Rainbow baby names that'll fill your newborn son's miracle life with love and color

Your miracle baby represents the light at the end of a dark tunnel — or rainbow at the end of a storm. 

They’re the gift that you’ve been waiting for. The answered prayer you never stopped believing in. The proof that hope can carry you through the unimaginable, and that love will always outweigh the loss.

Rainbow babies are all of this and more — and rainbow baby names are the perfect way to honor them.

That includes names inspired by colors of the rainbow, such as Cyan (blue-green) or Bowie (yellow), names that mean “light,” such as Lucian, and heavenly names like Theodore, which means “God’s gift.” 

But before you settle on names for rainbow babies, let’s first break down what a rainbow baby is. 

According to the American Pregnancy Association, a rainbow baby (also known as a miracle baby) is “a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth or neonatal death.”

The name comes from the metaphor of a rainbow appearing after a storm. 

Just as a rainbow brings hope and beauty after dark, difficult weather, a rainbow baby represents hope, healing and new life after enduring the grief and pain of losing a pregnancy or child.

READ MORE: Rainbow baby names that’ll instill hope and color into your newborn girl’s miracle life

The good news is that rainbow babies are more common than you’d think. 

In fact, at least 85% of women who experience a pregnancy loss — and 75% who experience two or three pregnancy losses — will go on to have a successful pregnancy, according to the APA.

If you fall in that category, then we’re glad you’re here — and we admire your strength. 

Whether you’re looking for color names, “bright” names, heavenly names or names that carry a special or positive meaning, we’ve put together the perfect list of rainbow baby boy names to consider for your son!

Radiant color names for rainbow babies

We’ll start our list with baby names that literally embody the vibrant hues that follow a storm. 

Color names carry an inherent brightness, energy and visual beauty that mirrors the overwhelming joy, relief and love your son brings into your life after a period of profound darkness and uncertainty.

They don’t just sound beautiful — they paint a picture of hope, renewal and new beginnings. 

READ MORE: 60+ Nature Inspired Boy Names for Your Future Son

From the deep blues of a clear sky to the golden yellows of emerging sunshine, these color-inspired names serve as a daily reminder that after every storm comes light, beauty, and reason to celebrate.

Here are some of our favorite rainbow baby names inspired by different colors of the rainbow. 

Russell

Origin: Norman; French; Latin

Meaning: Little red one; Reddish-brown

Russell, pronounced RUSS-uhl, comes from the French word rous, meaning “red” and Latin word russus, meaning “reddish-brown.” You can also go with Russ if you want something shorter or for a nickname.

Rory

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Red-haired king

Rory, pronounced ROR-ee, is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Ruaidhrí, which is composed of the Old Irish elements rúad, meaning “red,” and rí, meaning “king.” Together, it means “red-haired king.” 

Bowie

Origin: Scottish; Gaelic

Meaning: Yellow

Bowie, pronounced BOH-wee, originated as a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic word buidhe, meaning “yellow.” It was popularized in the United States by the iconic British musician David Bowie. 

Cyan

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Greenish blue color

Cyan, pronounced SYE-ihn or SYE-an, comes directly from the English word cyan (derived from Greek word kyanos), referring to the color, which is often described as a mix between green and blue. 

Indigo

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Purplish-blue flower; From India

Indigo, pronounced IN-dih-goh, comes directly from the English word indigo, referring to the purplish-blue dye or color that was originally sourced from the flower of the same name. It comes from the Greek name Indikon, meaning “from India.” 

Azure

Origin: English; Old French

Meaning: Sky-blue color

Azure, pronounced AH-zhur, comes directly from the English word (derived from Old French azur), referring to the sky-blue color. It’s a pigment or paint generally made of powdered lapis lazuli (stone).

Blaine

Origin: Scottish; Old Irish

Meaning: Yellow

Blaine, pronounced BLAYN, comes from a Scottish surname derived from the Old Irish name Bláán, which comes from the Old Irish word blá, meaning “yellow, combined with a diminutive suffix. 

Rowan

Origin: Old Irish; English

Meaning: Rowan (tree), Red

Rowan, pronounced ROH-un or ROW-un, is the Anglicized form of the name Ruadhán derived from the Old Irish word rúad, meaning “red.” The rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) is a deciduous tree from the rose family known for its red berries.

Sterling

Origin: English

Meaning: Silver

Sterling, pronounced STIR-ling, comes directly from the English word sterling, which means “excellent.” In this case, it refers to the durable alloy that is made mostly of silver and is commonly used for jewelry. 

Flynn

Origin: Old Irish

Meaning: Blood red

Flynn, pronounced FLIN, is the Anglicized form of the Irish given name Floinn, which is a diminutive of Flann and comes from the Old Irish word flann, meaning “blood red.” It was the name of a 9th century Irish king. 

Rainbow baby boy names that mean ‘light’

Your rainbow baby represents the light at the end of your darkest tunnel. 

If that’s the case, then why not choose a baby name that quite literally translates to “light” or something that closely resembles light, such as names that mean “bright,” “brilliance,” “flame” or “sunshine?” 

For example, Lucas and Luca are two of the most popular options that land in this category. 

READ MORE: 60+ Boy Names That End in IE for Your Little Cutie Pie

Lucas, which was the ninth most popular boy’s name in the U.S. in 2024, and Luca, which ranked 23rd, according to the Social Security Administration, both derive from the Latin word lux meaning “light.”

Luke, which also means “light,” and Aiden, meaning “little flame,” also ranked in the top-50 last year. 

If your rainbow baby is the beacon of hope that guided you through grief, the spark of joy that reignited your spirit and the radiant presence that chased away the shadows, then these names are for you!

Lucian

Origin: Roman; Latin

Meaning: Light

Lucian, pronounced LOO-shin or loo-see-EN, is the Anglicized form of the Roman family name Lucianus and Roman praenomen Lucius, which is ultimately derived from the Latin word lux, meaning “light.” 

Beacon

Origin: English

Meaning: Fire; Light; Signal; Lighthouse

Beacon, pronounced BEE-kihn, comes directly from the English word beacon (derived from Old English beacen), meaning “sign” or “lighthouse.” A beacon is a fire or light often used as a signal or warning. 

Elio

Origin: Italian; Spanish; Greek

Meaning: Sun; Sun god

Elio, pronounced EL-ee-oh or EE-lee-oh, is the Italian and Spanish form of Aelius, which comes from a Roman family name believed to derive from the Greek word helios, meaning “sun.” In Greek mythology, Helios is the personification of the sun. 

Albert

Origin: Germanic

Meaning: Bright and noble

Albert, pronounced AL-burt, comes from the Germanic name Adalbert, which is composed of the Germanic elements adal, meaning “noble,” and beraht, meaning “bright.” Albert was a common name given to medieval German royalty.

Clarence

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: Clear; Bright

Clarence, pronounced KLAIR-ints, comes from the Latin title Clarensis, which is believed to derive from the Latin word clarus, meaning “clear” or “bright.” It ultimately comes from the place name Clare in Suffolk.

Chandler

Origin: French; Latin; English

Meaning: Candle maker; Candle seller

Chandler, pronounced CHAND-ler, derives from the Old French chandelier and Medieval Latin candelarius, meaning “candle-maker” or “one who sells candles.” It began as an occupational surname before transitioning to a first name.

Ori

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: My light

Ori, pronounced OHR-ee, is composed of the Hebrew elements or, meaning “light,” and i, meaning “my.” This is the name “Wonder Woman” actress Gal Gadot chose for her fourth baby, born in March 2024.

Abner

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: My father is a light; My father’s light

Abner, pronounced AB-ner, comes from the Hebrew name Avner, which is composed of the elements av, meaning “father,” and ner, meaning “lamp” or “light.” In the Bible, Abner is the commander of Saul’s army.

Anwar

Origin: Arabic

Meaning: Brighter; More luminous

Anwar, pronounced AHN-wahr, comes from the Arabic word nawwara, meaning “to blossom” or “to illuminate.” It’s believed to derive from the Arabic root nur, meaning “light” and translates to “luminous.”

Roshan

Origin: Persian

Meaning: Light; Bright

Roshan, pronounced ROH-shin, comes directly from the Persian word roshan, meaning “light” or “bright.” It’s a gender-neutral name that’s closely connected to Roxanne and Roxana, and can also be spelled Roshni.

Heavenly names that honor God's creation

A rainbow baby is more than just a blessing. It’s a divine gift. An answered prayer. A miracle from above.

If your faith in God sustained you through loss and carried you to this moment of joy, then choosing a baby name that honors God's hand in your journey can feel deeply meaningful and even sacred.

Names like Theodore and Mateo are perfect examples of this. 

READ MORE: New survey reveals the most popular source of inspiration when choosing a baby name

Theodore, the fourth most popular boy’s name in 2024, and Mateo, which ranked seventh last year, both translate to “Gift from God” or “God’s gift” — Theodore being a Greek name and Mateo a Spanish name.

Matthew, the English form of Mateo, was the 33rd most popular boy’s name in 2024, per the SSA. 

These names serve as a testament to your belief, perseverance, and profound gratitude you feel knowing that your miracle baby was worth the wait, the prayers and every ounce of faith you’ve been holding onto.

Amadeus

Origin: Latin; Roman

Meaning: Love of God; God’s love

Amadeus, pronounced ah-muh-DAY-us, comes from the Latin word amo, which means “to love,” and deus, meaning “God.” It was popularized as the middle name of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Nathaniel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God has given

Nathaniel, pronounced nuh-THAN-yuhl, is a variant of Nathanael and the Hebrew name Netan’el, which is composed of the Hebrew elements natan, meaning “to give,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. 

Emmanuel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: I’m with God; God is with us

Emmanuel, pronounced ee-MAN-yoo-el or EE-man-yoo-uhl, comes from the Hebrew name ʿImmanuʾel, which is composed of the Hebrew elements im, meaning “with,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. 

Samuel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God’s name; Heard by God; God listens

Samuel, pronounced SAM-yew-uhl and SAM-yew-el, comes from the Hebrew name Shemuʾel and is composed of the Hebrew elements shem, meaning “name,” or shama, meaning “to hear,” and el, meaning “God.” 

Azariah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God has helped

Azariah, pronounced a-zur-EYE-uh, comes from the Hebrew name Azarya, which is composed of the Hebrew elements azar, meaning “help,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God. There are several characters in the bible named Azariah.

Hazael

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God sees

Hazael, pronounced hah-zuh-EL, derives from the Hebrew elements haza, meaning “to see,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. In the Bible, Hazael was an Aramean king of Syria in the 9th century B.C.

Raphael

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God heals

Raphael, pronounced rah-fye-EL, comes from the Hebrew name Rafa’el and is composed of the Hebrew elements rafa, meaning to heal,” and el, meaning “God.” In the Bible, Raphael is an archangel who guides Tobias on a journey, heals his father's blindness, and defeats a demon.

Zachariah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God remembers

Zachariah, pronounced ZAK-uh-rye-uh, is a variant of Zechariah, which comes from the Hebrew name Zekarya and is composed of the Hebrew elements zakar, meaning “to remember,” and yah, meaning “God.”

Uriel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God is my light; God is my flame

Uriel, pronounced yur-EE-el, comes from the Hebrew name Uri’el, which is composed of the Hebrew elements ur, meaning “light” or “flame,” and el, meaning “God.” It’s another light-inspired Hebrew name.

Timothy

Origin: Greek

Meaning: Honoring God; God’s honor

Timothy, pronounced TIM-uh-thee, is the English form of the Greek name Timotheos, which is composed of the Greek words timao, meaning “to honor,” and theos, meaning “God.” It’s also associated with Saint Timothy, a companion of Apostle Paul.

Rainbow boy names with uplifting meanings

Sometimes the perfect names for rainbow babies have nothing to do with color, light or God’s grace.

Naming your rainbow baby is more about capturing the emotion you’ll feel the moment you hold them in your arms for the first time — the overwhelming sense of gratitude that comes with meeting your miracle.

Ethan and Asher are two names to come to mind. 

READ MORE: Nara Smith just revealed baby No. 4’s name and it’s as whimsical and golden as you’d expect

Ethan, a Hebrew name that means "strong," "enduring," "firm" or "long-lived,” and Asher, which means “happy” or “blessed” in Hebrew, both ranked inside the top-20 among boy names in 2024, per the SSA. 

You can even go with a more direct name like Blessing or Miracle. 

These rainbow baby names — some of which are more popular than others — speak directly to the heart of what your son represents and the overwhelming transformation his arrival has brought to your life. 

Tate

Origin: Old English

Meaning: Happy; Glad

Tate, pronounced TAYT, comes from the Old English given name Tata, which is believed to mean “happy” or “glad.” You can also go with the name Tatum (like Khloé Kardashian), which means “Tata’s settlement.”

Amal

Origin: Arabic; Hebrew

Meaning: Hopeful; Aspirational

Amal, pronounced uh-MAHL, comes from the Arabic root amala, meaning “to hope for,” but can also mean “work” in Hebrew. It can be both masculine and feminine, such as George Clooney’s wife Amal.

Hugh

Origin: Germanic; Old Frankish

Meaning: Mind; Though; Spirit

Hugh, pronounced HYOO, comes from the Germanic name Hugo, which is believed to derive from the Old Frankish word hugi and Old High German word hugu, meaning “mind,” “thought” or “spirit.” 

Jayce

Origin: English; Greek

Meaning: Healer

Jayce, pronounced JAYS, is a modern diminutive of the name Jason, which comes from the Greek name Iason and derives from the Greek word iaomai, meaning “to heal.” You can also go with Jayceon. 

Abel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Breath

Abel, pronounced AY-buhl, derives from the Hebrew word hevel, meaning “breath.” In the Bible, Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve, the first two humans, who was murdered by his envious brother Cain. 

Journey

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: Quest; Voyage

Journey, pronounced JUR-nee, comes directly from the English word journey, which derives from the Latin word diurnus, meaning “of the day.” It can symbolize the journey that brought you to parenthood.

Haven

Origin: English

Meaning: Safety; Shelter; Refuge

Haven, pronounced HAY-vihn, comes directly from the English word haven, which derives from the Old English word hæfen. In English, the word haven refers to a place of safety, shelter or refuge. 

Noble

Origin: English; French; Latin

Meaning: Illustrious; Distinguished; Of high rank or birth

Noble, pronounced NOH-buhl, comes directly from the English word noble, which derives from the Old French word noble and Latin word nobilis, meaning “illustrious,” “distinguished” or “of high rank or birth.”

Felix

Origin: Latin; Roman

Meaning: Lucky; Successful

Felix, pronounced FEE-lix, comes from a Roman cognomen that means “lucky” or “successful” in Latin. In the New Testament, Felix was a freed slave and Roman governor of Judea who imprisoned Saint Paul. 

Asher

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Happy; Blessed

Asher, pronounced ASH-er, derives from the Hebrew word ashar, meaning “to be happy” or “to be blessed.” In the Old Testament, Asher is the eighth son of Jacob and second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant.

Benedict

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Blessed; Well-spoken

Benedict, pronounced BEN-uh-dict, comes from the Latin benedictus meaning "blessed" or "well-spoken." The name has significant religious and historical importance through St. Benedict, founder of Western monasticism.

Blessing

Origin: English

Meaning: Divine grace; Gift from God

Blessing, pronounced BLEH-sing, comes directly from the English word blessing (derived from the Old English word bledsunge), meaning “divine grace” or “a gift from God that gives temporal or spiritual benefit.”

Bodhi

Origin: Sanskrit

Meaning: Enlightenment

Bodhi, pronounced BO-dee, comes from Sanskrit and refers to the spiritual state of enlightenment in Buddhism that’s attained by a Buddhist who has practiced the Eightfold Path and achieved salvation.

Shai

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Gift; God saves

Shai, pronounced SHAY or SHYE, comes directly from the Hebrew word shai, meaning “gift,” though it can also be a diminutive of the Hebrew name Isaiah, which means “God saves” or “God is salvation.”

Jesse

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Gift; Existence

Jesse, pronounced JESS-ee, comes from the Greek name Iessai and Hebrew name Yishai, which is derived from the Hebrew word shai, meaning “gift,” or Hebrew word yesh, meaning “existence.” In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David.

Von

Origin: Old Norse

Meaning: Expectation; Hope

Von, pronounced VON or VAWN, comes directly from the Old Norse word von, meaning “expectation” or “hope.” It can also be a diminutive of Siobhan, meaning “God is gracious,” or Vaughn, meaning “little.” 

Clement

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Merciful; Gentle

Clement, pronounced KLEM-ihnt, comes from the Latin name Clemens and Latin word clemens, meaning “merciful” or “gentle.” It can also be spelled Clemence or you can go with a feminine form Clementine.

Chosen

Origin: English

Meaning: Chosen; Selected; Hand-picked

Chosen, pronounced CHOH-zen, is an English word name derived directly from the past participle of the verb "to choose." It has religious connotations relating to being "chosen" by God and can be spelled Chozen for a more unique feel. 

Blythe

Origin: English

Meaning: Cheerful; Happy

Blythe, pronounced BLITH, comes directly from the English word blythe (derived from the Old English word bliþe), meaning “cheerful” or “happy.” One of the most famous examples today is actress Blythe Danner.

Bennett

Origin: Latin; English

Meaning: Blessed; Well-spoken

Bennett, pronounced BEN-it, is the medieval form of Benedict, which comes from the Latin name Benedictus, meaning “blessed” or “well-spoken.” It originated as a surname before being used as a given name.

Will you be considering any of these rainbow baby names?

Your rainbow baby deserves a name as extraordinary as the journey that brought him here.

Because here's the truth: A rainbow baby name isn't just a name. It's a story. It’s a monument. It's a testament to your strength, your faith and your unwavering hope even in the darkest moments.

It's a daily reminder that after every storm, there is light. That after every loss, there can be healing. 

The name you choose will be whispered in the middle of the night during those first sleepless weeks. It’ll be shouted across playgrounds, written on birthday cards and called out during their first day of school. 

It'll be the word that makes your heart skip a beat every single time you say it. 

If you find that name above, then we’re glad we can help. But if not, there’s more where that came from. 

Our curated baby name lists, which are published weekly, cover every theme, origin and meaning imaginable — and our easy-to-use baby name generator can help you uncover hidden gems in seconds.

ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: Celebrity baby names that prove great minds think alike when it comes to their children

Because your miracle baby deserves a name as meaningful and powerful as the love that brought him into your arms."