Baby Name Meanings
Names That Mean Hope
Across 11 pages
of 11
Apollonia
Feminine variation of Apollo, Greek mythology name
"destroyer, strength; father's light"
This name of a third-century Christian martyr has an romantic, appealing feel in the modern world. It first came to American attention via Prince's love interest in the film Purple Rain . It could…
Arpina
Armenian
"rising of sun"
Has a nice fresh, early morning meaning, but not the most mellifluous of sounds. Also spelled Arpineh.
Bhaskara
Sanskrit
"shining"
An epithet of the sun and the Hindu god Shiva, also borne by a 12th century Indian astronomer. Bhaskar, a common Indian surname, is related.
Cymbeline
Celtic
"sun lord or sun hound"
The title of a Shakespeare play based on legends featuring the early Celtic King Cunobelinus, whose name derives from the Gaulish sun god Belenus.
Cyra
Persian or Greek
"sun or throne, or lord"
Cyra is an unusual name that can be pronounced either SEER-a or SI-ra, rhyming with Keira or Tyra. This name may be a feminine variation of Cyrus but is also a Persian name that stands on its own.…
Elidi
Greek
"gift of the sun"
Elidi is intriguing but potentially confusing. Try the French Elodie instead.
Idalia
Greek, Germanic
"behold the sun; work, labor"
A pretty, if unusual choice for a summer baby, particularly a girl with an ancestor named Ida. An epithet of the goddess Aphrodite, Idalia is derived from the Greek place name Idalion. It may also be…
Helio
Spanish
"the sun"
More familiar to English speakers in the Italian Elio form.
Kalinda
Hindi
"sun"
This lovely, rhythmic Hindu nature name relates to the mythical Kalinda Mountains, from which a sacred river flows. Kalinda Sharma is a major character on the TV show The Good Wife , making Kalinda…
Kiran
Sanskrit
"ray of light"
Though it sounds like a modern invention, Kiran is a traditional Hindu name from India; chosen for her son by actress Kelli Williams. Author Kiran Desai is a woman and this name, which bears a…
Mirri
Australian Aboriginal
"the sun"
This cute as a button name stems from the Goonayandi word for the sun and can be used as a unisex name.
Mehri
Persian
"kind, lovable, sunny"
English speakers might want to pronounce this lovely name like the familiar Mary or Merry, but the correct Persian pronunciation includes the h -- meh-ree.
Oriana
Latin
"dawn; gold"
Oriana is a dashing medieval name, with a meaning similar to Aurora. At this point, though, Oriana is much more unusual than Aurora and makes a unique choice if you're searching for names that mean…
Ra
Egyptian
"sun"
The name of the sun god of Egyptian mythology could only be used in combination with a longer name.
Salana
Latin
"sun"
Related to the more common Solana, Salana has a pleasantly rhythmic pan-cultural feel.
Sampson
Hebrew
"sun"
This name, once considered overly powerful due to the superhuman strength of the biblical figure, is now an option for parents in search of an unusual route to Sam. But you really don't need that p:…
Savita
Hindi
"sun, rouser, stimulator"
Lively and bright, Savita is among the most popular Hindi names for girls , and one that could easily immigrate. Derived from the name of the Hindu god Savitr, Savita is a sunny choice, that more…
Sol
Spanish
"sun"
Although pinochle-playing partner Sam came out of retirement, we don't see it happening to Sol. Near soundalike Saul has more of a shot. Sol was also a Roman god/personification of the sun, and an…
Solaris
Latin
"of the Sun"
A surprisingly modern word name, only recorded since the 20th century, Solaris is also the title of a 1961 science fiction novel by Polish author Stanisław Lem, which has been adapted for the big…
Sulien
Welsh
"sun born"
Said to be the name of the most learned man in ancient Wales, in this country it would be open to mispronunciation, making it rhyme with Julien.