Names That Mean Water

Ama is a day name used by the Akan people of Ghana for girls born on Saturday. Names that reference a baby's birth by day of the week, time of day, or season of the year are common in many African cultures. Ama is one that can be used happily by parents who live in English-speaking countries.
 
While there are many girls' names that contain Ama as an element and might use it as a short form — from Amalia to Amaryllis to Samara — there were only a handful of girls named Ama in the US in a recent year.

A unisex Hebrew name often found in combination with others, as in Tal-El and Tal-Or. 

This phonetic spelling of a traditional Scottish male name wasn't seen until used by Vince Vaughn for his daughter. As Lachlan becomes more of an established boy's name in the US, more parents are turning to the Locklyn spelling on the girl's side.

Locklyn

Anahita is the name of the water goddess who rules, among other things, fertility and wisdom. Associated with Venue, Anahita is a stylish Iranian name for girls.
 
Anahita was derived from the Old Iranian elements an and āhita, meaning "not" and "dirty, unclean" respectively.

Anahita

Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.

Gali

A succinct and elemental name, Neer derives from Sanskrit and Hindi word for "water". Used in a variety of languages across the Indian subcontinent, it is heard more popularly as part of the name Neeraj (or Niraj) meaning "lotus" or "waterlily".
 
This short form may attract more attention in coming years after it was chosen in 2025 by Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra and her husband politician Raghav Chadha. The couple celebrated the name as reflecting limitlessness and purity.
 
Used as a unisex name in India, it may also be spelled as Nir.

Neer

Agam

This Hawaiian name gracefully celebrates the force of nature, paying tribute to the ocean. If you're looking for unique <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/641/names-that-mean-ocean">names that mean ocean</a>, this should be on your short list.

Kaimana

Loch is a watery word that sounds more like a name because it's one step removed from its English form. Pronounced as "lock," it's also a short form of the variously-spelled Lachlan.

Loch

The field of nature names is constantly expanding to include all species of flowers and trees and animals and birds and even fish. In addition to its appeal for anglers, Pike recalls Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered and gave his name to Pike's Peak.
 While Pike also shares the friendly feel of names like Mike and Ike, the word pike can also be a noun or verb referring to a long sharp weapon used to do not-very-friendly things to people. It is also one syllable away from a slur against Traveller people heard in the UK, so maybe this is one to avoid.

Pike

Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.

Shad

Many Americans will misunderstand it as Maya, but Maayan (also stylized as Ma'ayan) is a popular Israeli name used for both sexes.

Maayan

This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.

Neptune

This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.

In Hindu tradition, Indra is the warrior god of sky and rain, whose name is often used as element of other names, such as Jaswinder or Rajendra. Its use as a feminine name may come from the Western world hearing it as feminine (thanks to Alexandra, Indira, or similar), or simply as a shortening of Indrani (meaning "wife of Indra").
 
In Latvia and Lithuanian, however, it is a girl name, inspired by Indraja, meaning "reed". In Lithuanian mythology, Indraja was the personification of Jupiter, associated with the aforementioned Hindu god, and known as "the water witch". Additionally, Indra may come from the Latvian Indra River, also known as the Indrica, and as such, a feminine form of Indriķis, a Latvian form of Henry.

Indra

Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more stylish than the English Ocean or Oceana.
 This group of names all relate to the ancient Greek Oceanus, god of the open sea and the oldest Titan, son of Uranos and Gaia. If you're looking for uncommon <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/641/names-that-mean-ocean">names that mean ocean</a>, this is one to consider.

Oceane

A popular choice in Ireland, Clodagh was the name of a river and later a saint. The "cloddy" aspect of the name has prevented it from spreading beyond Ireland, but that could change with the rise of other Irish choices like Maeve and Orla.
 
The name was first used back in the 19th century, when it was chosen by the Marquess of Waterford, the County through which the river runs. The first bearer, Lady Clodagh Anson, a philanthropist and writer, also gave the name to her daughter, and hoped it would stay a rarity. 
 
It has gone on to rank in the Top 50 in Ireland and the Top 25 in Northern Ireland and in a recent year, ranked just outside the England and Wales Top 1000. Pronounced as KLAW-duh or KLO-duh depending on region, it shares similarities with Chloe, Clara, Cleo, and Clover.
 
While the exact meaning of the name is unknown, it has been suggested it means "stony river" or "muddy banks".
 
Famous namesakes are singer Clodagh Rodgers and chef Clodagh McKenna.

Clodagh

Name with genuine roots that nevertheless feels synthetic. 

Kallan

Could be the next Nova, now that celestial baby names are in the ascendent.

Nebula

Astrological name retains a hippielike Age of Aquarius feel.

Aquarius

Names that mean water include names that mean ocean and sea, waves and tide, and rain and mist. Notable river names, such as 

, along with ocean names, sea names, and lake names that are also baby names are listed here.

 of gods and goddesses of the sea can be counted as water names, as can the names of mythical mermaids and other water creatures.

 include India, Maren, Cordelia, Brooke, Lake, and Talia.

 that are popular in the US include Kai, Beckett, Brooks, Fisher, and Ford.

gender neutral names suitable for boys and girls have water meanings

, such as Bay, Lake, River, Nile, Brooklyn, and Pacific.

Names with water-related meanings might be perfect 

water signs of the zodiac: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.

 Or you may simply love the image of water reflected in your baby's name. Names with water meanings can be found in cultures all around the world for both baby girls and baby boys.

Names that mean water are connected to oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and more, including names with water meanings and names related to bodies of water..  (Page 6)