What does Kona mean and where does it come from?
Kona is a name of Hawaiian origin, referencing a district on the Big Island of Hawaii known for its coffee. It connotes a connection to the land and its rich resources. In Japanese, it can mean 'small' or 'precious'. The name has grown in popularity outside of its cultural roots, especially in North
Cultural significance
Kona has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hawaiian-speaking regions-speaking communities, where it reflects values of the place of delicious food.
Peak popularity
Reached #6544 in 1963 — currently #5809 in the US.
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Related Reading
Hawaiian-speaking regions-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Kona?
Kona works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Kona Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Kona Rose
Floral · soft ending
Kona Claire
French influence · crisp
Kona Jane
Literary · strong
Kona Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Kona right now?
Rising fast — up 531 spots — currently #5809 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #5809 | 16 | ▲ up 531 · +14% births |
| 2022 | #6340 | 14 | ▼ down 1092 · -22% births |
| 2021 | #5248 | 18 | ▲ up 1998 · +20% births |
| 2020 | #7246 | 15 | ▲ up 3046 · +50% births |
| 2015 | #10292 | 10 | ▲ up 7094 · +100% births |
| 2010 | #17386 | 5 | ▼ down 8816 · -29% births |
| 1980 | #8570 | 7 | — |
The story of Kona
Kona is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1963. With 553 total births recorded, Kona remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #8570 in 1980 to #5809 in 2023. Kona is used for both genders: 35% female and 65% male.
Names that peaked alongside Kona in 1963:
Kona by decade
Kona peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 6 | |
| 1970s | 20 | |
| 1980s | 18 | |
| 1990s | 19 | |
| 2000s | 174 | |
| 2010s ★ | 282 | |
| 2020s | 34 | |
💎Kona has only 553 total recorded births since 1963 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Kona?
What names sound and feel like Kona?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Kona also consider these
Common questions about the name Kona
What does the name Kona mean?
Kona means "the place of delicious food" — a name rooted in Hawaiian-speaking regions tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Kona?
Kona is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Kona have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Kona?
Kona originates from Hawaiian-speaking regions tradition. Hawaiian-speaking regions names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Kona?
Kona is a two-syllable name pronounced K OW1 N AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Kona trending right now?
Kona is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.