Nautical Names
- Bell
Origin:
English and Scottish occupational nameMeaning:
"ringer of the bell"Description:
These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.
- Crow
Origin:
Bird nameDescription:
From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.
- Captain
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"person in charge"Description:
A commanding word name that feels occupational like Miller, Palmer, and Shepherd, while also fitting in with ambitious choices like Legend, King, Major, Maverick, and Saint. Referring to someone who takes the lead and holds influence and responsibility, Captain has links to team sports, the military, seafaring, superheroes, and the police.
- Day
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"day"Description:
A bright and optimistic middle name choice.
- Beacon
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"signal light"Description:
A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.
- Bow
Description:
Bow is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. As an English word name, it connects to several meanings: the weapon for shooting arrows, symbolizing precision and skill; the decorative tied ribbon, representing presentation and celebration; or the front of a ship, suggesting forward movement and navigation. It may also derive from Asian origins, particularly Chinese, where it can relate to various characters depending on the tone. Bow is extremely rare as a given name, making it a highly distinctive choice. Its brevity and simple pronunciation give it a modern, minimalist appeal. The name's multiple associations with strength, movement, and artistry make it versatile despite its unconventional nature as a personal name.
- Afton
Origin:
Place-nameMeaning:
"Æffa's farmstead"Description:
A Scottish town and river name, Afton has a cool, contemporary sound, similar to Alden, Austen, Effie, and Aspen. Derived from Old English, it could mean "Æffa's farmstead", Æffa being an Anglo-Saxon given name of unknown meaning.
- Davy
Origin:
Short form of David, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Davy and Davey are certainly short forms that are frequently used but rarely wind up on the birth certificate. And why, since David is such a handsome, classic, yet short and simple name on its own?
- Derrick
Origin:
Spelling variation of Derek, English from German form of Theodoric,"the people's ruler"Meaning:
"the people's ruler"Description:
Derek is one of those names that, in its heyday, spawned lots of variations, all trendy. Last year, about 300 baby boys were named Derrick and about 1350 were named Derek.
- Cat
Origin:
Diminutive of Catherine, GreekMeaning:
"pure"Description:
May be the most modern, stylish Catherine nickname: more unusual than Kate or Cate, with an animal and word name edge. Cat Power is a trendy folksinger.
- Boomer
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"gatekeeper"Description:
This upbeat, friendly surname name has appeared on television's Battlestar Galactica a handful of cartoons, and on a literary note, a character in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Sports fans might think of Boomer Esiason, the NFL quarterback turned color commentator. He's not the only athlete to answer to the upbeat nickname.
- Banyan
Origin:
IndianMeaning:
"the God tree"Description:
This evocative name of a dramatic tropical Indian fig tree is ready to move west.
- Bar
Description:
Bar is a feminine name with multicultural roots and concise elegance. In Hebrew, it means 'pure' or 'grain,' and holds significance in Israeli culture where it's used for both genders, though more commonly for girls. The name also appears in various cultures with different meanings: in Celtic traditions, it relates to 'height' or 'summit,' while in Turkish it can mean 'existence.' Bar's simplicity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal that works well internationally. In Israel, notable namesakes include actress Bar Refaeli, which has increased its recognition globally. Despite its brevity, Bar carries cultural depth and spiritual significance. The name remains uncommon in Western countries but has seen steady usage in Israel. Its short form enables easy pronunciation across languages while maintaining its distinctive character.
- Harbor
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.
- Cable
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"rope"Description:
Drop the C and arrive at an established biblical name.
- Admiral
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"a high rank in the navy"Description:
This title name definitely makes a statement. Will Admiral fit in with the Saints, Kings, and Knights joining the playground?
- Bridge
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"bridge"Description:
A new name with the potential for spanning across a far-reaching future. Bridges and Bridger are other possiblities.
- Dock
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"enclosed area of water in a port for ships to load and unload"Description:
A sailing and sea-related choice, which also feels connected to the reparative powers of nature (via dock leaves) and to doctors generally, Dock made the Top 1000 in the first half of the 20th century, though today, it is only quietly and sporadically used.
- Bimini
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
Name of a tiny Bahamian island that's better suited to a girl.
- Conn
Description:
Conn as a feminine name is highly unusual, as it is traditionally a masculine Irish name derived from the Gaelic "Conn" meaning "wisdom" or "chief." It has historical significance in Irish mythology and culture, associated with Conn of the Hundred Battles, a legendary High King of Ireland. The name is short, strong, and distinctive, with its simple four-letter structure giving it a modern minimalist appeal despite its ancient origins. As a feminine choice, Conn represents a bold cross-gender adaptation, perhaps appealing to parents seeking gender-neutral naming options or those with Irish heritage looking for an unconventional choice. The name's brevity and strong consonant ending gives it a confident, assertive quality regardless of gender.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

