200+ Inspired Ocean Names for Babies

  1. Firth
    • Origin:

      Scottish nature name
    • Meaning:

      "estuary or arm of the sea"
    • Description:

      Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
  2. Maca
    • Origin:

      Croatian, Serbian, and Slovene diminutive of Marija
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      In Slovenia, Maca is more common as an independent name than its parent name Marija.
  3. Seeger
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "seaman"
    • Description:

      Associated with archetypal folksinger Pete Seeger.
  4. Marilee
    • Origin:

      English combination of Mary and Lee
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + meadow"
    • Description:

      Marilee is one of the cheeriest – if least substantial – combinations of Mary with another name.
  5. Merrigan
    • Origin:

      Irish surname, related to the sea
    • Description:

      A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
  6. Manami
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "ocean"
    • Description:

      Like many Japanese names, Manami has several possible meanings. This sea-themed one is very appealing.
  7. Whetumoana
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "star of the sea"
    • Description:

      The title of a Maori poem and also used to reference Mary, mother of Jesus, adapted from the Latin Marian title Stella Maris "star of the sea".
  8. Mariza
    • Origin:

      Spanish variant of Marisa
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"
    • Description:

      Variant of Marisa
  9. Marys
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the sea"
    • Description:

      Variant of Maris
  10. Palasha
    • Origin:

      Russian, diminutive of Pelagia
    • Meaning:

      "open sea"
    • Description:

      Friendly Slavic rarity.
  11. Jeanmarie
    • Origin:

      English combination of Jean and Marie
    • Meaning:

      "god is gracious + drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Rather dated smoosh name.
  12. Bedo
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "great lord or sea lord"
    • Description:

      Diminutive of Welsh Maredudd, the original (masculine) form of Meredith.
  13. Itsaso
    • Origin:

      Basque
    • Meaning:

      "ocean"
    • Description:

      This striking name is little-known outside Spain. As an o-ending girl name, it would make even more impact than Juno or Calypso.
  14. Ngaio
    • Origin:

      Maori
    • Meaning:

      "reflections on the water"
    • Description:

      New Zealand writer Ngaio (born Edith Ngaio) Marsh is the best-known bearer of this Maori nature name, properly pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-oh. It is the name of a tree indigenous to New Zealand, also called the Mousehole Tree.
  15. Tonwen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white wave"
    • Description:

      Tonwen is another name for Gwen, the mother of Saint Cybi and sister of Non (who was the mother of St David, patron saint of Wales). An unusual -wen ending option.
  16. Mariner
    • Origin:

      Occupational name from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "sea-farer"
  17. Meltem
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "sea wind"
    • Description:

      A fairly common name in Turkey, referring to the north wind blowing off the Aegean Sea.
  18. Seagrass
    • Origin:

      English nature name
    • Meaning:

      "seagrass"
    • Description:

      Seagrass plays an important role in the aquatic ecosystem. They are the only plants that can flower underwater and provide food and shelter to many organisms. Seagrasses also improve water quality, slowing down pollution, and help prevent coastal erosion. Those passionate about marine conservation may find Seagrass a meaningful name — probably as a middle, unless you're particularly brave.
  19. Seward
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "sea defender"
    • Description:

      Double whammy: the expression "Seward's folly" and inevitable sewer jokes.
  20. Seabrooke
    • Origin:

      Variation of Seabrook, English surname
    • Meaning:

      "trickling stream"
    • Description:

      A way to feminize Seabrook, if you want a name that is gender-neutral in sound but not appearance.