Female Names That Mean Moon or Night

Female names that mean moon or night include Luna, Selene, Nyx, Chandra, and Tsuki, drawn from Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, and Japanese roots tied to lunar beauty, darkness, and the quiet mystery of the night sky. These names are chosen for their poetic, elegant sound and their connection to femininity, intuition, and calm light in the dark. Below is a full list of names meaning moon, moonlight, and night for girls.

Pick Your Starting Point

• Want something instantly familiar? Start with Classic Names Rooted in the Moon.
• Want the darker, night-leaning side of this theme? Jump to Names That Mean Night or Darkness.
• Want a name from a specific culture or language? Go to International Names.
• Want something no one else at the party will have? Head straight to Rare and Distinctive Picks.

Classic Names Rooted in the Moon

• Luna – Latin, moon
• Selene – Greek, moon goddess
• Cynthia – Greek, another name for the moon goddess Artemis
• Artemis – Greek, goddess of the moon and hunting
• Diana – Latin, Roman moon goddess
• Chandra – Sanskrit, moon
• Mahina – Hawaiian, moon
• Indu – Sanskrit, moon
• Qamar – Arabic, moon
• Amaris – Latin-rooted, child of the moon
• Aisha – often linked to moonlight in some cultural usages
• Cynara – Greek-rooted, sometimes paired with lunar imagery

Names That Mean Moonlight

• Ayla – Turkish, moonlight, halo
• Chandrika – Sanskrit, moonlight
• Hala – Arabic, halo around the moon
• Aylin – Turkish, moonlight
• Mahin – Persian, moon
• Indumathi – Sanskrit, moonlight
• Qamaria – Arabic, moonlight
• Zhaleh – Persian, dew or moonlight
• Lucine – Armenian-rooted, soft moon glow
• Mahtab – Persian, moonlight

Names That Mean Night or Darkness

• Nyx – Greek, goddess of the night
• Noctis – Latin-rooted, of the night
• Layla – Arabic, night
• Leila – Arabic, night beauty
• Yolla – Arabic-rooted, tied to night imagery
• Notte – Italian, night
• Nocturna – Latin-rooted, night-associated
• Erebos – Greek-rooted, personification of darkness
• Noctura – invented, tied to night
• Yorunaka – Japanese-inspired, within the night

Girl Names Tied to Moon and Stars Together

• Estrella – Spanish, star
• Hoshiko – Japanese, star child
• Zorya – Slavic, star goddess
• Stella – Latin, star
• Elara – Greek, one of Jupiter’s moons
• Astra – Latin-rooted, star
• Seren – Welsh, star
• Danica – Slavic, morning star

Unique Names That Mean Moon

• Lunelle – invented, little moon
• Seleneia – invented, moon goddess form
• Tsukina – Japanese-inspired, moon beauty
• Aylina – invented, moonlight glow
• Lunessa – invented, moon princess
• Elunara – invented, ethereal moon
• Miraluna – invented, beautiful moon
• Noctiluna – invented, night moon
• Hoshiluna – invented, star and moon fusion

Native American Names Linked to the Moon

• Tala – Lakota-rooted, associated with wolf and moon symbolism
• Nokomis – Ojibwe, moon grandmother
• Halona – Zuni-rooted, fortune, moon blessing
• Wapun – Algonquian-rooted, tied to dawn moon imagery
• Aponi – Native American-rooted, associated with night symbolism through butterfly imagery
• Kanti – tied poetically to singing beneath the moon

Spanish Names That Mean Moon

• Luna – moon
• Lunita – little moon
• Selena – moon goddess
• Nocturna – night moon
• Claraluna – bright moon
• Soledad – associated with quiet, moonlit solitude
• Marisol – tied to a blend of sea, sun, and moon imagery
• Luz de Luna – Spanish phrase-style name, moonlight

Dark and Dramatic Moon Names

• Nyx – Greek, night goddess
• Morwenna – Cornish-rooted, associated with the sea and dark moon imagery
• Tenebris – Latin-rooted, darkness
• Kurotsuki – Japanese-inspired, black moon
• Selene Noir – invented, dark moon goddess styling
• Eclipse – English, a moon-shadow event
• Umbra – Latin, shadow
• Duska – Slavic-rooted, twilight

Timeless and Elegant Choices

• Rhiannon – Welsh, associated with the moon and horses
• Hecate – Greek, goddess associated with the moon and magic
• Soma – Sanskrit, moon or divine nectar
• Yue – Chinese, moon
• Mahira – Arabic-rooted, skilled like moonlight
• Menodora – Greek, gift of the moon
• Artemisia – Greek-rooted, tied to the goddess Artemis
• Selenia – Greek-rooted, poetic form of Selene

Modern and Trend-Forward Choices

• Lunara – invented, modern twist on Luna
• Selina – Greek-rooted, sleek modern form of Selene
• Soluna – invented, fusion of sun and moon
• Liora – Hebrew, my light
• Elara – Greek, one of Jupiter’s moons
• Calista – Greek, most beautiful
• Lune – French, moon
• Celine – French, modern form associated with Selene
• Lunette – French, little moon
• Mahalia – invented, heavenly moon feel

Rare and Distinctive Picks

• Aysel – Turkish, moon stream
• Badar – Arabic, full moon
• Chandraja – Sanskrit, born of the moon
• Damini – Sanskrit, lightning or moonlight
• Esmeray – Turkish, dark moon
• Hinal – Hindi, made of moonlight
• Kuu – Finnish, moon
• Lailani – Hawaiian, heavenly moon
• Nisreen – Arabic, tied to a subtle moon reference
• Shashi – Sanskrit, moon
• Anoushka – Russian-rooted, poetic moon association
• Yareli – Aztec-rooted, tied to small butterfly and moon energy

Names Inspired by Nature and the Moon Together

• Moonflower – English, a night-blooming flower
• Moonstone – English, a gemstone tied to lunar symbolism
• Lunaria – Latin-rooted, an ethereal plant and moon symbol
• Moonbeam – English, soft, poetic
• Crescent – English, the sliver moon shape
• Lunar Willow – invented, nature paired with moon imagery
• Moondust – English, magical, celestial phrasing
• Moonpetal – invented, soft and imaginative
• Lunar Orchid – invented, exotic and rare
• Silverluna – invented, timeless silver moon imagery

Mythology and Goddess-Inspired Names

• Selene – Greek moon goddess
• Artemis – Greek goddess of the moon
• Diana – Roman moon goddess
• Hecate – Greek goddess of magic and the moon
• Chang’e – Chinese moon goddess
• Arianrhod – Welsh moon goddess
• Ixchel – Mayan goddess of the moon
• Coyolxauhqui – Aztec moon goddess
• Phoebe – Greek Titan associated with the moon

Names From Around the World

• Luna – Latin
• Selene – Greek
• Chandra – Sanskrit
• Mahina – Hawaiian
• Tsuki – Japanese
• Qamar – Arabic
• Yue – Chinese
• Aylin – Turkish
• Marama – Maori
• Kuu – Finnish

Soft and Playful Choices

• Moony – invented, playful nickname-style name
• Lunie – invented, soft short form
• Moonbeam – English, gentle imagery
• Lunetta – Italian-rooted, little moon
• Moonette – invented, delicate and light

Seasonal Moon Names

• Harvest Moon – tied to autumn imagery
• Snow Moon – tied to winter elegance
• Spring Moon – gentle, bright seasonal imagery
• Blue Moon – rare, tied to a rare lunar event
• New Moon – symbolic of fresh starts
• Full Moon – bold, luminous imagery

Famous Namesakes to Know

• Luna Lovegood – the beloved Harry Potter character who helped popularize Luna as a modern first name.
• Selena Quintanilla – the iconic singer whose name is directly tied to the moon goddess Selene.
• Diana, Princess of Wales – whose name carries the legacy of the Roman moon goddess.
• Nyx Cosmetics – a well-known beauty brand named after the Greek goddess of night.

Middle Name Pairings Worth Trying

• Luna Grace
• Selene Marie
• Nyx Aurora
• Chandra Elizabeth
• Layla Jane

Pros and Cons to Weigh

Pros:

• Carries a poetic, elegant meaning tied to beauty, mystery, and calm.
• Many options, like Luna or Nyx, are short and easy to pronounce.
• Works well across cultures, since the moon is a naming theme in most mythologies.

Cons:

• Some very literal or invented names, like Moonbeam or Lunessa, may feel more suited to fiction than everyday use.
• Popular picks such as Luna are increasingly common, so they may not feel unique.
• A few names lean heavily on darker imagery (Nyx, Noctis), which may not suit every family’s taste.

How These Names Were Chosen

1. Started with words tied directly to the moon, moonlight, or night.
2. Traced each name to its Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, or Japanese root.
3. Checked pronunciation and everyday usability.
4. Balanced classic mythological picks with modern, rare, and international options.
5. Included both moon-leaning and night-leaning names, since both were requested.

Tips for Choosing the Right One

• Pair a poetic first name with a simple, grounded middle name.
• Decide whether you’re drawn to the softer moonlight theme or the darker night theme.
• Say the full name with your surname to check the overall rhythm.
• Look into the mythology or culture behind the name for added meaning.
• Choose something that feels elegant without being difficult to use daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are popular female names that mean moon?

Luna, Selene, Cynthia, Chandra, and Mahina are all widely recognized names tied to the moon.

Are there modern or unique moon names for girls?

Yes. Lunara, Moonbeam, Soluna, and Lunaria are all modern, trend-forward options with lunar meaning.

Which cultures have moon-inspired female names?

Many do, including Greek (Selene), Latin (Luna), Sanskrit (Chandra), Turkish (Aylin), Hawaiian (Mahina), Japanese (Tsuki), and Arabic (Qamar).

Are there names that lean toward night rather than the moon itself?

Yes. Nyx, Layla, Noctis, and Nocturna are all names tied more directly to night and darkness.

Can moon names be combined with other words for something unique?

Yes. Combinations like Moonflower, Lunar Willow, or Soluna create a poetic, one-of-a-kind option.

How do I choose the right one for my daughter?

Weigh the meaning, pronunciation, cultural background, and how common or rare you want the name to be, and pick the one that feels most personally fitting.

Conclusion

Female names that mean moon or night bring together elegance, mystery, and timeless celestial beauty. Whether you lean toward a classic goddess name like Selene, a night-themed pick like Nyx, or a modern favorite like Luna, there is a meaningful option here for almost any style. Take your time exploring the list and choose the one that feels most fitting for your daughter.