Aurora: Meaning, Origin & Everything You Need to Know
Aurora is a Latin name meaning 'dawn', and was the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise.
At a Glance
- Pronunciation
- aw-ROR-uhɔːˈrɔːr.ə
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- Aurora is a Latin name meaning 'dawn', and was the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise.
- Gender
- Girl's name
- Syllables
- 3
- Nicknames
- Rory, Rora, Aura, Ori
- US Popularity (2025)
- #15 — 📈 Rising
What Does Aurora Mean?
Aurora is the Latin word for 'dawn'. In Roman myth Aurora was the goddess who flew across the sky each morning to announce the sun, and the same word gives us the aurora borealis, the northern lights, a name usually credited to Galileo in 1619.
In literature the name has often belonged to heroines: the poet in Elizabeth Barrett Browning's verse novel 'Aurora Leigh' (1856), and the princess in Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959) who is named Aurora while she lives in hiding as Briar Rose. The Norwegian singer Aurora Aksnes records simply as AURORA.
In the US it has been climbing steadily: #66 in 2016 and #15 in 2025, the best rank in the data shown.
How Popular Is Aurora?
Aurora rose from #66 in 2016 to #44 in 2018, #31 in 2022 and #15 in 2025.
Source: US Social Security Administration (SSA) baby name data, ssa.gov/oact/babynames, 2025.
Middle Names That Go with Aurora
Classic pairings
- Aurora Elizabeth
- Aurora Josephine
- Aurora Catherine
- Aurora Margaret
Modern pairings
- Aurora Wren
- Aurora Marlowe
- Aurora Juniper
- Aurora Wilder
One-syllable options
- Aurora Rose
- Aurora Jane
- Aurora Claire
- Aurora Belle
Family-name bridges
- Aurora Ann
- Aurora Marie
- Aurora Grace
- Aurora Louise
Names Similar to Aurora
If you love Aurora, you might also like these names with a similar feel, origin, or sound.
Sibling Names That Go with Aurora
💙 Brother names
💗 Sister names
Famous People Named Aurora
- Aurora LeighTitle heroine of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's 1856 verse novel.
- Aurora AksnesNorwegian singer-songwriter who performs as AURORA.
- AuroraRoman goddess of the dawn, and the name of Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora
Is Aurora a boy or girl name?
Aurora is primarily a girl's name. It is very rarely used for boys.
How do you pronounce Aurora?
Aurora is pronounced aw-ROR-uh (IPA: ɔːˈrɔːr.ə). It has 3 syllables. Common nicknames include Rory, Rora, Aura, Ori.
Is Aurora a Latin name?
Aurora is of Latin origin. Aurora is a Latin name meaning 'dawn', and was the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise.
What does Aurora mean?
Aurora is a Latin name meaning 'dawn', and was the name of the Roman goddess of sunrise.
Aurora is the Latin word for 'dawn'. In Roman myth Aurora was the goddess who flew across the sky each morning to announce the sun, and the same word gives us the aurora borealis, the northern lights, a name usually credited to Galileo in 1619.
Is Aurora a popular name in 2026?
Yes, Aurora is a highly popular name. It ranked #15 in the United States in 2025 according to the Social Security Administration. The name is currently trending upward. Aurora rose from #66 in 2016 to #44 in 2018, #31 in 2022 and #15 in 2025.
What are good middle names for Aurora?
Good middle names for Aurora include classic choices like Aurora Elizabeth and Aurora Josephine, modern options like Aurora Wren and Aurora Marlowe, and crisp one-syllable pairings like Aurora Rose and Aurora Jane. The best middle name depends on your surname and personal style.
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