Greek Girl Names That Mean the Sea
Greek girl names that mean the sea range from the mythic to the modern, drawing on gods, nymphs, and port cities that have shaped the language for millennia.
Names115
OriginGreek
Meaningthe Sea
GenderGirl
Ancient Greek never settled for one word for the sea — it built gods, nymphs, and geography into the language instead, which is why Ocean traces straight back to Okeanos, the Titan believed to encircle the entire world in water.
That range shows up clearly across this page: some names lean mythic, like Sirena, the mermaid-singer of legend, while others are real places, like Odessa, named for an ancient Greek colony on the Black Sea.
Why Greek Girl Names That Mean the Sea Come in So Many Forms
Greek mythology filled its waters with individual characters instead of one blanket word, and that habit shapes names today. Naya carries the Greek sense of water nymph, one of the countless minor water spirits ancient storytellers named one by one. Delta, the fourth Greek letter, also names a river's mouth, the place where fresh water finally meets open sea. Even a modern coinage like Zaylee is thought to echo an old root — possibly the Greek word zale, meaning sea surge.
Familiar Versus Unexpected Picks on This List
Not every name on this page reads as oceanic in Greek. Kaia and Kai both sound like open water, but that meaning comes from Hawaiian — in Greek, Kaia actually means earth and Kai points to the letter chi (χ). Odessa and Ocean sit at the other end, tied directly to Greek sea meaning through a real port city and a Titan of myth.
Names List
Kaia#193 in the U.S.Sea — from Hawaiian kai (sea, ocean); also used as a Scandinavian variant of Katja (pure) and a Greek varPronounced KY-uh▶Irene#651 in the U.S.From Greek Eirene meaning peace; Eirene was the goddess of peace in Greek mythology, one of the Horae, thPronounced eye-REEN▶Ocean#787 in the U.S.The great sea or vast expanse of water; from the Latin oceanus and Greek okeanos, the mythological river Pronounced OH-shun▶Naya#813 in the U.S.New or fresh; from Arabic naya meaning new or recently arrived, or from the Hebrew root naah meaning pleaPronounced NAY-uh▶Zaylee#919 in the U.S.Modern American coined name, likely a creative elaboration of Zale (from Greek zale meaning sea strength Pronounced ZAY-lee▶Madalyn#946 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Madeline or Magdalene, from Hebrew Magdala meaning tower or place of the tower, a towPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Isis#1082 in the U.S.Throne; from Ancient Egyptian Aset (throne, seat of power), rendered in Greek as IsisPronounced EYE-sis▶Kai#1133 in the U.S.Sea; from Hawaiian kai (sea, ocean)Pronounced KY▶India#1354 in the U.S.Land of the Indus River; from Sanskrit sindhu meaning riverPronounced IN-dee-ah▶Odessa#1583 in the U.S.Taken from the Black Sea city of Odessa, named after the ancient Greek colony Odessos and associated withPronounced oh-DESS-uh▶Clione#2036 in the U.S.Clione may extend Clio, the Greek muse of history, from 'kleos' (glory, fame), or be a modern coinage; itPronounced klee-OH-nee▶Mayah#2253 in the U.S.waterPronounced MY-uh▶Delta#2266 in the U.S.fourth letter of Greek alphabet; triangular river mouthPronounced DEL-tuh▶Maiya#2314 in the U.S.water (Hebrew), divine illusion (Sanskrit), great mother (Greek)Pronounced MY-uh▶Sirena#4177 in the U.S.From Greek/Spanish sirena, 'siren, mermaid' — the enchanting sea-singer of mythPronounced sih-REE-nah▶Coralynn#4202 in the U.S.Blend of Coral (or Cora, 'maiden') with the -lynn ending — sea-coral and maiden echoesPronounced KOR-ə-lin▶Daira#4388 in the U.S.From Greek Daeira, 'the knowing one' (a goddess/Oceanid); also a modern Da-/-ira coinage; routes layeredPronounced DY-rah▶Madaline#4518 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Madeline/Magdalene — 'of Magdala' (a town meaning 'tower') by the Sea of GalileePronounced MAD-ə-line▶Dorys#4564 in the U.S.Dorys is a variant spelling of Doris, the name of a sea nymph in Greek myth, mother of the fifty Nereids.Pronounced DOR-is▶Hali#4583 in the U.S.From Greek hali, 'the sea, salt'; also a modern short form of Haley/Halle; routes layeredPronounced HAH-lee▶Nerine#4811 in the U.S.Nerine comes from the Nereids, the sea-nymphs of Greek myth, daughters of the sea-god Nereus; it is also Pronounced nuh-REEN▶Dorrace#5032 in the U.S.Dorrace is a variant spelling of Doris, the name of a sea nymph in Greek myth, mother of the Nereids. It Pronounced DOR-is▶Oceana#5094 in the U.S.Feminine of Oceanus — from Greek Okeanos, 'the ocean; the great sea that encircles the earth'Pronounced oh-shee-AH-nah▶Phenix#5242 in the U.S.Streamlined spelling of Phoenix — from Greek phoinix, 'the phoenix (a reborn firebird); deep red, crimsonPronounced FEE-niks▶Aphrodite#5298 in the U.S.From Greek Aphrodite — the goddess of love and beauty, traditionally linked to aphros, 'sea foam' (she roPronounced af-rə-DY-tee▶Clytie#5387 in the U.S.Clytie (Greek Klytie) is the name of an Oceanid nymph in Greek mythology who loved the sun god Helios; spPronounced KLY-tee▶Yanira#5413 in the U.S.Latina form of Ianeira/Ianira — a Greek sea nymph (a Nereid), her name linked to 'lovely' or 'man-charminPronounced yah-NEE-rah▶Angelyn#5617 in the U.S.Blend of Angel ('a messenger of God', Greek angelos) with the -lyn ending ('lake'); also echoes Angeline;Pronounced AN-jə-lin▶Odessie#5820 in the U.S.Odessie is an affectionate, -ie ending form of Odessa, a name borrowed from the Ukrainian Black Sea port.Pronounced oh-DESS-ee▶Koralynn#6038 in the U.S.A modern name joining Cora ('a maiden', Greek) with the -lynn ending ('a lake'); routes layeredPronounced KOR-ə-lin▶Maddelyn#6055 in the U.S.A -delyn spelling of Madeline/Magdalene — from Hebrew/Greek, 'from Magdala' (a town on the Sea of GalileePronounced MAD-ə-lin▶Mylene#6303 in the U.S.The French Mylene — a blend of Marie ('beloved; of the sea') and Helene ('a torch; light'); routes layerePronounced mee-LEN▶Chrislynn#6424 in the U.S.A blend of Chris (from Christine/Christopher, 'a follower of Christ; anointed') and Lynn ('a lake', WelshPronounced KRIS-lin▶Mame#6809 in the U.S.A pet form, variously of Mary ('beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Margaret ('a pearl'); routes layeredPronounced MAYM▶Mamie#6810 in the U.S.A pet form, variously of Mary ('beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Margaret ('a pearl'); routes layeredPronounced MAY-mee▶Maryellen#6814 in the U.S.A compound of Mary (variously 'beloved; bitter; of the sea') and Ellen (a form of Helen, 'light; a torch;Pronounced MAIR-ee-el-en▶Rea#6846 in the U.S.A spelling of Rhea — from Greek, variously 'a flowing; a stream' and 'the earth'; the name of a Titaness,Pronounced RAY-ah▶Koral#7070 in the U.S.A spelling of Coral — from Greek/Latin korallion, 'coral' — the pink-red sea gem; a nature/gem-namePronounced KOR-ul▶Dessa#7307 in the U.S.A short form of Odessa — a Black Sea city named (in a feminine form) after the Greek colony Odessos; alsoPronounced DEH-sah▶Galina#7338 in the U.S.A Russian/Slavic name from Greek galene, 'calm; serenity; stillness of the sea; tranquility'Pronounced gah-LEE-nah▶Indya#7349 in the U.S.A spelling of India — after the country, ultimately from the river Indus (Sanskrit Sindhu, 'a river'); a Pronounced IN-dee-ah▶Oceanna#7481 in the U.S.An elaboration of Ocean — from Greek Okeanos, 'the ocean; the great sea encircling the earth' (also the TPronounced oh-shee-AN-ah▶Koralee#7764 in the U.S.A modern blend of Coral (from Greek korallion, 'coral', the pink-red sea gem) and the fashionable -lee enPronounced KOR-uh-lee▶Myiah#7820 in the U.S.A spelling of Mya/Maya — variously Sanskrit, 'illusion; magic', Greek, 'mother; nurse', and a form of MarPronounced MY-ah▶Rilla#7856 in the U.S.A short form of names like Marilla and Amaryllis; also linked to the Low German rille, 'a brook; a small Pronounced RIL-ah▶Ione#8114 in the U.S.From the Greek ion, 'a violet' (the flower) — also the name of a sea nymph in Greek myth; we note the mytPronounced eye-OH-nee▶Marielena#8228 in the U.S.A Spanish compound of Marie ('beloved; of the sea', from Hebrew Miriam) and Elena ('light; the bright onePronounced mah-ree-eh-LEH-nah▶Dori#8554 in the U.S.A pet form of Dorothy/Doris — from the Greek, variously 'a gift of God' (Dorothy) and 'of the sea/the DorPronounced DOR-ee▶Kairos#8657 in the U.S.From the Greek kairos, 'the opportune/right moment; the due season; the perfect time' (also a personificaPronounced KY-ross▶Khaia#8683 in the U.S.A spelling of Kaia — variously a Scandinavian form of Katherine ('pure'), the Greek/Estonian 'earth', andPronounced KY-ah▶Marykatherine#8748 in the U.S.A compound of Mary ('beloved; bitter; drop of the sea', Hebrew) and Katherine ('pure', Greek katharos), hPronounced MAIR-ee-KATH-rin▶Rhealynn#8822 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Rhea ('a flowing; a mother', the Greek Titan mother of the gods) with a -lynn endiPronounced REE-uh-lin▶Siren#8857 in the U.S.From the Greek Seiren — a Siren, a sea nymph of myth whose enchanting song lured sailors; a mythology/worPronounced SY-ren▶Pascha#9281 in the U.S.Pascha comes from the church word Pascha, the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew Pesach, 'Passover', whicPronounced PAH-skuh▶Mariaelena#9305 in the U.S.A compound name — Maria (a form of Mary, variously 'star of the sea; beloved; bitter') joined with Elena Pronounced mah-REE-ah-eh-LEH-nah▶Mariateresa#9306 in the U.S.A compound name — Maria (a form of Mary, variously 'star of the sea; beloved') joined with Teresa (variouPronounced mah-REE-ah-teh-REH-sah▶Marycatherine#9312 in the U.S.A compound name — Mary (variously 'star of the sea; beloved; bitter') joined with Catherine ('pure', fromPronounced MAIR-ee-KATH-rin▶Oshyn#9375 in the U.S.A stylized spelling of Ocean — from the Greek Okeanos (the great river/sea encircling the earth); a naturPronounced OH-shin▶Nile#10025 in the U.S.Variously the Nile River (from the Greek Neilos, the great river of Egypt) and a form of Niall/Nile ('a cPronounced NYL▶Oceann#10041 in the U.S.A spelling of Ocean — from the Greek Okeanos (the great river/sea encircling the earth, and its Titan godPronounced OH-shun▶Odessia#10118 in the U.S.Odessia is an elaborated form of Odessa, the name of the Black Sea port, which was given its classicized Pronounced oh-DES-ee-uh▶Halie#10533 in the U.S.A spelling read as a form of Hailey ('hay meadow'); it also matches the Greek Halie, a sea-nymph ('of thePronounced HAY-lee▶Maddeline#10727 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Madeline, which comes through French Madeleine from Magdalene, 'of Magdala,' a towPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Madlyn#10729 in the U.S.A short, contracted respelling of Madeline/Madelyn, which trace through French Madeleine to Magdalene, 'oPronounced MAD-lin▶Magdalen#10732 in the U.S.From Magdalene, 'of Magdala,' the name of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus; Magdala was a town on the Pronounced MAG-duh-lin▶Magdalyn#10733 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Magdalene/Magdalen, 'of Magdala,' the byname of Mary Magdalene and a town on the SPronounced MAG-duh-lin▶Nereida#10819 in the U.S.From the Greek/Spanish Nereida, 'sea nymph' — after the Nereids, the fifty sea nymphs of Greek myth, daugPronounced neh-RAY-duh▶Syren#10967 in the U.S.A stylized spelling of siren, the alluring sea-nymphs of Greek myth whose song enchanted sailors (Greek sPronounced SY-ren▶Syrena#10968 in the U.S.A modern spelling blending Serena (Latin serenus, 'calm; serene; clear') with siren, the Greek sea-nymph.Pronounced sy-REE-nah▶Tasi#10979 in the U.S.In Chamorro (the language of Guam and the Marianas), tasi means 'sea; ocean.' Separately Tasi serves as aPronounced TAH-see▶Angelynn#11149 in the U.S.A modern blend of Angel (from Greek angelos, 'messenger of God') with the -lynn ending (from Welsh, 'lakePronounced AN-juh-lin▶Beryl#11234 in the U.S.Beryl is a gemstone name from Greek beryllos — the mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine, oPronounced BEH-ril▶Daryah#11452 in the U.S.A spelling of Daria/Dariah, the feminine of Darius — from the Persian for 'possessing good; upholding gooPronounced DAR-ee-ah▶Katerine#11589 in the U.S.A variant of Katherine, from the Greek Aikaterine, traditionally read as 'pure' (via katharos). A classicPronounced KAT-uh-reen▶Konstantina#11633 in the U.S.The Greek feminine form of Konstantinos (Constantine), from Latin 'constans,' meaning 'constant; steadfasPronounced kon-stan-TEE-nuh▶Madalyne#11703 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Madeline/Madelyn, from Magdalene, 'of Magdala' (a town by the Sea of Galilee; sometPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Madylin#11704 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Madelyn/Madeline, from Magdalene, 'of Magdala' (a town by the Sea of Galilee; sometPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Tresea#12090 in the U.S.Tresea is a variant of Theresa, or of its short form Tressa, respelled with an -ea ending. Theresa's origPronounced truh-SEE-uh▶Maddalyn#12895 in the U.S.A modern spelling of Madeline/Madelyn, itself from Magdalene, 'of Magdala', a town by the Sea of Galilee.Pronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Madelene#12897 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Madeline, from Magdalene, 'of Magdala', a town on the Sea of Galilee. A classic namPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Magdelyn#12903 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Magdalene/Magdalen, from the Greek Magdalene, 'woman of Magdala' (a town on the SePronounced MAG-duh-lin▶Dorice#12942 in the U.S.Dorice is a spelling variant of Doris, a Greek name meaning 'Dorian woman' — a woman of the Dorian peoplePronounced DOR-eess▶Dorise#12944 in the U.S.Dorise is a variant spelling of Doris, a Greek name borne by a sea nymph, mother of the Nereids, and sharPronounced daw-REES▶Narissa#13178 in the U.S.Narissa reads as a soft reshaping of Nerissa, the Shakespearean name usually traced to Greek roots for thPronounced nuh-RISS-uh▶Topaz#13331 in the U.S.Topaz is a word-name drawn straight from the gemstone, a golden or amber stone prized since antiquity. ThPronounced TOH-paz▶Seandra#13442 in the U.S.Seandra is a coined name built on the -andra element found in Sandra and Deandra. That element traces bacPronounced see-AN-druh▶Dorris#13578 in the U.S.A doubled-r spelling of Doris, from the Greek for 'Dorian woman.' In Greek myth Doris is a sea nymph, wifPronounced DOR-iss▶Theresea#13739 in the U.S.Theresea is a spelling of Theresa, an old Greek name of debated meaning, linked either to a word for 'harPronounced tuh-REE-suh▶Edessa#13908 in the U.S.A place name: Edessa was an ancient city in upper Mesopotamia (today Sanliurfa, in Turkey) and is also a Pronounced eh-DESS-uh▶Eretria#13955 in the U.S.A place name: Eretria was an ancient Greek city on the island of Euboea, a seafaring and colonizing powerPronounced eh-REH-tree-uh▶Koralyn#14385 in the U.S.Koralyn is a modern American blend, joining Cora (from Greek kore, 'maiden') or Coral (the sea creature aPronounced KOR-uh-lin▶Madolyn#14475 in the U.S.Madolyn is a spelling variant of Madeline/Madelyn, which come through French from the biblical Magdalene,Pronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Madalene#14517 in the U.S.A spelling in the Magdalene/Madeline family, meaning 'of Magdala' — a village on the Sea of Galilee, and Pronounced MAD-uh-leen▶Magdaline#14522 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Magdalene, 'of Magdala' — a village on the Sea of Galilee and the home of Mary MagdPronounced MAG-duh-line▶Maddelynn#14629 in the U.S.Maddelynn is a modern respelling of Madelyn or Madeline, from Magdalene, meaning 'woman of Magdala,' a toPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Alantis#14667 in the U.S.Alantis is a modern given name taken from Atlantis, the legendary island that Plato described as sinking Pronounced uh-LAN-tis▶Nereyda#14736 in the U.S.A Spanish name built on Nereida — from the Nereids, the fifty sea-nymph daughters of Nereus in Greek mythPronounced neh-RAY-dah▶Nerissa#14738 in the U.S.From Greek Nereis, 'sea-nymph' (a Nereid). Shakespeare gave the name to Portia's clever, warm-hearted waiPronounced nuh-RIS-uh▶Tiphany#15209 in the U.S.Tiphany is a variant spelling of Tiffany, closer to the medieval Tiffania. The name comes from the Greek Pronounced TIF-uh-nee▶Icis#15331 in the U.S.Icis is a phonetic spelling of Isis, the Greek rendering of the ancient Egyptian goddess Aset, whose namePronounced EYE-sis▶Taffany#15493 in the U.S.Taffany is an a-vowel respelling of Tiffany. Tiffany descends from the Greek Theophania, 'appearance' or Pronounced TAF-uh-nee▶Mariellen#15648 in the U.S.Mariellen fuses Mary — Hebrew Miriam, variously 'beloved', 'wished-for child', or 'of the sea' — with EllPronounced mair-ee-EL-uhn▶Coralia#15742 in the U.S.A name from coral (Latin corallium, from Greek korallion) - the jewel of the sea. A flowing, ocean-brightPronounced kuh-RAL-ee-ah▶Lariza#16559 in the U.S.Lariza is a variant of Larissa, a Greek name from the ancient city of Larisa, sometimes connected to a woPronounced lah-REE-zah▶Madelline#16588 in the U.S.Madelline is a doubled-l spelling of Madeline, which comes from Magdalene, meaning 'of Magdala,' a town oPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Madalin#16660 in the U.S.Madalin is a variant spelling of Madeline (Madeleine), from Magdalene, 'of Magdala' — a town on the Sea oPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Maddalynn#16664 in the U.S.Maddalynn is a decorated respelling of Madelyn, itself a modern form of Madeline. The name goes back to MPronounced MAD-uh-lin▶Maryhelen#16851 in the U.S.Maryhelen is a written-together double name marrying Mary and Helen. Mary, from Hebrew Miriam, is variousPronounced MAIR-ee-HEL-uhn▶Nerina#16933 in the U.S.Nerina is an Italian and Latin name derived from Nereus, the sea god of Greek myth, and his daughters thePronounced nuh-REE-nuh▶Dorrie#17227 in the U.S.Dorrie is an affectionate short form of Dora, Doris or Dorothy. Dora and Dorothy come from Greek 'doron,'Pronounced DOR-ee▶Selen#17238 in the U.S.Selen is an established Turkish girls' name, usually glossed 'good news' or 'the sound of rushing water' Pronounced seh-LEN▶Xanthe#17473 in the U.S.Xanthe is from Greek xanthos, 'yellow, golden, fair'. It is an ancient Greek name, borne in myth by one oPronounced ZAN-thee▶AlcyoneFrom the Greek alkyon, 'a kingfisher' (linked to the 'halcyon days' of calm seas); one of the Pleiades anPronounced al-SY-uh-nee▶AlteaAltea is a seaside town on Spain's Costa Blanca, and the name also reads as a Spanish-shaped form of AlthPronounced ahl-TAY-ah▶TethysFrom the Greek Tethys, a Titaness of fresh water and the sea, wife of Oceanus; variously linked to 'a nurPronounced TEE-thiss▶
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Sirena mean?
Sirena means siren or mermaid, drawn straight from Greek myth's oceanic singers. It's one of the most literal entries on this list, naming the sea creature itself rather than just alluding to water or waves.
Is Odessa actually a Greek name?
Odessa comes from a real Black Sea city, itself named for the ancient Greek colony Odessos and linked to the legendary hero Odysseus. The original Greek place-name's exact meaning was never firmly recorded.