Names That Mean Light
- Lucienne
Origin:
French feminine variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle.
- Hikaru
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"light or radiance"Description:
This name with a beautiful meaning can be used for girls as well as boys.
- Liora
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"light"Description:
A beautiful Hebrew name that would work perfectly for a child today.
- Melchior
Origin:
Dutch from HebrewMeaning:
"city of the king; king of light"Description:
The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider.
- Aelin
Origin:
Literary name, possibly inspired by Turkish or IrishMeaning:
"moon, light or desired"Description:
This character name from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas has an ancient appeal, even though it seems to be a modern coinage. It may have been inspired by similar sounding names, like the Turkish Aylin ("of the moon") or the Irish Eileen, a form of Helen or Aveline.
- Reyansh
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"ray of light"Description:
This unusual Indian name, which refers to one of the names of Lord Vishnu, has been one of the fastest-growing boys' names of the last decade. It first managed to climb into the US Top 1000 in 2014. The nickname Rey Americanizes it.
- Toula
Origin:
Greek, feminization of Fotis or FotiosMeaning:
"light"Description:
Toula came to light as the name of the heroine of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," short for Fotoula, a feminine version of Fotis or Fotios which means light. Toula is cute -- and indeed can be used as a short form of many feminine Greek names -- but it's hard to imagine Fotoula making it in the U.S. The simpler spelling Tula is also an option.
- Elaina
Origin:
Variation of Elaine or Elena,"bright, shining light"Meaning:
"bright, shining light"Description:
While both Elaine and Elena are on an upward trajectory, Elaina has shifted up and down the charts in recent years, making no big moves in either direction. Steadily used, this blend of the two could make it clearer which pronunciation is preferred.
- Elior
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"My God is my light"Description:
This appealing Hebrew name is heard in Israel, and would fit in well with all the popular El-starting names for boys, such as Elliot and Ellery. It was given to just five American boys in 2015. Also worth considering is the pretty female version, Eliora.
- Valo
Origin:
Finnish; MalagasyMeaning:
"light"Description:
Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.
- Laine
Origin:
Variation of ElaineMeaning:
"bright, shining light"Description:
Lainey is one of the many fast-rising nickname names of the last few years, and longer forms like Elaine, Alaina, and Delaney are enjoying their own bouts of popularity. Simple and tailored, but equally sweet Laine is not yet in the Top 1000, but feels stylish today.
- Senara
Origin:
Variation of Azenor, BretonMeaning:
"light"Description:
The origins of Senara, the name of a Cornish saint who is patron of the village of Zennor, are not so straightforward. Some say she was the same person as Azenor, a legendary Breton princess whose mother-in-law cast her out to sea in a trunk. Other stories say she was a mermaid turned Christian.
- Neri
Origin:
Hebrew or GreekMeaning:
"my candle; ocean spirit"Description:
A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots combined with its simple, upbeat, modern feel, ala Peri and Rory.
- Luz
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Pronounced LOOSE, this name that refers to the Virgin Mary—"Our Lady of Light"—is one of the most widely used Spanish name for girls. Its sleekness and stylish final z gives it a modern appeal, like sister name Lux. Nicknames and variations include Chitta, Lucecita, Lucelida, Lucelita, Lucha, Lucida, Lucila, Lusa, and Luzana.
- Meyer
Origin:
German surname or HebrewMeaning:
"landlord, farmer; bringer of light"Description:
Favored by first-generation Jewish families from the affluent Guggenheims to criminal-producing Lanskys; now Meyer is pretty much relegated to poolside gin games in Boca.
- Lucio
Origin:
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese variation of LuciusMeaning:
"light"Description:
About 100 baby boys were named Lucio in the US last year, a number we expect to increase with the growing popularity of all names in the Lu family. It's a family united by sound, with three main branches.
- Nuri
Origin:
Arabic or HebrewMeaning:
"light or my fire"Description:
A name used in the Middle East but that could easily work in the US. As a girls' name, Nuri can also be a short form of Nuria.
- Luca
Origin:
Italian variation of Luke and LucasMeaning:
"light or man from Lucania"Description:
Very much a boy's name in Italy, it's beginning to be seen as a unisex possibility here: actress Jennie Garth used it for her daughter. When spelled Lucca as in the Italian city, it can also be considered one of the place names along with Venezia, Roma, and Milana that make great Italian names for girls.
- Elouan
Origin:
Breton and FrenchMeaning:
"light"Description:
This beautiful Breton saint's name peaked at #127 in France in 2006. It's still in the Top 500 there today, but remains almost unknown outside of France.
- Hannelore
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"grace + god is my light"Description:
A pretty and substantial German smoosh name, a combination of Hanne and Eleonore. Most popular in Germany from the 1930s to the 1950s. Former German Chancellors Helmut Kohl and Helmut Schmidt both had wives named Hannelore.