75 Mystical Mermaid Names And Their Meanings
Looking for a unique baby girl name? Consider the mermaid names in this list that are rising in popularity.
Mermaids are mythical sea creatures that have inspired names across different cultures for centuries. They often symbolize life and fertility linked to the ocean. In some traditions, ocean-inspired names represent the sea’s power, hinting at its unpredictable nature.
Credit: Royal Museums Greenwich
Whether you follow folklore or simply love the ocean, we have baby names for you! This list features a mix of names that directly mean mermaid, well-known mermaid names from pop culture, and sea-inspired names for girls.
The names on this list were researched using websites like BabyCenter to find their origins and meanings. It’s important to mention that some names have different meanings in other languages.
Mermaid Names For Girls From Books, TV, Or Movies
Adella
Origin: German
Meaning: “noble”
Pop Culture Reference: One of Ariel’s sisters in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
Andrina
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “strong”
Pop Culture Reference: One of Ariel’s sisters in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
Ariel
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “lion of God”
Pop Culture Reference: Main character in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
Arista
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “best”
Pop Culture Reference: One of Ariel’s sisters in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
Astrid
Origin: Scandinavian, Old Norse
Meaning: “Divinely beautiful”
Pop Culture Reference: Mermaid in “The Waterfire Saga” by Jennifer Donnelly
Calypso
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “to conceal”
Pop Culture Reference: Sea nymph in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie
Recommended: Calypso is also on our list of mysterious names
Lena
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “temptress; seductress”
Pop Culture Reference: Central character in “The Mermaid's Sister” by Carrie Anne Noble
Lorelei
Origin: German
Meaning: “alluring”
Pop Culture Reference: Siren in the German folktale “The Lorelei”
Madison
Origin: English
Meaning: “son of Matthew”
Pop Culture Reference: Mermaid in the movie “Splash”
Melody
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “song”
Pop Culture Reference: Daughter of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea”
Mera
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “bitter”
Pop Culture Reference: Queen Mera, Aquaman’s wife in DC Comics
Miranda
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “Marvelous”
Pop Culture Reference: Mermaid in “The Deep” by Rivers Solomon
Morgana
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: “sea circle”
Pop Culture Reference: Villain in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea”
Naida
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “Water nymph”
Pop Culture Reference: Main character in “Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale” by Carolyn Turgeon
Nerissa
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “from the sea”
Pop Culture Reference: Character in “The Wolf Among Us” game series
Ondine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “little wave”
Pop Culture Reference: Main character in the movie “Ondine”
Seraphina
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “Fiery-winged”
Pop Culture Reference: A mermaid in “The Waterfire Saga” by Jennifer Donnelly
Syrena
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “enchanter”
Pop Culture Reference: Mermaid in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Ursula
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “little female bear”
Pop Culture Reference: Sea witch in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”
Ocean-Inspired Mermaid Names
Aerwyna
Origin: English
Meaning: “friend of the sea”
Amatheia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “nurses of fish”
Aqua
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “water”
Asherah
Origin: Semitic
Meaning: “she who walks in the sea”
Ava
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “water”
Recommended: Ava Middle Names
Blue
Origin: English
Meaning: “color; peace; wisdom; sensitivity”
Cora
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “like coral”
Recommended: Cora is also on our list of popular twin girl names that rhyme
Coral
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “sea growth”
Coralia
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “like coral”
Cordelia
Origin: Latin, Celtic
Meaning: “heart; daughter of the sea”
Daryah
Origin: Persian
Meaning: “sea”
Delphine
Origin: French
Meaning: “dolphin; woman from Delphi”
Galia
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “wave”
Kai
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: “sea”
Kailani
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: “sea and sky”
Lana
Origin: Hawaiian
Meaning: “calm as still waters”
Recommended: Here are more short and sweet 4 letter names
Maisie
Origin: Scottish
Meaning: “pearl”
Maribelle
Origin: English
Meaning: “star of the sea”
Marin
Origin: Irish
Meaning: “star of the sea”
Marina
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “of the sea”
Marni
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “from the sea”
Mazu
Origin: Chinese
Meaning: “water goddess; protector of sailors”
Miriam
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “of the sea; bitter”
Recommended: Miriam is also on our list of female names from the bible
Molly
Origin: English
Meaning: “of the sea; bitterness”
Recommended: Here are more five letter girls names
Muriel
Origin: English
Meaning: “bright sea”
Myrla
Origin: English
Meaning: “shining sea”
Naia
Origin: Basque
Meaning: “wave; sea foam”
Oceane
Origin: French
Meaning: “ocean”
Pearl
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “ocean jewel”
Recommended: Pearl is also on our list of girl names that are cities
Pisces
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “fish; zodiac sign associated with water”
Polly
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “star of the sea”
Romy
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “dew of the sea”
Salacia
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “goddess of saltwater”
Umiko
Origin: Japanese
Meaning: “child of the sea”
Wave
Origin: English
Meaning: “wave; arched form”
Mythological and Folklore Mermaid Names
Beatrice
Origin: Italian, Latin
Meaning: “she who brings happiness; a Norfolk mermaid”
Recommended: Beatrice is also on our list of elegant girl names
Folklore Reference: Beatrice comes from English folklore, particularly in the tales of mermaids along the Norfolk coast, as kind figures who bring happiness and good fortune.
Brizo
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “goddess of fishermen and sailors”
Folklore Reference: In Greek mythology, Brizo was revered as a protector of mariners. She was believed to send prophetic dreams and was worshipped by sailors who looked to her for safe passage and an abundance of catches.
Cleodora
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “Naiad; daughter of a river god”
Folklore Reference: In Greek mythology, Cleodora would be one of the many nymphs living in rivers and streams, often considered guardians of fresh waters and associated with the nurturing aspects of nature.
Doris
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “sea goddess”
Folklore Reference: A sea nymph, one of the Nereids in Greek mythology.
Lamina
Origin: Basque
Meaning: “water nymph”
Folklore Reference: In Basque mythology, Laminae are mermaid-like creatures, often depicted as beautiful women with webbed duck feet, who live near rivers and are known to grant wishes.
Lorelei
Origin: German
Meaning: “alluring; temptress”
Folklore Reference: A siren or mermaid-like figure from German folklore, associated with the Lorelei rock in the Rhine River.
Melusine
Origin: French
Meaning: “female spirit of fresh water in a holy well or river”
Recommended: Melusine is also on our list of names meaning spirit
Folklore Reference: A figure from European folklore, a feminine spirit of fresh waters in sacred springs and rivers.
Morvoren
Origin: Cornish
Meaning: “mermaid”
Folklore Reference: Directly translates to “mermaid” in Cornish, referring to mermaid figures in Cornish folklore.
Muireann
Origin: Irish
Meaning: “sea white; sea fair”
Folklore Reference: From Irish tales of mermaids and sea maidens.
Muirgen
Origin: Irish
Meaning: “born of the sea”
Folklore Reference: Mermaid legend in Irish folklore.
Naida
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “water nymph”
Folklore Reference: In Greek mythology, Naidas were mythical beings that lived in rivers and lakes and were celebrated for their beauty and mystical qualities.
Nereid
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “sea nymph; daughter of the sea god Nereus”
Folklore Reference: Nereids are sea nymphs in Greek mythology, daughters of Nereus.
Nerida
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “sea nymph; mermaid”
Folklore Reference: Similar to Nereids, this name is often associated with Greek mythology.
Nerissa
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “from the sea”
Folklore Reference: Reflects the mystical and enchanting nature of sea nymphs or mermaids in Greek mythology.
Nixie
Origin: German
Meaning: “water nymph”
Recommended: Nixie is also on our list of girl names with attitude
Folklore Reference: In German folklore, Nixies refer to water spirits similar to mermaids or water nymphs, known for their enchanting beauty and shape-shifting abilities. These mythical creatures are depicted in various ways, sometimes kind, offering gifts, and other times evil, luring people to deep water.
Oceanid
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “sea nymphs; daughters of the Titan Oceanus”
Folklore Reference: In Greek mythology, Oceanids were mermaids known for their connection to the vast ocean.
Rusalka
Origin: Slavic
Meaning: “mermaid; water nymph”
Folklore Reference: In Slavic mythology, a Rusalka is a water nymph, a female spirit associated with lakes and rivers.
Sabrina
Origin: Celtic
Meaning: “river goddess”
Folklore Reference: Sabrina is a legendary figure in Welsh and English folklore, associated with the River Severn.
Sereia
Origin: Portuguese
Meaning: “mermaid”
Folklore Reference: The word for mermaid in Portuguese, often used in tales and folklore.
Siren
Origin: Greek
Meaning: “enchanter; severe; fair victory”
Folklore Reference: Sirens are mythical creatures in Greek mythology known for luring sailors with their enchanting music and voices.
Undine
Origin: Latin
Meaning: “little wave”
Folklore Reference: An elemental being associated with water, found in alchemical writings and European folklore.
Not sure if you’re having a boy or a girl? Here are more posts to consider:
BOY NAMES LISTS
Popular Twin Boy Names That Rhyme
NAME LISTS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
Names That Mean Wise Or Wisdom
Middle Names Lists
We’d love to hear if you have any favorite baby names from our list. Or maybe you’ve got a name suggestion that you’d like added?
Either way, leave a comment and let us know!