130 Bright & Hopeful Names Meaning Rainbow

Download Article

Plus, beautiful name options for a rainbow baby

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Devin McSween

Last Updated: August 18, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

• For Girls
|
• For Boys
|
• Gender-Neutral
|
• Meaning Light or Sky (Girls)
|
• Meaning Light or Sky (Boys)
|
• Meaning Hope or Renewal (Girls)
|
• Meaning Hope or Renewal (Boys)

|Show more |Show less

A name that means “rainbow” is a beautiful option for a child or character, whether you want to celebrate their colorful personality or express the love, joy, and hope that they’ll bring to your life. A rainbow name is also a meaningful option for a rainbow baby—a baby born after a previous loss—which can represent the miracle of welcoming new life while still honoring the loss. In this article, we’re sharing girl, boy, and gender-neutral names that mean “rainbow” or have related meanings like “light” or “sky.” Plus, wikiHow interviewed naming experts for name ideas that mean “hope” and “renewal.”

Unique Baby Names that Mean Rainbow

Download Image

Download Image

Rainbow names may literally mean “rainbow” or have associated meanings like “light,” “sky,” or “hope.” Some popular and optimistic options include:

• Girls: Aurora, Celeste, Dawn, Hope, Iris, Nova, Rainbow, Renee, Vaiva
• Boys: Archie, Asher, Cyrus, Elio, Kiran, Luca, Neo, Phoenix
• Unisex: Blue, Indigo, Kalani, Keshet, Lux, Rain, Sky, Sol, Sunny

Steps

Section 1 of 8:

Girl Names That Mean Rainbow

Download Article

1. 
   There are several beautiful girl names that literally mean “rainbow,” such as Iris, as well as names that are related to the rainbow, like Lavender and Scarlett. Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson also suggests the Mayan name Ixchel, which means “rainbow lady.” Here are some of our favorite bright and colorful options:

   • Amitola: “Rainbow,” Siouan origin.
   • Cyan: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Dzia/Dziadzan: “Rainbow,” Armenian origin.
   • Enfys: “Rainbow,” Welsh origin.
   • Iridián: “Rainbow” or “related to Iris, the Greek goddess of rainbows,” Spanish origin.
   • Iridiana: “Rainbow,” Greek origin.
   • Iris: “Rainbow,” Greek origin.
   • Ixchel: “Rainbow lady,” Mayan origin.
   • Lavender: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Rainbow: “Rainbow” or “arch of colors in the sky,” English origin.
   • Rengin: “Colorful,” Turkish and Persian origins.
   • Scarlett: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Solongo: “Rainbow,” Mongolian origin.
   • Vaiva: “Rainbow,” Lithuanian origin.
   • Violet: After a color of the rainbow.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming expert and consultant. She shares name meanings and naming tips with her over 20k followers on her Instagram, @little_name_library.

   Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert and content creator who focuses on sharing a name’s origin, meaning, category, notable people, and more.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 8:

Boy Names That Mean Rainbow

Download Article

1. 
   Boy names that literally mean “rainbow” include Uenuku (Māori), Anuenue (Hawaiian), and Musoke (African). Plus, there are several options that are related to rainbows! For instance, Archie captures the shape of the rainbow, while Red comes from one of the beautiful colors in a rainbow. Check out more ideas below:

   • Archer: Meaning “bow,” which is a loose reference to “rainbow.”
   • Archie: Sounds like “arch,” or the shape of a rainbow.
   • Heimdall: After the Norse god who guards Bifröst, the rainbow bridge.
   • Red: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Roy: After the acronym ROY G BIV, which stands for the colors of the rainbow (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).

Section 3 of 8:

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Rainbow

Download Article

1. 
   If you don’t want a name that’s traditionally feminine or masculine, there are many gender-neutral ideas that mean “rainbow” or are related to rainbows. For instance, Keshet is a great option that literally means “rainbow,” while Sky is a beautiful name that represents where rainbows form. Here are some additional ideas:

   • Blue: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Hinata: “Sunny place,” Japanese origin.
   • Hong: “Rainbow,” Chinese origin.
   • Indigo: After a color of the rainbow.
   • Kalani: “The heavens” or “the sky,” Hawaiian origin.
   • Keshet: “Rainbow” or “archer’s bow,” Hebrew origin.
   • Lux: “Light,” Latin origin.
   • Rain/Raine: “Rain” or “abundance from above,” Old English origin.
   • Sky/Skye: “Cloud” or “sky,” Norse origin.
   • Sol: “Sun,” Latin and Spanish origins.
   • Sora: “Sky,” Japanese origin.
   • Sunny: “Cheerful sunshine,” English origin.
   • Zia: “Light” or “splendor,” Arabic and Italian origins.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 8:

Girl Names That Mean Light or Sky

Download Article

1. 
   Rainbows are colorful arcs in the sky that form when light enters raindrops. So, if you haven’t found a name that you like that literally means “rainbow,” why not go with an option that means “light,” “sunshine,” or “sky?” For example, Dr. Wilson says Aurora, Clara, and Nora are beautiful options. Check out some more below:

   • Aelia: Comes from the name Helios, after the Greek god of the sun.
   • Alya: “Sky” or “heaven,” Arabic origin.
   • Aurora: “Dawn,” Latin origin.
   • Celeste: “Heavenly,” Latin and French origins.
   • Celia: “Heavenly,” Latin origin.
   • Chiara: “Bright” or “clear,” Italian origin.
   • Cielo: “Sky” or “heaven,” Spanish origin.
   • Clara: “Bright” or “clear,” Latin and French origins.
   • Eleanor: “Light” or “torch,” Greek and Latin origins.
   • Elena: “Light” or “torch,” Greek and Latin origins.
   • Helen/Helena: “Bright one” or “torch,” Greek origin.
   • Leora/Liora: “My light,” Hebrew origin.
   • Lucia: “Light” or “born at dawn,” Latin origin.
   • Luz: “Light,” Spanish and Portuguese origins.
   • Nora: “Light,” Arabic and Latin origins.
   • Phoebe: “Bright” or “shining,” Greek origin.
   • Roxana: “Dawn” or “sunrise,” Persian origin.
   • Solana: “Sunshine,” Spanish origin.
   • Soleil: “Sun,” French origin.
   • Sorcha: “Bright” or “radiant,” Irish and Scottish origins.

Section 5 of 8:

Boy Names That Mean Light or Sky

Download Article

1. 
   A name that means “light,” “sun,” or “sky” is a beautiful alternative to a name that literally means “rainbow,” as these meanings capture the brilliance and magical quality of rainbows. Dr. Wilson agrees, noting that Cyrus, Elio, and Lucian are great boy names that are connected to light. Here are some more name ideas:

   • Akihito: “Bright” or “brilliant,” Japanese origin.
   • Cyrus: “Sun” or “throne,” Persian origin.
   • Elio: Connected to Helios, the Greek sun god.
   • Elior: “God is my light,” Hebrew origin.
   • Helios: After the Greek god of the sun.
   • Kiran: “Ray of light,” Sanskrit origin.
   • Luca: “Light,” Latin origin.
   • Lucian: “Light” or “illumination,” Latin origin.
   • Meir: “One who shines,” Hebrew origin.
   • Oran: “Light” or “pale one,” Irish and Scottish origins.
   • Orion: “Heaven’s light,” Greek origin.
   • Ravi: “Sun,” Sanskrit origin.
   • Samson: “Sun,” Hebrew origin.
   • Shams: “Sun,” Arabic origin.
   • Surya: After the Hindu god of the sun.
Advertisement

Section 6 of 8:

Girl Names That Mean Hope or Renewal

Download Article

1. 
   If you’re looking for a name for a rainbow baby, names that mean “hope,” “love,” “joy,” and “renewal” can be a beautiful way to celebrate new life while still acknowledging the loss you experienced. Dr. Wilson explains that some parents may choose a name that symbolizes hope, renewal, and beginning again after a loss, and especially recommends names that have a gentle nature sound or represent resilience and transformation. Here are some uplifting options:

   • Aimee: “Beloved,” French origin.
   • Aisling: “Dream,” Irish origin.
   • Alazne: “Miracle” or “blessing,” Basque origin.
   • Amara: “Beloved” or “grace,” Igbo and Spanish origins.
   • Amaris: “Promised by God” or “beloved,” Hebrew origin.
   • Anastasia: “Resurrection,” Greek origin.
   • Aviva: “Springtime” or “renewal,” Hebrew origin.
   • Beata: “Blessed” or “happy,” Latin origin.
   • Beatrice: “She who brings happiness,” Latin and Italian origins.
   • Beatrix: “Bringer of joy” or “blessed,” Latin origin.
   • Darina: “Gift” or “beloved,” Slavic origin.
   • Davina: “Beloved,” Hebrew origin.
   • Dawn: “Daybreak,” English origin.
   • Dorothea: “Gift of God,” Greek origin.
   • Cherish: “To treasure” or “to love,” English origin.
   • Chloe: “Young green shoot,” Greek origin.
   • Eudora: “Good gift,” Greek origin.
   • Evangeline: “Good news,” Greek and Latin origins.
   • Farah: “Joy” or “happiness,” Arabic origin.
   • Faustina: "Fortunate one,” Latin origin.
   • Felicity: “Happiness” or “good fortune,” Latin origin.
   • Gwyneth: “Blessed” or “happy,” Welsh origin.
   • Hope: “Hope,” English origin.
   • Miriam: “Wished-for-child,” Hebrew origin.
   • Nadia: “Hope,” Slavic origin.
   • Nara: “Joyful” or “flower from heaven,” Japanese and Korean origins.
   • Nova: “New,” Latin origin.
   • Priya: “Beloved,” Sanskrit origin.
   • Rani/Ranee: “One blessed with prosperity” or “queen,” Sanskrit and Hindi origins.
   • Renata: “Reborn,” Latin origin.
   • Renee: “Reborn,” French origin.
   • Sadiya/Saadia: “Fortunate” or “lucky,” Arabic origin.
   • Shia: “Gift,” Hebrew origin.
   • Winifred: “Joy and peace-bringer” or “blessed,” Old English origin.
   • Zada: “Prosperous,” Arabic origin.
   • Zara: “Blooming flower,” Arabic origin.

Section 7 of 8:

Boy Names That Mean Hope or Renewal

Download Article

1. 
   A name that means “hope,” “loved,” “joyous,” or “renewal” can be a beautiful option to celebrate a rainbow baby, as these options can help symbolize the emotional journey of experiencing a loss and expecting a new life afterward. For some uplifting name options, naming expert Natalie Mulholland suggests ideas like Asher, Ori, and Tate. Here are some other names to consider:

   • Amias: “Loved,” Latin origin.
   • Anastasius: “Resurrection,” Greek origin.
   • Arman: “Hope” or “wish,” Persian origin.
   • Arnan: “Joyous,” Hebrew origin.
   • Asher: “Happy” or “blessed,” Hebrew origin.
   • Benedict: “Blessed,” Latin origin.
   • Carwyn: “Blessed love,” Welsh origin.
   • Cayo: “Rejoice,” Spanish origin.
   • David: “Beloved,” Hebrew origin.
   • Fausto: “Fortuante” or “lucky,” Italian and Spanish origins.
   • Felix: “Happy,” “fortunate,” or “lucky,” Latin origin.
   • Kishan: After Krishna, the Hindu god of blessings and protection.
   • Navin/Naveen: “New,” Sanskrit origin.
   • Neo: “New,” Greek origin.
   • Ori: “My light” or “my joy,” Hebrew origin.
   • Parvez/Parvaiz/Parviz: “Fortunate,” “victorious,” or “prosperous,” Persian origin.
   • Phoenix: After the mythical bird that rises again from the ashes.
   • Prosper: “To thrive” or “to prosper,” Latin origin.
   • Raanan: “Fresh” or “flourishing,” Hebrew origin.
   • Saeed/Said: “Happy” or “fortunate,” Arabic origin.
   • Sael: “Blessed,” “fortunate,” or “happy,” Old Norse origin.
   • Saul: “Prayed for,” Hebrew origin.
   • Tate: “Cheerful” or “glad,” Old English and Norse origins.
   • Theodore: “Gift of God,” Greek origin.
   • Zoran: “Dawn,” Slavic origin.
Advertisement

Section 8 of 8:

More Name Ideas

Download Article

1. Still looking for a colorful or uplifting name? Here at wikiHow, we’ve compiled several other lists of names with meanings related to rainbows, from names that mean different colors to those that symbolize hope, rebirth, and blessings. Check out more beautiful name ideas below:

   • Color Names: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, White, Black, Silver, Gold
   • Hope-Inspired Names: Hope, Joy, Rebirth, Life, Blessing, Miracle, Love

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!