150+ Names That Mean Sun: Unique Baby Names for Boys & Girls

August 24, 2026

Choosing a name is a big moment for new parents. Many look for names that carry deep meaning. Sun-inspired names are warm and full of light. They bring energy, hope, and positivity to a child’s identity.

Across cultures, the sun has always stood for life and power. Ancient civilizations often worshipped the sun as a god. Because of this, many languages have beautiful words for sun. These words have turned into lovely names over time.

Sun names work well for both boys and girls. Some are strong and bold, fitting for baby boys. Others are soft and graceful, perfect for baby girls. There is truly a sun name to match every personality.

In this list, you will find over 150 sun-related names. Each one comes with its meaning and origin. Whether you want something modern or traditional, you’ll find it here. Let’s explore these bright and beautiful name choices together.

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Quick List of Names That Mean Sun

Kira — A short, radiant-sounding name of Slavic/Persian roots. Often linked to light and the sun’s glow.

Surya — Sanskrit for “sun,” also the name of the Hindu sun god. A strong, spiritual choice for any gender.

Apollo — Greek god associated with the sun, light, and music. A bold, mythic name for boys.

Solana — Spanish for “sunshine.” A warm, musical girls’ name.

Ravi — Sanskrit/Hindi for “sun.” A classic, widely used Indian boys’ name.

Helios — The Greek personification of the sun itself. A powerful, ancient-feeling boys’ name.

Zia — Arabic for “light” or “splendor,” often tied to sunlight. Short, modern, and unisex-friendly.

Sunniva — Old Norse/English, meaning “sun gift.” A rare, poetic choice for girls.

Amaterasu — The Japanese sun goddess’s name. Striking and deeply symbolic.

Elio — Italian/Spanish form of Helios, “sun.” Trendy, short, and easy to pronounce.

Aine — Irish, meaning “radiance” or “splendor,” linked to the sun goddess Áine. Soft and mythic for girls.

Cyrus — Old Persian, “like the sun” or “throne.” A regal, historic boys’ name.

Marisol — Spanish, combining “mar” (sea) and “sol” (sun). A vivid, nature-inspired girls’ name.

Soleil — French for “sun.” Elegant and instantly recognizable.

Aten — The ancient Egyptian sun disk deity. Rare and striking for a boy.

Grian — Irish Gaelic word for “sun.” Earthy and distinctive, unisex-friendly.

Haru — Japanese, often meaning “sun” or “spring,” depending on the characters used. Gentle and popular in Japan.

Aditya — Sanskrit, another name for the sun. A traditional, dignified boys’ name.

Roshan — Persian/Urdu, meaning “light” or “bright,” tied to sunlight. Warm and widely used across South Asia.

Titan — Greek, linked to Helios and the Titans of the sun. Bold and powerful for boys.

Girl Names That Mean Sun

Girl Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
AineRadiance, splendorIrish
CyraSun, thronePersian
ElaineBright, shining lightFrench/Greek
EsenGentle breeze, tied to warmthTurkish
GraniaGrace, linked to sun mythsIrish
HaulaniRoyal sunHawaiian
KiraLight, sunSlavic/Persian
MarisolSea and sunSpanish
RoshniLight, brightnessHindi/Sanskrit
SolanaSunshineSpanish
SoleilSunFrench
SolveigSun’s strengthNorwegian
SunnivaSun giftOld Norse
SuryaSun (also a boys’/unisex name)Sanskrit
ZiaLight, splendorArabic

Names Meaning Sun for Girls

Aine — Rooted in Irish mythology as a goddess of summer and light. Soft-sounding yet steeped in solar symbolism.

Sunniva — Literally translates to “sun gift” in Old Norse. A rare pick that feels both ancient and fresh.

Solveig — Combines Norse words for “sun” and “strength” or “house.” Made famous in Ibsen’s Peer Gynt.

Elaine — Comes from a root meaning “bright, shining light.” A timeless, literary-feeling name.

Marisol — Blends “mar” (sea) and “sol” (sun) into one lyrical word. Popular throughout Spanish-speaking countries.

Girl Names That Mean Sun

Cyra — Feminine form of Cyrus, tied to Persian sun imagery. Sleek and modern-sounding.

Grania — Anglicized from the Irish Gráinne, connected to solar folklore. Carries a storybook quality.

Roshni — A beloved South Asian name meaning “light” or “illumination.” Bright and cheerful in tone.

Zia — A crisp, one-syllable name meaning “light” or “splendor.” Increasingly popular in Western baby name charts.

Haulani — Hawaiian for “royal sun” or “heavenly royalty.” Melodic and rich with meaning.

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Boy Names That Mean Sun

Boy Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
ApolloGod of the sun, light, and musicGreek
CyrusLike the sun; throneOld Persian
ElioSunItalian/Spanish
HeliosPersonification of the sunGreek
RaviSunSanskrit
AdityaSunSanskrit
RoshanBright, lightPersian
SuryaSun godSanskrit
TitusPossibly linked to sun/honorLatin
KiranRay of sunlightSanskrit
MalachiMy messenger, linked to solar imagery in some readingsHebrew
BelSun/lord, related to BelenusCeltic
SolSunLatin/Spanish
AmunEgyptian sun/creator deityEgyptian
RaAncient Egyptian sun godEgyptian

Names That Mean Sun for Boys

Apollo — The Greek god of sun, prophecy, and the arts. Mythic, strong, and increasingly popular.

Cyrus — Derived from Old Persian, often translated as “like the sun.” Carries royal weight from Cyrus the Great.

Elio — A breezy Italian and Spanish form of Helios. Popularized further by modern film and literature.

Kiran — Sanskrit for “ray of light” or “sunbeam.” Short, bright, and easy to say.

Sol — Simply “sun” in Latin and Spanish. Minimalist and striking.

Greek Names That Mean Sun for Boys

Helios — The Greek Titan who personified the sun itself. One of the most direct “sun” names in any language.

Apollo — Later absorbed many of Helios’s solar associations in Greek myth. A name synonymous with light and radiance.

Phoebus — An epithet meaning “bright” or “radiant,” often applied to Apollo. Elegant and classically inspired.

Lampros — Greek word for “bright” or “shining.” Rare, but rich with solar meaning.

Photios — Rooted in the Greek word for “light,” phos. A dignified, scholarly-sounding option.

Unisex Names That Mean Sun

Unisex Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
SuryaSunSanskrit
GrianSunIrish Gaelic
ZiaLight, splendorArabic
YangSun, light, positive energyChinese
ArenEnlightened, associated with lightVarious
IliosSunGreek
SuviSummer, sun-linkedFinnish
AmaruLinked to solar serpent mythsAndean
NuruLightSwahili
XantheGolden, sun-coloredGreek

Unisex Names That Mean Sun

Surya — Works beautifully for any gender, honoring the Hindu sun deity. Simple, strong, and globally recognizable.

Zia — A trendy, gender-neutral pick meaning “light” or “splendor.” Fits easily into many naming styles.

Grian — The straightforward Irish word for “sun.” Distinctive without being hard to pronounce.

Nuru — Swahili for “light,” often used for both boys and girls. Warm and easy on the ear.

Yang — A Chinese name tied to sunlight and positive, active energy. Short and philosophically rich.

Unique Names That Mean Sun

Amaru — Linked to South American solar and serpent mythology. Unusual and evocative.

Eguzkine — Basque for “sun.” Extremely rare, deeply rooted in regional heritage.

Feven — Amharic name meaning “shining light” or “sun.” Uncommon outside Ethiopia, but beautiful.

Xanthe — Greek for “golden” or “yellow,” evoking sunlight. Vintage-elegant and rarely heard.

Lior — Hebrew, meaning “my light,” with solar overtones. Increasingly used for both boys and girls.

Aurinko — Finnish word for “sun.” Bold and completely one-of-a-kind.

Q’orianka — Quechua-influenced name meaning “golden eagle,” tied to sun imagery. Distinctive and rhythmic.

Sauliūtė — A Lithuanian diminutive tied to “saulė,” meaning sun. Charming and unusual for English speakers.

Aurelio — Latin, meaning “golden,” closely tied to sunlight. Classic in Italian and Spanish-speaking families.

Beltane — Tied to the Celtic fire/sun festival. Unconventional, nature-rooted choice.

Names That Mean Sunshine

Sunlight / Sunshine Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
SolanaSunshineSpanish
SuviSun, summerFinnish
RoshniLight, brightnessHindi
ZiyaLight, splendorArabic/Turkish
LiorMy lightHebrew
NuruLightSwahili
ElowenAssociated with brightness (Cornish)Cornish
BehroozProsperous, luminousPersian
UrielGod is my lightHebrew
LucianLightLatin

Names That Mean Sunshine

Solana — Directly translates to “sunshine” in Spanish. Bright, cheerful, and easy to say.

Suvi — Finnish for “sun” or “summer,” evoking warm sunshine. Short, crisp, and refreshing.

Roshni — Means “light” or “brightness” in Hindi. A joyful name often given to bring warmth.

Lior — Hebrew for “my light,” with a sunshine-like glow. Popular for both boys and girls in Israel.

Names That Mean Sunlight

Ziya — Persian/Turkish/Arabic for “light” or “splendor.” Modern and easy to pronounce across cultures.

Uriel — Hebrew, meaning “God is my light.” Angelic and solemn, with sunlit overtones.

Lucian — Latin-rooted, meaning “light.” A classic literary name with sunlight connotations.

Nuru — Swahili word for “light,” often tied to sunrise. Simple, warm, and welcoming.

Names That Mean Sunlight or Sunshine

Elowen — Cornish, associated with elm and light-filled nature imagery. Gentle and woodland-sweet.

Behrooz — Persian, meaning “prosperous” and “luminous.” Distinguished and rare outside Iran.

Aurelia — Latin, meaning “golden,” closely tied to sunlight’s glow. Vintage-chic and rising in popularity.

Photina — Greek, derived from phos, meaning “light.” Historic, tied to early Christian saints.

Kirana — Extended form of Kiran, meaning “ray of sunlight.” Melodic and feminine.

Japanese Names That Mean Sun

Japanese Names (Table)

NameMeaningNotes
HaruSun / springCommon unisex name
TaiyoSunStrong boys’ name
AkiraBright, clearPopular unisex name
HikaruLight, radianceUnisex
YoukoSunlight childGirls’ name
HinataFacing the sun, sunny placePopular unisex name
AmaterasuShining in heavenSun goddess
TeruTo shineOften used in compounds
AsahiMorning sunUnisex
HiSun, fire (as a root syllable)Used within longer names

Japanese Names That Mean Sun

Taiyo — A direct, powerful Japanese word for “sun.” A favorite for boys wanting a bold, nature-rooted name.

Hinata — Means “facing the sun” or “sunny place.” Extremely popular and works for any gender.

Amaterasu — The revered sun goddess of Japanese Shinto mythology. Majestic and symbolically rich.

Asahi — Refers specifically to the “morning sun.” Fresh, hopeful, and widely used.

Akira — Often translated as “bright” or “clear,” with sunlit connotations. One of Japan’s most enduring unisex names.

Indian Names That Mean Sun

Indian Names (Table)

NameMeaningLanguage
SuryaSunSanskrit
RaviSunSanskrit
AdityaSunSanskrit
BhanuSun, lightSanskrit
KiranRay of sunlightSanskrit
ArkaSun, raySanskrit
DivakarMaker of the daySanskrit
PrabhakarGiver of lightSanskrit
RoshniLight, brightnessHindi
SavitriSun goddess-relatedSanskrit

Indian Names That Mean Sun

Surya — One of the most recognized sun-related names, honoring the Vedic sun god. Used widely across India for boys and unisex naming.

Ravi — A classic, everyday name meaning simply “sun.” Approachable and enduringly popular.

Aditya — Refers to the sun as a child of the goddess Aditi. Traditional and dignified.

Bhanu — Sanskrit for “sun” or “light.” Compact and easy to pronounce.

Divakar — Literally “the one who makes the day,” referring to the sun. A poetic, formal-sounding choice.

Prabhakar — Means “giver of light,” another sun epithet. Traditional and respected in Indian naming customs.

Savitri — Tied to a Vedic solar deity and a revered mythological queen. A strong, storied name for girls.

Greek and Latin Names That Mean Sun

Greek & Latin Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
HeliosSunGreek
ApolloSun god, lightGreek
SolSunLatin
SolarisOf the sunLatin
AureliusGoldenLatin
LuciusLightLatin
PhoebeBright, radiantGreek
PhotiosLightGreek
HeliaFeminine form of HeliosGreek
SoleneSun-related, dignifiedLatin/French

Greek and Latin Names That Mean Sun

Helios — The primary Greek word and deity name for “sun.” As direct a sun name as exists in any language.

Sol — Latin’s simple, elegant word for “sun.” Used across many modern European languages.

Aurelius — Latin for “golden,” tied closely to sunlight and radiance. Carries imperial Roman gravitas.

Lucius — Rooted in the Latin word lux, meaning “light.” A refined, historic choice.

Phoebe — Greek for “bright” or “radiant,” an epithet once linked to the sun and moon. Light, lively, and widely loved today.

Greek Names That Mean Sun for Boys

Helios — The literal god and word for the sun in Greek myth. Grand and mythologically rich.

Apollo — God of sun, music, and prophecy in Greek tradition. One of the most popular sun-linked boys’ names today.

Phoebus — An epithet for Apollo meaning “bright” or “radiant.” Sophisticated and rarely used.

Photios — Derived from phos, the Greek word for light. Distinguished, with strong etymological roots.

Ilios — A poetic variant spelling of Helios. Short, modern, and mythic at once.

Names That Mean Sun and Light

Sun and Light Names (Table)

NameMeaningOrigin
LucianLightLatin
UrielGod is my lightHebrew
ZiaLight, splendorArabic
RoshanBright, luminousPersian
NuruLightSwahili
PhotiniLightGreek
ElaineBright, shining lightFrench
IliosSunGreek
AurelioGolden lightLatin/Italian
KiranRay of lightSanskrit

Names That Mean Sun and Light

Lucian — Rooted in the Latin lux, meaning “light,” closely tied to sunlight. Timeless and literary.

Zia — Arabic for “light” or “splendor,” often describing sunlight’s glow. Short, modern, and cross-cultural.

Roshan — Persian for “bright” or “luminous.” Warm, welcoming, and widely used in South Asia.

Photini — Greek for “light,” borne by an early Christian saint. Graceful and historically grounded.

Kiran — Sanskrit for “ray of light,” directly evoking sunbeams. Popular, gender-flexible, and easy to say.

Names That Mean Sun and Moon

Selene — The Greek goddess of the moon, often paired thematically with sun names like Helios. A poetic choice for celestial-name lovers.

Chandra — Sanskrit for “moon,” frequently discussed alongside Surya (sun). Balances beautifully in sibling-name pairings.

Apollo and Artemis — In Greek myth, twin siblings representing sun and moon respectively. A classic mythological duo for pairing names.

Amara — While meaning “eternal,” it’s often used alongside solar and lunar-themed names in modern naming lists. Soft and versatile.

Luna — Latin for “moon,” commonly listed opposite sun names like Sol. Hugely popular in recent years.

Names That Mean Sun or Fire

Aiden — Irish, meaning “little fire,” often grouped with sun-themed names. Popular, modern, and easy to pronounce.

Ember — English word-name evoking glowing fire and warmth. Trendy and nature-inspired.

Agni — Sanskrit name for the Vedic god of fire. Powerful and traditional in Indian naming.

Kai — In some Hawaiian and Japanese readings, associated with fire or sea depending on context. Short, versatile, and globally popular.

Ignatius — Latin, derived from ignis, meaning “fire.” Formal and historic, with a warm nickname (Iggy).

Names That Mean Sun in Different Cultures

Ra — Ancient Egyptian, the supreme sun deity. One of history’s oldest sun names.

Inti — The Incan sun god’s name, from the Quechua language. Vibrant and rooted in Andean tradition.

Sol — Also the Roman personification of the sun, alongside its Latin meaning. Recognized across many European languages.

Grian — Irish Gaelic for “sun,” tied to Celtic solar folklore. Earthy and distinctly regional.

Taiyo — Japan’s straightforward word for “sun.” Bold and modern.

Surya — India’s foremost sun deity and name. Spiritually significant and widely used.

Utu — The Sumerian sun god, among the earliest recorded solar deities. Ancient and historically fascinating.

Shamash — The Babylonian and Assyrian sun god. Weighty, with deep Mesopotamian roots.

Sol Invictus — “The Unconquered Sun,” a Roman solar deity title. More a title than a given name, but rich in symbolism.

Malina — In some Inuit traditions, the sun goddess’s name. Rare and evocative of Arctic mythology.

Names Inspired by Sun Gods

Sun God Names

Ra — Chief sun god of ancient Egypt, often depicted with a falcon head. Iconic and instantly recognizable.

Helios — Greek Titan who drove the sun chariot across the sky. A vivid, mythic namesake.

Surya — Hindu sun god, often shown riding a chariot pulled by seven horses. Deeply woven into Indian culture and naming.

Amaterasu — Shinto sun goddess, considered an ancestor of Japan’s imperial line. Majestic and historically significant.

Inti — Incan sun god, central to Andean religious tradition. Distinctive and culturally rich.

Apollo — Later Greco-Roman god associated with the sun, alongside music and prophecy. Popular, strong, and widely used today.

Shamash — Mesopotamian sun god of justice and law. Ancient and commanding.

Utu — Sumerian precursor to Shamash, one of the earliest sun deities on record. Historically fascinating, rarely used as a name.

Sol — Roman sun god, later evolving into the simple Latin word for “sun.” Simple, elegant, and easy to use today.

Tonatiuh — Aztec sun god, associated with sacrifice and renewal. Bold and culturally specific.

Ancient Names for the Sun

Ra — Ancient Egypt’s core word and deity name for the sun. Perhaps the most ancient sun name still recognized today.

Utu — Sumerian, among the oldest recorded sun-god names. A name for history enthusiasts.

Shamash — Akkadian/Babylonian, meaning “sun.” Weighty and steeped in Mesopotamian law and myth.

Helios — Ancient Greek word and Titan name for the sun. Foundational to Western sun-name traditions.

Sol — Ancient Roman deity and word for the sun. The root of many modern sun names in Romance languages.

Last Names That Mean Sun

Solberg — Norwegian, meaning “sun mountain” or “sunny hill.” A surname turned occasional first name.

Solis — Latin-derived surname meaning “of the sun.” Common in Spanish-speaking regions.

Delsol — Spanish, meaning “of the sun.” Poetic and rare as a family name.

Akhtar — Persian/Urdu surname sometimes linked to celestial and solar imagery. Common across South Asia and the Middle East.

Sunday — English surname historically tied to sun-day naming traditions. Simple, familiar, and occasionally used as a first name.

Herrera del Sol — A Spanish compound surname referencing the sun. Evocative and regionally specific.

Soleimani — Persian surname meaning “of Solomon,” sometimes folk-linked to “sol” (sun) due to sound. Worth noting for cultural interest, though the true root is biblical.

Lichtenberg — German, meaning “light mountain,” often grouped with sun-themed surnames. Distinguished and historic.

Ngày — Vietnamese word-root meaning “day/sun,” occasionally used in surnames. Rare outside Vietnam.

Amanpour — Persian surname loosely tied to peace and light imagery. Recognizable through modern media figures.

Names Meaning Sun

Across cultures and centuries, sun-related names carry themes of warmth, radiance, strength, and divinity — from Egypt’s Ra to Japan’s Amaterasu, India’s Surya, and the Greek Helios. Whether you want something classic like Sol or Apollo, modern like Zia or Kiran, or deeply rare like Eguzkine or Sauliūtė, there’s a sun-inspired name for nearly every taste and background.

Conclusions

Picking a name that means sun is a wonderful choice. It gives your child a bright and warm identity. These names carry history, culture, and deep meaning. Any option from this list will feel truly special.

Take your time and read through the names again. Say them out loud and see how they sound. Think about which one matches your family’s style. Your little ray of sunshine deserves the perfect name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What name means sun?

Names like Kiran, Surya, Elio, and Apollo all mean sun.

What is a girl name that means sun?

Popular girl names meaning sun include Aria, Suri, Elowen, and Solana.

What is a boy name that means sun?

Popular boy names meaning sun include Ravi, Leo, Kian, and Apollo.

What is the Japanese name for sun?

Hinata and Taiyo are Japanese names that mean sun.

What is the Hawaiian name for sun?

La is the Hawaiian word and name meaning sun.

What is the Irish name for sun?

Grian is an Irish name that means sun.

What is the Latin word for sun used as a name?

Sol is the Latin word for sun and is used as a baby name.

What is a unique unisex name that means sun?

Sunny, Surya, and Haru are unique unisex names meaning sun.

What Indian name means sun?

Surya, Ravi, Aditya, and Bhanu are Indian names meaning sun.

What Greek name means sun?

Helios and Apollo are Greek names connected to the sun.

What is a cute nickname that means sun?

Sunny and Ray are cute, simple nicknames meaning sun.

What is a strong name that means sun god?

Apollo and Surya are strong names meaning sun god.

About the author
Ethan Carter
I'm a passionate naming researcher and content writer with **5+ years of experience** exploring baby names, name meanings, origins, and naming trends. I enjoy creating accurate, easy-to-read guides that help parents and readers find the perfect name with confidence.

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