wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.
Learn more...
Do you adore the ocean—enough to choose an adorable, ocean-themed baby girl’s name? We’ve got you covered. Ocean-themed names for girls can be absolutely gorgeous, evoking a sense of beauty and tranquility or wild, powerful energy, and there are so many to choose from! In this article, we’ve collected a wide range of girls’ names that mean “ocean” or “sea,” as well as other water-themed names for those of you who don’t mind branching out a little (and provided the meanings for all of them, of course). Ready to get started? Let’s take the plunge!
Quick Examples of Ocean Names for Girls
- Coral - Latin and Greek. Meaning: “Small stone,” referring to the underwater organism.
- Cordelia - Latin and Celtic. Meaning: “Heart” or “daughter of the sea.”
- Doria - Greek. Meaning: “Gift of the sea.”
- Kailani - Hawaiian. Meaning: “Sea and sky” or “heavenly sea.”
- Marina - Latin. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Morgana - Welsh. Meaning: “Sea-born” or “circle of the sea.”
- Océane - French. Meaning: “Ocean” or “of the ocean.”
Steps
Names that Mean “Ocean” or “Sea” for Girls
-
First, we’ll take a look at names that translate to “ocean” or “sea” in various languages. There’s a room for a little variation, of course—you’ll notice some of them mean “of the sea,” or have slightly more elaborate meanings, like “shining sea.” Take a look at the list below and see if any of these charming girls’ names catch your eye! [1] X Research source
- Cordelia - Origins: Latin and Celtic. Meaning: “Heart” or “daughter of the sea.”
- Darya - Origins: Persian. Meaning: “The sea.”
- Delmare - Origins: French and Spanish. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Doria - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Gift of the sea.”
- Itsaso - Origins: Basque. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Kailani (or Kehlani) - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Sea and sky” or “heavenly sea.”
- Kairi - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Sea” or “ocean village.”
- Manami - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Love and sea.”
- Mar - Origins: Spanish and Portuguese. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Mara - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Bitter” or “of the sea.”
- Maraĵa - Origins: Esperanto. Meaning: “Made of the sea.”
- Marella (Marelle) - Origins: Italian (or French). Meaning: “Of the sea” or “shining sea.”
- Marilla - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Shining sea” or “bitter, by the sea.”
- Maren - Origins: Danish. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Marina - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Maris - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Marisol - Origins: Spanish. Meaning: “Sea and sun” or “sunny sea.”
- Maristela - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Star of the sea.”
- Meraud - Origins: Cornish. Meaning: “A profit from the sea.”
- Meredith - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Protector of the sea.”
- Meri - Origins: Estonian and Finnish. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Merike - Origins: Estonian. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Mira - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “Sea,” “ocean,” “limit,” or “boundary.”
- Moana - Origins: Polynesian. Meaning: “Ocean, sea, expanse of water.”
- Morgana - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Sea-born” or “circle of the sea.”
- Muirenn - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Muirgel - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Bright sea.”
- Muriel - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Shining sea.”
- Océane - Origins: French. Meaning: “Ocean” or “of the ocean.”
- Oceanna - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Ocean” or “of the sea.”
- Rosemary - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Dew of the sea.”
- Umi - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Sea” or “ocean.”
- YĹŤko - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Child” or “child of the ocean.”
Ocean-Inspired Names for Girls
-
Here, we’ve collected ocean-inspired names; this includes any names that could be associated with the ocean and its waves, names that reference sea creatures, and names connected to the beaches and seashores. Check them out:
- Aberdeen - Origins: Scottish. Meaning: “Mouth of the river Don.”
- Anemone - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Windflower.” This name refers to the sea anemone, a colorful creature found in the ocean.
- Ariel - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Lion of God.” This name refers to the character Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid .
- Azurine (Azure) - Origins: French and Persian. Meaning: “Sky blue.”
- Baia - Origins: Italian and Portuguese. Meaning: “Bay.”
- Bay - Origins: English. Meaning: “Berry, berry tree.” A “bay” also refers to a seal inlet or body of water partially encased by land.
- Coral - Origins: Latin and Greek. Meaning: “Small stone.” The name refers to coral, a brightly-colored underwater organism.
- Coraline - Origins: German and Greek. Meaning: “Core, heart, maiden.” Also, a French diminutive of “Coral.”
- Delphine - Origins: French and Greek. Meaning: “Dolphin.”
- Galia - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Wave of God.”
- Hama - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Seashore” or “beach.”
- Kaia - Origins: Scandinavian, Hawaiian, Greek, and Hebrew. Meaning: “Pure, life; the sea.”
- Maera - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “To sparkle.” Also, the name of a nereid, the daughter of a sea god, in Greek mythology.
- Mariselle (Marisella) - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Star of the sea.”
- Meryn - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Sea-born.”
- Miriam - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Sea of bitterness.”
- Misty - Origins: English. Meaning: “Light fog, mist.”
- Monroe - Origins: Scottish. Meaning: “From the mouth of the river Roe.”
- Moray - Origins: Celtic. Meaning: “Settlement by the sea” or “sea plain.”
- Morwenna - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Waves of the sea.”
- Naia - Origins: Greek and Basque. Meaning: “Water nymph; sea foam.”
- Nanami - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Seven seas.”
- Nori - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Seaweed.”
- Ondine - Origins: French and Latin. Meaning: “Little wave.”
- Pearl - Origins: Old French and Latin. Meaning: “A lustrous gemstone found in oysters.”
- Ridley - Origins: English. Meaning: “Reed clearing.” The Ridley is also a type of sea turtle!
- Sandy - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Defender of mankind.” Also refers to sandy beaches found by the ocean.
- Saphira - Origins: Greek and Latin. Meaning: “Sapphire (blue).”
- Tarni - Origins: Aboriginal Australian. Meaning: “Breaking waves.”
- Ula - Origins: Celtic. Meaning: “Gem of the sea.”
- Umiko - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Child of the sea.”
- Vaimiti - Origins: Tahitian. Meaning: “Salt water.”
Water-Themed Names for Girls
-
Even more names are related more generally to water ; in other words, they might not translate to “ocean,” but they do refer to water, lakes, streams, ponds, and even rain. If you don’t mind exploring water-themed girls’ names that aren’t necessarily associated with the ocean, you’ll find some lovely name ideas below:
- Aarna - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “Wave.”
- Adva - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Small wave.”
- Adaliah - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “One who draws water.”
- Alda - Origins: German and Icelandic. Meaning: “Elder, noble, wave.”
- Aqua - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Water.”
- Ara - Origins: Arabic and Armenian. Meaning: “To adorn, decorate; brings rain.”
- Arna - Origins: Indian. Meaning: “Wave.”
- Avonlea - Origins: English. Meaning: “River meadow.”
- Beck - Origins: English and Old Norse. Meaning: “Brook, stream.”
- Beverly - Origins: Old English. Meaning: “Beaver stream.”
- Brenn - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Little teardrop.”
- Brooklyn - Origins: English. Meaning: “Pretty brook.”
- Cari - Origins: Turkish. Meaning: “Flows like water.”
- Eyre - Origins: Old Norse. Meaning: “Gravel bank of a river.”
- India - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “River.”
- Jennifer - Origins: Welsh and English. Meaning: “White wave.”
- Jora - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Early rain.”
- Jordan - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “To flow down.”
- Kendra - Origins: Celtic and English. Meaning: “Water baby, magical, knowing.”
- Kendall - Origins: English. Meaning: “Valley of the river Kent.”
- Lake - Origins: English. Meaning: “Body of water.”
- Lana - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Calm as still waters.”
- Lupita - Origins: Spanish. Meaning: “From the river of the wolf.”
- Lynn - Origins: Welsh and Celtic. Meaning: “Lake, waterfall, pool below a waterfall.”
- Maya - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Water.”
- Nahla - Origins: Arabic. Meaning: “Drink of water.”
- Nebula - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Cloud, mist.”
- Noelani - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Heavenly mist.”
- Odette - Origins: French and German. Meaning: “Prosperous.” Also associated with the princess Odette from Swan Lake .
- Riva - Origins: Latin and Italian. Meaning: “Riverbank.”
- Rhea - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Flowing.”
- River - Origins: English. Meaning: “A flowing body of water.”
- Salila - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “Water, rain.”
- Sarita - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “River.”
- Sydney - Origins: English and French. Meaning: “Wide water meadow, wide river island.”
- Talia - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Morning dew.”
- Tallulah - Origins: Native American (Choctaw). Meaning: “Leaping water.”
- Wade - Origins: English. Meaning: “To wade (through water).”
- Zarna - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “A small stream of water.”
Mythology-Inspired Ocean Names for Girls
-
Mythology and folklore from around the world are filled with tales of gods and goddesses that ruled the seven seas, not to mention water-dwelling magical creatures (like nymphs and selkies). If you’re looking for an ocean name with a fantastical element, check out the following mythology-inspired suggestions: [2] X Research source
- Amphitrite - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “The surrounding sea.” A mysterious Greek sea goddess married to Poseidon.
- Anahita - Origins: Persian. Meaning: “Immaculate.” An ancient Iranian goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom, and water.
- Aphrodite - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Born of the sea foam.” An ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.
- Asherah - An ancient Semitic goddess of fertility, motherhood, and the sea.
- Ceto - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Sea monster.” A Greek sea goddess of the ocean’s creatures.
- Guinevere - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “White, fair one, white wave.” Famously, the wife of King Arthur in Arthurian legends.
- JĹ«ratÄ— - Origins: Lithuanian. Meaning: “Sea.” A sea goddess believed to live under the Baltic Sea.
- LlĹ·r - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “The sea.” A sea god in Welsh mythology (similar to the Irish sea god, Lir).
- Makara - A mythical sea creature in Hindu mythology.
- Mazu - Origins: Chinese. Meaning: “Mother Ancestor” or “Grandmother.” A sea goddess in Chinese mythology.
- Muirgen - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Born of the sea.” Also associated with Li Ban, the “mermaid saint,” who later became known as Muirgen.
- Naida - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Water nymph.” Originates from “naiad,” the term for a Greek water nymph or spirit (associated with rivers, springs, and fountains).
- Nehalennia - Origins: Celtic and Germanic. Meaning: “She who is near the sea.” A goddess worshipped in northwestern Europe as a protector of sailors.
- Nerida - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Sea nymph, mermaid.” Connected to the Greek nereids, nymphs of the seas and oceans.
- Nixie - Origins: German. Meaning: “Water fairy.” Associated with nixies—magical water beings—in Germanic folklore.
- Nyssa - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Willow tree.” The name of a water nymph in Greek mythology.
- Sedna - Origins: Inuit. Meaning: “Goddess of the Sea.” An Inuit goddess of the sea and marine animals, believed to rule the Arctic Ocean.
- Selene - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Moon.” The ancient Greek goddess of the moon, associated with water and the tides.
- Selkie - Origins: Scottish. Meaning: “Gray seal.” Mythical Scottish and Nordic seal-folk shapeshifters.
- Thalassa - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “The sea.” The ancient Greek primordial goddess of the sea.
- Tiamat - Origins: Akkadian. Meaning: “Sea.” The primordial goddess of the sea in ancient Mesopotamian religion.
Geographical Ocean and Water Girl Names
-
There are plenty of name options that can be taken from actual oceans, seas, and other bodies of water around the world, not to mention geographical features like the Mariana Trench or various notable islands. Take a look at the following geographical, ocea,n and water-themed girls’ names: [3] X Research source
- Adrianna - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “From Hadria,” referring to the Adriatic Sea.
- China - Origins: Chinese. Meaning: “Middle kingdom.” Also refers to the China Sea, located in the western Pacific Ocean.
- Delta - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “A triangular landform at the mouth of a river.”
- Dominica - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Belonging to the Lord.” It also refers to the Dominican Republic, an island nation in the Caribbean.
- Evian - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “God is gracious.” It’s also linked to Evian-les-Bains, a French town famous for its mineral water.
- Isla - Origins: Spanish and Scottish. Meaning: “Island.”
- Laguna - Origins: Spanish. Meaning: “Lake, lagoon.”
- Lucerne - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Circle of light.” It’s also the name of a lake in Switzerland.
- Lucia - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Light.” It’s also the name of Saint Lucia, an island country in the Caribbean.
- Mariana - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Of the sea.” It’s also linked to the Mariana Trench in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Narelle - Origins: Scandinavian and Australian. Meaning: “From the north, lake, little river.” It’s also linked to the Narellan River in New South Wales.
- Niagara - Origins: Native American (Iroquois). Meaning: “Thundering waters.” Also, the name of the Niagara Falls and the Niagara River.
- Pacifica - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Peacemaker.” It’s associated with the Pacific Ocean, the largest ocean in the world.
Nautical and Sailor-Inspired Names for Girls
-
Even if your little girl isn’t destined to become a sailor on the high seas, you can still draw naming inspiration from nautical terms and famous sailors throughout history! We’ve even compiled names belonging to fearsome female pirates (for a roguish twist), so check out the options below:
- Anne - Origins: Hebrew. Meaning: “Grace.” The name of Anne Bonny, an infamous female pirate.
- Artemisia - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Gift from Artemis.” Artemisia I of Caria was an ancient Greek queen known for her courage in personally commanding naval battles.
- Atalanta - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Equal in weight.” A Greek heroine who participated in the voyage of the Argonauts.
- Aukai - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Seafarer.”
- Grace - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Goodness.” The name of Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate who plundered English ships.
- Harbor - Origins: Old English. Meaning: “A sheltered place for ships to find refuge.”
- Jeanne - Origins: French. Meaning: “God is gracious.” The name of Jeanne de Clisson, a French noblewoman-turned-pirate.
- Navy - Origins: English. Meaning: “A fleet of ships; a dark blue color.”
- Nerissa - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Sea nymph.” Nerissa is also a character in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice .
- North - Origins: English. Meaning: “North (referring to the direction opposite south).” This name also references the compass, a tool used by sailors and navigators.
- Olive - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Olive tree.” Also, the name of Popeye’s love interest.
- Stella - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Star.” Many seafarers used the stars to navigate, giving this name nautical connections.
Ocean-Inspired Names for Boys
-
Are you looking for ocean-inspired boys’ names as well? We can help with that, too. The following list includes names that mean “sea” or “ocean,” as well as names related to various bodies of water and beyond. [4] X Research source
- Aden - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Little fire.” Also shares a name with the Gulf of Aden, which is part of the Arabian Sea.
- Adrian - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “From Hadria.” Refers to the Adriatic Sea.
- Aegean - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Waves.” The Aegean Sea connects to the Mediterranean.
- Arnav - Origins: Sanskrit. Meaning: “Ocean.”
- Brendan - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Prince, king.” Saint Brendan is considered the patron saint of sailors.
- Calder - Origins: Scottish and Welsh. Meaning: “Rough waters.”
- Caspian - Origins: Latin and Greek. Meaning: “White.” Also associated with the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest body of water.
- Delmar - Origins: Spanish. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Dorian - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Child of the sea.”
- Eric - Origins: Old Norse. Meaning: “Forever ruler.” Eric the Red was a famous Viking explorer who founded Greenland.
- Hải - Origins: Chinese. Meaning: “Sea, ocean.”
- Halloran - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Descendant of a pirate or overseas stranger.”
- Hudson - Origins: English. Meaning: “Son of Hudd.” Also, the name of the Hudson River (and its namesake, the explorer Henry Hudson).
- Irving - Origins: Scottish and English. Meaning: “Fresh water, green river.”
- Kaito - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Sea, ocean.”
- Ler (Lir) - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “The sea.” Ler (or “Lir”) is a sea god in Irish mythology.
- Malik - Origins: Arabic, Native American (Inuit). Meaning: “King, lord; wave.”
- Marinus - Origins: Latin. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Marvin - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Sea friend.”
- Muir - Origins: Scottish and Irish. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Murray - Origins: Scottish and Irish. Meaning: “Lord, master, seashore, coast.”
- Pelagius - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Of the sea.”
- Ronan - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Little seal.”
- Sæwine - Origins: Old English. Meaning: “Sea friend.”
- Tengiz - Origins: Georgian. Meaning: “Sea, ocean.”
- YĹŤsuke - Origins: Japanese. Meaning: “Ocean, help.”
Gender-Neutral Ocean-Inspired Names
-
Finally, let’s take a look at gender-neutral names meaning “ocean,” or relating to the sea (and water). There are some truly lovely names that, traditionally, have been used by any gender! Check them out below:
- Brizo - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Slumber.” An ancient Greek goddess believed to protect sailors and fishermen.
- Deniz - Origins: Turkish. Meaning: “Sea.”
- Dylan - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Born from the ocean.”
- Kai - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Sea, ocean.”
- Kaimana - Origins: Hawaiian. Meaning: “Powerful sea.”
- Marley - Origins: English. Meaning: “Marshy meadow.”
- Merrill - Origins: English and French. Meaning: “Bright sea.”
- Morgan - Origins: Welsh. Meaning: “Sea-born, sea-circle.”
- Murphy - Origins: Irish. Meaning: “Sea warrior.”
- Neri - Origins: Hebrew and Greek. Meaning: “My candle; ocean spirit.”
- Ocean - Origins: Greek. Meaning: “Vast body of water.”
- Tasi - Origins: Chamorro, Polynesian. Meaning: “Sea, ocean.”
- Yang - Origins: Chinese. Meaning: “Ocean, light, sun.”