Koa Boy

Popularity: #257 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-ah /ˈkoʊ.ɑː/

Origin: Hawaiian

Meaning: warrior; brave

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Koa has its roots in the Hawaiian language, where it means "warrior" or "brave." The etymology can be traced back to the Proto-Polynesian language, which is the ancestral language of the Polynesian peoples, including those of Hawaii. In this context, Koa reflects not only a warrior's strength but also a sense of courage and resilience, qualities that are highly valued in Hawaiian culture.

The name entered English through the influence of Hawaiian culture and language, particularly during the 19th century when Western interest in the Hawaiian Islands grew, leading to increased interaction and the adoption of native terms into English vernacular. Historically, the significance of the name Koa is intertwined with Hawaiian mythology and the cultural reverence for warriors.

In ancient Hawaiian society, warriors were esteemed figures, often celebrated in chants and stories. The name Koa has been associated with notable figures in Hawaiian history, including chiefs and leaders who embodied the warrior spirit.

The 19th century saw the establishment of the Hawaiian Kingdom, during which the importance of warrior culture was emphasized, further embedding the name Koa within the historical narrative of Hawaii. Culturally, Koa is emblematic of strength and bravery, resonating with the values of honor and valor in Hawaiian tradition.

The name also reflects a broader Polynesian cultural heritage, where names often carry significant meanings related to personal qualities or ancestral lineage. The enduring nature of the name Koa can be attributed to its deep-rooted cultural significance and the positive attributes it conveys, making it a name that honors the warrior spirit and the rich history of the Hawaiian people.

Famous people named Koa

In this section, you will find notable people named Koa. 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 Koa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Koa 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.

Koa Rothman is a surfer best known for his performances in big wave competitions and his work with the surf brand, The Perfect Wave.

Koa Beck is a writer and editor best known for her work with Jezebel and her book, White Feminism.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Koa, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

KaiLaniMiloNikoTalaRhea

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Koa. 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.

KaiNoaLeoMiloJoaZoaTao

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Koa was first seen in the United States in 1978.

Koa has ranked as high as #477 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona.

In the past 5 years the name Koa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Koa 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 Koa 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 Koa.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 1,413 1,281 132
2024 1,288 1,152 136
2023 1,238 1,119 119
2022 1,062 941 121
2021 595 536 59
2020 532 477 55
2019 368 326 42
2018 295 278 17
2017 245 223 22
2016 161 153 8
2015 173 162 11
2014 125 112 13
2013 124 113 11
2012 128 118 10
2011 95 88 7
2010 83 75 8
2009 95 81 14
2008 84 77 7
2007 62 56 6
2006 47 41 6
2005 48 42 6
2004 39 39 0
2003 29 29 0
2002 33 33 0
2001 17 17 0
2000 27 17 10
1999 22 22 0
1998 10 10 0
1997 12 12 0
1996 17 17 0
1995 13 13 0
1994 7 7 0
1993 8 8 0
1992 7 7 0
1984 8 0 8
1982 8 0 8
1981 6 6 0
1980 12 7 5
1979 5 0 5
1978 7 7 0

Top States for Koa (2024)

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
CA 172
14%
TX 116
10%
FL 98
8%
OH 50
4%
GA 47
4%
AZ 46
4%
PA 44
4%
VA 38
3%
NC 36
3%
NY 35
3%
WA 35
3%
CO 28
2%
TN 27
2%
IN 26
2%
IL 24
2%
MI 23
2%
MO 23
2%
OK 22
2%
LA 21
2%
AL 21
2%
SC 20
2%
NJ 20
2%
UT 20
2%
OR 18
2%
HI 18
2%
KY 17
1%
WI 16
1%
MD 15
1%
MS 14
1%
MN 14
1%
MA 13
1%
NM 11
1%
KS 10
1%
NV 9
1%
CT 9
1%
AR 8
1%
NE 7
1%
IA 7
1%
ID 7
1%
DE 6
1%
WV 5
0%