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Losing a pregnancy is undeniably one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching experiences for many women. Getting pregnant again can also be a long, arduous, and emotional task, but when it happens and you get to hold that sweet rainbow baby in your arms at the end, it’s an incredible feeling.
“This second pregnancy was even more stressful and highly monitored than the first,” Priscilla Blossom told the *New York Times* about her journey after losing a baby. “But luckily, there was a rainbow at the end of it all, and that rainbow was born at 40 weeks and 2 days, weighing just over nine pounds. My husband immediately placed him on my chest, and this time, my baby and I looked into each other’s eyes. It was wild.”
More from Mom.com: What Is a Rainbow Baby?
Symbolic and meaningful: Baby names to honor your rainbow baby
For many women, having a rainbow baby feels like a huge deal, and it should. It’s something to celebrate and honor, and sometimes we can do that with the name we choose for them. “Bestowing a name upon a child is one of the first acts of parenting and it is also one of the most far-reaching,” social psychologist Frank T. McAndrew Ph.D. told Psychology Today.
Baby names can be symbolic of a lot, and for parents of a baby after pregnancy loss, they can serve as a constant reminder of just how special their little one truly is. Keep scrolling to see some beautiful rainbow baby name ideas.
More from Mom.com: 10 Baby Shower Ideas to Celebrate and Honor a Very Special Rainbow Baby
Iris
Iris is a gorgeous name. It’s different, but still kind of classic. Most of us associate it with the beautiful purplish-blue flower that blooms in the spring time, but it actually comes from the mythological Greek goddess of the rainbow.
Grant
When you are “granted” a blessing like a long-awaited new baby, it’s a perfectly good idea to acknowledge that by naming your baby boy, Grant. The word grant means, “to give, to allow,” while the name actually came about as a nickname for a tall person.
Hope
We probably don’t need to explain this one too much. Hope is a beautiful and classic name, that has only positive associations. It’s derived from Old English and means “wish” or “expectation,” and it’s still fairly popular in the U.S.
Ian
Zoe
Like Ian, Zoe is an incredibly popular name that everybody seems to adore. You might not have known that it actually means “life”, though. It comes from the Greek language in which it differentiates intellectual life from biological life.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel is such a handsome name and the nickname Nate is a popular one. It actually means “gift of God.” We think that is so precious and a wonderful way to honor your little miracle.
Vivian
A lot of people like the name Vivian because it’s French and sounds elegant, but its meaning is actually quite deep. It literally means “alive.” It comes from the Latin word vivianus.
Atlas
Atlas is a super-cool name that sounds smart and powerful, which is pretty awesome. Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology who literally carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. The name is said to connotate endurance.
Nadia
Nadia is a seriously beautiful name for a baby girl that sounds both exotic and familiar at the same time. It actually comes from the Russian name, Nadezhda, which means “hope.” Today, it’s also quite popular in France.
Jessie
If you like traditional names, Jessie is perfect for a boy or a girl. It’s easy-to-pronounce and a little bit playful, but still has a wonderful meaning. It comes from the Hebrew word, Hebrew yīshai, and means “gift.”
Nerissa
If you like names that are on the unique side, Nerissa is a lovely choice for your rainbow baby girl. It’s widely believed to mean “hidden treasure.” It sounds so peaceful and pretty too.
Shai
The name Shai — which can also be spelled, Shay — has Hebrew origins and means “gift.” It could actually be used as a name for a boy or a girl, although traditionally, it’s a male name.
Amari
We’re kind of obsessed with the name Amari, which means “gift from God” in Hebrew. The name is also common in other cultures, and can be used for a boy or a girl. It has such a beautiful sound to it!
Celeste
If you consider your baby a blessing from above, perhaps her name should reflect that. The name Celeste, means “heavenly” which is really quite beautiful. We imagine your love for her will go beyond the moon and stars.
Luca
The name Luca has Latin origins and is often attributed to Italy. It’s quite popular in the U.S. as well though. Perhaps that’s because it sounds so pleasant, or perhaps it’s because it means “light,” and our babies certainly light up our lives.
Victoria
The name Victoria is a traditional girl name that obviously has regal associations, but it literally means, “victory,” which might be exactly how you feel after you bring your baby into the world.
Anthony
The name Anthony has been so ubiquitous in so many countries for so long, that we haven’t ever really thought about what it means. Turns out, Anthony means “priceless,” which your new baby most certainly is.
Gia
Gia is a super pretty name that’s fairly popular in the United States. We think it’s a great choice for a short name that makes an impact, especially since it’s thought to mean “God’s gracious gift.”
Felix
Finding out you’re expecting a rainbow baby is so special. While emotions will likely run the gamut, happiness and joy will certainly be at the forefront. The name Felix, of course, means “happy” or “lucky.”
Allegra
Just like Felix, naming her baby, Allegra, will be a forever reminder of how much happiness and joy you felt bringing your baby into the world. Allegra has Latin origins and means, “happy” and “cheerful.”
