Alternatives to Aurora

Aurelia is an ancient Roman name that's become a surprise hit in the contemporary world. A top favorite on Nameberry, it reentered the US Top 1000 in 2014 after a 70-year absence and continues to climb.

Aureliana is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'aureus' meaning 'golden' or 'gilded.' It's the feminine form of Aurelianus, which was a Roman family name associated with the emperor Aurelian.

Aurelie is the delicate French variation of Aurelia, one of the most improbable popular names of recent years. Both versions of the name are lovely, but it might be difficult to insist that Americans pronounce Aurelie the attractive French way rather than like plain old orally.

Aurembiaix was an impressive medieval countess, whose father Ermengol fought for her to inherit his lands, title and estate. Aurembiaix later fought for her right to succeed her father, and being a skilful negotiator was able to convince her local nobles to back her, despite being a woman. She later saved her city from invaders by dressing local women in men's clothing to give the appearance of greater military might. A year before she died she married Pedro, exiled prince of Portugal. When she died, she had no children and therefore she was the last of her dynasty.

A pretty addition to the Au-girl names like Audrey, Aurora and Autumn. The beginning Aur syllable, which often relates to gold, makes this an appropriate and one of the more unusual names for autumn babies.

An airy variant of the Finnish name Aura, which derives either from the Greek "aura" (breath; breeze) or from Old Norse "aurr" (earth; clay). It is also sometimes encountered as a short form of Aurora or Aurelia.

Auria is a highly unusual choice with a pleasant aura. As cousin names Aurelia and Aurora become more prominent, as we predict they will in coming years, Auria will get some attention too.

Auriel is a Roman name that was revived during the nineteenth-century craze for unique names. Could make an interesting substitution for the popular Aurora or Ariel.

Auriella is a feminine name with Latin roots, derived from 'aurum' meaning 'gold.' It can be viewed as an elaborate form of Aurelia or a combination of Auri (golden) with the popular feminine suffix 'ella.' This elegant, melodious name has gained modest attention in recent years as parents seek names with both classical roots and contemporary appeal. Auriella's four syllables create a flowing, romantic quality that fits current trends for elaborate feminine names. While still uncommon, it has seen increasing usage in the United States since the 2010s. The name carries associations with precious materials, light, and brightness. Its golden meaning conveys qualities of value, radiance, and warmth, making it appealing for parents seeking a name with both substance and beauty.

The Early Americans invented names too, sometimes variations of classical or biblical favorites. This one appears in Colonial rosters; the Aur beginning is Latin and means "gold."

Aurita is a feminine name with Latin origins, derived from 'aurum' meaning 'gold,' suggesting someone precious or golden. It can also be considered a diminutive form of Aura, meaning 'gentle breeze' or 'soft air.' In some cultures, particularly Spanish and Portuguese, Aurita might be used as an affectionate form of names containing 'aur-' elements. The name has a melodic, romantic quality with its flowing vowels and gentle consonants. Aurita remains quite uncommon as a given name, offering distinctiveness while still being relatively intuitive to pronounce. The name's connection to gold and light gives it luminous, positive associations, suggesting a bright, precious quality for its bearer.

Aurla is a rare feminine name with Celtic origins, possibly related to the Irish name Órla or Órfhlaith, meaning 'golden princess' or 'golden lady.' It may also be connected to Latin-based names associated with 'aurum' (gold), such as Aurelia or Aurora. This uncommon name has a mystical, ethereal quality enhanced by its melodic sound. Despite its rarity in contemporary usage, Aurla carries an ancient dignity and evokes images of golden light and nobility. The name's brevity coupled with its flowing pronunciation gives it a distinctive charm that balances uniqueness with accessibility. For those seeking a name with Celtic heritage and an elegant sound, Aurla offers a beautiful and unusual choice.

Aurore is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning 'dawn.' It's the French form of Aurora, the Roman goddess of the morning. The name evokes images of daybreak, new beginnings, and golden light. In French-speaking countries, particularly France and Canada, Aurore has maintained steady popularity over the centuries. The name carries an air of classic elegance and natural beauty. Its literary connections include the protagonist of George Sand's novel 'Histoire de ma vie.' While less common in English-speaking regions, Aurore offers an alternative to the more widely used Aurora. The name's soft sounds and romantic associations give it a timeless quality. Parents might choose Aurore for its subtle French sophistication or meaningful connection to light and renewal.

To most, the name Austra is most likely to be connected to Australia (or Austria), but to Latvians, Austra was the goddess of the dawn.

A beautiful name which is well used in India, and certainly has the potential to catch on elsewhere too.

We give Briar Rose its own page thanks to the down-to-earth name of Princess Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty. Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen named their newborn daughter Briar Rose, but we like Briar and Rose better when used separately. Read more about Briar Rose and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

Celeste is a softly pretty and somewhat quaint name with heavenly overtones, which kids might associate with Queen Celeste of Babar's elephant kingdom. She's a light and lovely choice that's finally getting noticed.