"dawn"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Aurora
Pronunciation: [ er-AWR-uh ]
Does Aurora flow with your last name?
The goddess of dawn — luminous and legendary
English
Italian
Spanish
Scandinavian
American
Whimsical
Elegant
Vintage
Earthy
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Aurora
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Aurora
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"the dawn goddess"
Origin: Roman mythology
Language: Latin
"golden light"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Aurora
See all →What the Aurora report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Aurora the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Aurora
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Aurora head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Aurora actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Aurora
Aurora is the Latin word for dawn and was the name of the Roman goddess of the dawn, equivalent to the Greek Eos. In Roman mythology, Aurora would ride across the sky each morning in her chariot, opening the gates of heaven for the sun. The word gives us aurora borealis (northern lights), literally northern dawn, named for their resemblance to the glow of daybreak.
Aurora climbed dramatically from outside the top 100 to the top 40 in the US between 2000 and 2020. Sleeping Beauty's Aurora (also known as Briar Rose) from Disney's 1959 classic provided a beloved fairy tale association, and the surge in nature-inspired and celestial names carried it further.
The aurora borealis has inspired awe across northern cultures for millennia. In Roman religion, Aurora was among the most beloved of the nature deities, representing hope and renewal each morning. The name is used identically across Italian, Spanish, French and English, giving it rare international uniformity.
Historical Record
Aurora first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 82,448 babies have been named Aurora in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Aurora is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #16 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Aurora borealis (northern lights) is named after the Roman goddess of dawn
- Sleeping Beauty's real name in the Disney version is Aurora, though she is known as Briar Rose while in hiding
- Aurora is one of the few names used identically across Italian, Spanish, German, and English
Aurora in Other Languages
French
Aurore
German
Aurora
Italian
Aurora
Spanish
Aurora
Japanese
オーロラ
Portuguese
Aurora
Popularity Over Time
#16
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Aurora
A
Aurora Aksnes
Musician
1996
Norwegian singer-songwriter known professionally as Aurora, known for her ethereal indie pop style
A
Aurora Ramazzotti
Entertainer
1996
Italian TV personality and daughter of singer Eros Ramazzotti and Michelle Hunziker
A
Aurora (singer)
Musician
1996
Norwegian singer-songwriter known for ethereal indie pop and folk music
A
Aurora Cantu
Athlete
1986
American track and field athlete who competed in the Olympics
A
Aurora (Roman goddess)
Other
Roman goddess of the dawn who opened the gates of heaven for the sun each morning
A
Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) Fictional
Other
Disney princess protagonist of Sleeping Beauty (1959), cursed by Maleficent and awakened by true love's kiss
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #16
- Total SSA Count
- 6,917
- Cultural Origins
- English Italian Spanish Scandinavian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Rory
Rori
Aura
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Aurora
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Aurora fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Aurora is also used as a boy name, ranked #15766.
View Aurora as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Aurora →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Aurora with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Aurora
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Aurora and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Aurora sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Alana
Girl
Celtic/Gaelic origin
"precious child, darling"
#143 in US
Ivy
Girl
Old English origin
"ivy plant"
#36 in US
Athena
Girl
Ancient Greek origin
"immortal (folk etymology)"
#90 in US
Paisley
Girl
Scottish Gaelic origin
"place name: town in Scotland"
#61 in US
Myla
Girl
Slavic origin
"gracious, dear, beloved"
#186 in US
Naomi
Girl
Japanese origin
"straight beauty"
#44 in US
Madison
Girl
American English origin
"An English surname turned first name;..."
#46 in US
Blakely
Girl
Old English origin
"pale meadow"
#158 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Aurora's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora
What does the name Aurora mean?
"dawn" (from Latin). "the dawn goddess" (from Roman mythology). "golden light" (from Latin). Aurora is the Latin word for dawn and was the name of the Roman goddess of the dawn, equivalent to the Greek Eos. In Roman mythology, Aurora would ride across the sky each morning in her chariot, opening the gates of heaven for the sun. The word gives us aurora borealis (northern lights), literally northern dawn, named for their resemblance to the glow of daybreak.
What is the origin of the name Aurora?
Aurora has Latin, Roman mythology, English, Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Latin, it means "dawn". In Roman mythology, it means "the dawn goddess". In Latin, it means "golden light".
Is Aurora a boy or girl name?
Aurora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #16. As a boy name, it is ranked #15766. Aurora is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Aurora?
Aurora is pronounced er-AWR-uh.
How popular is the name Aurora?
Aurora is currently ranked #16 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Aurora?
Common nicknames for Aurora include Rory, Rori, and Aura.
What are good middle names for Aurora?
Popular middle name pairings include Aurora Rose, Aurora Jane, Aurora Grace, Aurora Claire, Aurora Faye, Aurora Maeve, and Aurora Skye.
What are good sibling names for Aurora?
Names that pair well with Aurora as siblings include Atlas, Luna, Orion, Celeste, Felix, Iris, and Cassius.
How many syllables does Aurora have?
Aurora has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Aurora a common or rare name?
Aurora is a very popular name, ranked #16 among girl names in the United States.
About the Name Aurora
Aurora is a girl name with English, Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, and American origins . The name means "dawn" in Latin .
Is Aurora a boy or girl name? Aurora is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #16 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,766. Aurora is more commonly used as a girl name.
Aurora is currently ranked #16 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Aurora has 4 syllables and is pronounced er-AWR-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Aurora include Rory, Rori, and Aura. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
A
Names Starting with A
More girl names like Aurora
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis