Is Moana unusable?

[KaiandMoana]

We have a Kai and really want to name our baby girl Moana, but is it unusable now?

[GiraffeorOcelot]

Yes I wouldn't use it.

[AddALemon]

I watched moana for the first time with ds yesterday and I was thinking what a lovely name it is! I'd use it! Congratulations

[ILookedintheWater]

If you like it use it.
Madison, used as a girls name, first appeared in 1984, the year Splash was released, where the mermaid was called Madison. It was the first recorded use of the name as a forename and now it's everywhere, and no-one even thinks about it. In years to come Moana may be just as ubiquitous.
..and it goes well with Kai.

[ImperialBlether]

Don't you mean Mona?

[SilverLeafClover]

I prefer Mona. Much more standard spelling in the U.K. but pronounced the same.

[violetbunny]

So long as you never plan a family trip to New Zealand. Kaimoana translates as "seafood" here...

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

You could use Mona.
How about Fiona or Leona.

[ememem84]

I'd use it. But probably only if I had Pacifica heritage. Which sadly I don't.

We watched the movie yesterday though and loved it.

[KaiandMoana]

I love the meaning of it, it's very similar to the meaning of Kai.

We are native Hawaiians, but live in Wales. Which is why we prefer Moana Mona's Irish, isn't it!?

[ElspethFlashman]

She'll just be called Mona for the rest of her life, though.

[Cantwait2017]

Native Hawaiians? Go for it! It's lovely anyway.

[KaiandMoana]

Well, that's our heritage.

[PaperdollCartoon]

Moana is lovely, use it. To PPs saying it's pronounced the same as Mona - it's not. It's Mo-anna.

[AdorableMisfit]

Moana and Mona are not pronounced the same. One is Mo-Anna, the other is Mo-na.

[Cantwait2017]

I thought it was Mo-arna.

[MaryPoppinsPenguins]

Do it! It's a lovely name (and a brilliant film!)

[KaiandMoana]

We are very much Welsh citizens now but my lovely grandmother is still living in Hawaii (and can't speak a word of English) and it's still very much our culture.

[MaryPoppinsPenguins]

It's pronounced 'mo-ahna'

[PaperdollCartoon]

Moana in a Welsh accent is lovely as well. There will always be something to connect every name to - at least the film Moana is a baddass!

[StUmbrageinSkelt]

It's Moarna. But yeah, seriously not a good combo with Kai if you ever go to NZ

[Twoevils]

The Isle of Anglesey is called Môn in Welsh and Mona from Latin.

[Ontopofthesunset]

Can't speak a word of English? Living in Hawaii? Is that really true? I thought that English was mandated as the language in schools from the end of the 19th century and the Hawaiian language only started being revived in the latter part of the 20th century. So I would have thought everyone would have had to be educated in English if they had lived in Hawaii even if they spoke Hawaiian at home.

Sorry, that's not the point of the thread but I was intrigued by the idea that anyone living in Hawaii today couldn't speak at least some English.

I think people in this country will just think of the film and also will mispronounce it. But that's OK. There are lots of Elsas and Aryas and other film inspired names out there.

[KaiandMoana]

She cannot speak English, no. I'm going to PM you when I'm not using the app. Don't want to write very identifying info.

[Lillabet]

I was going to come on and say, I wouldn't unless you are Hawaiian or have Hawaiian heritage because otherwise it'd be a bit daft. However, having read the thread I'd say go for it!

[TheBakeryQueen]

With your heritage I think it's perfect, and goes beautifully with Kai.