The moon has guided sailors, inspired poets, and lit the night sky for every civilization ever born on this planet. A moon name carries all of that inside it, feeling timeless without being old, and deeply meaningful without needing explanation. Whether you are naming a daughter, a son, a fictional character, or simply searching for a name that means something real, this guide brings together over 200 names that mean moon, organized by culture, gender, and use, with origins, kanji, pronunciations, and cultural context included.
Why Choose a Name That Means Moon?
Naming a child is one of the most intimate acts a parent undertakes. A lunar name carries layered symbolism that transcends any single culture. Across every civilization that has looked skyward, the moon represents:
- Cycles and transformation: Just as the moon waxes and wanes, names connected to it suggest resilience and renewal.
- Feminine energy and intuition: Many cultures associate the moon with the divine feminine, emotional intelligence, and inner wisdom.
- Mystery and depth: The moon lights the night but does not reveal everything, making lunar names feel evocative and intriguing.
- Calm and peace: The soft, steady glow of the moon is universally associated with serenity and comfort.
- Guidance and light in darkness: The moon has led travelers, sailors, and dreamers for millennia. NASA’s lunar science program documents how the moon’s gravitational pull governs Earth’s tides and has influenced the evolution of life on our planet.
According to Social Security Administration data, Luna, the Latin word for moon, has ranked in the top 15 US baby girl names for over a decade, reflecting a broader surge in celestial names. But Luna is just the beginning of a vast, cross-cultural constellation of options.
Girl Names That Mean Moon
From Greek mythology to Turkish poetry to Hawaiian legend, girl names meaning moon span every corner of the globe. These names range from the instantly recognizable (Luna, Selene) to the fascinatingly rare (Ilargi, Meztli, Purnima). Each carries a unique cultural story.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna | Moon; Latin goddess of the moon | Latin / Roman Mythology | Girl |
| Selene | Moon goddess; shining one | Greek Mythology | Girl |
| Diana | Roman goddess of the moon and hunting | Latin / Roman Mythology | Girl |
| Phoebe | Bright moon; radiant one | Greek Mythology | Girl |
| Artemis | Moon goddess of hunting and wilderness | Greek Mythology | Girl |
| Cynthia | Of Mount Cynthus; epithet of Artemis | Greek | Girl |
| Selena | Moon; variant of Selene | Greek | Girl |
| Ayla | Halo of light around the moon; moonlight | Turkish / Hebrew | Girl |
| Aylin | Moonlight; one who shines like the moon | Turkish | Girl |
| Nuray | Bright moon; radiant moonlight | Turkish | Girl |
| Esmeray | Dark moon; mysterious nocturnal beauty | Turkish | Girl |
| Kamaria | Moonlight; as beautiful as the moon | Swahili / Arabic | Girl |
| Mahina | Moon goddess; moonlight | Hawaiian | Girl |
| Hala | Moon’s halo; ring of light around the moon | Arabic | Girl |
| Mayar | Glow of the moon; soft lunar radiance | Arabic | Girl |
| Qamar | Moon; full moon | Arabic / Urdu | Girl |
| Chandra | Moon; shining moon in Sanskrit | Sanskrit / Hindu | Girl |
| Indu | Moon; drop of Soma (lunar nectar) | Sanskrit | Girl |
| Chandni | Moonlight; moonlit night | Hindi / Sanskrit | Girl |
| Neoma | New moon; fresh beginnings | Greek | Girl |
| Meztli | Moon; lunar deity in Aztec mythology | Nahuatl / Aztec | Girl |
| Lucine | Moon; light-bringer | Armenian | Girl |
| Rhiannon | Great queen; connected to the moon in Welsh myth | Welsh | Girl |
| Arianrhod | Silver wheel; Celtic moon goddess | Welsh / Celtic | Girl |
| Purnima | Full moon night; completely luminous | Sanskrit | Girl |
| Mahsa | Like the moon; moon-faced beauty | Persian | Girl |
| Amaris | Child of the moon | Old Irish / Hebrew | Girl |
| Ilargi | Moon (Basque language) | Basque | Girl |
| Jaci | Moon (Tupi-Guarani mythology) | Brazilian Indigenous | Girl |
| Liviana | Moonlit one; feminine form of Livio | Italian / Latin | Girl |
Spotlight: Most Popular Girl Names Meaning Moon
Luna remains the reigning queen of moon names globally. Selene, drawn from the ancient Greek moon goddess who drove a silver chariot across the night sky, is gaining popularity among parents who want mythological depth. Ayla, with Turkish and Hebrew roots, appeals for its softness. Its literal meaning, “halo of light around the moon,” is unusually poetic. Kamaria, from Swahili, offers a rich cross-cultural appeal with a sound that feels both exotic and accessible.
Purnima deserves special mention for Indian and diaspora families: it refers specifically to the full moon night in the Hindu calendar, making it one of the most precise lunar names in any language. Esmeray, a Turkish name meaning “dark moon,” is perfect for parents drawn to mystery rather than brightness.
Boy Names That Mean Moon
Moon names are not exclusively feminine. Many cultures have strong masculine lunar traditions. In Hindu mythology, Chandra is a male moon god associated with soothing energy and emotional balance. In Arabic tradition, Badr, meaning full moon, is a classic boys’ name connoting brilliance and completeness. Japanese mythology gives us Tsukuyomi, the male moon god whose name means “to read the moon.”
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qamar | Moon; the radiant one (also used for males) | Arabic / Urdu | Boy |
| Chandra | Moon god; deity of the moon | Sanskrit / Hindu | Boy |
| Soma | Moon god; lord of the moon plant | Sanskrit / Vedic | Boy |
| Rakesh | Lord of the full moon (Raka = full moon, Ish = lord) | Sanskrit / Hindi | Boy |
| Chandrakant | Beloved by the moon; moonstone | Sanskrit | Boy |
| Tsukuyomi | Moon-reader; god of the moon in Shinto mythology | Japanese Mythology | Boy |
| Badr | Full moon; one who radiates like a full moon | Arabic | Boy |
| Hilal | Crescent moon; new beginning | Arabic / Persian | Boy |
| Aydin | Enlightened; bright like the moon | Turkish | Boy |
| Tunkay | Bronze moon; strong and luminous | Turkish / Azerbaijani | Boy |
| Oberon | Elf ruler; also the name of a moon of Uranus | Old French / Germanic | Boy |
| Titan | Immortal giant; Saturn’s largest moon | Greek Mythology | Boy |
| Tharindu | Moon (in Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka) | Sinhala | Boy |
| Nima | Half-moon (Persian origin) | Persian | Boy |
| Chand | Moon; beloved moon | Hindi / Punjabi | Boy |
| Ramachandra | Rama of the moon; combining two Hindu deities | Sanskrit / Hindu | Boy |
| Aytac | Moon and crown; regal celestial name | Turkish | Boy |
| Sasi | Moon; the one who marks the night sky | Sanskrit / Thai | Boy |
| Yue | Moon (masculine use in some Chinese contexts) | Chinese | Boy |
| Koios | Moon intelligence; Titan associated with celestial axis | Greek Mythology | Boy |
Spotlight: Rare and Powerful Boy Names Meaning Moon
Rakesh is a Sanskrit gem meaning “lord of the full moon,” a name that sounds modern but carries deep Vedic roots. Chandrakant, also Sanskrit, means “beloved by the moon” and is associated with moonstone, a gem believed to embody lunar energy. Oberon, best known from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, doubles as a moon of Uranus, giving it rare literary and astronomical prestige. Tharindu, from Sinhala (the language of Sri Lanka), is almost unknown in Western naming culture, making it a truly distinctive choice.
Japanese Names That Mean Moon
Japanese culture has one of the deepest and most nuanced relationships with the moon. The moon (tsuki, 月) features prominently in classical poetry, the Buddhist festival of Otsukimi (moon-viewing), ancient folklore, and modern anime. Because Japanese names are written using kanji characters that carry their own meanings, a single lunar name can combine tsuki with another character to create layered poetic meaning.
The most common kanji for moon is 月 (tsuki in kun’yomi reading, getsu/gatsu in on’yomi). According to the Unicode CJK Unified Ideographs standard, when combined with other characters, it produces names that describe not just the moon itself, but the moon’s relationship with seasons, nature, and human emotion.
Japanese Girl Names That Mean Moon
| Name | Meaning | Kanji | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsukiko | Moon child; child born under the moon | 月子 | tsoo-kee-koh |
| Mizuki | Beautiful moon; graceful lunar beauty | 美月 | mee-zoo-kee |
| Kaguya | Radiant moonlit night; legendary moon princess | 輝夜 | kah-goo-yah |
| Tsukiyo | Moonlit night; peaceful and poetic evening | 月夜 | tsoo-kee-yoh |
| Hazuki | Leaf-moon; poetic name for the August moon | 葉月 | hah-zoo-kee |
| Tsukiha | Moon leaf; delicate and natural beauty | 月葉 | tsoo-kee-hah |
| Tsukina | Moon greens; fresh and gentle spirit | 月菜 | tsoo-kee-nah |
| Tsukihime | Moon princess; noble and graceful | 月姫 | tsoo-kee-hee-meh |
| Mikazuki | Crescent moon; slender new moon shape | 三日月 | mee-kah-zoo-kee |
| Ranzuki | Orchid moon; floral beauty under moonlight | 蘭月 | rahn-zoo-kee |
Kaguya deserves cultural context: she is the protagonist of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Taketori Monogatari), Japan’s oldest narrative. She is a princess from the moon who is found inside a glowing bamboo stalk and eventually returns to her celestial home. Naming a daughter Kaguya is a direct homage to Japan’s most beloved lunar legend.
Hazuki (葉月) has a special seasonal connection: it is the old Japanese name for August, derived from “leaf-moon,” referencing the month when leaves begin to hint at autumn while the moon still glows warmly over summer fields.
Japanese Boy Names That Mean Moon
| Name | Meaning | Kanji | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsukasa | Moon ruler; guardian and protector | 月司 | tsoo-kah-sah |
| Tsukuyomi | Moon reader; Shinto god of the moon | 月読 | tsoo-koo-yoh-mee |
| Tsukihiko | Moon prince; noble boy of the moon | 月彦 | tsoo-kee-hee-koh |
| Gekkou | Moonlight; the direct light of the moon | 月光 | geh-koh |
| Mitsuki | Shining moon; radiant and luminous | 光月 | mee-tsoo-kee |
| Akitsuki | Bright autumn moon; clarity of the fall sky | 明月 | ah-kee-tsoo-kee |
| Ruki | Moon radiance; glowing like moonlight | 月輝 | roo-kee |
| Tsukinari | One who commands the moon; powerful spirit | 月成 | tsoo-kee-nah-ree |
Japanese Unisex Moon Names
| Name | Meaning | Kanji | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsuki | Moon; the simplest and most direct lunar name | 月 | Unisex |
| Mitsuki | Beautiful moon; luminous and graceful | 美月 | Unisex |
| Nozomi | Hope moon; wishing upon the full moon | 望月 | Unisex |
| Shizuki | Quiet moon; serene and peaceful presence | 静月 | Unisex |
| Harutsuki | Spring moon; fresh and bright with new life | 春月 | Unisex |
| Asatsuki | Morning moon; the moon fading at dawn | 朝月 | Unisex |
| Mangetsu | Full moon; complete and perfectly luminous | 満月 | Unisex |
| Kangetsu | Cold moon; crisp clarity of a winter night sky | 寒月 | Unisex |
Mangetsu (満月), meaning “full moon,” is both a poetic name and a concept central to Japanese aesthetics. It embodies the idea of completeness as found in the perfectly round moon. Nozomi (望月) combines the kanji for “hope” or “desire” with the moon, creating a name that literally means “hoping upon the moon” or “moon wish.”
Japanese Last Names That Mean Moon
In Japan, surnames are hereditary and strictly regulated by the Ministry of Justice family register system, but several existing family names carry tsuki (月) as a component. Tsukiyama (月山) means “moon mountain.” Tsukimoto (月本) means “base of the moon.” Tsukigawa (月川) means “moon river.” These surnames are rare but genuinely exist in Japanese family registries.
Korean Names That Mean Moon
Korean has two systems for lunar names: pure Korean (using the native word 달, dal, meaning moon) and Sino-Korean (using 월, wol, from the Chinese character 月). Pure Korean names with “dal” have a fresh, modern feel; Sino-Korean names with “wol” carry classical elegance and are more common in older generations. The National Institute of Korean Language documents both systems as part of Korea’s living naming heritage.
| Name | Meaning | System | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dal (달) | Moon; the native Korean word for moon | Pure Korean | Unisex |
| Dal-hee (달희) | Moon joy; brightness and happiness | Pure Korean | Girl |
| Dal-sun (달선) | Moon goodness; gentle and pure | Pure Korean | Girl |
| Wol-hee (월희) | Moon happiness | Sino-Korean | Girl |
| Eun-wol (은월) | Silver moon; elegant and timeless | Sino-Korean | Girl |
| Wol-sook (월숙) | Moon maturity; wise and graceful | Sino-Korean | Girl |
| Myung-wol (명월) | Bright moon; clear and luminous | Sino-Korean | Unisex |
An interesting linguistic note: the Korean surname Moon (문) is pronounced identically to the English word “moon” but does not actually mean moon. It derives from the Chinese character 文 (meaning “writing” or “literature”). Many Koreans in the United States bear this surname, creating a beautiful coincidence between sound and celestial meaning.
Dal-hee and Dal-sun are traditional girl names using the native Korean word for moon paired with positive meaning syllables. Hee means joy and sun means goodness. Myung-wol (명월), meaning “bright moon,” is a beautifully balanced name used for both genders in older Korean naming conventions.
Chinese Names That Mean Moon
In Chinese, the primary character for moon is 月 (yue). Chinese given names are highly personalized, often combining two characters whose individual meanings create a unique compound. Because of tonal pronunciation and the vast number of homophones in Chinese, names are chosen as much for their written beauty as their spoken sound. The Zdic Chinese dictionary traces the character 月 back to oracle bone script dating to the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BCE), making it one of the oldest written symbols still actively used in naming today.
| Name | Meaning | Characters | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yue | Moon; timeless and universally beautiful | 月 | Girl |
| Haoyue | Bright moon; radiant purity | 皓月 | Girl |
| Mingyue | Bright moon; clarity and brilliance | 明月 | Girl |
| Jingyue | Peaceful moon; calm, quiet, and serene | 靖月 | Girl |
| Tianyue | Heavenly moon; celestial and divine | 天月 | Girl |
| Tingyue | Pretty moon; graceful and charming | 婷月 | Girl |
| Chunyue | Pure moon; innocent and untainted | 纯月 | Girl |
| Xiangyue | Fragrant moon; sweet and poetic | 香月 | Girl |
| Baoyue | Precious moon; rare and treasured | 宝月 | Girl |
| Wanyue | Evening moon; mysterious nighttime beauty | 晚月 | Girl |
Haoyue (皓月) is a classical Chinese phrase meaning “bright moon.” It appears frequently in Tang dynasty poetry and carries literary prestige. Mingyue (明月) is perhaps the most famous: the opening line of Su Shi’s iconic poem Shui Diao Ge Tou begins with “Mingyue,” making it one of the most culturally resonant moon phrases in all of Chinese literature.
Tingyue (婷月) combines “graceful” with “moon,” a particularly elegant feminine combination. Baoyue (宝月) pairs “precious” or “treasure” with the moon, creating a name that conveys the child as a rare and treasured celestial gift.
Last Names That Mean Moon
Surnames meaning moon exist across multiple language families, from Latin-derived family names in Europe to kanji-based Japanese surnames to Arabic names common across the Middle East and South Asia. A lunar last name paired with a complementary given name creates a beautifully cohesive celestial identity.
| Surname | Meaning | Origin | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luna | Moon (Spanish/Italian surname) | Spanish / Italian | Europe / Latin America |
| Tsuki | Moon (Japanese surname) | Japanese | Japan |
| Getsu | Moon (alternate reading, Japanese) | Japanese | Japan |
| Tsukino (月野) | Field of the moon | Japanese | Japan |
| Tsukiyama (月山) | Moon mountain | Japanese | Japan |
| Chandra | Moon (used as surname in South Asia) | Sanskrit / Indian | South Asia |
| Qamar | Moon (Arabic surname) | Arabic | Middle East / South Asia |
| Hilal | Crescent moon (Arabic surname) | Arabic | Middle East |
| Yue (月) | Moon (Chinese surname) | Chinese | China / East Asia |
| Delalune | Of the moon (French poetic surname) | French | France |
| McLune | From the moon or River Lune (Scottish) | Scottish | Scotland |
| Moonen | Moon-born; lunar calendar family | Dutch | Netherlands |
| Balachandran | Crescent moon (South Indian surname) | Tamil / Sanskrit | South India |
| Moon | Moon (English surname from Old English mona) | English / Korean | UK / Korea |
Luna has crossed from given name to surname across Spanish and Italian families for centuries. Delalune, a French artistic surname translating to “of the moon,” was historically associated with writers and artists who adopted celestial pen names. Balachandran, a South Indian surname meaning “crescent moon child,” is common in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, reflecting the importance of lunar imagery in Dravidian culture.
Names That Mean Moon or Stars
Many parents want a name that evokes the entire night sky, both the moon and the stars together. These names bridge the lunar and stellar, capturing the full magic of the celestial sphere. NASA’s planetary science division currently recognizes over 290 confirmed moons in our solar system alone, a reminder of just how vast the lunar naming universe truly is.
| Name | Meaning | Origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrella | Star; celestial and radiant | Spanish | Girl |
| Astra | Of the stars; born among the stars | Greek / Latin | Girl |
| Stella | Star; brilliant and luminous | Latin / Italian | Girl |
| Orion | Great hunter constellation; bold and celestial | Greek Mythology | Boy |
| Altair | Eagle star; brightest in Aquila constellation | Arabic | Boy |
| Soraya | The Pleiades star cluster; royal Persian name | Persian | Girl |
| Cassia | Moon and cinnamon star; celestial beauty | Greek / Latin | Girl |
| Rigel | Bright blue star in Orion; strong and cosmic | Arabic | Boy |
| Lyra | Lyre constellation; melodic and starlit | Greek / Latin | Girl |
| Nova | New star; celestial explosion of light | Latin | Unisex |
| Celeste | Heavenly; belonging to the sky and stars | Latin / French | Girl |
| Vega | Brightest star in Lyra constellation | Arabic | Unisex |
| Soleil | Sun; pairs beautifully with lunar names | French | Girl |
| Soluna | Sun and moon combined; balance of light | Spanish hybrid | Unisex |
Soraya is a particularly powerful entry: it is the Persian name for the Pleiades star cluster and was the name of the Queen of Iran from 1951 to 1958, lending it both mythological and royal gravitas. Soluna is a modern hybrid combining sol (sun) and luna (moon), making it a name that carries the balance of day and night. Nova, while literally meaning a sudden stellar explosion, has become a culturally powerful gender-neutral name for those who want their child’s name to mean the birth of something brilliant.
How to Choose the Perfect Moon Name: 7 Tips
- Match meaning to identity: Decide if you want a name that means “moon” directly (Luna, Tsuki), “moonlight” (Ayla, Chandni), a moon phase (Hilal for crescent, Badr for full moon, Neoma for new moon), or a moon goddess (Selene, Diana, Mahina).
- Consider cultural roots: A name from your own heritage carries added resonance. A Japanese name like Mizuki may feel more authentic for families with Japanese roots, while Kamaria might resonate more for families with East African connections.
- Test pronunciation across languages: Names like Tsukuyomi and Arianrhod are beautiful but require practice. Say the name out loud in your home country’s accent and in other contexts where the child may live or study.
- Think about nicknames: Luna becomes Lu. Selene becomes Seli or Lenie. Chandra becomes Chan. Kamaria can become Kama or Mari. A beautiful longer name is more usable with a natural short form.
- Balance commonness and uniqueness: Luna is beautiful but ranks in the top 15 in the US per SSA data. If you want something rare, consider Ilargi, Lucine, Meztli, or Mangetsu. If timeless familiarity matters, Diana, Phoebe, and Cynthia are classic choices.
- Pair with a stellar middle name: Moon names pair beautifully with star names as middle names: Luna Astra, Selene Vega, Mitsuki Lyra, Haoyue Nova. The combination creates a complete night sky identity.
- Think beyond babies: Moon names work equally well for fictional characters, gaming usernames, pen names, business names, or spiritual practice names. Choose a name that serves the full scope of its intended use.
Moon Phase Names: A Unique Naming Dimension
One aspect most name guides overlook is naming by moon phase. According to NASA’s lunar phase guide, the moon moves through eight distinct phases in its 29.5-day synodic cycle. If you want a name tied to a specific lunar phase rather than the moon in general, these options are exquisitely meaningful:
- Hilal (هلال): Arabic for crescent moon; the new lunar sliver that symbolizes fresh starts.
- Neoma: Greek for “new moon”; carries the energy of beginnings and possibility.
- Badr (بدر): Arabic for full moon; complete, radiant, and at peak brilliance.
- Purnima: Sanskrit for the full moon night; the night of absolute lunar completeness.
- Mikazuki (三日月): Japanese for crescent moon; specifically the third-night moon, slender and poetic.
- Mangetsu (満月): Japanese for full moon; the perfectly round, completely realized moon.
- Esmeray: Turkish for dark moon; the waning or new moon, mysterious in its absence.
Moon Goddess Names Across Mythology
Some of the most powerful names that mean moon come directly from lunar deities across world mythologies. These names carry divine energy, historical weight, and undeniable character. The Theoi Project, a scholarly reference for Greek mythology, provides extensive primary source documentation for each of these goddesses:
- Selene (Greek): The original Greek moon goddess who drove a silver chariot across the night sky. Titaness, sister of Helios (sun) and Eos (dawn).
- Artemis (Greek): Goddess of the moon, hunting, and wilderness. Twin sister of Apollo. Associated with independence, strength, and fierce protection.
- Diana (Roman): Roman equivalent of Artemis. Patron of the hunt and the moon. The name Diana has never gone out of style.
- Luna (Roman): Personification of the moon in Roman mythology. Rode a two-horse chariot (biga) across the sky. The most popular lunar name globally today.
- Chandra (Hindu): The Hindu moon god, also called Soma. Governs the night, tides, emotions, and the mind. Used for both genders.
- Tsukuyomi (Shinto): The moon god in Japanese Shinto mythology, born from the right eye of Izanagi. His name means “to read the moon.”
- Mahina (Hawaiian): Hawaiian moon goddess. Associated with the sea, tides, and the sacred rhythm of the ocean.
- Meztli (Aztec): Aztec goddess of the moon, night, and farmers. One of the few Nahuatl moon names accessible for modern naming.
- Arianrhod (Welsh/Celtic): Celtic moon goddess whose name means “silver wheel,” a direct reference to the full moon’s circular luminance.
How to Say “Moon” in Different Languages: A Naming Reference?
Understanding what “moon” sounds like in various languages can inspire names or help you appreciate the roots of names you have found. The Ethnologue database, which catalogs over 7,000 living languages, shows that virtually every documented human language has a dedicated word for the moon, a testament to its universal significance. Here is a quick reference:
- Latin: Luna
- Greek: Selene / Mene
- Arabic: Qamar (قمر) / Hilal for crescent
- Japanese: Tsuki (月)
- Chinese: Yue (月)
- Korean: Dal (달) / Wol (월) Sino-Korean
- Turkish: Ay
- Sanskrit: Chandra / Soma
- Hawaiian: Mahina
- Welsh: Lleuad
- Irish: Gealach
- Persian: Mah (ماه)
- Swahili: Mwezi
- Basque: Ilargi
- Sinhala: Handa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular name that means moon?
Luna is the most popular moon-inspired name worldwide. It has consistently ranked in the top 15 baby girl names in the United States for over a decade, according to Social Security Administration records. Other widely used options include Selene, Diana, and Chandra.
What Japanese name means moon?
The simplest Japanese name meaning moon is Tsuki (月). More complete given names include Tsukiko (moon child), Mizuki (beautiful moon), Kaguya (radiant moonlit night), and Tsukiyo (moonlit night). For boys, Tsukasa (moon ruler) and Tsukuyomi (moon reader) are classical choices. Each name’s kanji adds additional nuance beyond the moon itself.
Are there boy names that mean moon?
Absolutely. Chandra, Soma, and Rakesh are strong Sanskrit masculine lunar names rooted in Vedic religious tradition. Badr and Hilal are classic Arabic boy names meaning full moon and crescent moon respectively. Tsukuyomi is the Japanese male moon god’s name. Oberon, with literary roots in Shakespeare, doubles as a moon of Uranus.
What are Korean names that mean moon?
Korean moon names use either the native word Dal (달) or the Sino-Korean term Wol (월). Common girl names include Dal-hee (moon joy), Eun-wol (silver moon), and Wol-hee (moon happiness). The surname Moon in Korean-American families is actually written 문 and means “culture,” not moon, though the phonetic coincidence is charming.
What are Chinese names that mean moon?
Chinese moon names always incorporate the character 月 (yue). Popular choices include Mingyue (bright moon), Haoyue (brilliant moon), Jingyue (peaceful moon), and Tingyue (graceful moon). These names carry literary prestige in China, as the moon appears throughout classical Tang and Song dynasty poetry.
What are last names that mean moon?
Last names meaning moon include Luna (Spanish/Italian), Tsuki and Tsukino (Japanese), Chandra (Indian), Qamar (Arabic), Hilal (Arabic), Yue (Chinese), Delalune (French), Moonen (Dutch), and McLune (Scottish). The English surname Moon derives from the Old English word mona.
What names mean moon or stars?
Names that evoke both moon and stars include Celeste (heavenly), Nova (new star), Lyra (star constellation), Soraya (the Pleiades), Soluna (sun and moon), Astra (of the stars), and Vega (brightest star in Lyra). Pairing a moon name with a star middle name, such as Luna Astra or Tsukiko Vega, creates a beautiful full-sky effect.
What does Bellabeat have to do with moon names?
Bellabeat is a wellness technology brand known for its Luna and Leaf products, named with celestial and nature-inspired references. The Bellabeat connection to moon names comes from their Luna tracker and the brand’s broader ethos of connecting women to natural cycles, including the lunar calendar. Names that fit the Bellabeat aesthetic include Luna, Leaf, Ayla, Selene, and Celeste.
Conclusion: Finding Your Moon Name
From the ancient Roman goddess Luna to the Japanese crescent-moon name Mikazuki, from the Arabic Qamar to the Hawaiian Mahina, names that mean moon span every ocean and every era. They carry stories of mythology, poetry, astronomical wonder, and cultural identity.
The right lunar name is not just the most popular one, or the most exotic one. It is the one that resonates with your story, your heritage, your hopes, and the person who will wear it. Whether you choose a girl name steeped in Greek mythology, a boy name from Vedic Sanskrit, a Japanese name with layered kanji meaning, or a rare Korean syllable that quietly carries the word for moon in its native tongue, you are giving a gift of meaning that will outlast trends and touch something genuinely timeless.
The moon does not change. Scientists estimate it formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, and it has shone on every culture, every generation, every name ever spoken under the open sky. A name that means moon carries all of that with it.




