For centuries, humans have been fascinated and inspired by the moon. It has the power to influence ocean tides, Earth’s gravity, and even human behavior. Cultures around the world have spawned legends of its ruling deities, it has been the subject of iconic art and writing, and it has inspired countless names for girls and boys around the world. The moon has been a symbol of beauty, strength, and mystery for thousands of years.
Here’s a list of our favorite baby names inspired by our amazing moons (and the 400+ moons in our solar system), the ancient mythological characters associated with them, and the explorers and innovators who study them today.
Creative (real world) month name inspiration
1. Selene
Selene was the Greek goddess of the moon. In paintings she was always depicted as very beautiful, and the Greek poet Hesiod described her as “rich-haired.” So basically Selene with good hair.
2. Jericho
The name of this Palestinian city is Biblical and of Hebrew origin. Yarik, Means “moon”.
3. Luna
Literally means “moon” in Italian and Spanish, and is the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, corresponding to Selene in Roman mythology. This is also the origin of words such as “madman” and “crazy”, as it was long believed that the moon influenced a person’s mood. The late Latin phrase was “lunaticus,” meaning “struck by the moon.”
4. Irene
Turkish name meaning “moon halo”. Folklore says that when a halo appears around the moon, stormy weather is coming, and this has often been proven to be true. This same meaning applies to the name Ayla.
5. Monday
Yes, it seems an odd addition to this list, but the word “Monday” actually comes from an Old English constituent. Mona (“moon”) and material (“day”). solarNow you can understand the meaning of “day” a little more.
6. Jasira
Jasira, a name derived from Brazil’s indigenous Tupi people, is made up of two Tupi words. yes means “moon” Islaymeans “honey”. We’ve all heard the term “honeymoon baby.” And if you’re expecting a baby, it’s almost impossible to find a more fitting name.
7. Io
This is also taken from Greek mythology, but its association with the moon actually has something to do with it. different Moon: i.e. Io, Jupiter’s largest moon. (By the way…this is how it’s pronounced) Eyes, oh. )
8. Elara
Also, Jupiter’s moons (of which there are at least 101) have names that are too beautiful to leave off the list. It is named after the Greek mythological character Elara, one of Zeus’ mortal lovers who gave birth to a giant baby. ah.
9. Apollo
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 became the first manned flight to land on the moon, so it’s only fitting that this Greek name be included on the list. If you want a less mythical choice, Neil (after Neil Armstrong) or Edwin (Buzz Aldrin’s birth name), the first two astronauts to set foot on the moon, are always options.
10. Moon
“Mahina” means “moon” in Polynesian and comes from the Hawaiian moon goddess Hina. It is said that the chick was so beautiful that no one could leave her alone, so she fled to the moon in search of peace. (We’ll probably do the same, TBH.)
11. Meridian
This unique name is an astronomical term. The meridian is an invisible line in the sky that runs north-south. The moon reaches its highest point or zenith as it passes through the upper meridian. *Cue “The More You Know” music*
12. Chandra
It means “moon” in Hindi and Sanskrit (spelled in non-English versions as: चंद्र). Although in the English-speaking world this name ends in A and tends to be seen as a predominantly female name, Chandra was actually a male moon god in Hindu mythology.
13. Titan
Saturn’s largest moon (fun fact: Saturn leads the solar system with 285 known moons!), Titan is a unique moon. That’s because Titan is the only moon known to have a dense atmosphere and evidence of stable, Earth-like liquid. That means science buffs are eyeing it as a potential place for humans to settle someday.
14. Deva
This girl’s name is named after the Hindu goddess of the moon and refers to brightness and brilliance. If you’re interested in celebrity child names, it’s also the name of model and actress Monica Bellucci’s daughter.
15. Artemis
The etymology of this name is debatable, but it’s usually a confusion between the Greek words meaning “butcher” and the Greek words meaning “safe” (which, as you can see, are totally contradictory). But Artemis was actually the name of the Greek goddess of the moon and hunting, so good luck, butcher!
16. Mona
This name has many different origins, each with a different meaning, so there could be several reasons to explain why she was given such a name. As mentioned above about Monday, one of the reasons is that it means “month” in Old English.
17. Diana
Like Artemis, Diana was also the goddess of the moon and hunting, but to the Romans rather than the Greeks. She was also the twin sister of Apollo, another name on this list. It would be great if you gave your brother and sister matching names.
18. Kamal
This Arabic boy name means “moon” and is perfect for your little moon baby.
19. Badr
This Egyptian boy’s name means “born during a full moon” and was at one time so popular that Egyptian parents started using it for their baby girls.
20. Moonlight
variant of ChandChandni, which means moon in Hindi, is a very popular girl’s name in India and the South Asian diaspora.
21. Birder
This name, which means “full moon” in Arabic, evokes wonderful images. It might be the perfect name for your little darling.
22. I became an adult
This Turkish name, which means “moon of embers,” suggests a golden night in which the moon appears to be on fire. It is also very popular in Türkiye.
23. Amaris
This name is often listed on baby name sites as a Spanish name meaning “child of the moon” and is a nice astrological name for your little one. However, the more widely accepted etymology is a Hebrew word meaning “promise of God.”
24. Luan
This name is of Portuguese origin and means “moon”. This can be an outrageous choice for both your baby girl and baby boy.
25. Ariel
The Hebrew name Ariel means “Lion of God.” It is also the name of one of Uranus’s five major moons.
26. Serimin
A variant of the girl’s name “Selimene”, Selimene is believed to derive from Latin and Greek elements meaning “heaven” and “moon” or “strength”. The name dates back to the 17th century French playwright Molière. Molière used the name Célimène in a 1666 play. hate humans.
27. Hecate
This Greek name may not directly mean the moon, but it is related to Greek figures associated with the moon. This name means “power of will”.
28. Swinging Moon
Don’t have a nice ring? The Latin name Altalune means “above the moon” or “higher than the moon.”
29.Esmelee
This name is of Turkish origin and means “dark moon”. Bonus: Perfect if you want to call your daughter “Esme” for short.
30. Larissa
Larissa is of Latin origin and means “joyful” or “joyful.” It is also one of Neptune’s moons.
31. Melinoe
This is the Greek name for the color of quince. Quince is a fragrant pear-like fruit that is associated in mythology with Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Melinoe is also a ghostly chthonic goddess, daughter of Persephone…i.e. adjacent to the moon goddess?
32. Nikini
In Sri Lanka, this name means “August full moon”.
More moon names we love
- change:Chinese moon goddess “beautiful and elegant woman”
- month: Scandinavian Sun Brothers
- phoebe: Moon giant * and * Saturn’s moons, “shining”
- Cynthia: Artemis adjective, “moon”
- callisto: The second largest and “brightest” of Jupiter’s moons.
- miranda: Uranus’s small moon “deserves praise”
- titania: Uranus’s largest satellite, “The Great One”
- Cressida: Uranus’s inner moon “gold”
- rare: Saturn’s second largest satellite, “Flowing” and “Mother of the Gods”
- Christina (Koch): NASA astronaut “Anointed” who holds the world record for longest single spaceflight by a woman
- sari (Ride): The Lady, the first American woman to travel to space
Whether your baby was born (or conceived…we don’t judge) under a full moon, or you’re simply fascinated by the glowing orbs in the sky and the legends and mysteries associated with them, these names are the perfect choice to show your little one your love for the moon.
This article was first published
