Names That Mean Bright

A Robert nickname out of use for hundreds of years, but now sounds cooler than Bob or Rob for a modern boy.

A vowel-rich Māori name with a natural meaning. New Zealand is known in Māori as Aotearoa, which can be translated as "land of abiding day" or "land of the long white cloud".

White-haired hero of the manga and anime series Bleach.

The name of a male lunar deity in Maori mythology, Marama is nevertheless now used as a female name in New Zealand – no doubt because its warm sound lends itself to contemporary feminine trends. In Tahitian, it means "bright, clear".

Bardolph is an antiquated German name that was used by Shakespeare for several minor characters. Short form Bardo, a Buddhist term for a Limbo-like state, would be more familiar and more fashionable today.

The surname Benz derived from the personal name Berthold and was used as a short form of Bernhard and Benedict as well. A small number of American boys are given Benz as a first name each year, likely in homage to the luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz. The company was named after Karl Benz, inventor of the world's first practical automobile.

Kouki is an uncommon choice in Japan today, but it's been used for several anime characters.

A medieval French feminine form of Humbert, also found as Humbeline.

Dutch form of Gisbert

Fulbert comes from the same root as Fulbright, as in the prestigious fellowship. A unique name not prized by 21st century parents.

Wybert is a medieval variation of the Old English name Wigberht, from the components wig, meaning "battle," and beorht, "bright."

Slightly awkward girl's version of a straightforward male name.

Occult name for babies born under water signs -- Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.

A variant of Alyona, which itself originated as a nickname for Yelena, a variation of Helen.

Pretty and feminine Arabic name.

Probably related to Gilbert, from the same Germanic root: gisil, meaning "pledge" or "hostage". The Gis- syllable may also derive from Celtic gaiso "spear".