Names That Mean Dawn
- Lumina
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lumina is a radiant feminine name derived from the Latin word 'lumen,' meaning 'light.' This elegant name carries connotations of brightness, illumination, and enlightenment across various cultures.
- Eleonora
Origin:
Italian, German, Dutch, and Polish variation of EleanorDescription:
Makes a serious name frilly and feminine, which, depending on your viewpoint, might be a good or a bad thing. In this case, we vote good.
- Jorah
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"early rain"Description:
Jorah, a Biblical name with a lovely nature-related meaning, might make a fresher alternative to the overused Jordan. It's similar to the feminine Nora, Cora, and Laura, but depending on your viewpoint, that may be an advantage.
- Dagny
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"new day"Description:
If you're looking for a name with Scandinavian roots, this would make a stronger and more appealing import than Dagmar. With its meaning of "new day," it could make an ideal choice for a girl born around New Year's.
- Noor
Origin:
Arabic; Dutch variation of EleonoraMeaning:
"light"Description:
An interesting name associated with the elegant American-born Queen Noor of Jordan. Noor is very popular among modern Muslim parents around the world and is beginning to cross over, perhaps because of its simplicity and its resemblance to the stylish Western Nora. It appeared in the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
- Roxana
Origin:
PersianMeaning:
"dawn; or, little star"Description:
The name of the wife of Alexander the Great, more attractive than the better-known Roxanne. Roxana was first used in the English-speaking world in the 1600s and was popularized by Daniel Defoe's novel Roxana, published in 1724. An underused and attractive possibility and perfect if you're searching for names that mean new beginnings.
- Electra
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"amber, shining, bright"Description:
Though the plays by Sophocles and Eugene O'Neill and via the "Electra Complex" proposed by psychoanalyst Carl Jung, this name has, unfortunately, become associated with incest and murder.
- Eos
Origin:
Greek; WelshMeaning:
"dawn; nightingale"Description:
Eos -- that's pronounced with a short e like eros without the r -- is the Greek Titan of the dawn. Any ancient name with a sleek modern feel has definite revival possibilities. Eos could be an inventive way to honor grandma Dawn.
- Sorcha
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"bright, shining"Description:
A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the 'r' and the 'c' that's difficult for non-Gaelic speakers to reproduce. Spelled (and pronounced) Sorsha, she is a major character in the movie Willow.
- Ravi
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun; conferring"Description:
A title of the Hindu sun god, made cross-culturally famous by sitar player Ravi Shankar.
- Aleph
Origin:
First letter of the Hebrew alphabet and HebrewMeaning:
"chief, number one"Description:
Aleph came into the spotlight when chosen by Israel-born Natalie Portman for her son. Alef is a more common spelling of these related Hebrew baby names.
- Neoma
Origin:
Greek or HebrewMeaning:
"new moon; pleasantness"Description:
An obscure yet on-trend name with two wonderful meanings associated with it. Neoma is one of the freshest celestial girl names with moon-related meanings, rarer than Luna or Phoebe but with the same fluid sound.
- Leocadia
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"splendid brightness"Description:
Leocadia marries a mix of sounds: the strength of a lion, with a rhythmic Latin ending.
- Zariza
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gold, brilliantly bright"Description:
Zariza is a unique name sure to appeal to Z lovers.
- Neri
Origin:
Hebrew or GreekMeaning:
"my candle; ocean spirit"Description:
A simple but unusual name with roots in disparate cultures, Neri appears in the Bible as a male name and is still sometimes used for boys as well as girls. The appeal of Neri are its deep roots combined with its simple, upbeat, modern feel, ala Peri and Rory.
- Arla
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"early"Description:
While Arla has a literal meaning in Swedish, its roots as a name are probably more closely related to such names as Arlene or Orla. Arla is among the girls' Top 1000 names in the UK.
- Ayelet
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"deer, gazelle"Description:
Ayelet is an unusual -- and somewhat challenging -- Israeli name familiar thanks to sometimes controversial Jerusalem-born novelist-essayist Ayelet Waldman.
- Savita
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"sun, rouser, stimulator"Description:
Lively and bright, Savita is among the most popular Hindi names for girls, and one that could easily immigrate.
- Luz
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"light"Description:
Pronounced LOOSE, this name that refers to the Virgin Mary—"Our Lady of Light"—is one of the most widely used Spanish name for girls. Its sleekness and stylish final z gives it a modern appeal, like sister name Lux. Nicknames and variations include Chitta, Lucecita, Lucelida, Lucelita, Lucha, Lucida, Lucila, Lusa, and Luzana.
- Beacon
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"signal light"Description:
A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.
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