Find out how popular the first name Luna has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Luna by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Luna is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Luna being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7,811 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Luna.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby boys were named Luna in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Luna

Luna is a feminine given name with origins dating back to ancient Roman times. It comes from the Latin word "luna" which means "moon". The name is derived from the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna.

In ancient Roman mythology, Luna was the divine embodiment of the moon and the daughter of the gods Hyperion and Theia. She was often depicted as a beautiful woman riding a chariot pulled by white horses or oxen. The worship of Luna was widespread throughout the Roman Empire and her name became a popular choice for baby girls born during the full moon.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Luna can be found in the writings of the Roman poet Ovid, who lived from 43 BC to 17 AD. In his work "Fasti", Ovid refers to the goddess Luna and her role in the Roman religious calendar.

Throughout history, there have been several notable women named Luna. One of the most famous was Luna Baglioni (1532-1593), an Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts who was known for her beauty and intelligence. Another notable Luna was Luna Mikhaylovna Kosmodemyanskaya (1923-1942), a Soviet partisan and World War II hero who was executed by the Nazis for her resistance activities.

In the realm of literature, Luna Lovegood is a beloved character in the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling. She was introduced in the fifth book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", published in 2003, and became a fan favorite for her quirky personality and loyalty to her friends.

Other famous women named Luna include Luna Rioumina (1899-1954), a Russian ballerina and choreographer, and Luna Park (1868-1944), an American actress and vaudeville performer.

While the name Luna has its roots in ancient Roman times, it has remained a popular choice for baby girls throughout the centuries, with its association with the moon and its celestial connotations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Luna was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Luna, please contact us.

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