80+ moon baby names for everyone still processing that earthrise photo

vedrana2701/Twenty20
Luna is lovely, but have you met Miray, Esmeray and Aruna?
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The moon has been captivating humans since, well, forever. If you’ve spent this week glued to Artemis II coverage — watching Earthrise photos roll in, ugly-crying over Carroll Crater, feeling something huge and hopeful crack open in your chest — you’re not alone. There has never been a better time to name a baby after the moon. It pulls the tides, marks the seasons, lights up the sky at 2 a.m. when you’re doing yet another feeding—and apparently, it also makes for excellent baby name inspiration.
Celestial names have been on a steady climb for years, and moon-inspired picks are leading the charge. Luna—the Latin word for moon and the name of the Roman goddess who drove her silver chariot across the night sky—has been one of the most popular baby names in the U.S. for over a decade. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), Luna ranked in the top 10 through 2023 before slipping to #13 in 2024, which still makes it one of the most-used names in the country. (For context on where Luna falls among other trending picks, check out our lists of the top 100 baby girl names and top 100 baby boy names.)
Related: 100+ unique baby names
But Luna is just the beginning. Baby names that mean moon span dozens of languages and cultures—from Turkish names built on the element “ay” (moon) to Sanskrit picks that reference lunar deities, to names pulled straight from the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond. Whether you’re drawn to celestial mythology, love the idea of a nature-inspired name, or just want something that sounds beautiful and means something even more so, there’s a moon name on this list for you.
Here are 100+ baby names that mean moon—organized by girls’ names, boys’ names, and gender-neutral options—along with their origins, meanings, and a few notes to help you narrow your shortlist.
Related: 75+ gender-neutral baby names
Baby girl names that mean moon
Girl names meaning moon range from the mythological (Artemis, Selene, Diana) to the quietly unexpected (Neoma, Mahsa, Liviana). Some of these names reference the moon directly, while others pull from lunar goddesses, planetary moons, or words for moonlight in languages around the world. If nature-inspired baby names are your thing, you’ll also find some crossover with our lists of nature baby names and spring baby names.
Aelyn (Turkish/English): Meaning “halo around the moon.” A modern, streamlined spelling that feels fresh and romantic. Fans of the Throne of Glass book series may also recognize a variation of this name.
Alcmene (Greek): Derived from the Greek words for “strength” and “moon.” In mythology, Alcmene was the mortal mother of Hercules—so this one carries some serious pedigree.
Amalthea (Greek): Meaning “tender goddess.” Amalthea is a moon of Jupiter, named for the goat (or goat-keeper) who nursed the infant Zeus. It would make a gorgeous longer form of the name Thea.
Amaris (Old Irish/Hebrew): Meaning “child of the moon” in Old Irish and “given by God” in Hebrew. It has multicultural appeal and a soft, memorable sound.
Arianrhod (Welsh): Meaning “silver wheel.” In Welsh mythology, Arianrhod was a Celtic moon goddess. It’s a mouthful, but it’s undeniably striking.
Artemis(Greek): The Greek goddess of the wilderness, the hunt, and the moon. Also the name of the NASA program that just sent Christina Koch around the far side of the moon — the first woman ever to make the trip. This name has always been powerful. Now it hits different.
Ayla (Turkish/Hebrew): Meaning “halo of light around the moon” in Turkish and “oak tree” in Hebrew. Short, beautiful, and globally accessible.
Aylin (Turkish): An elaborated form of the Turkish word “ay,” meaning moon. Aylin means “moon halo” and has a lovely lilting sound.
Aysun (Turkish): Meaning “beautiful as the moon.” A warm, melodic choice for parents with Turkish heritage or anyone who loves the sound.
Belinay (Turkish): Meaning “reflection of the moon on a lake.” If that isn’t the most poetic name meaning you’ve ever heard, we don’t know what is.
Bianca (Italian): Meaning “white” or “shining.” Also the name of a moon of Uranus. It’s classic, it’s elegant, and it happens to be celestial.
Calypso (Greek): Meaning “she who hides.” Calypso is one of the trailing moons of Saturn and a figure in Greek mythology. It has a rhythmic, musical quality.
Celicia (Latin): Translating to “heaven” or “moon.” Its unique spelling gives it a romantic, distinctive feel.
Chantrea (Cambodian): Meaning “moonlight.” A rare and beautiful choice that brings Khmer heritage into the nursery.
Cordelia (Latin/Celtic): Possibly meaning “daughter of the sea,” Cordelia is also the name of a moon of Uranus. Shakespearean and sophisticated.
Cressida (Greek): Meaning “gold.” Cressida is a moon of Uranus and a character in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Literary and lunar at once.
Cynthia (Greek): An epithet of Artemis, the moon goddess, from her birthplace on Mount Cynthus. A vintage name with deep celestial roots.
Delia (Greek): Another epithet of Artemis, derived from the island of Delos. Short, strong, and works beautifully on its own or as a nickname for Cordelia or Adelia.
Diana (Latin): The Roman goddess of the moon and the hunt. Timeless, regal, and familiar without being overused.
Dione (Greek): Meaning “divine queen.” Dione is a moon of Saturn and, in mythology, the mother of Aphrodite.
Elara (Greek): A moon of Jupiter. In mythology, Elara was a lover of Zeus. It’s one of the most wearable of the planetary moon names—pretty and approachable.
Esmeray (Turkish): Meaning “dark moon.” Unusual and atmospheric, perfect for parents who want something less obvious than Luna but just as evocative.
Feray (Turkish): Meaning “radiance of the moon.” Delicate and distinctive.
Hala (Arabic): Meaning “halo around the moon.” Simple, elegant, and carries weight in Arabic-speaking cultures.
Indumathi (Tamil): Meaning “full moon.” A traditional name with a strong cultural presence in South India.
Juliet (French/English): Meaning “youthful.” Juliet is also the name of a moon of Uranus. Romantic in more ways than one.
Kamaria (Swahili): Meaning “like the moon” or “moonlight.” A gorgeous East African name with a rhythmic, musical quality.
Larissa (Greek): Meaning “seagull” or “citadel.” Larissa is one of Neptune’s moons and was the mother of Pelasgus in Greek mythology.
Liviana (Hebrew): Meaning “white moon.” Rare, elegant, and completely unexpected on a playground.
Luna (Latin): The big one. Latin for “moon” and the name of the Roman moon goddess. Its pop culture boost from Harry Potter’s Luna Lovegood and celebrity parents hasn’t slowed it down. Currently #13 in the U.S., per SSA data.
Lusine (Armenian): Meaning “moon.” Pronounced loo-SEE-neh, it’s lyrical and distinctive.
Mahina (Hawaiian): The Hawaiian word for moon. In Hawaiian mythology, Mahina is the goddess of the moon.
Mahsa (Persian): Meaning “like the moon.” A beloved name in Iran with a gentle, poetic feel.
Miray (Turkish): Meaning “shining moon.” A modern Turkish favorite that travels well.
Miranda (Latin): Meaning “wonderful” or “to be admired.” Miranda is a major moon of Uranus, discovered in 1948.
Neoma (Greek): Meaning “new moon.” Vintage, rare, and ripe for a comeback.
Nikini (Sinhala): Meaning “full moon in August.” A beautiful choice connected to Sri Lankan heritage.
Ophelia (Greek): Meaning “help” or “succor.” Also the name of a moon of Uranus and one of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters.
Phoebe (Greek): Meaning “bright, shining one.” In mythology, Phoebe was a Titan associated with the moon. Also a moon of Saturn, and, of course, a beloved Friends character.
Portia (Latin): Meaning “offering.” Portia is a moon of Uranus and the heroine of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
Selene (Greek): The Greek goddess of the moon, who was believed to drive her silver chariot across the night sky. Pure lunar royalty.
Thebe (Greek): A moon of Jupiter. Rarer than Phoebe but with a similar light, simple sound.
Related: 31 popular girl names & their meanings
Baby boy names that mean moon
Moon-inspired boy names tend to come from mythology, astronomy, and cultural traditions around the world. Some reference lunar gods directly, while others are the names of planetary moons or come from words for moon in languages like Turkish, Sanskrit, Japanese, and Hawaiian. If you’re also browsing for boys, don’t miss our full list of 500 baby boy names.
Aldrin (English): After Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon. A name that carries history and adventure.
Aku (Babylonian): Meaning “moon god.” In ancient Mesopotamian mythology, Aku was associated with the lunar deity. Short, punchy, and distinctive.
Apollo (Greek): The Greek god of the sun, music, and light—and the namesake of the NASA program that put humans on the moon. A bold, powerful choice.
Armstrong (English): After Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon. An unconventional first name, but strong and meaningful.
Atlas (Greek): The Titan who carried the world on his shoulders is also the name of one of Saturn’s moons. Atlas has rocketed up the baby name charts in recent years.
Bahloo (Australian Aboriginal): Meaning “moon man.” A name rooted in Australian Aboriginal mythology with a warm, open sound.
Badr (Arabic): Meaning “full moon.” A respected and widely used name in Arabic-speaking cultures.
Callisto (Greek): A moon of Jupiter and, in mythology, a nymph associated with Artemis. Though traditionally used for girls, it works beautifully for boys too.
Chandra (Sanskrit): Meaning “shining” or “moon.” In Hindu mythology, Chandra is the god of the moon. It’s unisex in some traditions but used primarily for boys in India.
Elatha (Irish): In ancient Irish mythology, Elatha was a king of the Fomorians who is often associated with the moon. It has a lyrical, otherworldly quality.
Francisco (Spanish/Portuguese): Meaning “free man.” Francisco is also the name of a moon orbiting Uranus, giving this classic name a celestial twist.
Galileo (Italian): After Galileo Galilei, who made groundbreaking observations of the moon through his telescope. A big name, but one that comes with built-in gravitas.
Getsumei (Japanese): Meaning “moonlight.” Written with the kanji for moon (月) and bright (明). A poetic choice for families with Japanese heritage.
Günay (Turkish): Meaning “sun-moon” or referring to seeing the moon during the daytime. A gender-neutral name in Turkey but often used for boys.
Iah (Ancient Egyptian): The Egyptian moon god. Three letters, ancient origins, and an uncommonly cool sound.
Jericho (Hebrew): Possibly meaning “city of the moon” or “fragrant.” Strong, distinctive, and carries a sense of history.
Khonsu (Egyptian): The Egyptian god of the moon, meaning “traveler.” A powerful mythological name that’s starting to get noticed.
Koray (Turkish): Meaning “ember moon.” Soft, melodic, and uncommon outside of Turkey.
Lucian (Latin): Meaning “light.” While not directly “moon,” its root connects to lunar radiance. Classic and versatile.
Māni (Norse): The Norse god who personified the moon, driving it across the sky. Short and mythological.
Oberon (Old German): Meaning “royal bear.” Oberon is also a moon of Uranus and the fairy king in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Purnama (Indonesian): Meaning “full moon.” A beautiful name rooted in Indonesian culture.
Qamar (Arabic): Meaning “moon.” A straightforward, elegant name that is both traditional and timeless in Arabic.
Rakesh (Sanskrit): Meaning “lord of the full moon.” A popular name in South Asia with a strong, resonant sound.
Titan (Greek): The largest moon of Saturn and a reference to the powerful beings of Greek mythology. It’s about as strong a name as you can get.
Related: Popular boy names & their meanings
Gender-neutral baby names that mean moon
Not every moon name needs to be sorted into a pink or blue box. These gender-neutral picks work across the board and tend to have a modern, boundary-free feel that fits right in with current naming trends. For more options in this vein, check out our guide to the most popular baby names across generations.
Ariel (Hebrew): Meaning “lion of God.” Ariel is also a moon of Uranus. It works for any gender and has a breezy, open feel.
Bulan (Indonesian/Filipino): Meaning “moon” in both Indonesian and several Filipino languages. Clean, simple, and cross-cultural.
Halo (Greek): Meaning “divine aura” or “disc of the sun or moon.” Halo has been climbing the charts for boys in particular but works beautifully for anyone. It was one of the fastest-rising boy names in 2024, per SSA data.
Kuu (Finnish): The Finnish word for “moon.” Three letters, impossibly simple, and completely unexpected on an American birth certificate.
Luan (Portuguese/Albanian): Meaning “moon” in Portuguese and “lion” in Albanian. A two-for-one name that works in multiple languages.
Moon (English): Direct and to the point. Once considered unconventional (hello, Moon Unit Zappa), it now feels like the kind of bold, nature-forward choice that modern parents love.
Nery (Hebrew/Spanish): Meaning “bright moon,” “my light,” or “my fire.” Compact and warm.
Puck (English/Dutch): The mischievous fairy from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a moon of Uranus. Short, spirited, and full of personality.
Seren (Welsh): Meaning “star.” While technically star-related rather than moon-specific, it’s frequently grouped with celestial names and has a beautiful, serene sound.
Baby names inspired by planetary moons
NASA has officially recognized over 290 moons in our solar system, and many of them have names pulled from mythology, Shakespeare, and world literature—making them surprisingly wearable as baby names. Here are a few more to add to your list.
Arche (Greek): A tiny moon of Jupiter. In philosophy, “arche” refers to the origin or beginning of things—a fitting meaning for a new baby.
Calliope (Greek): While not technically a moon, Calliope (the muse of epic poetry) shares naming DNA with many Jupiter moons. Its nickname—Callie—is endlessly charming.
Desdemona (Italian/Greek): A moon of Uranus named after the heroine in Shakespeare’s Othello. Dramatic and beautiful.
Io (Greek): One of Jupiter’s Galilean moons and the most volcanically active body in our solar system. Just two letters, maximum impact.
Perdita (Latin): Meaning “lost.” A small moon of Uranus named after a character in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.
Rosalind (Old German/Literary): Meaning “gentle horse.” Rosalind is a moon of Uranus and a heroine in Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Vintage and literary.
Stephano (Italian): A moon of Uranus named after a character in The Tempest. An unexpected twist on the more common Stephen/Stefano.
Titania (Greek/Literary): The queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the largest moon of Uranus. Regal and magical.
Tips for choosing a moon-inspired baby name
A name is one of the first gifts you give your child, and moon-inspired names come with a lot of built-in beauty and meaning. Here are a few things to consider as you narrow down your favorites:
Say the full name out loud. Pair your top picks with your last name and any middle names you’re considering. Say them out loud, multiple times, at different volumes. (Whispered at bedtime and hollered across a playground are two very different vibes.)
Consider the meaning and the culture. Many of these names carry deep cultural or mythological significance. If a name comes from a tradition that isn’t your own, it’s worth taking a moment to learn its full context and make sure you’re honoring it.
Think about nicknames. Names like Amalthea, Arianrhod, and Desdemona are stunning but long. Make sure you like the natural nicknames that come with them (Thea, Aria, Desi) as much as the full version.
Check the SSA database. If popularity matters to you, the SSA’s baby name search tool lets you see how many babies received a given name in any year going back to 1880. It’s the most reliable source of U.S. naming data, and it’s free. For a broader view of naming trends, you can also explore our lists of the top baby names of this decade and the most popular baby names by generation.
Trust your gut. At the end of the day, the right name is the one that makes you feel something when you say it. Moon names carry the weight of mythology, the beauty of the night sky, and a sense of wonder—which, honestly, sounds a lot like parenthood itself.
The bottom line
Whether you land on a crowd-favorite like Luna or go the unexpected route with Esmeray, Koray, or Kuu, baby names that mean moon offer something that feels both timeless and a little bit magical. The moon has been a constant through every era of human history—guiding ships, inspiring poets, and marking the passage of time. Naming your baby after it is one small way of connecting them to something much, much bigger.
For more baby name inspiration, explore our collections of summer baby names, gemstone-inspired baby names, and nature-inspired baby names.

















































































