Kawika Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kah-VEE-kah /kəˈwi.kə/
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: the beloved
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kawika is of Hawaiian origin, derived from the Hebrew name David, which means "beloved." The transition from David to Kawika occurs through the adaptation of Hebrew into various languages, including Greek and Latin, before being embraced in Hawaiian culture. In the Hebrew Bible, David is a significant figure, known as the second king of Israel, who is celebrated for his leadership and poetic contributions, particularly the Psalms.
The name David has been widely used across different cultures and languages, leading to various adaptations, including Kawika in Hawaiian. The historical significance of the name Kawika can be traced back to the 19th century when Hawaiian culture began to incorporate biblical names due to the influence of Christian missionaries.
The introduction of Christianity to Hawaii in the early 1800s led to the translation of the Bible into Hawaiian, which included the name David as Kawika. This adaptation reflects the broader cultural exchange between Western and Hawaiian traditions during this period, as well as the integration of biblical narratives into local contexts.
Culturally, Kawika carries connotations of strength and leadership, resonating with the qualities associated with the biblical King David. The name has been embraced in various aspects of Hawaiian life, symbolizing a connection to heritage and the values of loyalty and love.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Kavi may be used informally, reflecting the affectionate nature of Hawaiian naming practices. Overall, Kawika stands as a testament to the blending of linguistic roots and cultural significance, embodying both a rich historical lineage and a deep connection to Hawaiian identity.
Famous people named Kawika
In this section, you will find notable people named Kawika. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kawika who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kawika who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kawika Mitchell is a former American football linebacker best known for playing with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kawika, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kawika. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kawika was first seen in the United States in 1968.
Kawika has ranked as high as #5221 nationally, which occurred in 1992, and has been most popular in Hawaii, and California.
In the past 5 years the name Kawika has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kawika is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kawika was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kawika.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | 16 |
| 2024 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023 | 18 | 18 |
| 2022 | 21 | 21 |
| 2021 | 13 | 13 |
| 2020 | 21 | 21 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | 15 | 15 |
| 2017 | 23 | 23 |
| 2016 | 15 | 15 |
| 2015 | 24 | 24 |
| 2014 | 24 | 24 |
| 2013 | 23 | 23 |
| 2012 | 24 | 24 |
| 2011 | 19 | 19 |
| 2010 | 31 | 31 |
| 2009 | 30 | 30 |
| 2008 | 22 | 22 |
| 2007 | 20 | 20 |
| 2006 | 27 | 27 |
| 2005 | 20 | 20 |
| 2004 | 17 | 17 |
| 2003 | 31 | 31 |
| 2002 | 25 | 25 |
| 2001 | 28 | 28 |
| 2000 | 16 | 16 |
| 1999 | 21 | 21 |
| 1998 | 24 | 24 |
| 1997 | 31 | 31 |
| 1996 | 29 | 29 |
| 1995 | 30 | 30 |
| 1994 | 25 | 25 |
| 1993 | 15 | 15 |
| 1992 | 35 | 35 |
| 1991 | 28 | 28 |
| 1990 | 32 | 32 |
| 1989 | 22 | 22 |
| 1988 | 30 | 30 |
| 1987 | 14 | 14 |
| 1986 | 22 | 22 |
| 1985 | 26 | 26 |
| 1984 | 25 | 25 |
| 1983 | 30 | 30 |
| 1982 | 28 | 28 |
| 1981 | 33 | 33 |
| 1980 | 31 | 31 |
| 1979 | 33 | 33 |
| 1978 | 21 | 21 |
| 1977 | 22 | 22 |
| 1976 | 18 | 18 |
| 1975 | 11 | 11 |
| 1974 | 12 | 12 |
| 1973 | 11 | 11 |
| 1972 | 5 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 | 5 |
Top States for Kawika (2023)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| HI | 7 |