Names That Mean Water

This name of the mythological mother of Achilles might suffer from English speakers making the rhyming association to the word fetus. The traditional Greek pronunciation might alleviate that problem.

Possible middle name for devotees of detective Sherlock...or the actress Katie.

Duna refers the Hungarian word for the Danube River or to the Icelandic term for the down of a duck. Duna also bears a resemblance to both Dune and Djuna. In this era of word names and invented names, Duna may have a bright future.

With the tide coming in on a new wave of word names, this one just might catch on, especially for parents who relish sun, sand, and surf. Forest lovers can spell it Beech, like the tree.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

Compact and creative, it has been associated with one-time Cagney & Lacey star Tyne Daly.

This possible word name, which rhymes with Maia, makes an even more distinctive alternative.

Has a pleasant Scottish burr.

If you want a nature name with surname style that speaks to your love of basketball, we suggest Laker.

Astrological name retains a hippielike Age of Aquarius feel.

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

How to spruce up Fisher or Beau? This French surname-name might be an option for a parent unafraid of the unusual. The name derives from Barbel, a type of fish, which is how it became a surname for some fishermen.

Sparky, spirited, and unexpected as a given name, reality TV star Lala Kent brought Sosa into the spotlight when she chose it for her daughter in 2024. A Spanish name deriving from the Portuguese surname Sousa, Sosa is a unique choice that still fits in with the likes of Asa, Ezra, and Luca.

Feminine spin on Moses and European river name that's also the name of a wine.

A slow and sultry southern choice that's definitely cool for babies of either gender. While the word feels French and has its roots in 18th century French Louisiana, it derives from the Choctaw word bayuk, which means "small stream."

This Hawaiian name gracefully celebrates the force of nature, paying tribute to the ocean. If you're looking for unique names that mean ocean, this should be on your short list.

Sprightly name popular in Israel with beachy meaning and international flex.

Journalist Hiawatha Bray is a singular contemporary bearer of this name of a Native-American leader immortalized in a Longfellow poem.