Aruna
Meaningdawn · Sanskrit
Aruna is an Indian girl name meaning “dawn”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funAruna starts and ends with the same letter, A. A neat little bookend.
- GenerationAruna peaked in 2018, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Aruna you'd meet today is about 7 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Aruna would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 30,864 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryAruna first shows up in US birth records in 1970, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 55 years since.
US births per million girls, 1970–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Aruna
Aruna is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “dawn”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 2010s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Aruna
What does the name Aruna mean?
Aruna means “dawn” and comes from Sanskrit. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Aurora (“dawn”), Zora (“dawn”), Alba (“dawn”) and Roxana (“dawn, little star”).
What is the origin of the name Aruna?
Aruna is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Aruna a boy or girl name?
Aruna is a girl name. In 2025, 52 US girls were named Aruna.
How popular is the name Aruna?
Aruna ranked #3,100 for US girls in 2025, given to 52 babies. Its best year was 2018, when it reached #2,145. Over the last five years it has climbed 815 places.
What names are similar to Aruna?
If you like Aruna, you might also like Aurora, Zora, Alba and Roxana.
What should I know before naming my baby Aruna?
Aruna is an Indian girl name meaning “dawn”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.