Names That Mean Light

While Ina is typically used as a feminine diminutive of Martina, Carolina, and similar, it may also be considered a Chamarro name, associated with light, and a variation of the Russian saint name, Inna, borne by one of the first Russian holy martyrs.

An understandably popular compound name in Indonesia, Nurhayati combines the Arabic Nur meaning "light" with the Indonesian and Malay Hayati meaning "my life". Together, they make for a beautiful name with the poetic meaning of "light of my life" or more simply, "light my life". Nurhayat and Nurhəyat are the Turkish and Azerbaijani forms of the name, while Norhayati and Noorhayati might be alternative spellings.

Nurhayati

Bright and brilliant, Nuramirah is a Malay compound name, blending two popular names, both of Arabic origin. Comprised of Nur, meaning "light", and Amirah, meaning "commander, princess, leader", it may be interpreted to have the slightly poetic meaning of "commander of light" or "princess of light".
 
Also spelled as Noramira and Nuramira, and less oftern as Noramirah, it is used predominantly in Malaysia and Singapore.

Nuramirah

A Malay compound name, blending Turkic Aslan with the popular Arabic Nur, this name may be interpreted to mean "lion of light". Also written as Nurazlan and Nor Azlan, it has a bright and powerful feel.

Norazlan

A powerful and pretty compound name, blending the two popular Arabic names: Nur and Amira. Used predominantly in Malaysia and Singapore, the name may also be transcribed as Nuramirah and Noramira, the latter being used in Thailand too.
 
The two elements mean "light" and "commander, leader, princess" respectively, and come together to mean "commander of light" or "princess of light".

Nuramira

Seaella is a newly created compound name, pairing the word "sea" with the suffix -ella. Similar in sound to Sienna, Ciella, and Sierra, it has various meanings, depending on which form of Ella you choose to consider.
 
From its Germanic roots, the name could mean "the sea is all" or "completely the sea", while from its English origins, "sea fairy maiden" could be an option. Alternatively, it you view Ella as a diminutive of Ellen or Elena, then "light of the sea" or "shining sea" may work. However, -ella can also just be a feminizing suffix, so "sea, ocean" is an equally legitimate meaning.
 
Appearing in birth announcements on social media, Seaella has yet to feature in any official stats.

Seaella

Bjarmi is a gentle and glowing name of Icelandic origin, which translates to "shine, gleam of light". An alternative theory is that it comes from the name of the Finno-Ugric people, the Permians, also called the Bjarmians in a number of Norse sagas. In this case, the name could mean "far-away land", "edge, verge", or "traveling-merchant". 



Bjarmi

A Finnish contraction of Marja-Leena, which was a popular choice in the 1940s and '50s. 
 
Marleena shares the same roots as Marlene, making it a combination of Mary and Magdalen, however, it could also be viewed as a blend of Mary and Helen, or as a spelling variation of Marlena.

Marleena

Also transcribed as Nuramira and Nuramirah, this name combines the popular Arabic names Nor (or Nur) and Amirah. Meaning "light" and "commander, princess" respectively, they come together to form a bright and regal feeling name, that may be interpreted as meaning "commander of light".
 
This form is used predominantly in Malaysia and Thailand.

Noramira

A radiant Slavic name with an easily accessible sound. While it is reminiscent of the more familiar Svetlana, Svetla actually originates from the Bulgarian word svetal, meaning bright.

Svetla

A bright and sunny double name, blending Luz, a Spanish name meaning "light" and associated with a title for the Virgin Mary, and the international feeling Elena, a variation of Helen. Also appearing as Luz-Elena and Luzelena, a notable bearer is actress Luz Elena González.

Luz elena

Derived from the Albanian word dritë, meaning "light" is also seen in the spelling Dritan. 

Driton

With a hint of Jane and Jolene about it, Jolaine is in fact a compound name, blending any Jo- name with Laine (or Elaine). The meaning varies depending on which name you choose to take Jo- from, but options include "Jehovah increases the light" (Joseph/Josephine), "God is gracious light" (Joanne/a), or "pretty shining light" (Jolie).
 
Also a nickname for the botanical Marjolaine, the name was used quietly throughout the 20th century.

Jolaine

The titular character of a tragic poem by Edgar Allen Poe set in a lonesome October. Ulalume may be representative of death itself, making the name feel gothic and otherwordly. The etymology is uncertain, but Poe may have derived it from the Latin ululare meaning wailing or lumen a light symbolizing sorrow.

Ulalume

A dramatic classical name connected to the god of medicine and archery, we think just Apollo is a more wearable choice for a modern boy — though this longer form does fit in with the likes of Aurelius, Augustine, Persephone, and Leonidas if you did want a big name for your baby.
 
Significant namesakes include Apollonius of Tyana, the 1st-century Greek philosopher and religious leader, Apollonius of Perga, an ancient Greek geometer and astronomer known for his work on conic sections, and Apollonius of Rhodes, the ancient Greek author of the Argonautica, an epic poem about Jason and the Argonauts. Apollonius is the Latinised form of the name, while the Greek original is Apollonios.

Apollonius

A pretty but powerful name of Persian origin, Roshanara combines Roshan with the element ārā to create the subtly spiritual yet also nature-inspired meaning "to adorn with light". In Indian, it is associated with Roshanara Begum, the daughter of the 17th century Mughal emperor and builder of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan. Another notable bearer was the 20th century dancer, Olive Craddock, who used Roshanara as her stage name and famously brought Indian dance techniques to Britain and America.

Roshanara

Roselene blends a botanical classic with a German diminutive of Helene or Magdalene. As such, it could be interpreted as meaning "shining light of the rose" or perhaps "rose of the tower, rose of Magdala".
 
Also used as the Haitian spelling of the French Roselène, Roselene was popular in Brazil in the mid-20th-century and may additionally be used as an alternative spelling of Rosaline ("soft, tender horse" "tender to horses").

Roselene

Deriving from the Greek word phos meaning "light", Photine is a rare choice with a Biblical link. The name of the Samaritan woman in "Jesus and the Woman at the Well" (John 4), Photine is associated with Jesus's mercy and love, and with spreading the word of God.
 
From a more secular point of view, the name is reminiscent of photosynthesis or photograph, lending it a hint of arty-ness and a connection to nature. It could even make an interesting middle name to honor someone who enjoyed gardening or photography. 
 
Photina, Fotini and Foteini are alternative forms.

Photine

A bright name of Sanskrit origin, Cahyo is a strictly masculine form of the unisex name Cahya. Derived from the element chāyā meaning "light, reflection, shadow", in Indonesian, it usually interpreted as meaning "light".

Cahyo

Lucifer not cool enough for you? Then you might want to pivot to this arguably badder-boy alternative with the X in the middle. Bonus advantage: Nickname Lux.