Moana
Fact sheet
- Name
- Moana
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Moana is a unisex name that has its origins in Polynesian culture. It is derived from the term moana, which means 'sea' or 'ocean' in Hawaiian, Māori, and Tahitian, connecting the name with the meaning 'the sea' or 'the ocean'.
What does the name Moana mean?
The name Moana is widespread as both a female and male first name in the Polynesian region. However, in other areas, especially outside this culture, Moana is predominantly used as a girl's name. In Germany, Moana can also be found, although relatively rarely. The name gained recognition through the character of the South Sea girl Moana in Astrid Lindgren's children's book 'Pippi in Taka-Tuka-Land'.
Where does the name Moana come from?
Moana is a first name of Polynesian origin, used for both women and men, meaning 'the sea' or 'the ocean'. The term is derived from the Polynesian word moana for sea or ocean and is found in Hawaiian, Māori, New Zealand, and Tahitian languages.
How do you pronounce Moana?
The name Moana is pronounced in three syllables in German and sounds wide and flowing. The common pronunciation is 'Mo-a-na' [moˈaːna], with the long 'o' having a round and full timbre. The open A sounds in the middle and at the end of the name give it a warm and light aura. Overall, Moana sounds melodious, gentle, and harmonious.
Popularity
In Germany, Moana is a fairly sought-after first name. Currently, it ranks 1,198th on the list of the most common female first names. Its highest ranking was in 2008 when it reached 128th place. In the last ten years, Moana has been registered as a first name about 210 times, placing it 1,534th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 1,482nd. Worldwide, Moana is also gaining popularity.
Nicknames & pet names
Ana / Maoam / Mo / Moa / Moanaken / Moani / Moggi / Momimo / Momo / Mona / Moni / Monni / Monny / Moony / Möggel
Famous people
- Anna Moana Rosa Pozzi (American actress)
- Moana (character) (Character from the animated film 'Vaiana - The Paradise Has a Hook (2016)')
- Moana Delle (surfer)
- Moana Jones (Hawaiian surfer)
- Moana Maniapoto (singer)
- Moana Moo Caille (cyclist from France)
- Moana Pozzi (actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name Moana
What does the name Moana mean?
The name Moana comes from Polynesian and means 'the sea' or 'the ocean'.
Where does the name Moana come from?
Moana has Polynesian roots and is used as both a female and male first name.
How popular is the name Moana?
In Germany, Moana is relatively rare but has gained recognition due to the character from Astrid Lindgren's work.