Kāwika

Hawaiian

Etymology

Vernacular form of the biblical Dāvida (“David”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kaːˈwi.ka/, [kaːˈʋi.kə]

Proper noun

1. a male given name originating from the Bible.
   • 1870s-1880s, Chant for King David Kalākaua, M.K.Pukui - S.H.Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary, University of Hawaii Press 1986, page 38:

     Eia nō ʻo Kāwika, ēhē, ka heke aʻo nā pua, ēhē

     Here is David, ah, ah, the greatests of descendants, ah, ah

References

• Hawaii State Archives: Marriage records "Kawika" (in the old orthography) occurs in 19th century marriage records as the only name (mononym) of 2 men.
• Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names by State: "Kawika" is included in the top hundred first names for boys born in the State of Hawaii almost every year during 1976-1999, and in 2003.