Considering what an important thing to name a child is, the meaning it bears is a quite crucial factor as well. In this article, I’ve made a list of names that are associated with “sleep”, the concept that most likely everyone is so fond of because of its rejuvenating and calming qualities, are being discussed. These names, from various cultures around the world. It includes ideas from nature which represent peace and serenity.
Names That Mean Sleep
- Orpheus (Greek) – In Greek mythology, Orpheus is known for his ability to enchant all living things and even stones with his music, which could soothe and induce sleep.
- Hypnos (Greek) – Directly related to sleep, Hypnos is the personification of sleep in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Somnus.
- Selene (Greek) – Although primarily the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, Selene is associated with sleep as she is believed to watch over sleepers at night.
- Yuki-onna (Japanese) – Translated as “snow woman,” Yuki-onna is a spirit or yokai in Japanese folklore who is often described as having a tranquil, hypnotic presence that could be linked to sleep-like calmness.
- Lorelei (German) – Refers to a mythical siren whose singing lured sailors to sleep and then to their deaths. The name is derived from the rock on the Rhine River which is associated with this legend.
- Jonah (Hebrew) – While the name Jonah means “dove” in Hebrew, its inclusion comes from the biblical story of Jonah who slept deeply in the boat despite the storm, symbolizing a profound peace and detachment.
- Endymion (Greek) – A figure from Greek mythology, Endymion was granted eternal sleep by Zeus, wherein he would remain forever youthful and alive through his sleep.
- Nyx (Greek) – The Greek goddess of the night, symbolizing the darkness and rest of nighttime.
- Luna (Latin) – Meaning “moon,” often associated with night and the calm it brings.
- Somnia (Latin) – From the word for “dream” or “sleep” in Latin.
- Chandra (Sanskrit) – Means “moon,” linked to the night and restful sleep in Indian culture.
- Aerglo (Constructed) – A modern name inspired by a rare luminescence seen in the night sky, suggesting peacefulness.
- Selina (Greek) – A variant of Selene, again linking to the moon and night.
- Tara (Sanskrit) – Meaning “star,” evoking the tranquility of night.
- Steren (Cornish) – Meaning “star,” a nod to the peaceful night sky.
- Rêver (French) – Means “to dream,” implying a connection to sleep.
- Aisling (Irish) – An Irish name meaning “dream” or “vision.”
- Morpheus (Greek) – The god of dreams in Greek mythology.
- Ruya (Turkish) – Means “dream.”
- Svapna (Sanskrit) – Means “dream” in Sanskrit, indicating a state of sleep.
- Lirim (Albanian) – Means “freedom,” often used to describe the peace found in sleep.
- Nox (Latin) – Roman counterpart to Nyx, goddess of the night.
- Nott (Norse) – Norse goddess of the night.
- Koko (Native American) – Meaning “night” in Blackfoot.
- Leilani (Hawaiian) – Meaning “heavenly flowers,” often associated with the peace of night.
- Altan (Turkish/Mongolian) – Refers to the “red dawn,” the calm before awakening.
- Måneskin (Danish) – Means “moonlight,” evoking nighttime.
- Ilta (Finnish) – Means “evening,” a time for rest.
- Vesper (Latin) – Meaning “evening star,” symbolizes evening and preparation for sleep.
- Hesper (Greek) – Another name for “evening star,” similar to Vesper.
- Yoru (Japanese) – Means “night.”
- Layla (Arabic) – Meaning “night.”
- Rajani (Sanskrit) – Means “night.”
- Twilight (English) – The time between day and night, often a calm, restful period.
- Estrella (Spanish) – Means “star,” linked with the peaceful night sky.
- Tynan (Irish) – Means “dark,” associated with night.
- Samir (Arabic) – Meaning “companion in evening talk,” a reference to peaceful night-time conversations.
- Dyani (Native American) – Meaning “deer,” an animal often associated with gentleness and tranquility.
- Kaiyo (Japanese) – Means “forgiveness,” a serene concept often felt in dreams.
- Nisha (Sanskrit) – Means “night.”
- Otieno (Luo) – Means “born at night.”
- Ylva (Scandinavian) – Means “she-wolf,” associated with the night.
- Cynthia (Greek) – Another name for Artemis, linked to the moon.
- Hulda (Norse) – Means “sweet and lovable,” qualities often attributed to peaceful sleep.
- Lilith (Hebrew) – While controversial, associated with the night.
- Danica (Slavic) – Means “morning star,” the calm of early morning.
- Amaris (Hebrew) – Means “given by God,” often a peaceful blessing like sleep.
- Zlata (Slavic) – Means “golden,” reminiscent of golden slumbers.
- Amaya (Japanese) – Means “night rain,” evoking a sense of tranquility and peace.
- Nyxon (Modern English) – Inspired by Nyx, the Greek goddess of the night.
- Samar (Arabic) – Means “evening conversations,” reflecting the peaceful end of the day.
- Manju (Sanskrit) – Means “pleasant,” often associated with peaceful sleep.
- Lilinoe (Hawaiian) – Refers to a mist that comes from the mountains at night, mystical and calming.
- Nightingale (English) – The bird famously sings at night, symbolizing the beauty and mystery of the night.
- Miyako (Japanese) – Means “beautiful night child.”
- Chandrakant (Sanskrit) – Means “beloved by the moon,” implying a connection to the calm night.
- Esperanza (Spanish) – Means “hope,” often a soothing concept as one falls asleep.
- Itzel (Maya) – Refers to the moon goddess, bringing the calm of the night.
- Hespera (Greek) – Another name associated with the evening, akin to Vesper and Hesper.
- Nótt (Old Norse) – Means “night” directly, referring to the Norse goddess of night.
- Yuki (Japanese) – Although it means “snow,” it suggests the quiet and peace of a snow-covered night.
- Svante (Scandinavian) – Meaning “holy,” and reflective of the serene silence of the night.
- Estelle (French) – Means “star,” a celestial body associated with the quiet of nighttime.
- Jericho (Hebrew) – Means “moon city,” implying a place of quiet and nocturnal beauty.
- Marama (Polynesian) – Polynesian goddess of the moon and night.
- Shirina (Persian) – Means “sweet,” often describing the sweetness of peaceful sleep.
- Neven (Slavic) – Means “marigold,” a flower that closes at night.
- Seline (Greek) – A variation of Selene, the moon goddess.
- Artem (Russian) – Derived from Artemis, the goddess of the moon.
- Thule (Greek) – Mythical place far to the north, under the night sky.
- Noctis (Latin) – Means “of the night,” epitomizing the essence of darkness and calm.
- Sidra (Latin) – Means “like a star,” reflective of the night sky.
- Astara (Persian) – Meaning “star,” reflecting the beauty and calm of the night sky.
- Celina (Latin) – A variant of Selena, referring to the moon.
- Diantha (Greek) – Meaning “divine flower,” related to the goddess of the moon.
- Hoshi (Japanese) – Means “star,” symbolizing the tranquility and mystery of night.
- Kyla (Gaelic) – Means “narrow,” but often associated with the dark and peaceful night sky.
- Liora (Hebrew) – Meaning “light for me,” often reflecting the light of stars or moon at night.
- Maisha (Arabic) – Means “alive,” akin to the liveliness of the night.
- Naila (Arabic) – Means “attainer,” potentially reaching for the stars or dreams.
- Orion (Greek) – Named after the constellation, a prominent figure in the night sky.
- Pavati (Native American) – Means “clear water,” evoking the quiet and clarity of night.
- Quilla (Quechua) – Refers to the moon in the indigenous Quechua language.
- Rajnish (Sanskrit) – Means “lord of the night,” directly tied to themes of nighttime.
- Selima (Arabic) – Means “peace,” often sought during the restful hours of night.
- Talitha (Aramaic) – Means “little girl,” also a star name in the constellation Ursa Major.
- Umaya (Arabic) – Means “night,” directly tying to the concept of night and rest.
- Vespera (Latin) – Means “of the evening,” another variant linking to the calm evening.
- Wendelin (German) – Means “wanderer,” evoking the wandering moon or stars at night.
- Xing (Chinese) – Means “star,” reflecting the celestial theme.
- Yael (Hebrew) – Means “mountain goat,” animals often active during the cooler night.
- Zoltan (Hungarian) – Means “sultan,” but often associated with the mysterious qualities of night.
- Alya (Arabic) – Means “sky,” “heaven,” or “loftiness,” relating to the vast night sky.
- Belenus (Celtic) – A deity associated with the sun and the fire, but also has connections to the end of the day.
- Cynthia (Greek) – Another name for Artemis, linked to the moon and the hunt during the night.
- Dysis (Greek) – Means “sunset,” directly related to the onset of night.
- Elio (Spanish) – A variant of Helios, the sun god, but evoking the quiet as the sun sets.
- Esteban (Spanish) – Meaning “crown,” often linked metaphorically to the starry crown of the night sky.
- Kalani (Hawaiian) – Means “the heavens,” often associated with the serene night sky.
- Leandro (Greek) – Meaning “lion-man,” but romantically involved in a story involving nightly crossings.
- Moira (Greek) – Related to fate and destiny, akin to the mysterious unfoldings of night.
- Nimue (Arthurian Legend) – A mystical name tied to the Lady of the Lake, suggesting the enigmatic qualities of night.
- Orla (Irish) – Meaning “golden princess,” reminiscent of the glow of moonlight.
- Phoebe (Greek) – Another name for Artemis, symbolizing brightness and the moon.
- Quentin (Latin) – Meaning “fifth,” but evokes a subtle, deep tone fitting for a tranquil night.
- Runa (Norse) – Meaning “secret lore,” evoking the secrets of the night.
- Sarai (Hebrew) – Means “princess,” shining in the night like a star.
- Ursa (Latin) – Means “bear,” linked to the constellations that dominate the night sky.
- Veena (Indian) – A musical instrument often played in serene, peaceful settings, perfect for nighttime.
- Willa (German) – Means “protection,” a comforting notion during the dark of night.
- Yvette (French) – Implies “yew tree,” which can be symbolic of resilience, often needed through the dark nights.
- Zephyr (Greek) – Means “west wind,” bringing in the cooling breezes of evening.
- Aquila (Latin) – Means “eagle,” and is also a constellation name, soaring through the night sky.
- Belinda (German) – Possibly means “bright serpent” or “bright linden tree,” but brings a soft, mysterious feel suitable for nighttime.
- Cian (Irish) – Means “ancient,” which has a timeless, night-sky quality.
- Dalia (Lithuanian) – Means “destiny,” linked with the mysterious unfolding of events under the night sky.
- Elowen (Cornish) – Means “elm tree,” often considered majestic and serene like the night.
- Fayruz (Arabic) – Means “turquoise,” a color deep and reflective like a clear night sky.
- Gideon (Hebrew) – Means “hewer,” but offers a strong, protective quality, as one would need during the night.
- Helena (Greek) – Means “light,” evocative of the moonlight that pierces the night.
- Ianthe (Greek) – Means “purple flower,” related to the hues of twilight.
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