Luna

What does Luna mean?

The name Luna carries a clear, luminous meaning drawn directly from Latin: it means the moon. In many cultures the moon is a symbol of night light, change and gentle presence, so the name often feels quietly luminous and immediately evocative.

As a given name, Luna tends to feel modern and poetic at once. It suggests a soft, graceful quality with a hint of mystery. Parents who like names that are concise but evocative often find it pairs well with both delicate and more grounded sibling names, such as Stella or Oliver.

Historical Context

Luna comes directly from the Latin word for the moon and was used in Roman mythology as the name of the goddess who personified the moon. The Latin root has been visible in European languages for centuries in poetry, literature and as a poetic word for the moon rather than as a common given name.

As a personal name Luna is relatively recent as a popular given name in English-speaking countries, gaining traction in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Its rise has been influenced by a general trend for nature and celestial names and by cultural references in literature, film and music. The name also appears across many languages with the same spelling, which has helped its international appeal.

There are related names and equivalents in other traditions, such as the Greek goddess name Selene, which shares the same lunar associations. While the origin is clearly Latin, the exact pathway from ancient word to modern given name is shaped by modern naming fashions rather than a single historical naming tradition.

Popularity of Luna over time

In 2025, Luna was given to 757 girls in the UK and 6,076 girls in the US. Luna has risen sharply over the last 20 years, and is now a popular girls' name especially in the US.

What do parents think of Luna?