Looking for a unique and adventurous name for your baby?
Nautical names, inspired by the sea, sailing, and maritime history, offer parents the opportunity to bestow upon their children names that are both unique and adventurous.
These names often carry strong meanings and connections to the ocean, making them an ideal choice for families who cherish the sea.
From traditional sailor names to more contemporary and distinctive options, nautical names encapsulate a love for maritime adventure and the vastness of the ocean.
Having been a popular choice for centuries, these names continue to captivate the hearts of parents looking to navigate their children towards a life of curiosity and exploration.
If you’re looking for a name that’ll give your child an adventurous start, look no further! Here are 140 nautical names for both boys and girls, along with their meanings.
Traditional Nautical Names ( For Boys )
Captain – a title given to the person in charge of a ship
Marina – meaning ‘of the sea’
Sailor – a person who navigates or works on a ship
Anchor – used to keep a vessel from drifting away
Neptune – Roman god of the sea
Oceanus – Greek titan of the oceans and fertile waters
Drake – a type of dragon or sea serpent with magical powers
Triton – son of Poseidon, Greek god of the seas
Seafarer – one who travels by sea
Mariner – another term for a sailor
Seabrook – meaning ‘near the sea’
Harbor – a sheltered area of water providing safe anchorage for ships
Schooner – a type of sailing ship with two or more masts
Clipper – a fast, narrow-hulled sailing vessel
Tide – the alternating rise and fall of the sea
Fisher – one who catches fish in the sea
Cove – a small sheltered bay
Meriwether – meaning ‘sea’s champion’
Bayard – meaning ‘bay with brackish water’
Skipper – a person who is in charge of a boat or ship.
Storm – a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds, rain, thunder and lightning
Marina – meaning ‘of the sea’
Captaincy – the position or authority of a captain
Haven – a safe harbor
Dune – a hill of sand formed by wind or water
Seaforth – meaning ‘from the sea-fjord’
Windward – towards the direction from which the wind is coming
Wave – a long body of water that moves continuously as if it were one mass
Quinn – meaning ‘descendent of Conn’, which can also mean ‘chief’ or ‘leader’
Hull – the main body of a ship
Avonlea – meaning ‘river of apple trees’
Lighthouse – a tower with a bright light to guide ships at sea
Barque – a sailing vessel with three or more masts
Cormorant – a seabird known for its diving skills
Voyage – a long journey, especially at sea
Traditional Nautical Names ( For Girls )
Marina – meaning ‘of the sea’
Mermaid – a legendary creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish
Pearl – a precious white or bluish-grey gem formed in an oyster
Oceanne – meaning ‘from the ocean’
Ariel – from Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” and the name of a Disney mermaid princess
Coral – small marine invertebrates that form coral reefs
Daphne – meaning ‘laurel tree’, which has symbolic ties to the sea
Selena – meaning ‘moon goddess’, often associated with the tides
Aqua – the color of water, often used in nautical flags
Maren – meaning ‘of the sea’
Seashell – a hard, protective outer covering of a marine animal
Isla – meaning ‘island’, often associated with coastal life
Sailor – a person who navigates or works on a ship
Cove – a small sheltered bay
Tide – the alternating rise and fall of the sea
Haven – a safe harbor
Meridian – an imaginary line running from the North to South poles, often used for navigation
Oceanus – Greek titan of the oceans and fertile waters
Harbor – a sheltered area of water providing safe anchorage for ships
Adriatic – meaning ‘from the Adriatic Sea’
Bow – the front part of a ship or boat
Nautica – from the Latin word for ‘sailor’
Lagoon– a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by barrier islands or reefs
Keel – the bottom structure of a ship that provides stability
Cathead – A sturdy beam extending from a ship’s bow, supporting an anchor when raised.
Yankee Zulu – a term used in maritime communication to indicate the letters Y and Z
Scuttlebutt – a cask used to carry drinking water on ships, also slang for gossip among sailors
Bilge – the lowest compartment in a ship’s hull, often associated with unwanted water or waste
Breezy – a name inspired by the winds that blow over the ocean
Mystic – a term used to describe an area with hidden or unknown depths
Tethys – Greek goddess of the sea and mother of all rivers
Yacht – a small recreational boat, often associated with luxury and leisure
Journey – a long trip or voyage
Atlantis – the mythical island said to have disappeared into the sea
Kailani – meaning ‘sea and sky’ in Hawaiian.
Modern and Unique Nautical Names ( For Boys )
Maverick – an independent-minded person, often associated with adventurous spirit
Oceanus – Greek titan of the oceans and fertile waters
Surf – to ride on waves with a board
Azure – the color of the sky and sea, often associated with calmness and serenity
Kai – meaning ‘sea’ in Hawaiian
Atlas – a titan who held up the sky and heavens
Cruise – a leisurely journey by ship or boat
Reef – a ridge of rocks, coral or sand at or near the surface of the sea
Marshall – meaning ‘keeper of horses’, often associated with strength and leadership
Jetty – a structure that projects into the water to protect ships from currents
Pacific – meaning ‘peaceful’, often associated with the Pacific Ocean
Kairos – a Greek word for the perfect, opportune moment
Sailor – a person who navigates or works on a ship
Wanderer – one who travels aimlessly, often associated with exploration and adventure
Neptune – Roman god of the sea, often depicted with a trident
Drake – a type of dragon or sea serpent with magical powers
Cove – a small sheltered bay
Catcher – one who catches fish or other marine creatures
Poseidon – Greek god of the seas, earthquakes, and horses
Hunter – one who hunts for fish or other marine creatures
Adrift – to be floating without control, often associated with being lost at sea
Modern and Unique Nautical Names ( For Girls )
Anahita – Persian goddess of water and fertility
Surfer – one who rides on waves with a board
Nova – meaning ‘new’, often associated with the stars and the sea
Marina – meaning ‘from the sea’
Oceanne – meaning ‘from the ocean’
Ariel – from Shakespeare’s play “The Tempest” and the name of a Disney mermaid princess
Coral – small marine invertebrates that form coral reefs
Daphne – meaning ‘laurel tree’, which has symbolic ties to the sea
Selena – meaning ‘moon goddess’, often associated with the tides
Bertha – meaning ‘bright one’, often associated with the ocean’s shimmering surface
Siren – mythical creatures known for their enchanting singing, said to lure sailors towards danger
Careen – to tilt a ship on its side for maintenance or repairs
Catalina – meaning ‘pure’, also the name of an island off the coast of California
Tidal – relating to or affected by tides
Cordelia – meaning ‘daughter of the sea’, associated with the tragic Shakespearean character
Darya – meaning ‘sea’ in Persian
Ervina – meaning ‘sea friend’ in Old Norse
Gale – a strong wind, often associated with storms at sea
Kaitlyn – meaning ‘pure’, also spelled as Caitlin or Katelyn
Luna – meaning ‘moon’, often associated with the tides and lunar cycles
Yemaya – a Yoruba goddess of the sea, often associated with protection and fertility.
Old Sailor Names ( Navy, Marine History, Pirates )
Blackbeard – one of the most infamous pirates in history
Admiral – a high-ranking naval officer, often in command of a fleet
Drake – an English sea captain and privateer, famous for circumnavigating the globe
Calico Jack – a pirate known for his use of colorful clothing
Captain Kidd – a Scottish sea captain and privateer turned pirate
Commodore – a naval officer of high rank, often in charge of a squadron of ships
Long John Silver – a fictional pirate from Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Treasure Island”
Jolly Roger – the traditional name for the black pirate flag with a white skull and crossbones
Hornblower – a fictional naval officer in C.S. Forester’s novels, known for his bravery and skill
Davy Jones – a mythical figure associated with the bottom of the sea and sailor’s worst fears
Scallywag – a mischievous or roguish person, often used to describe pirates
Seamaster – a name associated with skilled and experienced sailors
Bluejacket – a traditional nickname for sailors in the U.S. Navy
Black Bart – an English pirate who raided ships in the Caribbean and Atlantic
Caspian – name of the world’s largest inland water body, known for its brave sailors
Cutlass – a short sword often used by pirates
Commodore Perry – an American naval officer known for his role in opening Japan to trade
Brendan – a traditional Irish name meaning ‘prince of the sea’
Drake – a name often associated with brave and daring sailor Sir Francis Drake.
Fisher – a common surname for those who made a living from the sea
William Kidd – a Scottish privateer turned pirate, known as Captain Kidd.
Bartholomew Roberts – a Welsh pirate known for his successful plundering of ships and riches.
Anne Bonny – one of the few female pirates in history, known for her fierce and daring spirit.
Horatio Nelson – a British naval officer who achieved fame through his victories in battles at sea.
Jacques Cousteau – a French naval officer, explorer and conservationist who pioneered underwater diving and oceanography.
Charles Vane – an English pirate known for his ruthless tactics and fearlessness in battle.
Henry Morgan – a Welsh privateer turned pirate, known for his successful looting of Spanish colonies in the Caribbean.
Mary Read – another female pirate, often disguised as a man to blend in with her crewmates.
Thomas Tew – an English pirate who became one of the wealthiest pirates in history through his plundering of East India Company ships.
MacArthur – a surname associated with the U.S. Military, often given as a tribute to General Douglas MacArthur’s role in World War II.
Joshua Slocum – the first person to sail solo around the world, known for his book “Sailing Alone Around the World”.
Grace O’Malley – an Irish pirate queen who commanded her own fleet and was a powerful figure in Irish history.
Wrap Up!
In conclusion, whether you’re looking for a traditional or modern name, there are plenty of nautical options to choose from.
These names not only have strong ties to the sea and its history, but they also evoke a sense of adventure and bravery.
From mythical creatures to famous sailors and pirates, these names are full of character and make a unique choice for any child.
So set sail and discover the perfect nautical name for your little one!