Luna
Luna Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
LOO-nah
Meaning of Luna: Luna derives directly from the Latin word luna, meaning moon. In Roman religion, Luna was the divine personification of the moon, worshipped alongside Sol (sun) as one of the two great celestial lights.
Ancient Romans built temples to her on the Aventine Hill, and she appears throughout classical poetry from Virgil to Ovid.
The name spread through Catholic Europe via Latin liturgical influence, appearing in Italian and Spanish baptismal records by the medieval period.
What Does Luna Mean? Origin & Etymology
It was especially common in southern Italy and Spain, where the moon held strong cultural symbolism in folklore and religious art. Furthermore, the name carried aristocratic associations in Renaissance Italy.
According to SSA records, Luna entered the US top 1000 in 2003 at rank 617. It climbed dramatically—rank 100 by 2012, rank 23 by 2018—and reached its peak at rank 10 in 2022. As of 2024, Luna ranks #13 for girls with 7,135 registered births.
Celebrity adoptions accelerated Luna’s US rise: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend named their daughter Luna in 2016, and Penelope Cruz chose Luna for her daughter the same year. Notably, Harry Potter’s Luna Lovegood character introduced the name to a generation of American readers and filmgoers before the celebrity wave.
Common variants include Louna (French spelling variant), Lunna (English spelling), and Lune (French word form). The Greek equivalent Selene names the same moon goddess in a different tradition. Diminutives Lou and Luney appear informally in English-speaking households.
How Popular Is Luna?
Numerology & Symbolism of Luna
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Luna – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Luna
What does the name Luna mean?
Luna means moon, derived directly from the Latin word luna. In Roman religion, Luna was the divine personification of the moon and one of the two great celestial deities alongside Sol, the sun god.
Where does the name Luna come from?
Luna comes from ancient Rome, where it was both a common noun for the moon and the name of the moon goddess. It spread through Catholic Europe via Latin and became especially popular in Italy and Spain before reaching English-speaking countries.
How popular is Luna in the US?
Luna ranks #13 for girls in the US as of 2024, according to SSA records, with 7,135 registered births that year. It peaked at rank #10 in 2022, making it one of the fastest-rising names of the 2010s.
What are variants of Luna?
Variants include Louna (French), Lunna (English spelling), and Lune (French word form). The Greek equivalent Selene names the same moon goddess. Diminutives Lou and Luney are used informally in English-speaking countries.
Is Luna more popular for girls or boys?
Luna is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks #13 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the boys’ top 1000. Its exclusively feminine astronomical meaning has kept it firmly in the girls’ column.
Luna – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Louna | French variant |
| Lune | French word |
| Selene | Greek equivalent (moon) |
| Lunna | Spelling variant |