Names That Mean Light

Blær is a rare Icelandic name meaning "light gust or breeze" that made headlines due to one family's battle to be allowed to use it for their daughter. Iceland has strict name laws and it is not permitted to use a traditionally male name for a girl. The name was only finally allowed when she was 15 years old. Blær is also a (female) character in a novel by the famous Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness.

Latona is the Roman equivalent of Leto, the Greek goddess of light. These days Leto feels more modern for a baby girl, but Latona retains its appeal.

All the femininity of Luciana, with added zing.

Calls to mind the twinkling strands of bulbs found during the winter holidays and in college dorm rooms.

Once a truly gender-neutral name in Israel, now used more often for boys. You may also consider Ora, Orli, or Orit.

Blær is a rare Icelandic name meaning "light gust or breeze" that made headlines due to one family's battle to be allowed to use it for their daughter. Iceland has strict name laws and it is not permitted to use a traditionally male name for a girl. The name was only finally allowed when she was 15 years old. Blær is also a (female) character in a novel by the famous Icelandic writer Halldór Laxness.

A soft and sweet unisex Arabic name with an international sound. British broadcaster Mishal Husain is a notable bearer.

A Turkish compound of the Arabic names Nisa and Nur. It also appears on the Turkish Top 100 as a double-barreled first name, Nisa Nur.

A feminine form of Ashwin, linked to the twin Hindu gods of the sunrise and sunset, the Ashwini. Ashvini is also the name of the first star that appears in the evening sky in Hindu astronomy.

The slightly complex spelling of this Sanskrit name belies its sweet and simple sound.

Lucero is a relative or nickname of Luz, meaning light. This intriguing name is swimming just beneath the Top 1000 for girls in the US, but is used for boys too. It is especially popular in Latin America.

Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.

A soft-spoken Indian girl name with a radiant meaning.

This is Catalonia's native form of Lucy, but parents today tend to prefer the Spanish version Lúcia.

The slightly complex spelling of this Sanskrit name belies its sweet and simple sound.

The Faroese term for "ray of light", seen as a feminine name on the Faroe Islands.

It's pronunciation is identical to that of Lucian, but this spelling makes it appear to rhyme with "cushion," so we suggest sticking with the original.