Ocean and River Inspired Baby Names

All names water-inspired!
  1. Ara
    • Origin:

      Armenian
    • Meaning:

      "king"
    • Description:

      Simple and yet distinctive, Ara is a mythological name of a famously handsome king. Although it originated as a boys' name, in the contemporary US, it's now much more commonly used for girls.
  2. Ariel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "lion of God"
    • Description:

      Ariel is a male Biblical name, seen there as the messenger of Ezra, and also used as a symbolic name for the city of Jerusalem, while Shakespeare used it for a (male) sprite in The Tempest.
  3. Avalon
    • Origin:

      Celtic
    • Meaning:

      "island of apples"
    • Description:

      Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina-- makes a heavenly first name. Actress Rena Sofer and British musician Julian Cope used it for their daughters.
  4. Azura
    • Azure
      • Origin:

        English color name
      • Meaning:

        "sky blue"
      • Description:

        Azure is a colorful gender-neutral choice, currently used equally for baby girls and boys in the US. It refers to a specific shade of blue seen in a cloudless sky. Elon Musk recently revealed Azure to be the name of his daughter with Shivon Zilis, twin sister to Strider. While X and Y didn't stand a chance at greater popularity, parents may be inspired to use the name Azure following this celebrity endorsement.
    • Adrielle
      • Adva
        • Aquamarine
          • Avonmora
            • Bay
              • Origin:

                English word, Old English
              • Meaning:

                "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"
              • Description:

                Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
            • Beach
              • Origin:

                Nature name, English word name
              • Meaning:

                "a shore of a body of water"
              • Description:

                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.
            • Beck
              • Origin:

                Short form of Rebecca or English
              • Meaning:

                "one living beside a small stream"
              • Description:

                Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.
            • Beryl
              • Origin:

                Greek
              • Meaning:

                "sea-green jewel"
              • Description:

                Dated British favorite that never caught on in this country, where Jade remains the green gem of choice. Interesting namesakes: British writer Beryl Bainbridge and British aviatrix Beryl Markham.
            • Breeze
              • Origin:

                Word name
              • Description:

                Most will see this as a refreshing middle name possibility, but Bristol Palin baby daddy Levi Johnston used it as a first name for his new daughter, Breeze Beretta.
            • Briny
              • Brook
                • Origin:

                  English nature name
                • Meaning:

                  "small stream"
                • Description:

                  Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous name.
              • Brooks
                • Origin:

                  English
                • Meaning:

                  "of the brook"
                • Description:

                  A nature name, a word name, and a surname name, Brooks has plenty of cool factor. It gives off cowboy vibes and a sporty feel, while also maintaining a smart, collected image.
              • Belva
                • Calder
                  • Origin:

                    English
                  • Meaning:

                    "rocky water"
                  • Description:

                    Artistic associations with the sculptor who invented the mobile make this one of the more creative surname choices.
                • Caspian
                  • Origin:

                    Place name
                  • Meaning:

                    "white"
                  • Description:

                    One of the most romantic of appellations, Caspian is a geographical name referring to the large salty sea between Asia and Europe. It's also the name of the hero of C.S. Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian.