Keanu

“The coolness”; also interpreted as “the cool breeze”.

Keanu carries the refreshing image of coolness. Its Hawaiian parts are ke, “the”, and anu, “coolness”; “the cool breeze” is a familiar interpretation of the name. The quieter idea of cooling air gives it a spacious, restful appeal without needing an elaborate story. In Hawaiian usage, Keanu can be a name for either a boy or a girl, while English usage also establishes it as a boys’ name. Hawaiian /keˈa.nu/ has three syllables, ke-a-nu, with the middle one stressed. English /kiˈɑnu/ starts with a different vowel, the sound heard in “key”. Keeping the Hawaiian opening e audible gives each vowel its own place. The firm k then gives way to an open a and rounded u, a flowing sequence that suits the name’s fresh imagery.

Etymology: From Hawaiian ke, the definite article, and anu, coolness. The familiar cool-breeze translation develops that cooling image.