The name Pele is of Hawaiian origin and it means "slanter." In Hawaiian mythology, Pele is the goddess of volcanoes, fire, wind, and lightning. She is said to reside within the Halema'uma'u crater in Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii Island.
Pele's story begins with her birth as the youngest child of Haumea and Kane Milohai. Her older siblings, namely Namakaokaha'i and Kamohoali'i, were born before her. As Pele grew up, she became known for her power and strength. She was able to move mountains and create islands with ease.
Legend has it that Pele fell in love with Lohi'au, a handsome chief of Hawaii Island. However, her older sister Namakaokaha'i became jealous of their love and attempted to kill Lohi'au by turning into a shark and swallowing him whole. Pele turned into a shark herself and fought against her sister until she was able to retrieve Lohi'au's body from Namakaokaha'i's stomach.
Pele then brought Lohi'au back to life using her healing powers, but he remained weakened. In order to restore his strength, Pele took him to the crater of Kilauea Volcano where they lived together for some time. However, their happiness was short-lived as Namakaokaha'i returned and stole Lohi'au away from Pele.
Heartbroken, Pele vowed revenge against her sister. She pursued Namakaokaha'i across the islands, creating mountains and volcanoes in her wake. Their final confrontation took place at Ka Lae, where they engaged in a fierce battle that lasted for days. In the end, Pele emerged victorious but exhausted. She returned to Kilauea Volcano and made it her home, where she remains today.
The name Pele has gained popularity as a given name in recent years, particularly among parents who appreciate its unique sound and cultural significance. It is often chosen for its strong association with power, strength, and creation. However, it's important to note that using this name may carry some cultural weight due to its origins in Hawaiian mythology. Those who choose the name Pele should do so with respect and awareness of its deeper meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Pele has seen fluctuations in popularity over time in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the data:
* In 1973, there were 5 newborns named Pele.
* The name experienced a slight increase in popularity in 2002 with 6 newborns being given the name.
* It reached its peak popularity between 2005 and 2012, with an average of 7 births per year during this period.
* After a brief dip to 5 births in 2019, the name Pele maintained consistent popularity with 8 births in 2011 and 7 births in both 2012 and 2018.
In total, from 1973 to 2019, there were 52 newborns named Pele in the United States. While the name's popularity has varied over time, it remains a recognizable choice for parents, with a consistent number of babies being named Pele each year since 2005.