Nature, Place and Word Names · Baby Name Meanings
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 13 pages
of 13
English
"fisherman"
Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal.
Greek
"kingfisher bird"
This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.
"shellfish-gatherer"
Surname of Declaration signer sure to present playground complications.
Animal name
"salmon, a fish"
nature names are in, and even fish names like Pike and Salmon are open for consideration.
Finnish
"wave"
The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.
Diminutive of Dwynwen
Short, but still kind of a mouthful.
Welsh
St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and her feast day on January 25 is the equivalent of Valentine's day in Wales. The short form Dwyn may be more manageable for the non-Welsh.
Variation of Guinevere
"white shadow, white wave"
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Italian
An Italian word name that somehow feels incomplete in itself.
Latin
"little wave"
Mythological spirit of the waters; spelled Undine, she was an Edith Wharton heroine.
Australian Aboriginal
"wave, surf"
Is there anything more Australian than the beach and surfing? Tarni is the Kaurna word for wave/surf, and is sometimes used as a girls name in Australia. Other spellings that are sometimes seen…
Mythological water spirit with the more common spelling of Ondine, heroine of an Edith Wharton novel.
Portuguese
"bay"
This possible word name, which rhymes with Maia, makes an even more distinctive alternative.
Greek; Aboriginial
"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"
This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea…
Turkish
"rain"
"water drop"
"river"
Two names meaning "river" make the Turkish Top 100 for girls — Nehir and Irmak. Irmak is the less popular of the two.
Cherokee
Traditional Cherokee choice that could work for a daughter born on a rainy day.
"swimmer"
One-of-a-kind water-related choice.
"tumbling water"
A rhythmic and attractive Cherokee girl name. Immokalee is also the name of a community in Florida.
