500+ Mermaid Names for Babies, Characters, and Fantasy Lovers

Have you ever been captivated by the enchanting world beneath the waves? I certainly have. There’s something about mermaids that sparks our imagination and takes us to magical underwater realms. Whether you’re expecting a little one, creating a character for your next story, or just love mermaid lore, finding that perfect mermaid name can be quite the adventure.

Mermaid names aren’t just beautiful combinations of sounds—they carry rich cultural meaning across countless civilizations. These mystical sea beings appear in folklore from almost every coastal culture around the world, from the Greek sirens to the Slavic rusalki.

What makes mermaid names so special is how they blend beauty with mystery, often capturing the essence of the sea itself. Many traditional mermaid names reflect qualities like grace, beauty, and the power of nature, particularly water.

Why are they so popular? Well, mermaid names have swum their way into baby naming trends because they strike that perfect balance between unique and meaningful. They give children names with built-in stories and magical associations. Plus, in storytelling, a good mermaid name instantly creates a vivid character that readers can picture diving through ocean depths.

Check out these names that mean water for more aquatic inspiration.

Mermaid Name Ideas

Classic Mermaid Names

These timeless names have been associated with mermaids and the sea for generations:

Marina – The quintessential mermaid name meaning “of the sea”
Pearl – Named after the ocean’s most precious gem
Coral – For the vibrant underwater formations
Serena – Meaning “calm, serene” like gentle waters
Maren – A classic name meaning “sea” or “star of the sea”
Nixie – A water spirit in Germanic folklore
Ondine – From Latin “unda” meaning “wave”
Lorelei – The famous Rhine River siren
Nerissa – Meaning “from the sea” with Shakespearean roots
Thalassa – The primeval spirit of the sea in Greek mythology
Cordelia – Meaning “daughter of the sea”
Muriel – Meaning “bright sea”
Doria – Derived from “Doris,” a sea nymph
Nerina – Meaning “sea nymph”
Moana – Polynesian for “ocean” or “sea”
Marilyn – Combining “Mary” and “lynn” for “star of the sea”
Nerida – Aboriginal term for “sea nymph”
Adriana – Meaning “from the Adriatic Sea”
Morgan – Associated with the Arthurian “Morgan le Fay”
Maris – Simply meaning “of the sea”

Explore names that mean ocean for similar options.

Mythological Mermaid Names

Dive into legend and lore with these names drawn from mythology:

Amphitrite – Queen of the sea, wife of Poseidon
Calypso – The nymph who detained Odysseus
Salacia – Roman goddess of salt water
Tethys – Titan sea goddess in Greek mythology
Atargatis – The original Syrian mermaid goddess
Yemaya – African orisha of the living ocean
Sedna – Inuit goddess of the sea
Ran – Norse goddess of the sea
Melusine – European folklore spirit of fresh water
Thessalonike – Sister of Alexander the Great turned mermaid
Undine – Water elemental from European lore
Derceto – Assyrian fish-goddess
Leucothea – Greek sea goddess who aided Odysseus
Ianthe – Ocean nymph whose name means “violet flower”
Galatea – Sea nymph loved by the Cyclops Polyphemus
Cymopoleia – Daughter of Poseidon who controlled stormy waves
Aegir – Norse god of the sea
Iara – Brazilian folklore water nymph
Naiad – Type of fresh water nymph
Nereid – Any of the 50 sea nymphs, daughters of Nereus

Discover more names that mean destiny that reflect mythological power.

Ocean-Themed Mermaid Names

These names directly evoke the sea and its wonders:

Azure – For the deep blue color of the ocean
Bay – A sheltered area of water
Isla – Meaning “island”
Delta – Where river meets sea
Reef – For coral reefs, home to countless sea creatures
Cascade – Suggesting flowing water
Cove – A small sheltered bay
Brook – A small stream
Shell – For beautiful seashells
Wave – The ocean’s rhythmic movement
Lagoon – A shallow body of water separated from the sea
Abyss – The deepest part of the ocean
Sandy – For the ocean floor and beaches
Harbor – A sheltered water area
Misty – Like sea spray
Oceana – Simply meaning “ocean”
Shelly – Alternative to “Shell”
Aqua – Latin for “water”
Tempest – A violent sea storm
Mari – Derived from “mar” meaning “sea” in Spanish

Find more names that mean blue to complement your ocean theme.

Mermaid Names from Literature & Film

From the pages of books to the silver screen, these mermaid names have captured our imagination:

Ariel – The beloved Disney princess
Madison – From the movie “Splash”
Melody – Ariel’s daughter in “The Little Mermaid II”
Syrena – From “Pirates of the Caribbean”
Ponyo – From the Studio Ghibli film
Ursula – The sea witch villain (though technically an octopus)
Miranda – From Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”
Ryn – From the TV series “Siren”
Lena – From the movie “Aquamarine”
Aquamarine – Title character from the teen mermaid movie
Sirena – From “Mako Mermaids”
Nixie – Also from “Mako Mermaids”
Lyla – Another mermaid from “Mako Mermaids”
Zac – Male merman from “Mako Mermaids”
Ondina – From “Mako Mermaids”
Mimmi – Yet another “Mako Mermaids” character
Weeki – From “Mr. Peabody & the Mermaid”
Rikki – From “H2O: Just Add Water”
Cleo – Another character from “H2O”
Emma – Third main character from “H2O”

Explore names that mean dream for more fictional inspiration.

Exotic & Unique Mermaid Names

Stand out from the crowd with these distinctive mermaid names:

Maristela – Combining “mar” (sea) and “stella” (star)
Coralia – Elaboration of “coral”
Nereida – Spanish form of “Nereid”
Merilyn – Variation of “Marilyn” meaning “sea lake”
Anahita – Persian goddess of water and fertility
Tallulah – Native American name meaning “leaping water”
Kalypso – Alternative spelling of “Calypso”
Indra – Sanskrit name associated with rain
Melia – Sea nymph in Greek mythology
Naiara – Based on the Naiads, freshwater nymphs
Caspian – From the Caspian Sea
Marella – Little sea
Zarya – Meaning “sea princess” in Russian
Kai – Hawaiian for “sea”
Liran – Hebrew for “my song” or “my joy” (sounds like “siren”)
Elysia – Greek for “struck by lightning” (associated with sea gods)
Alaia – Basque name meaning “joyful”
Naia – Basque name related to wave or sea foam
Thalía – One of the nine muses in Greek mythology
Amalea – Variation of “Amalia” with oceanic sound

Discover names that mean mysterious for more unique options.

Mermaid Names Based on Water Creatures

Inspired by the animals that share the mermaids’ underwater home:

Delphine – For dolphins
Coraline – Reminiscent of coral
Marlin – The magnificent ocean fish
Nerea – From Nereus, the shapeshifter of the sea
Finn – For the fish’s fin
Shelby – Reminiscent of seashells
Murex – A type of sea snail
Jelly – Short for jellyfish
Ray – For the graceful manta ray
Nautila – From nautilus shells
Shelly – For seashells
Koi – The colorful fish
Pearl – The ocean’s treasure
Starla – For starfish
Kelpie – The water horse of Celtic folklore
Anemone – The sea flower
Marena – Reminiscent of “marina” and sea life
Ceto – Sea monster goddess in Greek mythology
Selkie – Seal-folk from Scottish mythology
Mako – The shark species

Check out names that mean shark for more predator-inspired options.

Elegant Mermaid Names

Grace and sophistication characterize these refined mermaid names:

Cordelia – Heart of the sea
Marceline – Little warrior of the sea
Vivienne – Lively, vibrant
Isolde – Beautiful ice ruler from legend
Avalon – Mystical island from Arthurian legend
Seraphina – Fiery one (contrasting beautifully with water)
Celestine – Heavenly (like the sea meeting sky)
Rosalind – Beautiful rose (like sea roses)
Evangeline – Bearer of good news
Lorelei – Alluring siren
Genevieve – White wave
Arabella – Beautiful altar
Madeleine – Woman from Magdala (a place by the sea)
Guinevere – White shadow or phantom
Octavia – Eighth (associated with octopus)
Andromeda – Ruler of men (also a sea constellation)
Thalia – Blooming (like sea flora)
Isabella – Pledged to God
Valentina – Strong, healthy
Eleanora – Light

Explore elegant baby girl names for more sophisticated options.

Mystical & Enchanting Mermaid Names

These names evoke magic and wonder, perfect for mythical sea creatures:

Luna – Moon (which controls the tides)
Faye – Fairy or faith
Selene – Goddess of the moon
Mystic – Spiritual, mysterious
Rhiannon – Great queen or maiden
Titania – Queen of the fairies
Siren – The enchanting singers who lured sailors
Nimue – Lady of the Lake from Arthurian legend
Morgana – Sea-born, bright
Zephyr – West wind
Arwen – Noble maiden
Sibyl – Prophetess
Lyra – Lyre, musical instrument (like a siren’s song)
Circe – Enchantress from Greek mythology
Saga – Story, tale
Aurora – Dawn (over the sea)
Bellona – Goddess of war
Delphi – Oracle
Fable – Story
Meriel – Bright sea

Discover names that mean magic for more enchanting options.

Mermaid Names from Different Languages

A global tour of mermaid-inspired names from cultures worldwide:

Kailani – Hawaiian for “sea and sky”
Muirgen – Irish for “born of the sea”
Nerida – Greek for “sea nymph”
Yara – Brazilian water goddess
Doris – Greek sea nymph
Nami – Japanese for “wave”
Morwenna – Welsh for “waves of the sea”
Mira – Sanskrit for “ocean” or “sea”
Tallulah – Native American for “leaping waters”
Maristela – Portuguese for “star of the sea”
Hali – Greek for “the sea”
Saga – Norse goddess associated with wells and waterfalls
Kai – Hawaiian unisex name meaning “sea”
Cordelia – Latin for “daughter of the sea”
Maris – Latin for “of the sea”
Narelle – Aboriginal Australian for “water sprite”
Naia – Basque name meaning “wave”
Ula – Celtic for “jewel of the sea”
Ren – Japanese for “water lily”
Jurate – Lithuanian goddess of the sea

Check out Japanese girl names for more Asian-inspired options.

Mermaid Names from Celestial & Nature Themes

Where sky meets sea, these names blend celestial wonder with natural beauty:

Lyra – A constellation
Celeste – Heavenly
Estelle – Star
Nova – New star
Aurora – Dawn
Soleil – Sun
Luna – Moon
Skye – The sky
Iris – Rainbow goddess
Dawn – First light
Vega – Bright star
Stella – Star
Phoenix – Mythical bird reborn from ashes
Selene – Moon goddess
Terra – Earth
Zephyr – West wind
Astra – Stars
Twilight – Between day and night
Celestia – Heavenly
Eclipse – When sun and moon align

Find more names that mean star to complement your celestial theme.

Fantasy-Inspired Mermaid Names

Perfect for fantasy worlds and creative storytelling:

Alyndra – Defender of mankind
Elysia – From the Elysian Fields of Greek mythology
Faelan – Little wolf
Galadriel – Maiden crowned with a radiant garland
Isolde – Ice ruler
Kaida – Little dragon
Lysandra – Liberator
Maeve – Intoxicating
Nymeria – From “Game of Thrones”
Oriana – Golden dawn
Peregrine – Wanderer, traveler
Quilla – Moon goddess
Rowena – Fame and joy
Seraphina – Ardent, fiery
Taliesin – Radiant brow
Ulyssia – Feminine form of Ulysses
Valoria – Valor, bravery
Wynter – The cold season
Yvaine – Evening star
Zephyrine – West wind

Explore names that mean dragon for more fantasy inspiration.

More Unique & Rare Mermaid Names

For those seeking something truly different:

Coventina – Celtic goddess of wells and springs
Embla – First woman in Norse mythology
Freyja – Norse goddess associated with love and fertility
Galadriel – Elven queen from “Lord of the Rings”
Hesperia – Western land in Greek mythology
Illyria – Ancient region on the Adriatic Sea
Jessamin – Jasmine flower
Kymopolia – Daughter of Poseidon
Laverna – Roman goddess of thieves
Melusine – Water sprite of European folklore
Nephele – Cloud nymph from Greek mythology
Orendia – Magical power in indigenous belief
Prospera – Feminine form of Prospero
Quetzal – Resplendent bird
Rhoswen – White rose
Sarasvati – Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts
Tempestia – Storm
Undine – Water elemental
Vespera – Evening star
Zenobia – Life of Zeus

Find names that mean unique for more distinctive options.

Short and Sweet Mermaid Names

Concise names with big mermaid energy:

Aria – Air, song
Bay – Body of water
Cove – Small coastal inlet
Dew – Morning moisture
Eve – Life
Fay – Fairy
Gem – Precious stone
Haze – Light mist
Isla – Island
Juni – Youth
Kai – Sea
Lake – Body of water
Mist – Light fog
Nori – Seaweed
Opal – Gemstone
Pearl – Sea gem
Quin – Fifth
Rae – Doe, female deer
Sky – Heavens
Tess – Harvester

Explore names that mean small for more compact options.

Water Elemental Names

Perfect for emphasizing the connection to water:

Aqua – Water
Brook – Small stream
Cascade – Waterfall
Dew – Morning moisture
Eddy – Circular water current
Flow – Steady movement
Gulf – Deep inlet
Harbor – Safe haven for ships
Inlet – Small bay
Jetty – Structure extending into water
Kelp – Seaweed
Loch – Lake
Mist – Fine water droplets
Nympha – Divine spirit of nature
Ocean – Vast sea
Pond – Small body of water
Quell – Spring
Ripple – Small wave
Shoal – Shallow area
Tide – Rise and fall of sea levels

Check out names that mean mist for more elemental inspiration.

Mermaid Names for Your Little Girl

Perfect baby names with mermaid flair:

Ariel – Lion of God, but synonymous with mermaids
Melody – Musical tune
Marina – Of the sea
Coral – Sea formation
Pearl – Precious gem from the sea
Serena – Serene, calm
Nixie – Water sprite
Maren – Of the sea
Muriel – Bright sea
Nerissa – Sea nymph
Cordelia – Heart of the sea
Ondine – Wave
Kailani – Sea and sky
Tallulah – Leaping water
Mira – Sea, ocean
Oceane – Ocean
Adrienne – From Adria (sea)
Doria – Of the sea
Nimue – Lady of the Lake
Thalassa – Sea

Discover more names that mean pearl for precious inspiration.

Mermaid Names for Your Little Girl that Start with A to C

Alphabetically organized mermaid-inspired baby names:

Adriana – From the Adriatic Sea
Aerith – Flower maiden with water connections
Alana – Dear child, fair
Althea – With healing powers
Amara – Eternal
Amphitrite – Queen of the sea
Anatola – From the east
Andromeda – Ruler of men
Arabella – Beautiful altar
Ariel – Lion of God, famous mermaid
Athena – Goddess of wisdom
Azure – Sky blue
Beryl – Sea-green gemstone
Briny – Of the sea
Brook – Small stream
Calypso – She who conceals
Cascade – Waterfall
Celeste – Heavenly
Cerulean – Deep blue
Clarity – Clearness
Clio – To celebrate
Coraline – Coral-like
Cordelia – Heart of the sea
Corva – Raven
Cove – Small bay
Crystal – Clear mineral
Cyan – Greenish-blue color
Cymba – Boat-shaped
Cynthia – Moon goddess
Cyrena – Siren

Find names that mean crystal for more gem-inspired options.

Mermaid Names for Your Little Girl that Start with D to L

More alphabetical inspiration:

Daphne – Laurel tree
Darya – Ocean (Persian)
Delta – River mouth
Doria – From the sea
Echo – Reflected sound
Electra – Amber, shining
Embla – Elm tree
Esen – Wind
Eurybia – Wide strength
Fathom – Depth measure
Finola – Fair shoulder
Galene – Calm seas
Hali – The sea
Haven – Safe place
Hyacinth – Blue flower
Ianthe – Purple flower
Indigo – Deep blue-purple
Isolde – Ice ruler
Jessamine – Jasmine flower
Jewel – Precious stone
Kai – Sea
Kailani – Sea and sky
Kendra – Water baby
Lakeisha – Of the lake
Lana – Calm as still waters
Leith – Wet
Leucothea – White goddess
Lila – Night
Lillith – Of the night
Lorelei – Murmuring rock

Check out names that mean night for more nocturnal inspiration.

Mermaid Names for Your Little Girl that Start with M to Z

Completing our alphabetical journey:

Maren – Of the sea
Mariah – Wind, sea
Marina – From the sea
Melody – Musical tune
Melusine – Water spirit
Mira – Ocean
Misty – Like sea spray
Morgana – Sea-born
Muirgen – Born of the sea
Naiara – Water nymph
Nerida – Sea nymph
Nixie – Water sprite
Oceana – Of the ocean
Ondine – Wave
Pearl – Sea gem
Pelagia – Of the sea
Rain – Water from the sky
Reef – Coral structure
Reva – One who moves like water
Salacia – Goddess of salt water
Selene – Moon goddess
Sereia – Portuguese for mermaid
Thalassa – Sea
Thetis – Sea nymph
Undine – Water elemental
Ursula – Little female bear
Varina – From the sea
Wave – Ocean movement
Yara – Water lady
Zenith – Highest point

Explore names that mean light for more luminous inspiration.

History of Mermaid Names

The story of mermaid names is as deep and rich as the ocean itself. These captivating creatures have appeared in human storytelling for thousands of years, and their names reflect the diverse cultures that imagined them.

Origins in Greek, Celtic, and Other Mythologies

The earliest mermaid-like deity might be Atargatis, the Assyrian fertility goddess who transformed herself into a fish-woman out of shame after accidentally killing her human lover. In Greek mythology, we find the Nereids, fifty sea nymphs who were daughters of Nereus, the “Old Man of the Sea.” Their names—like Amphitrite (who became Poseidon’s wife) and Thetis (mother of Achilles)—are some of the oldest mermaid names we know.

Celtic folklore gave us selkies, seal-people who could shed their skins to become human on land. Meanwhile, Slavic tales featured the rusalka, water spirits of young women who died violent or untimely deaths.

In Japan, the ningyo were fish-like creatures with monkey faces believed to bring storms and misfortune, while the Brazilian Iara lured men to their underwater doom with her beauty and song.

Evolution Through Pop Culture

While mermaids have existed in folklore for millennia, modern mermaid naming has been heavily influenced by pop culture—particularly Disney’s 1989 film “The Little Mermaid.” Ariel has become perhaps the most recognizable mermaid name worldwide, despite its origins having nothing to do with the sea (it comes from Hebrew meaning “lion of God”).

Other influential works include Hans Christian Andersen’s original “The Little Mermaid” tale (where the protagonist remains unnamed), the 1984 film “Splash” featuring Madison (which subsequently became a popular baby name), and more recent shows like “H2O: Just Add Water” and “Mako Mermaids.”

Discover names that mean life that reflect the vitality of mermaid stories.

How to Choose a Mermaid Name

Selecting the perfect mermaid name requires thought and creativity, whether for a character, pet, or even your baby. Here’s how to make your choice:

Key Factors to Consider

Meaning: Look for names that connect to water, the sea, or mythological water beings. Names meaning “sea,” “water,” “wave,” or “blue” make natural choices.
Sound: Mermaid names often have flowing, melodious sounds with plenty of liquid consonants (L, R) and soft endings. Names that sound good when whispered or sung underwater are perfect!
Uniqueness: While popular names like Ariel have their charm, consider how unique you want your mermaid name to be. More unusual choices like Melusine or Thalassa might better suit a fantasy character.
Cultural background: Consider drawing from a specific mythology or culture that resonates with you. Greek, Celtic, Norse, and Japanese traditions all have rich mermaid lore.
Character traits: If naming a character, think about their personality. Is she fierce like the sea during a storm? Names like Tempest or Kymopoleia might work. Gentle and kind? Consider Serena or Pearl.

Tips for Different Purposes

For characters in stories: Look at the setting and time period of your story. A mermaid in a fantasy novel set in a Norse-inspired world might have a name like Ran or Saga, while one in a contemporary story might have a more modern name with aquatic meaning.

For pets: Fish, cats, and other pets with mermaid names often benefit from shorter, easy-to-call names like Mari, Coral, or Pearl.

For babies: Consider how the name will grow with your child. While Ariel and Marina are beautiful with mermaid connections, they’re also perfectly suitable human names that won’t seem out of place on a resume or professional setting.

Check out names that mean lucky for more positive name options.

List of Top Mermaid Names

Female Names with Meanings

Name	Origin	Meaning
Marina	Latin	“From the sea”
Ariel	Hebrew	“Lion of God” (famous mermaid)
Cordelia	Latin	“Heart of the sea”
Nerissa	Greek	“Sea nymph”
Maren	Latin	“Of the sea”
Pearl	English	Precious gem from the sea
Coral	Greek	Sea formation
Ondine	Latin	“Wave”
Nixie	Germanic	“Water sprite”
Loreley	Germanic	Famous Rhine siren

Male Names with Meanings

Name	Origin	Meaning
Triton	Greek	Son of Poseidon, sea messenger
Dylan	Welsh	“Son of the sea”
Nereus	Greek	Ancient sea god, father of Nereids
Aegir	Norse	God of the sea
Poseidon	Greek	God of the sea
Marius	Latin	“Of the sea”
Kai	Hawaiian	“Sea”
Caspian	Persian	From the Caspian Sea
Llyr	Celtic	God of the sea
Finley	Irish/Scottish	“Fair warrior” (sounds like fin)

Unisex Names with Meanings

Name	Origin	Meaning
Kai	Hawaiian	“Sea”
Morgan	Welsh	“Sea circle” or “bright sea”
Marlowe	English	“Driftwood”
Ocean	English	The sea itself
Bay	English	A body of water
Delta	Greek	Mouth of a river
Reef	English	Coral formation
Azure	French	Sky-blue color
Wave	English	Movement of water
Tempest	Latin	Violent storm

Categorized Mermaid Names

Mythology-Inspired Names

Looking back at ancient stories gives us some of the most authentic mermaid names around. After all, people have been telling tales about these mystical sea creatures for thousands of years!

Amphitrite – Queen of the sea and wife of Poseidon in Greek mythology
Tethys – Titan goddess of fresh water
Triton – Son of Poseidon who had a fish tail
Aegir – Norse god of the sea
Salacia – Roman goddess of saltwater
Ran – Norse goddess who caught sailors in her net
Atargatis – Syrian goddess considered the first mermaid deity
Nereus – “Old Man of the Sea” in Greek mythology
Llyr – Celtic god of the sea
Yemaya – Yoruba orisha (goddess) of the living ocean

The coolest thing about mythology-inspired names is how they connect to specific cultures and stories. If you name a character Atargatis, you’re not just giving them a pretty name—you’re linking them to an ancient Syrian tradition!

Learn more about names that mean warrior with mythological connections.

Ocean-Inspired Names

Some of the most straightforward but beautiful mermaid names come directly from ocean terminology:

Coral – Named after the vibrant reef formations
Pearl – The ocean’s most precious treasure
Marina – Simply means “of the sea”
Azure – The deep blue color of the ocean
Bay – A sheltered area of water
Cove – A small protected bay
Delta – Where river meets sea
Oceana – Literally “ocean”
Reef – From coral reefs
Tide – The ocean’s daily rhythm

I’ve always loved these nature-inspired names because they’re so visual—when you hear “Coral,” you can immediately picture those beautiful pink and orange underwater formations!

Find more names that mean nature for similar inspiration.

Cultural Mermaid Names

Every coastal culture has its own version of merfolk, each with unique names:

Iara – The Brazilian water nymph who sings to lure men
Ningyo – Japanese mermaid-like creature
Rusalka – Slavic water spirit
Selkie – Scottish seal-people who shed their skins on land
Lorelei – German siren of the Rhine River
Melusine – European water spirit often depicted with twin tails
Mami Wata – Water deity from various African traditions
Jengu – Water spirits from Cameroon who bring good fortune
Sirena – Spanish word for mermaid
Morgens – Breton water spirits

What I find fascinating about these cultural names is how they reveal what different societies feared or revered about the sea. The Japanese ningyo was seen as an omen of storms, while the Jengu of Cameroon were believed to bring healing and good luck!

Explore names that mean harmony that reflect cultural values.

Personality-Based Names

For character development, consider names that reflect a mermaid’s nature:

Benevolent Mermaids

Serena – Meaning “calm, tranquil”
Mercy – Compassionate
Amara – “Eternal” or “grace”
Verity – Truth
Alina – Bright, beautiful

Mysterious Mermaids

Enigma – Puzzle or mystery
Mystic – Spiritual, enigmatic
Saga – Story
Raven – Dark and mysterious bird
Selene – Moon goddess (mysterious like the tides)

Playful Mermaids

Melody – Musical tune
Pixie – Mischievous fairy
Bubble – Light and buoyant
Ripple – Small wave
Twinkle – Sparkle like sun on water

Fierce Mermaids

Tempest – Violent storm
Storm – Powerful weather
Kymopoleia – Greek goddess of violent sea storms
Maelstrom – Powerful whirlpool
Rogue – Unpredictable, like a rogue wave

I’ve used personality-based names in my own stories, and they’re super helpful for readers to connect with characters right away. When someone reads about a mermaid named “Tempest,” they immediately get a sense of her fierce, stormy nature!

Check out names that mean storm for more powerful options.

Creating Your Own Mermaid Name

Want something totally unique? Creating your own mermaid name can be a fun creative exercise!

Techniques for Creating Original Names

Combine sea-related words with traditional names: Take a classic name and add an oceanic twist. Elizabeth becomes Sea-Elizabeth or Lizwave.
Use syllables from ocean languages: Languages like Hawaiian, Greek, or Polynesian have beautiful water-related sounds. Mix and match syllables: Kai (Hawaiian for sea) + lani (sky) = Kailani.
Modify existing water words: Take words like “ripple,” “wave,” or “coral” and tweak them slightly: Ripplina, Wavella, Coraline.
Look at foreign words for water: Acqua (Italian), Eau (French), Mizu (Japanese)—all mean water and can be starting points.
Consider sounds that mimic water: Flowing sounds like “s,” “sh,” and “l” evoke water. Names like Shailoh, Lysea, or Salisha have a watery feel.

Examples to Inspire You

Here are some made-up mermaid names I created using these techniques:

Aquarielle – Combining “aqua” with the feminine ending “elle”
Marelda – Based on “mar” (sea in Spanish) with a fantasy ending
Tidelia – From “tide” with a flowing suffix
Wavenya – Combining “wave” with a melodic ending
Pearlina – Elaboration of “pearl”
Corastelle – Mixing “coral” and “stellar” (star)
Miraluna – Combining “mira” (ocean) and “luna” (moon)
Seaflora – Directly combining “sea” and “flora” (plants)
Aerimist – Combining “aeri” (air) and “mist”
Azurine – From “azure” (blue) with a feminine ending

I created the name Marelda for a character in a story I wrote, and she ended up being one of my favorites—a mermaid elder who guarded ancient secrets of the deep!

Discover names that mean new beginning for fresh creative inspiration.

Famous Mermaids and Their Names

Pop culture has given us some unforgettable mermaids whose names have become iconic:

From Literature

The Little Mermaid – Unnamed in Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale, though she’s given names in adaptations
Sirens – From Homer’s “Odyssey,” these dangerous singers lured sailors to their doom
Seaqueen – From T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Dry Salvages”
Miranda – Often associated with water in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”
Lí Ban – Irish mythological figure who transformed into a mermaid

From Movies and TV

Ariel – The red-haired Disney princess from “The Little Mermaid”
Madison – From the movie “Splash” (1984)
Aquamarine – Title character from the 2006 teen movie
Ponyo – From the Studio Ghibli film of the same name
Syrena – From “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
Rikki, Emma, and Cleo – From “H2O: Just Add Water”
Nixie, Lyla, and Sirena – From “Mako Mermaids”
Ryn – From the TV series “Siren”
Shelley – From “Help! I’m a Fish”
Elizabeth – From “The Thirteenth Year”

From Folklore

Melusine – European fairy tale character with a serpent or fish tail
Atargatis – Syrian goddess considered the first mermaid
Sedna – Inuit goddess of the sea and marine animals
Thessalonike – Sister of Alexander the Great who turned into a mermaid
Iara – Brazilian mermaid who sings enchanting songs

I still remember watching “Splash” as a kid and being completely mesmerized by Madison! That movie was probably responsible for my lifelong fascination with mermaids.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing a mermaid name is like diving into an ocean of possibilities—there’s so much beauty and meaning to discover! Whether you’re naming a character in a story, a pet, or even considering names for your little one, mermaid names offer that perfect blend of magic and meaning.

The best mermaid names capture something essential about these fascinating creatures: their connection to the sea, their mysterious nature, their beauty, or their ancient mythological roots. From classic choices like Marina and Pearl to more unique options like Melusine or Kailani, there’s a perfect mermaid name waiting to be discovered.

I hope this guide has helped you navigate the vast waters of mermaid naming! Remember that the perfect name speaks to you personally—it should create that little spark of joy and recognition when you hear it. Trust your instincts and choose something that resonates with the particular mermaid energy you’re looking to capture.

So go ahead and make a splash with your mermaid name choice! After all, in the magical world of mermaids, the right name isn’t just a label—it’s the beginning of a story.

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