Baby Names Inspired by June: Summery, Bright, and Meaningful

June names herald the official start of warm weather in the northern hemisphere, the long and lazy days of summer.

Some feel vintage and traditional. Others sound modern, unconventional, even daring.

Many of these June names share the same sound, but very few are actually related.

We find that great ‘oo’ in favorites from Lucy and Ruby to Julian and Jude. It’s romantic, rhyming with with moon and tune and clair de lune, bringing all sorts of delightful and gently antique images to mind. But there’s a lot of bouncing energy to these names, too.

Inspiration can also come from the symbols of the season – the colors and flowers and figures associated with the summer months and the sunny choices that feel just right for the season.

As the first month of summer, anything that brings the season to mind has potential. Beach names FIXLINK might appeal, like Waverly and Dune. It’s the month for Fathers’ Day, so a name that honors might be doubly appropriate.

Chances are that there’s a June name just for you.

NAMES WITH THE JUNE SOUND

JUNE

Borrowed from the calendar, June refers to the Roman goddess Juno. But it doesn’t read like a mythological name. Instead, we think of June as a vintage charmer. June Cleaver was the mom on iconic 50s sitcom Leave it to Beaver. Meanwhile, June Carter Cash lends it a little bit of an edge. Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar playing Carter Cash in 2005 biopic Walk the Line. That helped spark a rise in the name’s use. After spending twenty years out of the US Top 1000, it returned in 2008, and has risen steadily since then.

DJUNA

Probably the quirkiest name FIXLINK on this list, Djuna comes from American writer Djuna Barnes. Her inventive father mashed up a character in a book – Djalma – with nuna, her brother’s baby-talk word for the moon. The D is silent – but if you’re drawn to Django, Djuna might appeal.

JUNA

Drop the D, and Juna serves as a more approachable spelling. It’s more common than Djuna, but both names fall well outside of the current Top 1000. FIX

JUNEAU

Juneau comes from the capital of Alaska, taking this gussied-up spelling in a rugged, outdoorsy direction. Named for Joe Juneau, a Canadian-born prospector, the capital was almost called Harrisburgh, after another prospector – but it’s said Joe campaigned for the honor. As for his surname’s meaning and origin, it probably comes from the French word jeune – young. That’s the same root that inspired Juno, and, ultimately, June.

JUNIA

An ancient Roman rarity, Junia fits with ends-with-ia names for girls. The name appears in the New Testament, but has never been common in the US.

JUNIE

A logical nickname for any choice on this list, Junie brings to mind children’s book hero Junie B. Jones. (Fun fact: the character’s full name is Juniper Beatrice Jones.) Junie fits with sparky nickname names for girls, a sister for Sadie and Hattie. Scandinavian languages use Juni.

JUNIPER

Way back in the thirteenth century, an earlier follower of Saint Francis was known as Brother Juniper – or Fra Ginepro, in Italian. His generosity was legendary. But despite his fame, this name tends to trend feminine. Maybe that’s because the Italian Ginevra is associated with juniper; or maybe it’s because Juniper sounds an awful lot like Jennifer. (The 1968 Donovan song “Jennifer Juniper” connects them.) It debuted in the Top 1000 for girls in 2011, and hasn’t slowed down since.

JUNO

As goddesses go, Juno is a warrior queen. She’s considered the equivalent of Hera, and like Hera, is the (sometimes jealous and vengeful) consort to Jupiter/Zeus. But Juno borrows other attributes from Athena, and is often depicted in armor. Parents today probably think of hit indie flick Juno, from 2007, starring Elliot Page as a pregnant teenager. With that vibrant ‘o’ ending, Juno remains outside of the Top 1000, but continues to gain in use.

NAMES THAT HONOR FATHERS

ABIGAIL

Because Fathers’ Day falls in June, names like Abigail make sense. This Hebrew name from the Old Testament means “my father is joy.”

ABNER, AVNER

Another Ab names, Abner means “my father is a light.” It’s also spelled Avner. Many of these names can swap the B for a V, too.

ABRAHAM

The Old Testament patriarch, adn father of many.

ABSALOM, AXEL

Absalom is rare, but the meaning – father of peace – is powerful. Popular name Axel is the medieval Danish form of Absalom, sharing the same meaning.

ADANNA

Spoken primarily in Nigeria and surrounding countries, Igbo has several names referring to dads. Adanna means “eldest daughter of the father.” Obinna and Uchenna are two more familiar names related to fathers.

CLEOPATRA

Cleo is trending, and short name with Greek roots meaning “glory.” But the full name of the ancient queen was Cleopatra. Adding that second element transforms the name’s meaning to “glory of the father.”

JUPITER

We think of Jupiter as a night sky name, the biggest planet in our solar system. But it comes from the Latin Iupiter, literally meaning “god father.” But not like godfather in the current American sense. More like “father of the gods,” as Jupiter is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Zeus, chief of the mythological pantheon.

VADER

Only for Star Wars fans with a dark side. FIXLINK Vader is literally the Dutch word for father, a fact we all know thanks to the iconic movie franchise and chief villain-turned-hero-turned-villain again. For true fans, this might put Anakin on the June names list, too.

MORE JUNE-INSPIRED BABY NAMES

ALEXANDER, ALEXANDRA

Alexandrite is one of the two alternate birth stones for the month. That makes all of the Alex choices potential June names.

ARTEMIS, DIANA

Two moon goddesses’ names make this list, because the moonstone is the third potential birthstone for June. Artemis is Greek and Diana is her Roman counterpart.

ARUN, ARUNA

Summer arrives in the month of June. This Sanskrit meaning dawn refers to a Hindu god who drives the sun’s chariot across the morning sky.

APOLLO

Just like Arun, Apollo is a god associated with the sun. He’s also twin to moon goddess Artemis.

CHLOE

Chloe means “green shoot,” so it tends to be associated with spring. But early summer is another time of year for all things green and growing. It’s a perfect name for a daughter born in June.

ELIO

The Italian form of Helios, the name of a sun god, Elio is an on-trend choice with summery vibes.

GEMMA

In astrology, the two June star signs are Gemini and Cancer. Gemini inspired Gemma.

GILES

Several symbols are strongly associated with the goddess Juno. One of them? The goat. Late Latin name Aegidiusmeans “young goat.” It was eventually smoothed out into the very British Giles. If Miles can rank in the US Top 100, Giles feels like it has potential.

HERA 

The month is named for Juno, but Hera is her Greek equivalent. They’re both considered a goddess of marriage, which feels just right for the many couples married this month. (Late spring to early fall is peak wedding season in the United States now.) Traditionally, June is strongly associated with weddings.

HONEY

Honeysuckle is a birth flower of June, along with the rose. That makes sweet honey a logical possibility. Names related to honey, like Melissa, could also appeal.

LUNA

The zodiac sign for the latter part of June is Cancer. And Cancer’s planet is the moon. Combined with moonstone’s status as a birthstone for the moon, and Luna makes sense among the June baby names. It’s the Latin and Spanish translation of moon. It’s also among the most popular names for girls right now.

MARGARET, MARGOT

Margaret means pearl, as in the birthstone for the month. It’s a long-standing classic, constantly popular name that comes with many related nicknames – think Maisie, Greta, and Maggie. Margot is a French form of Margaret. Summery flower Daisy is also associated with Margaret, making it a great choice for parents seeking something casual that celebrates the season.

PAVONINE

Peacocks are a symbol of the goddess Juno. Pavonine refers to a peacock, just like feline refers to cats. It’s rare, but might be a stunning middle name choice.

PEARL, PERLA

The June birthstone, a lovely, vintage option. Perla is the Spanish equivalent.

ROSE

The birth flower for June, elegant Rose is a classic among baby girl names. Several Rose names FIXLINK are enjoying a burst of popularity now, while others are the perfect blend of traditional, but rare.

SAM, SAMSON

Sam makes us think of classic Samuel, but Samson is another formal name possibility. It comes from a Hebrew word meaning sun. The Old Testament character makes it familiar. An early medieval saint by the name kept it in use in Europe. It’s a summery, surprising choice.

SIA, SISTINE, SIX, SIXTINE, SIXTO

Australian singer Sia makes this name familiar, but it’s Scottish Gaelic word for the number six. Since June is the sixth month of the year, it’s a subtle nod. Other names related to six include Six, borrowed from television series Blossom, as well as Sixtine and Sixto, which mean both mean six. Perhaps the most wearable: Sistine, which is Italian. The legendary Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who comissioned its creation. 

SKY, SKYE 

Inspired by the blue sky at the start of the summer. Other names meaning blue might also appeal. FIXLINK

SOLEIL

June baby names often make us think of a summer baby. So the French word for sun is an obvious option. Pronounce it so-LAY.

SUNNY

A straight-up, ebullient sunshine kind of name.

SUVI

A Finnish name meaning summer, rare but appealing in our age of Ivy and Ruby.

Do you have any June-inspired baby name suggestions on your list?  

First published on June 13, 2014, this post was republished following substantial revision on May 19, 2020; May 20, 2021; and June 2, 2025.