Last updated on October 3rd, 2024 at 10:41 am
Water is essential to life and often symbolizes purity, fluidity, and renewal. In many cultures, names that mean “water” or have water-related meanings reflect these qualities.
Whether you’re searching for a name for a child, a character in a story, or simply exploring names with significant meanings, names associated with water offer a rich array of choices.
This guide provides a comprehensive list of names meaning “water” from various origins, their meanings, popularity, and associated connotations.
Names Meaning ‘Water’
- Mira
- Meaning: Ocean, sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common in several countries
- Associated Meanings: Sea, ocean, and endless possibilities
- Mira
- Meaning: Sea or ocean
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Popular in many regions
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, vastness
- Raina
- Meaning: Queen, rain
- Name Origin: Slavic
- Popularity: Moderately popular
- Associated Meanings: Rain, royalty
- Nereus
- Meaning: Sea god
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea deity
- Naida
- Meaning: Water nymph
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water nymph, nature spirit
- Mira
- Meaning: Admirable, sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Sea, admiration
- Hale
- Meaning: From the hall
- Name Origin: Old English
- Popularity: Uncommon
- Associated Meanings: Hall, dwelling near water
- Tal
- Meaning: Dew
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Dew, freshness
- Aqua
- Meaning: Water
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, fluidity
- Darya
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Common in some cultures
- Associated Meanings: Sea, vastness
Names with Water-Related Symbolism
- Maris
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea, maritime
- Marlowe
- Meaning: Driftwood
- Name Origin: Old English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Driftwood, water’s edge
- Kai
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Hawaiian
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, sea
- Neptune
- Meaning: God of the sea
- Name Origin: Roman
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea deity
- Oceane
- Meaning: Ocean
- Name Origin: French
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean
- Lachlan
- Meaning: From the land of lakes
- Name Origin: Scottish
- Popularity: Popular in Scotland
- Associated Meanings: Lakes, water bodies
- Sasha
- Meaning: Defender of mankind
- Name Origin: Russian
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Water, protector
- Mairead
- Meaning: Pearl
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Pearl, ocean’s treasure
- Marina
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Sea, marine life
- Nerida
- Meaning: Water nymph
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water nymph
Ancient Names Related to Water
- Aphrodite
- Meaning: Goddess of love and water
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Known in mythology
- Associated Meanings: Sea foam, beauty
- Anahita
- Meaning: Water goddess
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, purity
- Talia
- Meaning: Dew of heaven
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Dew, heavenly
- Cyrus
- Meaning: Sun, throne
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Sun, water symbolism
- Thalassa
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, sea
- Poseidon
- Meaning: God of the sea
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Known in mythology
- Associated Meanings: Sea, earthquakes
- Serephina
- Meaning: Fiery
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Fire and water
- Nimrod
- Meaning: Rebel
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, historical figure
- Arethusa
- Meaning: Water nymph
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, mythology
- Hydra
- Meaning: Water serpent
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Serpent, water
Modern Names with Water Meanings
- Brook
- Meaning: Small stream
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Stream, nature
- Jasper
- Meaning: Treasurer
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Water, precious gem
- River
- Meaning: Flowing body of water
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Increasing
- Associated Meanings: Water, nature
- Shannon
- Meaning: Old river
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: River, historical significance
- Clyde
- Meaning: From the river Clyde
- Name Origin: Scottish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: River, location
- Misty
- Meaning: Foggy, misty
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Mist, moisture
- Salina
- Meaning: Salt
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Salt, sea
- Lina
- Meaning: Tender
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Water, softness
- Caspian
- Meaning: From the Caspian Sea
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Increasing
- Associated Meanings: Sea, region
- Selena
- Meaning: Moon
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Moon, water reflection
Names Reflecting Water in Nature
- Oceania
- Meaning: Ocean
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, vastness
- Tiberius
- Meaning: Of the Tiber River
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: River, history
- Glen
- Meaning: Valley
- Name Origin: Scottish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Valley, water source
- Coriander
- Meaning: Herb
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Herb, water
- Riviera
- Meaning: Coastline
- Name Origin: Italian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Coast, water
- Maris
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea, ocean
- Niamh
- Meaning: Bright
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Bright, water reflection
- Aqua
- Meaning: Water
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, fluidity
- Lara
- Meaning: Protection
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Water, protection
- Sylvia
- Meaning: Forest
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Forest, water
Mythological Names Related to Water
- Clytie
- Meaning: Sky, water
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sky, water
- Lyris
- Meaning: Lyric
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Music, water
- Thalassa
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea, ocean
- Naiad
- Meaning: Water nymph
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water nymph
- Tethys
- Meaning: Mother of the ocean
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, mythology
- Aqua
- Meaning: Water
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, nature
- Poseidon
- Meaning: God of the sea
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Known in mythology
- Associated Meanings: Sea god
- Eirene
- Meaning: Peace
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Peace, water
- Artemis
- Meaning: Goddess of the hunt
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Known in mythology
- Associated Meanings: Water, nature
- Leucothea
- Meaning: White goddess
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea, mythology
Names Meaning ‘River’ or ‘Stream’
- Brooklyn
- Meaning: Small brook
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Popular
- Associated Meanings: Brook, water
- Sierra
- Meaning: Mountain range
- Name Origin: Spanish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Mountain, stream
- Rivers
- Meaning: River
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Increasing
- Associated Meanings: River, flow
- Hudson
- Meaning: Son of Hudde
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: River, historical
- Thames
- Meaning: River
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: River, location
- Jordan
- Meaning: To flow down
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: River, flowing
- Devin
- Meaning: Poet
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Water, river
- Clyde
- Meaning: From the river Clyde
- Name Origin: Scottish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: River, water
- Eden
- Meaning: Delight
- Name Origin: Hebrew
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: River, paradise
- Rio
- Meaning: River
- Name Origin: Spanish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: River, flow
Names Reflecting ‘Rain’
- Raindrop
- Meaning: Water drop
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Rain, water
- Aurelia
- Meaning: Golden
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Rain, sunlight
- Umbra
- Meaning: Shadow
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Rain, eclipse
- Brenna
- Meaning: Little drop of water
- Name Origin: Irish
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Water, rain
- Iris
- Meaning: Rainbow
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Rain, colors
- Raine
- Meaning: Rain
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Rain, nature
- Rani
- Meaning: Queen
- Name Origin: Hindi
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Rain, royalty
- Elin
- Meaning: Shining light
- Name Origin: Welsh
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Rain, light
- Giselle
- Meaning: Pledge
- Name Origin: German
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Rain, promise
- Soleil
- Meaning: Sun
- Name Origin: French
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sun, rain
Names Inspired by ‘Lakes’
- Lake
- Meaning: Lake
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Increasing
- Associated Meanings: Lake, calm
- Lochlan
- Meaning: From the land of lakes
- Name Origin: Scottish
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Lakes, nature
- Seneca
- Meaning: People of the standing rock
- Name Origin: Native American
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Lake, historical
- Melita
- Meaning: Lady of the lake
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Lake, nobility
- Rana
- Meaning: Frog
- Name Origin: Arabic
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Lake, amphibian
- Tarzan
- Meaning: White skin
- Name Origin: Swahili
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Jungle, water
- Lakesha
- Meaning: Life
- Name Origin: African
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Lake, vitality
- Alayna
- Meaning: Bright, shining light
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Lake, clarity
- Isla
- Meaning: Island
- Name Origin: Spanish
- Popularity: Increasing
- Associated Meanings: Island, lake
- Maris
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Sea, lake
Names Reflecting ‘Ocean’
- Marina
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, marine life
- Marlene
- Meaning: Little warrior
- Name Origin: German
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, strength
- Coral
- Meaning: Sea growth
- Name Origin: English
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, coral reefs
- Kai
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Hawaiian
- Popularity: Common
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, water
- Nerida
- Meaning: Sea nymph
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, mythology
- Nereus
- Meaning: Old man of the sea
- Name Origin: Greek
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, mythology
- Oceane
- Meaning: Ocean
- Name Origin: French
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, water
- Darya
- Meaning: Sea
- Name Origin: Persian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, water
- Maris
- Meaning: Of the sea
- Name Origin: Latin
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, sea
- Kaimana
- Meaning: Power of the ocean
- Name Origin: Hawaiian
- Popularity: Rare
- Associated Meanings: Ocean, strength
Conclusion
Names that evoke the essence of water, whether through meanings tied to seas, rivers, lakes, or rain, often carry a sense of fluidity and tranquility. These names not only reflect the physical attributes of water but also symbolize its deeper connections to nature, mythology, and emotions. From mythological names like Thalassa and Poseidon to modern choices such as Brooklyn and Rio, each name offers a unique way to connect with the elemental force of water.
Emily Johnson has a keen eye for detail and a deep love for linguistics. Her work at NamesOrigins.com unearths the hidden gems in names, making each exploration a journey through time, culture, and language that leaves readers enlightened and inspired.
