Brilliant Names That Mean Light

Argider is a somewhat used boys' name in Basque-speaking parts of Spain. 

Argider

Asterope is an undiscovered name that has three wonderful nature connotations: 1) (from its meaning) lighting; 2) it is a type of butterfly 3) it is the name of an asteroid. Asterope is a great name for those looking for something similar to Penelope or Aster, but even more unusual.

Asterope

A pretty addition to the Au-girl names like Audrey, Aurora and Autumn. The beginning Aur syllable, which often relates to gold, makes this an appropriate and one of the more unusual <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/351/names-for-autumn-babies">names for autumn babies</a>.

Auretta

One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.

Azenor

One bright spot: famous namesake Threepenny Opera playwright Berthold (later known as Bertolt) Brecht. 

Berthold

The name of medieval French saint, similar to Sally Field's name, Bertrille, on the old The Flying Nun sitcom, leading some to expect the word "Sister" in front of it.

Bertille

One step up from Irwin, and that's not nearly enough. 

Berwin

Cassander is the masculine form of Cassandra, and the name of an ancient king of Macedon from the 3rd century BC. It could make a nice alternative to Alexander or a refreshing way to honour a female relative named Cassie/Cassandra/Sandra.
 
Despite its familiar sounds and elegance, Cassander didn't appear in the US stats for boys until 2024, when the rise of Cassius, Caspian, Evander, and Leander has likely allowed parents to separate it from its feminine form and worry less about it only ever being heard as Cassandra. Six boys were given the name in 2024, though we could see that number rise in coming years.

Cassander

A poetic name first used in Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" in 1596, it had a literary vogue in the 18th century, especially favored by Robert Burns.  "inda" names--Melinda, Belinda, Linda" are not particularly in right now.

Clarinda

Cyane is a mythological Sicilian nymph who lived in a pool and whose name is an intriguing twist on the color name trend. 

Cyane

Almost unheard of in recent years, Dagobert has some connections to the French diaspora. Pere Dagobert was an eighteenth century Capuchin monk who immigrated to New Orleans from Quebec. Dagobert I was a king of the Merovingian dynasty in the seventh century.

Dagobert

Dagur, one of the top boys' names in Iceland, is the personification of day. His mother is Nott, or night, and together they are thought to ride in a chariot around the earth every 24 hours.

Dagur

A cross-cultural name that can be a nickname for David, as is common in Wales, pronounced "dye". 

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 eponymous heroine of his novel, Clarimond et Antonide.
 

It's a very rare name, but with Claire and Clara in favor, Clarimond could fit right in.

Clarimond

Norse god who's the son of light plus historic diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld and author Dag Solstad combine to boost this Nordic name's appeal, but this could be difficult in English-speaking countries where the obvious tease will be "daggy Dag."

Spiritual author Deepak Chopra made this familiar, if not particularly accessible, outside the Indian community. 

Deepak

If you don't want your daughter to be a Diva, try this Hindu moon goddess name that was chosen by actress Monica Bellucci for hers. 

Deva

This name has two origins: the English word Dusk, meaning evening twilight and the <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/529/czech-names-for-girls">Czech name for girls</a> Duška meaning "soul or spirit". Either way, this is an interesting name with some potential.

Duska

The usual form of Eleonara is Eleanora, with each syllable pronounced, but transposing, adding, or subtracting a vowel or syllable here or there works fine and adds to the international, feminine spin on a solid name.

Eleonara

Less electric and more serene than Electra which comes with a lot of tragic and psychoanalytical baggage, Elettra is the Italian form that ranks in the Top 200 in the Italian charts. Nicknames Etta, Lettie, and Elle make this doubly appealing. 
 
It was chosen by actress Isabella Rossellini for her now grown-up daughter, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann.

Elettra

Names that mean light or bright shine beautifully and boldly on a baby. Top names meaning light for girls include Nora, Clara, and Lucy, 

 meaning light include Bodhi, Lucian, Aaron, and the classic Robert.

Names meaning light can commemorate a sunny day or burst of knowledge, can confer brightness on your baby's future or illuminate a mid-winter birth. Babies born at Hanukkah or New Year's sometimes are given names that mean light, such as Aaron and Clara.

Uncommon names with light-related meanings

 that you might consider for your list include Abner, Eleonara, Helena, Lior, and Lux.

Names with light-related meanings that are well-used in other countries include the Irish Aine, the Italian Chiara, the Israeli Zohar, the Spanish Lucia, and the Arabic Noor.

Here is our collection of names that mean light or bright or clear or shining for baby girls and boys.

Names that mean light, shine, bright, and brilliance for baby boys and baby girls, with popularity and origin (Page 8)