200+ Nautical Names for Adventurous Boys & Girls With Meaning

Are you ready to set sail on a journey of discovery with your little ones? Nautical names evoke a sense of adventure, freedom, and connection to the sea.

Whether you’re inspired by oceanic elements, maritime history, or the adventurous spirit of sailing, these names can add a unique flair to your child’s identity. Dive into this collection of over 200 nautical names, each with meaning and origin, perfect for both kids destined for adventure!

Origins of Nautical Names

Nautical names have their roots in various cultures, often inspired by the sea, ships, and maritime traditions. Many names derive from nautical terminology, historical figures in naval exploration, or natural elements found in coastal regions. These names reflect the beauty and mystery of the ocean, symbolizing exploration, courage, and the spirit of adventure.

Names Inspired by the Ocean

• Mira

Meaning: Sea

Origin: Latin

• Dylan

Meaning: Son of the sea

Origin: Welsh

• Marina

Meaning: Of the sea

Origin: Latin

• Kai

Meaning: Sea

Origin: Hawaiian

• Caspian

Meaning: From the Caspian Sea

Origin: English

• Nerida

Meaning: Sea nymph

Origin: Greek

• Thalassa

Meaning: The sea

Origin: Greek

• Mira

Meaning: Ocean

Origin: Latin

• Cordelia

Meaning: Heart; daughter of the sea

Origin: Celtic

• Talia

Meaning: Dew from heaven; sea dew

Origin: Hebrew

• Maris

Meaning: Of the sea

Origin: Latin

• Brennan

Meaning: Descendant of Braonán, prince of the sea

Origin: Irish

• Seren

Meaning: Star; sea

Origin: Welsh

• Makoa

Meaning: Brave; strong; sea

Origin: Hawaiian

• Riptide

Meaning: Strong current

Origin: English

• Navy

Meaning: Of the sea

Origin: English

• Delphine

Meaning: Dolphin

Origin: French

• Marcellus

Meaning: Little warrior of the sea

Origin: Latin

• Cordelia

Meaning: Heart; daughter of the sea

Origin: Celtic

• Pasha

Meaning: Sea; Ocean

Origin: Turkish

Names Inspired by Ships and Sailing

• Skipper

Meaning: Captain of a ship

Origin: English

• Gale

Meaning: Strong wind

Origin: English

• Sailor

Meaning: One who sails

Origin: English

• Briar

Meaning: A thorny patch; boat

Origin: English

• Ketch

Meaning: A type of sailing vessel

Origin: English

• Clove

Meaning: A type of ship

Origin: English

• Barkley

Meaning: Fort near a brook; a sailing ship

Origin: English

• Cutter

Meaning: A small ship

Origin: English

• Barque

Meaning: A type of sailing ship

Origin: English

• Ferry

Meaning: To carry across water

Origin: English

• Drift

Meaning: To float or be carried by currents

Origin: English

• Helm

Meaning: The steering apparatus of a ship

Origin: English

• Nautica

Meaning: Related to sailing

Origin: Latin

• Trimaran

Meaning: A multihulled boat

Origin: Polynesian

• Schooner

Meaning: A type of sailing vessel

Origin: English

• Rowan

Meaning: Little redhead; boat

Origin: Irish

• Anchor

Meaning: Device for securing a ship

Origin: English

• Mast

Meaning: Vertical pole on a ship

Origin: English

• Drake

Meaning: Dragon; male duck; ship

Origin: English

• Keel

Meaning: The bottom structure of a boat

Origin: English

Names Inspired by Marine Animals

• Orca

Meaning: Killer whale

Origin: Latin

• Dolphin

Meaning: A playful marine mammal

Origin: Greek

• Marlin

Meaning: A large fish

Origin: English

• Seal

Meaning: Marine mammal

Origin: English

• Tuna

Meaning: A type of fish

Origin: Latin

• Fintan

Meaning: White fire; from the sea

Origin: Irish

• Koi

Meaning: Carp fish; love

Origin: Japanese

• Wren

Meaning: A small bird; one who swims

Origin: English

• Robin

Meaning: Bright red; a bird

Origin: English

• Eel

Meaning: A long fish

Origin: English

• Ray

Meaning: A type of fish

Origin: English

• Maris

Meaning: Of the sea

Origin: Latin

• Lynx

Meaning: A wild cat; one who swims

Origin: Latin

• Salmon

Meaning: A type of fish

Origin: Latin

• Mako

Meaning: A type of shark

Origin: Hawaiian

• Starfish

Meaning: A marine echinoderm

Origin: English

• Gull

Meaning: A seabird

Origin: English

• Pelican

Meaning: A large seabird

Origin: Latin

• Otter

Meaning: A playful marine mammal

Origin: English

• Pike

Meaning: A type of fish

Origin: English

Names Inspired by Coastal Features

• Bay

Meaning: A body of water partly enclosed by land

Origin: English

• Cove

Meaning: A small sheltered bay

Origin: English

• Cliff

Meaning: A steep rock face

Origin: English

• Dune

Meaning: A hill of sand

Origin: French

• Reef

Meaning: A ridge of rock or coral

Origin: English

• Harbor

Meaning: A sheltered area for ships

Origin: English

• Lagoon

Meaning: A shallow body of water

Origin: Italian

• Bluff

Meaning: A steep hill, often overlooking the water

Origin: English

• Estuary

Meaning: The tidal mouth of a river

Origin: Latin

• Shore

Meaning: The land along the edge of a sea

Origin: English

• Creek

Meaning: A small stream or inlet

Origin: English

• Pond

Meaning: A small body of still water

Origin: English

• Point

Meaning: A narrow piece of land extending into water

Origin: English

• Sands

Meaning: Areas of loose grains on beaches

Origin: English

• Tide

Meaning: The rise and fall of sea levels

Origin: Old English

• Bayside

Meaning: The area near a bay

Origin: English

• Cypress

Meaning: A type of tree found near water

Origin: Latin

• Coral

Meaning: Marine invertebrates forming reefs

Origin: Latin

• Seagrass

Meaning: Grass that grows in the sea

Origin: English

• Kelp

Meaning: Large seaweed found in shallow ocean waters

Origin: English

Names Inspired by Celestial Navigation

• Sirius

Meaning: The brightest star

Origin: Greek

• Polaris

Meaning: The North Star

Origin: Latin

• Cassiopeia

Meaning: Queen of the stars

Origin: Greek

• Celeste

Meaning: Heavenly

Origin: Latin

• Astra

Meaning: Star

Origin: Latin

• Lyra

Meaning: A constellation; lyre

Origin: Greek

• Luna

Meaning: Moon

Origin: Latin

• Sol

Meaning: Sun

Origin: Latin

• Nova

Meaning: New star

Origin: Latin

• Stella

Meaning: Star

Origin: Latin

• Helios

Meaning: Sun

Origin: Greek

• Andromeda

Meaning: Ruler of men; a galaxy

Origin: Greek

• Orion

Meaning: Hunter; a constellation

Origin: Greek

• Aurora

Meaning: Dawn; northern lights

Origin: Latin

• Comet

Meaning: A celestial object

Origin: Greek

• Equinox

Meaning: Time of equal day and night

Origin: Latin

• Zodiac

Meaning: Circle of animals; celestial sphere

Origin: Greek

• Celestial

Meaning: About the sky

Origin: Latin

• Nebula

Meaning: Cloud of gas and dust in space

Origin: Latin

• Astro

Meaning: Star

Origin: Greek

Names Inspired by Maritime Heritage

• Fisher

Meaning: One who catches fish

Origin: English

• Captain

Meaning: Leader of a ship

Origin: Latin

• Mariner

Meaning: Sailor; navigator

Origin: Latin

• Harland

Meaning: Land by the sea

Origin: English

• Waverly

Meaning: Meadow by the river

Origin: English

• Larsen

Meaning: Son of Lars; renowned sailor

Origin: Scandinavian

• Morrison

Meaning: Son of Maurice; sea warrior

Origin: English

• Seaton

Meaning: Town by the sea

Origin: English

• Norton

Meaning: Northern settlement; near the sea

Origin: English

• Admiral

Meaning: Commander of a fleet

Origin: Arabic

• Seamus

Meaning: Supplanter; sailor

Origin: Irish

• Quay

Meaning: A structure on the shore of a harbor

Origin: French

• Rory

Meaning: Red king; strong sea

Origin: Irish

• Blaine

Meaning: Yellow; slender; the sea

Origin: Scottish

• Wyatt

Meaning: Brave in war; on the sea

Origin: English

• Dare

Meaning: Brave; adventurous

Origin: English

• Jett

Meaning: Black; a strong personality; a sailor

Origin: English

• Raleigh

Meaning: Red meadow; from the sea

Origin: English

• Sawyer

Meaning: Woodcutter; near the river

Origin: English

• Chandler

Meaning: Candlemaker; one who works at sea

Origin: English

Names Inspired by Coastal Flora

• Holly

Meaning: A plant with red berries

Origin: English

• Willow

Meaning: A tree that grows near water

Origin: English

• Marigold

Meaning: A golden flower

Origin: English

• Fern

Meaning: A type of plant

Origin: English

• Lily

Meaning: A beautiful flower

Origin: English

• Coral

Meaning: Marine invertebrates forming reefs

Origin: Latin

• Olive

Meaning: Olive tree; a symbol of peace

Origin: Latin

• Ivy

Meaning: Climbing plant

Origin: English

• Heather

Meaning: A flowering plant

Origin: English

• Aster

Meaning: Star; flower

Origin: Greek

• Sage

Meaning: Wise; an aromatic herb

Origin: Latin

• Cypress

Meaning: A tree found near water

Origin: Latin

• Lotus

Meaning: A flower associated with purity

Origin: Greek

• Tansy

Meaning: An herb with yellow flowers

Origin: English

• Anemone

Meaning: A type of flower; windflower

Origin: Greek

• Bamboo

Meaning: A tall grass found in coastal regions

Origin: Malay

• Clover

Meaning: A type of plant; lucky

Origin: English

• Snapdragon

Meaning: A flower that resembles a dragon

Origin: English

• Peony

Meaning: A flowering plant

Origin: Greek

• Seaweed

Meaning: Marine plants; algae

Origin: English

Names Inspired by Coastal Adventures

• Voyager

Meaning: One who travels; explorer

Origin: French

• Sail

Meaning: To travel by water

Origin: English

• Quest

Meaning: A journey in search of something

Origin: Latin

• Horizon

Meaning: The line where the earth meets the sky

Origin: Greek

• Explorer

Meaning: One who investigates unknown areas

Origin: Latin

• Navigator

Meaning: One who directs a ship’s course

Origin: Latin

• Journey

Meaning: An act of traveling

Origin: French

• Fathom

Meaning: To measure the depth of water

Origin: Old English

• Driftwood

Meaning: Wood that has drifted onto shore

Origin: English

• Harpoon

Meaning: A long spear used for fishing

Origin: Dutch

• Seabreeze

Meaning: A refreshing wind from the sea

Origin: English

• Flotilla

Meaning: A fleet of small boats

Origin: Spanish

• Trek

Meaning: A long, challenging journey

Origin: Dutch

• Advent

Meaning: The arrival of something; a coming

Origin: Latin

• Drift

Meaning: To be carried along by currents

Origin: Old Norse

• Dune

Meaning: A mound of sand formed by wind

Origin: French

• Lagoon

Meaning: A shallow body of water

Origin: Italian

• Riptide

Meaning: A strong current that pulls away from shore

Origin: English

• Coastline

Meaning: The land along a coast

Origin: English

• Maritime

Meaning: Connected to the sea

Origin: Latin

Names Inspired by Mythical Sea Creatures

• Leviathan

Meaning: A sea monster

Origin: Hebrew

• Kraken

Meaning: A legendary sea monster

Origin: Scandinavian

• Nereus

Meaning: Ancient sea god; the old man of the sea

Origin: Greek

• Triton

Meaning: Messenger of the sea

Origin: Greek

• Oceana

Meaning: Related to the ocean

Origin: Latin

• Sirena

Meaning: Mermaid

Origin: Spanish

• Selkie

Meaning: A seal that turns into a human

Origin: Scottish

• Cetus

Meaning: A sea monster; whale

Origin: Greek

• Merlin

Meaning: Sea fortress; a bird of prey

Origin: Latin

• Moby

Meaning: Inspired by the whale in “Moby Dick”

Origin: English

• Davy

Meaning: Davy Jones; the legendary ghostly figure of the sea

Origin: English

• Amphitrite

Meaning: Greek goddess of the sea

Origin: Greek

• Plesiosaur

Meaning: A marine reptile

Origin: Greek

• Hydra

Meaning: A water serpent; the many-headed creature

Origin: Greek

• Nautilus

Meaning: A marine mollusk; ship design

Origin: Latin

• Charybdis

Meaning: A sea monster; whirlpool

Origin: Greek

• Carcharodon

Meaning: The great white shark

Origin: Greek

• Oceanus

Meaning: Titan god of the ocean

Origin: Greek

• Naiad

Meaning: A water nymph

Origin: Greek

• Clytie

Meaning: A water nymph; sunflower

Origin: Greek

Names Inspired by Nautical Exploration

• Magellan

Meaning: Famous explorer

Origin: Spanish

• Cook

Meaning: An explorer of the Pacific Ocean

Origin: English

• Vasco

Meaning: Navigator; explorer

Origin: Portuguese

• Ponce

Meaning: Ponce de León; explorer of Florida

Origin: Spanish

• Columbus

Meaning: Explorer of the Americas

Origin: Italian

• Humboldt

Meaning: Explorer; naturalist

Origin: German

• Frobisher

Meaning: Explorer of the Arctic

Origin: English

• Drake

Meaning: Sea captain; pirate

Origin: English

• Cabot

Meaning: Italian explorer in the New World

Origin: Italian

• Amundsen

Meaning: Explorer of the Antarctic

Origin: Norwegian

• Scott

Meaning: Explorer of the South Pole

Origin: English

• Challenger

Meaning: A British naval ship and scientific voyage

Origin: English

• Sailing

Meaning: The action of moving a boat

Origin: English

• Cortez

Meaning: Conquistador; explorer

Origin: Spanish

• Discovery

Meaning: The act of finding something new

Origin: English

• Albatross

Meaning: A large seabird

Origin: Spanish

• Viking

Meaning: Norse explorer and warrior

Origin: Old Norse

• Odyssey

Meaning: A long, adventurous journey

Origin: Greek

• Santa Maria

Meaning: The ship of Columbus

Origin: Spanish

• Beagle

Meaning: The ship of Charles Darwin

Origin: English

Conclusion

Choosing a nautical name for your child can be a meaningful way to express a love of the sea, adventure, and exploration. These 200+ nautical names for kids offer a variety of options that capture the essence of the ocean’s beauty, strength, and mystery.

Each name carries its unique meaning, often rooted in maritime history, mythology, or natural elements associated with the sea. Whether inspired by famous sailors, mythical sea creatures, or nautical terms, these names reflect a spirit of courage and a connection to nature.

Selecting a name with nautical significance can be a wonderful way to inspire a sense of adventure and curiosity in your child, reminding them of the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.