Unisex name · Hawaiian
Hoku
“star”
Vibes
Explore Hoku further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Hoku — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Hōkū is the Hawaiian word for star, and specifically for the night of the full moon in the traditional lunar calendar. Hōkūle'a — "star of gladness," the name of both Arcturus and the voyaging canoe that re-proved Polynesian wayfinding in 1976 — is built on it.
That navigational association is not decorative: Hawaiian star names were working instruments, and Hōkū sits at the root of the set. It is unused in Western records.
Too short to shorten. Two syllables want length after them (Hoku Marguerite, Hoku Alexander). On our vibe map it is Celestial with a Modern Minimalist edge.
More Hawaiian names
Hoku sits in our Hawaiian set — these share its roots.
All Hawaiian names →Hoku — common questions
Is Hoku a boy or girl name?
Hoku is a unisex name — it is given to boys and girls alike, and we list it that way (Hawaiian origin).
What does the name Hoku mean?
Hoku means “star” of Hawaiian origin. Hōkū is the Hawaiian word for star, and specifically for the night of the full moon in the traditional lunar calendar. Hōkūle'a — "star of gladness," the name of both Arcturus and the voyaging canoe that re-proved Polynesian wayfinding in 1976 — is built on it.
Where does the name Hoku come from?
Hoku is Hawaiian in origin. That navigational association is not decorative: Hawaiian star names were working instruments, and Hōkū sits at the root of the set. It is unused in Western records.
How popular is Hoku?
Hoku did not make the top 1,000 boys' or girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Hoku you might want for the nursery.