Updated November 2023
Across 10 pages
of 10
Arabic
"source of light, beacon, torch"
A soft and sweet unisex Arabic name with an international sound, Mishal can also be spelled as Mishaal. British broadcaster Mishal Husain is a notable bearer.
Latin
"light"
Lito is an onomatopoeia of a name: a name that sounds like what it means. A modern bearer is Lito Sheppard, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback. Lito might also be a short form of such names as Carlito…
American variation of Machiavelli, Italian
"bad nail; king of light"
Makaveli was an alias of Tupac Shakur — his posthumous album, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory , was released under the pseudonym. The album was released in 1996, following his death, and the…
Turkish
"hazel light"
Not, as you may be inclined to think, a variation of Eleanor. Elanur is a modern Turkish compound of the names Ela (meaning "hazel") and Nur ("light.")
Finnish; Malagasy
Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.
African
"light or jungle"
Simple, delicate, and unusual.
Basque variation of Luciana, Italian and Spanish
All the femininity of Luciana, with added zing.
Dutch variation of Nora, Irish or Greek
The use of the Dutch name Nore may be inspired by Nora, of which it is a variation. As a male name, Nore is related to Nori, the founder of Norway in Norse mythology.
Russian
"bright shining light"
A light and lovely Russian diminutive of Yelena (Helena), now used in its own right in Russia. Also spelt Alyona.
Feminization of Loan, French
The feminine form of Loan — which is derived from the saintly name Elouan — gained attention in France thanks to Loana Petrucciani. She was a contestant on the reality TV show Loft Story , the French…
English elaboration of Lucia or Lucy
Lace-hankie name with Shakespearean pedigree.
English
"light of the fairies"
Calls to mind the twinkling strands of bulbs found during the winter holidays and in college dorm rooms.
Dutch from Hebrew
"city of the king; king of light"
The least used of the Three Wise Men's names, but a strong option for bold namers to consider. The exact origins of Melchior are unknown, but it is speculated that it derived from either the Hebrew…
French
"Light of the World"
Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations. Seventeenth century French novelist Nicolas des Escuteaux used the name for the…
German, “the rosy light of the setting or rising sun on high mountains”
Sanskrit
The slightly complex spelling of this Sanskrit name belies its sweet and simple sound.
Japanese
"light snow"
Hebrew
"light of God"
Unisex name in Israel, ideal for a Hanukkah baby.
A bit blunt.
"I have a light"
Spelling variation of Lior.