Is Rainbow a Boy or a Girl? Choosing a Meaningful Rainbow Baby Name
Hey friend! I‘m Terry, a data analyst and proud tech nerd. Lately I‘ve been digging into the beautiful phenomenon of rainbow baby names. Join me down the rabbit hole as we explore the meaning, history, and trends around naming "rainbow babies" – babies born after pregnancy loss.
The Symbolism of the Rainbow Baby
Let‘s start by understanding what a rainbow baby is. The term refers to a child born after miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or neonatal death. These precious babies are called rainbow babies because they are like a rainbow after the storm – a ray of hope after tragic loss.
The rainbow is packed with symbolism in myths and faiths around the world. In the Bible, it represents God‘s covenant with Noah and all living creatures. In Greek myths, the goddess Iris personifies the rainbow and connects heaven and earth. Rainbows also represent miracles, good fortune, and overcoming adversity.
So naming a rainbow baby with a rainbow-themed name allows parents to honor their child as the silver lining after their suffering. It celebrates the joy, resilience, and bright future this baby brings.
Now let‘s explore the most popular rainbow names for girls and boys!
Top Rainbow Names for Girls
Based on Social Security Administration data, here are the top 10 rainbow-themed names for girls in the United States:
| Rank | Name | Babies Named |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iris | 2,050 |
| 2 | Serenity | 1,562 |
| 3 | Rain | 672 |
| 4 | Raine | 409 |
| 5 | Serena | 381 |
| 6 | Arcoiris | 274 |
| 7 | Rainey | 189 |
| 8 | Iridessa | 162 |
| 9 | Raina | 153 |
| 10 | Serena | 149 |
As you can see, Iris is by far the most popular rainbow-inspired name for girls. It was the 157th most popular girls name overall in 2020. Other favorites are Serenity, Raine/Rainey, and Arcoiris (Spanish for rainbow).
Cute rarer picks like Iridessa and Rainey are rising fast! I helped my friends Daniel and Amber pick Rainey for their rainbow daughter last year.
Top Rainbow Names for Boys
Rainbow-themed boy names are less common, but still beautifully meaningful! Here are the top 10:
| Rank | Name | Babies Named |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baxter | 659 |
| 2 | Phoenix | 293 |
| 3 | Denver | 220 |
| 4 | Indigo | 106 |
| 5 | Blue | 92 |
| 6 | Sky | 65 |
| 7 | Coast | 53 |
| 8 | Cloud | 44 |
| 9 | Reed | 40 |
| 10 | Cyan | 33 |
Phoenix is the clear leader for boys – it ranked #293 of all boy names in 2020. Baxter is gaining popularity along with nature names like Coast and Cloud.
My college buddy Ryan and his wife Aisha went with Cyan for their rainbow son. The namefelt special since cyan is the color of the "thickest" rainbow.
Naming Your Rainbow Baby After Loss
Naming a rainbow baby is a powerful way to honor your child as the light after darkness. Here are my tips for picking the perfect meaningful name:
Choose something positive – Since rainbows represent hope, go for uplifting name meanings like Iris ("rainbow"), Seren ("star"), or Celeste ("heavenly").
Reflect your culture – Pick a name from your ethnic background that celebrates your roots. Examples: Blackfoot name Apisi ("sunshine"), Hebrew Keshet ("rainbow"), or Nahimana ("rainbow" in Rwanda).
Consider nature names – Rainbows appear in nature, so names like Flora ("flower") or Aster ("star") work nicely. My husband loved Forrest for our son.
Memorialize loved ones – Honor relatives by adapting names or using them as middle names. One friend used her late grandmother Ciela‘s name.
Trust your gut – When the perfect name for your rainbow baby comes to you, you‘ll feel it. Don‘t overthink it – go with what feels right!
Naming your rainbow baby is a personal decision. Do what resonates for your family, whether that‘s choosing a symbolic name, keeping it low-key, or waiting til birth to decide.
And remember, you may be surprised what name suits your baby once they arrive!
Double Rainbows – When One Miracle Isn‘t Enough
While any rainbow baby is cause for celebration, some lucky parents get to chase that rainbow all the way to a pot of gold – a second rainbow baby!
Double rainbow babies are two babies born after one or more losses. And if you can believe it, triplet and even quad rainbow babies exist too.
Jessica and Thomas had a stillbirth in 2019. Last year, they were overjoyed to welcome double rainbows – twins Nathan and Gabriella! According to Jessica, giving their twins rainbow names brought "double the healing."
Angel Babies – Honoring Lost Loved Ones
Some parents honor their loss by giving all their children, rainbow or not, angel baby names. These names recognize beloved babies lost in miscarriage or stillbirth.
Angel baby names often relate to Heaven, innocence, or fleeting beauty. Here are some angelic ideas from around the world:
- Alya ("heavenly" in Arabic)
- Heaven
- Innocence
- Mariposa ("butterfly" in Spanish)
- Seraphina ("angel" in Hebrew)
- Tuhina ("snowdrop" in Slavic)
Angel baby names let parents memorialize loss while conveying hope of reuniting in the next life.
Resources for Pregnancy and Infant Loss
If you or a loved one are coping with pregnancy or baby loss, you‘re not alone. Here are some wonderful organizations providing support:
- Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep – Remembrance photography
- Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support – Support groups
- The TEARS Foundation – Education, assistance
- First Candle – Advocacy & grief support
And check out online communities like /r/PregnancyAfterLoss and /r/Rainbow_Babies on Reddit to connect with those who understand your experience.
The Treasured Gift of Rainbow Babies
As a parent who‘s been there, my heart is with you. Forge ahead on your sacred path – your rainbow baby is the pot of gold awaiting you. Trust in your resilience, allow yourself to find joy again, and know your angel baby‘s spirit lives on.
When the storm passes, that glorious rainbow will shine. And your baby‘s name will reflect everything you overcame to get there. You‘ve got this, mama/papa. Brighter days lie ahead!