You’re scrolling at midnight, whispering baby names to the ceiling. Nothing feels right yet. You want something gentle, meaningful, and a little magical. Searching for names that mean the moon shouldn’t feel this overwhelming.
This guide gives you 263+ names that mean the moon, sorted by gender, culture, myth, and style. Every entry includes a meaning and an origin, so you can choose with confidence. Parents, writers, and pet owners will all find something here.
Quick Answer: The best-known names that mean the moon are Luna (Latin), Selene (Greek), Chandra (Sanskrit), Qamar (Arabic), Mahina (Hawaiian), and Yue (Chinese). Girl, boy, and unisex options all exist. Rare picks include Neoma (“new moon”) and Hilal (“crescent moon”).
Names That Mean the Moon: Literal vs. Moon-Inspired
Not every moonlit name actually means “moon.” Literal names translate directly. Luna is the Latin word for moon. Mahina means the same in Hawaiian.
Moon-inspired names connect through myth, nature, or imagery. Artemis, a goddess, and Moonstone, a gem, are two examples. Both kinds of names that mean the moon work beautifully. When you browse names that mean the moon below, check the origin column first.
Quick Checklist Before Choosing a Moon Name
Before you fall for one of these names that mean the moon, run through this quick list.
- Meaning: Confirm the name truly links to the moon or moonlight.
- Pronunciation: Pick something people can say and spell.
- Culture: Learn the origin and honor its traditions.
- Flow: Say the name with your last name.
- Uniqueness: Decide between rare and familiar.
- Longevity: Picture it on a toddler and on a CEO.
Names That Mean Moon for Girls
Girls’ names that mean the moon are the most plentiful. Many cultures link the moon with feminine energy. Luna and Selene lead the pack. Dig deeper, and you’ll find Turkish, Persian, and Sanskrit gems.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Moon | Latin |
| Selene | Moon goddess | Greek |
| Selena | Moon | Greek |
| Chandra | Moon | Sanskrit |
| Aylin | Halo around the moon | Turkish |
| Ayla | Moonlight halo | Turkish |
| Nuray | Bright moon | Turkish |
| Miray | Moonlike glow | Turkish |
| Aysima | Moon face | Turkish |
| Mahina | Moon | Hawaiian |
| Tsukiko | Moon child | Japanese |
| Marama | Moon | Maori |
| Neoma | New moon | Greek |
| Nikini | Full moon of August | Sinhala |
| Shashi | Moon | Sanskrit |
| Levana | Moon | Hebrew |
| Lunette | Little moon | French |
| Hala | Halo around the moon | Arabic |
| Kamaria | Like the moon | Swahili |
| Lusine | Moon | Armenian |
| Zulay | Possessing the moon | Turkish |
| Channary | Moon girl | Khmer |
| Mahnoor | Light of the moon | Persian |
| Mahjabeen | Moon-browed | Persian |
| Mahsa | Like the moon | Persian |
| Mahpara | Piece of the moon | Persian |
| Ilargi | Moon | Basque |
| Alcmene | Strength of the moon | Greek |
| Menodora | Gift of the moon | Greek |
| Aysel | Moon stream | Turkish |
| Aysu | Moon water | Turkish |
| Lunetta | Little moon | Italian |
| Lunita | Little moon | Spanish |
| Badra | Full moon | Arabic |
| Chandni | Moonlight | Hindi |
| Chandrika | Moonlight | Sanskrit |
| Chandrima | Moon | Sanskrit |
| Shashikala | Phase of the moon | Sanskrit |
Names That Mean Moon for Boys
Boy names with lunar meanings are rarer in English. Arabic, Sanskrit, and Turkish traditions fill the gap. Searching for names that mean the moon for a boy? Start with Badr or Qamar.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Badr | Full moon | Arabic |
| Qamar | Moon | Arabic |
| Hilal | Crescent moon | Arabic |
| Chand | Moon | Hindi |
| Indu | Moon | Sanskrit |
| Rakesh | Lord of the full moon | Sanskrit |
| Somnath | Lord of the moon | Sanskrit |
| Chandran | Moon | Tamil |
| Chandresh | Lord of the moon | Sanskrit |
| Chandrakant | Moonstone | Sanskrit |
| Shashank | Marked moon | Sanskrit |
| Sudhakar | Nectar-maker, the moon | Sanskrit |
| Himanshu | Cool-rayed moon | Sanskrit |
| Mrigank | Deer-marked moon | Sanskrit |
| Tatsuki | Big moon | Japanese |
| Tsuki | Moon | Japanese |
| Aykut | Blessed moon | Turkish |
| Ayhan | Moon ruler | Turkish |
| Koray | Ember moon | Turkish |
| Luan | Moon | Portuguese |
| Yareah | Moon | Hebrew |
| Jericho | City of the moon | Hebrew |
| Badruddin | Full moon of the faith | Arabic |
| Chandrahas | Moonlike smile | Sanskrit |
| Nishakar | Maker of night, the moon | Sanskrit |
| Rajanikant | Lord of the night, the moon | Sanskrit |
| Arionas | Moon creature on high | Greek |
| Chandru | Moon | Kannada |
| Purnama | Full moon | Indonesian |
| Chandrasekhar | Crowned with the moon | Sanskrit |
| Ayberk | Strong moon | Turkish |
| Aytug | Moon banner | Turkish |
Unisex Names That Mean the Moon
Some of the loveliest unisex names that mean the moon come from Persian, Turkish, and Pacific languages. They suit any child.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Moon | Moon | English |
| Mahtab | Moonlight | Persian |
| Aytac | Moon crown | Turkish |
| Bulan | Moon | Indonesian |
| Chantra | Moon | Thai |
| Masina | Moon | Samoan |
| Vula | Moon or month | Fijian |
| Mathi | Moon | Tamil |
| Meztli | Moon | Nahuatl |
| Rembulan | Moon | Javanese |
| Dalbit | Moonlight | Korean |
| Tsukiyo | Moonlit night | Japanese |
| Tsukimi | Moon viewing | Japanese |
| Ayca | Crescent moon | Turkish |
| Mahan | Of the moon | Persian |
| Mingyue | Bright moon | Chinese |
| Buwan | Moon | Tagalog |
| Mahealani | Heavenly moon | Hawaiian |
| Osupa | Moon | Yoruba |
| Onwa | Moon | Igbo |
| Purnima | Full moon | Sanskrit |
| Candra | Moon | Indonesian |
| Mahdis | Moonlike | Persian |
| Mahin | Moonlike | Persian |
| Mahvash | Moonlike beauty | Persian |
| Kumud | Moon lotus | Sanskrit |
Names That Mean Moon or Stars
The moon rarely travels alone. Many names that mean the moon share the sky with stars, so this section blends both.
Names That Mean Moon or Stars for Girls
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Stella | Star | Latin |
| Estelle | Star | French |
| Astra | Star | Greek |
| Celeste | Heavenly | Latin |
| Danica | Morning star | Slavic |
| Hoshi | Star | Japanese |
| Tara | Star | Sanskrit |
| Seren | Star | Welsh |
| Estrella | Star | Spanish |
| Nova | New star | Latin |
Names That Mean Moon or Stars for Boys
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Orion | Hunter, constellation | Greek |
| Sirius | Scorching, brightest star | Greek |
| Altair | Flying eagle, star | Arabic |
| Leo | Lion, constellation | Latin |
| Caelum | Sky | Latin |
| Draco | Dragon, constellation | Latin |
| Astro | Star | Greek |
| Castor | Twin star | Greek |
| Rigel | Foot of Orion, star | Arabic |
| Lucero | Bright star | Spanish |
Magical Moon Names
Want names that mean the moon with extra sparkle? These picks lean fantasy. Several are modern coinages, so they carry no ancient meanings.
Magical Moon Names for Girls
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Lunaria | Moon plant | Latin |
| Selenia | Moonlike | Greek |
| Seluna | Moon blend | Modern |
| Soluna | Sun and moon | Modern |
| Lunessa | Elegant moon | Modern |
| Ayluna | Moon twice | Turkish-Latin blend |
| Lunara | Moonlit | Modern |
| Eclipsa | Eclipse | Modern |
Magical Moon Names Male
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Lunaris | Of the moon | Latin |
| Lunar | Relating to the moon | Latin |
| Noctis | Of the night | Latin |
| Crescent | Growing moon | Latin |
| Moonshadow | Shade beneath the moon | English |
| Selun | Moon blend | Modern |
| Argent | Silver | French |
| Lunaro | Lunar | Modern |
Unique & Rare Moon Names
Rare names that mean the moon help your child stand out. Many come from Sanskrit, Persian, and Turkish.
Unique Moon Girl Names
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Jyotsna | Moonlight | Sanskrit |
| Kaumudi | Moonlight | Sanskrit |
| Nila | Moon | Tamil |
| Mahrokh | Moon-faced | Persian |
| Mahroo | Moon-faced | Persian |
| Noctiluca | Shining by night | Latin |
| Altalune | Over the moon | Latin coinage |
| Lunarose | Moon flower | Modern |
| Chandrakala | Phase of the moon | Sanskrit |
| Nguyet | Moon | Vietnamese |
| Hanwi | Moon | Lakota |
| Raka | Full moon | Sanskrit |
Unique Names That Mean Moon
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Selenite | Moon stone | Greek |
| Sar | Moon | Mongolian |
| Mwezi | Moon | Swahili |
| Kamar | Moon | Arabic |
| Hena | Moon | Albanian |
| Aygul | Moon flower | Turkish |
| Aynur | Moonlight | Turkish |
| Aydan | From the moon | Turkish |
| Ayten | Moon-skinned | Turkish |
| Mahnaz | Pride of the moon | Persian |
Mythological Moon Names
Myths gave us the most famous names that mean the moon. Goddesses dominate the list. Gods carry the night sky too.
Names That Mean Moon Goddess
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Artemis | Moon and hunt goddess | Greek |
| Diana | Moon goddess | Roman |
| Hecate | Moon and magic goddess | Greek |
| Phoebe | Bright, moon-linked Titaness | Greek |
| Cynthia | From Mount Cynthus, moon epithet | Greek |
| Mene | Moon goddess | Greek |
| Chang’e | Moon goddess | Chinese |
| Coyolxauhqui | Moon goddess | Aztec |
| Ixchel | Moon goddess | Maya |
| Hina | Moon goddess | Polynesian |
| Quilla | Moon | Quechua |
| Kuutar | Moon goddess | Finnish |
| Arianrhod | Silver wheel | Welsh |
| Rhiannon | Great queen, moon-linked | Welsh |
Moon God Names for Boys
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Soma | Moon god | Hindu |
| Máni | Moon god | Norse |
| Iah | Moon god | Egyptian |
| Khonsu | Traveler, moon god | Egyptian |
| Thoth | Moon and wisdom god | Egyptian |
| Tsukuyomi | Moon god | Japanese |
| Nanna | Moon god | Sumerian |
| Sin | Moon god | Mesopotamian |
| Yarikh | Moon god | Canaanite |
| Meness | Moon god | Baltic |
| Anningan | Moon god | Inuit |
| Tecciztecatl | Moon god | Aztec |
Fancy Names for the Moon
People often ask for fancy names for the moon itself. Fancy names for the moon differ from names that mean the moon, because they describe it rather than honor it. Silver orb, night’s lantern, queen of the night, pearl of the sky, lunar disc, and celestial sphere all work as poetic stand-ins. Use them for characters, nicknames, or middle names.
Nature-Inspired Moon Names
Nature offers soft options too. These names that mean the moon in spirit borrow from moonlit gems, flowers, and evenings.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Moonstone | Glowing gem | English |
| Moonbeam | Ray of moonlight | English |
| Moonflower | Night-blooming vine | English |
| Moonlit | Lit by the moon | English |
| Moonglow | Soft lunar light | English |
| Moonrise | The moon’s arrival | English |
| Opal | Milky gem | Sanskrit |
| Pearl | Moon-like gem | Latin |
| Silver | Color of moonlight | English |
| Dusk | Evening light | English |
| Nightfall | Dark arrival | English |
| Twilight | Soft evening | English |
| Nocturne | Night song | French |
| Eventide | Evening | English |
| Gloaming | Twilight | Scots |
| Midnight | Deep night | English |
Modern & Trendy Moon Names
Not every parent wants a traditional pick. Modern names that mean the moon in spirit feel fresh and stylish.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Layla | Night | Arabic |
| Noor | Light | Arabic |
| Indigo | Deep blue | Greek |
| Skye | Sky | Norse |
| Celina | Heavenly or moon | Latin |
| Nyx | Night goddess | Greek |
| Onyx | Black gemstone | Greek |
| Lumen | Light | Latin |
| Lux | Light | Latin |
| Lucian | Light | Latin |
| Aurelia | Golden | Latin |
| Calla | Beautiful | Greek |
Short & Sweet Moon Names
Short names that mean the moon are easy to spell, say, and shout across a park. Several take just three letters.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Ay | Moon | Turkish |
| Mah | Moon | Persian |
| Dal | Moon | Korean |
| Kuu | Moon | Finnish |
| Lua | Moon | Portuguese |
| Yue | Moon | Chinese |
| Lune | Moon | French |
| Nox | Night | Latin |
| Luz | Light | Spanish |
| Rae | Ray of light | English |
| Lulu | Nickname for Luna | English |
| Lina | Short for Selina | English |
Seasonal & Event-Based Moon Names
Folklore gave each full moon a nickname. Many double as names that mean the moon in spirit.
The 12 Full Moon Names Through the Year
People also ask about the 12 moon names. These are the traditional US names, shown here as name ideas.
| Name Idea | Month |
|---|---|
| Wolf | January |
| Snow | February |
| Worm | March |
| Pink | April |
| Flower | May |
| Strawberry | June |
| Buck | July |
| Sturgeon | August |
| Harvest | September |
| Hunter | October |
| Beaver | November |
| Cold | December |
Moon Phase Name Ideas
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Novilune | New moon | Latin |
| Crescentia | Growing moon | Latin |
| Plenilune | Full moon | Latin |
| Halo | Ring of light | Greek |
| Eclipse | Darkening | Greek |
| Tide | Moon-pulled water | English |
| Blue | Rare second full moon | English |
| Orbit | Path around a body | Latin |
Names Inspired by the Moons of Other Planets
Our solar system holds hundreds of moons. Many carry mythic names that suit babies. These picks aren’t names that mean the moon literally. They belong to moons of other planets.
| Name | Moon of | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Elara | Jupiter | Nymph loved by Zeus |
| Callisto | Jupiter | Most beautiful |
| Titania | Uranus | Fairy queen |
| Oberon | Uranus | Fairy king |
| Triton | Neptune | Sea god |
| Thalassa | Neptune | Sea |
| Pandora | Saturn | All gifts |
| Io | Jupiter | Nymph loved by Zeus |
| Europa | Jupiter | Phoenician princess |
| Rhea | Saturn | Titan mother of gods |
Names That Mean Sun
The sun and moon pair beautifully. Naming twins or a sibling set? These sun names balance names that mean the moon.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Sol | Sun | Latin |
| Helios | Sun god | Greek |
| Surya | Sun god | Sanskrit |
| Soleil | Sun | French |
| Aditya | Son of Aditi, sun | Sanskrit |
| Ravi | Sun | Sanskrit |
| Elio | Sun | Italian |
| Kiran | Ray of light | Sanskrit |
Team & Pet Names Inspired by the Moon
Names that mean the moon also suit pets and teams. Keep them punchy.
- Teams: Moon Warriors, Lunar Legends, Crescent Crew, Eclipse Elite
- Pets: Moonpie, Mochi, Cosmo, Comet
How We Choose Moon Names (Step-by-Step Process)
Here’s how we picked every one of these names that mean the moon.
- Research moon words: We explore how many languages say “moon.”
- Check mythology: We study gods and goddesses tied to the night sky.
- Test the sound: We say each name aloud for rhythm and ease.
- Verify the meaning: We confirm each translation before listing it.
- Check uniqueness: We mix familiar and rare options.
- Make the final cut: We keep names with real style and substance.
Tips for Making Your Moon Name Stand Out
A few tweaks help names that mean the moon feel personal.
Pronunciation and Nicknames
Say the full name aloud with your last name. Longer picks like Mahjabeen may need a quick pronunciation guide for teachers. Nicknames help too. Selene becomes Lena. Chandrika becomes Chandi. Luna becomes Lulu. Unusual spellings add charm but invite daily corrections.
Pairing a Moon Name With a Middle Name
Pair a long moon name with a short middle name. Try Luna Rose or Qamar James. A moon name also makes a lovely middle name. Selene sounds elegant after a short first name like Ava.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some names meaning moon?
Popular names that mean the moon include Luna, Selene, Chandra, Qamar, and Mahina. Luna and Selene are the most common girl picks. Qamar suits boys. Mahina works for any child.
Can boys have names that mean the moon?
Yes. Boys can wear names that mean the moon with pride. Try Badr, Qamar, Chand, or Indu.
Are there unisex moon names?
Yes. Many unisex names that mean the moon exist, including Mahtab, Masina, and Mingyue.
What are some mythological moon names?
Artemis, Diana, Hecate, Soma, and Tsukuyomi all come from moon myths around the world.
How do I choose a unique moon name for a baby, pet, or team?
Start with rarer origins like Turkish, Persian, or Sanskrit. Say the name aloud. Check its meaning too. For pets and teams, short names that mean the moon, like Moonpie or Lunar Legends, work best.
Conclusion
Names that mean the moon span every culture, gender, and style. You’ve seen classics like Luna and Selene, rare gems like Mahrokh, and mythic picks like Artemis and Máni.
Pick the name whose meaning you’ve verified. Say it aloud with your last name. When it feels right, you’ve found it. The right names that mean the moon will light your child’s way for years.
