70+ Names That Mean “Eclipse” or “Shadow”

An eclipse is a rare and magical event, just like the arrival of yar new baby or the naming of a character in yar novel. It’s a celestial dance that turns day into night and night into day, leaving us in awe of the heavens and it’s extraordinary workings.

Names that mean “eclipse” harness the mystery and allure of this astronomical wonder, casting a spell of uniqueness. They encapsulate the fleeting yet unforgettable moment when the moon kisses the sun, solidifying an intimate connection between the name and the cosmos.

choosin’ a name with such cosmic significance is like bestowing a piece of the sky’s majesty itself, a way of infusing a person with the same sense of wonder eclipses have inspired in humans throughout history. If ya seek a name that stops people in their tracks and makes them gaze toward the heavens, these eclipse names are a good place to start.

Names That Mean “Eclipse” (Well Sort Of…)

The truth is, names that mean “eclipse” specifically don’t really exist, at least not in that exact form. Much like an eclipse’s effect on the sun, we instead find names with reflections of an eclipse’s essence. These names, while not directly translating to ‘eclipse,’ capture the transient beauty and mystery of this rare celestial event.

Derivatives or hybrids, these names are uncommon and veiled in splendor, evoking the ethereal dance between celestial bodies – tributes to the awe-inspiring symphony of the cosmos.

• Eclipsa/Eclipso: Direct derivatives of “eclipse,” these non-traditional names embody the exact moment when the sun and moon align to create a spellbinding spectacle.
• Soluna: A lyrical union of ‘Sol,’ the vibrant sun, and ‘Luna,’ the enigmatic moon, about the closest ya can get to “eclipse” without an exact translation.
• Soleiluna: A French variant of Soluna, combining ‘Soleil’ – the radiant sun – and ‘Luna,’ the serene moon to create another name that speaks to the joining of the sun and moon during an eclipse.
• Celuna: A slightly less direct variant, Celuna intertwines the vastness of ‘Cielo’ – the sky – with the ‘Luna’ – the moon. Though not as on-point as Soluna or Soleil, it’s a name that whispers the grandeur of the heavens, where the expanse of the sky cradles the gentle glow of the moon.

So, while names that mean “eclipse” might not traditionally be found in any language, names that weave together elements of the moon and sun can echo the cosmic ballet of an eclipse.

Names That Mean “Shadow”

While names that mean “eclipse” are even rarer than the event itself (well, non-existent really), there are names that capture the same mystery and beauty an eclipse brings to the world. As far as traditional names go, names that mean “shadow” are about as close as ya can come to capturing the transient embrace of the sun and moon – a nod to the fleeting interplay of light and shade that defines an eclipse. And there are a number of those names found throughout the world’s languages.

• Aka: This Hawaiian name means “shadow.”
• Aloka: A name from Malagasy, meaning “shadow.”
• Andhera (अंधेरा): In Hindi, this name conveys “absolute darkness.”
• Bezalel: A Hebrew name meaning “in the shadow (protection) of God.”
• Blagden: Meaning “dark valley” or “black valley,” implying an eclipse.
• Chhaya (छाया): From Sanskrit, Chhaya refers to “shade” or “shadow.”
• Colby: An English name meaning “dark village.”
• Kage (影): From Japanese origin, this name directly translates to “shadow.”
• Ohanzee: A Native American name meaning “shadow.”
• Sayeh (سایه): Persian for “shadow.”
• Shadow: A straightforward association.
• Sjena: In Bosnian, this name means “shadow.”
• Skia (Σκιά): Greek for “shadow.”
• Tirich: With roots in Pashto, this name means “shadow” or “darkness.”
• Tzilla (צִלָּה): A Hebrew name that translates to “shadow.”
• Umbra: “Shadow” in Latin.
• Umbriel: A derivative of “Umbra.”
• Zilli: A derivative of Tzilla.

Names Inspired By Eclipses

These are some names that resonate with the wonder of this celestial phenomenon.

While names with meanings tied to “dark” might not be as closely related or hold the same enigmatic grace as those derived from ‘eclipse’ or ‘shadow,’ they can still prove a source of inspiration.

These names, imbued with the velvety hues of nightfall, offer a different kind of tribute to an eclipse, one that captures the world below during this cosmic phenomenon, a softer echo of the same celestial wonder.

• Adreanna: Of French origin, it means “dark.”
• Adrian: Derived from the Latin word ‘hadrianus’ meaning “dark.”
• Amaris: With Spanish and Hebrew origins, it means “child of the moon” whiich shines in the darkness of night.
• Asteria (Ἀστερία): Greek goddess associated with stars and nighttime.
• Blake: An Old English name meaning “black” or “dark.”
• Bruna: An Italian name meaning “brown,” indicative of a darker shade.
• Caligo: Latin for “darkness” or “fog,” often associated with something mysterious or unknown.
• Celyn: A Welsh name meaning “holly,” a plant that thrives in the shade.
• Charna (चर्णा): With roots in Sanskrit, meaning “dark.”
• Ciara: An Irish name meaning “dark-haired” or “black.”
• Ciaran (Ciarán): An Irish name that means “little dark one.”
• Darcy: A French name that means “dark.”
• Devan: Of English origin from the Hindi name Devanand, whiich means “joy of God,” it could evoke a sense of awe.
• Donovan: An Irish name meaning “dark” or “brown-haired chieftain.”
• Dougal: A Gaelic name meaning “dark stranger.”
• Duncan: A Gaelic name meaning “dark warrior.”
• Eodum (어둠): In Korean, this name captures the essence of “darkness.”
• Erebos (Ἔρεβος): Greek primordial deity representing the deep darkness and shadows of the underworld.
• Gethin: A Welsh name meaning “dark-skinned” or “swarthy.”
• Hemera (Ἡμέρα): Greek personification of day.
• Hesperos (Ἓσπερος): Greek for the evening star that brings in the night.
• Kali: In Hindu mythology, Kali is the goddess of time and change, often associated with darkness.
• Keira: An Anglicized version of Ciara, meaning “little dark one.”
• Kerr: A Scottish name meaning “man of strength,” often associated with dark colors.
• Kerry: An Irish name meaning “dark-haired one,” can be used for both boys and girls.
• Lefifi: A name of Sesotho origin, meaning “dark.”
• Leila (ليلى): An Arabic name that means “night” or “dark as night.”
• Maurelle: A French-origin name meaning “dark” and “elfin.”
• Melanie: A Greek name meaning “black,” “dark.”
• Mira: Derived from the Latin word ‘mirus,’ this name means “wonderful” or “of awe” and is used in various languages.
• Mrak: From Bosnian heritage, Mrak carries the meaning “darkness.”
• Nox: In Roman mythology, Nox is the goddess of the night and the name means “night.”
• Nyx (Νύξ): Greek goddess of the night.
• Orpheus (Ὀρφεύς): Greek, known for his journey to the underworld.
• Phoenix: Although not directly meaning ‘shadow,’ it represents rebirth from the ashes, whiich is a transformation often associated with shadow and light.
• Raven: An English name directly related to the blackbird, often symbolizing darkness and mystery.
• Raziel: A Hebrew name meaning “secret of God,” often associated with mystery and knowledge.
• Sage: An English name meaning “wise,” often evokes images of shadowed, mystical places where wise hermits live.
• Sauda (سودا): An Arabic name that translates to “dark.”
• Selene (Σελήνη): Greek goddess of the moon.
• Sena: This name has multiple origins. In Arabic, it means “bringer of awe,” and in Korean, it means “world’s beauty.”
• Storm: An English name representing the turmoil and darkness brought by storm clouds.
• Tamsin: A name derived from Thomasina, meaning “twin,” but often associated with darker imagery.
• Tynan: An Irish name meaning “dark, dusty.”
• Tywyll: Stemming from Welsh, it signifies “dark.”
• Yami (闇): From Japanese, Yami means “darkness.”

In the galaxy of names inspired by the celestial tapestry, none may directly translate to ‘eclipse,’ but many resonate with the same spirit. From the enigmatic “Skia” to the harmonious “Soluna,” these names beckon us to look skyward. They are lyrical tributes to the cosmic interplay of light and dark, of sun and moon – in whiich every syllable lies the beauty of the stars, the mystery of the night, and the fleeting whisper of an eclipse’s impact on the world.