With Disney’s live-action take on its animated classic, The Little Mermaid, out this year, mermaidcore has broken through to the surface and is having its day in the sun. While mermaids will never go out of style, especially for the little ones, adults can fully embrace all things magical and marine, and that includes baby names.
What is a mermaidcore baby name, though? It would be easy to just list off names from the various The Little Mermaid movies (in the original animated version, we have Ariel, naturally, and her sisters, Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, and Andrina; in the live action version, her sisters were reenvisioned and renamed Caspia, Indira, Mala, Tameka, Perla, and Karina), but we don’t like easy. Mermaidcore, to us, is more than just a water-inspired baby name. Mermaidcore is the ocean, it is myth, it is magic, and it is romantic. Mermaidcore names bring to mind these elements even when the name does not strictly relate in its core meaning.
Aalton
A Finnish name meaning “waves,” this double-vowel gem might charm name-seekers who are looking for a name with a unique spelling or those who want to honor a beloved family member or friend whose name also starts with two A’s.
Alpheus
In its Greek origin, Alpheus means “River God,” an appropriate name for a mythical, powerful merman. It’s a daring, maximalist choice of a baby name, yet doesn’t seem too “out there,” especially with its potential for popular nickname Alfie.
Azura
This vibrant name is linked to the color of the ocean–blue. Romantic and whimsical, it could be the perfect name for an ocean-loving child or a mermaid under the sea.
Calliope
The sirens of Greek myth often lured sailors with their enchanted song, so it seems appropriate that Calliope, a name that means “beautiful-voiced” would give off mermaidcore vibes.
Calypso
The island-nymph daughter of the Titan, Atlas, Calypso brings to mind the warm, tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea, in large part because it lends it name to a famous style of music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago.
Caspian
The world’s largest inland sea carries this same name, which means “white.” Caspian is a name that falls into the naming “sweet spot”; popular enough to be in the top 1000 so that it is somewhat familiar but far enough down the list that you won’t hear it called out on every playground or classroom.
Derya
This Turkish name means “from the ocean,” and has been used for both boys and girls, and perhaps now, for mermaids and mermen!
Enki
Enki is the Sumerian god of water, but also of intelligence, art, and mischief. A great name for a mythical water character or for a baby boy. Enki is right on trend with other names ending in -i now, like Esti, Lani, and Amari.
Isla
Isla has been rising in popularity since it first hit the SSA top 100 back in 2008, and we can see why. This charming name that means “island,” is sweet and sophisticated. It has both Spanish and Scottish roots, giving it cross-cultural appeal.
Kai
A name that brings to mind the beautiful blue waters of Hawaii, Kai is a gender-neutral name that means “the sea.” Kai fits so perfectly into the trend of short and sweet baby names, with its effortless cool and friendliness.
Leilani
A child with this name is a “royal one from heaven.” Of Hawaiian origin, Leilani has been something of an evergreen name over the last 100 years in the US. It is currently at its peak popularity at #59, but if mermaidcore style really takes off, we see this rocketing up the list in the next few years.
Maraja
Like similar names that begin with “Mar,” the name Maraja means “made of the sea.” What makes this more mermaidcore than other Mar names like Mara or Marin is its rarity–you’re less likely to find Maraja on land and more likely beneath the waves!
Naia
Naia is a name that you will find in many languages, but this spelling, from the Basque language, means “wave; sea foam.” With its meaning connected to Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, you can’t get much more mermaidcore than this.
Neptune
A bold name for a bold child, Neptune, as many know, is the name of the Roman god of the sea. An awesome name for water lovers and lovers of space.
Nerissa
We love this gorgeous Greek name that means “from the sea.” Nerissa has never been in the SSA top 1000 names, so for those looking for an undiscovered gem, this mermaid-like name might be the perfect pick.
Nix
A name that means “water nymph,” Nix has that desirable -x ending many modern parents are seeking in a name that is playful without being cutesy.
Ondine
This elegant name means “little wave.” Delicate and ethereal, there’s something magical about Ondine that feels otherworldly.
Selkie
Selkies are mythical Scottish creatures that resemble seals, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a great mermaidcore baby name! For lovers of nickname first names, Selkie has the same feel and might the hidden ocean gem you’ve been seeking.
Sedna
The name of the Inuit goddess of the sea, Sedna is an icy, commanding mermaidcore name.
Sirène
A name of Greek origin that means “enchanter,” Sirène is a play on the mythical sirens of the Aegean. A fresh take on a name like Serena, it’s a bewitching choice for baby or waterfolk.
Xenia
Though Xenia does not have a name meaning related to water or mermaids, (it means both “guest” and “stranger”), it does have the feel of something extraordinary and supernatural, which makes it a possible mermaidcore-style name.With its rare X beginning, we can see this name being a trendsetter.
So those are our picks! What do you think? And do you have any mermaidcore names you would add to this list?