"dawn"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Aurora
Pronunciation: [ er-AWR-uh ]
Girl Name
#16 Most Popular
Rising
4 Syllables
The goddess of dawn — luminous and legendary
English
Italian
Spanish
Scandinavian
American
Whimsical
Elegant
Vintage
Earthy
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"the dawn goddess"
Origin: Roman mythology
Language: Latin
"golden light"
Origin: Latin
Language: Italian
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.
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
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
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
Common Nicknames
Rory
Rori
Aura
Pairs Well With
Aurora Rose
Aurora Jane
Aurora Grace
Aurora Claire
Aurora Faye
Aurora Maeve
Aurora Skye
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Aurora is also used as a boy name, ranked #15766.
View Aurora as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.