Choosing a name for your little one is a delightful journey filled with meaning and significance. If you’re drawn to the idea of radiance and warmth, names that mean “light” can be a perfect choice.
From classic and popular names like Lucy and Lucas to unique and culturally rich options like Akari and Svetlana, this guide explores an array of names that embody brightness and illumination.
These names not only shine with beauty but also carry a hopeful and inspiring message.
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Popular Baby Names Meaning Light
Lucas: A Latin name meaning “light-giving” or “illumination.”
Claire: Of French origin, this name means “clear” or “light.”
Eleanor: Derived from the Old French, meaning “shining light.”
Chiara: An Italian name meaning “clear” or “bright.”
Helen: Of Greek origin, meaning “bright” or “shining one.”
Robert: This Germanic name translates to “bright fame.”
Elena: Of Greek origin, meaning “shining light.”
Lucy: Derived from Latin, meaning “light.”
Clara: A Latin name meaning “bright” or “clear.”
Norah: A name with Latin roots, meaning “honor” or “light.”
Albert: Of German origin, meaning “noble” and “bright.”
Elaine: A name of Greek origin, meaning “shining light.”
Leora: Hebrew origin, meaning “light.”
Fiona: Of Gaelic origin, this name means “white” or “fair.”
Phoebe: A Greek name meaning “shining” or “radiant.”
Unique Names That Signify Light
Aine: An Irish name meaning “brightness” or “radiance.”
Liora: Of Hebrew origin, meaning “my light.”
Svetlana: A Slavic name meaning “light” or “pure.”
Niamh: An Irish name referring to “bright” or “radiant.”
Zia: Of Arabic origin, meaning “light” or “splendor.”
Oran: A name of Aramaic origin, meaning “light” or “pale.”
Meira: A Hebrew name meaning “giving light.”
Nura: Of Arabic origin, translating to “light.”
Raiden: A Japanese name meaning “thunder and lightning.”
Oriol: Catalan origin, meaning “golden” or “light.”
Dawn: English origin, symbolizing the first light of the day.
Alina: Of Slavic origin, meaning “bright” or “beautiful.”
Solara: Derives from Latin, meaning “of the sun.”
Lucian: A Latin name meaning “light.”
Roxana: Of Persian origin, meaning “dawn” or “light.”
Ancient Names with the Meaning of Light
Apollo: Greek mythology name associated with the sun and light.
Thea: Greek origin, meaning “goddess” or “divine light.”
Eos: In Greek mythology, the goddess of dawn.
Horus: An Egyptian god of the sky and light.
Helios: From Greek mythology, meaning “sun” or “light.”
Lucifer: Of Latin origin, meaning “light-bringing.”
Aurora: Roman goddess of dawn, symbolizes the light of daybreak.
Chandra: Of Sanskrit origin, meaning “moon” or “moonlight.”
Jupiter: Roman god associated with the sky and light.
Sirius: A Greek name for the brightest star in the night sky.
Sol: Of Roman origin, meaning “sun” or “light.”
Selene: Greek moon goddess associated with light.
Hyperion: Greek Titan of light.
Radiance: Derived from Latin radiantem “shining, beaming.”
Enlighten: Meaning “to illuminate” from Old English.
Modern Names Inspired by Light
Lux: Of Latin origin, meaning “light,” a sleek and modern choice.
Neon: Inspired by vibrant neon lights, a very modern choice.
Halo: A modern name symbolizing a luminous circle of light.
Beacon: Meaning “a signal of light,” suggests guidance and hope.
Lumen: Inspired by the Latin word for “light,” often used in modern contexts.
Zohar: Hebrew origin, meaning “sparkle” or “radiance.”
Twila: Derived from “twilight,” indicating the gentle light between night and day.
Prism: Inspired by the dispersal of light rays, unique and modern.
Glint: A modern name that refers to a brief flash or sparkle of light.
Rayen: A contemporary name meaning “flower” or “light” in Mapuche.
Lys: Short and modern, derived from the French word for light.
Illumina: Evokes the idea of bringing light or being illuminated.
Flash: Represents bright, quick light, often used in a modern context.
Glowe: A modern spin on the word “glow,” indicating radiance.
Arc: Evoking images of lightning arcs, a strong modern choice.
Gender-Neutral Names Meaning Light
Avery: Of English origin, meaning “ruler of the elves” and associated with light.
Jordan: A Hebrew name meaning “to flow down” or linked with brightness.
Sky: English origin, associated with the vast blue expanse and light.
Quinn: Irish origin, meaning “chief” or “wise,” often associated with enlightenment.
Rowan: Gaelic origin, meaning “little red-haired one,” linked to light.
Shiloh: Hebrew origin, meaning “tranquil” or linked to peace and light.
Riley: Of Irish origin, meaning “valiant” and associated with brightness.
Ellis: Of Welsh origin, meaning “benevolent,” linked with the concept of light.
Sasha: A name of Russian origin, meaning “defender” and associated with radiance.
Dylan: Welsh origin, meaning “son of the sea,” often linked to natural light.
Casey: Irish origin, meaning “brave” or “vigilant,” connected with brightness.
River: English origin, symbolizing the flow of light and life.
Elliot: Of English origin, meaning “the Lord is my God” and associated with light.
Taylor: Of English origin, once meaning “tailor,” now linked with light in modern contexts.
Finley: Of Scottish origin, meaning “fair-haired warrior,” linked to brightness.
Cultural Names That Translate to Light
Akari: A Japanese name meaning “light” or “brightness.”
Lucero: Of Spanish origin, meaning “light” or “star.”
Anwar: An Arabic name meaning “light” or “luminous.”
Bodhi: Sanskrit origin, meaning “awakening” or “enlightenment.”
Ner: A Hebrew name meaning “candle” or “light.”
Usha: Of Sanskrit origin, meaning “dawn” or “light.”
Eldad: Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my light.”
Surya: Of Sanskrit origin, meaning “sun,” associated with light.
Roshni: A Hindi name meaning “light” or “brilliance.”
Tuscan: Italian origin, inspired by the bright Tuscan sun.
Leocadia: Of Greek origin, meaning “bright” or “white light.”
Niamh: Irish origin, meaning “bright” or “radiant.”
Svetlozar: Slavic origin, meaning “light” or “shine.”
Ori: Hebrew origin, meaning “my light.”
Marisol: Spanish origin, meaning “sea and sun,” linked to light.
Nature-Inspired Names with Light Meanings
Ray: English origin, referring to a beam of light.
Dawn: Representing the first light of day, English origin.
Sunna: Old Norse origin, meaning “sun,” associated with light.
Luz: Spanish origin, directly translating to “light.”
Aurora: Roman origin, representing the dawn light.
Star: English origin, representing the twinkling lights in the sky.
Flare: Related to a sudden burst of light or fire.
Jasper: Persian origin, meaning “bringer of treasure,” linked to light.
Sunny: English origin, suggesting brightness and cheerfulness.
Lynx: An animal known for its reflective eyes, illuminated in the dark.
Shimmer: Indicates a soft, wavering light.
Corona: Referring to the outer layer of the sun, often seen as a halo.
Nova: Means “new,” but also refers to a star showing a sudden increase in brightness.
Rayleigh: Refers to Rayleigh scattering, the scattering of light.
Celeste: Latin origin, meaning “heavenly,” linked to the celestial light.
Names Meaning Light from Different Mythologies
Apollo: Greek god associated with the sun and light.
Ra: Egyptian sun god, representing light and warmth.
Freyr: Norse god associated with sunlight and fair weather.
Sol: Roman sun god, symbolizing solar light.
Savitri: Hindu goddess of the sun and light.
Helios: Greek Titan of the sun, often depicted driving a sun chariot.
Amaterasu: Japanese sun goddess, embodying light and divinity.
Lugh: Irish god of light and sun.
Arinna: Hittite sun goddess, a symbol of light and warmth.
Illios: Greek mythical personification of the sun.
Tonatiuh: Aztec sun god, representing the sun’s light.
Inti: Incan sun god, central to light and life.
Mitras: Persian god of light and truth.
Huitzilopochtli: Aztec god of the sun and war, embodying light.
Artemis: Greek goddess of the moon, often depicted with light.
Short and Sweet Names That Mean Light
Lux: A simple and elegant name meaning “light.”
Ray: An English name meaning “beam of light.”
Zia: Of Arabic origin, meaning “light” or “splendor.”
Lea: Short and sweet, meaning “weary” but often used for “light” in modern contexts.
Leo: Latin origin, often associated with “light” and “lion.”
Ara: A name of Arabic origin, meaning “brings rain,” symbolizing light.
Nia: Meaning “bright” or “purposeful,” a sweet choice.
Ola: Of Scandinavian origin, meaning “ancestor’s relic” or “light.”
Day: An English term symbolizing daylight or brightness.
Bea: Short for Beatrice, often associated with “brightness” and “light.”
Avi: A Hebrew name meaning “my father” but symbolizing light in modern uses.
El: Meaning “God” or “light,” often used in compound names.
Sol: A simple name of Spanish origin, meaning “sun” or “light.”
Kay: A name of Greek origin, meaning “pure” or linked with light.
Fay: Of English origin, meaning “fairy” or often linked with “light.”
Celebrity Baby Names Meaning Light
Luna: Chosen by Chrissy Teigen and John Legend for their daughter, meaning “moonlight.”
Diya: Actress Vidya Balan named her baby Diya, a name meaning “lamp” or “light.”
Lucia: Chosen by tennis player Andy Roddick and model Brooklyn Decker for their daughter, meaning “light.”
Helena: Chosen by actor Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky for their daughter, meaning “bright” or “shining one.”
Cyrus: Actor Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes chose this name, meaning “sun” or “light.”
Aurora: Chosen by actress Holly Marie Combs for her daughter, meaning “dawn” or “light.”
Levi: Actor Matthew McConaughey chose this name for his son, meaning “joined” and often linked to “light.”
Stella: Chosen by actress Ellen Pompeo, meaning “star” and linked to light.
Sunny: TV personality Adam Housley and actress Tamera Mowry chose this bright name for their daughter.
Neo: Chosen by South African actress Charlize Theron for her child, meaning “new” but linked with light.
Leora: Singer Pink chose this for her daughter, meaning “light” in Hebrew.
Elio: Chosen by actor Jonny Lee Miller, meaning “sun” or “light.”
Beacon: A unique choice by musician Beck, meaning “signal light.”
Halo: Modern singer Beyoncé chose this name, symbolizing a circle of light.
Soleil: Jamie Oliver, the chef, chose this name, meaning “sun” in French.