60+ Names That Mean Sun, Sunshine, or Light

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Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares unique and joyful sunshine names from around the world

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: February 23, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Girl Names
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• Boy Names
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• Gender-Neutral Names
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• Greek & Latin
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• French & Spanish
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• Hawaiian
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• Light
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• Similar Names & Meanings

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The sun is undeniably beautiful, powerful, and full of radiant energy—qualities that many of us aspire to embody! So, whether you’re naming your baby, a pet (aka a fur baby), a fictional character, or even yourself, we’re not surprised that you’re turning to sunshine for inspiration. We talked to a naming expert to help us put together this extensive list of male, female, and gender-neutral names that literally mean “sun” or “sunshine,” or that are otherwise related to the sun.

Beautiful Names That Mean Sunshine

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson says that sun names often feel joyful and life-affirming, and shares these names that mean sun or sunshine:

• Helios: After the Greek sun god.
• Sol: Latin/Spanish for sun
• Soleil: French for sun.
• Sunny: "Cheerful sunshine," of English origin.
• Cyrus: “Sun” or “throne,” of Persian origin.
• Surya: After the Hindu sun deity.
• Kiran: "Ray of light," of Sanskrit origin.
• Hinata: "Sunny place," of Japanese origin.

Steps

Section 1 of 8:

Girl Names That Mean Sunshine or Sun

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1. 
   A baby girl is like a little spot of sunshine on Earth, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of gorgeous girl names that mean “sun,” “sunshine,” or something similar! Here are some of our favorites:

   • Alba: “sunrise” or “bright light.” Of Latin origin.
   • Aurora: “dawn.” Of Latin origin.
   • Cyra: “sun.” Of Persian origin.
   • Elena: “sun.” Of Greek origin.
   • Goldie: “golden.”
   • Helen: “sun.” Of Greek origin.
   • Lucia: “light.” Of Spanish origin.
   • Nora: “light” or “the bright one.” Of Greek and Arabic origins.
   • Phoebe: “shining one.” Of Greek origin.
   • Rae: After the sun's rays.
   • Raya: After the sun's rays.
   • Summer: “warm weather.” Of English origin.
   • Sunny: “cheerful sunshine.” Of English origin.
     • This name is “warm and friendly,” says Dr. Wilson.
   • Surya: Hindu sun deity.
     • The name Surya is “radiant and spiritual,” Dr. Wilson says.
   • Suvi: “summer.” Of Finnish origin.
   • Synnove: “sun gift.” Of Old Norse origin.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and early childhood expert. She has over 20,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares naming tips, name meanings, and other inspiration.
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Section 2 of 8:

Boy Names That Mean Sunshine or Sun

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1. 
   Plenty of boys’ names are related to the sun—whether they literally mean “sun” (like Cyrus) or emulate the sun’s golden color (like Xanthus). Whatever type of meaning you’re looking for, here are some more examples of “sunshiney” boys’ names:

   • Albert: “bright.” Of German origin.
   • Blaze: “fire” or “sun.” Of Latin origin.
   • Cyrus: “sun.” Of Persian origin.
     • This one has a “strong historical feel,” Dr. Wilson says.
   • Dayton: “day” or “bright town.” Of English and Scandinavian origins.
   • Eki: “sun.” Of Basque origin.
   • Ishaan: “the sun.” Of Hindi origin.
   • Ji-Ho: “wisdom” and “brightness.” Of Korean origin.
   • Mehrab: “sun.” Of Persian origin.
   • Sampson: “like the sun.” Of Hebrew origin.
   • Ravi: “sun.” Of Sanskrit/Indian origin.
   • Xanthus: “yellow.” Of Greek origin.

Section 3 of 8:

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Sunshine or Sun

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1. 
   If you’re looking for a gender-neutral name that’s connected to the power of the sun, there are plenty of different names from around the world that can get the job done. Dr. Wilson says that many sun names are international, so they work beautifully for parents who want something bright but culturally rich:

   • Arki: “sun.” Of Filipino, Sanskrit, Indian, and Norwegian origins.
   • Aruna: “dawn.” Of Indian origin.
   • Diell: “sun.” Of Albanian origin.
   • Hinata: “sunny place.” Of Japanese origin.
     • Dr. Wilson describes this name as “soft and bright.”
   • Keahi: “flames” or “fire.” Of Hawaiian origin.
   • Kiran: “ray of light.” Sanskrit origin.
     • Dr. Wilson says this name feels “gentle and meaningful.”
   • Li: “dawn.” Of Chinese origin.
   • Mirri: “the sun.” Of Australian origin.
   • Ray: “sun’s rays.” Of English origin.
   • Shams: “sun.” Arabic origin.
     • This name is “bold and distinctive,” says Dr. Wilson.
   • Solaris: “sun.” Of Latin origin.
   • Sun: “sun.” Of English origin.
   • Sunday: “Sun’s day.” Of English origin.
   • Tonalli: “sunshine.” Of Nahuatl origin.
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Section 4 of 8:

Greek & Latin Names That Mean Sunshine

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1. 
   We have Greek, Latin, and Roman languages to thank for a lot of the modern names that mean “sun.” Thanks to the mythologies and linguistic developments of these ancient cultures, we have popular names today like Clara, Eleanor, and more:

   • Aelia: “sun.” Derived from Helios.
     • Dr. Wilson says this name is rare but pretty.
   • Aeliana: “sun.”
   • Apollo: “destroyer,” the Greek and Roman god of the Sun.
   • Aurelia: “gold.”
   • Clara: “bright.”
   • Eleanora: “sunray.”
   • Eleni: “sunray.”
   • Elia: “sunshine.”
   • Eliana: “daughter of the sun.”
   • Helia: “sun.”
   • Helios: Greek sun god.
     • Dr. Wilson says this name is “powerful and mythic.”
   • Lyana: “sun.”

Section 5 of 8:

French & Spanish Names That Mean Sunshine

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1. 
   Just like the vibrant languages that they come from, these French and Spanish names radiate with the energy and power of the sun. To names like “Sol” that literally translate as “sun” to names like “Dior” that harness the sun’s golden rays, here are some sunshine-related names from French and Spanish:

   • Berto: “bright flame.”
   • Dior: “golden.”
   • Eliane: “daughter of the sun.”
   • Elio: “the sun.” Derived from Helios
     • Dr. Wilson says this name is stylish and rising in popularity.
   • Marisol: “sea and sun.”
   • Roberto: “bright flame.”
   • Sol: “sun.”.
     • Dr. Wilson adds that this name is “minimalist and chic.”
   • Solana: “sunshine.”
   • Soleil: “sun.”
     • The name Soleil is “elegant and luminous,” says Dr. Wilson.
   • Zoraida: “enchanting dawn.”
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Section 6 of 8:

Hawaiian Names That Mean Sunshine

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1. 
   Nowhere knows the beauty of the sun quite like Hawaii, so it comes as no surprise that its language boasts a ton of sun-related names! Below, you’ll find examples of Hawaiian names that mean “sunshine,” “shining,” “light,” and more:

   • Alaula: “light of dawn.”
   • Alohilani: “bright sky.”
   • Hoku: “shining.”
   • Kukuna: “rays of the sun.”
   • Kula: “gold.”
   • Lā: “sunshine” or “day.”
   • Laʻa kea: “sacred light.”

Section 7 of 8:

Names That Mean Light

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1. If you’re looking for a name that feels bright and sunny but none of the options above are quite it, you might like these. Dr. Wilson says that these names are perfect if you want a name that’s symbolic of light:

   • Aurora: “dawn.” Of Latin origin. This name evokes the first light of day, says Dr. Wilson.
   • Beacon: “signal light,” “guide.” Of English origin. Dr. Wilson describes this name as rare but symbolic.
   • Chiara: “bright,” “clear.” Of Italian origin. Dr. Wilson says this name is popular in Italy and has a classic feel.
   • Ciana/Siana: “Light,” “divine.” Multiple origins. This is an elegant and melodic name, according to Dr. Wilson.
   • Clara/Claire: “bright,” “clear.” Of Latin/French origin. Dr. Wilson says this name is simple and timeless.
   • Elanor: “sun-star,” Tolkien-inspired. This name is poetic and literary, according to Dr. Wilson.
   • Eleanor/Elena: “light,” “torch.” Of Greek/Latin origin. This name is graceful and traditional, Dr. Wilson says.
   • Elior: “God is my light.” Of Hebrew origin. Dr. Wilson says this name is spiritual and strong.
   • Helena/Helen: “torch,” “bright one.” Of Greek origin. This name is historical and luminous, Dr. Wilson says.
   • Liora/Leora: “my light.” Of Hebrew origin. Dr. Wilson describes this name as “gentle and radiant.”
   • Lucia/Lucy: “light,” “born at dawn.” Of Latin origin. Dr. Wilson says this name is classic and widely used.
   • Lucian/Lucius: “light,” “illumination.” Of Latin origin. Dr. Wilson says this name is elegant and historical.
   • Nora: “light.” Of Arabic/Latin origin. This name is simple and modern, according to Dr. Wilson.
   • Oran: “light,” “pale one.” Of Irish/Scottish origin. This name is soft and poetic, Dr. Wilson says.
   • Phoebe: “bright,” “shining.” Associated with the moon goddess in Greek mythology.
   • Sorcha: “bright,” “radiant.” Of Irish/Scottish origin. This one has Celtic charm, Dr. Wilson says.
   • Zia: “light,” “splendor.” Of Arabic/Italian origin. Dr. Wilson describes this name as “short and luminous.”
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Section 8 of 8:

More Baby Names With Similar Meanings

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1. Looking for even more baby names? At the links below, you’ll be able to find even more adorable names with similar meanings that revolve around nature, light, space, and feelings of happiness and joy.

   • Names That Mean Light
   • Names That Mean Happy
   • Space-Related Names
   • Nature-Related Names
   • Ocean-Related Names

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