathaniel

Kenneth (Ken)

Christopher (Chris)

Cody

Ian

Sebastian

Henry

Steven or Stephen (Steve)

Maxwell (Max)

Michael (Mike)

Lawrence (Larry)

Kyle

Fun fact: Henry is name of a great WWE wrestler.

Amazing Pacific Islander Last Names

By 1980 the United States bureau census grouped certain person categories “Asian pacific islander” by 2000 it was divided by two separate racial categories.

According to the Office of Management and Budget, “Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii.

Below are given amazing last names:

Kahue The meaning of this name is believed to be “the gourd”.

Haukea The pretty Hawaiian name “Haukea” means “white snow”, and is derived from the Hawaiian words “hau” and “kea”.

Kahananui “Kahananui” means “the hard job” or “the great work” and was derived from the Hawaiian words “ka” meaning “the”, “hana” meaning “work”, and “nui” meaning “big”.

Kahie The name is of Hawaiian origins and means “superb”.

Havika “Havika” has a Hawaiian origin and the meaning of the name is “beloved”.

Kahele The name “Kahele” has a Hawaiian origin, and the meaning of the name is “to go”.

Kahue The meaning of this name is believed to be “the gourd”.

Ka’aukai The name “Ka’aukai” is believed to mean “the swimmer” in Hawaiian.

The name “Ka’ana’ana” is believed to have a Hawaiian origin, and it means “the black magic”. If you were looking for a Hawaiian name with a dark meaning, then this name is perfect.

Ikaika The name “Ikaika” means “strong”, “powerful”, or “determination” and the name is pronounced as Ikei-ka.

Carl

Corey

Tristan

Nolan

Louis

Jordan

Timothy (Tim)

Freddie or Fred

Joel

Elliot (Eli)

Aiden

Kevin

Jeffrey (Jeff)

Liam

Ethan

Gabriel (Gabe)

Riley

Connor

Edward (Ed)

Joshua (Josh)

Alexander (Alex)

Jackson

Patrick (Pat)

William (Billy)

Cameron

John or Jonathan (Jon)

Joseph or Josef (Joe or Joey)

Taylor

Bobby or Bob

Amelia

Eliza

Stephanie

Vanessa

Kaitlin or Caitlin

Kelly

Marie

Rosalyn or Rose or Rosie

Eleanor

Tracey or Tracy

Sophia or Sofia or Sophie

Angela (Angie)

Phoebe

Paige

Kimberly (Kim)

Patricia

Megan

Holly

Faith

Abigail (Abby or Abbie)

Fun fact: Faith is something which make other people believe other’s words.

Awesome Last Names

In Australia, different names are given to these people as their categories differ from other countries. South sea islander is used to describe Australian descenders. Pacific Islanders occupied over 90 islands in western Australia.

The Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901 was enacted to restrict the entry of Pacific Islanders to Australia and authorized their deportation.

kawai – The meaning of the name “Kawai” is “the water”.

Mana –  The meaning of the name “Mana” is “spirit”, and the name has a unique Hawaiian origin.

Keaka – “Keaka” means “God’s gracious gift”.

Kekoa – “Kekoa” means “the warrior” and the powerful-sounding name has a Hawaiian origin.

Maliah – “Maliah” means “rebelliousness”, “sea of bitterness” or “beloved” and it has a Hawaiian origin.

Makaio –  This popular Hawaiian name means “gift of God”.

Manu – The meaning of the name “Manu” is “bird”.

Kealani – The name “Kealani” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “white heaven” or “clear heaven”.

Keawe  – In Hawaiian, the name has several meanings. One meaning of the name is “southern cross” and is believed to be the name given to the ancient chief. The other meaning is “the bearer”.

Keahi  – The name “Keahi” has a Hawaiian origin, and it means “fire” or “flames”.

Grace

Avery

Laura

Amy

Karen

Ava

Rachel

Julia

Linda

Susan (Suzy or Susie)

Samantha (Sam)

Andrea

Ella

Anna

Sara or Sarah

Rebecca (Becky)

Maya

Nicole (Nicky)

Janet

Emily

Scarlett

Judith (Judy)

Melissa

Ashley

Charlotte

Carolyn or Caroline (Carol)

Barbara (Barb)

Suzanne or Suzanna or Susanna

Teresa

Kayla

Heidi

Isabella or Isabelle (Izzie)

Olivia

Danielle

Amber

Martha

Heather

Katie or Kate

Diana

Victoria 

Erin

Jessica

Julie

Brooke

Diane

Brittany or Britney

Tammy

Ellie

Alexandra

Molly

Lauren

Emma

Sharon

Alice

Amanda (Mandy)

Sheryl

Ellen

Zoe

Christina

Jennifer (Jenny or Jen)

Maddison

Lola

Lillian (Lily)

Elizabeth

Alison (Allie)

Michelle

Chloe

Katherine or Catherine (Kathy, Cathy, or Kate)

Leah

Mary

Eva

Florence

Maria

Debra or Deborah (Debbie)

Kristin

Hanna

Mia

Lisa

Donna

Lucy

Conclusion

Pacific Islander last names are more than just identifiers – they hold deep cultural meaning, connecting individuals to their heritage. These names, often tied to family and geography, play a crucial role in preserving the unique identity and diversity of Pacific Islander communities.

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