One Letter Switch Transforms This Disney Princess Name into Something New

Today, many names are created by simply combining sounds that parents find appealing. However, most names have specific etymologies that reveal their meanings, which some parents consider very important when naming their child. They must be careful with the spelling, as even minor alterations can shift a name’s meaning entirely.

Indeed, there are names that sound similar but carry different meanings. Take “Élodie” and “Mélodie” for instance; the former means “property” in Latin or “wealth,” while the latter means “song” in Greek. This divergence in meaning can also occur with names that sound the same but are spelled differently. For example, “Hélio” means “sun” in Greek, and although “Elio” is used today as a derivative of “Hélio,” it originally could be seen as a derivative of “Elijah,” which means “the Lord is my God.”

A Disney princess name also exhibits this phenomenon: Moana, known as Vaiana in the original version. This is a Tahitian unisex name meaning “ocean,” fitting perfectly with the character who adventures across the sea in the animated film. Few know, however, that there is a homophone, “Mohana.” By simply adding an ‘H’ between the first and second syllables, its meaning shifts dramatically to “delightful, charming,” originating from Sanskrit.

It’s worth noting that these names are not common in the United States. Moana emerged in the mid-1990s and has never been among the most popular names, though its usage increased after the movie’s release. According to recent data, 2021 saw the name peak in popularity, given to 71 girls. For boys, the name is even rarer, with its highest attribution in 2024 – only 15 instances. In total, 265 boys and 725 girls have been named Moana in the country, making it a rare name, but not as rare as Mohana. While Mohana is popular in India, it has been given to only 52 girls since record-keeping began here.