As more and more parents are looking for ways to connect their little ones with the world around them, nature-inspired names are becoming increasingly popular. And with names carrying so much depth, meaning and symbolism, it’s no surprise that parents are drawing inspiration from the beauty and wonder of the environment.
One of the most captivating and inspirational aspects of nature is the ocean. Its vastness and power have inspired countless works of art, literature, and mythology. The ocean holds a special place in cultures all around the world, symbolizing life, mystery, and endless possibility.
Dive in and discover 50 baby names for little boys and little girls inspired by the wonders of the ocean along with their meanings, origins and popularity.
Ocean-Inspired Names for Girls
1. Marina
Marina is an unusual name in the US that means ‘of the sea’. It has Latin origins and was given to only around 270 babies per million in the US in 2022.
2. Coral
Coral is a beautiful sea-inspired name that represents the delicate and precious reef. It has English origins and is an incredibly rare name in the US. Only around 70 babies per million were named Coral in 2022.
3. Mira
Pronounced ‘ME-A-RA’, this unique ocean-inspired girl name reflects the vastness and depth of the sea. It has Sanskrit origins and has increased in popularity in the US in recent years.
4. Ariel
Ariel was popularized by the classic Disney film ‘The Little Mermaid’.
It has Hebrew origins and actually means ‘lion of God’, but through its use in literature and in film, it’s linked with the ocean.
It saw a huge spike in popularity in the early 90s in the US, just after the release of the film. And it remains quite popular today, with over 700 babies per million given the name in 2022.
5. Naia
Pronounced ‘NIGH-YA’, this unusual name has Basque origins. It means ‘wave’, so it’s a great choice for parents looking for ocean-inspired baby girl names. Less than 100 babies per million were given the name Naia in the US in 2022.
6. Pearl
Pearl is a vintage name with both Latin and Old French origins. It means precious gem, making it a wonderful choice for a new baby in the family. Natural pearls can be found in oysters but they’re incredibly rare.
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7. Marella
This elegant name means ‘star of the sea’ and has Latin origins. Marella is an incredibly rare name in the US, making it a perfect choice for parents looking for a unique ocean-inspired name for their baby girl. Only around 10 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
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8. Kailani
Pronounced ‘KIGH-LAH-NEE-’, this Hawaiian name means sea and sky. It’s so unique in the US that there’s no data available to show its popularity!
9. Moana
The name Moana was made uber-famous by the Disney film with the same name. Telling the story of a little girl who sought adventure, it’s a wonderful name for a baby who will love to travel.
It has Maori origins and, despite the global success of the film, the name remains rare in the US. Fewer than 30 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
10. Darya
Pronounced ‘DAR-EE-YA’, this unusual ocean-inspired name has both Persian and Hebrew origins.
It means ‘the sea’, so it’s the perfect baby girl name for little ones who grow up on the coast! It’s such a unique name that there’s no data to show its popularity in the US.
11. Isla
Isla is a name with Scottish origins that means island. Pronounced ‘EYE-LAH’, the name has boomed in popularity in recent years in the US. In 2007, under 100 babies per million were given the name in America. That number skyrocketed to over 3200 babies per million in 2022.
12. Maya
Maya is usually pronounced ‘MY-A’ and has Hebrew origins. It means ‘water’, so it’s a great choice for little ones who live by the ocean.
In the late 1990s in the US, the name was very uncommon, but its popularity has boomed in the last few years. In 2022, over 2500 babies per million were given the name in the US.
13. Talia
Talia is another ocean-inspired name that has Hebrew origins. It means ‘dew from God’ and is pronounced ‘TAR-LEE-A’.
14. Azura
Azura is a modern name that means ‘sky blue’. It’s a gorgeous name for baby with big blue eyes!
It has Spanish origins and is a very unique name in the US. In fact, fewer than 50 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
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15. Nerida
Nerida has Greek origins. It’s a highly unusual name in the US that means ‘mermaid’ – a great alternative to Ariel! It’s usually pronounced ‘NAH-REE-DAH’ and it’s so uncommon that there’s no data to show its popularity in America.
16. Oceane
An elegant twist on simply ‘Ocean’, Oceane is the French version of the name. Pronounced ‘OH-SEE-ANNE’, it’s a beautiful alternative, especially if your family has French connections or roots.
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17. Sereia
This unusual Portuguese name also means mermaid. Pronounced ‘SUH-RAY-AH’, it’s a beautiful ocean-inspired name that’s also highly unique.
18. Thalassa
Thalassa has Greek origins and means ‘sea’. It’s a very versatile and unique name in the US that could be shortened in so many ways!
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19. Ula
Ula is a very uncommon name in the US. In fact, you could count the number of babies per million who were given the name in America in 2022! Pronounced ‘OO-LAH’, this unusual name means sea jewel.
20. Yara
Yara is an unusual water-inspired baby girl name. It has both Arabic and Brazilian origins and means ‘water lady’, perfect for a little girl growing up by the sea!
Just over 300 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
21. Maris
Maris is a Latin name that means ‘of the sea’. It’s usually pronounced ‘MAH-RIS’ and only around 30 babies per million were given the name in the US in 2022.
22. Hali
Hali is a modern-sounding name that could be pronounced either ‘HAH-LEE’ or ‘HAY-LEE’. It has Greek origins and means ‘sea’. It’s a great option for parents looking for unique water-inspired names.
Only around 20 babies per million were given the name in the US in 2022.
23. Delmare
Delmare is usually pronounced ‘DEL-MAIR’ and has French origins. It means ‘of the sea’ and is a great name for families with French origins or connections. It’s an incredibly rare name in the US!
24. Lana
Lana is pronounced ‘LAR-NA’ and is of Hawaiian origins. It means calm water and is linked with the calming powers of the sea. It’s grown rapidly in popularity in the last few years and, in 2022, over 450 babies per million were given the name.
25. Morgana
Pronounced ‘MOR-GAR-NA’, this Welsh name means circling sea. It’s such a unique name in the US that there’s no data to demonstrate how popular it is!
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Ocean-Inspired Names for Boys
26. Dylan
Dylan is a popular name that means ‘son of the sea’. It has Welsh origins and peaked in popularity in America in the early 2000s. It remains very popular in the US today, with over 3800 babies per million given the name in 2022. It also has many spelling variations, including Dillon, Dyllan and Dyllon.
27. Morgan
Morgan is often seen as a gender-neutral name, but we love it for little boys. Like Dylan, it has Welsh origins and means ‘sea circle’. It’s often linked with sailors, so it’s the perfect name for your little captain!
28. Kai
Pronounced ‘K-EYE’, this short but sweet name means ‘sea’. It has Hawaiian origins and is very popular in the US. In 2022, over 3000 babies per million were given the name Kai.
29. Ronan
Ronan is an Irish name that means ‘little seal’, an important marine animal in Celtic mythology. The name has increased in popularity since the early 2000s and, in 2022, over 700 babies per million were given the name in the US.
30. Adrian
A name with Latin origins, Adrian means ‘sea’ and ‘water’. A wonderful for choice for a little water baby, the name is derived from a town near the Adriatic sea called Hadria. The name peaked in popularity in the late 2000s in the US, but it remains a popular choice today. In 2022, nearly 3000 babies per million were given the name.
31. Murdoch
Pronounced ‘MER-DOCK’, this Scottish name means ‘protector of the sea’. It’s such an unusual name in the US that there’s no data to show its popularity!
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32. Lir
This unusual Irish name is pronounced ‘Leer’. It’s a great choice for parents looking for unique ocean-inspired names.
33. Marlin
Marlin is a type of fish, making the name perfect for a water baby! It has Welsh origins and is incredibly uncommon in the US. Fewer than 50 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
34. Rio
Rio means river and has Spanish and Portuguese origins. The name has spiked in popularity in recent years, although it remains quite uncommon. In 2022 in the US, over 300 babies per million were given the name.
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35. Ford
Ford is a classic name that has both English and Irish origins. It means ‘river crossing’ and over 370 babies per million were given the name in the US in 2022.
36. Caspian
Caspian is a modern-sounding and unique name with Latin origins. Naming your little boy after the Caspian sea is sure to instill a love of the ocean in him! It’s an uncommon name in the US, with only around 200 babies per million being given the name in 2022.
37. Douglas
Douglas means ‘dark water’, but don’t let that put you off! This brooding name has Scottish origins and is highly unusual. It’s a great water-inspired name for your little boy.
38. Irving
Another Scottish ocean-inspired name is Irving. It means ‘fresh water’ and was an incredibly popular name in the US in the early 1900s. In modern times, it’s a very unique name, with only around 50 babies per million being given the name in 2022.
39. Marlow
The name Marlow has British origins and means driftwood. It’s a an uncommon name for baby boys in the US.
40. Wade
Wade is an English name that means ‘to go through water’. It spiked in popularity in the US in the 1960s and 1970s, but remains quite popular today. Over 500 babies per million were given the name in America in 2022.
41. Zale
Zale has Greek origins and means ‘strength of the sea’. It’s a very uncommon name in the US.
42. Nereus
Pronounced ‘NER-EE-US, this name is inspired by Greek mythology and symbolizes the gentle power of the sea. It’s a very unique ocean-inspired name in the US.
43. Calder
Calder is usually pronounced ‘COL-DER’ and has Scottish origins. It means ‘rocky water’ and is a very uncommon name in the US, with only 50 babies per million given the name in 2022.
44. Hurley
The name Hurley has Irish origins and means ‘sea tide’. It’s sometimes used as a name for baby girls, but we love it as an ocean-inspired name for little boys.
45. Murray
Murray has Gaelic origins and means ‘settlement by the sea’, making it a great name for baby boys growing up on the coast. It’s an incredibly unusual name in the US, with only around 30 babies per million being given the name in 2022.
Unisex and Gender-Neutral Ocean-Inspired Names
46. River
River is an ocean-inspired name used for both baby girls and baby boys. It has clear links to water and English origins.
47. Ocean
This choice has to be the ultimate ocean-inspired name! ‘Ocean’ has Greek origins and can be used for both little boys and little girls.
48. Echo
Echo is a highly unusual and unique name that means reflected sound. It’s linked with the gentle echo of ocean waves, making it a very cool choice for parents looking for uncommon ocean-inspired names.
Read Next: The Top 40 Whimsical Nature Names
49. Sage
Sage is a unisex ocean-inspired name that can be used for both little boys and little girls. It means ‘wise’, but is also the name of a plant associated with cleansing and the sea. It has Latin origins.
50. Brook
Brook is a unisex ocean-inspired name that’s popular both for little boys and little girls. A brook is a small stream, representing the connection between land and sea. It has English origins and can also be spelled Brooke.
Conclusion
The significance of ocean-inspired names extends far beyond mere labels; they serve as bridges connecting us to the incredible power of the sea. Each of our 50 ocean-inspired names embodies a unique part of the ocean’s magnificence, from its calming nature to its strength and vastness.
Whether you’re looking for the best sea-inspired name for baby girls or baby boys, or even the best gender-neutral ocean-inspired name, we’re sure you’ll find it here. But if you need more inspiration, check out our roundup of the best nature-inspired names, baby names that mean light and timeless vintage names.
