A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Lumina since 1885
Babies named Lumina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2023, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lumina's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 82 |
| 2020s | 146 |
Meaning & origin
Lumina is a radiant Latin name meaning 'light', first recorded in the U.S. in 1885 when it reached its peak rank of 4460 with approximately 1 in 51847 births that year. After a long period of obscurity, the name has been steadily rising in popularity since 2011, showing a revival of interest in luminous, nature-inspired names. It is most commonly given in California, reflecting its appeal among diverse, trend-forward families. Despite its ancient Latin roots, Lumina feels thoroughly modern, fitting comfortably alongside other 'light' names like Aurora and Stella while maintaining a distinctive, ethereal quality.
Lumina derives directly from the Latin noun lūmen (genitive lūminis), meaning 'light' or 'daylight'. It is the plural form, but in modern usage it is treated as a singular name. The root lūmen is related to Latin lūx ('light') and the verb lūcēre ('to shine'). Although Lūmina was used in Latin literature to refer to 'lights' (e.g., of the sky or of the eyes), it was not a common personal name in antiquity. Its use as a given name is a relatively modern, poetic invention, likely inspired by the virtue name tradition and the aesthetic appeal of luminous imagery.
Where Lumina is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lumi, Lulu, Mina
Variants: Alumina, Lumine, Luminosa
Sibling names for Lumina
Names that share Lumina's style, for a brother or sister.
