"rising in the sky, boundary"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Orion
Pronunciation: [ ohr-EYE-uhn ]
Does Orion flow with your last name?
A mythological hunter shining bright in the sky
English
American
Greek
Bold
Mythological
Strong
Unique
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"light of heaven"
Origin: Akkadian
Language: Ancient Near East
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The Story of Orion
Orion is the name of a legendary giant huntsman from Greek mythology, placed among the stars by Zeus after his death. The name likely derives from the Greek 'hōrion' meaning boundary or horizon, or possibly from the Akkadian 'Uru-anna' meaning light of heaven. Orion appears in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, visible from every inhabited continent.
Orion's rise as a baby name accelerated in the 2010s as mythological and space-themed names gained mainstream popularity. Parents drawn to Atlas, Sirius, and Titan often consider Orion. The name benefits from both its mythological depth and its cosmic associations.
The Orion constellation has been significant across many cultures. The ancient Egyptians aligned the three pyramids at Giza with Orion's Belt. In Greco-Roman mythology, Orion was the greatest hunter who ever lived. In Japanese mythology, the constellation is called Mitsuboshi (three stars) and has separate cultural significance.
Historical Record
Orion first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 21,230 babies have been named Orion in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Orion is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #326 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The three stars of Orion's Belt align with the three Great Pyramids of Giza
- The Orion Nebula (M42) is the closest stellar nursery to Earth, visible to the naked eye on a clear night
Orion in Other Languages
Greek
Ωρίων
Arabic
أوريون
French
Orion
Spanish
Orión
Japanese
オリオン
Popularity Over Time
#326
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Orion
O
Orion Acaba
Entertainer
1982
American voice actor known for his work on Critical Role and numerous animated series
O
Orion (Greek Mythology) Fictional
Other
Giant huntsman in Greek mythology, son of Poseidon, transformed into the most brilliant constellation in the sky
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #326
- Total SSA Count
- 1,061
- Cultural Origins
- English American Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Ori
Rion
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Orion
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Orion is also used as a girl name, ranked #4389.
View Orion as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Orion
What does the name Orion mean?
"rising in the sky, boundary" (from Greek). "light of heaven" (from Akkadian). Orion is the name of a legendary giant huntsman from Greek mythology, placed among the stars by Zeus after his death. The name likely derives from the Greek 'hōrion' meaning boundary or horizon, or possibly from the Akkadian 'Uru-anna' meaning light of heaven. Orion appears in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky, visible from every inhabited continent.
What is the origin of the name Orion?
Orion has Greek, Akkadian, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "rising in the sky, boundary". In Akkadian, it means "light of heaven".
Is Orion a boy or girl name?
Orion is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #326. As a girl name, it is ranked #4389. Orion is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Orion?
Orion is pronounced ohr-EYE-uhn.
How popular is the name Orion?
Orion is currently ranked #326 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Orion?
Common nicknames for Orion include Ori and Rion.
What are good middle names for Orion?
Popular middle name pairings include Orion James, Orion Alexander, Orion Cole, Orion Blake, and Orion Reid.
What are good sibling names for Orion?
Names that pair well with Orion as siblings include Atlas, Perseus, Cassian, Lyra, Aurora, and Caspian.
How many syllables does Orion have?
Orion has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Orion a common or rare name?
Orion is a popular name, ranked #326 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Orion
Orion is a boy name with English, American, and Greek origins . The name means "rising in the sky, boundary" in Greek .
Is Orion a boy or girl name? Orion is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #326 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,389. Orion is more commonly used as a boy name.
Orion is currently ranked #326 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Orion has 3 syllables and is pronounced ohr-EYE-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Orion include Ori and Rion. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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