A dielectric barrier discharge lamp comprises a discharge vessel that has a principal axis, the discharge vessel encloses a discharge volume filled with a discharge gas. The discharge vessel further comprises end portions intersected by the principal axis. There are at least one electrode of a first type and at least one electrode of a second type in the lamp. The electrodes of one type are energized to act as a cathode and the electrodes of other type are energized to act as an anode. The electrodes are substantially straight, elongated and have a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the principal axis of the discharge vessel. These electrodes are positioned within the discharge volume. The electrodes of at least one type are isolated from the discharge volume by a dielectric layer. A dielectric barrier discharge lamp is also disclosed, in which the electrodes are arranged within the discharge volume in groups, and each of the groups comprises one electrode of the first type and at least one electrode of the second type.