Maori Language - names
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Category: General Chat
Forum Name: General Chat
Forum Description: For mums, dads, parents-to-be, grandparents, friends -- you name it! And you name the topic you want to chat about!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9403
Printed Date: 26 August 2025 at 10:59am
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Topic: Maori Language - names
Posted By: MummyFreckle
Subject: Maori Language - names
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 2:57pm
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I have a question, and I apologise in advance if this seems ignorant or stupid. Is it ‘okay’ to give your child a maori name if you are not maori? Is this offensive or breaking any protocols? If it is ‘okay’ and accepted, can anyone point me in the direction of a good maori names list? Many Thanks Sam ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Replies:
Posted By: mum2emj
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 3:09pm
aroha is nice  there are so many beautiful maori names.
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 3:10pm
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I think it's fine! My girls all have Maori middle names coz obviously they are Maori (well 1/2 anyway), I decided against Maori first names coz I am pedantic about pronunciation and would get feisty if people constantly mispronounced my girls names. Willie gets cros when he hears the dispatcher on his RT calling it Tay-Irri-rang-y Drive coz it's not pronounced like that and is Maya's Maori name.
I have a list of Maori translations of common English names (eg: Elizabeth=Irihapeti) if you have an English name in mind, but if you are just looking for a nice Maori name think about what you want it to mean and I can give you some ideas of names that go with the meanings. My girls are Te Irirangi Marama (Maya) which means the point where heaven and earth meet, Te Anahera Pono (our angel baby) which means faithful angel, Anahera (Sienna) which means angel and Waimarie (Mercedes) which means peaceful waters or place of peace. My stepdaughter is Awhina which means helper. Anna's wee daughter is Kaia which means leader. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: ooEvaoo
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 4:04pm
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I dont think there would be any problem with giving a non maori baby a maori name. I think as long as you understand the essence and mana (strength) behind the name, that is what matters. I'm half maori and when I was born my mum wanted to give me a maori first name........but then her friend said I was too white (!!) and so my maori name is my second name. My sister(who is just as white as me lolz) has a maori first name. So if theres a maori name that you like and that the meaning feels appropriate to you then I say go ahead ------------- 
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 4:37pm
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Both my kids have maori middle names, DP and his sister both have maori middle names so we've got a bit of a tradition there! Quinn Ariki and kaia Te Awakari.
Def feel your pain Emma re the pronunciation thing, drives me batty everytime my mother says Te Awa-kurry!! ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 4:39pm
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PS We had a great book if you were thinking of a maori name for bubs, Maori names for your baby (or something similar by Miriama someone) it was about $10 from whitcoulls. ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 4:40pm
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Me again! I had a look for maori names on the internet but didn't find anything particularly useful. Book is good tho! ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 5:38pm
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I saw that book at Whitcoulls too Anna, it looked good. Willie chose my girls names and I ran them past a kaumatua before I actually used them coz sometimes Willie talks out of his rear end about what things mean and I didn't want to call Maya Te Irirangi Marama only to find out later it meant something lame, or worse was inappropriate. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: kabe
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 7:36pm
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There's a book by Miriama Ohlson called 'Choosing a Maori Name for Your Baby'. It's probably in your local library.
My DH is Maori and we're thinking about whether to give bubs a Maori first or middle name. I mentioned your question to him and his opinion is that you can choose whatever name you want for your child. Just check the meaning. My main concern, as others have mentioned is that family can pronounce her name correctly. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Anna
Date Posted: 24 July 2007 at 7:37pm
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That's the book I meant! Good book! ------------- Anna http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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