Where does “Kainoa” come from?

Kainoa (Hawaiian) comes from Hawaiian kā, from Proto-Polynesian taʻa, from Proto-Austronesian taqan — to hold back; to keep in reserve.

Ancestry of “Kainoa”, step by step

Kainoa traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Hawaiian kā

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Hawaiiankāto strike, hit, thrust, dash, hurl; container;...
2Proto-Polynesiantaʻa—
3Proto-Austronesiantaqanto hold back; to keep in reserve

via Hawaiian inoa

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Hawaiianinoaname; term; title
2Proto-Polynesian*hiŋoa—
Every word from Proto-Austronesian taqan →Every word from Proto-Polynesian taʻa →Every word from Hawaiian kā →
Kainoa — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer