Nymph Names
- Kailani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea and sky"Description:
This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
- Kaimana
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the power of the ocean"Description:
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.
- Ki
Origin:
KoreanMeaning:
"arisen"Description:
Ki was introduced internationally by Korean archer and gold medalist Ki Bo-Bae. Among girl names, Ki is simple yet truly unique: There were baby girls named Kia, Aki, and Kiki born in the US last year, but none named Ki. Ki is also the name of the Sumerian earth goddess.
- Keahi
- Kun
- Maayan
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"spring of water"Description:
Many Americans will misunderstand it as Maya, but Maayan (also stylized as Ma'ayan) is a popular Israeli name used for both sexes.
- Maya
Origin:
Greek; Central American Indian empire name; Latinate variation of May; Spanish, diminutive of Amalia; variation of Maia; HebrewMeaning:
"water"Description:
Maya, which has an almost mystical image, has been steadily climbing in popularity in the US and the English-speaking world, along with a range of other countries, including France, Germany, Israel, and Brazil. It's ranked in the US Top 100 since the turn of this century, but has never risen to the top of the list, which you may consider a good thing.
- Mira
Origin:
Latin, Slavic, Arabic, SanskritMeaning:
"admirable; peace; female ruler; ocean"Description:
This name owes its present life to actress Sorvino. Mira and Mirra have an arty aura.
- Moana
Origin:
Maori, SamoanMeaning:
"deep ocean, sea"Description:
This Maori name, often heard in New Zealand, is an attractive, evocative choice for lovers of the ocean made famous – perhaps too famous – by the Disney heroine. Moana was also an alternate name for the heroine Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth. Moana may also be a color name for a deep ocean blue ("lanu moana"). Moana and other Disney Princess Names are the subject of a featured blog.
- Meltem
- Neith
Origin:
EgyptianMeaning:
"divine mother"Description:
One of the more unusual mythology names for girls, Neith is the name of the Egyptian goddess of home and femininity.
- Nerida
Origin:
Greek; AboriginialMeaning:
"sea nymph, mermaid; red waterlily"Description:
This is one of the more unusual examples of a group of Greek names connected to the sea, which makes sense for a nation of coastline and islands. The Nereids or water nymphs were the daughters of sea god Nereus.
- Nerina
- Nina
Origin:
Short form of names that end in -ninaDescription:
Nina is as multiethnic as you can get: Nina is a common nickname name in Spain and Russia, a Babylonian goddess of the oceans, and an Incan goddess of fire. Here and now, it's a stylish possibility that's been underused. "Weird Al" Yankovic chose this decidedly nonweird name for his daughter.
- Niloufar
- Ocean
Origin:
English, nature nameDescription:
Ocean is a nature name that comes right out and states its meaning and association. Full of power and depth, Ocean is one of the fastest-rising baby names for both girls and boys, making the US Top 1000 for both genders in 2021. Oceane, the version that's trendy in France, was used for only 11 baby girls in the US in the same year. Ocean-lovers who want to be less obvious can choose such subtler names that mean ocean as Jennifer or Marissa, but coming right out and using Ocean is a perfectly valid way to go.
- Rain
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Among a small shower of rain-related names, this pure version can have a cool, refreshing image.
- Rio
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"place of the cherry blossoms"Description:
Rio is one of Japan's most popular girls names, constantly sitting in that country's Top 10. Of course, Rio may also stem from the Portuguese and Spanish word for river, and the Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro. A truly international name for a cosmopolitan baby!
- River
Origin:
Nature nameDescription:
Most of the notable Rivers have been male, but this nature name certainly flows as well for a girl. The name River is still rising for both genders, with about 3500 baby boys receiving the name last year vs. 1900 baby girls.
- Rivers
Origin:
Nature name and surname, EnglishMeaning:
"rivers"Description:
Rivers is an indisputably unisex surname with is strong nature connotation and its connection to the character Diana Rivers from Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. Rivers is also the first name of one of the girl Sweet Home sextuplets.