Searching for names that mean eclipse is harder than it sounds, because very few names carry that exact meaning. Most people end up wanting something dark, rare, and a little magical.
This guide fixes that. Below you will find over 360 names that mean eclipse or sit close to it, from moon and sun names to shadow names and eclipse myths.
Every name is short, easy to say, and paired with a clear meaning, so you can choose with confidence.
We built this list by checking each meaning against etymology and mythology references, so every name has a real link to eclipses, the moon, the sun, or shadows.
Eclipse Name Meaning, Symbolism, and Origins
The word eclipse comes from the Greek ekleipsis, meaning “abandonment” or “failure to appear.” So names that mean eclipse usually point to a sun or moon that briefly vanishes.
Eclipses stand for:
- Transformation and rebirth
- Hidden power
- Balance between light and dark
- Mystery and sudden change
Ancient people feared eclipses as dragons or wolves swallowing the sky. Others treated them as sacred moments. In Fon belief from West Africa, an eclipse is when moon goddess Mawu and sun god Lisa meet.
That mix of fear and wonder is why eclipse names feel both powerful and tender.
Top Eclipse-Inspired Names at a Glance
Start here for the clearest names that mean eclipse across cultures. The first two are the exact word for eclipse, and the rest point to its myths and shadows.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Eclipse | Sun or moon blocked from view | Greek, via Latin |
| Ekleipsis | Eclipse, failure to appear | Greek |
| Umbra | Darkest part of a shadow | Latin |
| Rahu | Demon who swallows sun and moon | Sanskrit |
| Nisshoku | Solar eclipse | Japanese |
| Gesshoku | Lunar eclipse | Japanese |
Rare and Unique Female Names That Mean Eclipse
These rare names that mean eclipse for girls come mostly from Latin, Greek, and Arabic roots. Each one is short enough to wear well and rare enough to feel special.
- Eclipsa – eclipse
- Ecliptica – path of eclipses
- Penumbra – partial shadow
- Noctiluca – night light
- Tenebrae – darkness
- Nocturna – of the night
- Ombra – shadow
- Sombra – shadow
- Oscura – dark
- Caligo – gloom
- Selenia – moon
- Celene – moon
- Mene – moon goddess
- Cynthia – moon goddess epithet
- Lunara – of the moon
- Lunabella – beautiful moon
- Sunniva – sun gift
- Soleil – sun
- Solara – of the sun
- Aylin – moon halo
- Ayla – moonlight
- Mahtab – moonlight
- Metztli – moon
- Ilargi – moon
- Layla – night
- Noor – light
- Qamar – moon
- Mahina – moon
- Hilal – crescent moon
- Vesper – evening star
Beautiful Eclipse-Inspired Names for Girls
Soft and lyrical, these picks borrow from moon goddesses, stars, and the dawn after totality. Pair them with the rarer names that mean eclipse above. Each one is easy to say and easy to spell.
- Luna – moon
- Selene – moon goddess
- Phoebe – bright
- Diana – divine
- Artemis – moon goddess
- Aurora – dawn
- Eos – dawn goddess
- Aurelia – golden
- Zora – dawn
- Astra – star
- Stella – star
- Celeste – heavenly
- Seren – star
- Estelle – star
- Celestine – heavenly
- Elara – Jupiter’s moon
- Callisto – most beautiful
- Io – Jupiter’s moon
- Europa – Jupiter’s moon
- Lyra – lyre constellation
- Vega – falling eagle
- Andromeda – ruler of men
- Maia – Pleiades star
- Electra – shining
- Alcyone – kingfisher
- Nova – new star
- Orla – golden princess
- Alba – dawn
- Liora – my light
- Marama – moon
- Hoku – star
- Lucia – light
Powerful Eclipse-Inspired Names for Boys
Strong, bold, and a little dangerous, these boy names pull from sun gods, night, and the wolves of Norse myth. Most are short, so they fit a first name or a middle name equally well.
- Helios – sun god
- Sol – sun
- Ra – sun god
- Surya – sun
- Skoll – wolf chasing the sun
- Hati – wolf chasing the moon
- Mani – moon
- Ketu – shadow node
- Apep – serpent of chaos
- Erebus – deep darkness
- Hyperion – high one
- Orion – hunter
- Sirius – scorching
- Altair – flying eagle
- Draco – dragon
- Lucian – light
- Lucius – light
- Nox – night
- Noctis – of night
- Raven – dark bird
- Onyx – black stone
- Obsidian – volcanic glass
- Shade – shadow
- Dusk – twilight
- Thanatos – death
- Hades – the unseen
- Caelum – sky
- Cosmo – order
- Zenith – highest point
- Aether – upper sky
- Phobos – fear
- Deimos – dread
Japanese Names That Mean Eclipse
Japanese has exact words for eclipse, but they are not used as given names. These Japanese names that mean eclipse in spirit use kanji for moon, sun, and shadow. For a darker mood, see these Japanese names that mean death. Most are also used in modern Japan.
- Tsuki – moon
- Tsukiko – moon child
- Tsukiyo – moonlit night
- Mikazuki – crescent moon
- Mitsuki – shining moon
- Mizuki – beautiful moon
- Yuzuki – gentle moon
- Yoru – night
- Yuuyami – evening dusk
- Yami – darkness
- Kage – shadow
- Hikage – sun shade
- Kuro – black
- Hikari – light
- Akari – bright light
- Akatsuki – dawn
- Asahi – morning sun
- Hinata – sunny place
- Hoshi – star
- Hoshiko – star child
- Sora – sky
- Kaguya – shining night
- Gekko – moonlight
- Shinonome – daybreak
- Yoake – dawn
- Tsukimi – moon viewing
- Taiyo – sun
- Kurayami – deep darkness
Names Inspired by Lunar Eclipses
A total lunar eclipse turns the moon deep red. These names borrow that blood-moon color and the silver glow around it, so they pair well with other names that mean eclipse. Many also work as gemstone names.
- Crimson – deep red
- Carmine – vivid red
- Scarlett – red cloth
- Ruby – red gem
- Garnet – dark red gem
- Sienna – reddish earth
- Ember – glowing coal
- Rufus – red-haired
- Rubra – red
- Cerise – cherry red
- Russet – reddish brown
- Rowan – little red one
- Lunaris – lunar
- Moonstone – lunar gem
- Selenite – moon stone
- Argent – silver
- Argenta – silver
- Pearl – moon-white gem
- Opal – precious stone
- Lunette – little moon
- Cardinal – deep red
- Vermilion – bright red
- Rouge – red
- Rosso – red
Names Inspired by Solar Eclipses
At totality, only a glowing ring remains: the corona. Choose from these when you want names that mean eclipse with a bright edge. Several are also gem and gold names, which keeps them elegant.
- Corona – crown
- Solis – of the sun
- Solaris – solar
- Solana – sunshine
- Helia – sun
- Heliodor – gift of the sun
- Phoebus – radiant
- Aurelian – golden
- Aurel – golden
- Oro – gold
- Amber – fossil resin
- Topaz – golden gem
- Citrine – yellow gem
- Sunstone – glowing gem
- Diadem – crown
- Lux – light
- Lucero – bright star
- Lumen – light
- Halo – ring of light
- Apolline – of Apollo
- Anatolia – sunrise
- Elio – sun
- Sunny – cheerful
- Ravi – sun
Surnames and Last Names Associated With Eclipses
No real surname means eclipse. These last names come close through shadow, night, moon, and sun, which is where most names that mean eclipse find their roots.
- Moon – lunar nickname
- Mondschein – moonshine
- Stern – star
- Nightingale – night singer
- Blake – dark or pale
- Duff – dark
- Donovan – dark brown
- Dolan – dark-haired
- Moreau – dark-skinned
- Noir – black
- Nero – black
- Schatten – shadow
- Schwarz – black
- Blackwood – dark forest
- Blackmoor – dark moor
- Ravenscroft – raven’s croft
- Kageyama – shadow mountain
- Kurosawa – black marsh
- Kuroda – black field
- Hoshino – field of stars
- Tsukishima – moon island
- Sonne – sun
- Delaluna – of the moon
- Starr – star
Names That Specifically Mean Lunar Eclipse
No English name means lunar eclipse, but many languages have exact words you can borrow as names that mean eclipse.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
| Khusuf | Lunar eclipse | Arabic |
| Chandragrahan | Lunar eclipse | Hindi |
| Yueshi | Lunar eclipse | Mandarin |
| Wolsik | Lunar eclipse | Korean |
| Eclissi | Eclipse | Italian |
| Tutulma | Eclipse | Turkish |
More eclipse words worth borrowing:
- Kusuf – solar eclipse (Arabic)
- Ilsik – solar eclipse (Korean)
- Grahan – eclipse (Hindi)
- Gerhana – eclipse (Malay)
- Pimennys – eclipse (Finnish)
- Zatmenie – eclipse (Russian)
- Likui – eclipse (Hebrew)
- Kupatwa – eclipse (Swahili)
- Urú – eclipse (Irish)
- Myrkvi – eclipse (Icelandic)
- Zaćmienie – eclipse (Polish)
- Eclipsă – eclipse (Romanian)
Gender-Neutral Names Inspired by Eclipses
These neutral names that mean eclipse in spirit work for anyone and sound fresh on any age. Syzygy and Saros are true eclipse terms from astronomy.
- Sable – black
- Ash – cinders
- Echo – returning sound
- Shadow – dark shape
- Indigo – deep blue
- Midnight – dead of night
- Twilight – half-light
- Umber – shade
- Orbit – circling path
- Phase – moon stage
- Comet – hairy star
- Nebula – cloud
- Cosmos – universe
- Phoenix – reborn bird
- Umbriel – shadowy spirit
- Antumbra – shadow beyond
- Yue – moon
- Skye – sky
- Solstice – sun stands still
- Equinox – equal night
- Zephyr – west wind
- Apogee – farthest point
- Perigee – nearest point
- Syzygy – celestial alignment
- Saros – eclipse cycle
- Meridian – midday
Mythological Names Associated With Eclipses
Every culture told a story about the sky going dark. Rahu, Skoll, Hati, and Bakunawa are the beasts said to swallow the sun or moon, which makes these names mean eclipse in myth.
- Hecate – goddess of magic
- Nyx – night
- Amaterasu – shining heaven
- Tsukuyomi – moon god
- Susanoo – storm god
- Bakunawa – moon-eating dragon
- Mawu – moon goddess
- Lisa – sun god
- Coyolxauhqui – golden bells
- Tecciztecatl – moon god
- Chandra – moon
- Soma – moon god
- Khonsu – traveler
- Thoth – moon and wisdom
- Horus – sky god
- Nanna – Sumerian moon god
- Utu – Sumerian sun god
- Shamash – sun god
- Tonatiuh – Aztec sun god
- Inti – Inca sun god
- Quilla – Inca moon goddess
- Ixchel – Maya moon goddess
- Kinich – Maya sun god
- Chang’e – Chinese moon goddess
- Arianrhod – silver wheel
- Lilith – night spirit
- Kali – dark goddess
- Bastet – cat goddess
- Sunna – Norse sun goddess
- Theia – mother of sun and moon
- Phaethon – shining
- Aten – sun disk
- Hina – Polynesian moon goddess
- Xihe – Chinese sun mother
- Belenus – bright one
- Dazhbog – giving god
Dark and Mysterious Names Inspired by Eclipses
For a shadowy mood, these dark names that mean eclipse in feeling suit fantasy characters, pen names, and gamer tags. Want something even more haunting? Try these names that mean lost soul.
- Nocturne – night song
- Enigma – riddle
- Arcana – secrets
- Cipher – hidden code
- Veil – covering
- Gloom – darkness
- Hollow – empty
- Morgana – enchantress
- Morrigan – great queen
- Grim – masked
- Corvus – raven
- Ravenna – raven
- Ebony – black wood
- Jet – black gem
- Lethe – forgetfulness
- Styx – river of hate
- Acheron – river of woe
- Charon – ferryman of the dead
- Persephone – underworld queen
- Hel – queen of the dead
- Azrael – angel of death
- Nihil – nothing
- Void – empty space
- Abyss – bottomless
- Eris – discord
- Nemesis – retribution
- Moros – doom
- Oblivion – forgetting
- Mirage – illusion
- Wraith – ghost
- Specter – spirit
- Phantom – apparition
Nature-Inspired Names Connected to Eclipses
During an eclipse, birds fall silent and night animals stir. These names that mean eclipse in spirit come from night plants and animals. Owls rule the night, so you may also like these names that mean owl.
- Lunaria – moon-like plant
- Moonflower – night bloomer
- Cereus – night-blooming cactus
- Belladonna – beautiful lady
- Jasmine – fragrant flower
- Gardenia – white flower
- Primrose – first rose
- Lupa – she-wolf
- Lobo – wolf
- Strix – owl
- Noctua – night owl
- Corbin – raven
- Bran – raven
- Hotaru – firefly
- Cricket – night singer
- Lynx – shining one
- Lark – songbird
- Wren – small bird
- Willow – graceful tree
- Briar – thorny bush
- Thorne – thorn
- Sylvan – of the woods
- Fern – feathery plant
- Sage – wise herb
Modern Eclipse-Inspired Names With Unique Meanings
Trendy, short, and easy to spell, these modern names that mean eclipse in spirit borrow from planets, moons, and constellations.
- Astrid – divinely beautiful
- Cosima – order
- Selah – pause
- Callista – most beautiful
- Aster – star
- Asteria – starry
- Halley – hall meadow
- Titania – giant
- Oberon – elf ruler
- Miranda – admirable
- Triton – sea god
- Dione – divine queen
- Pandora – all-gifted
- Portia – Roman family name
- Ophelia – help
- Atlas – enduring
- Rhea – mother of gods
- Cielo – sky
- Ciel – sky
- Auriga – charioteer
- Cassiopeia – vain queen
- Pegasus – winged horse
- Perseus – Greek hero
- Cygnus – swan
- Aquila – eagle
- Vela – sails
Rare Celestial Names Related to Eclipses
Stars and small worlds rarely make baby name lists, so these rare names that mean eclipse in spirit will stand out. For more picks that look up at the heavens, browse these names that mean sky.
- Antares – rival of Mars
- Rigel – foot
- Deneb – tail
- Procyon – before the dog
- Capella – little goat
- Arcturus – bear guardian
- Spica – ear of grain
- Regulus – little king
- Aldebaran – the follower
- Castor – twin star
- Pollux – twin of Castor
- Mira – wonderful
- Algol – the ghoul
- Polaris – pole star
- Vesta – hearth goddess
- Ceres – grain goddess
- Juno – queen of gods
- Sedna – Inuit sea goddess
- Orcus – underworld god
- Amalthea – Zeus’s nurse
- Thebe – Greek nymph
- Metis – wisdom
- Ganymede – cupbearer of gods
- Enceladus – Greek giant
- Iapetus – Titan
- Tethys – sea goddess
- Larissa – nymph
- Galatea – milk-white
How to Create Original Eclipse-Inspired Names
The best names that mean eclipse often start from a real root. Try these simple methods:
- Blend a root with a soft ending, like umbra plus elle for Umbrelle.
- Add “ia” to an eclipse word, such as Eclipsia.
- Join two short words, like Luna and shade for Lunashade.
- Borrow a foreign word for eclipse, then shorten it.
- Say it aloud and keep it under three syllables.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Cosmic Name
Pick the mood first. Names that mean eclipse can feel soft, fierce, or mysterious.
- Match the sound to the meaning you want.
- Check nicknames and initials.
- Say the full name with your surname.
- Prefer names that are rare but easy to spell.
- Check the cultural origin before you commit.
- Test the name on friends and see if they can spell it.
- Choose one meaning you can explain in a single line.
Quick Checklist for Selecting an Eclipse-Inspired Name
- The meaning is clear and positive to you
- It is easy to pronounce
- It is easy to spell
- It has a nickname you like
- It fits your surname
- It respects its culture of origin
- You will still love it in ten years
Frequently Asked Questions
What name literally means eclipse?
Ekleipsis, the Greek word for eclipse, is the most literal of all names that mean eclipse.
What are the best names that mean eclipse for girls?
Eclipsa, Selene, Luna, and Noctiluca are top picks among girl names that mean eclipse.
Is Eclipse a real first name?
Yes, it is rare but usable, and it works well as a gender-neutral name.
Which myth names link to eclipses?
Rahu, Ketu, Skoll, Hati, and Bakunawa are the best-known eclipse beasts.
Can I shorten a long eclipse-inspired name?
Yes, Ecliptica works as Ecli or Tica, and Penumbra works as Pen or Umbra.
Conclusion
Names that mean eclipse are rare, but this list shows how many choices you really have. From Eclipsa and Selene to Skoll, Kaguya, and Syzygy, there is a name here for every mood.
Take your time, say your favorites out loud, and trust the one that feels right. Whether you picked a literal eclipse word, a moon goddess, or a shadowy surname, it will carry a story.
Your perfect eclipse-inspired name is waiting.
Dur e Nayab is the writer behind Elariva Names, sharing meaningful names, their origins, meanings, and naming inspiration to help readers discover names they truly love.
