Kāne is a Hawaiian name meaning "man," a cognate of Tāne. In Hawaiian mythology, Kāne is a prominent creator god and the highest of the three major deities, alongside Kū and Lono. Etymology The name is derived from Proto-Polynesian *taane, meaning "man." While the Māori form Tāne is associated with forests and the creation of mankind, in Hawaii, Kāne holds the role of the supreme creator, associated with dawn, sun, and sky. Mythological Significance Kāne is described as the god of procreation and was worshipped by both chiefs and commoners. Unlike many Polynesian deities, Kāne did not require human sacrifice; worship involved offerings of food and noes. According to the Kumuhonua legend, Kāne created the Earth, sea creatures, plants, and finally the first man and woman. The creation story, as recounted in William Westervelt’s Legends of Hawaii, begins with an endless black chaos called Po. Kāne, alone in this void, created three heavens and then shaped the earth man and woman, first Ku and Hina. Related Names Kāne is a variant of the Polynesian root Tāne and shares its etymology with Taine from Māori. In Hawaiian lore, Kāne and Tāne are essentially the same deity under different local names, reflecting the diversified pantheon across the Pacific. Meaning: "Man" Origin: Hawaiian (Polynesian) Type: First name Usage Regions: Hawaii, Polynesia