Moana Pasifika
/ˈmɔːana pəsiˈfika/noun
A name meaning “Pacific Ocean” or “Pacific peoples,” used by a professional rugby organization representing Pasifika communities.
Did you know?“Moana” comes from a widespread Polynesian word for the ocean or open sea, while “Pasifika” is a modern Pacific identity term shaped from “Pacific.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Polynesian
Proto-Polynesian
*moana
“Ocean, deep sea, or open water”
Traditional Polynesian languages
Polynesian
moana
“The sea or ocean; the word remains widespread across Polynesia”
Modern Māori and related usage
Māori
moana
“Ocean, sea, or large body of water”
16th Century
Latin
pacificus
“Peace-making or peace-bringing, from pax, “peace,” and facere, “to make””
16th–17th Century
English
Pacific
“The Pacific Ocean; named by Magellan’s expedition for its apparently calm waters”
20th–21st Century
English/Pasifika usage
Pasifika
“A modern term referring to Pacific Island peoples, cultures, and communities”
21st Century
English
Moana Pasifika
““Ocean Pacific,” used as the name of a professional rugby organization representing Pasifika identity”