Names That Mean Water

Lir is the Irish god of the sea, the equivalent of the Welsh Llyr which some equate with Shakespeare's King Lear. This is one of those rare names that is simple and has a deep history with an appealing meeting and yet is completely unused in the modern world -- no baby boys were recorded as receiving the name Lir in the US last year. Maybe because it sounds like the unappealing leer?

The Kaveri is a prominent river in South India, where it flows through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is among the seven holy rivers of India, personified by the goddess Kaveriamma. The name was derived from kāvēri, the word for "river" in the Sankethi language. Sankethi, related to Tamil, is spoken in regions around the Kaveri. Cauvery is the Anglicized spelling.

The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders.

Subtract the last two letters of Arnold, and you're left with a much more modern-sounding name. Arno is also the name of the main river in Florence, upon which sits the famed Ponte Vecchio. The Italian river name means "flowing water".

The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but it certainly could rise again along with Atticus and Cassius and other ancient Greek brethren.

Mythological water spirit with the more common spelling of Ondine, heroine of an Edith Wharton novel.

Possibly a derivative variation of Yara, a popular name in Spanish-speaking countries meaning butterfly, Yareli was given to more than 400 baby girls in the US last year.

Unusual yet accessible Hawaiian choice. The Noel beginning makes it a possible name for baby girls born at Christmas.

Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows wild in Europe and North America, and has long been used in several Native American and European cultures as a healing plant. Named for the mythical god Achille, Yarrow is a symbol of enduring love.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

Popular Spanish name that relates to the patron saint of Mexico. It could conceivably, like Soledad and Consuelo, cross the border into multicultural territory, but the name's decline since the nineties would seem to make that less likely.

One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May or Rae.

It's a nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls. But also a dishwashing detergent.

Projects the calm and pristine image of the picturesque Swiss lake and mountain town.

Oceanus was the Titan in ancient Greek mythology who rules what they thought was the body of water that surrounded the Earth. Oceanus was, appropriately enough, the name of the baby born on the Mayflower. Modern variations include Ocean, Oceana, and Oceane, a popular French name for girls.

For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form.

Laguna Beach is a famous California spot -- though there's "goonie" teasing potential.

Laguna Beach is a famous California spot -- though there's "goonie" teasing potential.

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" sound is currently out of fashion (and the word "hurl" may put some off).

A super popular nature name in its native Turkey, currently Top 50 for both boys and girls there.