36 Names That Mean Sleep or Rest

Choosing an appropriate name for a child, pet, story character, or identity change can be a significant challenge. Typically, you want to choose one that has a deeper meaning. For example, many names throughout history have been associated with sleeping, resting, or eternal slumber. Often, they are beautiful not just in their definition but in their phonetics and history.

In this guide, we’ll look at over 30 different names that mean sleep, rest, or other similar definitions. We’ll highlight their cultural background, discuss deeper information about each name, and provide you with the insight you need to make an intelligent choice. So let’s dive in and find the perfect name for your needs without further ado! We promise you’ll find a few that you love.

Boys’ Names That Mean Sleep

Throughout history, many cultures have created unique names that mean sleep, rest, tiredness, or other similar definitions. Many come from ancient mythology and focus on gods or goddesses associated with dreams and sleeping. Others are more modern and may come from literature and novels from more recent times. Thankfully, there should be more than enough boy-friendly options for your needs.

Bethshan

Bethshan comes directly from the Bible and has a complex meaning. Its definitions include “house of sleep,” though it may also mean “house of the tooth” or “house of ivory.” Bethshan is a city given to Manasseh and is one in which the Canaanites were not driven in the early days of Israeli dominance.

Dvalinn

This old Norse name means “the one slumbering” and likely comes from the same root as the Swedish word dvala and the Norwegian dvale, which means sleep or hibernation. It is associated with multiple kings throughout Norse history.

Dwalin

Though Lord of the Rings fans likely know this name from Tolkien’s introductory novel “The Hobbit,” the fan-favorite dwarf Dwalin has a name with a much deeper history. Tolkien probably found the name from the “Poetic Edda,” which contained multiple dwarf names. Dwalin means “sleeping.”

Gangleri

This old Norse name is also used for Odin in Norse Mythology, the lord of all gods. It was also used as the alias for the Swedish king Gylfi in ancient times. It means “the one tired from walking,” though it also has connotations of sleep and resting.

Hypnos

Hypnos comes from Greek mythology and refers to the twin brother of Thanatos, the personification of death. Hypnos is the personification of sleep, which the Greeks connected in their mythology. In Greek, hypnos means “sleep” and is the root word for “hypnosis.”

Kokin

The Nivikh people are an indigenous group living in the northern half of Sakhalin Island off the coast of Russia. Their name, Kokin, means “sleep” and comes from the word k’od. For example, the Kokin Wakashu is a book of Japanese poems highlighting different periods.

Komaios

Though this name likely comes from the Greek word for “of a village,” it may also connect with the word “koma.” This word means” deep sleep” and is the root word for the modern term “coma.” Therefore, Komaios simply means “sleep” when used in this context.

Related post: Names that mean Night

Musanete

Musanete is an African name from the Shona language that means “do not get tired” or “do not sleep.” It is often used in mythological and tribal contexts in ancient African history. In addition, many Shona leaders have used this name to showcase their willingness to work hard for the people.

Nenosuke

Nenosuke is a Japanese name with multiple kanji roots. These include words that mean “sound,” “child,” “one’s deceased father,” “rather,” and “sleep, hibernate.” As a result, this name has many complex meanings that make it a fascinating option for your needs.

Shunmin

Another complex Japanese word, this name combines the kanji “shun” (meaning “spring”) and “min” (meaning “to sleep”) to create a unique name. It can be used as a replacement for names meaning winter, as “to sleep in spring” has connotations of that cold-weather season.

Tsivalaka

The Malagasy language comes from Madagascar and provides many unique and beautiful names. This name means “never tired” in Malagasy” and is commonly given to first-born sons and daughters. That’s because they’re expected to carry the weight of the family and move their future forward.

You might also enjoy these names that mean Moon.

Girls’ Names That Mean Sleep

Like with boys’ names, there are many options that mean “sleep” or “rest” throughout global history. Often, many of these names have a more beautiful phonetic sound than male names, though that may depend on preference. Thankfully, there are plenty of options that you can choose from here, which can ensure you find one that makes the most sense for your specific naming needs.

Drema

Drema is an English name that likely derives from the phrase “dreama,” which means “to sleep,” or from a Slavic surname with the same meaning. Though rarely used today, it comes from the same root word as “dream,” which connects heavily with slumber and the dream world.

Want more names that mean dreams? Check them here!

Gulorom

An Uzbek name that means “rose, flower” and “rest, quiet,” this name is popular for a family’s youngest daughters. That’s because it is hoped that this name will provide the family peace and quiet by imparting some of these traits to the child.

Hesychia

This ancient Greek name comes from the word “hesychia,” which means “rest, quiet.” It also refers to a Greek demon or spirit that forces quiet, rest, silence, and stillness on people. Interestingly, this gives the name both positive and negative connotations in Greek history.

Hunydd

An old Welsh name, Hunydd, has an uncertain origin. It is believed to come from the Welsh word “hun,” which means “sleep,” though others think it connects with the word “huan,” which means “sun.” Nevertheless, it has a deep history in Wales, including connections to the poet, Hywel ap Owain.

Related post: Names that mean Home

Mianqin

Like many Asian cultures, China’s language uses multiple characters to produce names with very dense meanings. For instance, Mianqin means “close eyes, sleep” due to the character “mian” but also means “a Chinese lute” by using the character “qin.”

Min

Though this Japanese name is simple, it has many meanings. For example, its most common connotation is “sleep, die, sleepy,” though it can also mean “people, nation, subjects,” as well as “bright, light.” Note that names with “min” often connect deeply to sleep.

Moea

Moea is a Tahitian name that means “sleep” or “sleepy.” It derives from the word moe, utilized in multiple Tahiti names. If you see other Tahitian names with moe or mo, they also likely mean “sleep” or have a connection to rest.

Nemu

The Japanese language has many characters and kanji that mean sleep, including “mu.” This simple name means “sleep” and is often used in television shows and novels to refer to a slovenly or slothful character who needs a lot of rest.

Related post: Names that mean Restful

Sabbatha

Though rarely used in modern times, this English name is likely the anglicized version of the Hebrew “shabbath,” which refers to the Holy Day on which God rested after creating the Earth. Similarly, Sunday has the same meaning and may be a popular alternative to Sabbatha.

Satono

Satono is an attractive Japanese name because it means “to wake up from sleep, conscious,” but adds the kanji “no,” which creates a more possessive name. As a result, it can refer to someone who is awake or asleep, depending on the context in which it is used.

Suhad

Suhad comes from the Arabic word for “insomnia” or “sleep disease” and is often used in literature and mythology to refer to characters who struggle to wake up. In more modern times, it’s given to older daughters to help inspire them to work harder in their lives.

Wasan

Wasan combines a handful of different characters to create a name that means “last moments before sleep” in Arabic. This name has a unique connotation in this language and often refers to dreams or the strange hallucinations many experiences before falling asleep.

Unisex Names That Mean Sleep

If you want a unisex name that means sleep or rest for your baby, pet, character, or yourself, here are several options that will work well for your needs:

• Minto: This Japanese name includes multiple meanings, such as “sleep” and “ocean.”
• Moehau: Moehau is a Tahitian name that means “sleep” and “peace, concord.”
• Moeroa: Derived from the Maori language on the Cook Islands, Moeroa means “long sleep.”
• Janoah: This rare Dutch name means “resting place” and is connected with Biblical text.
• Matizorodza: A Shona name, this term means “you have given us rest/peace.”
• Nnyawedzeni: Originating in the Thsivenda language, this name means “let me rest/sleep.”
• Ocogbolan: This Agatu name means “God does not sleep” and has a robust definition in this culture.
• Sabriel: Sabriel is a Judeo-Christian name that means “the rest of God” or the Sabbath day.
• Sinmiloluwa: Derived from Yoruba, Sinmiloluwai means “rest in the lord” or “dreaming.”
• Sufficient: A Christian name derived from the Christian Bible, it means “rest” or “sleep.”
• Xifeng: This Chinese name means “rest,” “male phoenix,” and “bright,” among many other things.
• Zororo: Coming from the Shona language, Zororo means “rest” or “speaking of a time of peace.”

Resource: We use Behind the Name to research name meanings, history, and popularity.