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58 Exquisite Tongan Girl Names From The Pacific Islands

Tongan baby girl names have cultural significance, combining elements of family honor, societal values, and religious beliefs. Names in Tonga have deep meanings and are selected after careful deliberation. Tongans will address each other by their first name, but when they meet for the first time, they often utilize last names and family names to show respect (1). The first important part of the Tongan naming practice is honoring family heritage and ancestral ties. A child is often named after a valued family member, such as a grandparent or great-grandparent. This is to connect the present generation to the ancestors and to exchange the wisdom, power, and character traits of those who have gone before. The selected name typically carries a story from the family's background, representing the family's hopes and aspirations for the child. This practice demonstrates the importance of familial relationships in Tongan culture and promotes a sense of continuity and connectedness through generations. Religious beliefs also influence Tonga's naming system. As most of the population is Christian, Biblical names are common, especially those corresponding to qualities and values in Christianity. Adopting Christian names represents personal faith and the societal and cultural emphasis on religion as a guiding force in daily life. Individual identity is aligned with shared religious beliefs, resulting in a solid spiritual link throughout the community. Besides religion, names can refer to flowers, memorable life events, ancestors, friends, or even famous individuals (2). Finally, the Tongan name tradition symbolizes a strong bond with the land and nature. Natural phenomena, landscapes, or the region’s geographical specialities may inspire names. These names serve as a reminder of the people's symbiotic relationship with the land they live on. It shows Tongan culture's ecological understanding and respect for the environment. Moreover, selecting a name reflects the individual's multidimensional identity within the larger Tongan society and culture framework. Continue reading to explore unique Tongan names with meanings.

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NameGenderMeaning
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Haiti
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Land of high mountains; Nobility
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Alisi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the noble kind
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Takina
Baby Girl Sign Girl To be carried away
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Ailine
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Bright one; Shining one; Torch; Moon; Corposant
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Seini
Baby Girl Sign Girl Yahweh is gracious; Yahweh is merciful
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Ilisa
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God is an oath
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Silika
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is as soft as a silk
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Amanaki
Baby Girl Sign Girl Hope
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Amipa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Amber stone
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Avoca
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sweet valley
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Emeni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tonga word for Amen
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Eponi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ebony; Black
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Hahau
Baby Girl Sign Girl Dew
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Huelo
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ray of light
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Huhulu
Baby Girl Sign Girl The one who glows
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Ilisapesi
Baby Girl Sign Girl The blessed one
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Kahoa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Necklace
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Kalauni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Crown
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Kiupita
Baby Girl Sign Girl Cupid or love angel
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Laaka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Carefree; Jark bird
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Langi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heaven
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Lautoka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Plains
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Laveni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lavender shrub
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Lavenita
Baby Girl Sign Girl The lavender scent
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Lekeleka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the moon
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Liliko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Bird
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Longo
Baby Girl Sign Girl Quiet
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Lopini
Baby Girl Sign Girl The robin bird
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Lose
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rose
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Lotu
Baby Girl Sign Girl One who is admired
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Lovai
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is loved; Heavy rains
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Melino
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace
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Musika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tongan word for music
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Oketa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tongan word for orchid
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Onike
Baby Girl Sign Girl The onyx gem
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Opeli
Baby Girl Sign Girl Opal gem
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Paame
Baby Girl Sign Girl The palm tree
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Panisi
Baby Girl Sign Girl The pansy flower
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Papahi
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is mischievously smart
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Safaia
Baby Girl Sign Girl The sapphire stone; The color blue
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Salato
Baby Girl Sign Girl Tree
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Siete
Baby Girl Sign Girl Jjet stone; The color black
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Sikota
Baby Girl Sign Girl The kingfisher bird
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Sikueli
Baby Girl Sign Girl Squirrel
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Silafi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Giraffe
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Sinitalela
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little one from the ashes
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Tafotila
Baby Girl Sign Girl The daffodil flower
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Taimani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Diamonds
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Takaniko
Baby Girl Sign Girl Halo; One who is angelic
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Talanoa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Storyteller
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Taula
Baby Girl Sign Girl Priestess
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Tavake
Baby Girl Sign Girl A white seabird with black spots
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Tiulipe
Baby Girl Sign Girl A tulip flower
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Toakase
Baby Girl Sign Girl Woman of the sea
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Kalasiah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace
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Amelika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Freedom
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Meliame
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished-for child; To swell
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Kelela
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beloved; Darling

Tongan girl names reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage and geographical specialties. Their naming pattern connects the threads of family tradition, spirituality, and ecological wisdom, representing the complex interplay between individual identity and communal ideals. This practice promotes a strong sense of belonging and ensures the continuity of traditions and beliefs in an ever-changing world. In this post, we have curated a comprehensive list of Tongan girl names. These names have varied meanings and significance. So go through the list and pick a name that resonates with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some traditional Tongan names for baby girls?

Mele (song or singer), Lupe (dove), Sina (white or silver), and Salote (derived from the name Charlotte) are a few traditional Tonga names that parents can pick for their baby girl.

2. What are some Tongan baby girl names that have been popular for several generations?

Mele (song or singer), Sela (derived from the name Sarah), Ana (crown or princess), and Salote (derived from the name Charlotte) are some Tongan baby girl names that have a deep cultural significance. They reflect the values and heritage of the Tongan people and provide a strong sense of cultural identity and connection.

3. What are some nature-inspired Tongan baby girl names?

Nature-inspired names are often cherished in Tongo culture. Hahau (dew), Moana (ocean or sea), and Loto (heart or lotus) are some nature-inspired names that carry a sense of beauty and tranquility.

4. How do Tongans name their children?

Tongans name their children based on family connections, honoring ancestors, cultural values, and desired qualities. They may consult with family members and choose meaningful names inspired by nature, biblical references, or famous names in Tongan society. In Tonga, titles are typically written in the format of the first name followed by the last name. For an individual named Anitelu TAUMALOLO, where Anitelu is the first name, and TAUMALOLO is the last name.

Infographic: Noteworthy Tongan Baby Girl Names With Meanings

Tongan baby names provide a snapshot of Polynesian culture. These names are often inspired by nature or natural elements found in abundance in the verdant Polynesian islands. If you find Tongan names charming or want to honor Polynesian traditions, you may consider a lovely Tongan name for your daughter.

notable tongan names for your daughter (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Polynesian Culture.
    http://freebooks.uvu.edu/polynesian_culture/05_Tongan_Culture.php
  2. Tongan Culture.
    https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/tongan-culture/tongan-culture-naming

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Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.

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Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.

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