Nautical Names

  1. Skipper
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "captain"
    • Description:

      Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Davy
    • Origin:

      Short form of David, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "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?
  5. Beach
    • Origin:

      Nature name, English word name
    • Meaning:

      "a shore of a body of water"
    • Description:

      With the tide coming in on a new wave of word names, this one just might catch on, especially for parents who relish sun, sand, and surf. Forest lovers can spell it Beech, like the tree.
  6. Pacific
    • Origin:

      Ocean name; from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "tranquil"
    • Description:

      Pacific is an adventurous kind of place-name, with the added bonus of the association with peace.
  7. Captain
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  8. Afton
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  9. Cat
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Catherine, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  10. Anchor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "heavy object used to moor a ship; provide with a solid foundation"
    • Description:

      Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year.
  11. 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.

  12. Bell
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "ringer of the bell"
    • Description:

      These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.
  13. Day
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "day"
    • Description:

      A bright and optimistic middle name choice.
  14. Harbor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.
  15. Boomer
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  16. Dory
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      A Dorothy nickname name with a measure of nostalgic charm. Kids will associate it with the funny fish character voiced by Ellen DeGeneres in the Pixar animated instant classic Finding Nemo.
  17. Port
    • Description:

      Port is an uncommon masculine name with English origins, derived from the Latin 'portus' meaning 'harbor' or 'haven.' As a word name, it carries associations with maritime settings, suggesting qualities of shelter, arrival, and connection. Port has historically been more common as a surname or place name than as a first name. Its brevity gives it a strong, direct quality—concise and distinctive with just one syllable. The name might appeal to parents with connections to sailing, coastal living, or those seeking a rare, simple name with subtle depth. Port's uniqueness ensures it stands out while its familiar word status keeps it accessible.

  18. Bimini
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Name of a tiny Bahamian island that's better suited to a girl.
  19. Dock
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "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.
  20. Bower
    • Description:

      Bower comes from English surname origins, derived from the Old English word 'bur,' referring to a cottage or dwelling, particularly one in a leafy enclosure or garden. Historically, it was an occupational surname for someone who worked or lived in such a setting. As a first name, Bower has remained quite rare, giving it a distinctive quality. The name evokes verdant, natural imagery of shaded garden retreats and leafy arbors - peaceful, green spaces that provide shelter and beauty. Bower has a strong, masculine one-syllable sound similar to more common names like Bowen or Owen, while offering unique nature-connected symbolism. It appeals to parents drawn to uncommon English names with natural associations.

Introducing the Nameberry App

Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile 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.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.
Nameberry App Logo