Fijian Names and Meanings

How Fijian names work

Fijian (vosa vakaviti) is not a Polynesian language, though it is a close cousin and shares many words. Sky is lagi in both Fijian and Samoan, and water is wai in both Fijian and Hawaiian. The spelling looks unusual because the missionary alphabet uses single letters for sounds that English writes with two. C is pronounced th as in the, so Timoci is tee-MOH-thee and Ilisapeci is ee-lee-sah-PEH-thee. B is mb, D is nd, G is ng as in singer, and Q is ng-g as in finger. Adi is AH-ndee, not AH-dee.

Most Fijians carry a Christian first name in Fijian form, Jone for John, Mere for Mary, Tevita for David, Sera for Sarah, and a family name that is often a village or clan name. Native word names such as Senikau (flower), Talei (precious), and Loloma (love) are used especially for girls.

Adi and Ratu

Adi and Ratu are not given names but titles of chiefly rank, placed before the name. Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and Adi Kuini Speed are examples. Bulou is the equivalent of Adi in parts of Viti Levu, and Tui marks a paramount chief. They are listed here because visitors often meet them as names, and because families of rank do use them in everyday address.