Names That Mean Lightning – 65 Ideas For Boys And Girls
Choosing a powerful name for your child is a gift, especially if it is a name that means lightning. Lightning and thunderstorms are symbols of strength and turbulence associated with the uncontainable might of nature. They are often associated with war and fighting.
However, lightning also stands for energy, brightness, and inspiration, beautiful words to declare over a child. Let’s look at 65 names that mean lightning.
25 Boy Names That Mean Lightning
Naming a boy after this impressive weather phenomenon suggests strength, power, courage, and victory, all positive characteristics. Here are 25 names for a lightning-charged boy.
1. Adad
Adad or Hadad is a powerful boy’s name that means “thunder” or “storm” in Urdu. It is often given to Muslim boys and refers to the ancient god of thunder in Assyria.
2. Asteropaios
Asteropaios, Asterope, or Steropes are versions of a Greek name that means “lightning.” In Greek mythology, Asteropaios was the river god Axios’s grandson and an ally of Troy during the Trojan wars. He is said to have fought Achilles and drawn blood but was ultimately killed in the battle. Steropes, another version of the same name, was one of the Cyclops in Greek myth.
3. Barak
Barak, Barack, or Baraq means “lightning” or “blessing” in Hebrew and other Semitic languages. In the Judaeo-Christian Bible, Barak was a military commander under the prophet Deborah’s leadership, who defeated the Canaanite army. The name is given to both Jewish and Arab boys and became famous as the name of the United States’ first African-American president.
4. Barachiel
Barachiel means “lightning of God” or “blessing of God” in Hebrew. One of the seven archangels in the Christian Eastern Orthodox church is named Barachiel.
5. Birûsk
Also spelled Birusk, this name means “lightning” in Kurdish. “Biru” is a cute nickname.
6. Burak
This Arabic name is derived from the word meaning “lightning.” Burak or Buraq refers to the horse-like creature from Islamic tradition that transported the Prophet, Mohammed.
7. Býleistr
This ancient Norse name means “bee-lightning” and can be spelled Býleistr or Byleist. The name was given to Loki’s brother, a giant and weather spirit in Norse mythology, sometimes associated with the Norse god Thor.
8. Corentin
This French name means “storm/tempest” or “hurricane.” Corentin is also the name of an ancient Breton saint who possessed a magical fish that he could eat but would reappear daily.
9. İldırım
This Azerbaijani name is also popular in Turkmenistan, where it is spelled Ýyldyrym, and in Turkey, where it is spelled Yıldırım. Although İldırım literally means “lightning,” it is associated with moving quickly, so the English translation would be “speedy.”
10. Guntur
This fascinating name has ancient origins, meaning “thunder” in Hindi. Guntur is also the old Norse word for “thunderstorm,” and the name Gunther has come to mean “warrior” in Scandinavia and Germany.
11. Kaytsak
Although Kaytsak means “lightning” or “spark” in Armenian, it refers to the brightness of thinking and wit.
Related post: Names that mean Spark
12. Odeserundiye
The name of a Mohawk chief, Odeserundiye, means “lightning has struck.” This name is rarely used but has great stature and dignity.
13. Paylak
Paylak is an Armenian boy’s name, specifically referring to the bright light emitted by lightning.
14. Rai
Of Japanese origin, the name Rai (RYE-ee) means “lightning” but has a second meaning as well, “trust.” The combination of strength and reliability gives the name a particularly powerful connotation.
Related post: Names that mean Fear
15. Raiki
Derived from the Japanese name Rai, Raiki joins the word “lightning” to the word for “brightness” or “hope,” creating a beautiful, optimistic boy’s name.
16. Raiden
Raiden also comes from the Japanese name Rai and refers to the thunder and lightning accompanying a rainstorm. The name is a version of Raijin, the Japanese god or spirit of thunder, and is very trendy in Japan, both for humans and dogs.
17. Ramman
Ramman is the Akkadian (ancient Babylonian) name for the god Adad, the Assyrian spirit of thunder and storms. The name is used for Muslim boys.
18. Shant
This beautiful name means “lightning bolt” in Armenian. However, Shant has another meaning in Hindi, which is quite the opposite: “calm.” The combination of strength and peace makes this name particularly interesting.
19. Stymir
Stymir is a Scandinavian boy’s name associated with the wind accompanying a storm. It is also spelled Stymer, with Sturm and Stormer as variants.
Related post: Names that mean Night
20. Thor
This famous name is known to refer to the Norse god of thunder, lightning, and the sky. Although the name has been popularized by movies, the original Thor was a fierce spirit who wielded a hammer and was associated with war and victory in battle.
Related post: Names that mean Victory
21. Şimşek
More common as a last name than a first name, Şimşek means “flash of lightning” in Turkish.
22. Veton
Veton is an Albanian name that specifically refers to the bright flash or sparkle of lightning.
23. Vigge
The Scandinavian word vigg means lightning and is offered as one of the origins of the name Vigge. Also spelled Vigi, the name is associated with war or battles, likely because of Thor’s link to thunder and lightning. Other variants include Vigg, Vigga, and Viggo, as in Viggo Mortensen, the famous actor.
24. Xob
This short, masculine name is from the Hmong people of China. Xob can mean both “lightning” and “thunder.”
25. Zryan
Zryan or Zarayan is a Kurdish name popularly given to Muslim boys. It means “great storm” and is a powerful name.
25 Girl Names That Mean Lightning
Giving a girl a name linked to lightning, thunder, and storms suggests a person with strength of character, assertiveness, natural or sparkling beauty. Here are 25 names for a spirited girl.
1. Adhira
This charming Hindi name, Adhira, means “divine white lightning” and is associated with speed, strength, and restlessness.
2. Aella
Aella and Aellopus are Greek names, both derived from the word meaning “storm, whirlwind, and lightning.” In Greek mythology, Aella was an Amazon who attacked Hercules. The name is associated with swift movement, lightning fast.
Related posts (about fast runners and quick hands): Names that mean Fast and Names that mean Thief
3. Araverá
This unusual name comes from the mythology of the Guarani people in Brazil. Araverá was a beautiful princess living in the sky, and the name means lightning or sparkle in the sky.
You might also enjoy reading: Names that Mean Sky
4. Ashni
Ashni, Aashni, or Aasgni is a Hindi girl’s name. The name can have several meanings, but one of the most commonly used is “lightning.”
5. Asterope
Asterope, Sterope, and Astrape are feminine versions of the Greek name Asteropaios. While the word means “lightning,” it also suggests “starry-eyed.” This meaning is evident in the Greek myth of the naiad Asterope who died fleeing Aesacus as a shooting star that fell to earth. Asterope is also an variant of the name of the Pleiad Sterope. At the same time, Astrape is the Greek goddess of lightning whom the Romans called Fulgora.
6. Bijuli
Bijuli means “lightning” in Nepali, Hindi, and Urdu. The name is linked to power and success, making Bijuli a popular name for Indian girls.
7. Brekhna
From the Pashto or Afghani language, the name Brekhna means “lightning.”
8. Bronte
Pronounced “Bron-TAY,” this Greek name refers to the sound of thunder and lightning. In Gaelic, Bronte means “giver,” creating a name that implies a bestower of noise and color.
9. Burza
Burza is a Polish name referring to a violent thunderstorm. Traditionally, this name is given to redheads, supposedly known for their fiery temperaments.
10. Damini
A Hindi girl’s name, Damini’s association with lightning is with its natural brilliance and beauty. Another version of the word is Saudamini.
11. Dima
This Arabic name is popular in Russia and in Arab cultures. Dima means “incessant rain accompanied by thunder and lightning,” suggesting that the child is a strong fighter.
12. Ekaitza
From the Basque people of France and Spain, Ekaitza is a girl’s name that conjures up images of a violent storm with wind and lightning.
13. Fulgora
In Roman mythology, Fulgora was the goddess of lightning, equivalent to the Greek goddess Astrape.
14. Ho’otseoo’e
Also spelled Ho’étseóó’e, this Cheyenne name means “lightning woman.”
15. Kohara
In the mythology of Polynesia and Oceania, Kohara is the goddess of tuna and the mother of all tuna fish. She created tuna fish through a flash of lightning.
16. Levina
Levina is an ancient name with Roman or Latin origins that means “lightning bolt.”
17. Llipya
Llipya means “lightning” in the Quechuan language, spoken in South America. Although this name can be unisex, it is often given to girls.
18. Lyn
Also spelled Lynn, this Scandinavian name means “lightning storm.” Lyn is a common name in Norway, and many cultures have versions of the name.
Related post: Names that mean Disaster
19. Rhiainfellt
This Medieval Welsh name means “queen of lightning.” In the seventh century, Queen Rhiainfellt was the wife of King Oswy of Northumbria.
20. Shampa
Shampa is a Bengali name that means “lightning” in Sanskrit.
21. Stormie
Stormie or Storme is a strong name for a girl, referring to thunder and lightning weather conditions.
22. Tama
A Native American name, Tama means “thunderbolt,” especially the sound.
23. Tempest
Tempest means the same as “storm” and is an old English word inspired by turbulent weather.
24. Teuira
This Polynesian name, Teuira, comes from the Tahitian words meaning “the” and “lightning.”
25. Vetra
Vetra is an unusual Lithuanian name that encompasses all aspects of a storm.
10 Unisex Names That Mean Lightning
Unisex or gender-neutral names are unique and allow your child not be identified only by one aspect of themselves. These 10 unusual names are sometimes given to a child born during a storm.
1. Aratiri
Aratiri is a name given to both boys and girls by the Guarani people of South America. The name means “bolt of lightning.”
2. Capala
The Hindi name Capala means “lightning quick” and can also refer to a stormy wind.
Related post: Names that mean Wind
3. Foudre
A French name, Foudre refers to the electric aspect of lightning, flashing during a thunderstorm.
4. Jupiter
A name more commonly given to girls today, Jupiter originally belonged to the Roman god of lightning and weather. Like Thor, the Norse god, Jupiter was seen as the king of the gods and associated with victory in battle.
5. Kallik
Erin Hunter made this Inuit name, Kallik, famous in the Seekers novels.
Related post: Names that mean Hunter
6. Kidlat
This Filipino name means “lightning” in Tagalog. Kidlat is unisex but often appears as a boy’s name.
7. Leigong
Leigong is the god of thunder and lightning in Chinese mythology and metes out justice to humankind.
8. Pailan
This Armenian name refers to Pailan, an ancient nature god of lightning and thunder.
Related post: Names that mean Magnetic
9. Salama
The Finnish name Salama means “lightning.” However, this name is more commonly used for girls in the Muslim community, meaning “peace.”
10. Wachira
The Thai name Wachira means “diamond” and “lightning bolt.” It has many variations, including Watcharaphon, which refers to the force or power of lightning, and Wachirawit, referring to the brilliant light of knowledge.
You might also enjoy: Names That Mean Inventor
5 Pet Names That Mean Lightning
Pets that you associate with lightning are either fast runners, quick food thieves, or have a characteristic white blaze on their faces. Here are five cute pet names that mean lightning.
1. Bliksem
Bliksem is the Dutch word for “lightning strike” and is a popular name for pets who can run fast, including dogs and horses. In South Africa, this word has negative connotations and is used as an insult.
2. Blitz
Blitz means “lightning” in German and is suitable for dogs and horses.
3. Bolt
Like a bolt of lightning or thunder, this pet’s name was popularized by the animated movie about a heroic dog called Bolt. It’s also a good name for a rabbit.
Related post: Names That Mean Technology
4. Flash
An excellent name for dog, horses, or guinea pigs, Flash can refer to a white shape on an animal’s forehead or speed.
5. Raio
Raio is Portuguese for lightning and is a melodic name for a dog or cat.
Resources
Behind The Name is a great resource when researching names. We highly recommend it and use it for many of our posts!
Wrap Up – Names That Mean Lightning
We hope that at least one of these names that mean lightning struck you like a bolt from the blue and charged you up! What’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Related post: Names That Mean Electric or Electricity