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Nautical Names - Geographical Names

vintageluvs
By vintageluvs
Updated Mon May 22 2023
  1. River

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Most of the notable Rivers have been male, but this nature name certainly flows as well for a girl. The name River is still rising for both genders, with about 3500 baby boys receiving the name last year vs. 1900 baby girls.
  2. Cove

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "small bay"

    • Description:

      Cove is an up-and-coming nature name whose cool sound and peaceful image saw it rising for both sexes... until COVID-19 hit. It remained steady in use for boys in 2021, but actually increased for girls, although it remains a seriously rare and distinctive choice for either gender.
  3. Quay

    • Origin:

      French word name

    • Meaning:

      "wharf"

    • Description:

      A name that looks intriguing and masculine on paper, but is, unfortunately, a homonym for a girl's name.
  4. Reef

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "ridge of rock or coral on sea floor"

    • Description:

      Reef is an uncommon nature name with mainstream potential. Its laidback, beach-y vibe makes it a perfect choice for ocean lovers.
  5. Delta

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "fourth letter; island formed at the mouth of a river"

    • Description:

      Delta is an unusual vintage option, blending the sounds of Della and Etta. The fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and a geographical term, used to describe an island formed at the mouth of a river, some may be put off by Delta's links the airline company of COVID variant on the same name.
  6. Ocean

    • Origin:

      English, nature name

    • Description:

      Ocean is a nature name that comes right out and states its meaning and association. Full of power and depth, Ocean is one of the fastest-rising baby names for both girls and boys, making the US Top 1000 for both genders in 2021. Oceane, the version that's trendy in France, was used for only 11 baby girls in the US in the same year. Ocean-lovers who want to be less obvious can choose such subtler names that mean ocean as Jennifer or Marissa, but coming right out and using Ocean is a perfectly valid way to go.
  7. Loch

    • Origin:

      Scottish Gaelic

    • Meaning:

      "lake"

    • Description:

      Loch is a watery word that sounds more like a name because it's one step removed from its English form. Pronounced as "lock," it's also a short form of the variously-spelled Lachlan.
  8. Dune

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "sand hill"

    • Description:

      Dune is a name of several layers. It's a modern nature name, like Ocean, Bay and Reef, although rarer, conjuring up images of breezy sand dunes on summer beach days.
  9. Bay

    • Origin:

      English word, Old English

    • Meaning:

      "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"

    • Description:

      One of the most usable of the pleasant, newly adopted nature/water names (like Lake and Ocean), especially in middle position. It's gentle, slightly whimsical, but grounded by its similarity to May or Rae.
  10. Lake

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      Evocative modern unisex choice brought into the spotlight by actress Lake Bell.
  11. Tide

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.
  12. Spring

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Spring doesn't sound half as contemporary as Winter, which has become the cool season name.
  13. Cliff

    • Origin:

      Topographical name or short form of Clifford or Clifton

    • Description:

      Cliff is a familiar, timeless short form -- never too popular, yet widely known -- that you might also think of as a geographical name ala Vale or Field.
  14. Marsh

    • Origin:

      English nature name

    • Description:

      Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Keys

    • Description:

      Keys is an unusual masculine name derived from an English surname that originally referred to someone who was a key-maker or who held the position of a key-keeper for a castle or church. As a given name, Keys is extremely rare and unconventional. It may appeal to parents looking for a distinctive, short, one-syllable name with a practical association. The name carries connotations of access, security, and importance—keys literally unlock doors and possibilities. While primarily used as a surname, Keys has occasionally appeared as a first name in recent decades, though it remains statistically uncommon in birth records. Some may choose it for its musical associations, reminiscent of piano keys or musical keys.

  18. 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.

  19. Cay

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Kay or short form of Caitlin, Catherine et al

    • Description:

      Cay is a rare respelling of the retro nickname Kay but one that may gain ground as a name that's both simple and unique. Like Kay, it can be a diminutive for any of the hundreds of Catherine variations that start with a C or of more modern names such as Caylee or Cadence. Or it can stand on its own as a sleek contemporary nickname-name.
  20. 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.