User-created list
Luminous Names
Across 19 pages
of 19
Taliesin
Welsh
"shining brow"
Taliesin is a name an architecture-minded parent could love, because of its close association with Frank Lloyd Wright.
Tarabai
Indian
"feminine star"
Tarabai is an Indian name with a lot of feminist clout. Tarabai Bhosale was a 17th century Maratha queen who was a skilled military leader in her own right and successfully resisted the Mughal empire…
Tatsuki
Japanese
"big moon"
An energetic unisex Japanese name with dozens of potential meanings depending on the kanji characters used.
Tegwen
Welsh
"fair, white, blessed, beautiful"
Tegwen is a Welsh name that balances between clunky and mystical, sweet and tough. Created back in the 19th century by blending the element teg "beautiful, pretty", with the element wen "fair, white,…
Terpsichore
Greek
"delight in dancing"
The name of the Muse of dancing in Greek mythology. Arguably the least usable of the nine Muses' names, despite serious competition from Melpomene and Polyhymnia. Those two at least have obvious…
Tinuviel
Literary name
"Daughter of the twilight / nightingale"
Lúthien Tinúviel is an elf princess in J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium, who falls in love with a mortal human, Beren, and chooses to become mortal herself rather than to live without him. Tinúviel is…
Tiziri
Tamazight and Berber
"moonlight"
Means "moonlight" in Tamazight.
Uma
Sanskrit, Hebrew
"light, peace, nation"
Uma is a sweet, strong name for a Hindu goddess... and a Hollywood one. But as popular as Uma Thurman is, other parents have not yet picked up on her name, making it a rarity. Uma is one of the more…
Undomiel
Literary name
"evening star"
A title given to the elf Arwen in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings , meaning "evening star" and usually rendered poetically as Evenstar. Like her revered ancestor Lúthien, Arwen chooses to become mortal…
Valo
Finnish; Malagasy
"light; eight"
Valo, an unusual entry in the o-ending category, can work for girls in the US. On Nameberry, it's especially popular among visitors from Bangladesh.
Vedette
French
"star, leading actor"
Translating to "star", but used to refer to the leading female artist in a cabaret show, for French speakers, this would be like naming your child "Showgirl". Alternatively however, it could be a…
Vesper
Latin
"evening star"
This Latin word used for evening spiritual services was introduced to baby namers by the Eva Greene character Vesper Lynd in the modern James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006, based on the Ian Fleming…
Vespera
Latin
"evening star"
Said to refer to either Jupiter or Venus, either of which would be preferable as a name.
Whetu
Maori
"star"
Whetū means "star" in Maori.
Whetumoana
Maori
"star of the sea"
The title of a Maori poem and also used to reference Mary, mother of Jesus, adapted from the Latin Marian title Stella Maris "star of the sea".
Yelena
Russian variation of Helen
"bright, shining one"
One of many international versions of this classic.
Yvaine
Female variation of Yvain or Scottish
"evening star"
A mix of Yvonne and Elaine, Yvaine was first noticed in the Neil Gaiman fantasy novel and then movie Stardust , in which Claire Danes played the 'fallen star' Yvaine. This In all its forms, one of…
Zia
Short form of Luzia or Terézia, Hungarian, Portuguese
"light; harvest"
A short and zippy name that would blend right in with but also stand out among a group of girls named Mia, Gia, Lia and Tia. It is a multicultural choice, used in Hungary as a short from of Terézia,…
Ziazan
Armenian
"rainbow"
This intriguing name from Armenia has a lovely meaning "rainbow" and was used for the adorable protagonist of the film by the same name who hides in a suitcase and ends up going on an adventure to…
Zira
Berber, Tamazight
"moonlight"
Attractive but uncommon name which has been used as a character name in several movies, including The Lion King II and Planet of the Apes . Ziri and Tiziri are variants.