Cat Names That Mean Light

While this is an ancient male name, it's too similar to modern girls' choices like Mia and Pia to work for a boy today.

New name in the pool of international names, added by lovely supermodel Alyona Osmanova.

Akari is a feminine name in Japan but gender-neutral in the US, with a slight edge as a masculine name.

A warm, sunny, and extremely rare name, even within its native France. Idalie would be especially perfect to honor an Ida.

Means "moonlight" in Tamazight.

Masculine short form of the Berber name Tiziri, meaning "moonlight" in Tamazight.

Sunna was a mythological goddess of the sun. As a mythology name that easily translated into English yet is unique and uplifting, Sunna feels like an all-around winner.

This gender-neutral Indonesian name feels familiar but unique. Damar is also used among African-American parents for boys.

Valo, an unusual entry in the o-ending category, can work for girls in the US. On Nameberry, it's especially popular among visitors from Bangladesh.

Old-fashioned nickname for Nora, Honora, Eleanor, Noreen... or any name with that "nor" sound.

Simple, delicate, and unusual.

An attractive and rare alternative to Luke and Luca. Lucan is the Irish variation.

A modern spelling of a vintage nickname.

Commonly associated with the Japanese beverage company Asahi, which produces a beer by the same name.

Beguiling cousin of Sahara.

A warm and simple alternative to Luna, derived from Latin lumen "light".

Phonetic anglicisation of the popular Scottish name Eilidh, a relative of Eleanor or Helen.

Spelling variation of Lior.

Norse god who's the son of light plus historic diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld and author Dag Solstad combine to boost this Nordic name's appeal, but this could be difficult in English-speaking countries where the obvious tease will be "daggy Dag."

Though it was derived from a feminine name, Kamari is more popular among baby boys in the US. However, with the rise of unisex Amari on the girl's charts, Kamari is feeling stylish as well.