New wave of nautical child names taking Brits by storm as new dad and mom go for sea theme
A new wave of sea-themed names is taking Brits by storm. Data shows a whopping 2,000% rise in the name Ariel since 1996, thought to be inspired by the Little Mermaid films.
Meanwhile, other aquatic names such as Blue, Pearl and Ocean have risen by almost 1,000%. Beach-themed Sandy has also risen in popularity.
It is thought that celebs giving their babies nautical names is behind the trend, such as Beyoncé calling her baby Blue Ivy after being inspired by a trip to the coast and Jesy Nelson naming one of her twins Ocean.
Dave Mills, of Iglu Cruise, which commissioned the study, said: “Celebrity influence also plays a part, with Beyoncé, Jesy Nelson and Bonnie Wright naming their children after the sea.
“We can expect sea-inspired baby names to continue to increase in popularity in the coming years.”
Ariel, a name of Hebrew origin which means “Lion of God”, was the main character in Disney’s 1989 film The Little Mermaid. It is thought the film’s remake in 2023 may have contributed to the surge in popularity of the name.
Meanwhile, the name Blue increased by 900%, and Pearl has risen by 652%. Maya Rudolph, American actress and comedian, chose the name for one of her daughters.
Ocean has surged by 548% in England and Wales, data from the Office of National Statistics shows. Sandy, one of the main characters from classic film Grease, has increased by 11% for girls since 1996.
And the name Reef increased in popularity among boys by 233% between 1996 and 2024.
Dave added: “We’ve seen a steady increase in baby names inspired by the sea in recent years. These names, such as Blue or Ocean, represent a desire for peace and tranquillity that links to nature.
“They symbolise freedom, stability and a deep connection to our planet and are often gender-neutral, making them modern and inclusive.”
Baby girl names and increases
- Ariel 1950%
- Blue 900%
- Pearl 652%
- Ocean 548%
- Sandy 11%
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