32 baby names perfect for little ones born during the hot summer months

The shining ocean water. The hot sand between your toes. The radiant sun beating down. The unexpected warm breeze. Summer is full of delightful moments outside, but the hot and humid weather can also be pretty brutal if you’re expecting. If you’re still trying to decide what to name a baby who’s due this summer, then look to the hottest season of all for inspiration. Because while you might want to forget all about how uncomfortable it feels to be nine months pregnant in 90-degree weather, these summer baby names will always bring you back to the sweet summer that your baby was born.

Many cultures have gorgeous names that are inspired by the sun and water. Hazy fields of flowers are a great, natural source of inspiration for summer baby names, too. So whether you’re having a boy or a girl, you can find a name on this list that will be perfect for your little summer love.

While some of these 32 baby names are more on the hot, sweaty nose, others are less obvious. But all are derived from a place that evokes the steamy feelings of summer.

1Alani

Although you could go with the Disney-approved Hawaiian name Moana, this name that means “orange tree” is a little less trendy — but just as beautiful.

2Augustus

The Roman emperor named the summer month of August after himself, and this name can be shortened to the cute nickname of Gus.

3Cleo

Your baby girl can have the name of Egyptian royalty with this shortened version of Cleopatra.

4Cora

This name will make you think of colorful coral reefs.

5Cyrus

Cyrus is a Persian name for sun — for your son.

6Dylan

This popular unisex name actually comes from Welsh mythology, since Dylan is a Welsh god of the sea.

7Elio

This Italian and Spanish name might become more common thanks to Call Me By Your Name, but it’s an excellent summer baby name since Elio is derived from the name of the god of the sun in Greek mythology, Helios.

8Gibson

Gibson is the name of a desert in Australia, if you’re really feeling the heat.

9Harbor

Harbor (or Harbour) will remind you of boats on the water and can be used for a boy or girl.

10Indra

Indra is traditionally a boy name in India that means “possesses rain.” But it can also make a lovely name for a girl and will have you smelling the scent of summer rain.

11Isla

Isla is Spanish for “island” (pronounced “ees-la”) but you can also go for the Scottish pronunciation that actress Isla Fisher uses.

12Julian

Julian comes from the Latin name Julius and just like August, July is named for Julius Caesar.

13Juno

In Roman mythology, Juno was the queen of the gods. Juno is the protector of women and marriage, and she’s the namesake of the first month of summer, which is why June is a traditional month to get married.

14Kai

This Hawaiian name for a boy means sea.

15Keanu

Your baby boy will remind you of a cool breeze on a hot Hawaiian summer day with this name.

16Leo

This summer zodiac sign makes for a bold name.

17Lily

While the lily may be most associated with the month of May, the water lily is one of July’s birth flowers.

18Luna

This moon-inspired name is evocative of tides and late nights by the sea. Plus, your baby will have the same name as Chrissy Teigen and John Legend’s daughter.

19Marina

The nautical Marina means “from the sea.”

20Muriel

Muriel might be a little old-fashioned, but its meaning of “bright sea” is eternally youthful.

21Pearl

Pearl is one of June’s birthstones. Pearls also come from oysters, and nothing says summer like oyster shucking.

22Phoebus

This name that means “shining” is also another name for the sun god Apollo. It can become Phoebe for a girl, too.

23Puck

If you love Shakespeare, name your son after the mischievous fairy from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

24Ravi

Ravi means “sun” in Sanskrit and it’s also the name of a Hindu sun god.

25Ruby

July’s birthstone makes for a sweet name for a little one.

26Sahar

Get inspired by the Sahara Desert and name your baby girl Sahar — bonus: this Arabic name means “dawn.”

27Samson

This biblical name means “sun child” or “bright sun.” Sampson is another alternative with the same meaning.

28Sandy

Nothing says summer like lying on the hot, sandy beach. Plus, Sandy appropriately sings “Summer Nights” in Grease.

29Somerby

If you’re a fan of the Richard Gere and Jodie Foster movie Sommersby, then you might like this British boy name that means “summer village.”

30Summer

Sure, this one is obvious, but it’s also inspired by one of our favorite movie characters ever — Summer from 500 Days of Summer (aka Zooey Deschanel).

31Theros

This unique boy name has Greek origins and means “summer.”

32Zinnia

This summer flower is a striking name for a baby girl.

No matter what you choose to name your baby, you’ll never forget that hot summer day — or night — they arrived.