If you’re looking for a unique and radiant name for your baby, look no further than this list of 50 sun names for girls and boys. Each name has been carefully curated by a name researcher and includes information about its meaning, origin, and popularity trends.
Whether you’re searching for a name that means sun, or a name that honors the sun’s radiance with meanings like light and bright, this list has got you covered. And if you’re interested in exploring other sun-inspired name lists, be sure to check out the author’s recommendations for sun and moon names, as well as cheery sunflower names.
Key Takeaways
- This list includes 50 unique sun names for girls and boys with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
- The names on this list include those that mean sun, as well as those that honor the sun’s radiance with meanings like light and bright.
- If you’re interested in exploring other sun-inspired name lists, the author recommends checking out her lists of sun and moon names, as well as cheery sunflower names.
Girl Names That Mean Sun
If you’re looking for a bright, sunny name for your little girl, consider these names that mean sun. From classic names to international options, these names are sure to bring a little sunshine into your life.
Soleil
Soleil is a French name that means sun. It is pronounced so-lay and was the real name of the actress who played Punky Brewster. Soleil is also a name meaning sunflower in France. In 2021, it entered the popularity chart as the 999th most popular girls name in the U.S.
Solana
Solana is a beautiful Spanish-origin name that means sunshine and sunny. The name can also mean “eastern wind.” Consider this name if you’re looking for a unique and sunny name for your little girl.
Eliana
Eliana is a Greek name that means “daughter of sun.” It has its origins in “elios,” god of the sun. The name started gaining popularity in the early 1990s and has skyrocketed all the way to #48 today. Eliana’s alternate meaning comes from Hebrew and means “God answers.”
Lina
Lina is a Persian name that means “ray of sunlight” and “beautiful girl.” The name also has Greek roots where it means “sunlight.” Consider this name if you’re looking for a name that is both sunny and beautiful.
Iliana
Iliana is a Greek name that means “ray of light.” It also has roots in “helios” which means “sun.” Consider this name if you’re looking for a unique and sunny name for your little girl.
Sunniva
Sunniva is a Scandinavian name meaning “gift of the sun.” It is a Norwegian variation of the Old English name Sunngifu, made of the roots sunne meaning sun and giefu meaning gift. The name is associated with lore about an Irish princess who fled to Norway. She was killed by a collapsing cave after praying to God to collapse the cave as locals approached to take them. Norway has since turned her into a saint.
Helen
Helen is a Greek name that means “shining light.” It may also derive from the Greek “helios” which means “sun.” Consider this classic name if you’re looking for a name that is both timeless and sunny.
Aelia
Aelia is a rare ancient name that means “sun” coming from Latin. It could be a unique alternative for popular names like Amelia or Ella.
Liza
Liza is the name of a sun deity of the Fon people. This group is found primarily in the West African countries Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. Though Liza is more commonly thought of as a nickname for the classic name Elizabeth, it also can be considered a sun name.
Marisol
Marisol is a portmanteau name that means “sea and sun.” The name likely originated as a shortening of “Maria de la Soledad,” a Spanish title for the Virgin Mary. Consider this name if you’re looking for a name that is both sunny and coastal.
Solange
Solange is a name meaning “solemn,” though some sources also say the name means “sun angel.” The name is most known for being the name of Beyonce’s little sister, Solange Knowles. Consider this name if you’re looking for a unique and sunny name for your little girl.
Lenora
Lenora is another Greek-derived name that means sunny, sun ray, or light. It would be a great sun name option for those who also love the name Nora, which would be an easy nickname for Lenora.
Solenne
Solenne is a name with Latin, French, and Spanish roots meaning both “sunlight” and “solemn.” Solenne would be a very unique sun name pick, having never charted on the top 1000 list. Consider this name if you’re looking for a unique and sunny name for your little girl.
Girl Sun Names Meaning Light and Bright
If you’re looking for a girl name that means “sun,” you might also want to consider names that mean “light” or “bright.” Here are some girl sun names that fit that description:
Claire
Claire is a classic and beautiful name that works well as a sun name. It is a French name meaning bright, like the sun, and has its origins in the Latin name Clara. Claire has been a staple on the top name list for over a century and currently sits at #59. Claire feels timeless and radiant, much like the sun.
Alena
Alena means “light” in Greek and is considered a variation of the classic name Helen, which has roots in “helios” meaning sun. The soft vowels and flowing sounds of Alena make it a sun name that fits nicely with current baby naming fashion. Although it has yet to take off, Alena has been a steady presence on the top name chart’s 600-700 range since the 1980s.
Eleanor
Eleanor is a tried and true name that has been a constant on the top 1000 name charts. It was incredibly popular in the first half of the 20th century and has seen a surge in popularity again as parents today revive names of their grandparents’ generation. Eleanor is of Greek origins and it means “light.”
Aine
Aine is an Irish name that means brightness & radiance and is also the Celtic goddess of summer. This sun name is pronounced like “awn-ya,” and is alternatively and more often spelled as Anya in the U.S.
Clarissa
Clarissa is another name with roots in the Latin name Clara meaning bright. Ever present on the top name list for the last century, Clarissa saw peak popularity in the 1990s around the time of the cultural phenomenon Clarissa Explains It All. This bright and bold sun name will seem fresh and unique on a baby today.
Eileen
Eileen is a baby name of many meanings. From its Greek origins, it means shining light. From its Scottish and Irish roots, it means “desired” and “little bird.” Eileen’s popularity started decreasing at the end of the 1980s but it is still a top 1000 name today.
Elena
Elena fits in perfectly with today’s naming style. With lots of flowing vowels and cute nickname options like Ellie or Lenny, Elena’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. Its “bright, shining light” meaning makes it a lovely nod to the sun. Globally, it is a widely used variation of Helen and has Spanish, Italian, Slavic and Greek origins.
Lucy
Lucy is the feminine form of the name Lucius, which derives its meaning from the Latin word lux. This light-meaning name has soared in popularity in recent years, and is currently a top 50 name in the U.S.
Nora
Nora is a true international name, with roots in Latin, Irish, Arabic, Greek, and Hungarian. It can mean “light” or “honor,” and is a diminutive of Eleanora or Honora depending on its origin.
Ziva
Ziva is a Hebrew name meaning “radiance,” “brilliance,” and “light.” It is a lovely Z-name and a charming alternative to popular Zoe.
Phoebe
Phoebe is a name meaning “radiant” and “shining one,” just like the sun. The name took a hiatus from the 1950s until the 1990s. Unsurprisingly, its popularity popped in 1995 — right after the debut of Friends.
These girl sun names meaning light and bright are perfect for parents who want to give their child a name that is both meaningful and beautiful.
Girl Names Meaning Sunrise and Dawn
If you are looking for a unique and meaningful name for your baby girl, consider choosing a name that means “sunrise” or “dawn.” These names pay tribute to the beauty and power of the sun, which rises each day to bring light and warmth to the world. Here are some great options to consider:
Roxanne
Roxanne is a Persian name that means “dawn.” This name was most popular in the 1950s and has since fallen off the radar, making it a unique and interesting choice for a baby girl.
Dawn
Dawn is a Greek name that means “daybreak,” the first sighting of the sun each morning. This name was popular from the early 1900s until 2000, and it is still a recognizable but rare choice for a baby girl today.
Zariah
Zariah has multiple origins and meanings, including “dawn” in Russian. This name also means “radiance” or “flower” in Arabic and “God helps” in Hebrew. Zariah is a beautiful and unique name that is sure to stand out.
Aurora
Aurora is a Latin name that means “dawn” or “the beginnings of light as the sun rises on the day.” This name is also associated with the Northern Lights and the Roman goddess of sunrise. Aurora has been a popular name for baby girls for many years and is currently ranked #36 in the US.
Alba
In Spanish and Italian, Alba means “sunrise” or “dawn.” This name hasn’t been in the top 1000 baby names in the US since the 1920s, but it has a unique and classic feel that is sure to make a comeback.
Zora
Zora is a name with Arabic, Slavic, and African roots that means “dawn.” This name was most popular in the 1880s and has since fallen off the charts, but it has a beautiful and timeless quality that is sure to make a comeback in the coming years.
Consider these names if you want a unique and meaningful name for your baby girl that pays tribute to the beauty and power of the rising sun.
Boy Names That Mean Sun
If you’re looking for a baby boy name that means sun, light, or bright, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the best boy names with a sunny meaning:
Apollo
Apollo is a Greek name that means sun and light. It is also the name of the Greek god of sun and light. As a baby name, Apollo is cool and strapping while also having a nerdy side with references to Greek mythology and NASA’s space travel. It has been shooting up in popularity, jumping from #983 to #400 in the last decade with no signs of slowing down.
Robert
Robert is a classic name that means “bright fame” or “glory bright.” It has been a top 100 name for over a century. This name has a strong and timeless appeal that will never go out of style.
Altan
Altan is a Turkish name that means “red dawn,” referencing when the sun rises. The name also has Mongolian roots, where it means “golden.” It is a unique and exotic name that is sure to stand out.
Cyrus
Cyrus is a Persian name that means sun. It also means “one who cares.” It has been a constant name in the U.S. top 1000 name list for the last century. In 2021, it was the #350 most used boys name.
Elio
Elio is an Italian name that means sun. It entered the top 1000 U.S. baby names last year and seems poised for a quick rise. With its vowels and soft ‘L’ sound, this sun name fits nicely with current favorites like Liam and Leo. It is also a unique alternative to popular Elijah, Eli, and Elias.
Ciro
Ciro is an Italian name that means “sun.” It is considered the Italian and Spanish version of the more commonly used Cyrus. Ciro has not broken the top 1000 U.S. names so it is a great sun name option for someone looking for a unique name that is also simple to spell and say. It is a nice alternative to other “O” ending boy names like Leo, Hugo, or Theo.
Helio
Helio is the Spanish answer to Elio, meaning sun. Helio has yet to crack the top 1000 list and seems more likely to remain unique than Elio. Consider Helio as an interesting alternative to popular Theo.
Ishaan
Ishaan is a Hindu name that means “the sun.” It first entered the U.S. top 1000 chart in 2008. This name has a spiritual and exotic appeal that is sure to make your baby boy stand out.
Lucian
Lucian is a name with roots in lux, the Latin word for “light.” In 2021, the name Lucian was given to 465 baby boys in the United States, making it a fairly unique name pick. This name has a sophisticated and elegant appeal that is sure to make your baby boy stand out.
Dimas
Dimas is a rare name in the United States. It is of Portuguese and Spanish origins and means “sunset.” It also has Greek roots where it means both “sunrise” and “loyalty.” This name has a unique and exotic appeal that is sure to make your baby boy stand out.
Samson
Samson is a Hebrew name that means “of the sun.” It comes from the Hebrew name Shimshon, which itself comes from the Hebrew word for sun, shemesh. It has gained some popularity in the last decade, ranging from 590-671 in the popularity charts, but it still a more uncommon biblical name.
Blaze
Blaze is a lively name that works as a nod to the blazing sun. It is of Latin origins and it means fire or flame. It is a spirited and lively name that was given to just over 300 boys in the U.S. last year (#775 rank).
In summary, there are plenty of boy names that mean sun, light, or bright to choose from. Whether you prefer classic names like Robert or unique names like Altan, there is a sun name out there for every baby boy.
Gender Neutral Sunny Names
If you’re looking for a sunny name that is gender neutral, you have plenty of options to choose from. These names are perfect for parents who want to give their baby more gender flexibility in the future. Here are some gender neutral names that mean sun.
Kiran
Kiran is a beautiful, gender neutral Indian name that means “beam of light.” It comes from the Sanskrit word kiraṇa, which means ray of light. This name is perfect for parents who want a unique name with a sunny meaning.
Marici
Marici is a rare, unisex name that originates from Sanskrit. It means “one who is a beam of light.” This name is perfect for parents who want a name that is both unique and meaningful.
Ravi
Ravi is a Sanskrit name that means sun. It is also another name for the Hindu Sun God Surya. While the name is more commonly used for baby boys, it could easily be worn by a girl as well.
Senna
Senna is a gender neutral name that comes from Arabic. The name means “brightness,” like the bright and shining sun. This name is perfect for parents who want a name that is both unique and meaningful.
Sol
Sol is the name of a Norse sun god and is also the word meaning sun in Spanish. This name is perfect for parents who want a name with a strong and powerful meaning.
Sunshine
Sunshine is a playful name for sun lovers. It is perfect for a person who is cheerful and warm. This name is perfect for parents who want a name that is both unique and playful.
Zia
Zia is a unisex name that means “shine” or “light,” with roots in Arabic, Latin, and Hebrew. Zia is also the name of an indigenous nation in New Mexico. This name is perfect for parents who want a name with a unique and multicultural background.
Sunny
Sunny is a great name for those who love today’s nickname-style name trend. It is an obvious sun name that works for either boys or girls. The name is particularly rising for girls, jumping from #983 in 2017 to #650 in 2021. This name is perfect for parents who want a name that is both trendy and meaningful.
In conclusion, these gender neutral names that mean sun are perfect for parents who want to give their baby a name that is both unique and meaningful. Whether you choose Kiran, Marici, Ravi, Senna, Sol, Sunshine, Zia, or Sunny, your baby is sure to have a name that shines bright like the sun.
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