Hawaiian Names--English Names [Paperback]

Eileen M. Root (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0916630625 | ISBN-13: 978-0916630621 | Publication Date: December 1, 1987

Today most people choose a name because "it sounds nice". In ancient Hawaii, and indeed in most traditional societies a name involved more than its sound. A name (inoa) was a possession, an influence for good or evil and perhaps a part of a societies history. Ones inoa was a precious personal possession and also a force in its own right. Although a person possessed his or her name, he or she was also possessed by the name. Once spoken, the inoa assumed a mystical existence and the power to help or harm the bearer. And, so went the belief, the more a name was spoken, the more powerful it came, and the more powerful the influence - good or evil.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eileen M. Root is a librarian and lives in Kane'ohe with her husband, Umi'umi'puhuluhulu (bushy beard) also known as Barry and an overweight Maine Coon cat Põpilikia, also known as trouble. About this book she says: I became interested in the subject of Hawaiian names because the question "Do you have a book about Hawaiian names?" is asked repeatedly at the public library. A little research revealed that was available consisted mostly of lists of Hawaiinized-English names. These names seemed an insult to the Hawaiian language and at times were even an insult to the person who had 'Hawaiinized' his or her English na

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Booklines Hawaii Ltd (December 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916630625
• ISBN-13: 978-0916630621
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Hawaiian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book for Hawn names, anything from Kids to Pets!, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hawaiian Names--English Names (Paperback)

I live on the Island of o'ahu and I found this book to be very helpful. I use this book to help name all five of my children. You can find all kinds of names in this book, from names for people to names for your pets and even names for boats. There is even a section to translate your english name into Hawaiian. This book is well worth the money!!!! To: Eileen M. Root A JOB WELL DONE!!!!!!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for finding out the real truth about "Hawaiian names", March 26, 2003

By 

Jennifer Rutherford (Davis, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hawaiian Names--English Names (Paperback)

I first found this book years ago (sadly, I need another copy!) when I was visiting Hawaii and was well, rather shocked to find out that my Hawaiian name, Kinipela, translated into "a mound of decomposing flesh!" I like how the author does her best to correct things like this and find names based on their meanings and what words may correspond to that in Hawaiian. Definitely a book to read before you get into "Hawaiian names!"

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than you expect!, September 15, 2005

By 

I. Fernie "Reasonable consumer" (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hawaiian Names--English Names (Paperback)

I bought this book with the intention of naming our firstborn with a Hawaiian middle name to pay homage to his roots. Da book delivered and then some! The book has many, many Hawaiian names to read through, along with short (and generally flattering) definitions. It also talks about the roots to MANY non-Hawaiian names, which was an addition that I didn't expect - very cool! Finally, the book was well thought out - not thrown together by some company to make a buck, but written by a local who obviously cared about the result.