Gender: Primarily feminine, though occasionally used for boys
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Moon”
Pronunciation: LOO-nah
Meaning of the Name Luna
Luna directly translates to “moon” in Latin. It’s also connected to the Roman goddess of the moon, who was seen as the divine embodiment of the moon itself. The name carries associations with light in darkness, femininity, intuition, and the natural cycles of life.
Historical Significance of Luna
Luna has deep roots in Roman mythology, where Luna was the goddess of the moon, often depicted driving a chariot across the night sky. Throughout history, the moon has been a powerful symbol in many cultures, representing the feminine divine, cycles, intuition, and mystery. The name Luna connects the bearer to this rich symbolic tradition.
In scientific history, “luna” has been used as the Latin term for our moon in astronomical contexts, appearing in terms like “lunar eclipse” and “lunar calendar.”
Common Nicknames for Luna
- Lulu
- Lu
- Lunita
- Lunnie
- Moonbeam
How Popular Is Luna?
Luna has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade! In the United States, Luna entered the top 100 names for girls in 2016 and has continued to climb. As of recent years, it ranked in the top 25 most popular girls’ names in the US.
The name has particularly resonated with parents looking for names that are both celestial and nature-inspired. Its popularity has been boosted by celebrity choices and its appearance in pop culture, especially in the Harry Potter series.
Famous People Named Luna
- Luna Blaise – American actress known for her role in “Fresh Off the Boat”
- Luna Lauren Velez – American actress who starred in “Dexter” and “Oz”
- Luna Schweiger – German actress and daughter of actor Til Schweiger
- Luna Lovegood – While fictional, this Harry Potter character has helped popularize the name
- Luna Simone Stephens – Daughter of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen
Fictional Characters Named Luna
- Luna Lovegood – The whimsical, wise character from the Harry Potter series
- Luna (Sailor Moon) – The cat advisor to Sailor Moon in the anime series
- Luna the Moon – Character from the children’s TV show “Let’s Go Luna!”
- Princess Luna – Character from “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic”
- Luna Loud – Character from the animated series “The Loud House”
Luna in Literature and Pop Culture
Luna has made numerous appearances throughout literature and pop culture:
- Most famously as Luna Lovegood in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series
- Featured in various songs, including “Luna” by The Smashing Pumpkins
- The name of a character in the video game “League of Legends”
- Luna is often used in fiction for characters who are mysterious, spiritual, or connected to the night
- The name has appeared in several films and TV shows, often for characters with magical or mystical qualities
Personality Traits Associated with Luna
People named Luna are often perceived as:
- Dreamy and imaginative
- Intuitive and insightful
- Independent and free-spirited
- Creative and artistic
- Gentle yet mysterious
- Connected to nature and the cosmos
- Emotionally sensitive
Similar Names to Luna
- Stella (means “star”)
- Nova (means “new” but associated with stars)
- Aurora (dawn, northern lights)
- Celeste (heavenly)
- Selene (another moon goddess name)
- Celine (form of Selene)
- Lyra (constellation)
Alternate Spellings for Luna
- Loona
- Lunah
- Lunna
- Luuna
- Louna
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: LOO-nah
- Spanish: LOO-nah (with a softer ‘L’)
- Italian: LOO-nah (with rolling ‘r’ sound)
- French: LU-na (with a more nasal ‘u’)
- German: LOO-nah
Parents Who Like Luna Also Like
- Aria
- Willow
- Violet
- Aurora
- Mila
- Isla
- Ember
- Hazel
Baby Name Lists That Include Luna
- Celestial and Space-Inspired Names
- Nature-Themed Baby Names
- Magical and Mystical Names
- Short and Sweet Girls’ Names
- Latin Origin Names
- Names from Mythology
- Trending Names of the 2020s
Luna for Both Genders
While predominantly used for girls, Luna can occasionally be used for boys. Some variations that might work better for boys include:
- Luno (masculine form in some Romance languages)
- Lunas
- Lune
Sibling Name Ideas
For a sister:
- Stella
- Aurora
- Ivy
- Wren
- Iris
- Nova
For a brother:
- Leo
- Orion
- Atlas
- Phoenix
- River
- Jasper
Names with the Same Meaning as Luna
- Selene (Greek name meaning “moon”)
- Chandra (Sanskrit name meaning “moon”)
- Mona (Old English origin, associated with the moon)
- Aylin (Turkish name meaning “moon halo”)
- Qamar (Arabic name meaning “moon”)
First Impressions of Luna
When people hear the name Luna, they often think:
- Dreamy and ethereal
- Unique but not strange
- Modern yet timeless
- Feminine and strong
- Nature-connected
- Slightly magical or mystical
- Elegant but accessible
Celebrity Babies Named Luna
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s daughter Luna Simone
- Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s daughter Luna
- Ellen Pompeo’s daughter Stella Luna
- Uma Thurman’s daughter Luna
Songs About Luna
- “Luna” by The Smashing Pumpkins
- “Luna” by Bombay Bicycle Club
- “Dear Luna” by Kina Grannis
- “Luna Llena” by Cali y El Dandee
- “La Luna” by Belinda Carlisle
Famous Quotes About Luna
- “The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do.” – Tahereh Mafi
- “The moon is the reflection of your heart and moonlight is the twinkle of your love.” – Debasish Mridha
- “The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to.” – Carl Sandburg
Luna in Different Languages
- Spanish: Luna
- Italian: Luna
- French: Lune
- Portuguese: Lua
- German: Mond (though Luna is used)
- Japanese: 月 (Tsuki)
- Chinese: 月亮 (Yuèliàng)
Name Combinations for Luna
As a first name:
- Luna Rose
- Luna Jade
- Luna Celeste
- Luna Violet
- Luna Skye
- Luna Claire
- Luna Katherine
As a middle name:
- Aria Luna
- Scarlett Luna
- Ivy Luna
- Zoe Luna
- Olivia Luna
Comments from Parents of Children Named Luna
- “We named our daughter Luna because we wanted something unique but not too out-there. She’s definitely living up to her dreamy, creative name!”
- “Our Luna was born on a full moon night – it just felt right!”
- “I love how Luna is both feminine and strong. She’s our little moonbeam.”
- “We were hesitant about choosing such a popular name, but once we met her, nothing else fit.”
- “Luna pairs perfectly with her sister Stella – moon and stars together!”