Name Image · Unusual, Rare, and Unique Baby Names
By Madison Dresler · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.
This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.
Nature name
As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.
French
"ocean"
Oceane (oh-see-EN) has been one of the chicest names in France for several years, ranking in the French Top 50. This is a sophisticated name that could easily cross the ocean, and is much more…
Irish
"fair"
This lilting Irish saint's name shone in neon lights on Broadway for the classical 1947 musical "Finian's Rainbow," later made into a film starring Fred Astaire as Finian McLonergan, and there was…
Latin
"mist"
Could be the next Nova, now that celestial baby names are in the ascendent.
Greek
"from the sea"
An offbeat possible replacement for the overused Melissa and Marisa, Nerissa was used by Shakespeare for Portia's witty confidante in The Merchant of Venice . Queen Elizabeth has a cousin named…
Color name
One of the new color names that is catching on, invoking a calm, blue-green-sea feeling.
"sea-green jewel"
Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
"star of the sea"
Stella Maris ("star of the sea") is an historic title for the Virgin Mary, in use since at least the early medieval period. Although it actually arose from a scribal error in the etymology of the…
Welsh
"maiden"
Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard…
Marine was trending for a long time in France, but the far right politician Marine (born Marion) LePen has dampened the mood.
Native American, Inuit
"goddess of the sea"
The name of the Inuit goddess of the sea, marine animals, and the underworld. There is also a dwarf planet in the outer solar system called 90377 Sedna, discovered in 2003 and named after the goddess…
"Scotland"
Place names can be a nod to your cultural heritage or a commemoration of a favorite destination. Scotia comes from the Latin name for Scotland, which may be a perfect fit for a family of Scottish…
Celtic
"gem of the sea"
Ula is among the unusual U names that may have a range of origins and meanings, from the Celtic one given here to its possibilities as a short form of Eulalia or Ursula. Ulla is a Scandinavian name…
Old English
"strong as the sea"
A magical Anglo-Saxon choice, Mereswyth combines the Old English mere ("sea") with swiþ ("strong") to form a name that reflects the power of the ocean. It could make a cool choice for writers looking…
Maori
"pathway of the sea"
A beautiful elaboration on the Polynesian name Moana "sea", made famous by the 2016 Disney film of the same name. It is also a New Zealand place name.
French from Latin
"sea water; color between green and blue"
A fresh and summery — if rather long — color that sounds namelike, but is extremely rarely used.
Swahili
"ocean, sea; one who sails"
A unisex name of Swahili origin, this spirited and sunny sounding choice means "sea, ocean". In this case, it is ultimately derived from the Arabic baḥriyy meaning "maritime" or "of the sea", which…
"ocean, sea"
English botanical name
A botanical name belonging to a small yellow flower in the poppy family. The word ultimately derives from chelidon, the Ancient Greek for "swallow (bird)". Characters called Celandine feature in The…
