Kiritapu is a Māori female name with a deeply spiritual meaning, composed of the elements kiri ("skin") and tapu ("sacred"). The name thus translates to "sacred skin" and poetically denotes a "virgin" or "unmarried" woman, reflecting the traditional Māori view of virginity as a state of being both physically and spiritually set apart.In Māori culture, the name embodies the concept of tapu — a sacred, restricted quality attributed to people, places, and objects. Kiritapu would have been given to a girl held in high regard, possibly indicating her role atop of future prestige or her connection to a whakapapa (genealogy) with significant status.Notable bearers of the name include Kiritapu Allan, a New Zealand Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament. Allan, born in 1984, represented the East Coast electorate and held portfolios such as Justice and Fisheries. She is one of a small number of Māori women to have held senior ministerial roles, and her name Kiritapu — along with the cultural references it carries — has been occasionally highlighted in public discussions about Māori identity.Though not extremely common, Kiritapu is known as a distinctive Māori name that upholds traditional values. It stands alongside other Māori names composed of sacred or meaningful particles, like Kiriwa and Tapu. As Māori renaissance efforts encourage the use of indigenous names, Kiritapu is occasionally chosen by parents who wish to embed spiritual or historical resonance in their child's identity.Key FactsMeaning: "Sacred skin," interpreted as "virgin" or "unmarried"Origin: MāoriType: Feminine given nameUsage Region: New ZealandRelated Names: Kiri, Tapu, KiriwaSource: Behind the Name / Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand