100+ Rainbow Baby Names for Boys and Girls

Some babies have a challenging journey until their birth. The beautiful calm after a physical and emotional storm is a relief and feels like a colourful rainbow after the dark clouds have cleared up! Those babies are also rightly referred to as ‘rainbow babies’. If your infant is a rainbow baby and you’re looking for a powerful name for them, here is a list of rainbow baby names to choose from. In this article, we will not only focus on the names that mean rainbow but also look at the aspects we usually relate rainbows with – hope, light, blessings, miracles, joy, life, gratitude, etc.

What Is Rainbow Baby?

A rainbow baby is a term used to describe a child born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. The idea behind the term is that a rainbow appears after a storm, symbolising hope and beauty after a period of darkness and sadness. So, a rainbow baby is seen as a beacon of hope and joy for parents who have experienced the pain of losing a child. The birth of a rainbow baby often brings healing and renewal to the family.

Rainbow Baby Names for Girls

These names are delightful and perfect for the little souls who have filled the life of several couples with the colours of hope and love. Here are some popular names for a rainbow baby girl.

Names Meaning Hope or Ray of Light

1. Alina

Alina is a beautiful Greek name which means ‘light’.

2. Asha

This name has dual meanings as ‘hope’ in Sanskrit and ‘life’ in Swahili.

3. Evelyn

This is a Hebrew name which means ‘wished-for child’. If you’ve ever wished upon a rainbow, you’ll know how beautifully relevant this name is.

4. Helena

This one has a Greek origin, and it means ‘shining bright’.

5. Nadia

This name originates from Nadezhda, a Slavic word which meaning ‘hope’.

Names Meaning Blessings or Miracle

1. Anjali

Anjali is a Sanskrit name which means ‘gift’.

2. Ayah

This name means ‘miracle’, and has an Arabic origin. It also means ‘sign from God’.

3. Gwyneth

This name has a Welsh origin and means ‘blessed’.

4. Karishma

This name has an Indian origin, and it means ‘miracle’.

5. Marvella

Marvella is often associated with femininity and beauty. It has Hebrew origins and means “beloved”.

Names Meaning Precious or Beloved

1. Alaine

This name also has a French origin, and it means ‘precious’. It is a derivative of Alana.

2. Amy

This one is a French name, and it means ‘beloved’ or ‘dearly loved’.

3. Mia

Mia means ‘beloved’ in Danish, and in Italian, it means ‘mine’.

4. Nina

Nina is an English baby name meaning ‘priceless’ or ‘grace’.

5. Priya

It is an Indian name with Sanskrit origin that means ‘beloved’.

Names Meaning Joy

1. Abigail

Abigail is a Hebrew baby name which means ‘gives joy’.

2. Alisa

A Hebrew name which means ‘great happiness’.

3. Beatrice

This name has an Italian origin, and it means ‘she who brings joy’.

4. Joie

The name has a French origin, and it means ‘joy’.

5. Maeve

This name has an Irish origin. It means ‘great joy’.

Names Meaning Power and Life

1. Avita

This name has Spanish origins, and it means ‘Life’.

2. Bree

This name means ‘power’ or ‘strength’, and has Irish origins.

3. Evie

Evie has Hebrew origins and means ‘life’ or ‘lively’.

4. Matilda

The name Matilda has German origins and means ‘power’ or ‘might’.

5. Trudy

This one is a powerful name with German origins. It means ‘universal strength’.

Names Meaning Grateful

1. Aissa

It is an African girl name which means ‘grateful’.

2. Hannie

Hannie has German origins and means ‘thankful’ or ‘merciful’.

3. Jendayi

This is an African name which means ‘thankful’.

4. Mako

Mako is a Japanese name which means ‘grateful woman’.

5. Thana

This name has an Islamic origin and means ‘thankfulness’.

Other Rainbow Girl Names

1. Alya

The name Alya has Arabic origins and means “sky” or “heavenly.” It carries connotations of beauty and serenity, evoking the image of a clear blue sky.

2. Amaterasu

Amaterasu is a Japanese name derived from the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu-Ōmikami. It translates to “shining over heaven”.

3. Amitola

Amitola is a Native American name, specifically of Sioux origin, meaning “rainbow.”

4. Annabelle

Annabelle is a beautiful baby girl whose name combines the Latin word ‘Anna’ and the French word ‘Belle’. It means ‘favoured grace’.

5. Araceli

Araceli is a Spanish name derived from Latin roots, meaning “altar of the sky” or “heavenly altar.”

6. Aveline

Name with a French origin meaning ‘desired’ or ‘beautiful bird’.

7. Bridget

Bridget has Gaelic and Irish roots. It is a feminine name derived from the classical word brígh, which means ‘power or strength’. Another meaning of this name is ‘the exalted one’.

8. Celeste

Celeste is a Latin name that means “heavenly” or “of the sky.”

9. Clarabelle

Clarabelle is a combination of the names Clara and Belle, both of which have Latin roots and mean “bright” or “clear.”

10. Coral

Coral is a baby girl’s name that has Latin origins. It means ‘sea growth’. A coral is a gorgeous landscape growing underwater with vibrant splashes of colourful fish and reefs.

11. Eleanor

This name has Hebrew roots. It means ‘God is my light’.

12. Evangeline

This is a beautiful rainbow baby name meaning ‘the messenger of good news’.

13. Felicity

Felicity is a beautiful baby girl name having English roots. It means ‘happiness’. It is also derived from the classical Latin Felicitas, which means ‘luck and good fortune’.

14. Iridiana

This is another one with Greek origins that means ‘a rainbow’.

15. Iris

This is one of the most popular girl names that mean ‘rainbow’. It has a Greek origin.

16. Manzat

Manzat is a Romanian name, possibly derived from the word “manza,” which means “calf” or “young animal.”

17. Noelani

Noelani is a Hawaiian name composed of the elements “Noe,” meaning “mist” or “fine rain,” and “lani,” meaning “heavenly” or “royal.”

18. Phoebe

Phoebe is a Greek origin name that means ‘radiant and bright’. It also refers to the famous Greek Sun God – Phoebus and Apollo.

Rainbow Baby Names for Boys

Your rainbow baby boy deserves a unique name as colourful and bright as a rainbow. Choose one from the list below and give a start to a hopeful and lovely life.

Names Meaning Hope or Ray of Light

1. Amal

This name has an Arabic origin, and it means ‘hope’.

2. Ambert

This one is a name with a German origin. It means ‘bright’ or ‘shining light’.

3. Kiran

This is a name of Indian origin. It means ‘ray of light’.

4. Meyer

This name has Jewish origins, and it means ‘the bright one’.

5. Saul

This is a Hebrew name with Biblical origins that means ‘prayed for’.

Names Meaning Blessings or Miracle

1. Aaron

This name has an English origin which means ‘miraculous’.

2. Asher

Asher is a name with a Hebrew origin which means ‘blessed’ or ‘fortunate’.

3. Bennet

Originating from the Latin name Benedictus, the name means ‘blessed’.

4. Sachi

Sachi is a name with Japanese origin, and it means ‘miracle’.

5. Winifred

This one is a name with Welsh origin, and it means ‘blessed peacemaking’.

Names Meaning Precious or Beloved

1. Abrik

Abrik is a Hindu boy name which means ‘precious like gold’.

2. Anmol

Anmol is a Hindi name of Indian origin which means ‘precious’ or ‘priceless’.

3. Aziz

Having Arabic origins, this name means ‘beloved’.

4. Chellan

It is a baby boy name of Hindu origin, and it means ‘precious’.

5. Darrell

Darrell was a popular beach boy name in the 1960s. It means ‘beloved’.

Names Meaning Joy

1. Cayo

Cayo has Spanish origins. It means ‘rejoice’.

2. Felix

Felix has Latin origins and means ‘happy’ or ‘lucky’.

3. Gil

This name has Hebrew origins and means ‘happiness’ or ‘joy’.

4. Issac

This name has a Hebrew origin, and it means ‘laughter’ or ‘joy’.

5. Zorion

This futuristic-sounding name has Portuguese origins. It means ‘happiness’ or ‘happy’.

Names Meaning Power and Life

1. Aadi

This name of Indian origin means ‘first’ or ‘beginning’, or ‘the first source of life’.

2. Amar

Amar is a name of Indian origin. It means ‘long life’.

3. Bernard

This name has German origins and means ‘strong as a bear’.

4. Oscar

Oscar has English origins and means ‘diving strength’, ‘God spear’, or ‘champion warrior’.

5. Remo

Remo is an English boy name which means ‘strength’.

Names Meaning Grateful

1. Haamid

This name has African origins and means ‘grateful’.

2. Hammood

This is an Arabic name which means ‘grateful’ or ‘thankful’.

3. Reiko

Reiko is a Japanese boy name which means ‘grateful’.

4. Timo

Timo is a rainbow-themed boy name that has both German and Finnish origins. It means honouring God by being grateful for His blessings.

5. Yadon

Yadon has Hebrew origins and means ‘thankful’.

Other Rainbow Boy Names

1. Akash

Akash is a Sanskrit name that means “sky”.

2. Albert

Albert is a Germanic name that means “noble and bright.”

3. Anuenue

Anuenue is a Hawaiian name that means “rainbow.”

4. Cyan

Cyan is a beautiful baby boy name having English origins. It means ‘greenish blue in color’.

5. Heimdall

Heimdall is a Norse name derived from the god Heimdallr, who is associated with light, the rainbow bridge Bifröst, and guarding Asgard.

6. Indra

Indra is a Sanskrit name that means “possessing drops of rain”.

7. Kahukura

Kahukura is a Maori name that means “red rainbow.”

8. Keshet

Keshet is a unique baby boy name meaning ‘the rainbow’. This name is also reminiscent of the Persian word Kismet, which means ‘rainbow’.

9. Keyne

Keyne is a Cornish name that means “handsome” or “fair-haired.”

10. Lucas

Lucas is a Latin name that means “light” or “bright.”

11. Lucien

This one is a French name which means ‘light’.

12. Mahpiya

Mahpiya is a Sioux name that means “sky.”

13. Nathaniel

Nathaniel is a Greek version of the Hebrew name Netan’el. It means ‘Gift of God’.

14. Neven

Neven is a Slavic name that means “new” or “refreshed.”

15. Phelipe

Phelipe is a Spanish word and is the variant of Philip, derived from the common Greek adjective Philippos. It means ‘A friend of horses’.

16. Ralph

Originating from the Hebrew name Raphael, it means ‘God has healed’.

17. Rory

Rory is a baby boy name having Gaelic roots. It is the anglicised version of the Irish word Ruairí Or Ruaidhrí. It is also derived from the Scottish word Ruairidh. It means ‘the red king’. 

18. Tumaini

Tumaini is a popular baby boy name with Swahili origins and means ‘hope’.

19. Walken

This popular Greek boy’s name means ‘rainbow’.

20. Whelan

Whelan is an Irish surname meaning “descendant of Faolán.” Faolán itself is a diminutive of the Irish word “faol,” which means “wolf.”

Gender Neutral Baby Names Inspired by Rainbow

Celebrate the spectrum of colours and the promise of hope with these unisex names that mean rainbow.

1. Atlas

Atlas is a beautiful unisex name rooted in Greek mythology. It means ‘to carry’. Atlas was the name of a mythical Greek God who carried the whole world’s weight on his shoulders.

2. Hiwa

Hiwa is a Kurdish name that means “hope.” Choosing this name for a baby can symbolise the parents’ enduring optimism and belief in a brighter future, especially after experiencing loss or hardship.

3. Jesse

Jesse has English and Dutch roots. This name is derived from the original Hebrew word Yishai which means ‘God’s gift’ or ‘The King.’

4. Mirai

Mirai is a sweet Japanese name which means ‘The future.’ This gender-neutral name comes from the Sino-Japanese vocabulary. 

5. Shay

Shay is a short and sweet gender-neutral name having Gaelic roots. It means ‘fortunate’ or ‘admirable’.

FAQs

1. Are names meaning rainbow only for babies born after loss?

While rainbow baby names are often chosen for babies born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, they are not exclusive to this circumstance. Many parents appreciate the symbolism and beauty of rainbow names, regardless of their personal experiences. These names can also resonate with families who deeply connect to nature or wish to convey themes of hope and positivity in their child’s name.

2. How do I choose the right rainbow baby name for my child?

Choosing the right name, meaning rainbow, is a profoundly personal decision involving various factors. Some parents may be drawn to names with specific meanings or symbolism related to hope, light, or renewal. Others may prioritise names that reflect their cultural heritage, family traditions, or personal preferences regarding sound and aesthetics. It’s essential to take the time to explore different options, considering what resonates most with you and what feels like the perfect fit for your little rainbow miracle.

This list has some of the most unique and powerful baby names for rainbow boys and girls. We hope your search for a perfect rainbow baby name ends here. A beautiful name is the most precious gift you can give your little bundle of joy.

Also Read:

Druid Boy & Girl Names with Meanings
Names that Mean Summer for Boys and Girls
Names that mean Storm, Wind, Air and Sky
Baby Names That Mean New Beginning & Rebirth

Our Editorial Policy

Parenting is a huge responsibility, for you as a caregiver, but also for us as a parenting content platform. We understand that and take our responsibility of creating credible content seriously. FirstCry Parenting articles are written and published only after extensive research using factually sound references to deliver quality content that is accurate, validated by experts, and completely reliable. To understand how we go about creating content that is credible, read our editorial policy here.