Keoni

Keoni is a Hawaiian form of John, whose older Hebrew root carries the meaning God is gracious. The name reflects the adaptation of a widely traveled biblical name to Hawaiian sounds and spelling. Its meaning comes through that historical relationship, rather than from dividing Keoni into unrelated Hawaiian words and assigning each a separate translation.

John has many familiar international forms, including Juan, Jean, and Giovanni. Keoni belongs to that larger family while retaining a distinctly Hawaiian form and cultural setting. For a family with Hawaiian connections, it may honor a John without repeating the same written name. It is also worth recognizing the language behind it: Hawaiian naming has traditions and personal significance that extend beyond choosing a different spelling of an English name.