Koa
Koa Origin and Meaning
The popularity of the Biblical Noah has led to a rise in Koa for boys, and since it boosted Noa up the charts for girls too, it was only so long before the rhyming Koa caught on as a unisex possibility. While it remains predominantly masculine and is given to boys 10 times more often in the states, a not insubstantial 114 girls were called Koa in a recent year.
A Hawaiian name with a fierce meaning, Koa is also a type of tree native to the islands whose wood is favored for building canoes and surfboards. Considered sacred to some, the tree was used historically to make weapons, making it synonymous with strength and warriors. Both adventurous and gentle, Koa is a pleasingly balanced choice.
Sound-wise, it translates easily onto any gender, though for those not of Hawaiian heritage, it is worth bearing in mind its use as a traditionally masculine name.