Updated October 2026
Across 12 pages
of 12
French
"of the sea"
An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.
Greek
"the sea"
Like others in this vein, problematic due to the feminine Hailey connection.
Scandinavian
"sea competition"
A name from medieval romance with an endearingly clunky sound, à la Sherlock. The most famous modern wearer was twentieth-century psychologist/sexologist Havelock (born Henry) Ellis.
Irish
"sea tide"
Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur"…
Welsh
"sea hill"
Terminally outmoded.
"sea taboo"
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice.
English
"dead sea"
Other kids might see a teasible connection to mortician or mortuary. Mortimer is an English family name used a few generations ago as an Anglicization of Moses; it was Walt Disney's original choice…
"from the sea"
Pelagios is one of the more outre of the sea-related names. But Pel could work as a short form -- or Gus.
Scottish and English
"town by the sea"
A perfectly fine Anglo surname, though we'd prefer Keaton. Oscar-winning writer-director George Seaton ( Miracle on 34th Street, The Country Girl ) was actually born George Stenius.
"sea defender"
Double whammy: the expression "Seward's folly" and inevitable sewer jokes.
Scottish nature name
"estuary or arm of the sea"
Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
"born of the sea"
Muirgen in Irish mythology was turned into a mermaid and then brought back to land after 300 years and transformed back into a woman -- which must have been quite a shock. Muirgen's original name was…
"sea white, sea fair"
The popular Irish name Muireann comes from a mythical mermaid who was tranformed into a woman by a saint. Pronunciation is like the surname of the actress Helen Mirren, but with the spin of a w sound…
Llyr is a name with a great meaning and a lovely sound, but that sound is going to be next to impossible to get non-Welsh speaking people to pronounce (google the double L sound in Welsh). If you are…
Turkish
"sea"
Derya is a unisex name in its native Turkey, though even there it is far more popular for women than for men. It is related to the Persian name Daria, which also means sea.
Australian Aboriginal
"by the sea"
This Yaygir Aboriginal name is the name of two towns in Australia and is also occasionally spotted as a name. Meaning "by the sea" the name is perfect for beach-going families.
Cornish
"a profit from the sea"
A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is…
Latin
"Star of the sea"
One of the many names for the Virgin Mary, this name is popular in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities.
Breton
"sea brow"
This Tolkien name is a variation on Meriadeg, a Breton name derived from Conan Meriadeg who was the legendary founder of Brittany. In Tolkien's novel, Meriadoc (shortened to the charming "Merry") is…
Conan Meriadeg was the legnedary founder of Brittany. The Welsh variant Meriadoc was borrowed by J. R. R. Tolkien for the hobbit Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck.