40 bright baby names that mean sun
@womanOFimagery / Twenty20
If you love the feeling of sun kissed skin and warm sunny days, this list is for you!
Searching for baby names that mean sun? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re drawn to the warmth of a summer afternoon or you just want a name that radiates light and energy, sun-inspired names deliver on both. They span cultures and languages — from Sanskrit to Spanish to Old Norse — and they range from the bold and mythological to the soft and lyrical.
If you’re also exploring nature baby names or celestial names like eclipse-inspired picks, this list fits right in. Below, 40 of our favorites, with origins and meanings to help you find the one.
Baby names that mean sun
Apollo — Of Greek and Roman origin, the name of the god of the sun, light, and music. Bold, mythological, and undeniably striking.
Aurora — Latin for “dawn,” Aurora is the goddess of the sunrise. A luminous choice with a romantic feel.
Ayden — A variant of Aidan, from the Irish Aodhán, meaning “little fire” or “born of fire.” Warm and energetic.
Beacon — An English word name meaning a guiding light or signal fire. Modern, gender-neutral, and full of brightness.
Blaze — An English name meaning “flame” or “fire.” Punchy, bold, and unmistakably radiant.
Cyra — A feminine form of Cyrus, of Persian origin, meaning “sun” or “throne.” Rare and quietly regal.
Cyrus — Persian in origin, traditionally meaning “sun” or “lord.” A classic with serious staying power.
Dawn — An Old English name meaning the first light of day. Simple, timeless, and full of quiet optimism.
Domingo — The Spanish form of Dominic, meaning “born on Sunday” — a day named for the sun. Warm and vibrant.
Elio — Of Italian and Spanish origin, a form of Helios, the Greek god of the sun. Currently trending, and easy to love.
Eliana — Of Greek origin, meaning “sun” or “daughter of the sun.” Melodic and feminine with strong roots.
Gisli — An Old Norse name meaning “ray of sunshine.” Uncommon in English-speaking countries, which makes it all the more distinctive.
Helen — From the Greek Helene, associated with the root for “sun” or “bright.” A classic that never really goes out of style.
Helia — The feminine form of Helios, Greek god of the sun. Elegant and underused — a real hidden gem.
Helios — Directly from Greek mythology, Helios was the personification of the sun. Dramatic and mythological in the best way.
Idalia — Of Greek origin, meaning “behold the sun.” Lyrical and rare, with a beautiful sound.
Kalinda — A Sanskrit name meaning “sun” or “of the sun.” Melodic and multicultural.
Kiran — Of Sanskrit and Hindi origin, meaning “ray of light” or “beam of the sun.” Gender-neutral and globally recognized.
Kwasi — A West African (Akan) name given to boys born on Sunday — the day of the sun. Meaningful and culturally rich.
Lucy — From the Latin Lucia, meaning “light.” One of the most beloved classics on this list, with obvious solar energy.
Marisol — A Spanish compound name meaning “sea and sun.” Bright, breezy, and deeply charming.
Nada — Of Arabic origin, meaning “dew” or “generosity” — but in some Slavic traditions, it carries the meaning of hope and light. Soft and cross-cultural.
Oriana — Of Latin origin, meaning “dawn” or “golden.” A Renaissance-era favorite with a poetic feel.
Phoebe — From the Greek Phoibe, meaning “bright” or “radiant.” One of the Titans associated with the moon and sun in mythology.
Phoenix — Of Greek origin, the phoenix is a mythical bird reborn from fire and the ashes of the sun. Powerful and gender-neutral.
Ravi — A Sanskrit name meaning “sun.” One of the names of the Hindu sun god Surya, and a quietly cool choice.
Sampson — A Hebrew name meaning “sun child” or “bright sun.” A strong, Old Testament classic.
Sanson — The Spanish form of Samson, also meaning “sun child.” A little less common than its English counterpart.
Savita — Of Sanskrit origin, meaning “sun” — also one of the names used for the sun god in Hindu tradition. Graceful and meaningful.
Siria — Of Spanish and Persian origin, associated with the star Sirius and meaning “glowing” or “bright like the sun.” Rare and radiant.
Sol — The Latin and Spanish word for “sun.” Short, unambiguous, and effortlessly cool.
Solaris — A Latin-rooted name meaning “of the sun.” Striking and otherworldly — for parents who want something truly unique.
Soleil — The French word for “sun,” and a chic, elegant choice that translates directly to warmth and light.
Sulien — A Welsh name meaning “sun born” or “born of the sun.” Rare outside of Wales, which gives it a distinctive edge.
Sunday — An English word name literally meaning “day of the sun.” Playful, warm, and currently on the rise.
Sunna — The Old Norse personification of the sun, a goddess who rides a chariot across the sky. Ancient, strong, and beautiful.
Sunny — An English word name meaning “bright, cheerful, full of sunshine.” Hard to argue with the vibes.
Suree — Of Thai origin, meaning “sun.” Short, sweet, and globally inspired.
Taner — A Turkish name meaning “born at dawn” or “sunrise.” Uncommon and quietly striking.
Tesni — A Welsh name meaning “warmth of the sun.” One of the most poetic entries on this list.
Zia — Of Arabic and Latin origin, meaning “light” or “splendor.” Short, striking, and increasingly popular.
A version of this article was originally published on March 3rd, 2026. It has been updated.
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