Hawaiian names
Susan Jaworowski
Something that Laurie Toyama wrote in post prompts me to ask for input
on Hawaiian name selection. I have a friend who will be having a
part-Hawaiian baby, and she wants to include a Hawaiian name. She is
thinking of using one of the English names commonly rendered into
English (Kimo, which is James; Keoki, which is George, Likeke, which
is Richard, etc.)
It was my impression that a true Hawaiian name would reflect something
special about the circumstances of the child's birth or something
significant that occurred to a relative about the time the child was
born. (I believe that one of Queen Lili'uokalani's names means "sore
eyes" as someone in her family had them at her birth.)
My friend does not have any family members who know enough Hawaiian to
give the baby a name of this latter type. Can anyone knowledgeable in
the area give me any tips to pass on on how to select a Hawaiian name
that is more than a mere translation of an English name?
Mahalo--
--Susan
WAIMAKA
In the article:<4gkqcd$a...@nuhou.aloha.net> you stated:
>My friend does not have any family members who know enough Hawaiian >to
give the baby a name of this latter type. Can anyone knowledgeable in
>the area give me any tips to pass on on how to select a Hawaiian name
>that is more than a mere translation of an English name?
The ability to speak Hawaiian carries a lot of expected responsibilities,
such as giving the blessing at a family function or the request for a
Hawaiian name. What most people don't realize is the fact that a "name"
will be attached to that person until he or she dies. An improper name
could become a thorn in one's personality if the name giver is not
careful.
When someone asks me for a Hawaiian Name my first request is for that
person to write a short story describing themselves to me. (mainly their
likes and dislikes) In the case of a new born baby, I ask the parents to
describe their feelings about the new addition to the family as well as a
description of themselves. With this information I then go to the
Pukui/Elbert dictionary to familiarize myself with the possible choices
that reflect the na`au (essence) of the person or the parents. Then I
spend the next couple of days running the choices in my mind and letting
the different names roll off my tongue. It is important for the name to
sound right with the melodic flow of the Hawaiian Language itself.
Once a name becomes a possibility, it is then your job to think of
ways that the uninformed public will try to shorten the name. Sometimes a
shorten version will change the meaning completely, such as KINIPELA the
letter for letter translation for JENNIFER when shortened to KINI means
TIN or GIN.
Always remember that a good name will not only sound right but it
will feel right too. If the name is given with the true gift of aloha in
one's heart, it will be a proper name that will enhance the goodness of
the soul being named!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{just Wai}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
"Ku`u mana`o wale no!"
(These are just my thoughts!)
Sue Larkin
wai...@aol.com (WAIMAKA) wrote:
>(These are just my thoughts!)
.and beautiful ones, at that. Mahalo for your explanation.
KALIHIBOY
>"Ku`u mana`o wale no!"
>(These are just my thoughts!)
>
>
And well worth havin been shared with us, Mahalo brah.
Aloha
Kimo (if only we could train da pue'o to tink nice por us too <G>)
**************************************************************
*Just a localboy....Adrift on the Mainland
*
* Kimo Carter C B A
Santa Clara, CA Computerised Business Applications
408-5-KIMO-54 Consulting-Training-Private Tutoring-DTP
**************************************************************************
***************
holokahiki
sus...@lava.net (Susan Jaworowski) wrote:
Can anyone knowledgeable in
>the area give me any tips to pass on on how to select a Hawaiian name
>that is more than a mere translation of an English name?
Susan,
The fashion has changed over time. The ancients believed in
chosing names with meaning.
For almost a hundred years it was illegal to have a non-Christian
given name. Most chose a Hawaiian version of an English name or worse
an English name that was converted into sounds that sounded Hawaiian.
The trend is now more towards a name with meaning.
My parents chose my sister's name because they like the meaning and
to a lessor extent the sound was pleasing. There are a few books you can
chose to help you in your selection. Don't get too carried away with
your meaningful name. A few students at Kamehameha had rather long
descriptive names and caught some flack as a result.
Haze gray underway,
Holokahiki
kristy benjamin
I was wondering if anyone knows what the word KIKI means. I was given
that as a nickname when I was a little girl from someone from Hawaii,
since then it has stuck with me throughout my entire 23 yr. old life.
Any replies will be appreciated.
DLumpk5195
This was a beautiful little essay on the essence of names and how they
often can affect their bearers, as well as the great responsibility that
befalls one when it is time to name a new soul. Wai's thoughts are
particularly Hawaiian, but they cut across the boundaries to all other
linguistic groups (which is big aloha indeed!). Some nations actually
have laws governing the bestowal of names. In Russia, for example, I
don't think "Moon Doggie" would go down very well. <g> In America we can
call children whatever comes into our heads. All too often people do this
without sufficient reflection on the subject. The results can hurt a
person for a lifetime.
Thanks, Waimaka!
Aloha,
David
Preferred e-mail address:
dlum...@seraph1.sewanee.edu
sus...@lava.net
Like Hawaiian music? Find out the latest concerts
and releases on Susan's Hawaiian Music Page, at:
http://www.hotspots.hawaii.com/susanmusic.html
michael jerome wise
kristy benjamin (uben...@mcl.ucsb.edu) wrote:
: I was wondering if anyone knows what the word KIKI means. I was given
: that as a nickname when I was a little girl from someone from Hawaii,
: since then it has stuck with me throughout my entire 23 yr. old life.
: Any replies will be appreciated.
KIKI or KEIKI? KEIKI means "Child".
Aloha mai Vancouver, BC!
Susan Jaworowski
kristy benjamin <uben...@mcl.ucsb.edu> wrote:
>I was wondering if anyone knows what the word KIKI means. I was given
>that as a nickname when I was a little girl from someone from Hawaii,
>since then it has stuck with me throughout my entire 23 yr. old life.
Hmm. There are many definitions in da big Pukui for that word,
depending on how it's spelled. However, none of them seem suitable
for a small child (to sting, to shoot, to spurt) Could it have been
"keiki"? (pronounced "kay-key). That means child.
--Susan
holokahiki
kristy benjamin <uben...@mcl.ucsb.edu> wrote:
>
>I was wondering if anyone knows what the word KIKI means?
Kristy,
Kiki = sting.
Kiki' = rapid or quickly.
I think your nickname is an abreviated form of some other
word. You should ask your relatives what they think KIKI means.
Haze gray underway,
Holokahiki
Leilani D. Haywood
> : : I was wondering if anyone knows what the word KIKI means. I was given
> : : that as a nickname when I was a little girl from someone from Hawaii,
> : : since then it has stuck with me throughout my entire 23 yr. old life.
> : : Any replies will be appreciated.
>
> : KIKI or KEIKI? KEIKI means "Child".
>
> : Aloha mai Vancouver, BC!
Vancouver,
I looked up Kiki in my Hawaiian dictionary and here's what I got --
kiki - 1. to sting as a bee; to peck, leap at, as hen. 2. Plug (?).
kiki - To flow swiftly; to spurt as water from a hose; to move swiftly.
kiki - To shoot as a gun.
You must have been quite an active little girl.
Hope this helps! Aloha, Leilani in Missouri