There are a few names that mean or are related to the word “rainbow” across various cultures and languages. Though not extremely common, names with rainbow symbolism and meaning do exist. In this article, we’ll explore some examples of names meaning rainbow or related words and their background.
Names Meaning Rainbow
Here are some examples of names that directly translate to the word “rainbow” or have that as their defined meaning:
Iris
The name Iris comes from Greek mythology, in which Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger linking the gods to humanity. Iris was depicted as a beautiful young woman with wings and a robe of many colors. The iris flower, with its spectrum of colors, is also named after her.
So the name Iris quite literally means “rainbow” in its origins. It can make for a lovely and meaningful girl’s name associated with rainbows.
Usoa
Usoa is a Basque name that means “rainbow” in that language. Basque is a unique language isolate spoken in the Basque region of Spain and France. The name Usoa has reference to the rainbow’s beauty and promise.
Arcobaleno
Arcobaleno is an Italian vocabulary word meaning “rainbow.” Used as a name, it’s a bold, creative choice that immediately conjures up rainbow imagery.
Arco
Arco is the word for “rainbow” in Esperanto, an invented international language. As a short name containing the word for rainbow, it may appeal to parents looking for a fresh yet meaningful choice.
Names Relating to Rainbows
In addition to names directly translating as “rainbow,” there are names with rainbow-related meanings, such as:
Roy G. Biv
Roy G. Biv is an English name based on the acronym for the sequence of hues in the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. It sounds like an actual name but contains a sneakily clever rainbow reference. The name may work better as a nickname or character name.
Indigo
Indigo is an English word name referring to the rich, deep blue color present in rainbows. While not a direct translation of rainbow, the color meaning provides a rainbow connection. As a name, Indigo has a melodic quality and is easy to pronounce and spell.
Celeste
Celeste is a name meaning “heavenly” or “celestial” in Latin. Its celestial vibe connects to the rainbow’s presence in the sky. An alternate spelling is Celestia, an elaborate, feminine choice related to rainbows high in the heavens.
Aster
In ancient Greek, aster meant “star.” The name Aster sounds similar to astro, relating to outer space and the night sky where rainbows can be seen. Aster is a simple, vibrant option for boys or girls.
Names Inspired by Rainbows
Some names have subtle ties to rainbows through their definitions and associated imagery:
Colete
Colete is a variant of Colette, derived from the French word colette meaning “victory of the people.” This relates rainbows to the biblical story of Noah’s ark, in which the rainbow represented God’s covenant with humanity after the Great Flood.
Colwyn
Colwyn is a Welsh name meaning “from the castle on the river Col.” Rivers and castles can link to the magical, idyllic scenery where rainbows occur in nature. The soft, lilting Colwyn evokes rainbow reverie.
Skye
The Isle of Skye in Scotland’s misty, rugged landscape is the type of place where vibrant rainbows often materialize after rain. As a name, Skye represents sweeping rainbow backdrops.
Irisviel
Irisviel is a blend of Iris, the Greek rainbow goddess, and viel, meaning “veil” or “phantom” in German. Together this creates a fanciful, mythical rainbow name.
Color Names
Rainbows display a spectrum of continuous color, so names from color words can capture the rainbow essence:
Violet
Violet is a Latin name meaning “purple,” directly from the violet flower. Purple is the color of royalty and the imagination. As a rainbow color, violet is mystical and spiritual.
Azure
Azure is an English word for the bright blue color found in rainbows. As a name, Azure has a peaceful, floaty feel perfect for a rainbow baby.
Amaris
Amaris is a name with Greek roots meaning “child of the moon.” It relates to rainbows through its soft green color definition. Amaris sounds like a twin name for he goddess Iris.
Rosa
Rosa is Spanish for the rose flower and pink color. Its cheerful pink meaning provides an obvious link to the rainbow spectrum. Rosa is a classic, vintage-sounding rainbow name.
Nature Names
Since rainbows are natural meteorological phenomena, names inspired by nature can represent their beauty:
Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of prosperity, associated with colorful rainbows as symbols of good fortune. As a name, Lakshmi embodies lush, vibrant rainbow spirit.
Waverly
Waverly means “meadow of quivering aspens,” conjuring images of rainbows shimmering across open fields. As a name, Waverly captures the awe of seeing rainbows in nature.
Sequoia
The giant sequoia tree inspires thoughts of Rainbow Canyon and other majestic outdoor rainbow settings. Sequoia could work well as an earthy unisex rainbow name.
Cielo
Cielo means “sky” or “heaven” in Spanish and Italian. Its airy, celestial connections suit the mystique of arching rainbows overhead.
Conclusion
While no name fully captures the mutable beauty of rainbows, many names do relate to rainbow symbolism and imagery. From Iris to Violet, names spanning myth, color, nature, and language reflect rainbows in their diversity of meanings. Ultimately, choosing a rainbow-themed name involves finding one with personal resonance. A rainbow-inspired name allows a colorful piece of nature’s majesty to shine through.
