Moana Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: moh-AH-nah /məʊˈɑːnə/
Origin: Polynesian; Hawaiian
Meaning: Polynesian: ocean; Hawaiian: deep sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Moana has its roots in the Proto-Polynesian language, where it means "ocean" or "sea." This etymology reflects the deep connection that many Polynesian cultures have with the ocean, which is central to their identity, livelihood, and mythology. The term evolved through various Polynesian languages, including Hawaiian and Maori, where it retains similar meanings.
The name entered the English lexicon primarily through cultural exchanges and the global spread of Polynesian culture, particularly in the 20th and 21st centuries, as interest in Pacific Islander traditions grew. Historically, the significance of the ocean in Polynesian culture is profound, as it has been a source of sustenance, navigation, and spiritual belief.
Moana is often associated with various legends and stories that highlight the importance of the sea in the lives of Polynesian peoples. In the 21st century, the name gained further recognition through the Disney animated film "Moana" (2016), which portrays a young Polynesian girl on a journey across the ocean, thereby bringing the name and its cultural significance to a wider audience.
Culturally, the name Moana resonates with themes of exploration, adventure, and connection to nature, embodying the spirit of the Polynesian way of life. The name is often celebrated in various forms of art, music, and storytelling within Polynesian communities, reinforcing its enduring legacy.
Additionally, diminutive forms or variations of the name may exist within specific cultures, but the core meaning remains tied to the vastness and mystery of the ocean, symbolizing both physical and spiritual journeys.
Famous people named Moana
In this section, you will find notable people named Moana. 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 Moana who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Moana 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.
Moana is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Disney animated film Moana, known for her adventurous spirit and determination to save her island.
Moana is a Polynesian navigator and wayfinder, celebrated in various cultural narratives for her role in ocean exploration and navigation traditions.
Fictional characters named Moana
The following list of fictional characters named Moana is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Moana is a fictional character from the animated film Moana. She is a spirited Polynesian teenager who sets sail on a daring mission to save her people and find her true identity.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Moana, 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 Moana. 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 Moana was first seen in the United States in 1941.
Moana has ranked as high as #1245 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and North Carolina.
In the past 5 years the name Moana has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Moana 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 Moana was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Moana (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 10 | |
| FL | 6 |
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 Moana.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 50 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2022 | 45 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2019 | 51 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2017 | 141 |
| 2016 | 57 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2008 | 19 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 6 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1989 | 7 |
| 1988 | 7 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1986 | 10 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 11 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 13 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1975 | 12 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1971 | 12 |
| 1970 | 12 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1964 | 7 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 8 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1958 | 7 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1955 | 7 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1942 | 8 |
| 1941 | 8 |