9 Uplifting Baby Names Inspired By Rainbows

Rainbows are a symbol of hope and new beginnings, which is often what parents feel when welcoming a new bundle of joy. The term "rainbow baby" refers to a baby who is born after experiencing a pregnancy loss, which brings light and brightness after the storm of grief and heartbreak. Whether you are expecting your rainbow baby or you just love colorful, light-filled rainbows — and the miracle of hope they represent — there are many pretty, rainbow-inspired baby names perfect for your little one.

Some names are obviously tied to the rainbow, like one of the seven colors, while others have more hidden ties to this beautiful, refracted light. There are even names with hopeful meanings (just like a rainbow itself) that would work perfectly for your baby. Whether you're looking for girl, boy, or even unisex names, we've curated the perfect list of rainbow-inspired baby names for you.

Kicking off the list is Rainbow, of course! Of British origin, Rainbow is a girl's name that means "arc of multicolored light." Isn't that so pretty? Rainbow is a bold, nature-inspired name with tons of nickname possibilities, including Rainy and Bow. If you love rainbows or have a rainbow baby, then why not go for an obvious (and totally cute!) choice.

Is red your favorite color of the rainbow? Give your baby a name worthy of this strong, powerful color by going with Flynn. This Irish name means "red," and it's such a short and sweet baby boy name. It would make a great moniker for a little redhead or any baby who has a fiery spirit.

Rainbows are colorful beams of light, which is why we love the name, Lux. This Latin name means "light," and it's perfect for your baby boy, who is the shining light of your life. It sounds tough with its strong -x ending and is different enough from similar names like Luke to stand out.

Violet is the final color of the rainbow (one of the prettiest) and means "purple." If you give your baby girl this name, she will share it with the purple flower, and the name will instantly invoke feelings of the rich hue. It's no wonder it is ranked No. 13 on the U.S. Social Security Administration's top 2025 baby names list.

Iris isn't just a pretty flower name — it's also a gorgeous name that translates to "rainbow" in Greek. This iridescent baby name is perfect for your vibrant girl, and is a great way to pay tribute to the rainbow in a more subtle way if that's what you prefer.

Indigo is one of the seven colors of the rainbow, and it also makes for a wonderful unisex name. It's the name of the blue dye that comes from the indigo plant. It's also the color of the third eye chakra in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, signifying wisdom and intuition. It also lends itself to the cute nickname, Indy. 

The bows of the rainbow are the arcs or curves you see in the phenomenon's shape. If you love that inspiration, you can opt to name your little one, Beau, with a slightly different spelling but lovely meaning nonetheless for your son. Beau comes from Old French and means "beautiful" or "handsome."

Rainbows light up the sky with their beauty, which is why we love the name, Aero. This Greek name means "air" and also signifies "to raise" or "to lift up." To see rainbows, you have to raise your eyes upward and look ahead, so giving your baby boy this name could give him a little head start on looking at life with a positive outlook.

In the Bible, the rainbow represents God's covenant to never destroy humanity again after Noah's Ark, making it a symbol of hope. A name that reflects this meaning is Amaris, a baby girl name of Hebrew origin that means "promised by God." What a beautiful reminder if you hope to instill the importance of faith in your daughter as she grows.