Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 12 pages
of 12
Irish and Hindu mythology name; Sanskrit
"rain"
Danu is a name from Irish mythology without many details attached. Some say she's a goddess of agriculture and/or of women, but that does not appear in ancient texts. In Hindu mythology, Danu is a…
Polish, diminutive of Kordelja
"daughter of the sea"
Pretty in a polka-dancing way.
French
"of the sea"
An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.
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.
"of the fishing place"
An original choice for a fisherman's child.
Diminutive of Dwynwen
"wave"
Short, but still kind of a mouthful.
English combination of Ethel + Mary
"noble + drop of the sea, bitter, beloved"
A unique and vintage-feeling combo name, borne by silent child film star Ethelmary Oakland.
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.
English
"fisherman"
Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal.
Cornish form of Guinevere, Welsh
"white shadow, white wave"
Gwenora teeters on the line between unique gem and modern invention. But it's not a smoosh name fashioned from Gwen and Nora but an old Cornish form of Guinevere, like its much more famous sister…
Variation of Guinevere
An offbeat way to get to Gwen.
Tibetan
"ocean"
Gyatso is a highly meaningful name in Tibetan Buddhism. It is added to the name of each Dalai Lama — the current one is Tenzin Gyatso. It is a translation of the title Dalai, which means "ocean" or…
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.
Irish, Gaelic
"descendant of a stranger from across the seas; descendant of a pirate"
An Anglicized form of the Irish surname, Ó hAllmhuráin meaning "descendant of Allmhurán", Halloran could be your solution if you love the nickname Hal, but not Harold or Henry. Ultimately from…
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.
Maori
"of the ocean"
An elaboration on Moana, newly familiar thanks to the heroine of the eponymous 2016 Disney movie.
Finnish, Estonian diminutive of Helena, Greek
"torch; shining light"
More modern than Helen or Helena, and an interesting alternative to Hayley and Hallie. By coincidence, heli also means "saltwater" in Welsh.
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"…
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.
Basque
This striking name is little-known outside Spain. As an o-ending girl name, it would make even more impact than Juno or Calypso.
