Names That Mean Light

  1. Jelena
    • Origin:

      Russian, Serbian, Croatian, Estonian
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      A pretty international form of Helena used in many Slavic languages, also sometimes spelled Yelena.
  2. Orel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light of God"
    • Description:

      Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
  3. Nour
    • Origin:

      Variation of Noor, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Noor is the prevailing spelling of this beautiful Arabic name, while Nour is preferred in many European countries, including France and Spain.
  4. Noor
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      More commonly seen as a girl name, where it has roots in both Arabic and Dutch. The masculine variation of Noor is Arabic and used in Islamic communities.
  5. Nera
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "candle, light"
    • Description:

      Because of its meaning, this is a symbolic name given to girls born on Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.
  6. Lucasta
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "pure light"
    • Description:

      Lucasta was invented by seventeenth century poet Richard Lovelace for a collection of poems dedicated to a lover named Lucy, and is familiar through the Eugene O'Neill play and film Anna Lucasta. Lucasta is a distinctive, rarely used choice and a logical extension of the Luke/Luc/Luca names.
  7. Norabel
    • Origin:

      Combination of Nora and Belle
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful light"
    • Description:

      Blended name sometimes heard in the early decades of the twentieth century.
  8. Azenor
    • Origin:

      Breton form of Elinor or Helen
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.
  9. Nóra
    • Origin:

      Hungarian variation of Nora, Irish, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "light"
  10. Lior
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "I have a light"
    • Description:

      Lior connects with several factors stylish for Israeli names: It's short, it's unisex, and it has an uplifting nature theme. Lior might make a more modern spin on Leah.
  11. Alpenglow
    • Origin:

      German, “the rosy light of the setting or rising sun on high mountains”
  12. Ademir
    • Origin:

      Portuguese, German
    • Meaning:

      "famous wealth"
    • Description:

      A handsome Portuguese name derived from the old Germanic saint's name Audamar or Otmar. Especially common in Brazil.
  13. Beacon
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "signal light"
    • Description:

      A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.
  14. Hélène
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      French form of Helen
  15. Clarimond
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Light of the World"
    • Description:

      Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations.
  16. Zia
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      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.
  17. Alyona
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Yelena, Russian
    • Meaning:

      "bright and shining light"
    • Description:

      New name in the pool of international names, added by lovely supermodel Alyona Osmanova.
  18. Shyne
    • Origin:

      Variation of Shine; English word name
    • Meaning:

      "to give out a bright light"
    • Description:

      This alternative spelling to the word name Shine was given to 54 baby boys in 2022 — more than the original spelling. Shyne is the stage name of a rapper and Belizian politician — full name Moses Michael Levi Barrow — who currently holds the position of Leader of the Opposition in Belize.
  19. Dark
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "without light"
    • Description:

      Grimes and Elon Musk put this name on the map in 2022, when they revealed their daughter's name was Exa Dark Sideræl. Until that point, Dark had not been recorded as a given name, although it resembles more established names such as Mark and Lark.
  20. Damar
    • Origin:

      Indonesian
    • Meaning:

      "resin; light"
    • Description:

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