If you’re like most soon-to-be parents, then you’ve probably been sitting there for months trying to think of the perfect baby name for your little one – or at least one that both the mother and father can agree on.
And while you might have some names on your list, nothing’s been highlighted yet.
So, to lighten up the mood and give you some bright new ideas to add to your stagnant list, we’re going to list 50 of our favorite baby names that mean light – or are closely associated with the concept of ‘light.’
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It makes sense, doesn’t it? I mean, they always say, ‘Children are going to light up your world,’ and, ‘Your child will become the light of your life’ – and baby names that mean light are the best way to reflect that.
Of course, there are a lot of different ways you could go about that.
For example, you can choose a name with a more direct meaning like Photios (a Greek word that means ‘light’) or go with something like Sunny (if you enjoy natural sunlight) or Apollo (the Greek God of Light).
Don’t worry – we have plenty more where that came from below, so let’s get started!
Baby Names That Mean Light – Literally
First, we’re going to take a look at 10 names that have a more direct or literal translation to ‘light’ – like the name Lucy, which is derived from the Latin name Lucia (the feminine form of Lucius, meaning ‘light’).
Just imagine calling your little one a name that reflects the warmth and brightness they bring into your life!
And since light is often associated with goodness, purity, and positivity, names that mean light will inspire your little one to adopt those qualities and will create a positive impression throughout your child’s life.
With that said, here are 10 of our personal favorite names that mean ‘light.’
10. Lucia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lucia means “light” or “the light” in Latin. It is the feminine form of the name Lucius, which was derived from the Latin word “lux” meaning “light.”
Famous People: Saint Lucia of Syracuse (a Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution), Lucia Berlin (American short story writer), Lucia Popp (Slovak operatic soprano), Lucia Mendez (Mexican telenovela actress, singer, and film producer), Lucia Rijker (Dutch professional boxer and kickboxer)
9. Lucy
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lucy means “light” in Latin, and is derived from the same Latin word (“lux”) as Lucia and Lucius.
Famous People: Lucille Ball (iconic American actress, comedian, and producer), Lucy Liu (American actress known for her roles in TV), Lucy Hale (American actress and singer), Lucy Maud Montgomery (Canadian author who wrote ‘Anne of Green Gables’), Lucy Lawless (New Zealand actress), Lucy Boynton (British-American actress)
8. Nera
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: In Hebrew, Nera (נֵרָה) means “candle” or “light.”
Famous People: Nera Stipičević (Croatian actress and singer), Nera White (American basketball player who was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sport), Nera Smajic (Bosnian-born Swedish former football defender)
7. Orion
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion. The name is often associated with the constellation and its bright stars.
Famous People: Orion Samuelson (American broadcaster and agricultural journalist), Orion Weiss (American pianist who has performed with major orchestras), Orion Ben (British actress), Orion Hindawi (American entrepreneur and co-founder of Tanium), Orion P. Howe (drummer boy in the Union Army)
6. Elaine
Origin: Old French, Greek
Meaning: derived from the Old French name Hélène, which in turn comes from the Greek name Ἑλένη (Helénē), meaning “torch” or “light.”
Famous People: Elane Paige (English singer and actress), Elaine Stritch (American actress and singer), Elaine Chao (American politician who served as the U.S. Secretary of Labor and U.S. Secretary of Transportation), Elaine May (American comedian, film director, and screenwriter), Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaican sprinter and Olympic gold medalist)
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5. Kiran
Origin: Sanskrit (commonly used in India and other parts of South Asia)
Meaning: Ray of Light, Beam of Light
Famous People: Kiran Bedi (Indian social activist and retired Indian Police Service officer), Kiran Desai (Indian author who wrote ‘The Inheritance of Loss’), Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Indian entrepreneur), Kiran More (former Indian cricketer and wicketkeeper), Kiran Rao (Indian film producer, screenwriter, and director)
4. Eleanor
Origin: Old French, Greek
Meaning: derived from the Old French name Aliénor, which itself is thought to come from the Provençal name Aliénor, meaning “the other Aenor,” with Aenor being an old Germanic name of unknown meaning. Some theories also suggest it might be related to the Greek name Helen, meaning “light” or “torch.”
Famous People: Eleanor Roosevelt (former First Lady of the United States), Eleanor of Aquitaine (one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages), Eleanor Tomlinson (English actress), Eleanor Parker (American actress nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Actress)
3. Jomei
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Jomei (譲明) can mean “clear and bright,” with “jo” (譲) meaning “to yield” or “modesty,” and “mei” (明) meaning “bright” or “light.”
Famous People: Emperor Jomei (34th emperor of Japan who reigned from 629 to 641), JoMei Chang (computer scientist and technology business executive)
2. Lucinda
Origin: Latin
Meaning: derived from the Latin word “lucius,” which means “light.” Lucinda is often considered a more elaborate form of the name Lucy.
Famous People: Lucinda Williams (American rock, folk, blues, and country music singer), Lucinda Childs (American postmodern dancer, choreographer, and actress), Lucinda Dickey (American actress and dancer), Lucinda Franks (Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and author), Lucinda Bassett (American self-help author)
1. Lior
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Lior (לִיאוֹר) means “my light” or “I have light,” combining the Hebrew words “li” (לי) meaning “to me” or “my” and “or” (אוֹר) meaning “light.”
Famous People: Lior Ashkenazi (Israeli actor and comedian), Lior Suchard (Israeli mentalist and magician), Lior Eliyahu (Israeli professional basketball player), Lior Rosner (Israeli composer), Lior Narkis (Israeli singer famous for his pop and Mizrahi music)
Sun-Inspired Names That Mean Light (Sunlight)
Artificial light is one thing, but we can’t put together a list of baby names that mean light without highlighting some of the brightest names related to the sun – the world’s most powerful source of light.
It’s the perfect way to welcome your little ray of sunshine into this world!
And since the sun rises and sets daily, it symbolizes new beginnings and endless possibilities – making these names an inspiration for your child to take life one day at a time and always rise to the challenge.
On that note, let’s take a look at some of our favorite names that mean light – sunlight, of course!
10. Iliana
Origin: Greek
Meaning: derived from the name “Eleni” or “Helene,” which means “light” or “torch.”
Famous People: Iliana Papageorgiou (Greek fashion model and TV personality), Iliana Raeva (Bulgarian rhythmic gymnast and coach), Iliana Fox (Mexican actress), Iliana Iotova (Bulgarian politician and current Vice President of Bulgaria), Iliana Bozhanova (Bulgarian singer and actress)
9. Elio
Origin: Greek (derived from the Greek name Helios, the god of the sun in Greek mythology)
Meaning: Sun, Sunlight
Famous People: Elio Di Rupo (Belgian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Belgium), Elio Germano (Italian actor), Elio Petri (Italian film director and screenwriter), Elio Vittorini (Italian writer and novelist), Elio de Angelis (Italian Formula One driver)
8. Sunny
Origin: English
Meaning: derived from the English word “sunny,” which describes a cheerful, bright, and happy disposition.
Famous People: Sunny Deol (Indian actor, director, and producer), Sunny Mabrey (American actress and model), Sunny Anderson (American chef and television personality), Sunny Ozell (American singer and songwriter)
7. Helios
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun, often depicted driving a chariot across the sky, bringing daylight to the world.
Famous People: Helios Gomez (Spanish painter, graphic artist, and poet), Helios Creed (American musician and guitarist), Helios Fernandez (Colombian actor)
6. Sol
Origin: Latin, Spanish
Meaning: derived from the Latin word “sol,” meaning “sun.”
Famous People: Sol Campbell (former English footballer and manager), Sol Hurok (Russian-American impresario), Sol LeWitt (American artist linked to various movements), Sol Kaplan (American composer for film and television), Sol Kerzner (South African hotel magnate)
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5. Apollo
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Apollo is one of the Olympian deities, the son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis. He is associated with many aspects, including the sun, light, music, poetry, healing, and prophecy.
Famous People: Apollo Robbins (American sleight of hand artist), Apollo Crews (American professional wrestler), Apolo Ohno (American retired short track speed skating competitor), Apollo Papathanasio (Greek singer and musician), Apollo Quiboloy (Filipino pastor and the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ)
4. Surya
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: In Hindu mythology, Surya is the god of the sun and the solar deity. The name is commonly used in India and other parts of South Asia for both boys and girls.
Famous People: Surya Bonaly (French figure skater), Surya Sivakumar (Indian actor and producer who works primarily in Tamil cinema), Surya Sen (Indian freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement), Surya Das (American lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition), Surya Shekhar Ganguly (Indian chess grandmaster)
3. Cyrus
Origin: Persian
Meaning: derived from the Old Persian name “Kūruš,” which might have been derived from “khur,” meaning “sun” or “like the sun.”
Famous People: Cyrus the Great (founder of the first Persian Empire around 600-530 BC), Cyrus Vance (American lawyer who served as the United States Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter), Cyrus Broacha (Indian television personality), Cyrus Chestnut (American jazz pianist and composer), Cyrus Mistry (Indian-born Irish businessman)
2. Kalinda
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Kalinda means “sun” or “mountain” in Sanskrit, specifically referencing the Kalinda Mountain in Hindu mythology.
Famous People: Kalinda Vazquez (American television writer and producer), Kalinda Howarth (Australian rules footballer with the Collingwood Football Club), Kalinda Ashton (Australian author and academic), Kalinda Sharma (fictional character from ‘The Good Wife’)
1. Helia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: derived from the Greek word “hēlios,” which means “sun.”
Famous People: Helia Bravo Hollis (renowned Mexican botanist), Hélia Souza Pinto (also known as Fofão, one of the most recognizable volleyball players in Brazilian history), Helia Correia (Portuguese writer and playwright), Helia Phoenix (Welsh author and blogger)
Moon-Inspired Names That Mean Light (Moonlight)
While we’re on the topic of natural light, why not sprinkle a little moonlight into your baby’s name – giving it a poetic and ethereal quality, which is perfect for those who appreciate beauty and the imagination.
Plus, moonlight is both softer and gentler than the sun’s rays – perfect for a baby name.
Where sunlight is a symbol of vibrancy, energy, strength, power, and daytime, moonlight is a symbol of romance, rest, dreams, serenity, and nighttime. Which types of qualities do you hope to see in your child?
If you’re team moon, then you’ll absolutely love these names that mean light – moonlight, of course!
10. Luna
Origin: Latin
Meaning: In Roman mythology, Luna is the goddess of the moon, equivalent to the Greek goddess Selene.
Famous People: Luna Blaise (American actress and singer), Luna (South Korean singer, actress, and member of a girl group f(x)), Luna Leopold (American geomorphologist and hydrologist), Luna Vachon (Canadian-American professional wrestler), Luna Schweiger (German actress)
9. Selene
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Selene is the goddess of the moon, often depicted driving a chariot across the night sky.
Famous People: Selene Luna (American actress, comedian, and burlesque performer), Selene Vigil (Aemrican musician), Selene (character and the main protagonist of the Underworld film franchise, portrayed by Kate Beckinsale)
8. Jericho
Origin: Hebrew (derived from the ancient city of Jericho, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The name is often associated with biblical stories)
Meaning: City of the Moon, Moon City
Famous People: Chris Jericho (American-Canadian professional wrestler), Jericho Rosales (Filipino actor, singer, and model), Jericho Brown (American poet and writer), Jericho Shinde (Zambian former professional footballer), Jericho Jones (Israeli rock band from the 70s)
7. Kamari
Origin: African
Meaning: Kamari means “moonlight” or “like the moon” in Swahili.
Famous People: Kamari Murphy (American professional basketball player), Kamari Michael Lassiter (talented American football player), Kamari Pleasant (American football running back)
6. Cressida
Origin: Greek
Meaning: derived from the Greek name “Chryseis,” which is related to the word “chrysos,” meaning “gold.”
Relation to the Moon: Cressida is one of the moons of Uranus. It was discovered on January 9, 1986, by the Voyager 2 spacecraft during its flyby of Uranus, and it orbits Uranus at a distance of approximately 61,767 kilometers.
5. Nioma
Origin: Greek
Meaning: a form of Neoma and embodies the meaning of “new moon.”
Famous People: Nioma is a rare baby name that doesn’t get used often, but parents today can change that if they want a unique name with relation to moonlight.
4. Aydan
Origin: Turkish, Irish
Meaning: In Turkish, Aydan means ‘from the moon’ or ‘of the moon,’ but in Irish it means ‘little fire’ or ‘fiery one’
Famous People: Aydan Sener (Turkish actress and beauty queen), Aydan Calafiore (Australian singer and songwriter), Aydan Özoğuz (German politician of Turkish descent, a member of the Bundestag), Aydan Conrad (American professional gamer and Twitch streamer)
3. Titan
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, the Titans were a race of powerful deities who ruled during the legendary Golden Age. The name means ‘powerful,’ ‘strong,’ or ‘giant.’
Relation to the Moon: Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the second-largest moon in the Solar System. It is notable for its dense atmosphere and surface liquid bodies, making it one of the most intriguing objects in our Solar System.
2. Rhea
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Rhea is one of the Titans, the daughter of Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth), and the mother of the Olympian gods and goddesses including Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, and Hades.
Relation to the Moon: Rhea is one of the moons of Saturn. It is the second-largest moon of Saturn and the ninth-largest moon in the Solar System. It was discovered by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Domenico Cassini on December 23, 1672.
1. Charon
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman of Hades who transports souls across the rivers Styx and Acheron to the underworld. The name is often associated with death and the afterlife.
Relation to the Moon: Charon is the largest moon of the dwarf planet Pluto. It was discovered on June 22, 1978, by James Christy at the United States Naval Observatory, and has a diameter of about 1,212 kilometers (753 miles), making it about half the size of Pluto.
Other ‘Bright’ & ‘Illumunating’ Names That Mean Light
Alright, we gave you some names with literal translations to ‘light,’ but there are a ton of other words and name meanings that are closely related to ‘light’ – don’t you think they deserve some attention, as well?
We’re talking about words like ‘illuminating,’ ‘bright,’ ‘flash,’ and ‘shining.’
And since some of these names are too good not to add to this list – and our goal is to give you as many bright and unique ideas as possible – we’d be remiss not to include them. So, let’s take a closer look!
10. Chiara
Origin: Italian
Meaning: derived from the Latin name Clara, which means “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.”
Famous People: Chiara Ferragni (Italian fashion blogger, influencer, and entrepreneur), Chiara Mastroianni (French-Italian actress), Chiara Galiazzo (Italian singer who was featured on ‘The X Factor’), Chiara Zanni (Canadian actress and voice actress), Chiara Civello (Italian singer and songwriter)
9. Clara
Origin: Latin
Meaning: comes from the Latin word “clarus,” which means “clear,” “bright,” or “famous.”
Famous People: Clara Barton (American nurse and humanitarian who founded the American Red Cross), Clara Schumann (renowned German pianist and composer of the Romantic era), Clara Bow (American actress), Clara Zetkin (German Marxist theorist, activist, and advocate for women’s rights), Clara Hughes (Canadian cyclist and speed skater)
8. Helena
Origin: Greek
Meaning: derived from the Greek name Helenē, which is related to the word “helios,” meaning “sun” or “light.”
Famous People: Helena Bonham Carter (British actress), Helena Christensen (Danish supermodel and photographer), Helena Rubinstein (Polish-American businesswoman and cosmetics entrepreneur), Helena Paparizou (Greek-Swedish singer)
7. Bert
Origin: Germanic
Meaning: often a short form of names such as Albert, Bertram, Herbert, and Bertrand, all of which include the Germanic element “beraht” or “berht,” meaning “bright” or “famous.”
Famous People: Bert Reynolds (American actor, director, and producer), Bert Lahr (American actor and comedian), Bert Jansch (Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle), Bert Kaempfert (German orchestra leader and songwriter), Bert Blyleven (Dutch-American former MLB pitcher and current broadcaster)
6. Clarence
Origin: Latin
Meaning: derived from the Latin title Clarensis, which means “illustrious” or “bright.”
Famous People: Clarence Thomas (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States), Clarence Clemons (American saxophonist), Clarence Darrow (famous American lawyer), Clarence Carter (American blues and soul singer), Clarence Seedorf (retired Dutch footballer)
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5. Roshan
Origin: Persian
Meaning: Roshan means “bright,” “shining,” or “radiant” in Persian.
Famous People: Roshan (renowned Indian music director), Roshan Abbas (Indian media personality, radio jockey, and TV anchor), Hrithik Roshan (prominent Indian actor), Roshan Seth (British-Indian actor), Rakesh Roshan (Indian film producer and director)
4. Zara
Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Slavic
Meaning: Zara means ‘dawn’ and ‘sunrise’ in Slavic, ‘seed’ and ‘to blossom’ in Hebrew, and ‘blooming flower’ and ‘princess’ in Arabic
Famous People: Zara Tindall (British equestrian and Olympian), Zara Larsson (Swedish singer and songwriter), Zara Phillips (Zara Tindall’s maiden name), Zara Cully (American actress), Zara Noor Abbas (Pakistani actress)
3. Theia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: In Greek mythology, Theia is a Titaness and the mother of the sun god Helios, the moon goddess Selene, and the dawn goddess Eos.
Famous People: Theia (New Zealand pop singer), Theia Megia (Filipino-American singer), Theia Monique (fictional character from the novel ‘The Daughters of Theia’), Theia Wilkinson (artist and illustrator)
2. Aegle
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Aegle means “brightness” or “splendor” in Greek.
Mythology: In Greek mythology, Aegle (also spelled Aigle) was one of the Hesperides, nymphs who tended a blissful garden in a far western corner of the world, near the Atlas mountains. The name is associated with beauty and radiance.
1. Anwar
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Anwar means “luminous,” “radiant,” or “brighter” in Arabic.
Famous People: Anwar Sadat (third President of Egypt), Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysian politician who has held various governmental positions), Anwar Jibawi (Palestinian-American social media personality)
Biblical Names That Mean Light
If your family has deep religious roots, then choosing baby names that mean light can be a great way to honor your religion – especially if your family studies the Bible and follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The reason why can be found in Ephesians 5:8, which says:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Being a ‘child of light’ sybolizes living a life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, but it can also (in a more general sense) suggest a commitment to living a moral and ethical life, guided by virtues.
Either way, let’s take a look at some Hebrew and Biblical names that mean ‘light.’
10. Neriah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Neriah means “lamp of the Lord” or “light of the Lord” in Hebrew.
Relation to the Bible: Neriah is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the father of Baruch, who was the scribe and faithful companion of the prophet Jeremiah. The name appears in Jeremiah 32:12, Jeremiah 36:4, and Jeremiah 45:1.
9. Elior
Origin: Hebew
Meaning: Elior means “God is my light” or “God is my illumination” in Hebrew. It combines “El” (God) and “or” (light).
Relation to the Bible: While the name Elior itself does not appear directly in the Bible, the concept of ‘God as Light’ is prevalent in the bible. For example, Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
8. Halo
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Halo means “a circle of light” or “radiance” surrounding the head or body, often used to represent the aura or glory of a divine figure.
Relation to the Bible: In Christian art, a halo is often depicted around the heads of saints, angels, and divine figures such as Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, signifying their holiness, purity, and divine nature.
7. Uriel
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Uriel means “God is my light” or “fire of God” in Hebrew. It combines “Uri” (light or fire) and “El” (God).
Relation to the Bible: Uriel is one of the archangels in Judeo-Christian tradition and his name signifies his role as a bearer of God’s light and wisdom.
6. Ner
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Ner means “lamp” or “light” in Hebrew.
Relation to the Bible: Ner is most famously known as the father of Abner, the commander of King Saul’s army. He’s also identified as the uncle of Saul, the first king of Israel, and is mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:50-51.
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5. Nora
Origin: Latin, Greek, Arabic
Meaning: In Latin and Greek, Nora is often considered a short form of Eleanor or Honora, meaning “honor” or “light.” In Arabic, Nora (or Nura) means “light” or “illumination.”
Relation to the Bible: While the name Nora itself does not appear in the Bible, its meanings and associations with light and honor are significant in a biblical context.
4. Phoebe
Origin: Greek
Meaning: derived from the Greek word “phoibos,” which means “bright” or “pure.”
Relation to the Bible: In Romans 16:1-2, Phoebe is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans. Paul commends her to the church in Rome, highlighting her role as a deaconess and benefactor.
3. Lucius
Origin: Latin
Meaning: derived from the Latin word “lux,” meaning “light.”
Relation to the Bible: In Acts 13:1, Lucius of Cyrene is mentioned as one of the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.”
2. Uri
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Uri means “my light” or “my flame” in Hebrew.
Relation to the Bible: Uri is best known as the father of Bezalel, the chief artisan of the Tabernacle, who was endowed with divine wisdom and skill to construct the sacred space. He was mentioned in Exodus 31:2-5 and Exodus 35:30.
1. Jesus
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Jesus means “Yahweh is salvation” or “The Lord saves” in Hebrew.
Relation to the Bible: Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, revered as the Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ) prophesied in the Old Testament. John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'”
Are You Inspired By Any Of These Names That Mean Light?
Choosing a name for your baby is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding decisions you’ll make in your life – giving you the opportunity to to capture the essence of what you hope your child will embody.
And names that mean light is one of the most common themes used by parents today.
From ancient origins to modern favorites, names that mean light transcend cultures and generations, offering a timeless quality that’s as beautiful as they are meaningful – making it perfect for a baby name.
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Whether you decide to go with one of the names we outlined above or one of the many names that mean light that weren’t discussed in this article, we wish you the best in your quest for the perfect baby name!