to Brown, the name "Quaoar" is pronounced with three syllables, and Trujillo's website on Quaoar gives a three-syllable pronunciation, , as an approximation of the Tongva pronunciation . The name can be also pronounced as two syllables, , reflecting the usual English spelling and pronunciation of the deity Kwawar.

In Tongva mythology, Kwawar is the genderless creation force of the universe, singing and dancing deities into existence. They first sing and dance to create Weywot (Sky Father), then they together sing Chehooit (Earth Mother)