Under the Sea — Mermaid Names and Their Meanings

Mermaids are mythical beings that have fascinated people for thousands of years. They are seen as beautiful, mysterious, and powerful sea creatures that resemble humans from the waist up but have the tail of a fish.

Just as fascinating as mermaids themselves are their names which are all nature-inspired, original, and regal-sounding. You can find a list of the most beautiful mermaid names and their meanings below.

Greek Mermaid Names and Their Meanings1.   Andrina

Andrina is a Greek mermaid name that roughly translates to manly or virile. However, it is clearly a female name, so the word manly doesn’t quite hold its literal meaning in this sense. Rather, the name fits someone energetic, lively, and willing to get things done.

You can probably recognize this name from The Little Mermaid, as one of Ariel’s sisters bears it.

2.   Deandra

This name can be translated as either divine or twice a man. Either way, it is meant for someone captivating and worthy, a hero who is above mere mortals. This name is one of the most popular mermaid names out there, and it was also used in the movie Barbie In a Mermaid Tale.

3.   Delphine

Though this name literally translates into dolphin, it is still a common name for mermaids as well. The name originally comes from Ancient Greek, but it has been the most popular in France and other French-speaking countries of the world for a while now.

If someone bears this name, they are seen as beautiful, friendly, intelligent, soft-spoken, and always willing to play and learn new things. All of these meanings can be traced back to dolphins, their behaviors, and the place they hold in the animal kingdom.

4.   Doris

Doris means the gift of the ocean. Mermaids with this name are often virtuous, extremely intelligent, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. This name was extremely popular in the 1980s, but it has since then paled in popularity in contrast with some others.

5.   Nerida

This Greek name literally translates into mermaid. Anyone who bears it is seen as alluring and mysterious. Apart from being a mermaid name, it is also a common name for sea nymphs and other mythical creatures.

6.   Zale

This somewhat strange mermaid name roughly translates into sea strength. It is a name for both boys and girls, and it symbolizes strength, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit.

Latin Mermaid Names and Their Meanings7.   Beatrice

Beatrice means she who brings peace and happiness. It can also translate into someone blessed, which is why it is a rather popular name in Christianity. Interestingly enough, people seem to be unaware of the fact that the name is actually one of a mermaid.

8.   Celia

Celia is another mermaid name that is common today as well. It means heavenly, which is why it is, again, very common in Christian circles

9.   Coralina

This name is a feminine form of the Latin word for coral. It is quite rare, but variations such as Coraline are common in France, for example. It was used in a popular toy series called Waverly and the Magic Seashells, where it was the name of one of the mermaid characters.

10.  Mar

Mar translates into sea both in Latin and in Spanish and Italian. It is a perfect name for someone who is beautiful but wild and powerful at the same time. A variation of this name is Maris, and it means of the sea.

11.  Miranda

Miranda is a quite common name, especially in English and Spanish-speaking parts of the world. However, many people don’t know that this beautiful name comes from a mermaid. It means marvelous, and it is a name meant for someone truly extraordinary.

12.  Ondine

This sophisticated name translates into little wave. It can serve both as a name and a form of endearment, and it is quite rare. Ondine is also the name of a classical ballet about mermaids whose plot is quite similar to that of the fairytale The Little Mermaid.

Welsh Mermaid Names and Their Meanings

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13.  Dylan

Though people often think that mermaids can only be women, that is not the case. In fact, mermen are just as common, and Dylan is one of the many names they can bear. The name means son of the sea.

14.  Merlin

Apart from being the name of one of the most powerful wizards, Merlin is also the name of a merman. It means sea fortress, and it symbolizes someone strong and with unshakable resolve.

15.  Ryn

Ryn means ruler, and it is a name for princesses and queens. In mythology, it is a name that was only available to royalty, and no commoners under the sea could bear it.

Hebrew Mermaid Names and Their Meanings16.  Amaris

Amaris is Hebrew for promised by god, meaning that it has religious symbolism in it as well. It is one of the most common mermaid names, and it was popularized on the TV show Mako: Island of Secrets.

17.  Ariel

Ariel is, most probably, the most famous mermaid name. It is all thanks to the fairy tale The Little Mermaid and all its subsequent film, TV, and ballet versions. The name means lion of God, and it symbolizes someone courageous, strong, and willing to chase their dreams.

18.  Gil

This name translates into happiness. So, anyone bearing it is a joy to be around and someone who brings laughter and lightness to everyone in their life. It is also the name of a mermaid from the show Bubble Guppies.

19.  Mara

Translated literally, this name means bitter. Thus, it doesn’t have a positive connotation. It was mostly the name of mermaids who were dissatisfied with their lives and sought change by inflicting pain on others. One character in the Disney Fairies franchise bears this name.

French Mermaid Names and Their Meanings20.  Dominique

Dominique is both a male and a female name. It means belonging to the lord/god. It is also the name of a mermaid from the TV show Lost Girl.

21.  Kiki

This cute mermaid name means double happiness. It symbolizes joy, lightness, and laughter. It is also the name of a character in the book series Mermaid Tales.

22.  Oceane

As you may have guessed, this name translates into ocean. Oceane symbolizes someone strong, influential, and larger than life. Apart from being a common name of mermaid queens, it is also a name for ocean nymphs and other female sea creatures.

Hawaiian Mermaid Names and Their Meanings

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23.  Kaia

Kaia is a Hawaiian female name that translates into to rejoice. It is common in Scandinavia and Hawaii, and it can also mean the sea in certain contexts (metaphorically).

24.  Lana

Lana is a pretty common name, but not many know that it is a mermaid one. Thus, it seems that this history was lost in the minds of people through the years. The name means handsome and cheerful. However, it can also translate into being afloat in calm waters.

25.  Kailani

Kailani means the sea and the sky. It refers to someone grounded and level-headed but still willing to dream and believe in miracles. It is a female name.

26.  Nalu

Nalu means wave. This name symbolizes a changeable nature and being untamed. However, it also symbolizes beauty and grace.

German Mermaid Names and Their Meanings27.  Lorelei

Lorelei is the name of the legendary mythological siren, often depicted with a mermaid’s tail. This siren was a temptress that lured men to their deaths with her beautiful song. Similarly, her name means alluring and tempting.

28.  Nixie

This name means water spirit, and it sounds like an endearment or a nickname. Though it is a mermaid name, it is more commonly found as a name for water nymphs.

English Mermaid Names and Their Meanings29.  Annamarie

This name has several meanings, from grace and beloved to a drop of the sea. It is a common name in many languages but with some variations in spelling and pronunciation.

30.  Caspian

Caspian is another merman name. It comes from the Caspian Sea, which is situated between Europe and Asia.

31.  Daisy

You might be surprised to find this name on this list since you probably associate it with flowers and nature. However, Daisy actually means day’s eye, and it is a common mermaid name. You can even find it in the show The Little Mermaid Adventure.

32.  Marylee

Marylee can mean a drop of the sea, as well as beloved. It is a name for someone slight but passionate and powerful, someone essential. It is not a common name in the English language.

33.  Seaton

This name translates into town by the sea. It is a male name, and it is also the name of a town in England. The town is, of course, by the sea.

34.  Waverly

Waverly means meadow of the quivering aspens. So, even though it is a pretty common name, it is quite sophisticated in its meaning and history. It is also the name of a mermaid in the Waverly and the Magic Seashells toy series.

Arabic Mermaid Names and Their Meanings

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35.  Cala

Cala is the name of the mermaid from the movie Princess. It can mean castle or fortress. Thus, it symbolizes someone strong and unshakable.

36.  Deema

This name translates into rainy cloud. Though that image may not be such a positive one, the name does not have a negative connotation. Rather, it symbolizes a strong connectedness to nature. It is also the name of a mermaid in the TV show Bubble Guppies.

37.  Kayla

Kayla is another royal mermaid name. It means crown, and it is also a name for mermaid princesses, just like Ryn. It is a popular name even today.

38.  Lyla

Lyla means night. It symbolizes someone mysterious, intriguing, and even possibly dangerous. This someone often has many surprises up their sleeve. Lyla is also the name of one of the main characters in the TV series Mako: Island of Secrets.

39.  Xylie

Xylie is a beautiful mermaid name that means nature’s gift or from the woods. It is another name from the movie Barbie In a Mermaid’s Tale.

Maori Mermaid Names and Their Meanings40.  Moana

Popularized by the Disney movie Moana, this name has become quite the buzz. It means a wide expanse of water or deep sea and is a great name for little girls.

41.  Meri

This name is a variation of the name Mary. In Maori, it means the sea, which makes it a perfect mermaid name. The name symbolizes someone strong and with vast potential for greatness.

A Few Parting Words

As you have read, there are dozens of mermaid names out there. Each one has its own unique meaning and place in mythology and popular culture. Hopefully, this list of mermaid names and their meanings serves as a great introduction to this extraordinary topic and prompts you to do even more research on mermaids in general.