Luminous Names

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.

Related to the more common Solana, Salana has a pleasantly rhythmic pan-cultural feel.

Lior connects with several factors stylish for Israeli names: It's short, it's unisex, and it has an uplifting nature theme. Lior might make a more modern spin on Leah.

One of the few rainbow names that is masculine, Walken is a Noongar Aboriginal word.

A popular name in its native Turkey, with one of the most poetic meaning around.

Hesperia is the name of one of the Hesperides, known as the daughters of Hesperus or evening. Hesperus is the personification of the evening star in Greek mythology, better known as Venus in Roman mythology. Variations include Hesper and Hespera.

In Welsh, Lunet is a form of Luned or Eluned, a saint's name that also appears in Arthurian legend as a servant of the Lady of the Fountain who rescues the knight Owain.

A melodic name, popular among the African-American community, where it joins sound-alikes Amari, Jamari, and Damari. It ultimately derives from the Arabic Qamar, meaning "moon", and is also used by Swahili speakers and those from Comoros and Somalia. It could also be considered a Greek place name, from a coastal village in Santorini.

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 nicknames, Mel and Polly -- and don't have "sick" in the middle. However, if you use the Greek pronunciation, that syllable is not emphasized, and you've got nicknames Tess, Coco, and Terri.

Lainie is a nickname for Elaine that has been in the public eye via Lainie Kazan (that was her full given name), who was a popular singer in the 1960s and 1970s (she was Barbra Streisand's understudy in "Funny Girl"), and then became a motherly character actress. We still find Lainie a bit flimsy for a full first name.

Pretty and unusual, Livana may find a lot more fans as parents look for alternatives to Number 1 Olivia. Livana was used for only seven baby girls in the US last year.

A simple and seamlessly international choice with a joyful sound and beautiful meaning.

A handsome alternative to Adrian or Dorian, derived from the Latin word aurum "gold".

A name that's unknown in the US and Britain but is popular as a nature name in Finland. May also be known as a Hungarian variation of Amelia and a Spanish form of Wilhelmina.

This feminine name, pleasingly reminiscent of Kismet, has a similarly lovely meaning: Rainbow.

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.

One of many international versions of this classic.

A celestial choice that's used both in Mexico and by Latinx Americans. The Hispanized form spelling Xitlali may be more familiar.

Spelling variation of Lior.