Why is Moana called Vaiana?

Why is Moana called Vaiana?

Elsewhere in Europe, the film has the title Vaiana, or “water cave.” Disney Spain confirmed that the name change was the result of Moana being a registered brand in Spain and other European countries. The title character throughout Europe has the name “Vaiana” instead of “Moana.”

Did they change Moana to Vaiana?

This change was reflected in the movie too, as Moana's name was changed to Vaiana due to copyright issues. However, the only difference came with Italy. Disney retitled Moana as Oceania, but the main character's name is still called Vaiana. The Oceania title refers to Moana's Polynesian real-life inspiration.

What is Moana aka Vaiana?

The name Vaiana itself can be understood in Tahitian as mean vai, or 'water' and ana, 'cave'. ... So the film 'Moana', will be Vaiana.”

Is Moana Polynesian or Hawaiian?

Although Moana is from the fictional island Motunui some 3,000 years ago, the story and culture of Moana is based on the very real heritage and history of Polynesian islands such as Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti.

What does Moana mean in German?

I was puzzled about why Disney decided to alter the title of the German release of this film. Germans would have no problem saying “Moana,” the name of the film's female titular character. ... The full title in German is Vaiana – Das Paradies hat einen Haken (Vaiana – Paradise has a snag).

What does Moana mean in French?

According to the INDAC blog, one of the creators of the cartoon, John Musker, also confirmed this information at the last Annecy Film Festival. 'Moana' is not legally available for use in most European countries and, given that 'Vai' means 'water' and 'Moana' means 'ocean', the sense is ultimately the same.

Why did they change the name of Moana to Vaiana?

• However the swap from Moana to Vaiana was claimed to be due to possible trademark issues that the name posed in Europe. With Disney Spain tweeting that “The ‘Moana’ mark is registered in Spain and in some European countries. So the film ‘Moana’, will be Vaiana.”.

Who are the Disney heroines in Moana and Vaiana?

• It is perhaps for this reason that Disney heroine is also ‘Moana’ in Russia and Kazakhstan (Моана), ‘Vaiana’ in Ukraine (Ваяна), ‘Vajana’ in Serbia and Lithuania, and ‘Oceania’ in Italy.

Where does the last name Vaiana come from?

• The name Vaiana itself can be understood in Tahitian as mean vai, or ‘water’ and ana, ‘cave’. This however clashes when you consider that her last name Waialiki contains the Hawaiian/Maori cognate word wai also meaning water.

What's the last name of the Disney Princess Moana?

• In keeping with the tradition of other Disney Princesses, Moana does not have a last name. There are some reports of the last name " Waialiki " having been heard at the original D23 announcement or seen in early promotional material, but no examples have been found to confirm this.