Name Koa for a boy?

[Soph903]

Hi, we are due our baby boy soon and love the names Koa, Oakley or Arlo but so far Koa seems to be the favourite. We like more of the unusual/less common names what does anyone else think? Any name suggestions? Thankyou.

Are you Hawaiian/Polynesian, as the origin of the name suggests? If you are, then it's a nice traditional nod to your heritage. Otherwise I'd be a bit wary.

Arlos are ten a penny these days, loads of them about so maybe not great if you are looking for unique names.

I'm personally not keen on Oakley and know a few toddlers with this name.

Kobe is a biblical name similar to Noah but less popular. Colby is similar.

Avery
Jonah/Jonas
Asher
Milo (but this is very popular)
Blaise

Hi, thanks for your reply. No neither hawaiian thats the only reason we're thinking the name may not be the best choice! Think Oakley is our next choice but finding it hard to find names that are unique and cute. Thanks for the suggestions x

It's an awkward sounding name especially if you are just ordinary British films with no foreign heritage.

If your surname is Lambert then the child will be ridiculed.

What's wrong with Noah if you like the sound?

I know a koa. Family have no Hawaiian heritage at all- just welsh and English. I don’t think it always matters if you like the name.

Unique and cute is fine when they are little but try and imagine what their teenage years will be like if they are fat and or spotty and have a cute sounding name! Or even when they are a middle aged bloke!

Think of their name appearing on a job application and how it might cause prejudice against them.

I would be wary about going for an unusual name that has obvious connection to another culture. But - no one bats an eyelid at e.g. Phoebe and Chloe (Greek), Sarah (Hebrew), Richard (German) etc etc, so at some point these 'normal' names must've been adopted by people not from that culture and made them popular. Sorry, not much help except to say go with what you love or you may regret not going for it. Noah?

Thankyou, we aren't as keen on Noah as it's a very popular name. Agree with regards to other now popular names being used from previous cultures. We just haven't found a name we love compared to Koa. Thanks for all your advice.

Koa, although Hawaiian, is a type of tree found in the Hawaiian islands. Having spent a lot of time there when I was growing up (my aunt lived on Oahu), I have to say, I really love it as a name. But I'd assume that you'd have spent time in Hawaii or are at least familiar with the tree. It doesn't matter if the latter isn't the case. If you love the name, use it. I love the name Leilani, for example. I'd happily use it, even though I have no cultural affiliation with Hawaii.

To me it reads like one of the 'K' names - Kai, Kaylen, Kayden, etc. Could be one of the Rooney's kids names.

Not a fan sorry OP. Looks like a nickname for Koala.

What about Coda? Similar vibe. I know 2 Codas!

I actually like it! Tho I don't think it matters what anyone else thinks, it's your baby so go for it if you love it! X

Thanks everyone, making me feel better about potentially using it, can be spelt Koa or Koah?! Any middle name suggestions? Coda is lovely too.

If you and DH prefer Koa (with that spelling) then go for it! I’m sure bub will look like a Koa 😊 sometimes you just know. My older DS was a Liam from 8 weeks of pregnancy and I never changed my mind.

If you add an H it's no longer the word/name Koa, it's just some random letters. Is that what you want? Also, Coda? Not a name, a fairly random word.

Is Coda a name? It’s the additional end part of a piece of music and, as far as I can tell from Google, if it’s used as a name that’s also what the name is seen as meaning. Maybe a good choice for a last child? I agree with others about lack of connection to the heritage meaning Koa is not an ideal choice.

CODA is a globally fairly well-used acronym for Child of Deaf Adults.

Please don't have "cute" in your mindset-you're named bf an adult. And don't give him a name that will force him to say "No, no Polynesian connection at all-my mum just thought it was cute" for the rest of his life.

@Himawarigirl I know 2 toddlers named Coda yes! And funnily enough, both are the last child of their family! Not sure if the parents were aware of the musical meaning of the name.

Koah Kola? How cute would that be, especially if you make sure every outfit he owns has likkle furry ears.

We liked the name Koa from early on in the pregnancy and not because we thought it sounded cute, I wouldn't necessarily say it's a very cute sounding name anyway. I think Koa could be seen similar to other 'K' names.

Koa - I'd assume a connection with Hawaii. If he's even slightly chubby or hairy, the koala-based teasing will come out in force.

Oakley - sunglasses.

Arlo - everywhere.

I like Oakley. I have heard of a couple, but not loads. It was on our long list for ds2, but didn't make the final name. There are lots of ee ending boys names now, like Charlie, Alby, Alfie etc.

CODA to me is child of deaf adults, as a pp said. Not a name.

It’s also a film.

Coda seems like a name for a last child. It's the closing part of a piece of music.
Dreadful as a name.

Koa definitely sounds too much like Koala. With no Hawaiian heritage it’s just odd to consider.
Oakley is chavvy and Arlo is everywhere.
I honestly do not understand this obsession of looking for ‘unique’ names.
Call your child whatever you like but know that when people hear their name they’ll inwardly be rolling their eyes as you’re ‘that’ type of parent.