Pele — Meaning, Origin & Everything to Know

A Hawaiian name from Hawaiian, Pele carries the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)'.

Drawn from Hawaiian, Pele means '(the goddess of the volcano)' and has a character all its own. Pele appeals to families after a name with real roots — here, the Hawaiian word for '(the goddess of the volcano)'. For a daughter, Pele carries a sense of passion, warmth and transformation while staying simple to say and spell.

Quick facts about the name Pele
NamePele
MeaningAt its core, Pele carries the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)', rooted in Hawaiian
OriginHawaiian
LanguageHawaiian
GenderGirl
Numerology number2
PronunciationPE-le
Popularity tierTier 3

What Does the Name Pele Mean?

At its core, Pele carries the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)', rooted in Hawaiian.

Pele grew up inside the Hawaiian tradition, where a name was meant to carry blessing and identity, not just sound. As it travelled, Pele kept its '(the goddess of the volcano)' sense intact, handed down to honour relatives and express a hope for the child.

Today Pele reads as approachable and contemporary, even though its meaning of '(the goddess of the volcano)' is anything but new. That mix of everyday wearability and real meaning is a large part of why Pele found favour around the 2010s.

The imagery around Pele is one of passion, warmth and transformation, deepened by the Hawaiian tradition behind it.

Origin & Etymology of Pele

Hawaiian · Hawaiian

The roots of Pele lie in Hawaiian, carrying the sense '(the goddess of the volcano)'. As Hawaiian communities moved and mixed, Pele travelled with them — sometimes keeping its spelling, sometimes adapting, but holding its meaning. Now Pele works as both a nod to roots and a thoroughly usable everyday name.

Within Hawaiian culture, Pele connects to enduring values through its idea of passion, warmth and transformation.

How Hawaiian names are chosen

Hawaiian tradition treats a name as something that arrives rather than something selected, and distinguishes the routes by which it comes. An inoa pō is a night name, delivered in a dream to a family member; pō is not merely night but the source, the time before beginning, the ancestral world. Such a name belongs to that one person, and another family member taking it without permission is understood to invite harm. An inoa hoʻomanaʻo commemorates an event, holding a piece of family history in the name itself. Names also come by sign, inoa hōʻailona, and by voice, inoa ʻūlāleo.

How to Pronounce Pele

PE-lePele is usually said in 2 parts — PE · le. Hawaiian vowels are always pronounced separately — every vowel is its own sound.

Popularity of the Name Pele

Pele has stayed steadily popular, with its momentum centred on the 2010s.

Personality Traits Associated with Pele

Ask around and Pele is usually described as spirited and warm. Some of that comes from the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)', and some from the simple shape of the sound. Where names are tied to character, Pele is read as a name of passion, warmth and transformation. A name is only a starting impression, and Pele's happens to be a kindly one — a quiet plus that frames the numerology and zodiac notes below.

Pele Numerology

The name Pele carries the numerology number 2.

The numerology number for Pele is 2: the Peacemaker — cooperation and sensitivity. Set beside the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)', the 2 adds another layer for parents who weigh numerology when naming.

See the full meaning of number 2 on NumberAngel →

Pele & Zodiac Connection

The bold, energetic feel of Pele chimes with the fire signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, whose traits echo the name's character.

Curious what your baby's zodiac sign reveals? Explore GetMyHoro →

Names Similar to Pele

Sibling Names That Go With Pele

Try the Sibling Name Generator →

Middle Names for Pele

Pele Grace · Pele Jane · Pele Elise · Pele Sky · Pele Claire · Pele Faith

Find more with the Middle Name Generator →

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Frequently Asked Questions

+What does the name Pele mean?

Pele means '(the goddess of the volcano)'. It comes from Hawaiian and is linked with passion, warmth and transformation, which makes it a meaningful choice for a daughter.

+What is the origin of Pele?

Pele is Hawaiian in origin, from Hawaiian.

+What is the numerology number for Pele?

In Pythagorean numerology Pele reduces to 2 — the Peacemaker — cooperation and sensitivity.

+Is Pele a popular name?

Pele has stayed steadily popular, with its strongest momentum in the 2010s.

+Is Pele suitable for any gender?

Pele is most often used as a girl's name, though naming is personal and the meaning '(the goddess of the volcano)' suits any child.

+What names pair well with Pele for a sibling?

Names such as Kale, Kimo, Seraphina sit well beside Pele, sharing a complementary style.