Cancer Baby Names Make a Splash

Updated Fri Jun 20 2025

Much like people born under the sign of the crab, Cancer baby names are warm and lovable. Cancer is the most sensitive and nurturing sign of the zodiac, so a Cancer child would do well with a name that speaks to their kindness and compassion.

You could, for example, consider a name that means friend, like Ruth, Khalil, Koda, or Amity. Alternatively, names such as Carys ("love"), Ezra ("help"), Althea ("healing"), and Galen ("calm") have meanings that honor a Cancer's caring qualities.

The Sun is in Cancer from June 21st–July 22nd, so Cancer is both the first of the water signs and the first sign of the summer. Names that mean water like Kai or Rafferty, along with summer names such as Sunny and Flora, are ideal for a young crab.

You may also consider a name connected to one of Cancer’s many symbols, including names that mean moon and names that mean mother relating to the maternal qualities associated with the sign.

If you're a Cancer yourself — known for bringing warmth, sensitivity, and family-oriented values to the baby naming process — check out your own name style and naming preferences in your Cancer Namer profile. This guide will allow you to reflect on your own strengths and struggles in the business of naming a baby, as well as provide a plethora of tips and tricks on how to balance your strong spirit with a partner of any other zodiac sign.

If you’re searching for a name for your Cancer-to-be, consult our full guide, below:

Top Cancer Baby Names

Cancer is the only sign of the zodiac to be ruled by the moon and not a planet. Luna, the Latin word for “moon” and the name of the Roman moon goddess, was one of the fastest-rising girl names of the 2010s and currently sits in the Top 20 in the US.

Luna could then be the perfect name for a Cancer daughter, as it shows strength, femininity, and has a pleasant, engaging feel. Other familiar, moon related choices include Phoebe, Ayla, and Selena.

Cancer’s months, June and July, inspire popular Cancer names such as June, Juniper, Julian, and Juliet, while the Summer season might lead you to Cyrus, Samson, or Sol. Alternatively, you could go for something floral to reflect the sunny days, like Poppy and Rose, Lily and Magnolia, the latter two being specifically associated with Cancer.

While we don't recommend using Cancer itself, for obvious reasons, you could try honoring the sign of the crab by considering a beachy name. Ocean, Caspian, Cove, and Kai are some stylish favorites.

Here, names for Cancer babies within the US Top 300:

Cancer Girl Names

Cancer is the most feminine of all the zodiac signs, being ruled by the moon, a maternal force. Goddess names would be ideal for a daughter born under the sign of the crab, particularly one connected to the moon, women, or fertility. Parvati is the name of the Hindu goddess of love and fertility, while the Norse goddess Freya is associated with femininity. Juno has a double connection to Cancer, being the name of the Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth and the namesake for the month of June.

There's also Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, and Umaya, a multicultural choice associated not only with the goddess Parvati, but also with the Turkish Umay, the goddess of fertility and motherhood. From its Arabic roots, however, Umaya might also mean mother!

The birthstones associated with Cancer include Pearl, Opal, Ruby, and Emerald, any of which would make a lovely name for a Cancer daughter. You've also got any of the Margaret variations, meaning "pearl", though we particularly like Margot, Mairead, Margalit, and Peggy.

The most notable flower connected to Cancer is the white rose, but white flowers of all varieties are meaningful to the sign. This makes Daisy, Jasmine, and Camellia worthy options.

Famous Cancer women with names that may inspire you include Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, singer and performer Solange Knowles, and painter Frida Kahlo. There's also singer Ariana Grande, education and human rights advocate Malala Yousafzai, and Princess Diana Spencer.

Below, our picks for the best names for Cancer girls:

Cancer Boy Names

As both a water sign and a summer sign, water names are very fitting for a Cancer child. There are a number of inspired options for boys, including the unisex nature names Lake and River, and names with subtler ties to the water, such as Dylan, a Welsh name meaning "born of the ocean", Malik, a Greenlandic name which means “wave”; and Rayan, an Arabic name meaning “land that is lush and rich in water.”

Gentle, summery boys names with connections to nature may also appeal for a Cancer baby. Elio ("sun"), Florian ("flower"), Otar ("meadow"), Marlow ("driftwood") and Kiran ("sunbeam") are subtler options, while word names like Shore, Wren, Sunny, Azure, Sky, and Kite are less so.

If soft and unisex names aren't for you, then you could honor another of Cancer's traits: their tough, protective outer shell. An popular choice would be William meaning "resolute protection", though it has variations like Gwilym and Willem too. There's also Edmund ("fortunate protector"), Raivo ("wise-protector"), Alastair ("defender of men") or Bastion ("fortification").

Notable Cancers with distinctive names include South African civil rights hero Nelson Mandela, actor Sylvester Stallone. Henry David Thoreau — writer, philosopher, and abolitionist —was a Cancer as well, and his most famous work, Walden would make a great name too. If you prefer something more grounded, however, Alan Turing, Ernest Hemmingway, George Orwell, and Robin Williams were also borne under the crab sign.

Below, our favorite names for Cancer boys:

Unique Cancer Baby Names

The beginning of Cancer season often coincides with the summer solstice, as it does this year. Solstice is a nouveau bohemian name, given to 17 girls in 2024 —though it has been used for boys in the past. While it would be a lovely name for a Cancer child born on any date, it would be especially meaningful for a baby born near the turn of the season.

Silver is both the color and metal associated with Cancer, make shiny names such as Latin Argento ("silvery"), Welsh Eirian ("silver"), Arabic Lujayn ("silver"), and even Silver itself ideal for a baby born under the sign.

Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac, so names connecting to the number are well-suited for a Cancer child. Quade and Tetra are attractive options, as is Delta, which doubles up as the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a watery name.

The symbols surrounding Cancer could provide more unique possibilities: it's considered a sign that wants action, also known as a Cardinal sign — Cardinal being a celebrity name that has seen some use in recent years. There are also some rare moon-related choices out there, like Moon itself, but also Sarangerel ("moonbeam"), Nilay ("moon over the Nile"), Isildur ("servant of the moon"), and Lunaria ("moonlike"). There's even Soluna, if you want to honor both the summer and moon aspects of the sign.

Unique Cancer baby names were given to fewer than 150 babies in the US in 2024. Below, a selection of stylish options:

About the Author

Sophie Kihm

Sophie Kihm's Personal Website

Sophie Kihm has been writing for Nameberry since 2015. She has contributed stories on the top 2020s names, Gen Z names, and cottagecore baby names. Sophie is Nameberry’s resident Name Guru to the Stars, where she suggests names for celebrity babies. She also manages the Nameberry Instagram and Pinterest.

Sophie Kihm's articles on names have run on People, Today, The Huffington Post, and more. She has been quoted as a name expert by The Washington Post, People, The Huffington Post, and more. You can follow her personally on Instagram or Pinterest, or contact her at sophie@nameberry.com. Sophie lives in Chicago.