Amid the verdant hills and coastal waters of Aotearoa (New Zealand), Maori families choose names celebrating ancestral ties and spiritual guardians. Many reflect the bounty of nature—like Tui, referencing the native bird—or invoke mythical warriors from tribal legends. By blending these traditions with contemporary naming preferences, Maori baby names preserve the legacy of whakapapa (genealogy) and the Maori philosophy of living in tune with the land.
Night rain
A modern spelling of Amir, often used creatively.
A modern spelling of Amir, often used creatively.
A unique spelling of Amira, meaning "princess."
Of Hebrew and Spanish origin, meaning "grace."
Of Hebrew and Spanish origin, meaning "grace."
Of Hindi and Swahili origin, meaning "grace" or "sweet-faced."
Of Hebrew origin, meaning "lion" or "brave."
Eagle
The name "Arii" is often considered a variation of the name "Ari," which can mean "lion" in Hebrew.
"Leader, protector"
Avaia means "wise counselor" or "bird."
Of Arabic origin, meaning "angel" or "messenger."
Eloni means "oak tree" or "strong" in Hebrew.
Life
Grace
God is gracious
Hemi means "half" or "part."
The meaning of the name Kahlea is "beloved" or "friend".
Calm river
Grace
The meaning of Kaiomi is "beauty of the ocean".
Kaiora is a name of Maori origin, meaning "life" or "health."
Unknown
A variant of the Kauri tree
Strong, leader
The name Kia means "hill" or "season's beginning."
Kior: Unknown meaning
Of unknown origin,
Mist
Unknown
Maiden
The meaning of Mahani is "gentle caress."
The meaning of the name Mahi is "great" or "earth."
Maisee means "pearl."
Makaiah means "Who is like God?"
A variant of the word for
A communal or sacred place used for meetings and ceremonies
Young warrior
Maru means "round" or "circle" in Japanese.
Ocean
The name Morea means "star of the sea."
Namarii is of Native American origin and means "sweet."
Victory
A variant of Ngaire
Winner or achiever
Of various cultures origin.
Papa
The name Raiha is of Arabic origin and means "fragrance" or "aroma."
The meaning of Rakai is "leader" or "chief."
Renata carries unique cultural or symbolic value.
