101 Radiant Names That Mean Rainbow: to Light Up the Sky

Parents search for names that mean rainbow for many reasons. You might appreciate the natural beauty of rainbows. LGBTQIA+ families often draw inspiration from the Pride flag. You might also be welcoming a rainbow baby, a child born after the loss of a previous pregnancy. In many faiths, a rainbow symbolizes hope and faithfulness during difficult times.

Whatever your reason, we rounded up the best names that mean rainbow. Keep reading to find their meanings and origins.

52 Radiant Rainbow Baby Girl Names

Here are dreamy rainbow names for girls that light up the sky:

1. Abha: You will love this Hindi girl’s name that means “light, aura, splendor.”
2. Akiko: This Japanese baby name means “bright child” and feels full of color and joy.
3. Amitola: This dreamy rainbow name comes from legend and is special in Native American and Mexican culture.
4. Anuenue: This Hawaiian goddess name means rainbow and serves as a vibrant island blessing.
5. Apsara: This spiritual Sanskrit name is perfect for a girl who “moves among clouds.”
6. Aya: This Japanese name suits creative girls and means “design, colorful, beautiful.”
7. Bunzi: This colorful name takes inspiration from the goddess of rain in Kongo mythology.
8. Cǎi Hóng: Meaning “rainbow in the sky,” this Mandarin girl’s name is a beautiful choice.
9. Dorothy: This name means “gift of God” and honors the classic movie character dreaming of somewhere over the rainbow.
10. Duha: This is the beautiful Czech word for rainbow.
11. Eirisse: This spectacularly pretty Greek variant of Iris directly translates to rainbow.
12. Enfys: This retro Welsh name offers a cute option among names that mean rainbow.
13. Flower: This is the most basic of floral names and represents all the colors of natural beauty.
14. Goldie: This shimmering name sounds exactly like what you would find at the end of a rainbow.
15. Hila: This name holds the double meaning of “halo” in Hebrew and “hope” in Pashto.
16. Hina: This name means light or sun and takes inspiration from a Hawaiian goddess who travels on a rainbow bridge.
17. Hunu: This rare Maori name means “sunray” and promises rainbows in her future.
18. Iiris: This Finnish spelling of Iris is perfect if you like vowel-heavy names meaning rainbow.
19. Irida: This pretty Greek alternative to Iris carries an ultra-feminine flair.
20. Iridessa: This happy play on the word iridescent reminds us of glittering color.
21. Iridiana: This name adds a feminine suffix to the word iridian for extra magical cuteness.
22. Iris: This name means rainbow and belongs to a beautiful flower and a Greek goddess.
23. Irissa: This fluffier form of Iris also features strong Greek roots.
24. Irita: This is another cute alternative to Iris that means rainbow.
25. Irsia: This dreamy Persian name translates to “colors of wonder, rainbow.”
26. Itzayana: This radiant Mayan name means “rainbow lady” and suits a gorgeous gift of God.
27. Ixchel: Inspired by the Mayan goddess of midwifery, this dreamy name means “rainbow lady.”
28. Julunggul: This rare name honors a rainbow serpent deity in Australian Aboriginal culture.
29. Kahukura: This is one of the longest rainbow names and features Maori origins.
30. Koko: This cute Japanese name symbolizes both rainbows and storks.
31. Lesedi: Meaning “woman of light,” this southern African name is as dazzling as a rainbow.
32. Malina: This cute Inuit name honors a sun goddess and is full of vibrancy and hope.
33. Manzat: This name belongs to a goddess who personifies the rainbow in Western Asian mythologies.
34. Maya: This honors Maya Angelou, who taught us to “try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
35. Meriweather: This Disney fairy name makes us think of the merriest weather.
36. Narangerel: This Mongolian name means sunlight, and without sunlight, there would be no rainbows.
37. Nuanua: This melodic name means rainbow in Samoan.
38. Opal: If you look closely at this milky gemstone, you will see it is streaked with rainbow shades.
39. Osumare: This Yoruba name means rainbow and honors an African rainbow deity.
40. Prendre: This name honors an Albanian goddess of love who wears a rainbow as a belt.
41. Rung: This vibrant name means “colorful” or “rainbow” and features Thai and Indian origins.
42. Säde: Meaning “ray of light,” this fun Finnish girl’s name is pronounced “sa-deh.”
43. Saulė: Meaning sunlight, this Baltic solar goddess name certainly shimmers.
44. Solongo: This is a highly melodic Mongolian girl name that means rainbow.
45. Solveig: This Old Norse name is perfect for rainbow spotters who love to marvel at the strength of the sun.
46. Sunbeam: This is the happiest of sun-inspired rainbow baby girl names.
47. Synnøve: Meaning “sun gift,” this Scandinavian girl’s name naturally reminds us of rainbows.
48. Tagwanibisan: This Native American name directly translates to rainbow.
49. Tiranna: This Sumerian alternative to Manzat honors the Mesopotamian rainbow goddess.
50. Vaiva: This Lithuanian name is a sassy European pick among rainbow names.
51. Violet: This pretty purple color name represents a prominent shade found in a rainbow.
52. Ziazan: This fabulous-sounding name means rainbow and comes from Armenian.

20 Inspiring Rainbow Baby Boy Names

Let your son light up the sky with these glowing rainbow baby boy names:

1. Apollo: This handsome Greek sun god name often connects to LGBT themes and makes a cool Pride-inspired choice.
2. Avilion: This spectacular literary name carries the meaning of “golden rainbow.”
3. Baldur: This Norse god of light features the strikingly regal meaning of prince.
4. Chitrachap: This rare Hindu name gives off a bright and colorful rainbow aesthetic.
5. George: This name means “farmer” or “earthworker” and belongs to a famous pink hippo puppet from the TV show Rainbow.
6. Heliodoro: This sweet Spanish name is perfect for your “gift from the sun” rainbow baby.
7. Horus: This Egyptian god of weather and rainstorms suits babies born in dramatic weather.
8. Indra: This Hindu god of war and thunder shoots lighting arrows from a rainbow bow.
9. Iridian: This cool adjective describes a dazzling rainbow of color.
10. Jamshid: This joyous pick among Persian male names refers to shining sun rays.
11. Joseph: This name means “God will give” and honors the technicolor dreamcoat owner in the Bible.
12. Mayur: Meaning peacock, this Hindi boy’s name is gloriously colorful and proud.
13. Motley: This archaic term means colorful and is synonymous with rainbows.
14. Musoke: This cool rainbow name comes from African religion.
15. Nuada: This bright name is rich in Irish legend and means “cloud maker.”
16. Oscar: This honors Oscar Wilde, who said, “When it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark, look for stars.”
17. Tangakwunu: This Native American name features Hopi roots and makes a solid rainbow baby boy name.
18. Tuyen: This rainbow-themed boy name comes from Sino-Vietnamese and means “angel, ray, line.”
19. Uenuku: This name honors an atua (Polynesian god) of rainbows in Maori culture.
20. Walken: This celebrity surname is also an Australian aboriginal boy name meaning rainbow.

29 Unique Unisex Names Meaning Rainbow

These gender-neutral names suit rainbow babies of all different dispositions:

1. Angel: This heavenly name perfectly honors a God-given gift from the skies.
2. Arcoíris: This translates to rainbow in Spanish and fits a fabulous child.
3. Arcus: This name honors a rainbow goddess found in various mythologies.
4. Bow: This gender-neutral name is cute as pie and adorable if twinned with Rain.
5. Caihong: This is a cool choice among Chinese names meaning rainbow and also belongs to an extinct bird-like dinosaur.
6. Cillín: Cillín is a historical burial site for stillborns in Ireland, making it a touching tribute for a rainbow baby.
7. Cozamalotl: This unusual Aztec name directly translates to rainbow.
8. Ellianther: Created by J.R.R. Tolkien, this unique literary surname means “lover of rainbows.”
9. Hinata: This Japanese name element means “sunny place” or “to the sun,” which is exactly where rainbows are found.
10. Hong: This meaningful Chinese name takes inspiration from a two-headed dragon that symbolizes a rainbow.
11. Indigo: Inky and alluring, this deep blue and purple color name is a distinct shade in a rainbow.
12. Itzel: Meaning rainbow, Itzel is a gorgeous choice among colorful Native American names.
13. Jalus: This significant name in Tibetan culture means “rainbow body.”
14. Keshet: This simple yet dazzling choice stands out among rainbow baby names from Hebrew.
15. Miku: This delicate and special Japanese name means “beautiful sky.”
16. Niji: This is a very cute Japanese choice among names that mean rainbow.
17. Nijiko: Adding the “ko” suffix brings even more affection to this Japanese name meaning “rainbow baby.”
18. Pride: This outstanding English vocabulary name holds special significance among Pride communities.
19. Prism: This unique vocabulary name makes us think of rainbow beams and fragments of dancing light.
20. Rain: Fresh and earthy, this would be the absolute cutest name to twin with Bow.
21. Rainbeau: This modern pick features unique spelling and combines Rainbow with the French word for beautiful.
22. Rainbow: This is the most beautiful and direct of all rainbow names for colorful kids.
23. Ray: Just like a cute little sunbeam, this unisex name sounds like dazzling light across the sky.
24. Sabrang: This rare Hindu rainbow name works beautifully for both boys and girls.
25. Sky: You can spell this Sky or Skye to honor beautiful babies from the colorful heavens above.
26. Skylar: This name actually means scholar, but it reminds us of the vast and colorful sky.
27. Spectrum: This rare and fabulous name covers a wide range of colors and rainbow themes.
28. Sunny: This affectionate weather name fits a kid with a disposition full of love and laughter.
29. Zippy: This honors the funny, wide-smiling puppet from the classic British children’s TV show Rainbow.

Rainbow Baby Names FAQs

What Greek Names Suit a Rainbow Baby?

If you’re looking for rainbow names, there are some great Greek options we’re sure you’ll love. Try Iris or its variants, Eirisse, Irissa, or Irida, for girls. For boys, we love the power and strength behind the iconic god name Apollo.

What Are Some Rainbow God or Goddess Names?

For girls, consider the most ethereal of vibrant rainbow goddess names, such as Iris, Anuenue, Hina, Saulė, Tiranna, Prendre, Ixchel, Manzat, and Bunzi. For boys, we love Baldur, Uenuku, Horus, or Arcus.

What Is a Rainbow Baby?

A rainbow baby is a child born to a family that has previously lost a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. The name signifies a beautiful bright light following a dark and stormy time.

What Are Some Japanese Names That Mean Rainbow?

If you want a Japanese name meaning rainbow, consider Niji or Nijiko. You can also choose names related to the sun or sky, such as Akiko, Aya, Hinata, or Miku.

Are There Any Floral Names Associated With Rainbows?

Iris is the most famous floral name tied to rainbows. It belongs to a beautiful flower and the Greek goddess of rainbows. You can also use the name Flower to represent the entire spectrum of natural beauty.

What Native American Names Mean Rainbow?

Amitola, Tagwanibisan, and Tangakwunu are Native American names that directly translate to or symbolize a rainbow.

What Name Means Colorful?

The Thai and Indian name Rung means colorful. You can also use the Japanese name Aya, the English vocabulary name Motley, or the Persian name Irsia to represent vibrant colors.