AHEAD: The ultimate list of names like Luna—and which ones could go viral in 2025.

I know, I know, I love the name Luna too.

It’s short, cute, and it means moon!

Buttttt… it’s also become incredibly popular. (It’s currently ranked #10).

If you’re looking for a lovely alternative to Luna, you’re in the right place.

Below, I’ve compiled a variety of girls’ names similar to Luna, in one way or another.

I’ve also identified which Luna-like names show early signs of going viral themselves. The results might surprise you.

Related: 100+ Space Names that are Actually Cool

Short “L” names like Luna

Let’s start with names that are short and start with the letter L.

Lace or Lacey

• Name meaning: Fine fabric knit in a pattern. From Lassy.
• Popularity: Lace isn’t ranking. Lacey ranks #759.

Lake

• Name meaning: Body of water.
• Popularity: This one-syllable name isn’t ranking.

Lana

• Name meaning: Light, gracious, or little rock.
• Popularity: #416

Lane or Layne

• Name meaning: Pathway.
• Popularity: Layne ranks #968 for girls. For boys, Lane ranks #254 and Layne is #649.

Lani

• Name meaning: Heaven.
• Popularity: This two-syllable Luna-like name isn’t ranking.

Lara

• Name meaning: Fortress.
• Popularity: #732

Lark

• Name meaning: A small songbird.
• Popularity: This cool bird name isn’t in the top 1000.

Layla or Leila or Laila

• Name meaning: Night or dark.
• Popularity: Layla ranks #30, Leila is #240, and Laila is #312.

Leah

• Name meaning: Weary.
• Popularity: #53

Leia

• Name meaning: Weary.
• Popularity: #211

Leigh

• Name meaning: Delicate.
• Popularity: This nonbinary name is not currently ranking.

Lena

• Name meaning: Ray of light.
• Popularity: #271

Letty

• Name meaning: Diminutive of Letitia, meaning joy.
• Popularity: This badass girls’ name isn’t currently ranking.

Lexi

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #522

Lia

• Name meaning: Bringer of good news.
• Popularity: #209

Liv

• Name meaning: Life.
• Popularity: #702

Lola

• Name meaning: Sorrows.
• Popularity: #263

Lottie 🔥

• Name meaning: Free person. (Short for Charlotte).
• Popularity: #775

Lucia 🔥

• Name meaning: Light.
• Popularity: #109

Lucy

• Name meaning: Light.
• Popularity: Lucy ranks #40 and Lucie isn’t ranking.

Related: Middle Names for Lucy

Lulu

• Name meaning: Wonderful one. Famous warrior. Pearl.
• Popularity: This precious love-related girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Lydia

• Name meaning: Beautiful one.
• Popularity: #97

Lyla or Lila

• Name meaning: Night or dark.
• Popularity: Lyla ranks #98 and Lila is #213.

Lynx

• Name meaning: A wild cat with a short tail and tufted ears. A constellation of a wild cat.
• Popularity: This cool space name is not ranking.

Lyra

• Name meaning: Lyre harp.
• Popularity: #481

Lyric

• Name meaning: Words set to music.
• Popularity: #536

If you like these short names similar to Luna, check out this complete list of L names for girls.

Short sky-related names

The sky, sun, weather, birds, and butterflies inspire these short Luna-like names.

Aria

• Name meaning: Air or melody.
• Popularity: Aria ranks #24 and Arya is #139.

Dove

• Name meaning: A bird symbolizing peace.
• Popularity: This D name isn’t ranking.

Iris

• Name meaning: Means rainbow in Greek. Also a flower.
• Popularity: #78

Lina

• Name meaning: Sunlight.
• Popularity: #583

Neva

• Name meaning: Snow.
• Popularity: This N name isn’t ranking.

Nila

• Name meaning: Dark blue.
• Popularity: This girls’ name ending in A isn’t ranking.

Nova or Novah

• Name meaning: New. A star that suddenly and dramatically increases in brightness and then slowly returns to its original state.
• Popularity: Nova ranks #35 and Novah ranks #704.

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Reva

• Name meaning: Rain.
• Popularity: This great R name isn’t ranking.

Skye or Sky

• Name meaning: The atmosphere above.
• Popularity: Skye ranks #446 and Sky ranks #783.

Tana

• Name meaning: Star or fire goddess.
• Popularity: This unusual T name isn’t ranking.

Wren 🔥

• Name meaning: Small bird.
• Popularity: #196

Yara

• Name meaning: Small butterfly. Lady of the water.
• Popularity: #613

Zora

• Name meaning: Dawn.
• Popularity: #863

Zori

• Name meaning: Golden dawn.
• Popularity: This Z name isn’t ranking.

Zyra or Zyrah

• Name meaning: Dawn or messenger.
• Popularity: This unique girls’ name isn’t ranking.

If you like these sky-related Luna alternatives you might also like this list of names for rainbow babies.

Names inspired by the moon

If your love for the name Luna comes from its celestial meaning, all of these moon-related girls’ names are worth considering.

Ayla or Aila

• Name meaning: Circle of light around the moon. Oak tree. Blessed. Beautiful.
• Popularity: Ayla ranks #104 and Aila is #767.

Aylin

• Name meaning: Moon halo. The one that belongs to the moon.
• Popularity: #422

Cynthia

• Name meaning: Moon goddess.
• Popularity: #873

Elara

• Name meaning: The 8th largest moon of Jupiter.
• Popularity: This E name is not ranking.

Leva

• Name meaning: Moon or white.
• Popularity: This girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Nilani

• Name meaning: Enchanting moon.
• Popularity: This celestial three-syllable name isn’t ranking.

Selena or Selene

• Name meaning: Moon goddess.
• Popularity: Selena ranks #229 and Selene is #708.

If you like these moon names similar to Luna you’ll also like this complete list of space names for girls.

Short nature names

Just like the 4-letter name Luna, all of these nature girl names are mini!

Beck

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: This interesting B name is not in the top 1000.

Cove

• Name meaning: Coastal inlet.
• Popularity: This unique C name isn’t currently popular.

Eden 🔥

• Name meaning: The garden of Eden. Place of pleasure.
• Popularity: #130

Enya

• Name meaning: Grain or fire.
• Popularity: This unique girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Gaia

• Name meaning: Earth. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the mother of life.
• Popularity: This cool G name is not in the top 1000.

Idra

• Name meaning: Fig tree.
• Popularity: This short I name is not currently ranking.

Isla

• Name meaning: Island.
• Popularity: #44

Jada or Jayda

• Name meaning: Jade stone or ‘he knows’.
• Popularity: Jada ranks #546 and Jayda is #631.

Jade

• Name meaning: Green stone.
• Popularity: #81

Related: Middle Names for Jade

June

• Name meaning: Sixth month.
• Popularity: #171

Kaia 🔥

• Name meaning: The sea.
• Popularity: #186

Kori

• Name meaning: From the tree hollow.
• Popularity: #808

Kyla

• Name meaning: Narrow land.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

Lilac

• Name meaning: Fragrant purple flower that blooms in spring.
• Popularity: This unique girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Lily

• Name meaning: Flower.
• Popularity: #20

Maci or Macie or Macy

• Name meaning: Hill.
• Popularity: Maci ranks #696, Macie ranks #474, and Macy ranks #690.

Mara

• Name meaning: A river.
• Popularity: #582

May or Mae

• Name meaning: Bitter or pearl. The 5th month.
• Popularity: May is not currently popular but Mae ranks #506.

Mina

• Name meaning: Many possible meanings from all different cultures: With gilded helmet, blue stone, south, love, bitter, joyful, and more!
• Popularity: #585

Nori or Norie

• Name meaning: Seaweed.
• Popularity: This girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Onyx

• Name meaning: A layered black stone.
• Popularity: This totally badass O name ranks #308 for boys but isn’t ranking for girls.

Opal 🔥

• Name meaning: Precious stone.
• Popularity: #488

Rose or Rosie

• Name meaning: Flower.
• Popularity: Rose ranks #124 and Rosie ranks #392.

Ruby

• Name meaning: Strong red gemstone.
• Popularity: #66

Sage or Saige

• Name meaning: Grayish green herb.
• Popularity: Sage ranks #143 and Saige ranks #433.

Shay or Shea

• Name meaning: A small tropical African tree. Its nuts give us shea butter!
• Popularity: Shay ranks #997 and Shea hasn’t ranked since 2008.

Zara or Zahra

• Name meaning: Radiance, blooming flower, or God remembers.
• Popularity: Zara ranks #236 and Zahra ranks #556.

Zola

• Name meaning: Earth or ball of earth.
• Popularity: This name isn’t ranking.

If you like these names similar to Luna you might also like this list of tree names for girls.

Cool “L” names

If you haven’t found any favorites on this list of names similar to Luna, here are some additional modern names starting with the letter L to check out.

Landen

• Name meaning: Territory.
• Popularity: This southern name isn’t ranking for girls and ranks #810 for boys.

Lavender

• Name meaning: A lovely purple flower.
• Popularity: This long girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Leilani

• Name meaning: Heavenly flower.
• Popularity: #61

Lennon

• Name meaning: Lover, blackbird, cloak.
• Popularity: This great hippie name ranks #243 for girls and #754 for boys.

Lennox

• Name meaning: Elm field.
• Popularity: This edgy name ranks #265 for girls and #265 for boys.

Liliana

• Name meaning: Carefree.
• Popularity: #88

Londyn or London

• Name meaning: From the great river.
• Popularity: Londyn ranks #276 and London ranks #313.

Will any “Luna alternatives” also go viral?

After analyzing hundreds of names similar to Luna using Luna’s trajectory as a model, six names stand out as potential “next Luna” candidates.

Eden (#77)

Eden has reached a pivotal moment in naming history, currently positioned at #77 – exactly where Luna was before its meteoric rise to the top 10.

A stunning 40-spot jump in 2023 marks the name’s most dramatic ascent yet, following years of steady gains.

While it first entered the charts in 1986, Eden’s recent acceleration mirrors Luna’s trajectory with remarkable precision.

Its dual-gender usage (also #438 for boys) and nature connection suggest broad appeal, while its biblical roots provide cultural depth.

Eden hits multiple sweet spots: four letters, nature theme, religious significance, and modern sound.

Lucia (#109)

Lucia has just achieved its highest ranking (#109) in recorded U.S. history, showing accelerating gains rather than the plateau typical of rising names.

The name perfectly bridges classic and contemporary, offering multiple pronunciation options (lou-SEE-ah, lou-CHEE-ah) that appeal to different cultural backgrounds.

Its meaning – “light” – connects it to the booming celestial name trend.

With the success of Luna (#10) and Luca (#24), the “Lu-” prefix has proven its viral potential, while the -ia ending (shared with #1 Olivia and #4 Amelia) adds modern appeal.

Lottie (#775)

Lottie just executed a remarkable 175-spot jump in a single year (2023), one of the most dramatic rises in recent naming history.

After being a top 100 name in 1900, Lottie disappeared from rankings entirely for over 60 years before its recent resurgence. This U-shaped revival pattern exactly mirrors Luna’s trajectory.

Already surging in England (ranked #52), Lottie benefits from being a nickname for chart-topping Charlotte (#3).

The vintage nickname trend that propelled Millie and Sadie suggests Lottie is perfectly positioned for explosive growth.

Kaia (#186)

Kaia’s trajectory shows remarkable momentum, jumping 39 spots in 2023 alone and climbing from #301 to #186 in just three years.

Unlike many rising names, Kaia benefits from spelling consistency – its main variant, the three-letter “Kya” remains far behind at #820.

The name’s Hawaiian origins (“sea“) tap into both the nature name trend and the rising popularity of Polynesian names like Kai and Koa.

With its four-letter simplicity and exotic feel, Kaia hits the sweet spot between familiar and fresh.

Opal (#488)

After nearly 60 years of absence from the top 1000, Opal has engineered a stunning comeback, climbing from #848 to #488 in just six years.

This gemstone name peaked at #81 in 1911, proving its potential ceiling.

The recent acceleration – gaining 37 spots in 2023 after a 20-spot jump in 2022 – shows mounting momentum.

Opal combines multiple trending elements: nature connection, classic charm, and the short, strong sound dominating today’s charts.

Wren (#196)

Few names can match Wren’s meteoric rise – from first appearing at #998 in 2012 to reaching #196 in 2023.

This nature name gained 802 ranking positions in just 11 years, demonstrating remarkable velocity.

Unlike many rising names, Wren faces no competition from alternate spellings.

Its four-letter simplicity and nature connection (bird meaning) align perfectly with current trends, while its gender-neutral appeal adds versatility.

Though showing a slight deceleration in 2023, Wren’s trajectory suggests sustained growth potential.

Names that almost made the cut (but lacked viral indicators)

Not all names like Luna are destined for viral success.

I ruled out many names that, despite sharing characteristics with Luna, lack the statistical patterns and momentum that typically precede explosive growth:

Short L-Names:

While names like Lyla (#98) and Lily (#20) share Luna’s initial sound, they’re either too established or lack dramatic momentum. Luz (#843) and Luella (#930) made notable jumps but their low rankings and inconsistent patterns suggest these aren’t true viral indicators.

Sky Names:

Despite the celestial appeal that helped Luna succeed, current sky-themed names aren’t showing the dramatic rank changes needed for viral predictions. Even established names in this category are showing only minimal movement.

Moon Names:

While lunar meanings would seem promising given Luna’s success, names like Aylin (#422), Selena (#229), and Cynthia (#873) show stable or gradually declining patterns rather than viral trajectories.

Nature Names:

Short nature names like Jade (#81) and Lily (#20) are already too established, while lower-ranked options like Nori (#900) and Mae (#506) lack the momentum or positioning needed for viral growth.

Luna’s Rise: The Anatomy of a Viral Baby Name

The name Luna represents one of the most remarkable naming phenomena of the 21st century, achieving unprecedented success across cultures, species, and continents.

From its virtual absence in the early 2000s to its current status as a global top choice for both humans and pets, Luna’s rise offers unique insights into modern naming patterns and cultural trends.

Current Status

Luna has achieved a level of popularity that spans continents and crosses species boundaries.

In the United States, it ranks #10 as of 2023, marking its second consecutive year in the top 10.

Its global presence is even more remarkable, with particularly strong showings in Northern Europe, where it ranks #2 in Denmark (2023), #15 in the Netherlands, and #18 in Belgium.

The name’s reach extends beyond human naming – Luna currently ranks as the #1 name for both dogs and cats (2023), making it the first name in recorded history to achieve simultaneous top ranking across both major pet species while maintaining a top-10 position for human babies.

Current Rankings by Region (2023 unless noted):

Northern Europe
– Denmark: #2
– Netherlands: #15
– Belgium: #18
– Sweden: #29
– Norway: #40

English-Speaking World
– United States: #10
– Canada: #34
– England: #34 (2022)
– Australia: #41
– New Zealand: #32

Central/Southern Europe
– Switzerland: #14
– France: #29
– Germany: #33
– Italy: #48 (2022)
– Spain: #45 (2022)

Historical Trajectory

Luna’s modern rise can be divided into three distinct periods:

Early History (1900-1920)

The name maintained a modest presence in the early 20th century, fluctuating between rankings of 600-950. This historical presence proved important, establishing Luna as a “real name” rather than a modern invention.

Period of Absence (1921-2003)

Luna virtually disappeared from the top 1000 rankings for over 80 years, making its modern resurrection even more remarkable.

Modern Rise (2003-Present)

The name’s revival began in 2003, coinciding with the introduction of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series. From there, its trajectory shows consistent acceleration:

• 2006: #514
• 2009: #324 (First major celebrity adoptions)
• 2016: #77 (Year of Teigen-Legend adoption)
• 2023: #10

Celebrity Timeline

Luna’s popularity has been reinforced by a steady stream of celebrity adoptions spanning 15 years:

2009 – Initial Celebrity Adoption

• Luna Marie Katich (Constance Marie & Kent Katich)
• Stella Luna Ivery (Ellen Pompeo & Chris Ivery) – notable middle name use

2013-2016 – Peak Celebrity Period

• Luna Encinas Cruz (Penélope Cruz & Javier Bardem, 2013)
• Luna Simone Stephens (Chrissy Teigen & John Legend, 2016)

Recent Adoptions

• Luna Rothman (Kristen Wiig & Avi Rothman, 2021)
• Luna Lucia Sorrentino (Mike & Lauren Sorrentino, 2024)

Contributing Factors

Luna’s success can be attributed to a perfect storm of factors:

Timing

• Arrival during the peak of celestial/nature name trends
• Introduction through Harry Potter at the height of the series’ popularity
• Celebrity adoptions spacing perfectly to maintain momentum

Cultural Appeal

• Cross-cultural accessibility (meaning “moon” in Latin and Spanish)
• Short length (four letters) aligning with modern preference
• Feminine sound without being frilly
• Easy pronunciation across languages

Reinforcing Factors

• Pet name popularity creates familiar comfort
• Steady celebrity adoption over 15 years
• Strong pop culture presence (Harry Potter, True Blood)
• Rising interest in celestial/spiritual themes

Historical Significance

Luna’s rise represents several firsts in naming history:

• First name to achieve #1 ranking for both cats and dogs while maintaining top-10 human ranking
• Unprecedented global reach across multiple continents
• Remarkable consistency across English-speaking countries
• Success despite lower rankings in Spanish-speaking countries where it has literal meaning

Luna’s rise represents more than just a naming trend – it marks a shift in how names can achieve popularity in the modern era.

Its success across species, cultures, and continents, supported by pop culture, celebrity influence, and linguistic appeal, makes it one of the most significant naming phenomena of the 21st century.

What does 2025 hold for the name Luna?

As we prepare to receive 2024 naming data in 2025, a crucial question emerges: Has this celestial name reached its peak, or does it still have room to rise?

The signs of Luna’s potential plateau are subtle but significant.

• The name has held steady at #10 for two consecutive years (2022-2023), a pattern that often signals a name has found its natural ceiling.
• In the world of baby names, such plateaus frequently precede a gradual decline, particularly for names that achieved their popularity through viral growth rather than slow, steady rises.
• International peaks often precede U.S. peaks by 2-3 years, and Luna’s high rankings in European countries might be forecasting its upcoming trajectory in America.

However, Luna has several unique factors supporting its staying power.

• Its cross-cultural appeal (meaning “moon” in both Latin and Spanish).
• A strong sound pattern (two syllables, ending in ‘a’) and positive associations provide a solid foundation.
• The continued celebrity use, most recently by the Sorrentinos in 2024, suggests the name hasn’t lost its cultural cache.

Based on these indicators, Luna appears headed for what we might call a “soft landing” trajectory.

Rather than a sharp decline, we’re likely to see:

• 2024-2025: A slight slip to the #11-13 range
• 2026-2027: A gradual descent to the top 25
• 2028-2030: Stabilization around the top 30-40 range

This gentle decline would mirror the path of names like Victoria or Claire, which have transitioned from trending favorites to modern classics.

The key moment to watch will be the 2024 rankings. If Luna holds its #10 position for a third straight year, it could suggest more stability than predicted. However, even a small decline would likely confirm the beginning of its gentle descent from peak popularity.

More baby names for girls:

• Baby Names By Syllable [Girl’s Edition]
• 120 Twin Girl Names: Cool Pairings for Modern Babies
• 100 German Girl Names for Modern American Babies

Final thoughts on names like Luna

If you’re drawn to Luna but seeking something more distinctive, consider two approaches:

ONE:

Names showing similar viral potential (backed by data):

• Eden (#77) – Currently positioned exactly where Luna was before its rise
• Lucia (#109) – Hitting new peaks with accelerating momentum
• Lottie (#775) – Following Luna’s historical revival pattern

TWO:

Established alternatives with Luna’s key appeals:

• Celestial connection: Nova (#35), Stella (#41)
• Short, feminine sound: Lila (#26), Lyla (#98)
• Nature theme: Ruby (#58), Wren (#196)

Remember: The “perfect” Luna alternative depends on what draws you to Luna itself – whether it’s the sound, meaning, or style.

Either way, you can’t go wrong with any of the 100+ names like Luna above.

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The source for popularity data is SSN.

This article was originally published on Jan 12, 2022 and was updated on Dec 8, 2024.

Names Similar to Luna