Gender: Primarily feminine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Dawn, sunrise, goddess of the dawn
Pronunciation: uh-ROR-uh
Meaning of the Name Aurora
Aurora comes from the Latin word meaning “dawn” or “sunrise.” In Roman mythology, Aurora was the goddess of the dawn who flew across the sky each morning to announce the arrival of the sun. The name perfectly captures that magical moment when darkness gives way to light, bringing warmth and new beginnings.
Historical Significance of Aurora
Aurora has deep roots in Roman mythology as the goddess who renewed herself every morning and flew across the sky, scattering roses and announcing the arrival of the sun. The term “aurora borealis” (Northern Lights) derives from this goddess, named because these beautiful light displays in northern skies seemed like the goddess’s work.
Throughout history, the name has been used across Europe, though it wasn’t common until the 19th century when romantic names from mythology gained popularity. It received another boost in popularity when Disney used it for the princess in Sleeping Beauty (1959), where Princess Aurora was named after the dawn because she brought light to her parents’ lives.
Common Nicknames for Aurora
- Rory
- Aura
- Roe/Ro
- Ora
- Rora
- Arie
How Popular Is Aurora?
Aurora has experienced a significant rise in popularity in recent years. In the U.S., it entered the top 100 girls’ names in 2015 and has continued climbing. As of 2024, it ranks in the top 40 names for baby girls.
The name’s growing popularity can be attributed to several factors:
- The trend toward celestial and nature-inspired names
- The continued influence of Disney’s Sleeping Beauty
- Its melodic sound with the popular “-ora” ending
- Its balance of being recognizable yet not overly common
| Year | US Rank |
|---|---|
| 2000 | #496 |
| 2010 | #184 |
| 2020 | #36 |
| 2024 | #33 |
Famous People Named Aurora
- Aurora Aksnes – Norwegian singer-songwriter known professionally as AURORA
- Aurora Perrineau – American actress appearing in “When They See Us” and “Prodigal Son”
- Aurora Snow – American former adult film actress and writer
- Aurora Ramazzotti – Italian television presenter and daughter of singers Eros Ramazzotti and Michelle Hunziker
- Aurora Robinson Levins Morales – Puerto Rican Jewish writer and poet
- Aurora Robles – Mexican model and television personality
Fictional Characters Named Aurora
- Princess Aurora – The protagonist of Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty”
- Aurora Lane – A character in the 2016 science fiction film “Passengers”
- Aurora Teagarden – Protagonist of mystery novels by Charlaine Harris
- Aurora “Roe” Deveaux – Character in the “Midnight” series by Charlaine Harris
- Aurora West – Character in the graphic novel “The Rise of Aurora West”
- Aurora James – Character in the novel “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah
Aurora in Literature and Pop Culture
Aurora has appeared regularly in literature, film, and music, often carrying symbolic meaning related to light, hope, and new beginnings.
In literature, Aurora appears in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” as a metaphor for dawn. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote an epic poem titled “Aurora Leigh” about a young woman poet.
In film, beyond Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” Aurora appears in “Passengers” (2016) and serves as inspiration for characters and settings in numerous works.
The name has inspired several songs, including Björk’s “Aurora” and the Foo Fighters’ “Aurora.”
The aurora borealis (Northern Lights) frequently appears in books, movies, and television shows as a symbol of magic and wonder.
Personality Traits Associated with Aurora
People named Aurora are often described as:
- Radiant – Like the dawn they’re named after, they often bring light and energy to those around them
- Creative – Many Auroras have an artistic flair and love of beauty
- Independent – They tend to forge their own paths and follow their passions
- Spiritual – Often connected to nature and philosophical thinking
- Resilient – Like the dawn that inevitably follows darkness, they show strength in difficult times
- Dreamy – They often have vivid imaginations and a slightly mystical quality
Similar Names to Aurora
- Aurelia
- Celeste
- Luna
- Stella
- Nova
- Orion
- Dawn
- Athena
- Ariana
- Elara
Alternate Spellings for Aurora
Aurora is typically spelled consistently across languages, though some variations include:
- Aurore (French)
- Orora
- Arora
- Arrora
- Auroora
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: uh-ROR-uh
- Italian: ow-ROH-rah
- Spanish: ow-ROH-rah
- French: oh-ROHR
- Nordic countries: OW-roo-ra
Parents Who Like Aurora Also Like
- Aria
- Luna
- Stella
- Hazel
- Violet
- Cora
- Nova
- Amara
- Elora
- Seraphina
Baby Name Lists That Include Aurora
- Nature-Inspired Names
- Celestial Baby Names
- Mythological Names
- Disney-Inspired Names
- Magical & Ethereal Names
- Names That Mean Light or Dawn
- Trending Names of the 2020s
- Beautiful Four-Syllable Names
- Goddess Names for Girls
- Literary-Inspired Baby Names
Aurora for Both Genders
While Aurora is predominantly used for girls, it could theoretically be used for boys, especially given its celestial association and its ending with the letter “a” (which is not exclusively feminine in all cultures). However, the strong association with Princess Aurora in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty has solidified it as primarily feminine in Western cultures.
For a masculine alternative with similar meanings, consider:
- Orion (celestial constellation)
- Sol (sun)
- Apollo (god of the sun)
- Dawn (though also typically feminine)
- Lucian/Lucius (meaning “light”)
Sibling Name Ideas
For a Sister:
- Luna
- Stella
- Celeste
- Iris
- Violet
- Willow
- Athena
- Penelope
For a Brother:
- Leo
- Atlas
- Phoenix
- Orion
- Felix
- Oliver
- Theodore
- Jasper
Names with the Same Meaning as Aurora
- Dawn
- Roxana (Persian for “dawn” or “bright”)
- Eos (Greek goddess of dawn)
- Zora (Slavic for “dawn”)
- Thea (Greek for “goddess” or “dawn”)
- Oriana (Latin for “sunrise” or “golden”)
- Alba (Latin for “white” or “dawn”)
First Impressions of Aurora
When people hear the name Aurora, they often think:
- Magical and ethereal
- Sophisticated yet approachable
- Timeless with a modern feel
- Nature-connected and spiritual
- Elegant and beautiful
- Unique but recognizable
“Aurora sounds like a name for someone who would be both graceful and adventurous – the kind of person who might enjoy both ballet and hiking at sunrise.” – Name enthusiast
Celebrity Babies Named Aurora
- Actress Jessica Hall named her daughter Aurora in 2016
- Reality TV star Nicole “Coco” Austin and rapper Ice-T named their daughter Chanel Nicole Aurora
- British model Kimberley Walsh named her daughter Elsie Aurora
- Actor Harold Perrineau (from “Lost”) named his daughter Aurora
Songs About Aurora
- “Aurora” by Björk
- “Aurora” by Foo Fighters
- “Aurora Borealis” by Meat Puppets
- “Aurora” by Hans Zimmer (from the “Passengers” soundtrack)
- “Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)” by Carly Simon
Famous Quotes About Aurora
“Aurora now, fair daughter of the dawn, sprinkled with rosy light the dewy lawn.” – Alexander Pope
“But mighty nature bounds as from her birth; the sun is in the heavens, and life on earth: flowers in the valley, splendor in the beam, health on the gale, and freshness in the stream. Immortal man! behold her glories shine, and cry, exulting inly, ‘They are thine!'” – Lord Byron, describing Aurora
“Aurora had but newly chased the night, And purpled o’er the sky with blushing light.” – John Dryden
Aurora in Different Languages
- Italian: Aurora
- Spanish: Aurora
- French: Aurore
- Portuguese: Aurora
- German: Aurora
- Russian: Аврора (Avrora)
- Finnish: Aurora
- Japanese: オーロラ (Ōrora)
Name Combinations for Aurora
First & Middle Name Combinations:
- Aurora Jane
- Aurora Sage
- Aurora Claire
- Aurora Violet
- Aurora Mae
- Aurora Elizabeth
- Aurora Grace
Middle Name for Aurora:
- Rose
- Jade
- Kate
- Skye
- Willow
- Elise
- Faith
Comments from Parents of Children Named Aurora
“We named our daughter Aurora five years ago, and it fits her perfectly. She’s bright and energetic, just like a sunrise. People always comment on how beautiful her name is.” – Mom of Aurora Rose
“I was worried Aurora might be too fancy for everyday use, but we call her Rory most of the time, which is cute and spunky. For formal occasions, she has her elegant full name.” – Dad of Aurora Elizabeth
“Our Aurora is now 7, and she loves that she shares her name with a Disney princess and the Northern Lights. It’s helped her develop an interest in both fairy tales and science!” – Parent of Aurora Skye
“The only downside is occasionally having to spell it out for people, but most recognize it right away. It’s distinctive without being difficult.” – Mom of Aurora Claire