Baby names that mean "light" just seem perfect for a newborn boy or girl — because what baby isn't the epitome of light? They are pure, bright joy and deserve a brilliant name that will inspire their path in life.
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We rounded up some names that are unique — but not all names that mean 'light' are unusual. Our list includes familiar classics like Abner, Lucy and Dawn. There's something for everyone here.
Boy names that mean light
- Abner: A Hebrew name meaning “father of light”
- Anwar: This Arabic name means “light”
- Apollo: From Greek mythology, Apollo was the god of light, music and poetry
- Beacon: Meaning “signal light,” this name has Old English roots
- Chand: This Hindi name means “moon, light”
- Epifanio: A Spanish name, this means “bringing light”
- Ivar: Meaning “light,” this name has Hebrew origins
- Jomei: This Japanese name means “spread light”
- Kiran: A Hindi name, this means “beam of light”
- Lucian: Of Latin origins, this name means “light”
- Ner: Meaning “candle or light,” this name has Hebrew roots
- Oran: With Aramaic or Gaelic roots, this means “light”
- Pradeep: This Hindi name means “light”
- Uri: Meaning “my light,” this name has Hebrew origins
- Zain: A Hindi name, this means “godly light”
Girl names that mean light
- Alina: A Greek name, this means “light”
- Aonani: This Hawaiian name means “beautiful light”
- Ciana: Meaning “light,” this name has Italian roots
- Dawn: Of Old English origins, this name refers to the first appearance of light
- Ellen: This Greek name means “sun, ray, shining light”
- Ilene: Variation of a Greek name meaning “light”
- Ilona: A Hungarian name, this means “light”
- Leora: This Greek name means “compassion, light”
- Lucy: Meaning “light,” this name has Latin origins
- Luz: A Spanish name, this means “light”
- Mahina: This Hawaiian name means “moonlight”
- Meira: Meaning “light,” this name has Hebrew roots
- Nura: An Arabic name, this means “light”
- Oralee: Meaning “my light,” this name has Hebrew origins
- Phoebe: From Greek mythology, this name means “brilliant, radiant”
- Thea: She was the Greek goddess of light
- Zia: This Arabic name means “light, splendor”
- Ziv: Meaning “radiance or light of God,” this name has Hebrew roots
Whether you choose your baby’s name based on its meaning, or how it flows with a potential middle name or your last name, these are an excellent starting point. If you pick a more unusual first name, you might consider a classic middle name such as Anne or James, and vice-versa. Check your family tree for contenders, too.
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Originally published July 2013. Updated February 2017.