Names That Mean Light

Playful and contemporary but with a solid and international sound, Zahli may be considered a diminutive from a variety of names including the floral Azalea, Rozalia, and Rosalie, the Arabic Zahra, and the Hebrew Zahara. Zali, Zahlie, and Zahlee are alternative spellings.  

Zahli

A variation on the Arabic name Nouran, Nurana combines nur meaning "light, radiance" with the suffix -an meaning "of, like", to create a name symbolic of beauty, and, in Islamic tradition, of understanding faith to God. 
 
Nurana is a familiar choice in Azerbaijan and made the Top 100 in 2015 and 2017. Notably borne by actress Nurana Bagiyeva, Nurana is also the name of a cosmetics company and two artificial islands in Bahrain.

Nurana

This radiant name of Sanskrit origin is used in Indonesia as a strictly feminine form of the unisex Cahya. Derived from the element chāyā meaning "light, reflection, shadow", in Indonesian, it usually interpreted as meaning "light".

Cahyani

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

Dritan

Deriving from the classic Helen, Elina one of the numerous popular variants across Europe. This particular spelling is used in Azerbaijan

Eli̇na

A popular choice for boys in China, Mingze recently ranked at #4 when it was given to 13,175 boys. As with many Chinese names, the meaning varies depending on what characters are used, but some possibilities are "tea tree + benevolence", "bright, light +  radiance", and "clear  + lake".




Mingze

A Danish name relating back to the Greek Apollo. 

Abelone

Combining the elements laʻa meaning "sacred, holy" and kea meaning "clear, bright, white, La'akea is a name with a vibrant feel to it. The name was chosen by actress and former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and her husband Travis Browne for their first daughter in 2021.

La'akea

Predominantly used as a masculine name in Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK, Luan is occasionally given to girls too. As such, it may be seen as a variation of Lua, meaning "moon" in Portuguese, a contracted form of Luann/e (meaning "light and grace" or "battle maiden's grace"), a leonine Albanian name, or an alternative to French and Breton Elouan (or Louan) meaning "light".


Luan

A sunny, charming Romanian name that would make for a stylish but distinct alternative to Eliana.

Ilinca

The mythological Hellen, ancestor of the Hellenic aka Greek people, was actually male, a relative of sun god Helios. Today, there are no baby boys named Hellen though the Hellen spelling is hot for girls.

Hellen

Derived from the Albanian word dritë, meaning "light", Drita is an Albanian name that could also translate well internationally.

Drita

A feminized form of Melchior, the name of one of the Biblical Magi (or Three Wise Men) and therefore associated with Christmas. 

Melchiora

Nohar

A distinctive and interesting variation of Lucia, used as post as a nickname and as a given name in Slovenia. 

Lučka

A combination of Angela and Ellen with a celestial meaning

Angelanell

Deriving from the Greek word phos meaning "light", Photina is a variation of Photine, 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. Photina could even make an interesting middle name to honor someone who enjoyed gardening or photography. 
 
Fotini and Foteini are alternative forms.

Photina

A rhythmic name of Sanskrit origin, Cahaya is unisex name though it is predominantly used on girls. Derived from the element chāyā meaning "light, reflection, shadow", in Malay and Indonesian, it usually interpreted as meaning "light". The streamlined form Cahya may also be used.

Cahaya

Sweet and sparky, Isla-Rae has been appearing in the latter end of the England and Wales Top 1000 since the mid-2010s. Combining stylish Isla with mid-century favorite Rae, it could be interpreted to mean "island of ewes", "wise protector of the island" or "island of light rays", depending on which origin you follow for Rae. 

Isla-rae

A bright and floral feeling smoosh name, combining  Elín and Rós. It is a modern Icelandic creation that would be pronounced with a rolled R. 