That's it, you will soon become parents! Whether you have decided to know the sex of your baby or not, you will already have to think about a name … or risk having a blank tag on your cherub's wrist in the maternity ward. In France, you have up to five days after the birth of the child to declare a first name. Better not to delay.
In general, the choice of first name is made in the weeks preceding the birth. If you have chosen to keep the surprise regarding the sex of the child, the task will be more complicated since you will have to find two (or a mixed). Choosing the baby's first name is an important step for parents. Some already know when they meet what they will call their children. Others are more indecisive and find it difficult to come to an agreement.
This subject can also be a source of conflict within a couple. Especially if they can't find common ground. If you have completely different ideas, expect to have to make compromises and sacrifices. Choosing a first name can be all the more complicated in a couple with a different culture and religion. In some countries, the choice of first names must indeed comply with several rules and customs, and the meaning is very important.
Polynesian and Tahitian first names
Tahitian names are very poetic! That’s why they’re very popular outside of French Polynesia. All first names have a special meaning and are often linked to nature.
According to tradition, first names of Tahitian origin are composed of words from the current and past vocabulary. They were also influenced by Protestant and Catholic missionaries since the latter adapted certain first names from the Bible and names of Saints to the Tahitian language. For example : Iosefa for Joseph, Noa for Noah.
Mystical meanings
If the Tahitian first names seduce by their exotic and melodious sounds, their meanings are also very popular with future parents. The moon, the sun, the sky, the sea, the flowers, the birds, the gods … are very often mentioned in the first names of Polynesian and Tahitian origin. They make us want to travel to the other side of the world and convey many values and traditions.
For a girl, the first names Tahia, "Darling and pampered princess", Poe, "Pearl", Eeva, "The star that rises at night", Titaina, " little Flower " in Polynesian, Moeata, "Sleeping cloud", or Hinarau, "Love, affection", are adorable!
For a little boy, Manutea, " white bird leaning into rock holes " in Polynesian, Rahiti, "Rising sun of the king", Teiki "King of the dreaming gods" in Marquesan, Vaitea, " clear water " and Temoe, " sunset ", are very popular in Polynesia!
Many Polynesian and Tahitian first names are also mixed, such as Moana (which means "ocean" in Tahitian and "child" in Maori), Aata (which designates "the gay child of the moon") or Vaea (which means "the king who divided the ocean"). They are as beautiful for a man as for a woman!
As you may have noticed, Tahitian first names often end in "a", "u" or "i". Note that in Tahiti, all letters are pronounced and the "u" is pronounced "or".
Some Tahitian celebrities
Many know certain Tahitian names thanks to the celebrities who wear them. We think in particular of Miss France 1999 (and Miss Tahiti 1998), Mareva Galanter ! Her first name means "the one who passes quickly without turning away", metaphorically "shooting star". Moreover, twenty years later, it is another beauty queen from Tahiti who was elected Miss France: Vaimalama Chaves (nicknamed "Vai"). His first name means "source of light" in Polynesian!
A great Tahitian adventurer marked him on the Koh-Lanta program. It is Teheiura, the darling of viewers. His first name means "the red crown". Dad of four children, they all also have a Tahitian first name: Manavai, "Sacred source", Mihivai (In Tahitian, "Mihi" means to yearn for someone and "vai" means water. We could thus translate this first name as "water lover), Vainanui "Source of great wisdom" and Vaitoanui "Source of the great warrior". Exotic names that transport us to Papeete!
A Disney character also made the cute name famous Vaiana, which means "water from the cave of the high rock" in Polynesian. In the cartoon, titled 'Vaiana, the Legend of the End of the World', a young girl sets out to sea to prove to herself that she is an explorer. During her journey, Vaiana meets the once powerful demigod, Maui. Together, they cross the ocean and embark on a journey full of twists and turns. In the English version of the film, the girl's name is Moana, "Ocean". Something to inspire Disney fans who are about to become parents.