When my sister was expecting her daughter, she spent hours looking up at the night sky, finding peace in the gentle glow of the moon. That celestial connection inspired her to choose a moon-related name for her baby girl. The moon has captivated humanity since ancient times, symbolizing feminine energy, cycles, and mystery across countless cultures.
Moon-inspired names carry a sense of wonder and timelessness. They connect your little one to something eternally beautiful that has watched over our world night after night. If you’re drawn to the moon’s serene energy and looking for a name with cosmic significance, you’ve come to the right place!
Let’s explore beautiful girl names connected to the moon, from direct lunar meanings to names of goddess figures who’ve been associated with this celestial body throughout history. Discover more celestial options with names that mean star.
Classical Moon Goddess Names
These names come from Greek, Roman, and other ancient European traditions:
- Luna – The Roman goddess of the moon. Simple, beautiful, and increasingly popular.
- Selene – Greek moon goddess who drove her silver chariot across the night sky.
- Diana – Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, and wilderness.
- Artemis – Greek equivalent of Diana, a fierce and independent moon goddess.
- Phoebe – A Titaness associated with the moon in Greek mythology.
- Cynthia – From Mount Cynthus where Artemis was born, became a poetic name for the moon.
- Hecate – Greek goddess of the night, moon, and magic.
- Lucina – Roman goddess of childbirth associated with the moon’s cycles.
- Bendis – Thracian moon goddess adopted by the Greeks.
- Achelois – “She who washes away pain,” a Greek moon goddess name.
- Arianrhod – Welsh goddess associated with the moon and stars.
- Astraea – Greek star goddess with lunar connections.
- Chrysothemis – Lesser-known Greek moon goddess whose name means “golden order.”
- Elatha – Celtic moon god name that works beautifully for girls.
- Losna – Etruscan moon goddess.
- Mani – Norse moon god name that works well for girls today.
- Menodora – Greek name meaning “gift of the moon.”
- Pasiphae – Greek moon goddess and mother of the Minotaur.
- Rhiannon – Welsh goddess associated with the moon and horses.
- Cordelia – Associated with the moon in Celtic mythology.
My friend named her daughter Phoebe, and it fits her perfectly – bright, somewhat mysterious, and definitely one-of-a-kind!
Eastern Moon Goddess Names
Names from Asian, Middle Eastern, and Indian traditions:
- Chang’e – Chinese goddess who lives on the moon with her jade rabbit.
- Chandra – Sanskrit moon deity name that works beautifully for girls.
- Soma – Hindu moon god name adapted for girls.
- Mawu – African moon goddess who created the world with the sun god.
- Mayari – Filipino moon goddess with one gold eye.
- Hina – Polynesian moon goddess.
- Mahina – Hawaiian word for moon, associated with their moon goddess.
- Qamar – Arabic word for moon.
- Dawa – Tibetan name meaning “moon.”
- Tsukiyomi – Japanese moon deity name.
- Ratri – Hindu goddess of night with moon associations.
- Sarpandit – Babylonian moon goddess.
- Sin – Mesopotamian moon deity name.
- Nikkal – Middle Eastern moon goddess.
- Hanwi – Sioux moon goddess.
- Ix Chel – Mayan moon and fertility goddess.
- Mah – Persian moon goddess.
- Myeongwol – Korean term for “bright moon.”
- Aisha – Arabic name meaning “living, alive” with moon associations.
- Chia – Colombian moon goddess.
I met a little girl named Mahina at the park last summer, and her parents told me they chose it because she was born on a full moon night. How perfect is that?
Modern Moon-Inspired Names
These names have lunar meanings or associations:
- Neoma – Means “new moon” in Greek.
- Amaris – Means “child of the moon” in Old Germanic.
- Ayla – Turkish name meaning “moonlight.”
- Esmeray – Turkish name meaning “dark moon.”
- Aylin – Turkish name meaning “halo around the moon.”
- Kamaria – Swahili name meaning “like the moon.”
- Larissa – Moon of Neptune and a Greek name.
- Portia – Moon of Uranus and a Shakespearean name.
- Belinda – Another moon of Uranus.
- Elara – Moon of Jupiter and figure in Greek mythology.
- Indu – Sanskrit name meaning “bright drop” or “moon.”
- Jaci – Native American name meaning “moon.”
- Mona – Old English name meaning “moon.”
- Roxana – Persian name meaning “bright star,” associated with the moon.
- Zira – Swahili name meaning “moon.”
- Lusine – Armenian name meaning “moon-like.”
- Monday – Day named after the moon.
- Marama – Māori word for the moon.
- Aysel – Turkish name meaning “moonlight.”
- Hilal – Arabic name meaning “crescent moon.”
My cousin just named her baby Neoma because she was born during a new moon phase. Every month when the new moon comes around, they celebrate her “moon birthday.”
Celestial and Cosmic Moon Names
Names connecting the moon to the broader universe:
- Celeste – Means “heavenly” or “of the sky.”
- Stella – Means “star” but connects to the night sky.
- Aurora – Dawn goddess with moon connections.
- Astra – Means “of the stars,” connected to the night sky.
- Estelle – Another star name with night sky associations.
- Nova – Refers to a bright new star, like the moon’s light.
- Lyra – A constellation visible alongside the moon.
- Andromeda – Galaxy name with celestial associations.
- Cassiopeia – Constellation name with night sky connections.
- Vega – Bright star in the night sky.
- Callisto – Moon of Jupiter and figure in Greek mythology.
- Cordelia – Moon of Uranus with a lovely sound.
- Luna Selene – Combined name of Roman and Greek moon goddesses.
- Phoebe Luna – Another beautiful combined moon goddess name.
- Artemis Diana – Combined Greek and Roman moon goddess names.
- Selena – Variation of Selene.
- Lunette – Means “little moon” in French.
- Eclipse – Refers to the moon passing in front of the sun.
- Amalthea – Moon of Jupiter with mythological connections.
- Juliet – Moon of Uranus and Shakespearean character.
I once met twins named Stella and Luna – their parents told me they wanted names that represented the sky by day and night. How sweet is that?
Lesser-Known Moon Goddess Names
Some rare but beautiful options:
- Yerah – Hebrew word for moon.
- Lona – A variation of Luna.
- Ophelia – Moon of Uranus with Shakespearean connections.
- Purnima – Sanskrit name meaning “full moon.”
- Theia – Greek Titaness who was mother to Selene.
- Alebona – Roman goddess of favorable beginnings, associated with the moon.
- Coyolxauhqui – Aztec moon goddess (quite the pronunciation challenge but beautiful meaning).
- Mama Killa – Incan moon goddess and protector of women.
- Gleti – African moon goddess who is twin to the sun.
- Ilazki – Basque name meaning “star” with moon associations.
- Huitaca – Colombian goddess associated with the moon.
- Isis – Egyptian goddess sometimes connected with the moon.
- Kuu – Finnish word for moon.
- Luan – Irish name meaning “warrior” but sounds like “moon.”
- Mawu-Lisa – African moon and sun deities combined.
- Nanna – Sumerian moon god name that works for girls.
- Ran – Japanese name meaning “moon orchid.”
- Selardi – Armenian moon goddess.
- Tanit – Carthaginian lunar goddess.
- Yemaya – African goddess associated with the moon and motherhood.
Understanding Moon Names
Moon names come in different forms. Some directly translate to “moon” in various languages, like Luna in Latin or Mahina in Hawaiian. Others are names of moon goddesses from world mythologies, like Artemis or Chang’e. Then there are names simply inspired by lunar qualities – names that evoke the night sky, silver light, or celestial beauty.
What makes these names special is their rich cultural heritage. Many carry thousands of years of stories and traditions. A name like Selene doesn’t just mean “moon” – it connects your daughter to ancient Greek mythology and a goddess who drove her silver chariot across the night sky.
When choosing a moon name, you’re not just picking something that sounds pretty (though they certainly do!) – you’re connecting your child to humanity’s age-old fascination with the night sky. Names that mean night can offer similar cosmic energy.
Girl Names That Mean Moon
Here’s a collection of beautiful feminine names from around the world that directly mean “moon”:
Latin and European Moon Names
- Luna – The classic Latin word for moon, now one of the most popular celestial names
- Maeve – Irish name meaning “she who intoxicates” but with strong lunar associations
- Ainar – Lovely Basque name meaning “moon”
- Amaris – Spanish origin meaning “child of the moon”
- Neoma – Greek origin meaning “new moon”
Asian Moon Names
- Chandra – Sanskrit name meaning “moon” or “glowing”
- Indu – Another Sanskrit name meaning “bright drop” or “moon”
- Jaci – Native American (Tupi) name meaning “moon”
- Hala – Arabic name meaning “halo around the moon”
- Qamar – Arabic name simply meaning “moon”
Pacific and Indigenous Moon Names
- Mahina – Hawaiian name meaning “moon”
- Marama – Māori name meaning “moon” or “light”
- Anahera – Māori name meaning “angel” with lunar associations
For easy reference, here’s a table of some popular moon names with their origins and pronunciations:
| Name | Origin | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin | Moon | LOO-nah |
| Selene | Greek | Moon goddess | seh-LEE-nee |
| Chandra | Hindi | Moon | CHAHN-drah |
| Mahina | Hawaiian | Moon | mah-HEE-nah |
| Ainar | Basque | Moon | eye-NAR |
| Neoma | Greek | New moon | nee-OH-mah |
Many parents are drawn to Luna for its simplicity and beauty, making it increasingly popular in recent years. If you’re looking for something with similar meaning but more uniqueness, consider Mahina or Neoma. Names that mean light share some of the luminous qualities of moon names.
Moon Goddess Names for Girls
Throughout history, cultures worldwide have associated the moon with powerful feminine deities. These goddess names add mythological depth to your daughter’s name:
- Artemis – Greek goddess of the moon, hunt, and wilderness. She was known as a protector of young women and a fiercely independent deity.
- Diana – Roman equivalent of Artemis, goddess of the moon and hunting. The name carries associations of strength and independence.
- Selene – The personification of the moon in Greek mythology, known for driving her moon chariot across the night sky.
- Phoebe – Greek Titaness associated with the moon, later became an epithet for Artemis.
- Chang’e – In Chinese mythology, she’s the goddess who lives on the moon with her jade rabbit companion.
- Cynthia – From Mount Cynthus where Artemis was born, became a poetic name for the moon.
- Hecate – Greek goddess associated with the moon, crossroads, and witchcraft, representing the mysterious aspects of the lunar world.
- Isis – Egyptian goddess sometimes associated with the moon, representing motherhood and magic.
- Mama Killa – Incan moon goddess and protector of women.
- Coyolxauhqui – Aztec moon goddess whose name, while challenging to pronounce (coy-ol-sha-UH-kee), carries powerful cultural significance.
These goddess names connect your daughter not just to the moon itself but to female power, independence, and divine protection. Names like Diana and Phoebe have become mainstream while others offer more unique options. Names that mean goddess might interest you if you like these divine connections.
Moon-Inspired Names
Beyond direct “moon” names, many beautiful names have lunar associations through their meanings or connections:
Silver Moon Names:
- Arianrhod – Welsh name meaning “silver wheel,” associated with the moon’s cycle
- Silver – English name that evokes the moon’s light
- Airgead – Irish name meaning “silver”
Night Sky Names:
- Estelle/Stella – Means “star” but connects to the night sky where the moon shines
- Celeste – Meaning “heavenly” or “of the sky”
- Lyra – A constellation visible in the night sky alongside the moon
Lunar Phase Names:
- Amavasya – Sanskrit name for the new moon night
- Hilal – Arabic name meaning “crescent moon”
- Kamaria – Swahili name meaning “like the moon”
I’ve always loved the name Celeste – it reminds me of those perfect summer nights when the whole sky seems alive with light. Names that evoke the entire night sky create a beautiful context for your moon child. Names that mean sky or heaven offer similar celestial connections.
Popularity and Trends
Moon names have surged in popularity lately, with Luna leading the pack. In 2023, Luna ranked in the top 10 girl names in the United States – quite a leap from its position outside the top 100 just a decade ago! This Latin beauty has captivated parents with its simple pronunciation and cosmic meaning.
Other moon names showing upward trends include:
- Selene – Still uncommon but rising steadily
- Diana – A classic that never goes completely out of style
- Phoebe – Gained popularity partly through the character in “Friends”
- Cynthia – After declining in the 1990s, showing signs of a vintage comeback
Cultural references have boosted some moon names. Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter introduced many to this lovely name, while singer Selena Gomez (whose name derives from “Selene”) has kept that lunar variation in the public eye.
For parents seeking something truly unique, lesser-known options like Marama, Qamar, or Ainar remain relatively undiscovered treasures. These names carry the moon meaning without being trendy. Names that mean mysterious share some of the enigmatic qualities that make moon names so appealing.
Choosing the Right Moon Name
When picking the perfect lunar name for your daughter, consider these aspects:
Sound and pronunciation: Will people know how to pronounce it? Names like Luna are straightforward, while Coyolxauhqui might present challenges.
Cultural connection: If you’re drawn to a name from another culture, like Chandra or Chang’e, consider your family’s heritage and whether using the name feels respectful.
Personal meaning: Was your daughter born on a full moon night? Names like Neoma (new moon) or Purnima (full moon) could have special significance.
Compatibility: How does the name work with your surname? Does it flow naturally? Try saying it aloud in different combinations.
Nicknames: Consider potential nicknames. Luna might become Lu or Lulu, while Selene could be Lena.
My cousin chose Celeste for her daughter born during a meteor shower – not directly a moon name but connected to the night sky that was so special on her birth night. Finding a personal connection makes the name even more meaningful.
Final Thoughts
Moon names offer a beautiful blend of mystery, feminine strength, and timeless appeal. Whether you choose a direct translation like Luna, a goddess name like Diana, or a lunar-inspired name like Celeste, your daughter will carry a connection to something that has inspired humanity throughout our existence.
The perfect moon name awaits your little girl – one that will grow with her and remind her of her unique place in our vast universe. Like the moon itself, these names are both ancient and eternally new, changing in popularity but never losing their inherent beauty.
What lunar name speaks to your heart? The right one will shine as brightly as the moon itself.
Explore more celestial inspiration with names that mean star or discover other nature-inspired options with names that mean forest for a different kind of natural beauty.