Koa
Koa is a boy's name of Hawaiian origin.
Meaning
Koa tree, brave, bold, or warrior.
Origin and history
Koa is a native Hawaiian name derived from the word for the koa tree, which also carries meanings of warrior, brave, or valiant. It has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity in the United States in recent years. Its brief, vowel-rich sound fits well into modern American naming trends while retaining deep cultural roots in Hawaii.
Popularity in the United States
7,702 babies in the United States have been named Koa since 1880. It ranks #1380 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #353.
States where it is most popular
- CA (23.9 %)
- TX (8.2 %)
- FL (7.2 %)
- HI (5.2 %)
- AZ (3.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 7 |
| 1980-1990 | 13 |
| 1990-2000 | 96 |
| 2000-2010 | 432 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,648 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,506 |
Famous people named Koa
- Koa Rothman: Surfer
- Koa Peat: Athlete, Basketball player
Fun facts
- In Hawaii, the koa tree (Acacia koa) is prized for its high-quality reddish wood, historically used to carve canoes and surfboards.
- While historically rare on the U.S. mainland, Koa has risen sharply into the top 400 boys' names in the 2020s.