AHEAD: The ultimate list of mermaid-inspired baby names.

If you’re looking for a mermaid name for your daughter, you’re in the right place!

You’ve definitely already thought of Ariel, so what else is there?!

Below, you’ll find a huge list of over 150 mermaid names for girls along with their meanings, current popularity, and source of inspiration.

Some of the names below have meanings related to the ocean, sea creatures, islands, and the coast.

Others are directly inspired by fictional mermaid characters.

I’ve even included a bonus list of names that just sound ocean-related.

There’s a huge variety of names to choose from! Feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to a specific category, or keep on scrolling and view all of these beautiful mermaid names for girls.

Cute mermaid names for girls

Kicking off our list with some non-obvious mermaid names that are super adorable.

Beck

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: This cool B name is not in the top 1000.

Coraline or Cora

• Name meaning: Diminutive of coral.
• Popularity: Coraline ranks #643 and Cora is #88.

Halsey

• Name meaning: Hal’s island or honored island.
• Popularity: This cute H name isn’t ranking.

Kai or Kaia

• Name meaning: Hawaiian for “sea”.
• Popularity: Kai ranks #794 and Kaia ranks #302. Kai is #93 boys.

Lana

• Name meaning: ‘Calm as still waters’ or ‘afloat’. Light, gracious, or little rock.
• Popularity: #390

Maisie

• Name meaning: Pearl (jewel of the sea).
• Popularity: #409

Maribelle

• Name meaning: Mari + Belle. Drop of the sea. Beloved. + Beautiful.
• Popularity: This long girls’ name is not in the top 1000.

Naia

• Name meaning: Wave or seafoam. Dolphin. Water nymph or flowing.
• Popularity: This great mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Nori or Norie

• Name meaning: Seaweed.
• Popularity: This short ocean name isn’t ranking.

Romy

• Name meaning: Dew of the sea.
• Popularity: This cute R name isn’t ranking.

If you like these mermaid baby names you might also like this list of modern girl names.

Mermaid names inspired by the sea

All of these mermaid names for girls have to do with the ocean!

Cordelia

• Name meaning: Daughter of the sea.
• Popularity: This unusual C name isn’t ranking.

Dylan

• Name meaning: Child of the sea.
• Popularity: This D name ranks #496 for girls and #43 for boys.

Galia or Gallia

• Name meaning: “Born in waves.” Also the name of a cantaloupe melon.
• Popularity: This unique G name isn’t ranking.

Kehlani or Kailani or Kaylani

• Name meaning: Sea and sky.
• Popularity: The K name Kehlani ranks #168, Kailani ranks #282, and Kaylani ranks #340.

Maren

• Name meaning: Sea.
• Popularity: #438

Mariana or Marianna

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: Mariana ranks #276 and Marianna ranks #832.

Marie

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: #619

Marielle or Mariella

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: Neither of these elegant ocean-inspired names is ranking.

Marietta

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: This city name isn’t ranking.

Marilyn

• Name meaning: Mary (drop of the sea or beloved) + Lynn (lake).
• Popularity: #636

Marin

• Name meaning: Of the sea. Beautiful place near San Francisco.
• Popularity: This 5-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Marina

• Name meaning: Of the sea.
• Popularity: #707

Marion

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: This mermaid name is not in the top 1000.

Marni

• Name meaning: From the sea.
• Popularity: This ocean name isn’t ranking.

Meri

• Name meaning: Sea. Meri is also a god of the sun in the mythology of the Brazillian Bororó people.
• Popularity: This sun name is not ranking.

Meryl

• Name meaning: Of the bright sea.
• Popularity: This two-syllable Streep-inspired name is not currently popular.

Miriam

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: Miriam ranks #280, Maryam ranks #503, and Mariam ranks #632.

Morgan

• Name meaning: Of the sea.
• Popularity: #193

Muriel

• Name meaning: Sparkling sea.
• Popularity: This unique 3-syllable girls’ name isn’t popular in the U.S.

Murphy

• Name meaning: Sea warrior.
• Popularity: #969

Myrla

• Name meaning: Shining sea or blackbird.
• Popularity: This MAFS-reminiscent name isn’t ranking.

Ocean

• Name meaning: Body of water.
• Popularity: This perfect mermaid name, chosen by Lala Kent for her daughter, isn’t ranking for girls but ranks #800 for boys.

Polly

• Name meaning: Star of the sea.
• Popularity: This vintage baby girl name isn’t ranking.

If you like these sea-inspired mermaid names for girls you might also like this list of nature names.

Mermaid names inspired by the coast

All of these precious mermaid names have meanings related to islands and the coast.

Capri

• Name meaning: Italian island.
• Popularity: #685

Cove

• Name meaning: Coastal inlet.
• Popularity: This unique name isn’t currently popular.

Delia

• Name meaning: Born on the island of Delos.
• Popularity: This great mermaid baby name isn’t ranking.

Isla

• Name meaning: Island.
• Popularity: #44

Rylan

• Name meaning: Island meadow.
• Popularity: This badass name ranks #870 for girls and #327 for boys.

Vela

• Name meaning: Coastline.
• Popularity: This cool V name isn’t ranking.

Whitney

• Name meaning: White island.
• Popularity: #932

If you like these coastal mermaid names for girls you might also like this list of boho names.

Mermaid names inspired by water

All of the mermaid names on this list have to do with streams, lakes, and rivers.

Brooke

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: #237

Hartlyn or Hartlynn

• Name meaning: Deer lake.
• Popularity: This unique name is not ranking in the top 1000.

Lake or Layke

• Name meaning: Body of water.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this L name is ranking right now.

Mara

• Name meaning: A river.
• Popularity: #627

Oaklynn or Oaklyn

• Name meaning: Oak lake.
• Popularity: Oaklynn ranks #307 and Oaklyn ranks #566.

Ria

• Name meaning: Small river.
• Popularity: This 3-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.

River

• Name meaning: Stream of water.
• Popularity: #186

Triana

• Name meaning: Third or three rivers.
• Popularity: This unusual water name isn’t ranking.

Yahara

• Name meaning: A river in Wisconsin. Catfish river.
• Popularity: This unique Y name isn’t ranking.

If you like these water-inspired mermaid names for girls you might also like this list of tree names.

Water-related mermaid names for girls

All of these mermaid names for girls are related to sea creatures, waves, water, and boats!

Aurelia

• Name meaning: A type of jellyfish. Means golden one.
• Popularity: #528

Ava

• Name meaning: Life. Bird. Island. Water. One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: Ava ranks #3 and Avah is #655.

Delphina or Delphine

• Name meaning: The French word for dolphin. A woman from the Greek city, Delphi.
• Popularity: This pretty mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Guinevere

• Name meaning: White wave.
• Popularity: This long ocean-related name is not ranking.

Havilah

• Name meaning: Stretch of sand. Biblical place name.
• Popularity: This spiritual name isn’t in the top 1000.

Jenna or Jennifer

• Name meaning: White wave.
• Popularity: Jenna ranks #548 and Jennifer is #434.

Maya or Mya or Maia

• Name meaning: Water.
• Popularity: Maya ranks #61, Mya ranks #242, and Maia ranks #498.

Nyrobi

• Name meaning: Place of cool waters. The capital city of Kenya.
• Popularity: This water name isn’t ranking.

Remi or Remy

• Name meaning: Oarsman.
• Popularity: For girls, Remi ranks #125 and Remy is #497. For boys, Remi ranks #765 and Remy is #356.

Ren

• Name meaning: Water lily.
• Popularity: The one-syllable name Ren isn’t ranking. Spelled with a w, Wren ranks #361.

Rhea or Raya

• Name meaning: To flow.
• Popularity: Rhea ranks #628 and Raya is #937.

Saylor

• Name meaning: Boat worker.
• Popularity: #300

Tallulah or Tully

• Name meaning: Leaping water.
• Popularity: This unique name isn’t ranking.

Yara or Yareli

• Name meaning: Lady of the water. Small butterfly.
• Popularity: Yara ranks #651 and Yareli is #846.

If you like these water-related mermaid names you might like this list of nonbinary names.

Mermaid names that mean blue

All of the girls’ mermaid names on this list have meanings related to the color blue—the color of the sparkling sea!

Indigo

• Name meaning: Blue or Indian dye.
• Popularity: This cool I name is not ranking in the U.S.

Meena

• Name meaning: A bird or blue semi-precious stone.
• Popularity: This unique M name for girls isn’t popular in the U.S.

Navy

• Name meaning: Dark blue. Branch of the military.
• Popularity: #658

Neely or Neela

• Name meaning: Sapphire blue. Horn. Neela is one of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: Neither version of this N name is currently ranking.

Nila

• Name meaning: Dark blue.
• Popularity: This 4-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Sapphire

• Name meaning: Blue gem.
• Popularity: This rare S name is not ranking.

Topaz

• Name meaning: The blue birthstone for the month of December.
• Popularity: This interesting mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Tyndall

• Name meaning: The Tyndall Effect refers to the light scattering by particles such that blue light is scattered much more strongly than red light.
• Popularity: This unusual T name isn’t ranking.

If you like these mermaid girls’ names you’ll also like these names for rainbow babies.

Magical + mythical girls’ names

While not directly related to mermaids, these baby names are perfect if you love fantasies, fairytales, and mythology.

Amora or Amoura

• Name meaning: Love.
• Popularity: Amora ranks #363 and Amoura is #828.

Aubrey

• Name meaning: Magical being.
• Popularity: Aubrey ranks #56, Aubree ranks #156, Aubrie ranks #750.

Avery

• Name meaning: Elf king.
• Popularity: This A name ranks #19 for girls and #212 for boys. Averie ranks #426 and Averi is #768.

Belle

• Name meaning: Beautiful.
• Popularity: #999

Dream

• Name meaning: Thoughts and images during sleep. Aspiration and hope.
• Popularity: #407

Elara

• Name meaning: The 8th largest moon of Jupiter. In Greek mythology, Elara was the mother of the giant Tityos.
• Popularity: This space name is not ranking.

Ella

• Name meaning: Fairy maiden.
• Popularity: #15

Everleigh

• Name meaning: Brave.
• Popularity: The E name Everly ranks #43 and Everleigh ranks #94.

Fable

• Name meaning: A short story.
• Popularity: This poetic F name isn’t ranking.

Faye

• Name meaning: Fairy.
• Popularity: #687

Fiona

• Name meaning: Fair.
• Popularity: #296

Gaia

• Name meaning: Earth. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the mother of life.
• Popularity: This cool name is not in the top 1000.

Haven

• Name meaning: Safe place.
• Popularity: #310

Hera

• Name meaning: Protector. Another name for the goddess Juno.
• Popularity: This unique name isn’t currently ranking.

Illyria

• Name meaning: Mythological name.
• Popularity: This unusual name isn’t ranking.

Isadora

• Name meaning: Gift of the goddess Isis.
• Popularity: This mythical name is not in the top 1000.

Itzel

• Name meaning: Rainbow lady.
• Popularity: This cool name is not in the top 1000.

Jewel

• Name meaning: Precious stone.
• Popularity: This sparkling J name hasn’t ranked since 2019.

Jolie

• Name meaning: Pretty.
• Popularity: #720

Jovie

• Name meaning: Joyful.
• Popularity: #922

Julep

• Name meaning: Rose water.
• Popularity: This fun southern girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Juliette

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: Juliette ranks #180 and Juliet is #306.

Juno

• Name meaning: The Roman goddess of the heavens.
• Popularity: This badass mythological name isn’t ranking.

Lacey

• Name meaning: From Lassy.
• Popularity: #717

Luna

• Name meaning: Moon.
• Popularity: #14

Lyric

• Name meaning: Words set to music.
• Popularity: #412

Novella

• Name meaning: A short novel.
• Popularity: This amazing name isn’t ranking.

Orla

• Name meaning: Golden princess.
• Popularity: This O name is not popular in the United States, but is quite popular in England and Scotland.

Pari

• Name meaning: Fairy. Equal.
• Popularity: This P name isn’t ranking.

Phoenix

• Name meaning: A mythical bird that rises from the ashes and is born again.
• Popularity: This edgy name ranks #286 for girls and #238 for boys.

Pixie

• Name meaning: Fairy.
• Popularity: This cute name isn’t ranking.

Reverie

• Name meaning: Daydream.
• Popularity: This fantastical name isn’t ranking.

Sadie

• Name meaning: Princess.
• Popularity: #78

Selena or Selene

• Name meaning: Moon goddess.
• Popularity: Selena ranks #241 and Selene is #800.

Suri

• Name meaning: Princess or red rose.
• Popularity: This mini name is not ranking.

Tana

• Name meaning: Star or fire goddess.
• Popularity: This unique mythological name ending in A isn’t ranking.

Tarynn

• Name meaning: Spirit of the forest.
• Popularity: #504

Tia

• Name meaning: Goddess or aunt.
• Popularity: This short girls’ name hasn’t ranked since 2012.

Tiara

• Name meaning: Crown.
• Popularity: This regal name hasn’t ranked since 2009.

If you like these fairytale-inspired names you’ll also like these royal girls’ names.

Mermaid names from movies, shows, and books

All of these mermaid names are borrowed from works of fiction.

Adella

• Name meaning: Noble.
• About: One of Ariel’s sisters in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: This mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Alana

• Name meaning: Cheerful.
• About: One of Ariel’s sisters in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: Alana ranks #206 and Alanna ranks #560.

Andrina

• Name meaning: Strong and manly.
• About: One of Ariel’s sisters in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: This unusual mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Ariel

• Name meaning: Lion.
• About: The Little Mermaid herself!
• Popularity: Ariel ranks #200 and Arielle is #346.

Astrid

• Name meaning: Divinely beautiful.
• About: One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: #452

Athena

• Name meaning: An ancient Greek goddess associated with wisdom and warfare.
• About: Queen Athena is Ariel’s mom in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: #108

Bella

• Name meaning: Beautiful.
• About: One of the mermaids in the Australian show, H2O: Just Add Water.
• Popularity: #64

Cleo

• Name meaning: Pride or glory.
• About: One of the mermaids in the Australian show, H2O: Just Add Water.
• Popularity: #885

Emma

• Name meaning: Whole.
• About: One of the mermaids in the Australian show, H2O: Just Add Water.
• Popularity: #2

Lyla

• Name meaning: Night or dark.
• About: One of the mermaids in the TV series, Mako Mermaids.
• Popularity: Lyla ranks #118 and Lila is #226.

Madison

• Name meaning: Child of Matthew.
• About: The mermaid from the rom-com movie, Splash.
• Popularity: Madison ranks #23, Maddison ranks #475, and Madisyn ranks #726.

Melody

• Name meaning: Song.
• About: The daughter of Ariel and the protagonist of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
• Popularity: #106

Miranda

• Name meaning: Worthy of admiration.
• About: The mermaid from the black and white British comedy film, Miranda.
• Popularity: #542

Moana

• Name meaning: Ocean.
• About: Moana is a Disney movie about a strong-willed little girl (Moana) who is chosen by the ocean to help save her people.
• Popularity: This now-famous water name isn’t ranking.

Serafina

• Name meaning: Fiery.
• About: One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: This beautiful mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Venus

• Name meaning: Goddess of love and beauty. The second planet from the sun.
• About: One of the mermaids in the movie, Mermaids.
• Popularity: This cool name isn’t ranking.

Related: 35 Things to do Before Baby (while lying in bed!)

Unusual mermaid names for girls

All of these mermaid names are a bit ‘far from the shore’, but would work perfectly if you’re into unique names!

Mazu

• Name meaning: Goddess of the sea and protector of seafarers.
• Popularity: This unique name isn’t ranking.

Namiko

• Name meaning: Wave or surf child.
• Popularity: This beachy 6-letter girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Nerida

• Name meaning: Sea nymph or mermaid.
• Popularity: This mermaid girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Pacifica

• Name meaning: Peaceful. A city in Northern California on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
• Popularity: This ocean-inspired name isn’t ranking.

Sedna

• Name meaning: Goddess of the sea and its creatures.
• Popularity: This sea name isn’t ranking.

Sirena

• Name meaning: The Spanish word for mermaid.
• Popularity: This perfect mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Related: Third Trimester Checklist: 17 End of Pregnancy To Dos

Mermaid names that mean pearl

Pearls are gemstones that come from the sea. Interestingly, they’re the only gems found within living creatures (mollusks).

Greta

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: #743

Gretchen

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: This girls’ name hasn’t ranked since 2008.

Gretel

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: This cute name isn’t currently ranking.

Lulu

• Name meaning: Pearl. Wonderful one. Famous warrior.
• Popularity: This precious mermaid name isn’t ranking.

May or Mae

• Name meaning: Bitter or pearl. The 5th month.
• Popularity: May is not currently popular but Mae ranks #576.

Megan or Meghan

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: Megan ranks #638 and Meghan ranks #878.

Pearl

• Name meaning: Gem.
• Popularity: #773

If you like these pearly mermaid names for girls you might also like these Victorian names.

Mermaid names that sound ocean-related

Consider this a bonus list because these names are a bit of a stretch. All of these names sound like “sea”, “shell”, “sand”, “fin”, and “mer” (like mer-maid).

Chelsea  “SHELL SEA”

• Name meaning: Landing place or chalk.
• Popularity: #646

Emerald  “MER”

• Name meaning: Green gemstone.
• Popularity: #957

Finley or Finleigh  “FIN”

• Name meaning:  Blonde warrior.
• Popularity: #201

Michelle  “SHELL”

• Name meaning: Like God.
• Popularity: #336

Rochelle  “SHELL”

• Name meaning: Small rock.
• Popularity: This girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Sandra or Sandy  “SAND”

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: Sandra last ranked in 2019 and Sandy last ranked in 2005.

Shelby  “SHELL”

• Name meaning: Estate on the ledge.
• Popularity: #502

Sia  “SEA”

• Name meaning: Unknown meaning. Possibly means victory, six, light, glow, bringer of joy.
• Popularity: This rare name is not ranking.

Sienna  “SEA”

• Name meaning: Orange-red. An earthy substance used as a pigment.
• Popularity: Sienna ranks #166 and Siena is #634.

Sierra  “SEA”

• Name meaning: Mountain range.
• Popularity: #540

More baby names for girls

• 57 Gorgeous Girl’s Names that Mean Graceful
• 100 Cool Names Similar to Luna
• 30 [Unusual But Cool] Girl Names that Start with Z

Final thoughts on mermaid baby names

Is there anything more magical than mermaids?

The idea of half-fish women is an enchanting concept, especially for little girls.

Mermaid names have been on the rise for decades now, with popular culture embracing their magic.

Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list of mermaid names for girls, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

Now, the tricky part is narrowing down your list of favorites!

My best advice to you is to save them all on a list on your phone. Read the list over every day. One by one, erase any name that doesn’t excite you as much as the others. If you do this enough times, eventually you’ll get to ‘the one’!

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect mermaid baby name for your daughter!

Mermaid Names for Girls: The Ultimate List