Makua
A Hawaiian name meaning "father" or "parent".
Name Census estimates that about 9 living Americans carry the first name Makua. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Makua today is around 16 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Makua births was 2010 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Makua. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Makua. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
9
~ 1 in 38,083,815 Americans
Peak year
2010
9 babies that year
Average age
16
years old
2010 SSA rank
#8,540
Tracked since 2010
Popularity
Makua: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Makua by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Makua during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Geography
Where Makuas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Makua
The name Makua originates from the Hawaiian language and is believed to have been in use since ancient times. It is derived from the word "makua," which means "parent" or "procreator" in Hawaiian. The name is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions and beliefs of the indigenous people of the Hawaiian Islands.
In Hawaiian mythology, the name Makua is associated with the concept of parenthood and the reverence for ancestors. It was often given to children as a way of honoring their lineage and the significance of familial bonds within Hawaiian society. The name carried a sense of respect and gratitude towards those who came before.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Makua can be found in the oral traditions and chants of the Hawaiian people, which were passed down through generations. These chants often referenced individuals with this name, highlighting their importance within the community or their roles as cultural leaders or spiritual guides.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Makua. One such figure was Makua Kahele, a renowned Hawaiian chief who lived in the late 18th century. He was known for his leadership and his role in defending the island of Kauai against foreign invaders.
Another prominent figure was Makua Kakina, a Hawaiian kahuna (priest) and healer who lived in the early 19th century. He was widely respected for his vast knowledge of traditional Hawaiian healing practices and his ability to connect with the spiritual realm.
In the realm of literature, Makua Kupihea was a celebrated Hawaiian poet and storyteller who lived in the late 19th century. His works, which often centered around Hawaiian culture and traditions, have been preserved and studied by scholars and cultural enthusiasts.
Moving into the 20th century, Makua Rothman was a renowned Hawaiian surfer and waterman who played a significant role in reviving and preserving the traditional Hawaiian art of surfing. He was widely regarded as a master of the sport and a cultural ambassador for Hawaiian surfing.
Another notable figure was Makua Kapiolani, a Hawaiian princess and philanthropist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was known for her efforts in promoting education and healthcare for the Hawaiian people, as well as her advocacy for the preservation of Hawaiian culture and traditions.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Makua. Each of them contributed significantly to the cultural richness and legacy of the Hawaiian people, leaving an indelible mark on the islands' heritage.
People
Makua + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Makua as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Makua: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Makua?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 9 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Makua going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 38,083,815 US residents.
Is Makua a common name?
We classify Makua as "Very Rare". It ranks above 25.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 9 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Makua most popular?
The single biggest year for Makua was 2010, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Makua is about 16 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Makua in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Makua a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Makua in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Makua still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Makua in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Makua can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have the name Makua?
If you just want to know how many Americans are named Makua, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.