Leināʻala

Hawaiian

Etymology

lei (“to leap”) + nā (“the”)(plural) + ʻala (“fragrance”) = "the fragrances are wafted". Name of the heroine of a 19th century romance.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /lei̯.naːˈʔa.la/, [lej.naːˈʔɐ.lə]

Proper noun

Leināʻala

1. a female given name from Hawaiian

Usage notes

• Popular during the first half of the 20th century.

References

• Martha Warren Beckwith, Hawaiian Mythology, Forgotten Books 1940, →ISBN, page 10
• Hawaii State Archives: Marriage records The name does not occur in 19th century marriage records. Early examples:

  Maria Leinaala Smith, married in 1911, Honolulu

  Leinaala Kealoha (woman), married in 1923, Honolulu