Mythical mermaid names are the coolest thing you can walk around with on dry land. Best known for being part of Greek and Assyrian folklore, Mermaids appear in ancient stories throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and many more places. That’s probably why mythical ocean names that evoke the beauty and power of mystical sea mavens have such universal appeal.
While we often associate mermaids with cartoon magic these days, these mythical creatures have served as fierce goddesses and protectors in charge of commanding wild seas and still waters for eons. That’s why there are plenty of strong, fierce mermaid names for girls that blow the concept of simply “sitting pretty” on rock out of the water!
Mermaid names resonate so strongly with us all because they remind us of the freedom and unpredictability of the sea. Each time we think of mermaids, we are called to imagine the endlessness, timelessness and mystique of the vast oceans that wait just beyond everything we know. They remind us that there is something bigger and more magical in this world.
Like these Mythical Mermaid names? Check out out post:
60 Merman Names for Your Legendary Water-Loving Boy.
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What Makes a Great Mermaid Name?
Think of the way a sparkle that shimmers like a wave at daybreak will radiate from your little girl’s eyes each time she shares her name with the world. A great mermaid name blends femininity, whimsy and power. There are a few different ways to approach choosing mermaid names for girls:
- Choosing a mythical name inspired by a mermaid character from film or literature.
- Choosing a name from folklore.
- Choosing “aquatic” or ocean names that call to mind the beauty of the sea.
Of course, any mermaid name can be tweaked to be more formal or feminine! In the end, a strong mermaid name bridges the chasm between earth and sea in a single breath. Any girl who bears the name of a mermaid is sure to be born knowing how to make waves.
Mythical Mermaid Names
1. Adrianna.
Adrianna, meaning “of the Adriatic sea”, is an enchanting yet simple name that’s perfect for mermaids and humans alike. You can also give it a French twist, with Adrienne for a name that’s classic and otherworldly.
2. Atargatis.
Dating back to ancient Assyria, Atargatis was the chief moon goddess of Syria who transformed herself into a mermaid after casting her body into a lake. Many people consider her to be the first mermaid. The allure of this name is that it leans toward the deeper, more mature aspects of mermaids instead of the “cartoon” mermaid trend.
3. Coralie.
Coralie is a French name meaning “coral.” It is most commonly seen in France and French-speaking Canada. Some parents sprinkle in a slightly more feminine edge by borrowing the name Coralia from the ballet adaptation of “Udine.” In the drama, Coralia is a mermaid ballet dancer.
4. Gloriamaris.
This is an elegant and ethereal name that rolls off the tongue like long waves rolling into the shore. It is inspired by the Conus Gloriamaris seashell that is considered to be the rarest of all seashell species in the world. Found in the Philippines, Conus Gloriamaris seashells are also considered to be the most valuable.
5. Kailani.
The island notes are strong in this beautifully crisp name. Kailani is a popular girl’s name that translates to “sea and sky” in Hawaiian culture. Using a name that represents both the sea and sky is clever when picking a mermaid name because it embodies the duality of mermaids.
6. Lorelei.
Inspired by a water siren who remains an enduring part of German folklore, Lorelei is a strong and feminine name. The legend goes that a beautiful maiden named Lorelei plunged herself into the depths of the Rhine River after being rejected by a lover. She can often be seen posing on the rock that she jumped from to lure sailors to shipwreck with her beauty. The name sometimes appears as Loreley.
7. Madison.
This one’s a fun throwback that parents who were children of the 80s will love. Madison is the name of Daryl Hannah’s character in 1984’s “Splash.” In the film, Tom Hanks falls in love with a mysterious beauty who happens to be a mermaid after she saves him from drowning.
8. Mare.
Strong and short, Mare is one of the best mermaid names because it calls to mind the entire breadth of the ocean in a single breath. Mare is the Italian word for “sea.” This moniker is a great way for someone with Mediterranean roots to put a unique spin on giving their child an Italian name.
9. Marina.
Marina, in a classic mermaid way, means “of the sea” through Latin origins. The interesting part is that this name sounds at-home in almost any part of the world, from North and South America, to Western and Eastern Europe, even through the Middle East.
10. Melusina.
Melusina is a female spirit of fresh water from European folklore. She appears in a number of French and German literary works dating back to the 1300s. Thought to spend her time in sacred springs and rivers, Melusina is depicted as a beautiful woman with a fish or serpent body from the waist down. The name is also sometimes displayed as Melusine or Melyzin.
11. Nixie.
One of the shortest and spunkiest mermaid names for girls, Nixie is a name from German folklore that means “water sprite.” Nixie is a water spirit with the ability to shapeshift into the form of other creatures.
12. Perla.
In folklore, pearls are known as the tears of mermaids. Perla is Spanish for “pearl.” This is a beautiful name to evoke the shimmering, luminescent qualities of a mermaid while calling to mind the power of her emotions.
13. Rusalka.
Rusalka means “mermaid” in Russian and Ukrainian, but makes for a very pretty name in any part of the world.
14. Sereia.
Sereia is the Portuguese word for mermaid. Perched on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal’s positioning on the Atlantic Ocean makes it a prime spot for mermaid lore. Port cities throughout this Mediterranean country frequently feature bronze statues of mermaids gazing toward the sea.
15. Syrenka.
This European name works beautifully for anyone looking to give a nod to their polish roots. Syrenka is known as the “Mermaid of Warsaw.” In addition to being featured on the city’s coat of arms, she is represented in a number of statues peppered throughout Poland’s capital. She is always depicted as a protector of Warsaw with a sword and shield in her hands.
The “Little Mermaid” names.
In case you wanted to give your little one a more obvious nod to the underwater world, you can always get inspired by Disney. The seven sisters were:
16. Ariel
17. Attina,
18. Alana,
19. Adella,
20.Aquata,
21. Arista and
22. Andrina.
Have these names gotten the tides of your imagination stirring? Let us know which mermaid name from the list you love in the comments!
More “Mar” Mythical Ocean Names
Mar names are popular in many cultures, and generally mean some version of the sea. (Such as defender of the sea, star of the sea, or of the sea in general.) Mar itself means “sea” in Spanish, so this list alone will give you plenty of inspiration for mermaid and water names.
23. Mar
24. Mara
25. Marcella
26. Marcellina
27. Marceline
28. Mare
29. Maren
30. Maria
31. Mariah
32. Mariana
33. Marie
34. Mariela
35. Marietta
36. Marilyn
37. Marin
38. Marion
39. Maris
40. Marni
41. Mary
Water Nymph Names For Your Mythical Mermaid
Each of the names below mean “water nymph” in Greek. They’re also all lovely and playful, making it the perfect name for a lovely girl.
42. Naia
43. Naida
44. Nerina
45. Nerine
Opulent Pearl Names
Aside from naming your little Mermaid one Pearl you could adorn her with a version of Margaret which has the same meaning. Here are some variations:
46. Margaret
47. Margarita
48. Margo
49. Margot
50. Greta
51. Marge
52. Maggie
Pacific Islander and Polynesian Water Names
The Pacific Islands are no strangers to the mystery of the waters, and bring the most beautiful of Water Names – perfect for Mermaids.
See more:
65 Polynesian Names With Fiery Pacific Islander Meanings
65 Hawaiian Girl Names That Are Radiant and Divine.
53. Kai – Sea (Polynesian)
54. Kailani – Sea heavens (Polynesian)
55. Kehlani – Sea heaven (Polynesian)
56. Meri – the sea (Maori)
57. Moana – the deep sea (Maori)
58. Nalu – wave (Hawaiian)
More Water, Ocean, And Mermaid Names That Are Out Of This World
59. Brooke – small stream
60. Coral
61. Doris – Gift of the ocean – Greek
62. Hurley – Sea tide
63. Lake
64. Morgan – circling sea – Welsh
65. Murphy – sea warrior – Irish
66. Nerissa – from the sea – Greek
67. Ocean
68. Polly – star of the sea
69. Ria – river
70. River
71. Triana – three rivers
72. Waverly – Meadow of aspens – English
73. Whitney – small island
Like these Mermaid names? Check out out post:
60 Merman Names for Your Legendary Water-Loving Boy.
Mermaid Names FAQ
What’s a good name for a mermaid?
When it comes to a good name for a mermaid, why not go with a name that means mermaid? We love Sereia (mermaid in Portuguese) and Rusalka (mermaid in Ukrainian and Russian.) There are also mythical mermaid names from mythology and folklore like: Syrenka (Polish folklore) and Atargatis (from ancient Assyria.)
What are good ocean names?
Good ocean names give a nod to to the sea through their meaning. We love names like Marina, Moana, Kaia, or Adrianna for girls as ocean names for girls. For boys, we like Zealand, Seaward, and Valdimar – which means ruler of the ocean.
What female name means ocean?
Most names with “Mar” relate to the sea through Latin origins. For example, Marina means “of the sea” and Maria is “the star of the sea” whereas Mare just means “the sea.” Also, names related to Kaia like Kailani mean “the ocean” through Hawaiian origins.
What name means ocean?
When it comes to names, “ocean” and “sea” are pretty interchangeable. Most names with “Mar” like Marina, Maria, or Mare relate to the sea through Latin origins. In Hawaiian, the name Kai is related to the Ocean with names like Kai for boys or Kaia and Kailani for girls.