Taika

Taika is a given name of Māori origin that is used in New Zealand and beyond. The name has gained international recognition largely through public figures who bear it, helping introduce Māori naming to a wider audience. In modern usage, Taika is associated with people in creative fields and the arts, among others.

The most prominent bearer is Taika Waititi, a New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian who achieved international recognition in the 2010s. Waititi directed and wrote a number of notable films, including What We Do in the Shadows (2014), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), and Jojo Rabbit (2019). His work is known for blending humor, fantasy, and Māori cultural elements, and for helping bring Māori storytelling to a global audience. Waititi has also contributed to television projects and has been involved in various behind-the-scenes roles in contemporary cinema.

Beyond Waititi, Taika appears as a given name for other individuals in different fields, and it occasionally appears in fictional contexts. As a name, Taika reflects cultural heritage and, through its notable bearers, has become part of broader discussions about identity, storytelling, and representation in popular culture.