Nautas

A nautical name that blends modern and ancient, Nautus was chosen by actress Cameron Diaz and musician Benji Madden for their son in 2026. Likely derived from the Latin nauta, Nautus may be interpreted as meaning "sailor, seafarer, mariner" — though Benji Madden offered the more figurative interpretation of "voyager, navigator, one who embarks on a journey and fears not the unknown" when announcing his son's birth.

A one of a kind choice, Nautus might combine the appeal of ancient sounding names — such as Augustus, Titus, and Maximus — with the contemporary love for sea-inspired choices — like Ocean, Cove, and Caspian — with the on-trend sounds of names like Knox, Silas, Nash, and Atlas mixed in too.

It may also bring to mind the Nautilus, marine cephalopods, known for their large, spiral shells — also used as the name for Captain Nemo's submarine in Jules Verne's classic novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Pronounced NAW-tuss.

As of October 2026, Nautas Nameberry popularity #457.