Ocean-Inspired Names for Babies

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 water goddess. Her name is connected to the river Danube.

Danu

Delja

An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.

Delmore

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.

Derya

An original choice for a fisherman's child. 

Devere

Dwyn

A unique and vintage-feeling combo name, borne by silent child film star Ethelmary Oakland.

Ethelmary

Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr.  Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.

Firth

Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal. 

Fisk

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 Jennifer.

Gwenora

Gwenore

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 "big" in Mongolian.

Gyatso

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. 

Halcyon

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 allúrach meaning "foreigner" or "pirate", this name has been interpreted as meaning "descendent of a stranger from across the seas".
 
The name might be associated with the character Richard "Dick" Hallorann from Stephen King's The Shining.

Halloran

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.

Havelock

An elaboration on Moana, newly familiar thanks to the heroine of the eponymous 2016 Disney movie.

Heimoana

More modern than Helen or Helena, and an interesting alternative to Hayley and Hallie. By coincidence, heli also means "saltwater" in Welsh.

Heli

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).

Hurley

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.

Iluka

This striking name is little-known outside Spain. As an o-ending girl name, it would make even more impact than Juno or Calypso.

Itsaso

Ocean names along with names that mean ocean or sea are increasingly popular for baby boys and girls.

are Dylan for boys and the classic Mary for girls.

boy names that mean ocean in the US Top 1000

. Kai, while technically unisex, is a Hawaiian name finding widespread popularity in many Western countries. 

 is name of a sea in Europe and is one of many stylish Cas-beginning names. And 

 an Irish name chosen by Jude Law, means floodtide and has a larger meaning of abundance.

girl names meaning ocean or sea in the US Top 1000

 include Mae, Kaia, Jennifer, Marina, and Mira.

Cordelia, a Shakespearean name that means "daughter of the sea", Kailani, a Hawaiian name meaning "sea and sky", and Nixie, a sprightly German name that means water nymph.

Popular gender-neutral names with ocean meanings

 include Kai, Morgan, and Marley, which rank in the US Top 1000 for both girls and boys. Other unisex names meaning sea or ocean include Dune, Murphy, and Ocean itself.

 that strike a stylish note include Mariner, Merrigan, and Wave, the name of Cardi B and Offset's little boy.

, ocean names include baby names with ocean or sea related meanings, such as Kai and Morgan, the names of specific oceans and seas, as well as the names of sea creatures and mythological aquatic figures.

If you love the ocean and want to draw on its power and mystery for a name for your child, consider the choices on this list.

Ocean names for babies, including girl names and boy names that mean ocean or refer to the ocean and the sea (Page 8)

Names That Mean Ocean or Sea