Merfolk Names

Male and Female water-themed names from around the world and various mythologies. Perfect for island and ocean-themed inspiration.
  1. Alda
    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Aldo, German, or Old Norse
    • Meaning:

      "old or wave"
    • Description:

      Alda's brother name Aldo has been a mainstay of the U.S. popularity chart for decades now, and the related Alden is soaring up as well. This version has never really caught on. (Maybe it's the association with Alan Alda: great actor, unlikely namesake for a little girl.) However, there is possible hope now that Alba and Alma are on the rise. Aida and Arden are more familiar alternatives.
  2. Alon
    • Description:

      Alon is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning 'oak tree' or 'strong and mighty'. It symbolizes strength, resilience, and longevity, similar to the sturdy oak. Popular in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, Alon has gained modest international recognition for its simple pronunciation and powerful meaning. It evokes images of stability and natural beauty while remaining distinctive. In Israeli culture, the name connects to the landscape and natural heritage of the region. Alon has maintained steady popularity rather than experiencing dramatic trends, appreciated for its balance of traditional roots and contemporary sound.

  3. Asherah
    • Origin:

      Sumerian
    • Meaning:

      "she who treads on the sea"
    • Description:

      Asherah is probably one of the most ancient of mother goddess symbols, recorded in the pantheons of several civilisations from the tenth century BCE. As the mother to innumerable gods and goddesses, she is often depicted as having the capacity to walk on water, which makes Asherah an excellent choice for a baby born under one of the water signs of the zodiac, including names for Scorpio babies, as well as those born under Pisces and Cancer.
  4. Adva
    • Ahti
      • Bo
        • Origin:

          Norse nickname
        • Meaning:

          "to live"
        • Description:

          A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
      • Bo
        • Origin:

          Norse nickname
        • Meaning:

          "to live"
        • Description:

          This tiny but punchy name has multiple origins. It stands strong alone, but could be short for numerous names including Bonnie and Bodhi. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
      • Darya
        • Origin:

          Russian or Persian, variation of Daria or feminine form of Darius
        • Meaning:

          "kingly; possessing goodness; the sea"
        • Description:

          The beguiling Darya is the name of a character in Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. As a Russian name, it's a spelling variation of Daria, while in Iran, it's a girl's name that means "the sea".
      • Deniz
        • Origin:

          Turkish
        • Meaning:

          "sea"
        • Description:

          A super popular nature name in its native Turkey, currently Top 50 for both boys and girls there.
      • Dylan
        • Origin:

          Welsh
        • Meaning:

          "son of the sea"
        • Description:

          Dylan still feels poetic and romantic after years of popularity. It still ranks highly on the charts, among the top boy names starting with D, so if you choose it, be aware that yours may not be the only Dylan in his class.
      • Deniz
        • Gal
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "wave"
          • Description:

            A unisex name in Israel but in the U.S., it might as well be Sue.
        • Gal
          • Origin:

            Hebrew
          • Meaning:

            "wave"
          • Description:

            This unisex Israeli name, which rhymes with ball, is sure to receive more serious international attention now that actress Gal Gadot is the new Wonder Woman.
        • Gyatso
          • Hai
            • Hai
              • Heremoana
                • Itsaso
                  • Kai
                    • Origin:

                      Hawaiian, Frisian, Chinese
                    • Meaning:

                      "sea; warrior; triumph"
                    • Description:

                      Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
                  • Kai
                    • Origin:

                      Hawaiian
                    • Meaning:

                      "sea"
                    • Description:

                      This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.