Māori names carry deep cultural significance — every name connects to te reo Māori, mythology, the natural world, or ancestral lineage. With the resurgence of te reo and a renewed pride in whakapapa (genealogy), more whānau are choosing Māori names for their tamariki than ever before.
Below you’ll find the most popular Māori baby names in Aotearoa, complete with meanings, pronunciations, and whether each is traditionally used for boys, girls, or both. Use the search box to find a specific name, or filter by type and starting letter.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick version:
- Trending names: Nikau and Maia top the popularity lists year after year.
- Names from mythology: Tāne (forests), Tangaroa (sea), Marama (moon), Aroha (love).
- Māori forms of European names: Wiremu (William), Hemi (James), Mikaere (Michael), Kataraina (Katherine).
- Pronunciation help included — tap any name to see how it’s said.
Why a Māori name matters
For many whānau, choosing a Māori name is an act of whanaungatanga — the relationships and shared identity that bind a family together. A Māori name connects a child to tangata whenua (the land), to taonga tuku iho (cultural inheritance), and to the generations before them.
That doesn’t mean only Māori families can or should use these names. Many non-Māori whānau in Aotearoa choose Māori names too — and as long as the name is used with respect and an understanding of its meaning, that’s a beautiful thing. If you’re unsure about a name’s appropriateness for your family, kōrero with someone from your local marae or a kaumātua you trust.
Trending Māori names
Pop culture has put two Māori names firmly into the international spotlight. Moana (ocean) became a household name worldwide thanks to the Disney film, and Taika (tiger) has climbed steadily since director Taika Waititi went from independent New Zealand films to Marvel blockbusters. Both work beautifully cross-culturally and are unmistakably of Aotearoa.
Search Māori Baby Names
Type in the search box to find a name by spelling, meaning, or pronunciation. Use the buttons to filter for boys’ names, girls’ names, or unisex names — or tap a letter to jump to that part of the alphabet.
Below is the full A–Z directory of Māori baby names. Use the search to find a name instantly, tap any letter to jump, or filter by meaning category — nature, strength, light, ocean and more.
| Name ↕ | For ↕ | Meaning ↕ | Pronunciation |
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That’s the full Māori names directory. If a name resonated with you, take a moment to say it out loud — the right one usually feels right before it looks right.
A quick guide to Māori pronunciation
- Vowels are always pronounced the same: a as in “father”, e as in “egg”, i as in “ski”, o as in “or”, u as in “flu”.
- A macron (the line above a vowel, like Māori) lengthens that vowel — say it for twice as long.
- “Wh” is generally pronounced like “f” (e.g. whānau = “FAH-now”).
- “Ng” is a single sound like the “ng” in “singer” — never separated.
- “R” is rolled lightly, closer to a soft “d” than an English “r”.
Māori naming traditions worth knowing
Naming a child in te ao Māori has historically been deeply tied to ancestry, place, and circumstance. While modern whānau use these traditions flexibly, understanding them helps you choose a name with more meaning:
- Ingoa tūpuna — naming after an ancestor, passing on their mana and connection to whakapapa.
- Names from the natural world — Kauri, Moana, Tui, Marama, Kahukura. Connecting the child to whenua (land) and te taiao (the environment).
- Names from mythology — Tāne, Tangaroa, Rongo, Hine-nui-te-pō. Linking the child to atua (gods) and their attributes.
- Names marking the time or event of birth — Marama (moon, if born under a full moon), Ata (morning, if born at dawn), Tai (tide).
- Māori forms of family names — Wiremu (William), Hemi (James), Hori (George), Mere (Mary). A way to honour both heritages.
Choosing a Māori name with respect
- Learn the meaning fully before committing — some names carry serious responsibility (e.g. names of atua or rangatira).
- Practice saying it correctly — get pronunciation right with macrons and all.
- If you’re not Māori, consider kōrero with someone of Māori heritage you trust about your choice.
- Some names are tied to specific iwi or whānau lineages — research before borrowing those.
- Macrons matter. Māori ≠ Maori. Use them in birth registrations and everywhere else you can.
Keep exploring baby names
- A-Z of Boy Names & Meanings — 100+ popular boys’ names from around the world.
- A-Z of Girl Names & Meanings — 100+ popular girls’ names with meanings and origins.
- Baby Names Hub — hundreds of name ideas across every style and origin.
- Due Date Calculator — work out when you’ll need that name.
Got a beautiful Māori name we’ve missed? Leave a comment below with the name, its meaning, and any whakapapa or story attached to it — we love adding reader-suggested names with the full kōrero behind them.
