Nature, Place and Word Names · Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 13 pages
of 13
Irish
"of the bright sea"
Merial is a feminine name with complex historical roots. It may derive from the medieval name Muriel (meaning 'bright sea' from Celtic elements 'muir' meaning sea and 'el' meaning bright) with an…
Variation of Muriel, Irish
This pleasant modernization of a dated original is still rare but has real modern possibilities. Alternate versions include Merial and Meryl. Meriel was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US…
German
"dweller near the brook"
Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.
English surname
"island with the brook"
Bernie, with airs.
English
"roe-deer brook"
If you feel a burning need to gussy up Ray -- think again.
Italian
"deep brook"
Unique choice, with a pleasant antique feel.
"from the western brook"
Pompous and pretentious.
"black well or stream"
Dark.
"one who lives near a stream"
A surname with more force than most.
Slavic
Off-putting cousin of Bradley and Rodney.
Hebrew
"Winter stream"
One of the rarer names to come from the Bible, Cherith has a fresh and modern sound despite its ancient roots. Cherith was the name of the stream that kept Elijah alive during the three years'…
"from the stream"
Irish name with an intriguing lilt.
"woods with a stream"
For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form.
"small stream"
A male character in The Chronicles of Narnia , but could conceivably be used for a girl.
Estonian
A variant of Estonian Riivo, of uncertain meaning, that fits right in with cool water names like River and Rio.
"stream"
Irrevocably tied to long-lived, controversial South Carolina senator Strom (born James) Thurman; Strom, which sounds like an anagram of Storm, was his mother's maiden name. With a stretch, you might…
Gaelic
A strong, eminently usable which is currently highly fashionable in its native Scotland, but little known elsewhere. With its cool two-syllable, n-ending shape and attractive nature meaning, Struan…
"cottage near a stream"
One of many stuffy British W surnames that would subject an American boy to years of teasing before growing into it at age fifty.
French occupational name
"fisherman"
How to spruce up Fisher or Beau? This French surname-name might be an option for a parent unafraid of the unusual. The name derives from Barbel, a type of fish, which is how it became a surname for…
French
"of the fishing place"
An original choice for a fisherman's child.
