names that mean sun
|

Names That Mean Sun 250 Bright and Powerful Names from Every Culture

The sun is the most powerful force in our world. Every civilization that has ever existed on earth has looked up at it, worshipped it, feared it, celebrated it, and named their children after it. Names that mean sun carry something that very few other names can offer: warmth, strength, light, and a connection to the most ancient human traditions on every continent.

Whether you are looking for girl names that mean sun, boy names that mean sun, a Latin name for sun, a Greek name for the sun, Japanese names meaning sun, Arabic names meaning sun, or fantasy names meaning sun, this guide covers all of it. We have gathered 250 names that mean sun from over 25 cultures and languages worldwide.

Why Names That Mean Sun Are So Powerful

The sun has been worshipped as a deity in nearly every ancient culture. In Egypt, Ra was the king of all gods. In Greece, Helios drove his golden chariot across the sky. In Japan, Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun and ruler of the heavens. In India, Surya is still worshipped today as a life-giving solar deity. In the Inca Empire, Inti was the god of the sun and the father of the Inca people.

Names associated with the sun carry all of that history. They represent life, energy, warmth, new beginnings, leadership, and divine power. A name that means sun is not just a name about a star in the sky. It is a name about everything the sun has ever meant to human beings since the very beginning.

250 Names That Mean Sun

All 250 names below come from verified cultural, linguistic, and mythological sources spanning over 25 cultures and every major world language.

Showing 1–270 of 441 names
NameMeaningOriginGenderPronunciationPopularity
SolaireOf the sunFrench/LatinMaleSO-lai-re
Rare
EkinSunBasque/TurkishMaleE-kin
Rare
SolMeans sunSpanishUnisexsohl
Very Common
ArpinaRising of the sunArmenianFemaleA-rpi-na
Rare
WillkaSunAymaraMaleWI-llka
Rare
TakemikazuchiaRadiance of the sunJapaneseMaleta-ke-mi-ka-zu-chi-a
Rare
ForteaRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexfor-tea
Uncommon
SooriyamalaSun garlandSinhaleseFemaleSOO-ri-ya-ma-la
Rare
KalynithRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexka-ly-nit
Uncommon
GoldenMade of gold, like the sunOld EnglishMaleGO-lden
Uncommon
TaraniSun, boatSanskritFemaleTA-ra-ni
Uncommon
DelonrixRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexde-lon-rix
Uncommon
CelardraRadiance of the sunEnglishFemalece-lar-dra
Uncommon
PranushaRay of sunlightSanskritFemalePRA-nu-sha
Uncommon
SheltonSettlement on the sunny ledgeOld EnglishMaleSHE-lton
Uncommon
AnatoleSunrise, from the eastGreekMaleA-na-to-le
Rare
ElosixRadiance of the sunFrenchMalee-lo-six
Rare
AlvisSun elf, all-knowingOld NorseMaleA-lvis
Rare
DawitBeloved, sun-likeEthiopian/HebrewMaleDA-wit
Rare
AarushFirst ray of the sunSanskrit/IndianMaleAA-rush
Rare
ShininRadiance of the sunJapaneseMaleshi-ni-n
Uncommon
ChangSunlightChineseMaleCHANG
Rare
NantaiChief, standing sunNavajoMaleNA-ntai
Rare
DaystarSun, planet visible before sunriseEnglishFemaleDA-ystar
Rare
AlenaBright, sunlightSlavicFemaleA-le-na
Rare
FultonSettlement of sunlit fieldsOld EnglishMaleFU-lton
Uncommon
ElarRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexe-lar
Uncommon
MehrabSunPersianMaleME-hrab
Uncommon
GalunionRadiance of the sunEnglishMalega-lu-nion
Uncommon
HaliswynRadiance of the sunFrenchMaleha-lis-wyn
Rare
MirosoraRadiance of the sunItalianMalemi-ro-so-ra
Uncommon
FatoonRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexfa-toon
Rare
ZariaSunrise beautyArabicFemaleZA-ria
Rare
HellerBright, sunnyGermanFemaleHE-ller
Rare
GunaySun and moonTurkishMaleGNAY
Rare
AeliusSunLatin/RomanMaleAE-lius
Rare
AlpenglowRosy light of rising/setting sun on mountainsGermanFemaleA-lpe-nglow
Rare
ChaitnaSunshine, consciousnessSanskritFemaleCHAI-tna
Uncommon
ElioThe sunItalian/SpanishMaleE-lio
Rare
SandyaEvening sun, twilightSanskritFemaleSA-ndya
Uncommon
ApolloGod of the sun and lightGreekMaleA-po-llo
Very Common
SavitriRelating to the sunSanskritFemaleSA-vi-tri
Uncommon
AkiraBright light, sunlightJapaneseMaleA-ki-ra
Uncommon
SundayDay of the sunEnglishFemaleSU-nday
Uncommon
MisaeBeautiful sunNative American (Osage)FemaleMI-sae
Rare
KyraLike the sunPersian/GreekFemaleKYRA
Uncommon
DarereonRadiance of the sunItalianFemaleda-re-reon
Uncommon
HikaruLight, sun glowJapaneseMaleHI-ka-ru
Uncommon
MirenvelRadiance of the sunEnglishUnisexmi-ren-vel
Uncommon
GharniSunbeamSanskritFemaleGHA-rni
Uncommon
KiranmalaGarland of sunbeamsSanskritFemaleKI-ra-nma-la
Uncommon
ApollineStrength, sunFrench/GreekFemaleA-po-lli-ne
Rare
HalarornRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemaleha-la-ro-r-n
Rare
KalindaThe sunSanskritFemaleKA-li-nda
Uncommon
HiyoriSunny weather, sun harmonyJapaneseMaleHI-yo-ri
Uncommon
ThalilmirRadiance of the sunArabicFemaletha-lil-mir
Uncommon
LuqmanielRadiance of the sunArabicMaleluq-ma-niel
Rare
UdayaSunriseSanskritFemaleU-da-ya
Uncommon
AelianaSunLatinFemaleAE-lia-na
Rare
QualitaaRadiance of the sunItalianFemalequa-li-taa
Rare
AmaterasuSun goddessJapaneseFemaleA-ma-te-ra-su
Uncommon
AurelianGolden, like the sunLatinMaleAU-re-lian
Rare
DelynaelRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalede-ly-nael
Uncommon
XanthusYellow, golden sunGreekMaleXA-nthus
Rare
CyrusThe sun, thronePersianMaleCYRUS
Common
AkosuaBorn on SundayGhanaian (Twi)FemaleA-ko-sua
Rare
Seo-YoungAuspicious, sunKoreanFemaleSEO-young
Rare
SuryanSunSanskritMaleSU-ryan
Uncommon
VanalikaSunflowerSanskritFemaleVA-na-li-ka
Uncommon
KayoungBlooming, sunKoreanFemaleKA-young
Rare
NaseemMorning breeze, sunlit airArabicMaleNA-seem
Rare
NayerShining sunPersianMaleNA-yer
Uncommon
DhityaSunshine, thoughtSanskritFemaleDHI-tya
Uncommon
CamelliaethRadiance of the sunArabicFemaleca-mel-liaet
Rare
SiqiniqSunInuktitutFemaleSI-qi-niq
Rare
AndreaelRadiance of the sunItalianMalean-dreael
Uncommon
ValelithRadiance of the sunEnglishMaleva-le-lit
Uncommon
Lea-annSunlit meadowEnglishFemaleLEAANN
Rare
SorleyFrom the sunScottish GaelicMaleSO-rley
Rare
MirathRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexmi-ra-t-h
Rare
IlonaSun, brightHungarianFemaleI-lo-na
Uncommon
FenorithRadiance of the sunJapaneseMalefe-no-ri-t-h
Uncommon
AsisSun blessingSanskritFemaleA-sis
Uncommon
ZarinielRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexza-ri-ni-e-l
Rare
KalosarRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexka-lo-sar
Uncommon
TaiyoThe sunJapaneseMaleTAI-yo
Uncommon
Custardy BattleA pun on custody battle, suited to a cat who fights over the best sunny spot on the couch.Idiom (custody battle)UnisexKUS ter dee BAT uhl
Rare
ApricityWarmth of the sun in winterLatinFemaleA-pri-city
Rare
IshanSun risingSanskritMaleI-shan
Uncommon
DarilielRadiance of the sunJapaneseMaleda-ri-li-e-l
Rare
DaraswynRadiance of the sunItalianFemaleda-ras-wyn
Rare
CyranoSun-inspiredGreek/PersianMaleCYRA-no
Rare
SylunionRadiance of the sunJapaneseMalesy-lu-ni-o-n
Rare
SunnivaSun giftScandinavianFemaleSU-nni-va
Rare
EnakshiSun-eyedSanskritFemaleE-na-kshi
Uncommon
EkiSunBasqueMaleE-ki
Rare
OrianaGolden sunriseLatinFemaleO-ria-na
Rare
SabrielRadiance of the sunArabicUnisexsab-riel
Rare
HelenBright sun, torchGreekFemaleHE-len
Very Common
HelaelRadiance of the sunJapaneseMalehe-la-e-l
Rare
HarutoSun and flightJapaneseMaleHA-ru-to
Common
XiaGlow of sunriseChineseFemaleXIA
Rare
DarosmirRadiance of the sunArabicUnisexda-ros-mir
Uncommon
CelasornRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexce-la-so-r-n
Uncommon
HaedalSun and moonKoreanUnisexHAY-dahl
Rare
UrjaEnergy, sunlightSanskritFemaleU-rja
Uncommon
LianaSun vine, lightLatin/HebrewFemaleLIA-na
Uncommon
BhanupriyaBeloved of the sunSanskritFemaleBHA-nu-pri-ya
Uncommon
LouisinRadiance of the sunFrenchMaleloui-sin
Uncommon
AdrianelRadiance of the sunEnglishMalead-ria-nel
Uncommon
SooriyapriyaBeloved of the sunSinhaleseFemaleSOO-ri-ya-pri-ya
Rare
LangaSun, light, sunshineZulu/AfricanMaleLA-nga
Rare
SyloraelRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalesy-lo-rael
Uncommon
IleanaBright sunRomanian/GreekFemaleI-lea-na
Rare
SauleSun goddessKazakhFemaleSAU-le
Rare
AnshulaSunny, radiantSanskritFemaleA-nshu-la
Uncommon
AmunHidden sun godEgyptianMaleA-mun
Uncommon
RaveenaSunnySanskritFemaleRA-vee-na
Uncommon
LyanneBright sunlightEnglishFemaleLYA-nne
Rare
AnshulSunbeam, radiantSanskrit/HindiMaleA-nshul
Uncommon
HnubSunHmongFemaleHNUB
Rare
JishnuVictorious sunSanskritMaleJI-shnu
Uncommon
IdenProsperous, sunlitOld EnglishMaleI-den
Uncommon
SolveigStrength of the sunNorwegianFemaleSO-lveig
Rare
MariseInfinite, sunny seaFrench/JapaneseFemaleMA-ri-se
Uncommon
AurelioGolden sunItalian/SpanishMaleAU-re-lio
Rare
HelianSunlightGreekMaleHE-lian
Rare
HelenaBright, shining sunGreekFemaleHE-le-na
Rare
VapeurinRadiance of the sunFrenchFemaleva-peu-rin
Rare
ArpiarSunnyArmenianMaleA-rpiar
Rare
MerlinSea fortress, sun-brightOld English/WelshMaleME-rlin
Rare
ApricusWarmed by the sunLatinMaleA-pri-cus
Rare
AeranethRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexae-ra-ne-t-h
Rare
PhoebusBright, shining sunGreekMalePHOE-bus
Rare
GrianSunIrish/GaelicMaleGRIAN
Rare
RexielRadiance of the sunEnglishMalere-xiel
Uncommon
DragonixRadiance of the sunFrenchMaledra-go-nix
Rare
OdhranSunlit, little oneIrishMaleO-dhran
Rare
ElaineBright, shining sunOld French/GreekFemaleE-lai-ne
Common
ValielRadiance of the sunEnglishMaleva-liel
Rare
VelarwynRadiance of the sunEnglishFemaleve-lar-wyn
Uncommon
BelusyxRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemalebe-lu-sy-x
Rare
RaviThe sunSanskrit/IndianMaleRA-vi
Common
PrestigeielRadiance of the sunFrenchUnisexpres-ti-geiel
Rare
ArkaSun, ray of lightSanskritMaleA-rka
Uncommon
MirararRadiance of the sunItalianMalemi-ra-rar
Uncommon
HirotoLarge, abundant sunJapaneseMaleHI-ro-to
Uncommon
SuviSummer sunFinnishFemaleSU-vi
Rare
SylirvelRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalesy-lir-vel
Rare
OchiengBorn when sun shinesLuoMaleO-chieng
Rare
ElaliaRadiance of the sunItalianUnisexe-la-lia
Rare
KazukoynRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemaleka-zu-ko-y-n
Uncommon
SorinSunRomanianMaleSO-rin
Rare
SimarSun remembranceSanskritMaleSI-mar
Uncommon
CelosvelRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemalece-lo-s-ve-l
Uncommon
MziaSunGeorgianFemaleMZIA
Rare
ElidiGift of the sunGreekFemaleE-li-di
Rare
KumoiaRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexku-mo-ia
Uncommon
DhinakarSun (maker of day)SanskritMaleDHI-na-kar
Uncommon
ValinielRadiance of the sunEnglishMaleva-li-niel
Rare
AgimDawn, sunriseAlbanianMaleA-gim
Rare
MiroriaRadiance of the sunEnglishUnisexmi-ro-ria
Uncommon
HelakuFull of sunshineNative American (Miwok)FemaleHE-la-ku
Rare
WestonWestern settlement, sunset townOld EnglishMaleWE-ston
Uncommon
SolfridBeloved sunNorwegianFemaleSO-lfrid
Rare
SundarBeautiful, sunnySanskrit/TamilMaleSU-ndar
Rare
DineshLord of the sunSanskritMaleDI-nesh
Uncommon
HelaineBright sunFrench/GreekFemaleHE-lai-ne
Rare
AikoLove, sunlightJapaneseFemaleAI-ko
Uncommon
SunshineSunshineEnglishUnisexSU-nshi-ne
Rare
SolonWise, sun-likeGreekMaleSO-lon
Rare
EliannaSun, my God has answeredHebrewFemaleE-lia-nna
Uncommon
SoraiaRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexso-ra-ia
Uncommon
DysisSunsetGreekFemaleDYSIS
Rare
ZorionSun, happinessBasqueMaleZO-rion
Rare
LeighannSunny meadowEnglishFemaleLEI-ghann
Rare
SylisaelRadiance of the sunArabicUnisexsy-li-sael
Uncommon
BlaineBright, yellow, sun-likeEnglishMaleBLAI-ne
Rare
BrentHilltop bathed in sunlightOld EnglishMaleBRENT
Uncommon
RitkritiSunlightSanskritFemaleRI-tkri-ti
Uncommon
MehrnazDelight of the sunPersianFemaleME-hrnaz
Uncommon
EshanSunSanskritMaleE-shan
Uncommon
HarukiShining sun, spring radianceJapaneseMaleHA-ru-ki
Common
SukiynRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemalesu-ki-y-n
Uncommon
RashmiRay of sunlightSanskritFemaleRA-shmi
Uncommon
MiririxRadiance of the sunEnglishMalemi-ri-rix
Uncommon
SamsonLike the sunHebrewMaleSA-mson
Common
SolenneSunshineFrenchFemaleSO-le-nne
Rare
EliasMy God is the sunGreek/HebrewMaleE-lias
Uncommon
SylenixRadiance of the sunArabicMalesy-le-nix
Uncommon
NoiriaRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalenoi-ria
Uncommon
AineSun and moon goddessCelticFemaleAWN-yeh
Uncommon
ZoeielRadiance of the sunEnglishFemalezoeiel
Uncommon
HaulSunWelshMaleHAUL
Rare
ArthitSunThaiMaleA-rthit
Rare
UdaySunriseSanskritMaleU-day
Uncommon
MiyakoelRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemalemi-ya-ko-e-l
Rare
IorwenelRadiance of the sunEnglishFemaleior-we-nel
Rare
HaloRing of light around the sunGreek/FrenchMaleHA-lo
Rare
DrakeDragon, fire of the sunOld EnglishMaleDRA-ke
Common
ZarorathRadiance of the sunJapaneseFemaleza-ro-ra-t-h
Rare
EluniaRadiance of the sunItalianFemalee-lu-nia
Uncommon
ZinnaSunlight, flowerEnglish/GermanFemaleZI-nna
Rare
ArunaReddish-brown, dawn sunSanskrit/HindiFemaleA-ru-na
Uncommon
NadaDew at sunriseArabicFemaleNA-da
Rare
SauleeSun (sun goddess)LithuanianFemaleSAU-lee
Uncommon
SonikaGolden, sunSanskritFemaleSO-ni-ka
Uncommon
KiaraFirst ray of sun, lightEnglish/Italian/AboriginalFemaleKIA-ra
Rare
HeliosPersonification of the sunGreekMaleHE-lios
Uncommon
RavindraLord of the sunSanskritMaleRA-vi-ndra
Uncommon
IntiSun godIncan/QuechuaMaleI-nti
Rare
RinerarRadiance of the sunFrenchMaleri-ne-rar
Uncommon
CamilleelRadiance of the sunFrenchFemaleca-mil-leel
Uncommon
RinulathRadiance of the sunArabicFemaleri-nu-lat
Uncommon
SunilSun's brillianceSanskritMaleSU-nil
Uncommon
DiellSunAlbanianMaleDIELL
Rare
LeyanneSunnyEnglishFemaleLE-ya-nne
Rare
CyraLike the sunPersian/GreekFemaleCYRA
Rare
EtoileaRadiance of the sunFrenchUnisexe-toi-lea
Rare
HeloiseSun, famous warriorFrench/GermanFemaleHE-loi-se
Rare
SayanSun-relatedBengali/SanskritMaleSA-yan
Rare
SindriGlittering, sun-likeOld NorseMaleSI-ndri
Rare
HelionRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalehe-lion
Rare
SuryaThe sun, solar deitySanskritMaleSU-rya
Common
SorathSun warriorEnglishMaleso-rat
Rare
HaruinRadiance of the sunJapaneseUnisexha-ru-i-n
Uncommon
BaskaarThe sunTamilMaleBA-skaar
Rare
LevanaWhite, moon/sun risingHebrewFemaleLE-va-na
Rare
EleadoraGift of the sunGreekFemaleE-lea-do-ra
Rare
RavinderSun lord, great sunSanskritFemaleRA-vi-nder
Uncommon
CavalieroiaRadiance of the sunItalianMaleca-va-lie-roia
Rare
HorusSky and sunEgyptianMaleHO-rus
Uncommon
Ha-YunSummer, sunlightKoreanFemaleHA-yun
Rare
FinesseielRadiance of the sunFrenchFemalefi-nes-seiel
Rare
ColeBright, coal-black sunOld EnglishMaleCO-le
Common
TheronHunter, sun-chaserGreekMaleTHE-ron
Rare
SoyoungSunlight, youngKoreanFemaleSO-young
Rare
SuncanaSunnyCroatianFemaleSU-nca-na
Rare
SonnhildSun battleGermanFemaleSO-nnhild
Rare
HaritaSunny, greenSanskritFemaleHA-ri-ta
Uncommon
TapanThe sunSanskritMaleTA-pan
Uncommon
OmbraaRadiance of the sunItalianFemaleom-braa
Rare
SolinaLittle sunSpanishFemaleSO-li-na
Rare
KiyoshiPure bright sunlightJapaneseMaleKI-yo-shi
Uncommon
ArevikLike the sunArmenianFemaleA-re-vik
Rare
TsukuyomiielRadiance of the sunJapaneseMaletsu-ku-yo-mi-ie-l
Rare
RadleyMeadow of the sunOld EnglishMaleRA-dley
Uncommon
SabriaRadiance of the sunArabicUnisexsab-ria
Rare
ElouiseSun, healthyFrench/GermanFemaleE-loui-se
Rare
DrewiaRadiance of the sunEnglishUnisexdre-wia
Uncommon
SampsonLike the sunHebrewMaleSA-mpson
Rare
HakanFiery, sun-likeTurkish/Native AmericanMaleHA-kan
Rare
ValentinaielRadiance of the sunItalianFemaleva-len-ti-naiel
Uncommon
LeightonSettlement in the sunny meadowOld EnglishMaleLEI-ghton
Uncommon
HanionRadiance of the sunArabicUnisexha-nion
Uncommon
BhanuSun, ray of lightSanskritFemaleBHA-nu
Uncommon
ZarusaraRadiance of the sunItalianMaleza-ru-sa-ra
Uncommon
HinataSunny place, facing the sunJapaneseFemaleHI-na-ta
Uncommon
SoleyButtercup, sun islandIcelandicFemaleSO-ley
Rare
HinazukiSunshine moonJapaneseFemale—
Rare
ShamashSun godMesopotamianMaleSHA-mash
Uncommon
AdityaThe sun, son of AditiSanskritMaleA-di-tya
Common
NortonNorth town, bright northern sunOld EnglishMaleNO-rton
Uncommon
GalaryxRadiance of the sunJapaneseMalega-la-ry-x
Uncommon
MisamSunbeamArabicMaleMI-sam
Rare
NatsukoSummer sun childJapaneseFemaleNA-tsu-ko
Uncommon
CharlotteaRadiance of the sunEnglishFemalechar-lot-tea
Uncommon
AfricaSunny, pleasantLatin/CelticFemaleA-fri-ca
Rare
VivaanFull of life/sunSanskritMaleVI-vaan
Uncommon
NarantsetsegSunflowerMongolianFemaleNA-ra-ntse-tseg
Rare

Names That Mean Sun: Detailed Meanings

Sol

Meaning: Sun
Origin: Latin / Spanish
Pronunciation: SOL
Culture: Sol is both the Latin word for sun and the Spanish and Portuguese word for sun. In Roman mythology, Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun) was one of the most widely worshipped deities in the late Roman Empire. The word sol is the root of many English words including solar, solstice, and solarium.
Symbolism: Represents the sun in its purest, most direct form. Sol carries the full weight of Roman solar worship and the enduring power of the sun across cultures.
Why parents choose this name: Sol is short, strong, and works beautifully for boys and girls. It is increasingly popular as a standalone name in Spanish-speaking countries and in the United States.
Famous Namesake: Sol Invictus, the Roman sun god whose festival on December 25 predated Christmas celebrations. Sol is also the name given to Martian solar days by NASA scientists.

Soleil

Meaning: Sun
Origin: French
Pronunciation: soh-LAY
Culture: Soleil is the French word for sun and has been used as a given name in French-speaking countries for generations. It carries the elegance and romance that French names are known for while maintaining the directness of a word that simply means sun.
Symbolism: Represents warmth, brilliance, and the French cultural love of light and beauty. Soleil carries both the scientific reality of the sun and the emotional warmth it represents.
Why parents choose this name: Soleil is one of the most elegant sun names available. It sounds sophisticated and international while being immediately understandable to English speakers.
Famous Namesake: Soleil Moon Frye, American actress known for her childhood role in Punky Brewster.

Helios

Meaning: The sun / personification of the sun
Origin: Greek
Pronunciation: HEE-lee-os
Culture: In ancient Greek mythology, Helios was the divine personification of the sun. He was depicted as a young man crowned with a radiant halo, driving a four-horse chariot across the sky from east to west each day. Helios was the son of the Titans Hyperion and Theia, and the brother of Selene (moon) and Eos (dawn).
Symbolism: Represents the sun at its most divine and powerful. Helios is not just a name meaning sun, he is the sun, one of the oldest and most direct sun deities in Western tradition.
Why parents choose this name: Helios carries the full grandeur of Greek mythology. Parents who love strong mythological names with genuine historical depth will find Helios unmatched among Greek names for the sun.
Famous Namesake: The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a statue of Helios built to celebrate a military victory.

Cyrus

Meaning: Sun / throne
Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: SY-rus
Culture: Cyrus comes from the Old Persian name Kurush, thought to mean sun or throne. Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian Empire, and one of the greatest rulers in human history. He liberated the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and is the only non-Jewish figure in the Hebrew Bible referred to as a messiah.
Symbolism: Represents solar power transformed into human leadership. Cyrus carries both the warmth of the sun and the authority of one of the greatest kings who ever lived.
Why parents choose this name: Cyrus is strong, internationally recognized, and carries real historical weight. It works perfectly in English-speaking countries while maintaining its Persian roots.
Famous Namesake: Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire. Miley Cyrus, American singer and actress.

Surya

Meaning: Sun
Origin: Sanskri
Pronunciation: SOOR-yah
Culture: Surya is the Hindu god of the sun, one of the most important deities in the Hindu religion. Surya is worshipped daily in Surya Namaskar (the sun salutation), a series of yoga poses performed at sunrise. In Vedic tradition, Surya is considered the visible form of God, the eye of the universe, and the source of all life on earth.
Symbolism: Represents the divine life-giving power of the sun in Hindu spiritual tradition. Surya is not just warmth and light but the actual presence of the divine in the physical world.
Why parents choose this name: Surya is widely used across India and among Hindu communities worldwide. It carries deep spiritual meaning and a musical, powerful sound.
Famous Namesake: Surya, popular South Indian film actor. Surya Namaskar, the yoga sun salutation practiced by millions daily worldwide.

Aurora

Meaning: Dawn
Origin: Latin
Pronunciation: aw-ROR-ah
Culture: Aurora was the Roman goddess of the dawn, the sister of Sol (the sun) and Luna (the moon). Every morning she flew across the sky on rosy wings, opening the gates for the sun to rise. Aurora is also the name of the spectacular natural light display in polar skies, the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).
Symbolism: Represents the moment the sun returns each morning, the transition from night to day, and the promise of a new beginning with every sunrise.
Why parents choose this name: Aurora ranked in the top 50 in the USA, UK, and Australia in recent years. It is romantic, mythological, and immediately evocative of beauty and light.
Famous Namesake: Aurora, the sleeping princess in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Aurora, the natural light phenomenon visible near the polar regions.

Ravi

Meaning: Sun
Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: RAH-vee
Culture: Ravi is one of the twelve names of the Hindu sun god Surya and one of the most commonly used names in India. In Sanskrit, Ravi directly means sun and refers to the life-giving, illuminating quality of solar energy. Sunday in Hindi is called Ravivar, literally meaning the day of Ravi.
Symbolism: Represents the sun as a life-giver, illuminator, and divine presence in Hindu tradition. Ravi is the sun as experienced every day, the warmth that sustains all life.
Why parents choose this name: Ravi is simple, warm, and widely recognized both within South Asian communities and internationally. It has a friendly, approachable sound while carrying real cultural depth.
Famous Namesake: Ravi Shankar, legendary Indian sitarist and composer who introduced Indian classical music to the Western world.

Aditya

Meaning: Sun / belonging to the sun gods
Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: ah-DIT-yah
Culture: In Hindu mythology, the Adityas are a group of solar deities, sons of the goddess Aditi. Aditya specifically refers to the sun and its divine children. The Adityas represent different aspects of the sun’s power throughout the year. Aditya is one of the most popular male names in India and has been for generations.
Symbolism: Represents solar divinity in its collective form. Aditya is not just one aspect of the sun but all of its power, all of its faces across the entire year.
Why parents choose this name: Aditya is extremely popular across India, Nepal, and among South Asian communities worldwide. It is strong, recognizable, and carries the full weight of Vedic solar tradition.
Famous Namesake: Aditya Chopra, prominent Bollywood film director and producer.

Samson

Meaning: Sun child
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: SAM-son
Culture: Samson comes from the Hebrew Shimshon, derived from shemesh meaning sun. In the Hebrew Bible, Samson was a judge of Israel blessed with supernatural strength connected to his uncut hair. His story is one of the most dramatic in biblical literature, combining solar mythology with human tragedy.
Symbolism: Represents the sun’s extraordinary power concentrated in a human being. Samson’s strength was as overwhelming and unstoppable as the sun itself.
Why parents choose this name: Samson is a strong, biblical name that works perfectly in English-speaking countries. It is familiar without being overused and carries genuine mythological and scriptural depth.
Famous Namesake: Samson from the Hebrew Bible, one of the judges of Israel. Also referenced in Milton’s Samson Agonistes.

Marisol

Meaning: Sea and sun
Origin: Spanish
Pronunciation: MAR-ee-sol
Culture: Marisol is a Spanish compound name combining mar (sea) and sol (sun). It evokes the image of sunlight on the ocean, one of the most beautiful natural sights in the world. The name is widely used in Spain and Latin America and carries a warm, melodic, Mediterranean quality.
Symbolism: Represents the dual beauty of the sun and the sea, the two most powerful natural forces in Mediterranean culture, combined into a single name.
Why parents choose this name: Marisol is melodic, warm, and easy to say in both Spanish and English. It is distinctive without being unusual and carries a beautiful visual meaning.
Famous Namesake: Marisol Escobar, Venezuelan-American artist and sculptor famous for her Pop Art wooden sculptures. Marisol, a character in the American Girl doll series.

Girl Names That Mean Sun

Female names that mean sun tend toward warmth, beauty, and grace. The most popular girl names that mean sun draw from Latin, French, Spanish, Greek, Sanskrit, and Japanese traditions. Soleil, Solana, Aurora, Eliana, Kyra, and Aruna are among the most beloved feminine sun names. Sanskrit names like Savitri, Tapti, and Udita carry deep spiritual sun meaning. Japanese names for girls meaning sun like Haruko, Hinata, and Natsumi are growing in international popularity.

Boy Names That Mean Sun

Boy names that mean sun carry strength, energy, and divine power. The most widely used male sun names include Cyrus (Persian), Ravi (Sanskrit), Aditya (Sanskrit), Samson (Hebrew), Helios (Greek), Elio (Italian), Ra (Egyptian), and Surya (Sanskrit). These names span thousands of years and dozens of cultures, all pointing to the same ancient human instinct to name sons after the most powerful force in the natural world.

The Greek Name for the Sun

The ancient Greek name for the sun is Helios (Ἥλιος). Helios was the divine personification of the sun in Greek mythology and one of the most important deities in the ancient world. Other Greek names associated with the sun include Apollo (the god of light and sun in later Greek tradition), Eos (goddess of the dawn), and Anatole (sunrise).

The Latin Name for the Sun

The Latin name for the sun is Sol. In Roman religion, Sol was worshipped as Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun), one of the most important deities of the late Roman Empire. Other Latin sun names include Aelius (sun), Solaris (of the sun), and Aurora (goddess of dawn).

Japanese Names Meaning Sun

Japanese culture has a particularly rich tradition of sun-related names. The country’s name itself (Nihon or Nippon) means origin of the sun. Key Japanese names meaning sun include Amaterasu (sun goddess), Haruko (sun child), Haruki (shining sun), Haruto (soaring sun), Hinata (sunny place), Hina (sun), Haru (sunlight), Asahi (morning sun), and Natsuki (summer sun).

Chinese Names Meaning Sun

Chinese sun names often combine the character for sun with other meaningful characters. Common Chinese names associated with the sun include Chang (sunlight), Xia (glow of sunrise), Yang (sun, light, positive energy), and Li (dawn). The concept of yang in Chinese philosophy represents the sun, light, warmth, and the masculine principle.

Arabic Names Meaning Sun

Arabic sun names carry the beauty of the Arabic language combined with solar power. Shams (شمس) is the direct Arabic word for sun and is used as a given name. Nayer means sun in Arabic. Fajr and Sahar both mean dawn, celebrating the moment the sun first appears. Nuri means my light, closely associated with the sun’s illumination.

Fantasy Names Meaning Sun

Fantasy sun names draw from mythology, constructed languages, and creative naming traditions. Elanor (star sun from Tolkien’s Sindarin language), Solaris (Latin-derived fantasy name), Idalia (Greek, meaning I see the sun), Oriana (golden sunrise), Helia (Greek sun goddess), and Aurora (Roman dawn goddess) all work beautifully in fantasy contexts. Names like Solenne, Cyra, and Elora carry that balance of sun meaning and fantastical sound that fantasy readers and writers love.

Names That Mean Little Sun

Names that mean little sun include Solina (little sun in Spanish), Ciro (diminutive sun in Italian), Elio (the sun, used affectionately), and Sunniva (sun gift in Norse). Kiran (sunbeam in Sanskrit) also carries the sense of a small, concentrated ray of sun rather than the full solar body.

Names That Mean Golden Sun

Names associated with a golden sun include Oriana (Latin, golden sunrise), Altan (Turkish, red or golden dawn), and Kiran (Sanskrit, golden sunbeam). Zaria (Arabic, sunrise beauty) also carries golden sun associations in its meaning. The prefix or root or (from Latin aurum, gold) appears in names like Oriana and Aurora, connecting solar light to the color of gold.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a name that means sun?

Some of the most popular names that mean sun include Sol (Latin for sun), Soleil (French for sun), Helios (Greek sun god), Cyrus (Persian, sun), Ravi (Sanskrit, sun), Surya (Hindu sun god), Aditya (Sanskrit, sun deity), and Samson (Hebrew, sun child).

What is the Greek name for the sun?

The Greek name for the sun is Helios. Apollo is also closely associated with the sun in later Greek tradition.

What is the Latin name for the sun?

The Latin name for the sun is Sol. Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun) was one of the most important deities in the Roman Empire.

What is a Japanese name meaning sun?

Popular Japanese names meaning sun include Haruko (sun child), Hinata (sunny place), Haruki (shining sun), Amaterasu (sun goddess), and Asahi (morning sun).

What are Arabic names meaning sun?

Arabic names meaning sun include Shams (sun), Nayer (sun), Fajr (dawn), Sahar (dawn), and Nuri (my light).

What are girl names that mean sun?

Popular girl names that mean sun include Soleil (French), Solana (Spanish), Marisol (Spanish), Aurora (Latin), Kyra (Persian), Eliana (Hebrew/Latin), Haruko (Japanese), and SaulÄ— (Lithuanian).

Conclusion

Names that mean sun connect a child to the most universal human experience there is. Every person who has ever lived has felt the sun on their face, watched it rise and set, and understood at some level that without it nothing would exist. A sun name carries that recognition into a single word, a single sound, a name someone will hear and say every day of their life.

From the Latin Sol to the Sanskrit Surya, from the Greek Helios to the Japanese Haruko, from the Arabic Shams to the French Soleil, these 250 names that mean sun represent thousands of years of human admiration for the star at the center of our solar system and the warmth it brings to every living thing on earth.

Similar Posts