100+ Ocean Names for Scuba Babies

As divers, we’re unashamedly obsessed with the underwater world. We buy our pets critter costumes, then speak in hand signals, and even let scuba puns creep into our dating life. When it comes to choosing the perfect baby moniker, it’s no surprise that ocean names are top of the list for scuba parents who want to share their love for the big blue.

In this article, you won’t see America’s most popular baby names, such as Noah or Emma. Instead, you’ll find beautiful and unique ocean names, each inspired by the sea, waves, or even mermaids. The list includes:

Read on for a selection of 100+ ocean baby names and meanings, as well as tips on deciding what is the best ocean name for your scuba tot.

Image Credit: @verobeachmermaid / @mermaid.keke

Selkie (girl): in Celtic and Norse lore, these ‘seal folk’ can morph between seal and human form. Nerida (girl): Nereids were sea deities in Greek mythology. The name also means ‘mermaid’. Pania (girl): this mythological mermaid is a Maori symbol from Napier, New Zealand. Nixie (girl): in Germanic folklore, this cute ocean name means ‘water sprite’. Nerissa (girl): previously in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, this means ‘sea nymph’. Davy (boy): in Welsh folklore, Davy Jones was actually considered a guardian of sailors.

The following names all share similar meanings that include ‘sea’, ‘from the sea’, or ‘of the sea’:

Aerwyna (girl): friend of the sea — English. Muriel (neutral): of the bright sea — Celtic. Iravan (boy): king of the ocean — Sanskrit. Cordelia (girl): daughter of the sea — Celtic. Rosemary (girl): dew of the sea — Latin. Halimeda (girl): thinking of the sea — Greek. Dylan (boy): son of the sea — Welsh. Marnie/Maria/Mary/Marissa (girl): of the sea — Latin. Murphy (neutral): warrior of the sea — Gaelic. Doris/Dorian (girl/neutral): gift from the sea — Greek. Varindra (boy): lord of the ocean — Hindi. Morwenna (girl): waves of the sea — Celtic. Delmar (boy): of the sea — Spanish. Marina/Marino (girl/boy): of the sea — Latin. Coral/Coraline (girl): this reef-inspired name has been used since the Victorian era. Olive/Oliver (girl/boy): both are popular Latin names and akin to that of the Olive Ridley turtle. Pearl (girl): just like an oyster’s gem, this baby’s name is undoubtedly precious. Delphin/Delphine (boy/girl): this joyous Greek baby name means ‘dolphin’. Fin (neutral): taken from Finley/Finn, there’s certainly nothing fishy about this adorable nickname! Hector (boy): as well as being a rare species of dolphin, its Greek origin also means ‘Anchor’. Sandy (neutral): best known from Grease, this name also evokes images of beautiful beaches. Shelley (neutral): although meaning ‘clearing on a bank’, its spelling makes a fun ocean baby name. Sirena (girl): this pretty name is a nod to both mythical sirens and real sirenians. Ray (boy): manta, eagle, or… a boy’s name meaning ‘wise protector’ instead.

For one of the purest ocean names in the world, how about one that literally means ocean or sea?

Avisa (boy): Sanskrit	Meri (girl): Finnish	Sagara (girl): Sundanese
Deniz (neutral): Turkish	Kai (neutral): Hawaiian	Mira (girl): Sanskrit
Jaladri (girl): Sundanese	Umi (neutral): Japanese	Arnav (boy): Hindi
Samandar (boy): Urdu	Bien (boy): Vietnamese	Zaria (girl): Kurdish

Whether it’s The Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo, our favorite Disney cartoons can conjure up some magical old and new ocean name ideas. For example:

Ariel (neutral): the famous red-haired mermaid princess’s name is Hebrew for ‘lion of God’. Moana (girl): this titular heroine’s name also means ‘ocean’ in Hawaiian. Sebastian (boy): meaning ‘venerable’, this one’s perfect for charismatic cartoon crabs (and kids!). Dory (neutral): our favorite blue fish’s name comes from Greek and means ‘gift of God’. Bruce (boy): “Hello, my name’s Bruce” … say no more! Destiny (girl): the name of Dory’s whale shark pipe-pal means ‘fate’.

There are some obvious choices: Neptune, Poseidon, Amphitrite, Aphrodite, or Triton, to name a few. But, for something more enigmatic, try any of these:

Thalassa (girl): the Greek primordial goddess of the sea. Aegir (boy): a Norse god of the sea, this name also means ‘ocean’ or ‘sea giant’. Mazu (girl): also known as Matsu, this Chinese sea goddess is a deity of seafarers. Lir (boy): this god is considered the personification of the sea in Irish mythology. Ceto (girl): the Greek goddess of sharks, sea monsters, and the dangers of the ocean. Salacia (girl): the Roman goddess of salt water and ruler of the deep ocean. Thaumas (boy): another ancient Greek god who represents the wonders of the sea. Sedna (girl): this Inuit sea goddess is also known as the ‘Mother of the Sea’. Ocean (neutral): for the ultimate ocean baby name, how about the ocean itself? Adrian/Adrienne (boy/girl): meaning ‘from Hadria’, this name also shares Latin roots with the Adriatic Sea. Tasman (boy): ‘Taz’ for short, and named after the sea between Australia and New Zealand. Caspian (boy): between Europe and Asia, the Caspian Sea is in fact the world’s largest lake.

For a name that represents the strength and power of the ocean, try one of the following, which take their meaning or translation from waves:

Tarni (girl): Aboriginal	Dwyn (girl): Welsh	Aalto (boy): Finnish
Ondine (girl): Latin	Gali (girl): Hebrew	Bo (boy): Chinese
Alda (girl): Icelandic	Naia (girl): Basque	Nami (girl): Japanese
Valdrin (boy): Albanian	Onda (girl): Italian/Spanish	Malik (boy): Greenlandic

Image Credit: Kelso

Meryl (girl): Actress Meryl Streep’s name means ‘shining sea’. Ridley (neutral): filmmaker Ridley Scott shares his name with the Olive Ridley turtle. Nori (neutral): Japanese for ‘seaweed’, it’s also a nickname for Kim and Kanye’s daughter. Morgan (neutral): meaning ‘sea circle’, this Welsh name was made famous by Morgan Freeman. Ronan (boy): singer Ronan Keating’s name means ‘Little Seal’ in Irish. Jennifer (girl): meaning ‘white waves’, Jennifer Aniston and Lopez share this Cornish variation of Guinevere. Maisie (girl): Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams’ name means ‘pearl’ and also sounds like the sea! Jacques (boy): no ocean names list would be complete without French scuba legend, Jacques Cousteau.

The meanings of these names aren’t necessarily related to the ocean. However, try saying them out loud. Each one has ‘sea’ as part of its pronunciation, making it a wonderfully aural ocean name.

Murray (boy): with Scottish and Irish roots, this means ‘settlement by the sea’. Zulimar (neutral): specifically, this means ‘blue ocean’ in Spanish. Hurley (boy): an Irish name meaning ‘sea tide’. Oki (neutral): this adorable Japanese name means ‘ocean centered’. Marvin (boy): sometimes spelled Mervin, this Welsh name means ‘sea friend’. Vaiana (girl): this beautiful Tahitian name means ‘water cave’.

Whether you’re inspired by Disney, destinations, or mythical ocean names, you may still be torn between a few favorites. Perhaps you’ve even shortlisted your top 5 ocean names, so here are some tips for picking the perfect one:

Research wider meanings; you might then be drawn to one with a particular quality or translation. Be mindful that some names still have religious or cultural connotations. Consider how it might be shortened or turned into nicknames instead. Check it complements your surname (and don’t forget to check the initials). Consider how it might also fit with siblings’ names. Test how it sounds out loud (while making sure little ones will be able to say and spell it, too!). Do a quick Google to eliminate any unfortunate associations. Don’t be afraid to wait until you’ve met Baby before making your final choice!

Have you already chosen one of these ocean names for your little one, or have even more ideas to share? Tell us your favorites by tagging #PADI on social media.

Of course, the best way to show your love for our ocean planet is to help preserve it for your family’s future generations. Join the global community of Ocean Torchbearers today!

show your love for the ocean