Names That Mean Sea

Cross-cultural name with a great nautical meaning. It boomed in the 1930s and has potential for revival now.

This Yaygir Aboriginal name is the name of two towns in Australia and is also occasionally spotted as a name. Meaning "by the sea" the name is perfect for beach-going families.

An undiscovered gem with clunky, buttoned-up appeal and a literary feel thanks to poet Delmore Schwartz.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik chose the stylish and meaningful name Khai for their daughter, born in September 2020. It honors Gigi's paternal grandmother Khairiah Daher Hadid, whose name is a variation of Khairiya, which is found in the Quran.

A Japanese name that would work well on a boy or girl — it is reminiscent of popular unisex names Kai or Kyrie. Kairi is the name of the main female character in the popular role-playing video game series, Kingdom Hearts.

More intriguing than the more familiar form Nerida, this name is perfect for a beach baby, or a baby born under a water sign.

A perfectly fine Anglo surname, though we'd prefer Keaton. Oscar-winning writer-director George Seaton (Miracle on 34th Street, The Country Girl) was actually born George Stenius. 

A fresh and summery — if rather long — color that sounds namelike, but is extremely rarely used.

Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur" sound is currently out of fashion (and the word "hurl" may put some off).

Like others in this vein, problematic due to the feminine Hailey connection.

Miriel is an English and Icelandic variant of Muriel, which in turn derives from Irish Muirgel or Scottish Muireall.

The name of several early saints, including one, Pelagia the Penitent, a beautiful and licentious dancing girl who repented, then, disguised as a man, spent the rest of her life living alone in a cave on the Mount of Olives. Because of her early vocation, she is the patron saint of actresses.

A pretty, mellifluous name from the Tahitian phrase vai ana o te mato teitei, meaning "water from the cave of the high rock". The Disney heroine Moana is called Vaiana in most European countries, for trademark reasons.

Marino is an Italian first and surname with distinct crossover possibilities, having pleasant seaside undertones, and is far more unusual in the U.S. than sister Marina.

Pelagios is one of the more outre of the sea-related names. But Pel could work as a short form -- or Gus.

A short form of Mýrkjartan, an Old Norse name derived from the Irish Muircheartach "sea warrior". It is also a Nordic form of the Old Irish name Certán, possibly meaning "humming sound".

One of the many names for the Virgin Mary, this name is popular in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking communities.

A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is pronounced.

Kylie Jenner has proven herself to be a baby name influencer after single-handedly launching her children's names — Stormi and Aire — far up the popularity charts. Can she do the same with Khy, the name of her new fashion brand?

A super popular nature name in its native Turkey, currently Top 50 for both boys and girls there.