If you love the sea and ships, these are the names for you.
Throughout history, brave sailors and adventurers have constantly sailed to find huge sea animals and unknown lands. With a strong desire for excitement, these individuals risk their lives to explore distant lands.
If you or someone in your family enjoys being near the ocean or loves activities like surfing, you might consider choosing a nautical-themed name for your baby. We have put together a collection of beautiful baby names inspired by the sea, the ocean, and the adventurous sailors who explore them.
Nautical Baby Names For Boys With Meanings
- Adrian
Adrian comes from the Adriatic Sea and is commonly used for boys, but can also be chosen for girls. In the UK, Adrian is a popular name because it belongs to several saints and popes. It is also popular internationally, ranking in the top 10 in Spain, Sweden, and Norway.
- Anchor
This strong name refers to the metal device that stops a boat from moving because of the wind or water. It represents stability and power, qualities that the crew of the small fleet possess. Anker is a more playful way to spell anchor.
- Bay
The nautical baby name Bay is unique for a boy, but it is not commonly used for girls.
- Brendan
Brendan, named after Saint Brendan, is the patron saint of sailors. St. Brendan supposedly sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in search of the Isle of the Blessed and is said to have been the first to set foot on American soil. According to legend, he was lifted to Heaven by angels. The name Brendan comes from the Welsh word ‘breehin’ which means ‘prince’ and is commonly used as a baby name for sailors.
- Caspian
This name sounds enchanting when you hear it. Caspian is not only the name of the biggest sea but also the name of a character in the ‘Voyage of the Dawn Treader’ who was the leader of the sea journey.
- Charles
Honor British merchant service captain Charles Noble by naming your son Charles. This classic name has stood the test of time and will continue to be popular for years to come. You can also use the nickname Charlie, which was commonly used for the smokestack on a ship’s galley.
- Christopher
This name pays tribute to the great sailor and explorer, Christopher Columbus. The name Christopher, which means ‘bearer of Christ’, has been popular in the US. While it may have slightly declined in popularity in the 21st century, it is still well-liked by many people. Additionally, it has cute nicknames such as Chris, Christy, and Kip.
- Crew
This popular baby boy name in the maritime world became well-known when it was selected by Josh Morrow, a famous actor from ‘The Young and the Restless’, for his son. The name made it onto the U.S. Social Security Administration’s list of baby names in 2011, ranking at #942 and has been steadily rising ever since. In 2015, the alternative spelling ‘Crue’ was given to 134 baby boys. This nautical baby name meanss a group of individuals working together.
- Davey
Some parents might see this choice as creepy because Davey Jones is considered a devilish character in sailor lore, but we find the name David to be trendy. The name is also associated with the English wrestler Davey Boy Smith.
- Drake
We are not discussing the rapper Drake, but instead talking about the famous sailor Sir Francis Drake who sailed around the world from 1577 to 1580. Drake was originally used as a nickname in the 7th century, but later became a surname after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. This nautical baby name means ‘dragon’.
- Duffle
What do you achieve by shortening ‘duffle,’ the ocean sack that holds a sailor’s personal items? You get a trendy name or nickname for a baby boy. This Irish name, which means ‘dark-haired,’ was originally used as a nickname for someone with dark hair in Scotland. Eventually, it became a first name because of Duff Michael, a member of the band Guns ‘N’ Roses.
- Dylan
The nautical baby name Dylan, which means ‘son of the sea,’ is a great name inspired by the ocean for your child. In Welsh mythology, Dylan is the heroic figure linked to the sea. This name, also connected to musician Bob Dylan, has a romantic and poetic feel that has stood the test of time.
- Erasmus
This Greek name means ‘beloved or desire’ and could be a unique choice for your son. It belongs to a patron saint of sailors from the 4th century who was also called Elmo. The name is also linked to the English physician, Erasmus Darwin.
- Eric
Eric the Red, a Norse explorer, found Greenland in the 10th century. The name Eric, which means ‘eternal ruler’, is popular and has a Nordic and Germanic influence. Eric is a common name in countries like Hungary, Belgium, and Norway, and is also quite popular in the United States, ranking 137th in popularity.
- Ferdinand
Ferdinand Magellan was the first person to sail around the world with his group of ships. The name ‘Ferdinand’ is of Spanish origin and is also linked to a play by Shakespeare. However, if you find it too old-fashioned, you could consider using the Dutch variation Dinand or the nickname Ferdie instead.
- Fishermen
Fisher is a common last name that means ‘fisherman’ and is part of the trend of using surnames as last names. It is currently ranked as the 862nd most popular name for boys.
- Hawkins
When discussing sea-related names for boys, Jim Hawkins from the book ‘Treasure Island’ cannot be overlooked. The name Hawkins originated as an English surname during the 11th century. It is derived from the word ‘hawking’, which was associated with falconry. Calling him Hawk as a nickname would be pretty awesome.
- Hurley
Hurley, an Irish name that means ‘sea tide’, would be a great choice for a middle name. Hurley is becoming popular for girls, possibly due to the drummer of Fall Out Boy, Andrew John Hurley, who shares the name.
- Jack
In the world of sailing, Jack Tar is a term for sailors who wear overalls and hats made of tarpaulin material. The name Jack originally meant ‘God is gracious’ and was originally just a nickname for John and James, but is now a common first name.
- Jacques
This nickname is similar to Jacques Cousteau, who was among the first to explore the ocean and worked to protect marine life. Jacques is a French variation of James and Jacob, and it means ‘supplanter’. We believe Jacques is a powerful and pleasant-sounding name for a boy.
- James
James Cook is recognized as one of the greatest sailors and explorers in history. He was a British navigator, explorer, and captain in the Royal Navy. Cook is known for finding New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This nautical baby name means ‘supplanter’.
- Jason
In the Bible, Jason was known for his hospitality towards St. Paul. The nautical baby name Jason is currently ranked 86th on the list by the U.S. Social Security Administration and means ‘to heal’.
- Kai
This gender-neutral Hawaiian name, which means to ‘ocean’, has been gaining popularity in the world of baby names recently. It is ranked at #199 for boys and #915 for girls right now.
- Leif
Leif, who was Eric the Red’s son, was a famous sailor and navigator like his father. His name has a royal quality to it, just like his father’s. Leif is an Old Norse name that means ‘descendant or heir’. This traditional Scandinavian name is not very popular in the United States. It was last seen on the list in 2012.
- Marino
This Italian name, which means to ‘of the sea’, has great potential to appeal across different areas. It is shared by famous individuals such as Dan Marino, a football player, and Marino Marini, a sculptor from Italy.
- Morgan
Morgan is a popular Welsh name that means ‘sea circle’ and is considered strong and attractive. It is increasingly being used for girls, but is still a good choice for boys as well. The name has a masculine sound to it. Morgan Freeman would be the perfect person to be associated with this name.
- Moses
The nautical baby name Moses, which means ‘delivered from the water’, would be a good fit in this group as well. The name comes from the Egyptian word ‘mes’, meaning ‘born of’, given by the Pharaoh’s daughter who found him in the water. Since American colonization, the name has been used regularly, with its popularity fluctuating over time. The modern-day rise in popularity of the name can be credited to Gwyneth Paltrow, who chose it for her son.
- Nicholas
The name comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning ‘people of victory’. It became popular because of the stories about Santa Claus, also known as St. Nicholas.
- Ortun
Ortun is a Welsh name that means ‘from the shore’ and would be a great choice for parents who enjoy adventure. The name has been gaining popularity since the year 2000. We believe Ortun is friendly, easy to approach, and has a cheerful tone.
- River
This popular boy’s name, inspired by nature and the ocean, is often connected with the actor River Phoenix. While most children named River are boys, more and more girls are being given this name. The number of girls named River might continue to rise in the future. River is currently ranked at #244 on the list of top 1000 baby names.
- Sailor
Despite supermodel Christie Brinkley using the name Sailor for her daughter, it is still more commonly used for boys than girls. The name Sailor is linked to the Australian rugby player Wendell Jermaine Sailor and means ‘boatman’.
- Tao
This nautical baby name has a calm and peaceful vibe, likely because it originates from a Chinese term meaning ‘big waves’. The name, which represents both dark and light sides, gained popularity thanks to the courageous kayaker named Tao Berman.
- Tide
There is a trend of using new word and nature names, so Tide could become popular with parents who have a connection to the sea. The name Tide means the movement of the sea rising and falling twice a day due to the moon’s gravitational pull.
Nautical Baby Names For Girls With Meanings
- Bertha
The nautical baby name Bertha comes from the Old High German word ‘beraht’, which means ‘bright’. It was also the name of a Teutonic goddess worshipped by the Germans in the Alps.
- Blue
This unique nautical baby name gained popularity when Jay-Z and Beyoncé chose it for their daughter. Blue is also a popular name among celebrities and can be used for both boys and girls with variations like Blue, Bleu, or Blu. Additionally, it is the name of the main character in Marisha Pessl’s book ‘Special Topics in Calamity Physics.’
- Careen
If you enjoy watching old movies, you might know Careen as the name of a character in ‘Gone with the Wind’ who is Scarlett O’Hara’s sister. However, Careen can also mean the act of a ship leaning to one side for cleaning purposes. The name Careen comes from the name Carina and signifies ‘beloved little one’.
- Catalina
This very feminine name is connected to a ship or island port it travels to. Unlike the popular names Katherine and Catherine, Catalina hasn’t achieved the same level of popularity. This makes it a good choice for parents who want a more unique name. The name means ‘pure’.
- Celeste
The name ‘Celeste’ for a sailor girl is connected to celestial navigation, which involves using stars to navigate instead of traditional methods. This nautical baby name means ‘heavenly’.
- Coral
Corals are marine animals found in deep tropical waters that build colorful structures and provide a habitat for tropical marine creatures.
- Cordelia
Cordelia, a beloved character on the TV show ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, is also a Welsh mythological goddess whose name means ‘jewel of the sea’, suggesting a connection to the ocean.’
- Doris
In Greek mythology, Doris was known as one of Oceanus’ daughters. It is believed that Doris had fifty nymphs with golden hair. During the 1920s, Doris was a popular name but lost its popularity in the next decade. Doris, which means ‘gift of the ocean’, became popular again in the 1950s because of Doris Day, the American actress and singer.
- Isla
The nautical baby name Isla is a popular name for a baby girl that means ‘island’ in Spanish. It comes from the Scottish Island Islay and River Isla. The name is stylish and unique, evoking images of the ocean and seashore.
- Marina
The name Marina, which means ‘from the sea’ in Latin, is popular worldwide for its smooth sound and simple spelling. Many people don’t realize that Marina is also a term for a boat dock. Actor Matt LeBlanc chose the name Marina Pearl for his daughter, which is quite fitting. People like the name Marina because it symbolizes strength and adventure.
- Meredith
Originally a name for boys, Meredith is now commonly used for girls. The meaning of the Welsh name is ‘guardian of the sea’. In America, Meredith is currently ranked as the 590th most popular name. It also comes with cute nicknames like Merry or Reddy.
- Nerissa
The name Nerissa, which comes from Greek and means ‘from the sea’, is a unique option compared to names like Marisa and Melissa. William Shakespeare used the name Nerissa in his play ‘The Merchant of Venice’ for a character who was Portia’s close friend. Queen Elizabeth also chose this name for her cousin, giving it a regal sound.
- Oceane
This elegant nautical baby name has a lovely sound that makes us instantly fall in love with it. The alternative variation Oceana is also a great choice. This name means ‘ocean’.
- Olive
Olive Oyl was Popeye the Sailor Man’s tall and skinny girlfriend. While Olivia may be more popular, Olive still has its own unique charm. The name Olive means ‘olive tree’.
- Pearl
This stunning gemstone is typically found in the ocean. Do you think it would make a lovely nautical-inspired name for your daughter?
- Piper
In the marine force, whistle signals known as piping are used to give orders like ‘Avast heaving’ or to direct visitors to come aboard or move to the other side. The name means ‘someone who plays the pipe’.
- Sela
Sela, an ancient Norwegian princess from the 4th century, transformed into a pirate. The name Sela, which means ‘rock’ in Hebrew, gained popularity through the actress Sela Ward.
We think you have discovered a nautical baby name you love. Let us know your top choice by commenting below.
Frequently Asked Questions
The vast oceans and seas, along with the brave sailors who explore them, never fail to capture our interest. The ocean holds many mysterious wonders and is home to creatures like dolphins, starfish, and seashells. If you have a special connection to the sea, you may want to consider naming your child after famous sailors such as Christopher, Brendan, Drake, or Eric. For girls, names like Cordelia, Doris, Nerissa, and Pearl, which are associated with the sea and ships, can be beautiful choices. Take a look at our list of nautical baby names and choose the one that resonates with you the most for your unique child.
