Few things are more humbling than reveling in the wonders of the vast ocean — except, of course, giving birth and subsequently becoming in charge of another human being. So, it feels only natural that baby names and the ocean should be associated with each other.
The thought of just how deep and mysterious the ocean really is can be similar to the overwhelming thoughts of just how much responsibility it can be to care of a young, innocent baby. Or, maybe, you just love the ocean and want to name your kid a cool name that reminds you of it.
Whatever your reasoning, there are a lot of really awesome ocean-themed baby names out there. Many are perfect for little girls; others are absolutely made for little boys; while still others are flexible enough to be unisex. If you’re a sea-loving parent looking for that unique name for your little floating miracle, this list of ocean baby names is just what you need.
Ocean
OK, let’s start with the most obvious ocean-inspired baby name: Ocean. This is a newer nature baby name that we’re starting to see more of on the playground.
It quite literally means “ocean” or “sea,” so it’s perfect for seafaring families.
Ariel
Technically, this name means “Lion of God.” But thanks to the classic hit Disney movie, “The Little Mermaid,” this name has colloquially come to be associated with a beautiful, red-haired mermaid who gives up her most valuable trait, her voice, in order to meet her true love.
So, if you love the idea of naming your child after both the king of the jungle and a siren of the sea, this is a perfect choice.
Davy
For a name that sounds similar enough to something more common, like Dave, but still reminds you of the vastness of Davy Jones’ Locker, this is that perfect mix. Of course, the term “Davy Jones’ Locker” has a pretty dark meaning because it’s often associated with more than the ocean itself and, instead, with the dark vastness below its surface where sailors die and mysteries lie.
But if you want a little hint of macabre in your child’s energy, Davy is the name for you.
Delta
This word has taken on many meanings throughout modern history. It’s been associated with the Greek letter D. It’s the name of a very famous airline company in the United States. And it is often associated with the triangular mouth of a river, where the water can flow in multiple directions.
Since all rivers lead eventually to an ocean (at least metaphorically), it is still a name with deep oceanic ties.
Delfina
This name is legendary … and we mean quite literally. The legend of the “woman from Delphi” made this name particularly popular in western culture. And if you haven’t already figured it out just by looking at it, this name is deeply associated with dolphins.
It means either “dolphin” or a “fish in the womb,” depending on your preference. As one of the smartest and most playful animals on the planet, naming your child after a dolphin can be a really good idea.
Wade
It’s always nice when a name has a movement associated with it. While most names represent nouns or abstract feelings, “to wade” means to actively cross a body of water. Plus, it’s a very cool-sounding name.
It’s typically associated with males, but it can definitely be a unisex name. It simply means “to go,” so if you get the feeling you’re going to have a little one who is always on the move, this would reflect that energy nicely.
Dana
This deceptively simple name is actually overflowing with meaning. Dana has a number of transitions. But for some people, this is a simplified version of the Danube, the second-longest European river. That river flows into the Black Sea and, along the way, goes through some of the most historic cultural sites on the entire continent.
As a bonus, Dana can also be a shortened version of Danah, which in Arabic means “a beautiful pearl.” And pearls also come from the sea!
Pearl
Speaking of pearls, these stunning gems are one of the gifts from the sea that translate beautifully to the land. There are so many different kinds of pearls, just like there are so many different kinds of personalities.
This name is usually given to girls. And, thanks to the gorgeous association it immediately procures in the mind, many parents consider this one to be a mollusk-have. (Yes, we just did that.)
Bo
The name Bo is often associated as a nickname for the longer Beauregard name, which means “beautiful gaze.” And, for many, gazing at the ocean is something that is easy to get lost in.
But in Chinese, Bo means something much more on-the-nose for ocean-lovers. It means “waves.” So, this name choice is another seemingly simple one that is as layered with meaning as the ocean floor itself.
Murdoch
While this is more often seen as Murdock and is even more commonly used as a surname, this name has begun gaining in popularity over the past decade as a first name. It is a variation of an old Gaelic name that usually translated to “mariner” but has come to simply mean “sea.”
Sometimes, those two translations meet, and it means “sea battler.” It is typically given to boys.
Coraline
This name picked up popularity after the 2009 movie, “Coraline.” Many translations will translate Coraline to mean “heart.” But others, including the Greek version of the name, associate it with the coral of the sea, which it very much sounds like.
If you’ve ever looked at the coral movements in the sea, they can look like the heart valves pumping. So, with a little imagination, these two meanings are actually pretty similar.
Cain
On the surface, this name may not feel totally oceanic. But dive just a little into the creative waters and it becomes quickly obvious why this is a great ocean-themed baby name. Cain typically translates to “spear,” and one of the most famous sea tales of all time is, of course, “Moby Dick.”
The obsessed Captain Ahab is always depicted with the infamous spear that he wanted to use to kill Moby Dick. For a sharp name with some power behind it, Cain is a solid choice.
Sandy
Of course, you could name your child Sandra and simply call them Sandy. But if you chose to name them just Sandy, people would immediately think of the grainy, tiny, wonderful rocks that delineate where the ocean ends and land begins.
Or maybe you like the oceanic reference because it’s the name of the squirrel from “SpongeBob SquarePants,” who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Either way, it’s a fun and playful girl name.
Ursula
For a name with a bit more edge to it, especially for a child who knows what they want and does what it takes to get it, Ursula is an awesome option. The name itself means “bear,” so it’s not technically associated with the sea, but after the popular “The Little Mermaid,” it now has a strong association with a powerful sea witch.
Depending on where you stand on witches, this could be a really meaningful and distinct name for your little one.
Adrian
This unisex name is popular for boys and girls, though sometimes there are changes in the spelling depending on the sex. It often means “rich,” but it also translates from the Latin “born of Adria,” which is a coastal city in modern-day northern Italy.
The name has immediate associations with the Adriatic sea, which is also in that same area.
Cove
This name is associated with a small, coastal inlet that serves as a peaceful place to rest your boat (or your weary, sea-faring head). Some translations of Cove translate it to “tent” or “hut,” but it always sounds like a word that brings peace.
So, if you feel your child is one who will bring comfort to you, this is an excellent name choice.
Maya
Maya is one of those powerful words that has transcended multiple cultures for centuries, with most thinking of the ancient Mayan civilization.
Because of its cross-cultural popularity, it’s hard to nail down just how many translations there are of this word. But ancient Hebrew is one in which the word means specifically “water.”
Tallulah
There’s a fascinating story behind the name Tallulah. It’s both Irish and Native American, and, as expected, both cultures have different associations with the name.
But the one we’re referring to is the “leaping water” translation that pays homage to an old Cherokee legend about a woman named Tallulah who leaped after her doomed lover when her father sentenced him to death. Yes, it may sound harsh, but it honors the story of a brave woman who loved deeply.
Ray
Sure, this name is often, understandably, associated with the sun. Sun rays pour down on us most days, so it’s normal for most people to think that they’re the only important rays in the world.
But ocean lovers know the majesty and power that stingrays can have. So, if you love a good stingray, you can name your child after them (and the sun) with this awesome name.
Calypso
Even though the name Ariel is often associated with mermaids, the story of Calypso is much more mermaid-themed. The name can mean “she who hides” or “goddess of strange power of beauty.”
But it’s often associated with the Greek myth of the island nymph who swooned Odysseus with her voice in order to attempt to keep him with her for eternity. It also feels musical and is particularly fun to say.
Bondi
The name Bondi has become popular recently, especially in Australia. It is often used as a last name and can have a number of meanings.
But we’re talking about the Aboriginal translation of Bondi, which means “water breaking over the rocks.” It’s often associated with the sound and calming feeling of surfing, so it’s especially popular in surfer circles.
Kai
Much like other popular names, these three letters pack a cultural punch with multiple translations in many different languages. At least two of them, however, are distinctly oceanic.
In Hawaiian, the name means “sea,” and in Japanese, it means “shell.” Though it is unisex, it’s more often given to boys.
Marina
There’s no big surprise in this name translation for anyone who loves boating (or has ever been around a boat). A marina is a place for boats and watercraft to have safe harbor in between adventures.
And when given to people, the name typically means “from the sea.” It is more often given to girls, though the Marin variation is somewhat popular with boys.
Conway
Like many names, Conrad has had a number of translations over the years, with parts of the name meaning “water.” But altogether, it typically translates to a “sacred river.”
While your child may not manifest as an actual sacred river, if you feel a sense of holiness and water around them when you think of them, this is the name for you.
Moana
When a successful Disney movie is released, some names are never the same. Moana is certainly one of those.
Though it has existed for many years surprisingly in many different cultures, it most often translates to “ocean” or “sea.” And thanks to the 2016 movie of the same name, it has entered the pop culture lexicon and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.
Brooke
A tiny stream is called a brooke. And some tiny babies are also called Brooke. That’s because this name, which means “small stream,” is very popular among parents of young girls.
If you want a name that has elements of the ocean but isn’t as powerfully overwhelming as the vastness of the watery unknown, the name Brooke is a fantastic option.
Solomon
Solomon often translates to “peace.” For many, the ocean can be considered peaceful and calming. But there’s a much more specific ocean reference to the Solomon Sea, a gorgeous area in the Pacific Ocean not far from the aptly named Solomon Islands.
Interestingly, there are stories of powerful and game-changing Solomons in multiple cultures throughout the world.
Delmar
Any Latin scholar out there would recognize immediately that this name is associated with the ocean. “Del” typically translates to “from the” and “mar” means “sea.” So, you guessed it, Delmar translates to “from the sea.”
It’s not as common or popular as some of the similar-meaning names on this list, which could make it even more appealing to parents who want a unique baby name for boys.
Lana
Lana may sound like a nickname, but it stands alone with a very powerful meaning on its own. It translates to “afloat” or “calm in still waters.”
And feeling more “Lana” is basically the goal of all spiritual endeavors since we all want to find a little calm in a chaotic world. So, maybe giving your baby (typically a girl) this name will help you get one step closer to that goal.
Hurley
This Irish name is more often used as a surname. But over the past few decades, people have become much more interested in giving their children whatever name is most meaningful for them, no matter what the tradition has been.
So, if the name “sea tide” holds the perfect meaning for your baby boy, the name Hurley is what you’ve been searching for.
Malik
Malik has a number of powerful translations, but it is most often associated with the meanings “ocean wave” or “king.” The ocean is sometimes considered feminine, but there is a powerful masculine energy behind every wave that comes ashore.
And Malik is an awesome boy name that gives your little powerful one some serious royal and oceanic energy to harness as they come into this world.