Top 1200 Names That Mean Ocean From A-Z (2024)

Embark on a captivating journey through the world of names inspired by the vast and mysterious ocean. Our carefully curated list of the top 1200 names, each resonating with the essence of the sea, offers a diverse range of options for those seeking a name that echoes the beauty and depth of the ocean. From traditional to contemporary, these names span various cultures and languages, reflecting the universal allure of the seas. Whether you’re expecting a new addition to your family, writing a novel, or just fascinated by ocean-themed names, our extensive compilation is designed to inspire and enchant. Dive into this oceanic odyssey and discover a name that perfectly captures the spirit of the sea.

A

• Adrian – Latin origin, from Hadria, the Adriatic sea region. Also means “dark one.”
• Aegir – Norse origin, the name of the Norse god of the sea.
• Aalto – Finnish origin, meaning “wave.”
• Aenon – Greek origin, meaning “water spring.”
• Aherne – Irish origin, meaning “lord of the horses,” but also associated with water spirits.
• Aukai – Hawaiian origin, meaning “explorer of the sea.”
• Anahita – Persian origin, meaning “water” or “river goddess.”
• Arnava – Sanskrit origin, meaning “ocean.”
• Arnav – Indian origin, meaning “ocean.”
• Aukina – Polynesian origin, meaning “ocean strength.”

B

• Beckett – English origin, with various meanings including “beehive, little brook or bee cottage”
• Beck – English origin, meaning “stream”
• Brooke – English origin, meaning “small stream”
• Brooklynn – English origin, a variant of Brooke, meaning “water, stream”
• Bay – English origin, referring to a body of water connected to an ocean or lake
• Baylor – English origin, possibly related to a “deliverer of goods by a body of water”
• Bourne – English origin, meaning “one who lives near a stream”
• Barbeau – French origin, meaning “fisherman”
• Bardo – German origin, meaning “water”
• Barlow – English origin, meaning “hillside by a lake”
• Barry – Irish origin, meaning “fair-haired,” but also associated with the Irish word “Barr” which can mean “sea”
• Baruna – Hindi origin, a variant of Varuna, meaning “lord of the sea”
• Baxter – English origin, originally a surname for a baker, but also associated with “water”
• Beale – English origin, meaning “handsome; admirer; sweetheart,” but also related to “Béal,” which can mean “mouth of the sea” in Irish
• Becher – Hebrew origin, meaning “young man,” but phonetically similar to “beach”
• Bede – English origin, meaning “prayer,” but also associated with the Celtic word “Abed,” which can mean “water”
• Belisario – Greek origin, meaning “swordsman,” but with a phonetic similarity to “Belize,” a country known for its coastal waters
• Bellamy – French and English origin, meaning “fine friend,” but with “bel,” occasionally associated with bodies of water in certain contexts
• Bellino – Italian origin, meaning “handsome,” but with “bell,” occasionally associated with bodies of water in certain contexts
• Benton – English origin, meaning “town in the bent grass,” with “bent” sometimes associated with coastal grasses.

C

• Calder – Scottish origin, meaning “rocky water.”
• Caspian – English origin, referring to the Caspian Sea.
• Cari – Turkish origin, meaning “flows like water.”
• Carys – Welsh origin, though primarily meaning “love,” it is associated with the sea due to its Welsh roots.
• Coburn – English origin, meaning “rocky water” or “boundary water.”
• Conway – Welsh origin, meaning “holy water.”
• Cordelia – Celtic origin, meaning “daughter of the sea.”
• Corin – Greek origin, derived from “Koros,” but often associated with a spear or a body of water.
• Cove – English origin, referring to a small coastal inlet or bay.
• Cozumel – Mayan origin, a place name referring to an island in the Caribbean Sea.

D

• Dylan – Welsh origin, meaning “son of the sea”
• Darya – Persian origin, meaning “sea”
• Delmar – Spanish origin, meaning “of the sea”
• Delmare – French origin, meaning “of the sea”
• Deniz – Turkish origin, meaning “sea”
• Derya – Turkish origin, similar to Darya, meaning “sea”
• Doran – Irish origin, meaning “stranger” or “exile,” but also associated with “Dor,” a coastal town in Israel
• Douglas – Scottish origin, from the Gaelic elements “dubh” meaning “dark” and “glas” meaning “stream”
• Dover – English origin, meaning “water” and associated with the English port of Dover
• Duane – Irish origin, meaning “little dark one,” but phonetically similar to “dune,” associated with beaches
• Dax – French origin, a town known for its thermal springs
• Dian – Indonesian origin, meaning “candle,” but in Javanese, it can mean “water”
• Darwin – English origin, meaning “dear friend,” but also associated with Charles Darwin, who had significant interactions with the ocean during his voyage on the HMS Beagle
• Devereux – French origin, meaning “riverbank”
• Devlin – Irish origin, meaning “unlucky” or “fierce courage,” but also associated with “Devlin River” in Ireland
• Dione – Greek origin, related to the mythological goddess of the sea
• Donnelly – Irish origin, meaning “dark brave one,” but also associated with “Don,” which can mean “brown” and is the name of rivers in Scotland and England
• Dorsey – English origin, meaning “from Orsay,” but phonetically similar to “dorsal,” which is a term used in marine biology
• Drake – English origin, meaning “dragon” or “snake,” but also associated with Sir Francis Drake, a famous sea captain
• Drayton – English origin, meaning “farm or settlement near a drain or ditch,” which can include water channels

E

• Earl – Old English origin, meaning “nobleman, warrior,” but historically, Earls often ruled coastal regions and waterways.
• Earendil – Tolkien’s Elvish origin, meaning “lover of the sea.”
• Earwyn – English origin, meaning “friend of the sea.”
• Eber – Hebrew origin, meaning “region on the other side of the sea.”
• Eddy – English origin, referring to a circular movement of water, counter to a main current, creating a small whirlpool.
• Edmar – English origin, meaning “wealthy sea.”
• Edrian – English origin, a variation of Adrian, from Hadria, the Adriatic sea region.
• Einar – Old Norse origin, meaning “one who fights alone,” but also associated with the Norwegian word “einar,” which means “alone” and has been linked to maritime solitude.
• Elmo – Italian origin, meaning “helmet” or “protection,” but also associated with St. Elmo’s fire, a weather phenomenon at sea.
• Ervin – Scottish origin, meaning “green water” or “beautiful.”

F

• Ford – English origin, meaning “river crossing”
• Firth – Scottish origin, referring to a coastal water body, similar to a bay or estuary
• Fisher – English origin, occupational name for someone who catches fish
• Fjord – Norwegian origin, referring to a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs
• Fulton – Scottish origin, meaning “bird-catcher,” but also associated with Robert Fulton, who pioneered steamboat navigation
• Finley – Scottish origin, meaning “fair-haired hero,” but also contains the element “fin,” which is associated with fish and marine life
• Fallon – Irish origin, meaning “leader,” but phonetically similar to “fall,” which can be associated with waterfalls or water flowing
• Faro – Italian origin, meaning “lighthouse,” which is associated with guiding ships at sea
• Fisk – Scandinavian origin, meaning “fish,” which is directly related to the sea
• Firtha – Scottish origin, a variation of Firth, referring to a coastal water body
• Fleet – English origin, meaning “stream” or “creek”
• Flint – English origin, meaning “a stream,” or “born near an outcrop of flint”
• Florence – Latin origin, meaning “flourishing, prosperous,” but the name of the city associated with the Arno River
• Florian – Latin origin, meaning “flowering,” but also associated with St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, who protect against fire and water hazards
• Forbes – Scottish origin, meaning “field,” but also associated with bodies of water as in the case of “Loch Forbes”
• Foster – English origin, meaning “forest,” but also phonetically similar to “fjord,” a type of coastal waterway
• Fraser – Scottish origin, possibly derived from a French surname meaning “strawberry,” but also associated with the Fraser River in Canada
• Freya – Norse origin, the name of the goddess of love, fertility, and also associated with the sea due to Norse mythology’s emphasis on maritime culture
• Fulton – English origin, meaning “settlement by the fowl or birds,” but also associated with Robert Fulton, known for developing the first successful steamboat
• Fynn – German origin, meaning “fair,” but phonetically similar to “fin,” which is associated with fish and marine life

G

• Gal – Hebrew origin, meaning “wave.”
• Gali – Hebrew origin, meaning “my wave” or “wave of God.”
• Galen – Greek origin, meaning “calm,” often associated with the calmness of the sea.
• Galilee – Hebrew origin, a region in Israel, which includes the Sea of Galilee.
• Garnet – English origin, a gemstone that is often associated with the sea due to its color.
• Garyn – Welsh origin, meaning “garden wall,” but similar to the Welsh word for sea, “gair.”
• Gavan – Welsh origin, meaning “white hawk,” but similar to the Welsh word for sea, “gair.”
• Genevieve – French origin, meaning “tribe woman,” but historically associated with water through the patron saint of Paris, who is often depicted with water.
• Ginevra – Italian origin, meaning “white shadow, white wave.”
• Guinevere – Welsh origin, meaning “white shadow, white wave.”

H

• Hurley – Irish origin, meaning “sea tide”
• Hali – Greek origin, meaning “sea”
• Halimeda – Greek origin, name of a sea plant
• Havelock – Norse origin, meaning “sea competition”
• Haf – Icelandic origin, meaning “ocean”
• Harbor – English origin, referring to a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter
• Harlow – English origin, meaning “rock hill” or “army hill,” but phonetically similar to “harbor”
• Havel – Slavic origin, meaning “sea battle”
• Hawkins – English origin, possibly meaning “hawk-like,” but associated with Sir John Hawkins, an English naval commander and slave trader
• Hayle – English origin, meaning “hall” or “recessed valley,” but also the name of a town in Cornwall known for its estuary
• Heath – English origin, meaning “the heathland dweller,” but also a term for a tract of open and uncultivated land, which can include wetlands
• Hebron – Hebrew origin, meaning “association, league,” but also a city located near water sources in the West Bank
• Helmi – Finnish origin, meaning “pearl,” which is found in the ocean
• Hendrix – English origin, meaning “son of Hendrick,” but also associated with Jimi Hendrix, who has an album titled “Electric Ladyland” with the song “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn to Be)” that references the sea
• Hesper – Greek origin, meaning “evening star,” but also associated with the Hesperides in Greek mythology, nymphs of the evening and golden light of sunsets, who were said to live in a beautiful garden by the ocean
• Hilton – English origin, meaning “hill settlement,” but also associated with the Hilton hotel chain, which often features coastal resorts
• Holmes – English origin, meaning “islander,” which can imply a connection to the sea
• Holt – English origin, meaning “wood,” “forest,” but also “son of the unspoiled forests,” which can include riverine forests
• Hope – English origin, meaning “hope,” but also a term used in geography for a small bay or inlet
• Howard – English origin, meaning “high guardian,” but also associated with Howard Hughes, who built the Hughes H-4 Hercules, commonly known as the “Spruce Goose,” an aircraft designed for flight over water

I

• Ianthe: In Greek mythology, Ianthe is associated with ocean nymphs, though the name itself means “purple flower.”
• Idalia: While Idalia means “behold the sun” in Greek, it also has a connection to the sea through the sun god Apollo’s temple in Idalion, Cyprus.
• Iluka: An Aboriginal name that directly translates to “by the sea.”
• Indiana: Although it means “land of the Indians,” Indiana evokes the Indian Ocean through its phonetic similarity.
• Indra: A name of Hindu origin, Indra is the god of rain and thunderstorms, thereby holding an indirect link to water.
• Inna: A Slavic diminutive often used for names ending in “-ina,” it is phonetically similar to “inna,” which can mean “strong water” in Old Norse.
• Ione: Greek for “violet,” Ione is a plant name that can grow near water, suggesting a natural connection to watery environments.
• Ira: In Maori, Ira means “sea,” as in “Moana Ira,” directly linking the name to the ocean.
• Irina: This Greek name means “peace,” but is phonetically close to “marine,” suggesting a connection to the sea.
• Irving: Of Scottish origin, Irving means “green river, sea friend,” indicating a relationship with water bodies.
• Isla: Spanish and Scottish for “island,” Isla inherently relates to land surrounded by the sea.
• Ismarus: A place name from Greek mythology, Ismarus is mentioned in Homer’s “Odyssey” and is located by the sea.
• Isolde: Known from the Tristan and Isolde legend, which includes a sea voyage, Isolde has an inherent connection to the ocean.
• Ivar: With Norse origins, Ivar is associated with the Viking leader Ivar the Boneless, who was known for his seafaring exploits.
• Ivria: A Hebrew name meaning “from the other side of the river,” Ivria has a water-related connotation.
• Iwaki: A Japanese place name, Iwaki is often found in coastal regions, linking it to the sea.
• Iyad: An Arabic name meaning “support,” Iyad is also the name of a coastal city in Libya, tying it to the ocean.
• Iyoko: Meaning “sun child” in Japanese, Iyoko can be associated with the image of the sun over the sea.
• Iolana: Hawaiian for “to soar like an eagle,” Iolana can be connected to the ocean where eagles are often found near coasts.
• Iolani: Meaning “royal hawk” in Hawaiian, Iolani relates to coastal regions where hawks are commonly seen.

J

• Jaladhi (Indian) – Means “ocean” in Sanskrit.
• Jaladhipa (Indian) – Another Sanskrit name that translates to “lord of the sea.”
• Jaleh (Persian) – Means “rain,” which is a vital part of the water cycle and related to the ocean.
• Jamuna (Indian) – Named after the sacred river Yamuna in India, which ultimately joins a larger body of water.
• Jebi (Korean) – Means “swallow (bird)” in Korean; swallows are often seen over water bodies including the sea.
• Jennifer (Cornish) – While primarily known as a common name, it has roots meaning “white wave” or “fair one.”
• Jenny (English) – A diminutive of Jennifer, with the same potential water-related meaning of “white wave.”
• Jiaolong (Chinese) – Refers to a mythical sea dragon in Chinese folklore.
• Jin (Chinese) – In some contexts, it can mean “gold,” which can be associated with golden sands on a beach or the golden reflection on the ocean.
• Jinda (Thai) – Means “real” or “true” in Thai; true as the vastness of the ocean.
• Jordan (Hebrew) – Named after the Jordan River, which is significant in many religious texts and ultimately feeds into larger bodies of water.
• Jordana (Hebrew) – The feminine form of Jordan, with the same association to the Jordan River.
• Jorie (American) – A modern American name, sometimes considered a variant of the Hebrew name Jordan, which has water connotations.
• Jorunn (Scandinavian) – A name derived from Old Norse elements meaning “horse” and “love,” but “runn” can also be interpreted as “wave” in some contexts.
• Jovan (Slavic) – While it means “God is gracious,” it can be phonetically similar to ocean-related names in some Slavic languages.
• Ju-long (Chinese) – Means “gigantic dragon,” and dragons in Chinese culture are often associated with water and the sea.
• Jumana (Arabic) – Means “silver pearl,” which could be associated with the treasures of the sea.
• Jyoti (Indian) – Means “light” or “flame” in Sanskrit; light is often reflected on the surface of the ocean.

K

• Kai (Hawaiian) – A popular name meaning “sea.”
• Kaimana (Hawaiian) – Translates to “power of the ocean,” reflecting the sea’s mighty force.
• Kairi (Japanese) – Means “sea,” a simple and serene name.
• Kalani (Hawaiian) – Signifies “the heavens, sky, or sea,” encompassing the vastness of the sky and ocean.
• Kailani (Hawaiian) – A beautiful name that means “sea and sky.”
• Kanaloa (Hawaiian) – Named after the god of the ocean in Hawaiian mythology.
• Kaiko (Japanese) – This name means “sea child,” often given to children with a strong connection to the ocean.
• Kainalu (Hawaiian) – Means “sea wave,” capturing the essence of the ocean’s movement.
• Kairav (Indian) – Signifies “one born from the water; lotus; ocean,” symbolizing purity and beauty.
• Kaiyo (Japanese) – A name that directly translates to “ocean.”
• Kanoa (Hawaiian) – Means “the free one,” associated with the freedom of the ocean.
• Kaiea (Hawaiian) – Represents “sea’s strength,” highlighting the powerful nature of the ocean.
• Kairavini (Indian) – Means “born from the ocean,” symbolizing a deep connection with the sea.
• Kais (Arabic) – A name that signifies “ocean,” reflecting vastness and depth.
• Kailas (Indian) – Means “crystal clear water; ocean,” denoting clarity and purity.
• Kairava (Indian) – Another name for “white lotus; born from the water,” often associated with tranquility.
• Kairn (Scottish) – A Scottish name meaning “ocean.”
• Kaly (Turkish) – A short and sweet name that means “sea.”
• Kama (Polynesian) – Signifies “ocean; sea,” a name shared with the Hawaiian god of love and fertility.
• Kamakana (Hawaiian) – Means “sea gift,” often given as a token of the ocean’s generosity.
• Kamban (Indian) – A name that translates to “ocean,” signifying vastness.
• Kanai (Maori) – A name from the Maori language that means “sea.”
• Kanara (Indian) – Means “water; ocean,” highlighting the life-giving aspect of the sea.
• Kanja (Indian) – Signifies “water born; ocean,” often used to denote someone with a natural affinity for water.
• Kanuha (Hawaiian) – Means “the sullen,” referencing the deep and often moody nature of the ocean.
• Kapueo (Hawaiian) – Translates to “sea owl,” a unique name that combines elements of the ocean and air.
• Karun (Indian) – A simple name meaning “ocean.”
• Kavar (Indian) – Another name for “ocean,” emphasizing the expanse of the sea.
• Kawai (Hawaiian) – Means “the water,” a fundamental component of the ocean.
• Kawena (Hawaiian) – Signifies “the glow,” which can be likened to the reflection of light on the ocean’s surface.
• Kayansh (Indian) – A name that means “ocean,” often chosen for its calm and soothing connotations.
• Kealoha (Hawaiian) – Means “the love,” as vast and encompassing as the ocean itself.
• Kedarnath (Indian) – Named after a holy site near the ocean, meaning “lord of the field.”
• Kei (Japanese) – A name that means “blessing, rapture,” akin to the blessings of the sea.
• Keilani (Hawaiian) – Translates to “glorious chief,” a name with regal connotations as vast as the sea.
• Kekai (Hawaiian) – Simply means “the sea.”
• Kelani (Hawaiian) – A name that also means “the heavens, sky, or sea.”
• Kelpie (Scottish) – Named after a mythological water spirit associated with the sea.
• Ken (Japanese) – Means “strong, physically healthy,” qualities that can be attributed to the ocean.
• Kenji (Japanese) – Signifies “strong, healthy second son,” with a robustness akin to the sea.
• Kenzou (Japanese) – Means “strong and healthy,” reflecting the enduring nature of the ocean.
• Kerk (Albanian) – A straightforward name that means “ocean.”
• Kert (Estonian) – A name meaning “sea,” evoking the calmness of coastal waters.
• Kerttu (Finnish) – Signifies “sea strength,” combining the elements of power and water.
• Ketil (Scandinavian) – Means “cauldron,” associated with the deep sea’s brewing mystery.
• Kian (Persian) – Translates to “king; foundation,” evoking the commanding presence of the sea.
• Kishan (Indian) – Refers to “Lord Krishna,” who is often depicted with a conch shell and associated with water.
• Kishore (Indian) – Means “young boy,” capturing the ocean’s youthful and energetic spirit.
• Kiyoshi (Japanese) – Signifies “pure,” akin to the pristine quality of a clear ocean.
• Konal (Indian) – Another name that means “ocean,” symbolizing vastness and depth.

L

• Lachlan (Scottish) – Originally a Scottish surname meaning “from the land of the lochs” or “from the land of lakes,” which can be associated with bodies of water similar to the sea.
• Lana (Hawaiian, Slavic) – In Hawaiian, Lana means “afloat; calm as still waters,” and in Slavic, it means “light,” which can be associated with the reflective surface of the ocean.
• Larimar (Spanish) – Named after a blue stone found in the Caribbean, reminiscent of the ocean’s color.
• Larya (Finnish) – A name meaning “sea gull,” a bird commonly associated with the ocean.
• Ler (Irish) – In Irish mythology, Ler is the god of the sea.
• Lerato (African) – Means “love” in Sesotho, and while it doesn’t directly mean ocean, love can be as deep as the ocean.
• Leven (Hebrew, Scottish) – In Hebrew, it means “heart,” and in Scottish, it’s named after a river, which is a water body connected to the sea.
• Lir (Irish) – Another form of Ler, the Irish god of the sea.
• Llyr (Welsh) – Means “the sea” in Welsh and is the name of a sea god in Welsh mythology.
• Logan (Scottish) – While primarily meaning “little hollow,” it can also be associated with water bodies and indirectly to the sea in Scottish Gaelic.
• Lona (Hawaiian) – Means “buoyant; floating,” which can be associated with the way objects float on the sea.
• Lorelei (German) – Named after a rock on the Rhine River that creates an echo and is associated with a siren’s legend, linking it to water lore.
• Lowell (English) – A name that means “young wolf,” but historically, it’s associated with people who lived near a wolf-infested water source, indirectly linking it to water.
• Luan (Portuguese) – In Portuguese, it can mean “moon,” which influences the ocean tides.
• Luana (Hawaiian, Romanian) – In Hawaiian, it means “enjoyment,” and in Romanian, it’s derived from the word for “river,” a body of water that often leads to the sea.
• Lucia (Latin) – Means “light,” which can be linked to the reflection of light on the ocean’s surface.
• Luna (Latin) – Means “moon,” which has a strong influence on the ocean’s tides.
• Lynn (Welsh) – In Welsh, Lynn or Lyn means “lake,” which is a body of water often connected to the sea.

M

• Maren (Latin) – Derived from “mare,” meaning “sea.”
• Marina (Latin) – Relates to the sea or marina, where boats are docked.
• Maris (Latin) – Means “of the sea.”
• Marlin (English) – Named after the sea fish, it’s associated with the ocean.
• Mazu (Chinese) – The name of the Chinese sea goddess, protector of seafarers.
• Meredith (Welsh) – While it means “great ruler,” it’s also associated with “sea lord” in some interpretations.
• Meri (Finnish) – Directly translates to “sea” in Finnish.
• Merlin (Welish) – Although known as a wizard’s name, it can also mean “sea fortress.”
• Mira (Sanskrit, Latin) – In Sanskrit, it means “ocean,” and in Latin, it relates to “admirable” or “wonderful.”
• Miriam (Hebrew) – While the meaning is debated, it’s sometimes associated with “sea of bitterness” or “sea of sorrow.”
• Moana (Maori, Hawaiian) – Means “ocean” or “sea” in Maori and Hawaiian.
• Morgan (Welsh) – Traditionally means “sea circle” or “sea chief.”
• Morrissey (Irish) – While it’s a surname, it can be associated with “choice of the sea.”
• Mortimer (English) – Historically means “still water,” which can be associated with calm seas.
• Moselle (Hebrew) – Named after a biblical river, it has a water-related connotation.
• Muir (Scottish) – Means “sea” or “moor” in Scots.
• Muirgen (Irish) – Means “born of the sea.”
• Murdoch (Scottish) – Derived from Scottish and Irish roots meaning “protector of the sea.”
• Muriel (Celtic) – Means “bright sea.”
• Murray (Scottish) – Derived from a place name associated with the sea and maritime activities.
• Myra (Greek) – While the meaning is uncertain, it’s sometimes linked to “myrrh,” which has sea trade connotations.
• Myron (Greek) – Means “myrrh,” a fragrant resin traded across the sea in ancient times.
• Mazu (Chinese) – Named after a revered sea goddess in Chinese mythology.

N

• Nahla (Arabic) – Means “a drink of water.”
• Naia (Basque, Hawaiian) – In Basque, it means “wave,” and in Hawaiian, it is related to dolphins.
• Naida (Greek) – Means “water nymph.”
• Nami (Japanese) – Translates to “wave.”
• Nanami (Japanese) – Means “seven seas.”
• Narelle (Australian Aboriginal) – Can mean “river.”
• Narissa (Greek) – Derived from “Nereid,” the sea nymphs in Greek mythology.
• Nautica (Latin) – Related to sailors or sailing.
• Navy (English) – Refers to the fleet of a nation’s armed forces that conducts military operations at sea.
• Neptune (Latin) – The name of the Roman god of the sea.
• Nerida (Greek) – Means “sea nymph” or “mermaid.”
• Nerina (Greek) – Derived from “Nereid,” referring to the sea nymphs of Greek mythology.
• Nerine (Greek) – Another variation of “Nereid.”
• Nerissa (Greek) – Means “from the sea” and is also related to the Nereids.
• Nerita (Latin) – Means “sea snail.”
• Neroli (Italian) – Named after the bitter orange tree, whose flowers are often associated with the Mediterranean region and its coastal areas.
• Nerthus (Norse) – A name associated with a Norse goddess of the lake or sea.
• Nessia (Scottish) – Named after Loch Ness, a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands that connects to the sea via the River Ness.
• Niamh (Irish) – While it means “bright” or “radiant,” Niamh is also a figure from Irish mythology associated with the sea.
• Nikita (Greek, Russian) – In Greek, it means “victory of the people,” but in Russian, it’s associated with the sea as it’s the name of a coastal city.
• Nile (Greek) – Named after the famous river, which is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa, connected to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Nimue (Arthurian) – Associated with the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend.
• Nixie (German) – Means “water sprite.”
• Noelani (Hawaiian) – Means “mist of heaven,” which can be associated with the sea mist.
• Nori (Japanese) – Refers to seaweed, which is an essential part of the ocean ecosystem.
• Norma (Latin) – While it means “pattern” or “rule,” it’s also the name of a coastal city in Italy, which can be associated with the sea.
• Nori (Japanese) – Means “doctrine” or “seaweed” in Japanese.
• Noriko (Japanese) – Contains the element “nori,” which can mean “law” or “seaweed,” and “ko,” which means “child.”
• Nyx (Greek) – The name of the Greek goddess of the night, which can be associated with the nocturnal aspect of the sea.

O

• Ocean (Greek) – Directly refers to the vast body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth’s surface.
• Oceana (Greek) – The feminine form of Ocean, meaning “ocean.”
• Oceanus (Greek) – In Greek mythology, Oceanus was a Titan who personified the ocean.
• Okeanos (Greek) – The ancient Greek word for the ocean, from which the name Oceanus is derived.
• Ondine (Latin) – Means “little wave” and is related to the mythological spirit of the waters.
• Ondrea (Slovak) – Derived from the male name Ondrej, it can be associated with the water element due to its similarity to Ondine.
• Orman (Turkish) – Means “forest” in Turkish, but forests are often associated with rivers and lakes, which connect to the sea.
• Orna (Hebrew) – Means “pine tree” or “cedar tree,” which are often found near water sources.
• Orwell (English) – A river in England, and rivers are a vital part of the ocean ecosystem.
• Osman (Turkish) – While it means “baby bustard” (a type of bird), Osman is also the name of a river in Somalia, linking it to water.
• Oya (Yoruba) – Refers to the goddess of rivers in Yoruba mythology, and rivers flow into the ocean.

P

• Pacifico (Spanish, Italian) – Meaning “peaceful,” it’s also the name of the Pacific Ocean, which was named for its calm waters.
• Pasha (Turkish) – While it means “lord” or “nobleman,” it can also be associated with the Pasha Liman, a bay in the Albanian Riviera.
• Pelagia (Greek) – Derived from “pelagos,” the Greek word for “sea.”
• Pelagius (Greek) – The masculine form of Pelagia, meaning “of the sea.”
• Peregrine (Latin) – Means “traveler” or “pilgrim,” often associated with voyages across the sea.
• Poseidon (Greek) – The name of the Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses.
• Pasha (Turkish) – In maritime contexts, a pasha could be in charge of a fleet or coastal defenses, thus having a connection to the sea.
• Pavati (Hindu) – Means “clear water” in Hindu.
• Pearl (English) – A gemstone produced by oysters in the sea.
• Peder (Scandinavian) – While it means “rock,” it can be associated with coastal rock formations by the sea.
• Pelin (Turkish) – A type of wormwood plant that often grows in coastal regions.
• Penelope (Greek) – While known as a character in Greek mythology, the name can be associated with “penelops,” a type of duck that is often found near water.
• Perry (English) – Derived from “pere,” meaning “pear tree,” which can be found near water sources.
• Peter (Greek) – Meaning “rock,” it can be associated with the rocky shores by the sea.
• Phoebe (Greek) – While it means “bright, shining,” Phoebe was also a Titan associated with the moon, which influences the ocean tides.
• Pike (English) – Named after the fish found in the northern hemisphere, which can be found in both freshwater and, for some species, the sea.
• Posey (English) – A variant of Posy, which is a small bouquet of flowers often associated with coastal regions.
• Proteus (Greek) – A sea god in Greek mythology known for his ability to change shape.

Q

• Quentin (Latin) – While primarily meaning “fifth,” it can be linked to water through St. Quentin, who is the patron saint of locksmiths, and locks are essential for controlling waterways and canals.
• Quiana (American) – A modern name that could be phonetically associated with “Kai,” which means “sea” in Hawaiian, though there is no direct etymological relationship.
• Quillan (Irish) – Means “cub,” but can also be associated with the Irish word “cuillean,” meaning “holly,” a plant that grows in moist areas.
• Quincy (French) – Derived from a place name in France, it means “estate of the fifth son.” While not directly related to water, some locations with this name are near water bodies.
• Quinn (Irish) – Means “descendant of Conn” (which means “chief” or “wisdom”), but can be associated with water through the Irish surname O’Cuinn, which has historical ties to regions near water.
• Quirino (Italian) – Derived from the Roman god Quirinus, it has no direct water association but can be linked through the mythology surrounding ancient Roman culture, which often included references to water deities and rituals.

R

• Rafael (Hebrew) – While it means “God has healed,” the archangel Raphael is associated with healing and the waters of a healing pool in the Bible.
• Raina (Slavic) – Means “queen” but can be associated with “rain,” a key component of the water cycle.
• Rajiv (Indian) – Means “lotus flower,” which is often found in water.
• Raleigh (English) – Named after Sir Walter Raleigh, an English explorer associated with the sea.
• Ran (Norse) – In Norse mythology, Ran is the goddess of the sea.
• Ravi (Indian) – Refers to the sun, which affects ocean currents and life through its energy.
• Reef (English) – Refers to the ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea.
• Ren (Japanese) – Means “lotus” or “water lily,” both of which grow in water.
• Rio (Spanish, Portuguese) – Means “river,” a natural watercourse flowing into the sea.
• River (English) – Directly denotes a large natural stream of water flowing into the sea.
• Ronan (Irish) – Means “little seal,” and seals are marine animals.
• Rosemary (Latin) – While it means “dew of the sea,” it is a herb often associated with coastal areas.
• Roxana (Persian) – Derived from “Roshanak,” meaning “bright” or “dawn,” which can evoke the image of sunlight on the sea.
• Russell (French) – Means “red-haired” or “red-skinned,” but can be linked to “rus,” an old Norman word for “stream” or “watercourse.”

S

• Sailor (English) – Directly refers to a person involved in sailing or working on a ship.
• Salacia (Latin) – The female divinity of the sea in Roman mythology, the wife of Neptune.
• Sandy (English) – Refers to the texture of the shore or beach.
• Sapphire (Greek) – A precious gemstone that is often associated with the color of the ocean.
• Seamus (Irish) – While it means “supplanter,” it is phonetically similar to “Seamus,” a name that can evoke the image of the sea.
• Sebastian (Greek) – Means “venerable” or “revered,” but it is also the name of a saint who is often depicted near water and is a patron of sailors.
• Selkie (Scottish) – Mythological beings capable of changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin, associated with the sea.
• Serena (Latin) – While it means “clear, tranquil, serene,” it can be associated with the calmness of the sea.
• Shannon (Gaelic) – Named after the longest river in Ireland.
• Shelby (English) – Means “a place where willows grow,” which are typically found near water.
• Shell (English) – Refers to the hard, protective outer layer created by sea creatures or found on the shore.
• Shelly (English) – Derived from “shell” and can be associated with the beach or the coastline.
• Shipley (English) – Means “sheep meadow,” but can be connected to ships and therefore the sea.
• Silver (English) – While it refers to the precious metal, it can evoke the shimmering surface of the sea.
• Skye (Scottish) – Named after the Isle of Skye in Scotland, surrounded by the sea.
• Slaney (Irish) – Named after the River Slaney in Ireland.
• Solomon (Hebrew) – Means “peace,” but Solomon Islands are a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean.
• Sonia (Slavic) – Means “wisdom,” but can be associated with the depths of the ocean where wisdom is often metaphorically attributed.
• Stella Maris (Latin) – Means “star of the sea,” an epithet for the Virgin Mary as a guiding star for Christians.
• Storm (English) – Refers to a turbulent weather condition that often occurs over large bodies of water like the ocean.
• Summer (English) – The season often associated with spending time by the ocean or going to the beach.
• Susan (Hebrew) – Means “lily,” which is a flower that can be associated with water gardens and ponds.
• Sven (Scandinavian) – While it means “young man” or “young warrior,” the Viking heritage associated with the name often involves seafaring and ocean exploration.

T

• Talia (Hebrew) – Means “dew from God,” which can be associated with the water cycle and the ocean.
• Tallulah (Native American) – Means “leaping water” in Choctaw.
• Tamar (Hebrew) – Means “palm tree,” which often grows near water sources, including coastal regions.
• Tamesis (Latin) – The Roman name for the River Thames, which flows into the North Sea.
• Tarni (Aboriginal) – Means “wave” or “surf” in the Kaurna language of the Adelaide Plains.
• Tasman (Dutch) – Named after Abel Tasman, a Dutch seafarer, and explorer. The Tasman Sea is named after him.
• Tethys (Greek) – In Greek mythology, Tethys was a Titaness and the goddess of the primal font of fresh water that nourishes the earth.
• Thalassa (Greek) – Means “sea” or “ocean” in ancient Greek.
• Thames (English) – Named after the River Thames in England.
• Thetis (Greek) – A sea nymph in Greek mythology, mother of Achilles.
• Tide (English) – Refers to the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun.
• Trent (Latin) – Named after the River Trent in England. The name comes from a Celtic word possibly meaning “strongly flooding.”
• Triton (Greek) – In Greek mythology, Triton is a god of the sea and the messenger of the deep.
• Tulia (Latin) – Means “heavy rain” or “downpour.”
• Tyne (English) – Named after the River Tyne in England.
• Typhoon (Chinese, Greek) – A tropical cyclone in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans, derived from the Chinese “tai fung” (great wind) and Greek “typhon” (a monster).

U

• Ula (Celtic) – Means “jewel of the sea” or “sea jewel.”
• Ulan (Turkish) – Means “first,” but can be associated with the vastness of the ocean, being the first to meet the horizon.
• Ulysses (Latin) – The Latinized name of Odysseus, the Greek hero who had many adventures on the sea.
• Umiko (Japanese) – Means “child of the sea.”
• Undine (Latin) – Refers to water nymphs in mythology, derived from “unda,” meaning “wave.”
• Upton (English) – Means “upper town,” but in historical contexts, towns were often settled near water sources, including rivers that lead to the sea.
• Urania (Greek) – One of the nine muses in Greek mythology, named after “ouranos,” meaning “heaven.” She was often associated with celestial bodies that influence the tides.
• Urchin (English) – A term that can refer to a mischievous young child, but also to sea urchins, which are small, spiny sea creatures.
• Urmila (Sanskrit) – Means “wave of passion” or “enchanting,” evoking the imagery of ocean waves.
• Urvi (Sanskrit) – Means “wide” or “broad,” which can be associated with the vastness of the ocean.

V

• Vance (English) – While it means “marshland,” it refers to wetlands that can be connected to estuaries and the sea.
• Vanora (Scottish) – Means “white wave” in Scottish mythology.
• Varuna (Hindu) – In Vedic religion, Varuna is the god of water and the celestial ocean, as well as a god of law and the underworld.
• Vasilisa (Greek) – While it means “queen,” it can be associated with the sea through the Greek tradition of sea queens and nymphs.
• Vellamo (Finnish) – The goddess of the sea, waves, and storms in Finnish mythology.
• Venilia (Roman) – A sea nymph in Roman mythology.
• Venus (Roman) – The goddess of love and beauty, said to be born from the sea foam.
• Verne (French) – Derived from “vern,” which refers to an alder tree, commonly found near water in Europe.
• Viola (Latin) – While it means “violet,” violas often grow in moist, marshy environments, which can be near bodies of water.
• Vivian (Latin) – Means “alive” or “lively,” which can be associated with the life-giving properties of water. Viviane is also known as the Lady of the Lake in Arthurian legend.
• Volga – Named after the longest river in Europe, which flows into the Caspian Sea.

W

• Wade (English) – Refers to going through water or walking in water.
• Walton (English) – Means “town near the wall” but can also refer to a “walled town” near the sea or a river.
• Waverly (English) – Derived from the Old English elements “wæfre” (restless, wandering) and “leah” (meadow, clearing), which can evoke the image of waves.
• Wendy (English) – While its origin is from a literary work, the name can be associated with the wind over the water.
• Whitney (English) – Means “white island,” which could be associated with sandy atolls or islands surrounded by the sea.
• Wilburn (English) – Derived from “well” or “spring” and “burn” (a stream), thus connected to freshwater sources that feed into the sea.
• Windsor (English) – While it means “riverbank with a windlass,” rivers are closely related to oceans as they flow into them.
• Winona (Native American) – Means “firstborn daughter” in Dakota, but can be associated with water through Native American connections to nature and the environment.
• Winston (English) – Means “joy stone,” but can be linked to the sea through the concept of stones and pebbles shaped by the ocean.
• Wyatt (English) – Means “brave in war,” but can be associated with historical naval battles and the sea.

X

• Xanthe (Greek) – Means “yellow” or “blonde,” which can evoke the image of golden sand on a beach or the sun reflecting off the water.
• Xavier (Basque) – Means “new house” or “bright”; Saint Francis Xavier is known as the patron saint of navigators.
• Xena (Greek) – While primarily known from the television show “Xena: Warrior Princess,” the name can be phonetically similar to “Zena,” which means “belonging to Zeus,” who is the god of the sky and thunder, with control over weather phenomena that can affect the sea.
• Xerxes (Persian) – Means “ruler over heroes”; historically, Xerxes I is known for his naval expeditions.
• Xiang (Chinese) – Means “fragrant” or “auspicious,” but can also refer to the Xiang River in China, which ultimately connects to larger bodies of water.
• Xiao (Chinese) – Means “dawn,” “little,” or “respectful,” which can be associated with the calmness and beauty of the sea at dawn.
• Ximen (Chinese) – A Chinese name that means “gate” or “door.” While not directly related to the ocean, gates are symbolic of passages, which could metaphorically be linked to the passage across seas and oceans.
• Xiu (Chinese) – Means “elegant” or “beautiful,” which can describe the aesthetic qualities of water or the ocean.
• Xochitl (Nahuatl) – Means “flower” in the Nahuatl language; flowers often need water to grow, and some are found near bodies of water.
• Xyla (Greek) – Means “wood” or “forest,” which can be associated with wood used in shipbuilding or forests near coastal areas.

Y

• Yam (Hebrew) – Means “sea” in Hebrew.
• Yara (Arabic, Brazilian) – In Arabic, it means “small butterfly,” but in Brazilian mythology, Yara is a water goddess with green hair and fair skin who lives in the river.
• Yarden (Hebrew) – The Hebrew name for the Jordan River.
• Yareli (Native American) – Its meaning is uncertain, but it is believed to be of Native American origin and could be related to water.
• Yarrow (English) – Named after the herb that grows in regions with a temperate climate, often near water.
• Yemanja (Yoruba) – A deity of the Yoruba religion, she is the goddess of the living ocean and the mother of all.
• Ymir (Norse) – In Norse mythology, Ymir is a primeval being born from the drops of water that formed when the ice of Niflheim met the heat of Muspelheim.
• York (English) – While it means “yew tree estate,” the city of York in England is bordered by two rivers, the Ouse and the Foss.
• Yuliana (Latin) – A variant of Juliana, derived from Julius. While not directly related to water, Julius Caesar was known for naval battles and the Roman association with the Mediterranean Sea.
• Yuna (Japanese) – Means “kindness,” but it can also be associated with the Yuna River in Japan.

Z

• Zale (Greek) – Means “sea-strength.”
• Zarya (Slavic) – A water priestess in Slavic mythology.
• Zephyr (Greek) – The name of the Greek god of the west wind, often associated with light spring breezes that can create gentle waves on the water.
• Zeru (Basque) – Means “sky,” which reflects on the ocean surface and influences oceanic weather patterns.
• Zoe (Greek) – While it means “life,” water is considered the essence of all life, and the ocean is often referred to as the cradle of life.
• Zola (Italian) – Means “earth” or “ball of earth,” but can be associated with the earth as it meets the sea.
• Zora (Slavic) – Means “dawn,” which can evoke imagery of the sunrise over the ocean.
• Zosma (Greek) – A star in the constellation of Leo, named from the ancient Greek for “girdle,” referring to the belt of the celestial figure. Stars have historically been used for navigation at sea.
• Zoya (Russian, Ukrainian) – The Russian and Ukrainian form of Zoe, which means “life.” Again, water is essential for all life, including the ecosystems within the sea.
• Zula (African) – Means “brilliant,” and could be associated with the sparkling of sunlight on the water’s surface.
• Zuri (Swahili) – Means “beautiful,” like the beauty of the ocean.