Nerea

♀ Girl

Pronounced neh-RAY-uh /nɛˈreɪ.ə/Medium

Meaning: Nerea is a Basque name usually glossed 'mine', from nere ('my'); it is also connected, more loosely, to the Greek Nereus and the sea nymphs, the Nereids. Both readings circulate, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A Basque favourite: Nerea is usually read 'mine', with a sea-nymph echo (said 'neh-RAY-uh').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumBasque, Spanish

MeaningNerea is a Basque name usually glossed 'mine', from nere ('my'); it is also connected, more loosely, to the Greek Nereus and the sea nymphs, the Nereids. Both readings circulate, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#13044 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 115

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Nerea is a Basque name, long popular in the Basque Country and across Spain, usually read as 'mine' from nere, 'my'. A separate strand links it to the Greek Nereus, father of the sea nymphs. Both readings are current, which we note (said 'neh-RAY-uh').

It appears only very rarely for girls in the U.S. Very rare, Basque-rooted, and lyrical.

Did you know? In Basque, Nerea is glossed simply as 'mine' — one of the most direct claims a name can make. A second thread ties it to the Nereids, the sea nymphs of Greek myth, which we note (said 'neh-RAY-uh').

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Nerea — Basque 'mine' (nere); Greek Nereus/Nereid link secondary; both circulate

Variations

NereaNeriaNere

Nicknames

NereRea

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nerea…

Aitana— a like Spanish favourite

Amaia— the same Basque flow

Nailea— another Spanish name

Solea— a similarly popular pick

Nahomi— shares Nerea's Spanish roots

Explore names like Nerea

By themeuncertain heritage spanish basque

By meaningSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nerea mean?

Nerea is Basque, usually glossed 'mine'; a second reading ties it to the Greek sea nymphs. Both circulate, which we note.

How do you pronounce Nerea?

It's said neh-RAY-uh /nɛˈreɪ.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nerea a boy or girl name?

Nerea is a girl's name.

How popular is Nerea?

Nerea is a very rare name for girls in the U.S., though well known in Spain.