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

If you’re looking for a beautiful and useable 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 over 150 mermaid names for girls, their meanings, current popularities, and sources of inspiration.

Related: Water-Themed Baby Names

Mermaid aesthetic names trending in 2025

These mermaid-related names are climbing the charts right now, each making notable gains since last year.

Capri 🔥

• Name meaning: Italian island.
• Popularity: #572 (↑79)

Emerald “MER”

• Name meaning: Green gemstone.
• Popularity: #744 (↑23)

Kaia 🔥

• Name meaning: Hawaiian for “sea”.
• Popularity: #186 (↑39)

Murphy 🔥

• Name meaning: Sea warrior.
• Popularity: #519 (↑148)

Mariam

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: #535 (↑34)

Maisie

• Name meaning: Pearl (jewel of the sea).
• Popularity: #293 (↑54)

Marina

• Name meaning: Of the sea.
• Popularity: #573 (↑72)

Navy 🔥

• Name meaning: Dark blue like the sea. Branch of the military.
• Popularity: #363 (↑120)

Raya or Rhea 🔥

• Name meaning: To flow like water.
• Popularity: Raya ranks #353 (↑48) and Rhea ranks #526 (↑74)

Nori

• Name meaning: Seaweed.
• Popularity: #900 (↑32)

Tallulah

• Name meaning: Leaping water.
• Popularity: #817 (↑182)

More on 2025 viral predictions in just a bit.

Popular mermaid girl names

The primary spellings of these mermaid-inspired names are ranked in the top 300.

Ava

• Name meaning: Water. Island. Life. Bird. One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: #8

Cora

• Name meaning: Maiden. Sounds like coral!
• Popularity: #93

Isla

• Name meaning: Island.
• Popularity: #33

Kehlani or Kailani or Kaylani

• Name meaning: Sea and sky.
• Popularity: Kehlani ranks #156, Kailani ranks #225, and Kaylani ranks #246.

Mariana or Marianna

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: Mariana ranks #245 and Marianna ranks #885.

Maya or Mya or Maia

• Name meaning: Water.
• Popularity: Maya ranks #50, Mya ranks #340, and Maia ranks #459.

Molly

• Name meaning: Star of the sea.
• Popularity: #208

Morgan

• Name meaning: Of the sea.
• Popularity: #247

Cute “hidden gem” mermaid names for girls

These mermaid names are surprisingly underused!

Coraline

• Name meaning: Diminutive of coral.
• Popularity: This great mermaid name isn’t ranking.

Galia

• Name meaning: Born in waves.
• Popularity: This G name isn’t ranking.

Halsey

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

Lana

• Name meaning: Calm as still waters or afloat.
• Popularity: #416

Maribelle

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved. + Beautiful.
• Popularity: This long girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Naia

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

Romy

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

Mermaid names inspired by the sea

These mermaid names for girls have to do with the ocean!

Cordelia

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

Dylan

• Name meaning: Child of the sea.
• Popularity: This D name ranks #648 for girls and #34 for boys.

Kairi

• Name meaning: Ocean village.
• Popularity: #984

Maren

• Name meaning: Sea.
• Popularity: #544

Marie

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: #649

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: #742

Marin

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

Marion

• Name meaning: Drop of the sea. Beloved.
• Popularity: This classic 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.

Muriel

• Name meaning: Sparkling sea.
• Popularity: This 3-syllable girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Myrla

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

Ocean

• Name meaning: Body of water.
• Popularity: Ocean ranks #826 for girls and #609 for boys.

Polly

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

Mermaid names inspired by the coast

These precious mermaid names have meanings related to islands and the coast.

Cove

• Name meaning: Coastal inlet. Great middle name!
• Popularity: This unique name isn’t ranking.

Delia

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

Rylan

• Name meaning: Island meadow.
• Popularity: This badass name ranks #376 for girls and #376 for boys.

Vela

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

Whitney

• Name meaning: White island.
• Popularity: #981

Water-related mermaid names for girls

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: #371

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 ocean name isn’t ranking.

Havilah

• Name meaning: Stretch of sand. Biblical place name.
• Popularity: This spiritual name isn’t ranking.

Jenna or Jennifer

• Name meaning: White wave.
• Popularity: Jenna ranks #629 and Jennifer ranks #517.

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 #127 and Remy ranks #641.

Ren

• Name meaning: Water lily.
• Popularity: The one-syllable name Ren isn’t ranking. Spelled with a W, Wren ranks #196.

Saylor

• Name meaning: Boat worker.
• Popularity: #215

Yara or Yareli

• Name meaning: Lady of the water. Small butterfly.
• Popularity: Yara ranks #613 and Yareli ranks #721.

Mermaid names that mean blue

These mermaid names have meanings related to the color blue—the color of the sparkling ocean!

Azure

• Name meaning: Bright blue.
• Popularity: Recently chosen by Elon Musk for his daughter, this name isn’t ranking (yet).

Indigo

• Name meaning: Blue or Indian dye.
• Popularity: #964

Meena

• Name meaning: A bird or blue semi-precious stone.
• Popularity: This unique M name for girls isn’t ranking.

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 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 isn’t ranking.

Topaz

• Name meaning: The blue birthstone for December.
• Popularity: This 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 unique T name isn’t ranking.

If you like these color-themed 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.

👉🏼 Jump ahead to the next batch of names if you wish.

Amora or Amoura 🔥

• Name meaning: Love.
• Popularity: Amora ranks #362 and Amoura ranks #633.

Aubrey

• Name meaning: Magical being.
• Popularity: Aubrey ranks #101 and Aubree ranks #296.

Related: Middle Names for Aubrey

Avery

• Name meaning: Elf king.
• Popularity: This A name ranks #29 for girls and #241 for boys.

Related: Middle Names for Avery

Belle

• Name meaning: Beautiful.
• Popularity: This name meaning beautiful isn’t ranking.

Dream

• Name meaning: Thoughts and images during sleep. Aspiration and hope.
• Popularity: #335

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: #32

Related: Middle Names for Ella

Everleigh

• Name meaning: Brave.
• Popularity: The E name Everly ranks #69 and Everlee ranks #398.

Fable

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

Faye

• Name meaning: Fairy.
• Popularity: #500

Fiona

• Name meaning: Fair.
• Popularity: #400

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: #219

Hera

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

Illyria

• Name meaning: Mythological name.
• Popularity: This unusual I 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: #364

Jewel

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

Jolie

• Name meaning: Pretty.
• Popularity: #906

Jovie 🔥

• Name meaning: Joyful.
• Popularity: #588

Julep

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

Juliette

• Name meaning: Youthful.
• Popularity: Juliette ranks #160 and Juliet ranks #292.

Juno

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

Lacey 🔥

• Name meaning: From Lassy.
• Popularity: #759

Luna

• Name meaning: Moon.
• Popularity: #10

Related: Names Similar to Luna

Lyric

• Name meaning: Words set to music.
• Popularity: #536

Novella

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

Orla

• Name meaning: Golden princess.
• Popularity: This O name isn’t ranked in the U.S., 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 #348 for girls and #269 for boys.

Pixie

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

Reverie

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

Sadie

• Name meaning: Princess.
• Popularity: #58

Selena or Selene

• Name meaning: Moon goddess.
• Popularity: Selena ranks #229 and Selene ranks #708.

Suri

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

Tana

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

Tia

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

Tiara

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

Mermaid names from movies, shows, and books

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: #184

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: This go-to mermaid name ranks #288 for girls and #519 for boys.

Astrid

• Name meaning: Divinely beautiful.
• About: One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: #398

Athena

• Name meaning: Goddess of wisdom.
• About: Queen Athena is Ariel’s mom in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: #76

Bella

• Name meaning: Beautiful.
• About: One of the mermaids in the Australian show, H2O: Just Add Water.
• Popularity: #106

Cleo

• Name meaning: Pride or glory.
• About: One of the mermaids in the Australian show, H2O: Just Add Water.
• Popularity: #608

Emma

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

Related: Middle Names for Emma

Lyla

• Name meaning: Night or dark.
• About: One of the mermaids in the TV series, Mako Mermaids.
• Popularity: #98

Madison

• Name meaning: Child of Matthew.
• About: The mermaid from the rom-com movie, Splash.
• Popularity: #36

Related: Middle Names for Madison

Melody

• Name meaning: Song.
• About: The daughter of Ariel and the protagonist of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
• Popularity: #103

Miranda

• Name meaning: Worthy of admiration.
• About: The mermaid from the black and white British comedy film, Miranda.
• Popularity: This name isn’t currently ranking.

Moana

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

Seraphina

• Name meaning: Fiery.
• About: One of the six mermaids in The Waterfire Saga book series.
• Popularity: #974

Venus

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

Unique mermaid names for girls

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 mythological 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 exotic mermaid girls’ name isn’t ranking.

Pacifica

• Name meaning: Peaceful. A coastal city in Northern California.
• 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.

Mermaid names that mean pearl

Pearls are gemstones that come from the sea.

Greta

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: #933

Gretchen

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

Lulu

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

May or Mae

• Name meaning: Pearl. Bitter. The 5th month.
• Popularity: May isn’t currently ranking and Mae ranks #506.

Megan or Meghan

• Name meaning: Pearl.
• Popularity: #694

Pearl

• Name meaning: Gem.  Great middle name!
• Popularity: #805

If you like these pearly mermaid names for girls you’ll 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: #710

Finley or Finleigh “FIN”

• Name meaning: Blonde warrior.
• Popularity: This name ending in y isn’t ranking for girls (Finley ranks #285 for boys).

Michelle “SHELL”

• Name meaning: Like God.
• Popularity: #401

Rochelle “SHELL”

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

Sandra or Sandy “SAND”

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

Shelby “SHELL”

• Name meaning: Estate on the ledge.
• Popularity: #659

Sia “SEA”

• Name meaning: Vctory, six, light, glow, bringer of joy.
• Popularity: This 3-letter name isn’t ranking.

Sienna “SEA”

• Name meaning: Orange-red. An earthy substance used as a pigment.
• Popularity: Sienna ranks #140 and Siena ranks #664

Sierra “SEA”

• Name meaning: Mountain range.
• Popularity: #566

More baby names for girls

• 99 Surprisingly Chic Tree Names for Girls
• 70 Gorgeous Girl Names that Mean Beautiful
• Girl Names Sorted By Syllable (2025 Edition with 500+ Names)

Will any mermaid girl names go viral in 2025?

It looks that way!

There are five stand-out names poised for dramatic growth — and one name worth watching.

Navy

Among aquatic-themed names, Navy shows the strongest viral potential by far.

It has demonstrated explosive growth since first appearing in the U.S. top 1000 in 2019 at #813, climbing 450 spots to reach #363 in 2023.

Its most recent jump was particularly dramatic – rising 120 spots from #483 to #363 in a single year (2022-2023), representing a 25% improvement in ranking.

The name’s success taps into multiple current trends: color names (like Coral and Azure), maritime themes (like Ocean and Marina), and the coveted ‘v’ sound shared with rising names like Ivy and Nova.

Navy’s trajectory in England & Wales mirrors its U.S. success, climbing from unranked to #876 for girls in 2022, suggesting international momentum.

With this kind of explosive momentum and room to climb, Navy appears positioned for continued dramatic growth through 2025.

Raya

After first appearing in the U.S. top 1000 in 2020 at #932, Raya (meaning “stream” in Hebrew) has skyrocketed 579 positions to #353 in just three years.

This meteoric rise includes a 48-spot jump between 2022-2023 alone, showing the momentum is still building.

The name gained additional visibility through Disney’s water-themed adventure Raya and the Last Dragon, which received official Disney Princess status in August 2022.

Its ranking position (#353) is ideal for viral growth – established enough to be familiar but with plenty of room to climb.

The name offers appealing pronunciation options (“RYE-uh” or “RAY-uh”), making it accessible across cultures while maintaining its aquatic connections.

Kaia

Among names with water connections (Kaia means “sea” in Hawaiian), this choice shows all the statistical and cultural markers of a name poised for viral growth.

Since entering the U.S. rankings in 2000 at #905, it has climbed 719 spots to reach #186 in 2023 – a remarkable 79.4% increase in ranking position.

The name’s momentum is accelerating, with a 17.3% improvement from 2022 (#225) to 2023 (#186), its best single-year gain yet.

This K-initial name reached its highest-ever U.S. birth count in 2023 with 1,608 babies, representing 0.092% of total female births.

Combined with its strongest-ever ranking positions in both the U.S. (#186) and U.K. (#288) in 2023, plus its accelerating year-over-year gains, this Hawaiian sea name shows strong potential for viral growth by 2025.

Capri

Among oceanic-inspired names, Capri (recalling the Mediterranean isle) shows strong indicators for viral potential in 2025.

After entering the rankings at #681 in 2020, it has shown explosive momentum, particularly in 2023 where it jumped 79 spots to reach #572—its highest ranking ever and largest single-year gain.

In 2023, 518 baby girls were named Capri, representing 0.030% of total female births—the name’s strongest showing in history.

The coastal name has improved its ranking every single year with accelerating gains: #681 (2020) → #619 (2021) → #651 (2022) → #572 (2023).

Capri hits multiple sweet spots: it’s a Mediterranean sea name (like rising stars Marina and Isla), it’s short with an ‘i’ ending (like viral names Remi and Ari), and it’s immediately recognizable while still feeling special.

Its current position in the 500-600 range is historically ideal for dramatic growth.

Murphy

While traditional mermaid-inspired names like Marina and Pearl have remained steady, Murphy represents a bold departure, leaping from its first appearance at #978 in 2020 to #519 in just three years.

The name has shown particularly explosive growth in the past year, jumping 148 spots from #667 to #519 in 2023.

What’s especially notable is its gender shift – in 2023, more than twice as many girls (582) received the name compared to boys (257).

Murphy hits multiple sweet spots in current naming trends: it’s gender-neutral, has a water-adjacent meaning (“sea warrior” in Irish), and carries the casual, friendly vibe that modern parents love.

If current trends continue, Murphy could easily break into the top 300 by 2025, cementing its status as one of the fastest-rising nautical-adjacent names for girls.

Honorable Mention: Tallulah

While it’s too soon to predict viral status, Tallulah (meaning “leaping waters” in Native American tradition) is a mermaid-worthy name to watch.

After barely making the top 1000 in 2022, this water-inspired name surged 182 spots to #817 in 2023, showing remarkable momentum.

The name’s popularity in England (#266) indicates growing international appeal for this aquatic-themed choice.

Mermaid Names: Trend Analysis

Parents are gravitating toward mermaid names as part of a broader trend toward whimsical, aesthetically-driven choices that evoke specific moods and imagery.

These ethereal water-themed names tap into the same impulse that’s driving the popularity of celestial, cottagecore, and fairy-inspired choices.

The surge in mermaid names reflects a broader cultural fascination with oceanic themes and maritime mythology.

Among the currently ranked mermaid names, there’s a fascinating mix of direct and indirect connections to the sea:

• Direct maritime meanings dominate the top 300, with names like Isla (#33), Maya (#50), and Cora (#93) leading the pack.
• Names with explicit “sea” meanings show remarkable strength, notably Kaia (#186) and Marina (#573).
• Color-inspired oceanic names are gaining momentum, with Navy (#363) showing particularly explosive growth.

Currently, 47 mermaid-related names rank in the U.S. top 1000, representing diverse linguistic origins:

Hebrew names like Mariam (#535) carry subtle water connections.

Greek mythology contributes gems like Athena (#76).

Hawaiian influences appear through names like Kehlani (#156) and Kailani (#225).

Several vintage mermaid names hover at the edges of the top 1000. Pearl (#805) and Whitney (#981) seem to be holding on rather than staging comebacks.

The most dramatic growth appears in modern interpretations of mermaid names. Tallulah (meaning “leaping waters”) jumped 182 spots to #817, while Murphy (“sea warrior”) climbed 148 positions to #519.

Pop culture continues to influence mermaid names, with Disney characters like Ariel (#288) maintaining steady popularity.

Looking ahead to late 2025:

Maritime color names will likely continue their ascent, with Azure (currently unranked) predicted to enter the charts.

Names ending in -a that carry water meanings (Nerida, Cordelia) should see increased usage.

The “hidden gem” mermaid names category shows particular promise, especially Naia (meaning “wave”) and Coraline (derived from “coral”).

If you’re considering a mermaid name for your little one, there’s never been a better time to dive into these enchanting options!

The source for popularity data is SSN.

This article was originally published on Jan 29, 2022 and was updated on Mar 6, 2025.

Mermaid Names for Girls