Kanoa
Meaningthe free one · Hawaiian
- US rank
- #4,396
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #2,579 in 2010
23 babies were named Kanoa in the US in 2025. It has climbed 459 places in five years.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
US births per million girls, 2021–2025
US births per million boys, 1971–2025
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Kanoa you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 74,074 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Kanoa, 23 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Kanoa would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryKanoa first shows up in US birth records in 1971, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 54 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 2010, when it reached #2,579.
- TrendKanoa has climbed 459 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #4,396. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- MeaningIn Hawaiian, Kanoa means “the free one”.
About the name Kanoa
Kanoa is a boy name of Hawaiian origin meaning “the free one”. It has 5 letters and 2 syllables, starting with K and ending in “-noa”. US birth records list Kanoa for boys from 1971 to 2025, in 41 of those 55 years. Its best year was 2010, when it ranked #2,579 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #4,396, with 23 babies.
Origin:Hawaiian names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1.7 | 588,235 girls |
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.4 | 708,661 boys |
| 1980s | 1.4 | 719,424 boys |
| 1990s | 4.5 | 220,751 boys |
| 2000s | 13 | 74,850 boys |
| 2010s | 16 | 62,893 boys |
| 2020s | 16 | 62,762 boys |
More Hawaiian boy names
- Unisex name: Kai · sea
- Unisex name: Keanu · the cool breeze
- Boy name: Manolo · God is with us
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Boy name: Kainoa · the name
- Unisex name: Makaio · gift of God
- Boy name: Kekoa · the brave one
- Boy name: Kawika · beloved
Questions about the name Kanoa
What does the name Kanoa mean?
Kanoa means “the free one” in Hawaiian.
What is the origin of the name Kanoa?
Kanoa has Hawaiian roots in our records. Other Hawaiian names include Kai, Keanu, Manolo.
Is Kanoa a boy or girl name?
Kanoa is a boy name.
How popular is the name Kanoa?
Kanoa ranked #4,396 for US boys in 2025, given to 23 babies. Its best year was 2010 (#2,579).