Names That Mean Water

Refers to one of the seven sacred rivers of India.

This Indian name would make the perfect choice for those looking for a strong water-based name. A variation which may seem more immediately masculine to the English-speaking ear is Varun. The feminine version is Varuni, who was Varuna's consort.

Possibility for a girl born under one of the water signs -- Cancer, Pisces, or Scorpio.

Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal.

Traditionally a male name, Leith now can make a highly unusual, strong but soft, and intriguing girls' possibility.

Could be the next Nova, now that celestial baby names are in the ascendent.

An incredibly poetic name that could be worn well in many cultures.

The Spanish and Portuguese word for "sea" is a Top 100 name in Spain. In America, it's sometimes used as a nickname for names like Martina and Marina, but it could also plausibly stand on its own.

Many Americans will misunderstand it as Maya, but Maayan (also stylized as Ma'ayan) is a popular Israeli name used for both sexes.

Derya is a unisex name in its native Turkey, though even there it is far more popular for women than for men. It is related to the Persian name Daria, which also means sea.

Brad in a Brooks Brothers suit.

We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.

Singer Perry is long gone, but the beautiful northern Italian lake conjures up a clear and tranquil image.

The lovely sound and image of the French river and lush valley would make this a most distinctive and captivating choice. Pronunciation: low-ahr.

Rilla dropped out of the US Top 1000 in 1915, but it's starting to feel like an intriguing possibility again in this age of short, sweet, a-ending names for girls. It is traditionally a short form for names ending in -rilla, like Marilla from the Anne of Green Gables books (Anne's youngest daughter is Bertha Marilla, called Rilla for short). Rilla may also derive from the German word Rille, meaning "brook; stream".

Soft and mellifluous nature-surname name, situated miles away from the dated Marshall.

Laguna Beach is a famous California spot -- though there's "goonie" teasing potential.

Laguna Beach is a famous California spot -- though there's "goonie" teasing potential.

Bardo has a poetic beginning and upbeat ending, with roots in several diverse cultures. It may be most familiar today via George Saunders' novel Lincoln in the Bardo, which refers to the Tibetan Buddhist state of suspension between one life and the next, resembling the Christian idea of Limbo. Bardo is also an ancient saint's name: Saint Bardo was the eleventh century bishop of Mainz, in Germany. Actress Sandra Bullock chose Bardo as her son's middle.

Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.