MallowbyNames

Aruna

अरुणाah-ROO-nah · A name of Sanskrit origin, Aruna can mean 'dawn' or 'reddish glow' and is often interpreted as 'the reddish glow of dawn'.

2025 rank (girls)
#3,100
Babies named in 2025
52
Peak popularity
2018
2025 frequency
1 in 30,909 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady, #3,100 for girls today.

Popularity of Aruna since 1970

Babies named Aruna per year in U.S. Social Security records.

295988198020002020Most births 2018Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s27
1980s21
1990s11
2000s47
2010s198
2020s287

Meaning & origin

Aruna is a name of Sanskrit origin that evokes the beauty of dawn. In the United States, its usage has been modest but stable. First recorded in 1970, Aruna peaked in 2018 among the data. As of 2025, the name ranks approximately #3100, with an estimated 1 in 30,909 births, indicating its rarity. The top states for Aruna are New York and California, reflecting its presence in culturally diverse areas. While not widely popular, Aruna carries a serene and meaningful essence that appeals to parents seeking a name with spiritual or natural undertones.

Aruna derives from the Sanskrit root 'aruṇa' (अरुण), meaning 'reddish' or 'ruddy', and is associated with the dawn. In Hindu mythology, Aruna is the charioteer of the sun god Surya, personifying the dawn's reddish light. The name has been used in India for centuries, primarily as a feminine given name in modern times, though it is also occasionally masculine.

Where Aruna is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Runa, Aru

Sibling names for Aruna

Names that share Aruna's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Anjali, Priya, Maya, Leela, Kavya

Brothers: Aarav, Rohan, Vikram, Arjun, Ravi

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

A is for Aruna, our favorite little girl.

A is for Aruna…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Aruna's letter becomes Aruna's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Aruna's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Aruna mean?
Aruna is of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'dawn' or 'reddish glow'. It is often interpreted as 'the reddish glow of dawn' and is associated with the dawn in Hindu mythology.
How popular is the name Aruna?
Aruna is a relatively rare name in the United States. As of 2025, it ranks around #3100, with an estimated 1 in 30,909 births. Its peak popularity was in 2018.
Is Aruna typically a girl or boy name?
In the United States, Aruna is most commonly used as a girl's name, though it has origins as a masculine name in India.