16 of the 'sunniest' baby names for those born around summer solstice
Falling on Saturday 21 June, summer solstice is the longest day of the year and, for those who follow the astronomical calendar, the beginning of summer.
Boasting the most hours of daylight and the shortest night, it's a date that's been celebrated throughout history. The stones of the ancient monument of Stonehenge are aligned to frame the rising sun on summer solstice, and the Celtic people used to light bonfires on the longest day to boost the sun's strength for the crop season.
So if you're expecting a child around this date, which is also the birthday of Prince William, you may wish to honour the sun and the summer months with your baby name choice.
"Choosing a name linked to the season your baby is born is really meaningful and summer is a particularly popular season," baby name consultant and author of Baby Name Envy, SJ Strum, tells Yahoo UK.
"Summer is uplifting and evocative of family time and making memories, with summer-inspired names bringing that same sunny feel all year round."
Sharing some summery choices she says, "Cove and Skye make gorgeous nature options that remind you of the beach, and Luca and Nell — meaning bright and shining — bring the long sunny days to life in a name. If you have a special holiday spot, like Orlando or Devon, that could make a great name with personal meaning, too."
She also suggests looking to the highlights of your summer for inspiration. "Maybe Tor as a nod to Glastonbury, or Katie inspired by Wimbledon tennis star Katie Boulter."
Whether it's a subtle nod to the season like Dahlia, then, or a more literal choice like August, there are lots of sunshine names to choose from. Here are some of our favourites:
A name that brings to mind warm, sunny days, Summer is the 86th most popular girls' name in England and Wales, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a choice that's unusual enough not everyone in your child's class will share it, but not so rare they'll need to spell it out at coffee shops.
An English name, meaning gold, Goldie is reminiscent of sunshine. Most commonly used as a girls' name, the most famous Goldie is undoubtedly Goldie Hawn. It's also the name Harry Potter star Rupert Grint chose for his youngest daughter, Goldie G. Grint, born in April.
Of Latin origin and relating to the sixth month of the year, the name June is also linked to the Roman goddess Juno, a protector of the nation and women, according to baby naming site The Bump. For names with a similar feel, try Junie or Juniper, meaning evergreen.
An ancient Roman name meaning 'sun', per Nameberry, Aelia has the appeal of popular names like Ella and Isla but with a fresh, unusual spin.
The birthstone for June, Pearl is derived from the Old English word 'perle', according to Ancestry.com. Referring to the gemstone and with connotations of the sea and purity, both Jack Osbourne and comedian Josh Widdicombe have daughters named Pearl.
July's birthstone, Ruby, has English roots and stems from the Old French word rubeus, per Ancestry.com. Representing the red gemstone, it ranks at number 39 in the most popular girls' names in England and Wales.
The name of an Irish goddess, often associated with sun and the summer, Áine – pronounced 'Awn-ya' means 'gracious' or 'merciful', according to Ancestry.com.
Take name inspiration from a flower that blooms in the summer months, such as a Dahlia, named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Other summer flower names include Rose, Jasmine, Lavender and Daisy.
The Irish word for August, Lúnasa has similarities to the popular girls' name Luna but with a fresh spin. Perfect for babies born in the last month of the summer.
A name with strong, summer vibes, Sol comes from the Spanish word for 'sun'. It can also be used as a shortening of the Hebrew name Solomon, meaning 'peace', per BabyCentre.
With Latin and Greek origins, the name Elio comes from the world Aelius and Helios, meaning 'sun'. It's a name that's found in a number of countries across the globe, including Italy and Spain.
The name chosen by Princess Eugenie for her son, August derives from the Latin name Augustus and means 'great', according to The Bump. The month of August was named after the Roman emperor Augustus Octavian.
Of Romanian origin, Sorin is derived from the word soare and means 'sun', per The Bump. It is found as both a surname and a first name, making it a strong, versatile choice.
The fifth sign of the zodiac, Leo is the star sign for those born between 23 July and 22 August. A name of Latin origin, it means 'lion'. A popular choice in England and Wales, it currently sits at number five in the boys' name charts.
While Sonny derives from Anglo Saxon and means 'son', per The Bump, it's a homonym for the word 'sunny' with all its summer connotations.
With Hebrew origins, the name Samson, which can be shortened to Sam or Sammy, is derived from the word shemesh, meaning 'sun', per Ancestry.com. It's also linked to the biblical figure Samson, who was known for his strength.
Read more about baby names:
11 celestial baby names as Coronation Street star takes inspiration for newborn (Yahoo Like UK, 3-min read)
How the most popular baby girl names in the UK compare with the US (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
9 old-fashioned baby names as Laura Kenny takes vintage inspiration for newborn (Yahoo Life, 6-min read)
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