Last updated on October 2nd, 2024 at 03:46 pm
The beauty of dawn has captivated humanity for centuries, symbolizing the beginning of a new day, hope, and the promise of fresh starts. Names that mean “dawn” are imbued with these powerful connotations, representing light breaking through darkness and the serenity that comes with the early hours of the morning.
Whether drawn from mythology, nature, or various cultures around the world, these names reflect the radiant glow of dawn and its timeless appeal.
If you’re searching for a name that evokes new beginnings, purity, and the light of life, this collection of names that mean “dawn” offers a meaningful and inspiring selection for any child.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Latin and Greek
- Aurora
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: The Roman goddess of the dawn, symbolizing new beginnings.
- Eos
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: The Greek goddess of the dawn, representing the renewal of the day.
- Selene
- Meaning: Moon goddess; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: While primarily known as the moon goddess, Selene is also associated with the dawn.
- Lucia
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents light and the coming of a new day.
- Liora
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Combines the concept of light and dawn.
- Aurore
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: French
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the early light of the morning.
- Zora
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the early morning light in Slavic cultures.
- Helia
- Meaning: Sun; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Associated with the sun and the beginning of the day.
- Eleanor
- Meaning: Shining light; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the bright light of dawn.
- Aurélie
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Conveys the golden light of dawn.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Various Cultures
- Aruna
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Sanskrit
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the first light of the day in Hindu culture.
- Dayana
- Meaning: Divine; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the divine quality of the dawn.
- Rhiannon
- Meaning: Great queen; dawn
- Name Origin: Welsh
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Linked to the goddess of dawn in Welsh mythology.
- Ayla
- Meaning: Moonlight; dawn
- Name Origin: Turkish
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the light of dawn and moonlight.
- Nadia
- Meaning: Hope; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes hope and the new beginning of dawn.
- Sahar
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the early morning light in Arabic cultures.
- Eliora
- Meaning: God is my light; dawn
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Combines divine light with the concept of dawn.
- Raya
- Meaning: Friend; dawn
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes friendship and the early light of the day.
- Morgana
- Meaning: Sea-born; dawn
- Name Origin: Welsh
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the mythical sea-born goddess with connections to dawn.
- Mina
- Meaning: Love; dawn
- Name Origin: Germanic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes love and the light of the morning.
Modern Names Evoking “Dawn”
- Dawn
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Directly represents the early morning light.
- Aurelia
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the golden hue of the dawn.
- Suri
- Meaning: Red rose; dawn
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the beauty and light of dawn.
- Niamh
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents brightness akin to the dawn.
- Yara
- Meaning: Small butterfly; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the delicate beauty of dawn.
- Zahara
- Meaning: Flower; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents blooming beauty at the break of dawn.
- Roxana
- Meaning: Dawn; bright
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes brightness and new beginnings.
- Vespera
- Meaning: Evening star; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the transition from night to dawn.
- Celeste
- Meaning: Heavenly; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Combines celestial beauty with the concept of dawn.
- Alba
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the first light of morning.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Asian Cultures
- Akira
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents clarity and brightness at dawn.
- Haruka
- Meaning: Faraway; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the distant horizon at dawn.
- Zhen
- Meaning: Precious; dawn
- Name Origin: Chinese
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Reflects the valuable beauty of dawn.
- Jiho
- Meaning: Wisdom; dawn
- Name Origin: Korean
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Combines wisdom with the freshness of dawn.
- Tala
- Meaning: Star; dawn
- Name Origin: Filipino
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the stars fading into the dawn sky.
- Rin
- Meaning: Dignified; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes strength and grace at dawn.
- Liang
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Name Origin: Chinese
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents brightness and clarity of dawn.
- Sumire
- Meaning: Violet; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Reflects the soft colors of dawn.
- Hikari
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the illuminating light of dawn.
- Sora
- Meaning: Sky; dawn
- Name Origin: Japanese
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the morning sky at dawn.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Arabic Cultures
- Fajr
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the early morning prayer, symbolizing spiritual renewal at dawn.
- Sahar
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the twilight hours before sunrise.
- Nour
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the bright light of dawn.
- Zohra
- Meaning: Venus; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the planet Venus, often visible at dawn.
- Subh
- Meaning: Morning; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the freshness and purity of morning.
- Layal
- Meaning: Nights; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the transition from night to dawn.
- Rana
- Meaning: Gaze; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Reflects the beauty of gazing at the dawn.
- Huda
- Meaning: Guidance; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes guidance towards new beginnings at dawn.
- Wafa
- Meaning: Faithfulness; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents loyalty and renewal, often associated with the morning.
- Amira
- Meaning: Princess; dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes royalty and a fresh start with the dawn.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Slavic Cultures
- Zaria
- Meaning: Sunrise; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the sunrise and a new beginning.
- Lada
- Meaning: Goddess of love; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Associated with the dawn of love and beauty.
- Milena
- Meaning: Gracious; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes kindness and the first light of dawn.
- Svetlana
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the light and warmth of dawn.
- Danica
- Meaning: Morning star; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the morning star, visible at dawn.
- Vesna
- Meaning: Spring; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the dawn of a new season and rebirth.
- Dobromila
- Meaning: Kind; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes kindness and light at dawn.
- Radomila
- Meaning: Joy; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Reflects joy and positivity at the beginning of the day.
- Luba
- Meaning: Love; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the love and warmth associated with dawn.
- Zvezda
- Meaning: Star; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the stars giving way to the light of dawn.
Names Meaning “Dawn” in Mythology
- Astraea
- Meaning: Star-maiden; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the stars that fade into dawn.
- Selene
- Meaning: Moon; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the transition from night to dawn.
- Nyx
- Meaning: Night; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the night giving way to the first light of dawn.
- Eirene
- Meaning: Peace; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes peace and the calm of early dawn.
- Luna
- Meaning: Moon; dawn
- Name Origin: Roman
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Represents the moon setting as dawn approaches.
- Hyperion
- Meaning: Titan of light; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the bright light that comes with dawn.
- Auriel
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the golden light of dawn.
- Phoebe
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes brightness and light at dawn.
- Prometheus
- Meaning: Forethought; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the foresight of a new day.
- Euryphaessa
- Meaning: Wide-shining; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the wide-spread light of dawn.
Names Meaning “Dawn” from the Americas
- Izel
- Meaning: Unique; dawn
- Name Origin: Aztec
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the uniqueness and beauty of dawn.
- Atzi
- Meaning: Dew; dawn
- Name Origin: Native American
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the freshness of dew at dawn.
- Tayen
- Meaning: New moon; dawn
- Name Origin: Native American
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the new moon and the fresh start of dawn.
- Isi
- Meaning: Deer; dawn
- Name Origin: Native American
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the deer, often active at dawn.
- Itzel
- Meaning: Rainbow lady; dawn
- Name Origin: Mayan
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the beauty of the dawn and rainbow.
- Kachina
- Meaning: Spirit; dawn
- Name Origin: Hopi
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the spirits that greet the day.
- Nizhoni
- Meaning: Beautiful; dawn
- Name Origin: Navajo
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Reflects the beauty of dawn.
- Aylen
- Meaning: Happiness; dawn
- Name Origin: Mapuche
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the joy that comes with the first light of day.
- Maiara
- Meaning: Wise; dawn
- Name Origin: Native American
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes wisdom and the freshness of dawn.
- Yatzil
- Meaning: Loved; dawn
- Name Origin: Mayan
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents love and the beauty of dawn.
Unique and Uncommon Names Meaning “Dawn”
- Oriana
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the golden light of dawn.
- Zorana
- Meaning: Morning; dawn
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the morning light and the beginning of the day.
- Cyra
- Meaning: Sun; dawn
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the sun’s light at dawn.
- Roxane
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the brightness and renewal of dawn.
- Usra
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes the early morning.
- Senara
- Meaning: Dawn
- Name Origin: Cornish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the fresh start of the day.
- Dagny
- Meaning: New day; dawn
- Name Origin: Norse
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes a new day and hope for the future.
- Altalune
- Meaning: Over the moon; dawn
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the celestial dawn.
- Rinzen
- Meaning: Dignified; dawn
- Name Origin: Tibetan
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Symbolizes dignity and grace at dawn.
- Anatola
- Meaning: From the east; dawn
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Represents the east where the dawn rises.
Celebrity-Inspired Names Meaning “Dawn”
- Aurora
- Meaning: Dawn
- Popularity: Popular
- Famous Connection: Princess Aurora from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty symbolizes the dawn of love.
- Eos
- Meaning: Dawn
- Popularity: Rare
- Famous Connection: Known in Greek mythology, this goddess has inspired artistic renditions of dawn.
- Lucina
- Meaning: Light; dawn
- Popularity: Rare
- Famous Connection: Roman goddess of childbirth, associated with the dawn of life.
- Anatola
- Meaning: East; dawn
- Popularity: Rare
- Famous Connection: Anatole Litvak, a director whose name reflects “dawn.”
- Zora
- Meaning: Dawn
- Popularity: Rare
- Famous Connection: Zora Neale Hurston, an influential author whose name evokes new beginnings.
- Aurelia
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Popularity: Popular
- Famous Connection: Aurelia Dobre, a famous gymnast, whose name reflects grace and beauty of the dawn.
- Oriana
- Meaning: Golden; dawn
- Popularity: Rare
- Famous Connection: Oriana Fallaci, an Italian journalist and author, whose name evokes strength and new horizons.
- Roxane
- Meaning: Bright; dawn
- Popularity: Popular
- Famous Connection: Roxane is famously connected to Cyrano de Bergerac, representing love and hope.
- Zahara
- Meaning: Flower; dawn
- Popularity: Popular
- Famous Connection: Zahara Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie, whose name evokes blossoming beauty.
- Serena
- Meaning: Calm; dawn
- Popularity: Popular
- Famous Connection: Serena Williams, a tennis champion, whose name symbolizes grace and strength at dawn.
Conclusion
Names that mean “dawn” carry a unique symbolism of new beginnings, light, and hope, representing the powerful transition from darkness to day. Across various cultures, languages, and mythologies, these names embody different aspects of dawn, from its physical beauty to its deeper emotional and spiritual meanings. Whether you’re drawn to the softness of the morning light, the promise of a new day, or the mythological significance of dawn, the names featured in this list offer a rich and diverse selection for parents seeking a meaningful and timeless name. The universal appeal of dawn, with its associations of renewal, purity, and fresh starts, ensures that these names will continue to resonate across generations and cultures, making them perfect choices for those looking to symbolize life’s beautiful new chapters.
Freya Hughes is a name enthusiast with a flair for storytelling. At NamesOrigins.com, she blends her love for language with an understanding of global cultures, creating insightful and intriguing content that uncovers the rich tapestry of name meanings.
