Name meanings #1: "Light"

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Since I feel like my posts are lacking in variety of theme, I thought I'd try something new and talk about names with a particular meaning. This time round, I'll start with "light" which is one of my favourite meanings as I think it can be very meaningful (of course, haha). 

Noor

Noor is mostly of Arabic origins, and is a variation of Nur, a transcription. al-Nur is also one of the 99 names of Allah. Noor can also be of Dutch and Limburgish usage, as a short form of Eleonora, which is a variation of Eleanor. In England and Wales, Noor ranked at #348 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #983 a year later.

Liora

Liora is a feminisation of Lior, which is of Hebrew origins. A variation of Liora can be Liorit, too. Liora and its male counterpart Lior are rare names in both England and Wales and the United States. 

Aurora

Aurora is of Latin origins and, whilst it means "dawn", which is associated with light; another associate with Aurora and light is the aurora borealis, or the Northern lights. Aurora was also the Roman Goddess of morning. In England and Wales, Aurora ranked at #200 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #79 a year later.

Helena

Helena is the Latin form of Helen, which itself is of Greek origins and has a meaning of "torch". Saint Helena was a fourth century saint who was the mother of Emperor Constantine. In England and Wales, Helena last appeared on the popularity charts in 2008, where it ranked at #475, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #419 a year later.

Nera

Nera is an unusual name of Hebrew origins and is the feminisation of Nero, which itself is of Ancient Roman origins. It has a meaning of "candle; light" and is most commonly given to Jewish baby girls who are born around Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light. 

Seraphina

Seraphina is of Latin origins and is a feminisation of Seraphinus, which has a meaning of "fiery ones". In English speaking communities, Seraphina is a rather rare name. A spelling variation can be Serafina. 

Lucian

Lucian is the English form of Lucianus, which is a Roman family name derived from Lucius. In England and Wales, Lucian ranked at #475 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #634 in the popularity charts a year later. 

Ignatius

Ignatius comes from another Roman family name, this time Egnatius. In Latin, it has a meaning of "fire". It is a rare name, though in the United States, it last made an appearance on the popularity charts in 1930, where it had a ranking of #755.

Abner

Abner is of Hebrew origins and has a meaning of "my father is a light". In the Old Testament, Abner was Saul's cousin. Abner was first used in English when the Puritans introduced it. It was very popular during the Protestant Reformation, however in recent times it has become an unusual name and last appeared on the American popularity charts in 1933, where it had a ranking of #927. 

Happy Independence Day! 4th of July names

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Even though I'm from England, since it's the 4th of July today, I wanted to make a post about names related to the celebrations. Happy Independence Day to my American readers!

Liberty

Liberty comes from the English word, which itself is derived from the Latin libertas, which has a meaning of "free". In England and Wales, Liberty ranked at #386 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #558 a year later.

Betsy

Betsy Ross was an American patriot who was ordered to sow the first ever American flag. Her name is a diminutive of Elizabeth, which has a meaning of "my God is an oath". In England and Wales, Betsy ranked at #144 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it hasn't appeared on the charts since 2006, where it had a ranking of #744.

Julia

Another alternative for July, the month of Independence Day, Julia has a meaning of "downy-bearded" as being derived from Julius. However, Julius (and Julia) could be related to the Roman God, Jupiter. In England and Wales, Julia ranked at #97 in 2014, whereas in the United States, it had a ranking of #89 in the popularity charts a year later.

Hope

Hope comes from the English word, which itself is derived from the Old English word hopian. Hope was first used as a name by seventeenth century Puritans, though is also a relevant name for an Independence Day baby. In England and Wales, Hope ranked at #151 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #231 that same year.

Amara

This interesting alternative is another name for America, and has a meaning of "grace" in the Nigerian Igbo language. In England and Wales, Amara ranked at #295 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #461 a year later.

George

George Washington was the name of one of the first American Presidents. His name has a meaning of "farmer; earthworker" and is of Greek origins, originally coming from the name γεωργος (georgos). In England and Wales, George ranked at #7 in the popularity charts in 2014, whereas in the United States, it had a ranking of #135 a year later. 

Franklin

Franklin was the name of Benjamin Franklin, who is considered to be the founding father of the United States. His name has a meaning of "freeman" as being derived from an English surname, which itself came from the Middle English word frankelin. In England and Wales, Franklin ranked at #328 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it had a ranking of #443 a year later.

Abraham

Abraham was the name of another president, Abraham Lincoln. His name is of Hebrew origins and has a meaning of "father of many". In England and Wales, Abraham ranked at #475 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #170 a year later.

John

John Kennedy, or "JFK" as he is also known, was the 35th President of the United States. His name is the English form of Iohannes, which itself is derived from Yochanan, a Hebrew name meaning "Yahweh is gracious". In England and Wales, John had a ranking of #101 in the popularity charts in 2014, whilst in the United States, it ranked at #26 in the popularity charts a year later.