Branding

ke ("the") + koa ("warrior or brave one") is most commonly a given name, often for males, from Hawai'i.

Choosing a name didn't come easily; there are a lot of considerations to be made. To me, Kekoa was about tying my Aotearoa New Zealand heritage to my US background, appreciating that there is a connectedness through the languages of the Pacfic (Māori included), and noting that Kekoa is synonymous with my name, Alexis, which means defender of mankind (a warrior).

From many years of study, I am aware of the importance of cultural respect and appropriation, seeking advice and clarification before landing on this name.