As a given name, it has been in rare use from the early 20th century onwards.
From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English lēoht, from Proto-West Germanic *leuht, from Proto-Germanic *leuhtą, from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (“light”).
It's also transferred from the surname Light.
As a given name, it's most common in Nigeria and several African countries.