25 Summer Baby Names: Meanings & Origins

People pick baby names for all kinds of reasons, such as a name’s history, meaning, or sound or for its tie to their family. Sometimes, names are chosen for more ethereal or esoteric motivations, too, such as the feeling a name has. Prime examples of this are names that embody a season, such as the carefree spirit of summer.

For parents looking for summer-themed names, there are a wealth of sunny choices. These names may be infused with the warmth of the sun, the cool, salty spray of the ocean, the heady, freshness of summer grass, the breathtaking bounty of bright wildflowers, or the piercing blue of the summer sky. Other parents may want a summer name simply because their baby is due (or was conceived) during the summer months.

Summer names can be straightforward, as in Summer, Sunny, or August. Others are more unusual or inventive, like Sparkle, Dazzle, or Ocean. Ultimately, whatever says summer to you may make the perfect summer name. So, sit back and think about the names and words that feel like the spirit of this dreamy, warm, fun-filled season. Your summer daydream just might become the baby name of your dreams.

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

Popular Summer Baby Names

Let this list of summer-themed baby names inspire your quest to find the right sun- and sea air-infused name for your baby,

Arun

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Sun, dawn
Famous Namesakes: Indian endurance runner Arun Bhardwaj, Indian American businessman and diplomat Arun M. Kumar, American professor of electrical engineering Arun G. Phadke, Indian actor Arun Vijay,
Peak Popularity: Arun is an uncommon name that has not made the Social Security Administration's list of the top 1000 names.

Fun Fact: Arun means "good morning" in Thai.

August

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Esteemed
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Augustus, Augusta, Auggie
Famous Namesakes: Roman emperor Augustus, American playwright August Wilson, American singer August Alsina
Peak Popularity: This name has seen a big surge in popularity, particularly for baby boys, rising from a rank of 613 in 2000 to the 155th spot in 2020. It's also seeing more use for girls, making the top 1000 list beginning in 2018 at rank 897 and at 856 in 2020.

Ayana

Origin: African, Japanese
Meaning: Beautiful flower, colorful greens
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aiana, Ayanna
Famous Namesakes: Japanese singer-songwriter Ayana, American conservation strategist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Peak Popularity: Ayana has seen a drop in popularity. It was ranked 654 in 2001 but fell to 971 in 2016, the last year the name made the top 1000.

Fun Fact: Like Ayana, these flower names all embody the spirit of summer: Dahlia, Zinnia, Lily, Susan (as in black-eyed Susans), Shasta (as in Shasta daisies), Lavender, Hibiscus, Ginger, and Daisy.

Blaze

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Fire
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Blaise
Famous Namesakes: English singer Blaze Bayley, Macedonian poet Blaze Koneski
Peak Popularity: Blaze is primarily used as a boy name, which has maintained relatively steady popularity over the past 20 years. In 2000, it was 879, and in 2020, it ranked 852. Its peak spot of 707 was achieved in 2015.

Blossom

Origin: English
Meaning: To bloom
Famous Namesakes: American jazz singer Blossom Dearie, the character Blossom on the popular 1990's sitcom "Blossom," Cartoon Network superhero Blossom on "The Powerpuff Girls"
Peak Popularity: This is an uncommon name that hasn't made the top 1000 in recent decades. In 1925, Blossom was at its most popular at 727.

Coral

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Coral reef, an orange-pink-red color
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Coraline, Coralee
Famous Namesakes: English actress and advocate for disadvantaged children Coral Atkins, American reality TV star Coral Smith
Peak Popularity: Coral was a once-popular girl's name. Today, it is infrequently used. It last made the top 1000 names in 1992 when it ranked 984. Its peak popularity was at 739 in 1903.

Fun Fact: If you're looking for a summer-infused color name, some other great options include Pink, Amethyst, Azure, Blue, Cerise, Carmine, Cherry, Clementine, Emerald, Fuchsia, Ginger, Indigo, and Jade.

Cyrus

Origin: Persian
Meaning: In the light
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cirus
Famous Namesakes: Persian king Cyrus the Great, American sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin, American politician Cyrus Vance Sr.
Peak Popularity: Cyrus is a moderately common name that has been slowly increasing in use. In 2000, it was ranked 541, and in 2020, it had risen to 369.

Dawn

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Daybreak
Famous Namesakes: Comic book artist and software developer Dawn Best, American actress Dawn Evelyn Paris, British comic Dawn French, singer Dawn Robinson
Peak Popularity: Dawn is an uncommon name. The last year this name made the top 1000 names was in 2000 when it ranked 915.

Fun Fact: Dawn is the English name for Eos, the goddess of the dawn in Greek mythology.

Dayton

Origin: English
Meaning: From the sunny town
Famous Namesakes: American comedian Dayton Allen, author Dayton Ward
Peak Popularity: Dayton has become less popular over the past two decades. In 2000, it was ranked 562. By 2020, it was down to 973.

Dylan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of the sea
Famous Namesakes: Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, iconic American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, American baseball player Dylan Axelrod, American entrepreneur Dylan Lauren, model and actress Dylan Penn
Peak Popularity: This name is very popular. It has been in the top 50 names for over 20 years. Its peak popularity was at 19 in both 2003 and 2004. In 2020, it had fallen slightly to 43.

Eden

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Idyllic place, place of delight
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Edin, Eadin, Edenia
Famous Namesakes: American actress Eden Riegel, Israeli singer Eden Alene, American actress Eden Sher
Peak Popularity: Eden has been increasing in popularity. In 2000, the name was at 521. In 2020, had reached 130.

Isla

Origin: Scottish
Meaning: Island
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ilay, Islay, Ila
Famous Namesakes: Australian actress Isla Fisher, Scottish politician Sir Ilay Campbell, American aviation pioneer Ila Loetscher
Peak Popularity: This name has experienced a big jump in use, going from 623 in 2008 all the way to the 44th spot in 2020.

Jasmine

Origin: English, Persian
Meaning: Jasmine plant, gift from God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Yasmine, Jasmin, Jasmijn, Jasmina
Famous Namesakes: American actress Jasmine Guy, British actress Jasmine Armfield, American singer Jasmine Villegas, also known as Jasmine V
Peak Popularity: Jasmine is a very popular name that has seen a slight reduction in use over the past 20 years. In 2000, it was at 27 but had fallen to 141 in 2020.

June

Origin: Latin
Meaning:Young
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Juno, Juniper
Famous Namesakes: Roman goddess of love and marriage Juno, English actress June Chadwick, pioneering American film executive and screenwriter June Mathis
Peak Popularity: June is a name on the rise, increasing from the spot of 872 in 2008 to 182 in 2020.

Kira

Origin: Latin, Slavonic, Japanese
Meaning: Shining light, strong woman, beloved, glittery
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Keira, Kiran, Kir, Kyra, Kaira, Keera
Famous Namesakes: Dutch Olympic swimmer Kira Bulten, American filmmaker Kira Bursky, American voice actress Kira Buckland, Japanese manga artist Kira Inugami
Peak Popularity: Kira is a fairly popular name that reached its peak popularity in 2005 with a ranking of 241. In 2020, it was at spot 384.

Leo

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lion, lion-hearted, brave
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lio, Leon, Leopold, Leonardo
Famous Namesakes: American actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Russian author Leo Tolstoy
Peak Popularity: Leo is an increasingly popular choice. In 2000, it was at 389, rising to the 36th position by 2020.

Fun Fact: In astrology, Leo is the 5th sign of the zodiac and has the zodiac element of fire. Leos are people born between July 23 to August 22. They are considered to be joyful, creative leaders.

Moana

Origin: Polynesian
Meaning: Ocean
Famous Namesakes: Moana, the star of the Disney movie of the same name, New Zealander politician Moana Mackey
Peak Popularity: This is an unusual name that is not on the most popular names list.

Fun Fact: Other ocean names include Ocean, Oceana, and Oceanus, which are all derived from the Greek name Oceanus, the Titan father of water nymphs.

Nani

Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: Beautiful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nanee
Famous Namesakes: Portuguese soccer player Nani (born Luis Carlos Almeida da Cunha), Columbian social media star Nani Ovalle, Spanish race car driver Nani Roma, Brazilian Instagram influencer Nani Rangel
Peak Popularity: Nani is a rare name that does not rank on the top 1000 names list.

Pearl

Origin: English
Meaning: Pearl
Famous Namesakes: American singer Pearl Bailey, American author Pearl Buck
Peak Popularity: Pearl made the most popular names list for the first time in recent years beginning in 2007 at rank 993. In 2020, the name was at the 773rd spot. Its most popular year was at 567 in 2016.

Fun Fact: The pearl is the birthstone for June.

Shelly

Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Meaning: Shells, meadow
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Shelley
Famous Namesakes: American actress Shelley Duvall, American actress Shelley Winters
Peak Popularity: Shelly has not made in the top 1000 names during the past two decades.

Skye

Origin: Norse, Scottish
Meaning: Sky, cloud
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sky, Skyla, Skylar
Famous Namesakes: Canadian singer-songwriter Skye Sweetnam, American gymnast Skye Blakely, American baseball player Skye Bolt
Peak Popularity: Skye has been a consistently popular choice over the past few decades. In 2000, it was ranked 480. In 2020, it was 467.

Summer

Origin: Old English
Meaning: Summer
Famous Namesakes: American model and environmental activist Summer Rayne Oakes, American Olympic swimmer and sports broadcaster Summer Sanders, American singer Summer XO
Peak Popularity: Summer is a common name that has remained at about the same popularity over the past 20 years. In 2000, it ranked 145, and by 2020, it was just a few spots down at 149.

Fun Fact: Another name that means summer is the Greek name Theros, which also may have originated as a combination of the words "the" and "heroes."

Sunny

Origin: English
Meaning: Sunshine, cheerful
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sunni
Famous Namesakes: American Food Network chef Sunny Anderson, American actress and model Sunny Mabrey
Peak Popularity: Sunny just breached the most popular name list in 2017, at 983. By 2020, the name had risen to 696.

Fun Fact: There are lots of other names that mean (or are evocative of) the sun, such as Ray, which means ray of sun in English, or Samson, which means bright sun in Hebrew.

Suvi

Origin: Finnish
Meaning: Summer
Famous Namesakes: Finnish supermodel Suvi Koponen, Finish taekwondo champion Suvi Mikkonen
Peak Popularity: Suvi is not on the list of 1000 most popular baby names.

Talia

Origin: Greek, Hebrew
Meaning: Blooming, dew of heaven
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Taliah, Tahlia, Taylia, Tayla, Talie
Famous Namesakes: American actress Talia Shire, American internet personality Talia Castellano
Peak Popularity: Talia has maintained significant popularity over the past 20 years. In 2000, it ranked 378. In 2020, it was slightly more common, at 337. Talia's most popular year was 2015 when it was at 283.

2 Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hanks P, Hardcastle K, Hodges F. A Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press; 2016.
Social Security Administration. Popularity of name.

By Sarah Vanbuskirk
Sarah Vanbuskirk is a writer and editor with 20 years of experience covering parenting, health, wellness, lifestyle, and family-related topics. Her work has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites, including Activity Connection, Glamour, PDX Parent, Self, TripSavvy, Marie Claire, and TimeOut NY.

See Our Editorial Process

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?