Find out how popular the first name Halei has been for the last 31 years (from 1987 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Halei by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Halei is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Halei.

The history of the first name Halei

The given name Halei is of Hawaiian origin and dates back to the pre-colonial era in the Hawaiian Islands. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "hale," which means "house" or "home." The name is believed to have been used as a name for children in traditional Hawaiian families, signifying the importance of the home and family unit in Hawaiian culture.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Halei can be found in the traditional Hawaiian chants and oral histories, which were passed down through generations of Hawaiian storytellers and historians. These chants and stories often featured characters with the name Halei, although specific details about their identities and the time periods they lived in are often lost to history.

As Hawaiian culture and language faced threats from colonization and westernization in the 19th century, the name Halei became less common. However, it experienced a resurgence in popularity in the late 20th century as part of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance, which aimed to revive and preserve traditional Hawaiian practices and language.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Halei was Halei Ka'upena, a renowned Hawaiian navigator and wayfinder who lived in the late 18th century. Ka'upena was known for his expertise in traditional Polynesian navigation techniques, which relied on reading the stars, ocean currents, and other natural signs to navigate across vast distances in the Pacific Ocean.

Another notable figure with the name Halei was Halei Ulumahihi, a Hawaiian kahuna (priest) and healer who lived in the early 19th century. Ulumahihi was renowned for his knowledge of traditional Hawaiian medicine and healing practices, and he played a significant role in preserving and passing down this knowledge to future generations.

In the realm of Hawaiian music and dance, Halei Kealoha was a prominent figure in the early 20th century. Kealoha was a skilled hula dancer and kumu hula (hula teacher) who helped to preserve and promote the traditional Hawaiian art form during a time when it faced suppression and marginalization.

More recently, Halei Silva-Fulcher is a contemporary Hawaiian artist and activist who has gained recognition for her multimedia work, which explores themes of indigenous identity, environmental justice, and cultural preservation. Silva-Fulcher's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and galleries both in Hawai'i and internationally.

Halei Warshaw is another contemporary figure with the name, who has made contributions to the field of environmental sustainability and conservation in Hawai'i. Warshaw has worked with various organizations and initiatives aimed at protecting and preserving the islands' natural resources and ecosystems.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Halei was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Halei, please contact us.

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