“Our little golden girl born on my birthday welcomed to this world by Lucky.”
Your miracle baby deserves a name filled with hope — and these rainbow baby names are exactly that.
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 term comes from the metaphor of a rainbow appearing after a storm — representing hope, healing, and new life after the darkness and pain of losing a pregnancy or child.
Just as a rainbow follows rain, this baby comes after a period of grief and sadness.
Fortunately, 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, per the APA.
And many of those women are looking for a baby name that honors their painful yet rewarding journey.
If that’s what brought you here, then we admire your strength and are excited to help.
READ MORE: 75 Baby Girl Names That End in IE
That’s why we’ve put together this list of names for rainbow babies, including those inspired by colors, names that mean “light,” heavenly names and monikers that come with positive or uplifting meanings.
We hope you can find a name that not only tells your baby’s story, but also sets them up for the future!
Vibrant color names for rainbow babies
Few names capture the essence of a rainbow baby quite like those drawn from the spectrum itself.
And perhaps none are more popular and meaningful than the name Iris.
According to Behind the Name, Iris comes directly from the Greek word iris, meaning “rainbow.” In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods known for her golden wings.
Iris can also refer to the flower, which comes in a range of colors, or the colored part of the eye.
Other names that mean “rainbow” include Iridiana, Iridessa, Avana, Jinni, Isa and Rein.
Here are some more vibrant names for rainbow babies that focus on a single color of the rainbow.
Violet
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Blue-purple color; Purple flower
Violet, pronounced VY-uh-lit, comes from the English word violet and Latin word viola, referring to the purple-blue color or flower known for their charming, delicate petals that come in various shades of purple, blue, yellow, and white.
Hazel
Origin: Old English
Meaning: Hazel tree; Hazel nuts; Light brown color
Hazel, pronounced HAY-zul, comes from the Old English word hæsel, referring to the hazel tree — known for producing edible nuts and flexible wood. Hazel can also refer to the earthy, light brown color.
Aurelia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Golden; Gilded
Aurelia, pronounced awh-RELL-ee-uh or aw-REEL-ee-uh, is a feminine form of Aurelius, which derives from the Latin word aureus, meaning “golden” or “gilded.” The masculine form of this name is Aurelio.
Alani
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: Orange tree; Heavenly; Sky
Alani, pronounced AY-lah-nee, derives from the Hawaiian word alani, meaning “orange tree.” It can also come from the Hawaiian word lani, meaning “heaven” or “sky,” giving this name double meaning.
Ruby
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Red gemstone; July birthstone
Ruby, pronounced ROO-bee, comes from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red,” and English word ruby, referring to the red precious gemstone. Ruby is the traditional birthstone for the month of July.
Jade
Origin: Spanish; English
Meaning: Flank; Green gemstone; Stone of the colic
Jade, pronounced JAYD, comes from the Spanish phrase piedra de ijada, meaning "stone of the side” or “stone of the flank.” The green gemstone got its name from the belief that it could cure renal colic.
Esmeralda
Origin: Spanish; Greek
Meaning: Emerald; Green gemstone; May birthstone
Esmeralda, pronounced es-muh-RAHL-duh, comes directly from the Spanish word esmeralda and, ultimately, the Greek word smaragdos, meaning “emerald,” the traditional birthstone for the month of May.
Amber
Origin: English; Arabic
Meaning: Yellow-orange color; Fossilized tree resin
Amber, pronounced AM-burr, comes directly from the English word amber (derived from Arabic anbar and Old French ambre gris), referring to the fossilized tree resin known for its orange-ish, yellow-ish color.
Golden
Origin: English
Meaning: Color; Precious metal
Golden, pronounced GUHL-dihn, comes directly from the English word golden (via Middle English gilden and Old English gyldan), referring to something that is made of gold or resembles the golden color.
Orla
Origin: Irish
Meaning: Golden princess
Orla, pronounced OHR-luh, is the Anglicized form of the Irish name Órlaith, which is derived from the Old Irish elements ór, meaning “gold,” and flaith, meaning “princess.” It’s another golden-inspired girl’s name.
Rainbow baby girl names that mean ‘light’
After weathering the darkness of pregnancy loss, a miracle baby represents the light that broke through.
Names meaning "light" beautifully capture this journey and symbolize the hope and brightness your little one has brought back into your life — while also honoring the light that your unborn baby represents.
These names can also translate to “bright,” “brilliance” or “sunshine.”
For example, some of the most popular names in this category include Luna (moon), Eleanor (shining light), Aurora (dawn) and Nora (light) — all of which ranked in the top-25 in 2024, per the SSA.
Here are some more rainbow baby names that mean “light” for your soon-to-be little girl.
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 daughter, born in March 2024.
Chiara
Origin: Italian; Latin
Meaning: Clear; Bright; Famous
Chiara, pronounced kee-AH-rah, is the Italian form of the Latin name Clarus, which is derived from the Latin word clarus, meaning "clear," "bright," or "famous." It’s a more elaborate form of the name Clara.
Lucia
Origin: Latin; Roman
Meaning: Light
Lucia, pronounced LOO-shuh, is the feminine form of the Roman praenomen Lucius, which derives from the Latin word lux, meaning “light.” Other variations include Luciana, Lucinda, Lucy, Lucilla and Lulu.
Orli
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Light for me
Orli, pronounced OHR-lye, is similar to the name Ori. It’s composed of the Hebrew elements or, meaning “light,” and li, meaning “to me” or “for me.” It can also be spelled Orly or Orlye to make it more unique.
Roxana
Origin: Latin; Greek; Old Iranian
Meaning: Bright; Shining
Roxana, pronounced rok-SAN-uh, is the Latin form of the Greek name Rhoxane, which comes from the Old Iranian word rauxšnā, meaning “bright” or “shining.” You can also go with Roxanne, Roxy or Rosana.
Surya
Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Sun; Sunshine
Surya, pronounced SIR-ee-yuh, comes from the Sanskrit word sūrya, meaning “sun” or “sunshine.” It’s the name of the Vedic Hindu god of the sun who rides across the sky in a chariot each day.
Selena
Origin: Latin; Greek
Meaning: Moon; Goddess
Selena, pronounced suh-LEE-nuh, is the Latinized form of Selene, which comes directly from the Greek word selene, meaning “moon.” In Greek mythology, Selene isa Titan and the goddess of the moon.
Halo
Origin: English; Latin; Greek
Meaning: Ring of light; Holy light
Halo, pronounced HAY-loh, comes directly from the English word halo (via Latin halo and Greek halos), referring to the “ring of light around the sun or moon.” It can also refer to the light associated with holy figures.
Zorya
Origin: Slavic
Meaning: Dawn; Star; Goddess
Zorya, pronounced zuh-RYE-uh, is the personification and goddess of dawn in Slavic mythology. Zorya Utrennyaya refers to the Morning Star, while her sister Zorya Vechernyaya refers to the Evening Star.
Clara
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Clear; Bright; Famous
Clara, pronounced KLAR-uh, derives from the Latin word clarus meaning "clear," "bright," or "famous." Some parents prefer spelling it the French way, Claire, while others prefer the Italian form Chiara.
Heavenly names inspired by God’s presence
For many families, a rainbow baby feels like a divine blessing — or an answered prayer.
Names that reference God's gifts, blessings and divine interventions honor the spiritual significance of your baby's arrival and the faith that helped carry you through a season full of grief and hardship.
They can translate to anything from “God’s gift” to “God has answered” and “God is gracious.”
Perhaps the most popular examples would be Elizabeth, meaning“oath to God” and Eliana, which means “God has answered” — both of which are Hebrew names that ranked in the top-20 in 2024, per the SSA.
Here are some more baby girl names with heavenly and god-inspired meanings for your rainbow baby.
Neriah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God’s light; My God is a light
Neriah, pronounced ner-EYE-uh, is composed of the Hebrew elements ner, meaning “lamp” or “light,” and yah, referring to the Hebrew God. It’s primarily a masculine name, but also has a feminine sound to it.
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.
Dorothy
Origin: English; Greek
Meaning: Gift of God; God’s gift
Dorothy, pronounced DOHR-uh-thee or DOHR-thee, is a variant of Dorothea, which comes from the Greek name Dorotheos and is composed of the Greek elements doron, meaning “gift,” and theos, meaning “god.”
Eliana
Origin: Greek; Hebrew
Meaning: Bright light; My god has answered; God answered me
Eliana, pronounced el-ee-AH-nuh, is believed to be a variant of Elaine, meaning “bright light” in Greek, but can also derive from the Hebrew words el, meaning “God,” i, meaning “my,” and ana, meaning “to answer.”
Samantha
Origin: Hebrew; Greek
Meaning: God’s flower
Samantha, pronounced suh-MAN-thuh, is believed to be a feminine form of Samuel, which means “name of God” in Hebrew, combined with the Greek word anthos, meaning “flower.” It originated in America.
Eudora
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Good gift
Eudora, pronounced yoo-DOR-uh, is composed of the Greek elements ue, meaning “good,” and doron, meaning “gift.” In Greek mythology, Eudora was one of the Hyades and one of 3,000 Oceanids (sea nymphs).
Josephine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God will add; God increased
Josephine, pronounced joh-suh-FEEN, is a variant of Joseph, which comes from the Latin and Greek name Ioseph and Hebrew name Yosef. It’s derived from the Hebrew word yasaf, meaning “to add” or “increase.”
Theodora
Origin: Greek
Meaning: God’s Gift
Theodora, pronounced thee-oh-DOR-uh, is the feminine form of Theodore, which comes from the Greek name Theodoros and is derived from the Greek words theos, meaning "god," and doron, meaning "gift.”
Odelia
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: I will thank God; Thank you God
Odelia, pronounced oh-DEL-ee-uh, is believed to be composed of the Hebrew elements oda, meaning “I will thank,” and el, referring to the Hebrew God. It has ranked outside of the SSA’s top 1,000 since 1910.
Elsie
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Oath to God; My God is an oath
Elsie, pronounced EL-see, is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva and is composed of the Hebrew elements el, referring to the Hebrew God, and shava, meaning “oath.”
Rainbow baby names with positive meanings
Sometimes the perfect name for a miracle baby is one that radiates positivity.
Names meaning "hope," "joy," "grace," "blessing," "new beginning" and "miracle" capture the essence of what your baby represents without needing to reference the rainbow, colors, light or spirituality.
They speak directly to the joy and renewal your baby — and unborn baby — brought into your life.
Take Jinger Duggar, for example. The “Counting On” star experienced a miscarriage in 2019 before welcoming her rainbow baby named Evangeline Jo in 2020 — her second of three children.
According to Behind the Name, Evangeline means “good news” or “good message” in Greek.
Here are some more uplifting baby girl names that embody the positivity and promise of a rainbow baby.
Hope
Origin: English
Meaning: Hope; Faith
Hope, pronounced HOHP, is derived directly from the English word hope, which comes from the Old English word hopian, meaning “to have a positive expectation that something desired will happen or be true.”
Desiree
Origin: English; French; Latin
Meaning: Desired; Wished for
Desiree, pronounced DEH-zuh-ray, comes from the English word desire (derived from Old French desirrer and Latin desiderare), meaning “to wish for.” Other ways to spell this name include Desirae and Deziree.
Charity
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: Love; Benevolence; Kindness
Charity, pronounced CHAR-ih-tee, comes from the English virtue name derived from the Latin caritas, meaning "generous love" or "benevolence." The word caritas is ultimately derived from the Latin word carus, meaning “beloved.”
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.”
Harmony
Origin: Latin; Greek; English
Meaning: Internal calm
Harmony, pronounced HAR-moh-nee, derives from the Latin and Greek word harmonia, meaning “agreement, concord of sounds.” In English, it also means “internal calm,” and “a pleasing arrangement.”
Grace
Origin: Latin; French; English
Meaning: Virtue coming from God; Simple elegance
Grace, pronounced GRAYS, comes from the Latin words gratia and gratus, which was adapted into Old French as grace. It’s often defined as “a virtue coming from God” or a “simple elegance or goodwill.”
Joy
Origin: English; Old French
Meaning: Feeling of great pleasure or happiness
Joy, pronounced JOY, comes directly from the English word joy (via Old French joie), which refers to a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It has been in the SSA’s top 1,000 every year since 1900.
Adore
Origin: English; Old French; Latin
Meaning: To love; To respect; To worship
Adore, pronounced uh-DOHR, comes directly from the English word adore (via Old French aorer and Latin adorare), which means “to love” or “to worship, pay divine honors to or bow down before.”
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.
Felicity
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: Happiness; Good luck
Felicity, pronounced fuh-LISS-uh-tee, comes directly from the English word felicity, which derives from the Latin words felicitas and felix. In English, it means “happiness” or “that which is a source of happiness.”
Eulalia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Sweetly speaking
Eulalia, pronounced yoo-luh-LEE-uh, comes from the Greek word eulalos, meaning “sweetly speaking.” It’s a lot less common than other names on this list, but has a beautifully-sweet sound and meaning.
Amara
Origin: Igbo; Arabic; Latin
Meaning: Grace; Everlasting; Thriving; Bitter
Amara, pronounced uh-MAHR-uh, is believed to derive from the Igbo word àmàrà, meaning “grace,” the Arabic word amara, meaning “to live long” or “to thrive,” or the Latin word amarus, meaning “bitter.”
Nadia
Origin: Russian; Bulgarian
Meaning: Hope
Nadia, pronounced NAH-dee-uh, is a variant of Nadya, which is believed to be a Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Nadezhda, derived from the Russian word naděja, meaning “hope” in Slavic languages.
Valeria
Origin: Roman; Latin
Meaning: Strong; Healthy; Brave
Valeria, pronounced vuh-LEER-ee-uh, is a direct Latin feminine form of the Roman family name Valerius, which is derived from the Latin word valere, meaning "to be strong" or "to be healthy."
Alma
Origin: Hebrew; Spanish; Latin
Meaning: Young woman; The soul; Nourishing
Alma, pronounced AIL-muh or ALL-muh, has various meanings depending on its origin. For example, it means “young woman” in Hebrew and “the soul” in Spanish, and can also derive from the Latin word almus, meaning “nourishing.”
Mila
Origin: Slavic
Meaning: Gracious; Dear
Mila, pronounced MEE-uh or MEE-luh, comes from the Slavic element milŭ, meaning “gracious” or “dear.” It’s commonly used as a nickname for names that end with -mila, such as Camila, Yamila or Ludmila.
Hannah
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Grace; Favor
Hannah, pronounced HAN-nuh, derives from the Hebrew name Hanna and Hebrew word hanan, meaning "grace" or "favor." Other variations of this name include Anna, Anne, Ana, Ann, Channa, Anita and Annie.
Annora
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: Honor; Esteem; Dignity
Annora, pronounced uh-NOHR-uh or an-NOHR-uh, is the Medieval English variant of Honora, Honoria and Honorius, which come from the English and Latin word honor, meaning “honor,” “esteem” and “dignity.”
Vivienne
Origin: French; Latin
Meaning: Full of Life
Vivienne, pronounced viv-ee-EN, is the French feminine form of the Latin name Vivianus, which is derived from the Latin word vivus, meaning “to be alive” or “living.” It’s a common variation of the name Vivian.
Amanda
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Lovable; Worthy of love
Amanda, pronounced uh-MAN-duh, derives directly from the Latin word amanda, meaning “lovable” or “worthy of love,” and is believed to be a feminine form of Amandus, of the same origin and meaning.
What’s the final verdict on rainbow baby names for girls?
Choosing a name for your rainbow baby can be a difficult process.
After all, most parents expecting a rainbow baby already went through the process of finding a baby name prior to their loss — and many of those parents aren’t interested in using the same name a second time.
Instead, they want a name that honors their journey and celebrates the miracle that followed.
And while no name can fully capture the depth of what you and your significant other went through, it can serve as a beautiful reminder of the resilience, hope and love that carried you through the storm.
Some of you might’ve found that name above, but it’s okay if you’re still searching.
Either way, Mod Moms Club is always here to help.
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
Your rainbow baby deserves a name as special as their story. And we hope you find one that feels right.
