From Proto-Polynesian *puŋa (“coral rock”) (compare with Hawaiian puna (“coral, lime, plaster, calcium”), Tahitian puʻa (“coral, lime”), Tongan punga, Samoan puga) from Proto-Oceanic *buŋa (“white, porous coral or growth”) (compare with Fijian vuga), from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buŋa ni batu (“coral sponge, lit. 'stone bloom'”) extension of Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *buŋa (“flower”) (compare with Malay bunga and bunga karang (“sponge”)). Doublet of pungapunga and pua.