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NamyLab

Moana

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Ocean; Sea"

From Polynesian languages meaning ocean, Moana is used as a nature-based given name across Pacific communities.

Themes:polynesianseanaturemaori
NatureNaturalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Moana

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#3197Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Moana did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Moana Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Moana.

8 ideas
mo
Nickname
moan
Nickname
moay
Nickname
anay
Nickname
oana
Nickname
moanay
Nickname
mie
Nickname
my
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Moana

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Moana, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Moana mean?
Moana means "Ocean; Sea". From Polynesian languages meaning ocean, Moana is used as a nature-based given name across Pacific communities.
What is the origin of Moana?
Moana is of Polynesian origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Moana?
According to the latest SSA data, Moana is currently ranked #3197 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Moana a girl name?
Moana is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Moana?
Popular nicknames for Moana include mo, moan, moay, anay, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Moana?
There are many names similar to Moana in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginPolynesian, Maori
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#3197
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Moana

Moana has Polynesian roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Polynesian baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Moana appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Moana pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Moana beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.