Nautical Names

  1. Admiral
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "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?
  2. Afton
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Name of a town in Scotland that has a feminine strength.
  3. 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.
  4. Andrew
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"
    • Description:

      During its Top 10 heyday in the late 90s and early oughts, Andrew was one of the "cooler" classic boy names, an update on the old guard Roberts and Richards.
  5. Alee
    • Bailer
      • Description:

        Bailer is an unusual feminine name that appears to have originated as an occupational surname referring to someone who bailed water or worked as a bailiff. As a first name, Bailer is extremely rare, representing a modern trend of adopting surnames or occupational terms as given names. It has a strong, practical sound that some parents might find appealing for its uniqueness. The name doesn't have traditional gender associations, though it's occasionally used for girls. With its English language roots, Bailer might appeal to parents seeking an uncommon name with a straightforward pronunciation. There's little historical precedent for its use as a feminine name, making it a truly distinctive choice in contemporary naming practices.
    • Banyan
      • Origin:

        Indian
      • Meaning:

        "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.

    • Barbette
      • Description:

        Barbette is a delicate feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive of Barbara. Barbara derives from Greek, meaning "foreign" or "strange," while the '-ette' suffix adds a sense of daintiness and charm typical of French naming traditions. Barbette peaked in minimal usage during the early 20th century but has since become exceedingly rare. The name carries a vintage, somewhat theatrical quality, which may be connected to its other meaning in French circus arts, where a "barbette" refers to a type of aerial apparatus. With its soft sounds and romantic French flair, Barbette might appeal to parents seeking a truly uncommon name with historical roots and a touch of artistic elegance.

    • 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.
    • Beacon
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "signal light"
      • Description:

        A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning.
    • Bear
      • Origin:

        Animal name
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu, followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize.
    • 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.
    • Bertha
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "bright, glorious"
      • Description:

        Ever since the enormous German cannon was dubbed by Allied soldiers "Big Bertha" in World War I, this name hasn't worked for a sweet little baby girl. But this was not always so. Hard as it might be to imagine now, Bertha was a Top 100 name until the 1930s, and in the 1880s was the seventh most popular name in the land--the equal of Joseph.
    • Bimini
      • Origin:

        Place-name
      • Description:

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

        Word name
      • Meaning:

        "bridge"
      • Description:

        A new name with the potential for spanning across a far-reaching future. Bridges and Bridger are other possiblities.
    • Ballast
      • Batten
        • Bering
          • Bitt
            • Bolt
              • Brig
                • Buoy
                  • Cable
                    • Origin:

                      French
                    • Meaning:

                      "rope"
                    • Description:

                      Drop the C and arrive at an established biblical name.
                  • Calm
                    • Origin:

                      Word name
                    • Description:

                      A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world.
                  • 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.
                  • Cat
                    • Origin:

                      Diminutive of Catherine
                    • 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.
                  • Charley
                    • Origin:

                      Spelling variation of Charlie, French
                    • Meaning:

                      "free man"
                    • Description:

                      Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie are nearly even, there are six times as many girls named Charley than boys.
                  • Commodore
                    • Description:

                      Commodore is a masculine name derived from the military naval rank, which originated from the French 'commandeur' and Latin 'commendare' meaning 'to entrust' or 'to command.' As a given name, it gained limited usage in the United States during the 19th century, reflecting the nation's growing naval power and admiration for military titles. The name carries strong connotations of authority, leadership, and nautical tradition. While never widely popular, Commodore occasionally appeared as both a first and middle name for boys, particularly in families with naval connections or patriotic values. The name experienced a slight resurgence of interest with the popularity of Commodore computers in the 1980s. Today, it remains a rare choice that conveys strength and distinguished heritage.

                  • 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.

                  • Crew
                    • Origin:

                      English word name
                    • Meaning:

                      "a band or force of armed men"
                    • Description:

                      Crew is yet another word name that was added to the baby name lexicon when this one was chosen by The Young and the Restless star Joshua Morrow for his son. It debuted on the Top 1000 in 2010. We've also heard spelling variations Cru and Crue.
                  • Crow
                    • Origin:

                      Bird name
                    • Description:

                      From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.
                  • Cape
                    • Cardinal
                      • Carpenter
                        • Charter
                          • Compass
                            • 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?
                            • Day
                              • Origin:

                                Word name
                              • Description:

                                A bright and optimistic middle name choice.
                            • Delphine
                              • Origin:

                                French from Greek
                              • Meaning:

                                "of Delphi; womb"
                              • Description:

                                Delphine is a sleek, chic French name with two nature associations — the dolphin and the delphinium, a bluebell-like flower, a well as a link to the ancient city of Delphi, which the Greeks believed to be the womb of the earth. All of these derive from the Greek word delphus "womb".
                            • Derrick
                              • Origin:

                                Spelling variation of Derek
                              • Meaning:

                                "the people's ruler"
                              • Description:

                                Variation of Derek.
                            • 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.
                            • 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.
                            • Dover
                              • Origin:

                                British place-name
                              • Description:

                                Two-syllable place-names are stylish, and this one is attached to a British city noted for its white chalk cliffs, but there are a couple of minuses: associated with the fish, Dover sole, and also rhymes with the doggy Rover.
                            • Dragon
                              • Easton
                                • Origin:

                                  English
                                • Meaning:

                                  "eastern town"
                                • Description:

                                  Easton is a stylish Ivy League-ish place and surname name, more modern than Weston, on its way up for both sexes as part of the new direction baby names are taking, as in North and West. Easton was used for her son by Jenna Elfman--and by Elizabeth Rohm for her daughter.
                              • Echo
                                • Origin:

                                  Greek mythology name
                                • Meaning:

                                  "echo or sound"
                                • Description:

                                  Echo, the pretty, resonant name of a legendary nymph, was the heroine of Joss Whedon's sci-fi series Dollhouse. Nick Hexum, of the band 311, named his daughter Echo Love.
                              • Fife
                                • Origin:

                                  Scottish
                                • Meaning:

                                  "place name"
                                • Description:

                                  Musical choice that might work great in the middle. Alternative in all its forms, Fife and sister name Fifer are Scottish names for girls that can make a new twist on Piper.
                              • Fiona
                                • Origin:

                                  Scottish
                                • Meaning:

                                  "white, fair"
                                • Description:

                                  Fiona entered the American consciousness with the opening of the 1954 Broadway musical Brigadoon, but didn't come onto the U.S. popularity list until 1990.
                              • Grace
                                • Origin:

                                  English, virtue name
                                • Description:

                                  Grace, a simple and pure virtue name which originally referred to divine grace, is a fashionable classic. In the early 2000s, it seemed headed for the Top 10 but pulled back from the upward trajectory, which you may consider a very good thing.
                              • Harbor
                                • Origin:

                                  Word name
                                • Description:

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

                                  Word name, English
                                • Meaning:

                                  "a place of safety"
                                • Description:

                                  Haven is a recently invented safe-harbor name that appeals to an increasing number of parents who don't want to voyage quite as far as Heaven.
                              • India
                                • Origin:

                                  Place name, from the River Indus
                                • Description:

                                  Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000.
                              • Ivan
                                • Origin:

                                  Russian variation of John
                                • Meaning:

                                  "God is gracious"
                                • Description:

                                  Though some might find it a bit heavy-booted, Ivan is one of the few Russian boys' names to become fully accepted into the American naming pool.
                              • Jones
                                • Origin:

                                  English surname derived from John
                                • Meaning:

                                  "God is gracious"
                                • Description:

                                  This quintessentially common last name makes a distinctive if first, given to more than 230 babies in the US in the most recent year counted. It has doubled in use over the last decade.
                              • Moor
                                • Description:

                                  Moor is a masculine name with Anglo-Saxon and geographical origins. Historically, it referred to a person who lived near or came from moorlands – open, uncultivated upland areas. The name also has connections to the historical term 'Moor,' which was used to describe people of North African, particularly Berber and Arab, descent. As a given name, Moor is exceptionally rare, more commonly encountered as a surname. It has a strong, concise sound with nature-based connotations of wildness and freedom. The simplicity of the name gives it a distinctive quality, though its various historical and geographical associations may influence how it's perceived across different cultures.
                              • Ocean
                                • Origin:

                                  English, nature name
                                • Meaning:

                                  "ocean"
                                • Description:

                                  Nature names like Ocean and River are flowing back into favor, especially with nature lovers and green-oriented parents.
                              • 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.
                              • 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.

                              • Sailor
                                • Origin:

                                  Occupational name
                                • Description:

                                  Supermodel Christie Brinkley launched an entire name genre when she picked this breezy occupational name for her daughter in 1998, and it has become more prevalent in recent decades. The Saylor version, which you might consider a spelling spin or a surname-name, is now among the Top 500 names for girls, given to three times as many baby girls as the Sailor spelling. Counted together, Saylor and Sailor were used for about 1000 baby girls in one recent year in the US, versus about 100 boys.
                              • Skipper
                                • Origin:

                                  English
                                • Meaning:

                                  "captain"
                                • Description:

                                  Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.
                              • Storm
                                • Origin:

                                  Word name
                                • Description:

                                  Windswept and dramatic, but perhaps asking for trouble. Quite popular in Denmark and Sweden, where it derives from Stromr, which is a fairly common surname. Storm Thorgerson is a famous bearer of the name - he designed iconic album covers for Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Cranberries, Anthrax, and Pink Floyd.
                              • Ship
                                • Stern