NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Makena

Feminine name of Nez Perce origin meaning "gift from the divine" or "unique gift".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Makena is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Makena popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5666, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 5 births.

This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2003 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Makena. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Makena ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 5 girls were registered as Makena.
  • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Makena as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5666

2018

Births in 2018

3

Latest year

Peak year

2003

5 births

Estimated living

11

2026

Meaning

What does Makena mean?

The name Makena has its origins in the Hawaiian language and culture. It is believed to have emerged during the late 18th or early 19th century in the Hawaiian Islands. The name is derived from the Hawaiian word "makena," which means "abundance" or "plenty."

In ancient Hawaiian mythology, Makena was the name of a goddess associated with fertility, abundance, and prosperity. She was revered by the Hawaiian people as a symbol of bountiful harvests and a prosperous way of life. The name Makena was often given to newborn girls as a way to invoke the goddess's blessings and ensure a life of abundance.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Makena dates back to the early 19th century, when a Hawaiian chief named his daughter Makena. This chief was known for his leadership during a time of great abundance and prosperity in his community, and he chose the name as a reflection of his gratitude and hope for his daughter's future.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Makena. One such person was Makena Kapiolani (1834-1899), a Hawaiian princess and member of the royal family. She played a significant role in the transition of Hawaii from a traditional monarchy to a modern constitutional government.

Another famous Makena was Makena Kahanamoku (1890-1965), a Hawaiian swimmer and surfer who is often credited with popularizing the sport of surfing globally. He won multiple Olympic medals and was a prominent figure in the early days of competitive swimming.

In the realm of literature, Makena Lani was a notable Hawaiian author and poet who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her works captured the essence of Hawaiian culture and traditions, and she was celebrated for her ability to weave rich imagery and emotion into her writing.

Makena Kealiinohomoku was a renowned Hawaiian hula dancer and choreographer who lived from 1900 to 1985. She played a crucial role in preserving and promoting the traditional hula dance form, and her contributions to the art were widely recognized both in Hawaii and internationally.

Finally, Makena Kaulukou (1923-2001) was a respected Hawaiian activist and advocate for indigenous rights. She dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Hawaiian people, and her efforts played a significant role in the Hawaiian Renaissance movement of the late 20th century.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Makena over time

The chart below shows babies named Makena registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Makena, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Makena
01345200320102018

Decades

Makena by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Makena was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #5666 3 1
2000s #4080 8 2

Related

Names similar to Makena

FAQ

Makena: questions and answers

How popular is the name Makena in the UK right now?

In 2018, Makena was ranked #5666 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Makena most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 5 babies registered as Makena in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Makena?

Feminine name of Nez Perce origin meaning "gift from the divine" or "unique gift".

How many people are called Makena in the UK?

A total of 11 babies have been registered as Makena across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.