As a writer of science fiction and fantasy myself, I’ve always been fascinated with the prospect of creating an underwater world! But every good underwater city needs a name to suit it, which is why I’ve put my creative cap on and come up with underwater names for cities you can use (or use as inspiration to create your own).
I’ve always believed that creativity is a two-way street, and that it is better shared than penned on paper to be hidden away for who knows how long in the forsaken “notes box”.
And if I am being honest, an underwater city name generator I found online wasn’t really cutting it for me. Random combinations of random words without any creative thought or care going into their creation didn’t feel authentic to me.
So, without further ado, dive into my list of cool, aquatic themed city names! Before we consider the names, I want to first touch on:
Why create thematic names for your cities?
The names of your cities, towns, villages, and even buildings within those settlements are very important for creating a believable and real world in my opinion. Names of places are more than just a placeholder for telling your story – whatever that story may be. They add depth to the world and, if you do it right, names of places tell a story themselves about the place.
Most place names in the real world are called what they are called for a reason. The reason may have been lost to time, but that doesn’t mean the reason never existed!
A prime fictional example of how important a thematic name can be is the YA novel Mortal Engines, in which the place and setting defines the world as well as the stories told within that world. How could you tell a story about nomadic cities that compete with one another without fleshing out the city names, and their stories?
In a nutshell, the TLDR is: thematic names for cities and settlements help you breathe life into your story, setting, and even your plot.
There are a few things to think about that can help you with thematic names. These are, of course, entirely optional but can help you expand the depth of your world.
For instance, it might be easier to creating meaningful thematic names for cities by:
- Creating a unique alphabet or language for your race or people. This will help you tie the names of settlements and cities to the language you create. This makes it feel more genuine as a place name, and not something that’s just made up to sound cool.
- Thinking about the geography of the area. Geography, in the real world, defines where we build cities and settlements. Why would a fictional world be any different? Perhaps your story takes place in a small fishing village called Blackwater. Why is it called that? Does the composition of the riverbed make the water look black, perhaps?
- Think about the geo-political landscape of your world. While thinking about geo-politics might seem boring to some, for a writer it can be a golden melting pot of ideas. Consider a real world example: India. It is very common for Indian cities to have two names, their Native name and English name due to the colonisation of the region by the British Empire (eg. Bangalore and Bengaluru).
- Think about the culture or beliefs of the people. Place names often mirror the culture and beliefs of the people who live there. They can reveal values, religious traditions, or the social structure of a community. For example, a city established by a devout population might carry a name inspired by their gods or sacred writings, while a town founded by traders could have a name that reflects commerce or prosperity. These names quietly preserve insights about the society that created them.
- Incorporating the purpose or function of the settlement. The primary function of a city or village can be a source of its name. A fortress town might have a name that evokes strength and defence, a mining village might be named after a valuable ore found there, and a hub for magical study could have a name related to its unique purpose. This helps ground the settlement in the practical realities of the world.
- Considering the history or major events of the area. Major historical events, like battles, natural disasters, or the founding of a city by a legendary figure, often influence place names. For example, a city might be named after the hero who saved it from a dragon, or the site of a pivotal peace treaty. These names can serve as a constant reminder of the world’s history and add layers of lore.
And these are just a few aspects to consider. When it comes to underwater cities, it would make sense to create a name that nods to this idea. Why is it underwater? Was it by choice? Is it a place the elite in your society live, or the opposite?
Top tip: just remember, don’t get so bogged down in the details it stops you from creating your world and telling your stories!
List of Great Suffixes / Prefixes for Underwater City Names
Before delving into the list itself, I want to talk about some great prefixes and suffixes that can give some context to your settlement names. The right prefix of suffix can change a name entirely, so we should take note of some common ones related to the underwater world that will help us construct new and unique names.
Prefixes for Underwater Settlement Names
Here are some great prefixes to consider:
- Atlan-
- Aqua-
- Aqu-
- Bry-
- Bly-
- Bore-
- Bath-
- Cae-
- Cyan-
- Cyro-
- Corel-
- Coral-
- Coril-
- Ceta-
- Cor-
- Fore-
- Frontier
- Port
- Fin-
Try out some new and unique combinations using these prefixes. You’ll be surprised at what you’ll come up with!
Sufixes for Underwater Settlement Names
Here are some great suffixes to consider:
- Cove
- Deep
- Prime
- Bay
- Port
- Point – also works as an add on to a compound word.
- Colony
- Basin
- Dome
- Station
- Stronghold
- Spire
- Array
- Fort
- Exclave
- Enclave
- Fortress
- Lab
- Facility
- Base
- Nexus
- -clave
- -natica
- -nautica
- -mire
- -ria
- -lon
- -oria
- -hold – this also works as a separate word Hold.
- -tid
- -mar
- -mor
- -polis
Just like with prefixes, do some mixing and some matching and see what creative names you create.
List of Underwater Names for Cities
With some of the theory out the way, its time to move onto the list itself. To keep this list simple to follow and understand, I’ve broken it down into an alphabetical order. Let’s start:
A
- Aquealria
- Aquanitica
- Aqualmire
- Acantharia
- Atlantica – a playful twist on the traditional Atlantis.
- Azurea
- Aqualeon
- Aqueria
- Azulon
- Abyssoria
- Aurelmon
- Aventia
- Aqmora
- Abyssantis
- Abyryssal
- Aquerialor
- Aquoria-7
- Abyralmar
B
- Brinehold
- Benthicyl
- Boreuill Citadel
- Beyintid
- Brym’s Deep
- Bathyr – can use this as a prefix, for things like Bathyr’s Reach, Bathyr’s Deep etc.
- Bathyrmire
- Barradon
- Boressia
- Bathyaldor
- Belyssiantid
- Beyincore
- Brymexus
- Blythalmor
- Borantid
- Byr’tid – don’t shy away from using compound and unique naming structures
- Blyorndyne
- Boreforge
- Blackwater
- Borintia
- Borepoint Base
C
- Cetacyron
- Cryonis
- Citadellia
- Coralillian
- Chralyth
- Cirulia
- Coralantid
- Cetalantid
- Cymalor
- Coastport
- Caemare
- Caemire
- Cirvanmare
- Coropolis
- Corallon
- Corimora
- Cenodyme
- Celenth
- Cognimar
- Corelieth Prime – prime is a great suffix for sci fi settlements.
- Corthoria
- Ceta-5
- Ceta Hold
D
- Dyssoncore
- Dravemare
- Drantid
- Delpaura
- Deep-dome 52 – can substitute with any number for a technical style sci-fi underwater facility.
- Dynalthia
- Domarathal
- Drisyssia
- Delton-4 – as above, can be a technical style name.
- Donlyth
- Daemare
- Drudgetown
- Dravopolis
- Dymerissal
- Dawnmire
- Dracalmire
- Draemora
- Deephold
E
- Evaltid – other suffixes could work like Evaltown, Evalopolis. Depending on the tone and feel.
- Emermire
- Emeralis
- Eldryth
- Echormar-5
- Eastrift
- Eastwall
- Elaris Point
- Enarial
- Estuarallis
- Endeavour Deep – a great name for a sci fi station / scientific city name.
- Eastdeep
- Emeraltid
- Eastmire
- Eldryine
- Eldrith
- Estualrith
- Eonrift
- Enarapolis
- Enarya
- Echolport
- Epiallis
- Epipel Point
F
- Foreshale
- Fynthmire
- Finara-5 – like the other names with numbers in them, you can easily change this to any number.
- Formidome
- Firmaport
- Firmalmire
- Fyntheris
- Finolpolis
- Frosirm
- Fincal Point
- Fleetpoint Deep
- Finhaven
- Finitid
- Frontier Point
- Feilmire
- Farallion
- Faetid
- Fieldcrest Station
- Finkal Base
G
- Gaelmire
- Glissiria
- Girlynth
- Gulfport Base
- Grendel Station
- Galathmar
- Gorathra
- Glassridge Hold
- Giryldill
- Glenhaven
- Genaris Colony
- Glythorn
- Gravemire
- Glisara Citadel
- Gulfspan Point
- Ginnodrae
- Gravelport
- Grayrock Stronghold
- Glynautica
- Gaer’mar – again, don’t shy away from distinct names.
- Gatemire
H
- Hadal Point
- Halloryn Citadel
- Halcryia
- Habourmount Colony
- Haelmor
- Hydropolis
- Hullridge Station
- Hytherall
- Heliopol
- Hadalcore Fort
- Halcyron Array
- Holyssal
- Harbourview
- Hytheria
- Hydroline Station
- Hullpoint
- Hettalia
- Hadopolis
- Hardryn
- Hord
- Hydroclave
- Hadal Cove
- Hympolis
- Helmeryn
- Hadalview
- Habourcrest
- Hadalspire
- Highwater
- Hadal Reach
- Hydroanutica
I
- Ionaris
- Isodyne Station
- Isymira
- Iathralon
- Islepoint
- Isleview
- Ishmire
- Iriniport
- Immerlis
- Iveron
- Icecove-4 – like other numbered names, the number can easily be substituted.
- Intronis
- Inthosia
- Intshelf Colony
- Iceridge Point
- Incolopolis
- Ismaroth
- Ismaeria Citadel
- Isolmire
- Iridion Deep
- Ionspire
- Iltmoria
- Irrival
- Intmaris
- Island Cove
- Innova Base
- Ilarieth
- Ironshore Port
- Inaris
- Inarcrest Point
- Innirpol
- Int’aria – again, don’t shy away from distinct names.
J
- Junction Deep
- J-Core Station
- Jaelmire
- Junaria
- Jyndarra
- Jadewater Base
- Jetty Point Colony
- Juniper Exclave
- Jelmaria
- Jovarin Citadel
- Jundralor
- Junctaria
- Jasperline Port
- Jaddreon
- Juxalpolis
- Javenarin
- Jindraeth
- Jameson’s Point
- Jackson Ridge
- Jyn Harbour
- Janautica
- Jyralon
- Jolarin
- Jetforge Dome
- Jovaria
- Jasperon
- Jadewell Colony
K
- Kaeltharia
- Kelp Ridge Point
- Keystone Base
- Kuropolis
- Kymbaria Citadel
- Katapolis
- Kyron-5 – just like the other names with numbering, ideal for Sci Fi, and can be easily switched out for something else.
- Kundmire
- Krakalia
- Kittiwake Station
- Kodiak Habitat Zone
- Kelmyrian
- Korvormir
- Keon Deepworks
- Kingsport
- Kai Ridge Colony
- Kaldreath
- Kinermire
- Kondormaer
- Krytos Deepbase
- Karshylor
- Kumenjiin Core
- Kingsfjord Hold
- Kasai Hub
- Kharhaven
- Korvindrall
- Kaerlorth
L
- Lumaris
- Levirtid Citadel
- Lycronis Lab
- Lunaris Tech Hub
- Lorthirian
- Lythalor
- Lagoon Deepworks
- Lowtide Port
- Loxaria
- Lovarimire
- Lamoryth
- Langris Dome
- Lydandria
- Lynshardra
- Lomond Cove Facility
- Lothopolis
- Luncerden
- Londantis – a nice play between London and Atlantis.
- Limantia
- Longwave Port
- Lyral Point
- Lazanmire
- Liantar
- Linden Trench Facility
- Lysharia
- Lumi Prime
- Lycolsphere
M
- Mesopolis
- Myralith
- Myrandor
- Magarian Deep Facility
- Mythonis
- Mirinox
- Mornyss
- Mesolithis
- Mesonyiss
- Miralmire
- Midway Shelf Station
- Mosspoint
- Molokai Base
- Mariner’s Deep
- Montara Dome
- Molsandria
- Myrn
- Marinopolis
- Merigold Trench Base
- Mesomire
- Megathis Prime
- Morahtial
- Mournilia
- Muralis
- Mesotaria
- Myrntar
N
- Nautopolis
- Niravalis
- Nerolithia
- Nyntheris
- Nautilion Hold
- Naelthor
- Northstar Habitat
- Nexoria
- Nexalcore Station
- Nidaria
- Nova Zone Base
- Nyssiria
- Nyralcore
- Nanodyne Colony
- Naxarla
- Nansen Deepworks
- Norland Ridge Facility
- Normylia
- Niralthrae
- Novaspire
- Nebryss Citadel
- Nauvalith
- Nymbrithal
- Neptopolis
- New Pacifica
- Nyrmil
- Nerathune
- Navalcrone Base
O
- Osirriar
- Orbalis Dome
- Ommire
- Omesopolis
- Oceanopolis
- Orion Deepworks
- Okhotsk Hub
- Ordryssia
- Ontharia
- Orralythos
- Oceantia
- Oceeria
- Oraclyne Station
- Omexiar Deep
- Oahu Reef Facility
- Ovmirith
- Olyntar
- Opitivia
- Oxiria Citadel
- Ontarimire
- Onaeria
- Oblivia Exclave
- Ossirintia
- Orcentia
- Odyssey Trench Base
- Oscythia
- Orridia
- Orbynthos
- Ostralia
- Omminia
- Ommitar
- Omega Shelf Habitat
P
- Polaria
- Polopolis
- Pelorianth
- Parallax Point Station
- Pheralia
- Patagonia Shelf Base
- Pryorria
- Pyorvin
- Pacifica Dome Facility
- Pacifillia
- Poseiyddia
- Poseidon Deepworks
- Protalia
- Phor’antyll – remember, compound names are a good way to add lore to the world!
- Pyirvil
- Port Antaria – not going to list a dozen ‘port’ variations, but pretty much any name so far can be modified with ‘port’.
- Patumire
- Pelthrith
- Pulsaria Facility
- Pelthryssia
- Phorontia
- Phorvyn
- Plurria Habitat
- Pioneer Hold
- Pythorr
- Pelyvoril Citadel
- Polantia
- Poseida
- Poesdyia
- Polarthill
- Patanthyia
- Paurvyyn
Q
- Qorathis
- Qorathia
- Qeropolis
- Quen’Zhoria
- Quelmire
- Quondallia
- Quaypoint Hub
- Quiropolis
- Quadrania
- Quasar Deepworks
- Qenexia
- Q-Reach Colony
- Quantaria
- Qorillia
- Quantalith
- Qismiria
- Quon’aria
- Quintal Station
- Q-Node Habitat
- Quaria
- Quantopolis
- Quantia Citadel
- Oalanthia
- Quindralia
- Quantlar Base
- Quentillae Ridge Station
- Quarthal
- Quethiria
- Qira
- Quassyal
- Quellia Point
- Quantari Dome
- Qilandril
- Q-Spire Deep
R
- Rovek Hub
- Rimareth
- Rasallia
- Ridgepoint Station
- Ryssalyn
- Rheandria
- Rathmore Point
- Reefpoint Habitat
- Rindamar
- Ryxalon Deepworks
- Rilania
- Ravia-9 – can easily replace with any other number.
- Rookwell Lab
- R-Point Facility
- Raquellia
- R’Khazia
- Ryker Deepport
- Rundalith
- Rind Enclave
- Reclaimia
- Rulvine Spire
- Rylostria
S
- Syntharia
- Selenopolis
- Sirenia
- Submeris
- Suberopolis
- Seyran Citadel
- Seabrook Deepport
- Sargon
- Silpheilith
- Salordorna
- Sellanar
- Sarvannia Hub
- Subnautica-5 Facility; this works with any numbering system.
- Seacrest Point
- Selenis
- Salhoria
- Stygrix Dome
- Shimmer Deepworks
- Siren’s Reach
- Sirenopolis
- Scryalia
- Solunaria
- Sah’kratha
- Submirria
- Saltmarsh Depths
- Shallowpoint Habitat
- Sivorria
- Subterria
- Sollenexis
- Serenathrial
- Suntide Colony
- Sarridia
- Sarripolis
- Submirrin Exclave
T
- Tidalon
- Thalassia
- Tessopolis
- Thalyssal Habitat
- Tolaris Citadel
- Tyrision
- Thalassa
- Triton Deepworks
- Trenchport
- Tamarilon
- Tethyrillia
- Tachyon Hold
- Truildiir
- Talantia
- Tur’ankeh
- Tenthia Ridgestation
- Terraquia
- Toilmire
- Taerial
- Temradion Point
- Tropolis
- Tridannia
- Tridendia
- Trident Forge Deepbase
- Tremora
- Tridehelm Deep
- Tlanlir Reach
- Terryssal
- Trectoria
- Tidalridge Point
- Tormare
- Thalia Colony
- Tuir’linn
- Tritonia Base
U
- Undaria
- Ultranis
- Uridion
- Uraldome
- Ulyssal Colony
- Ulantis
- Ulvarynnia
- Umbrae Deepworks
- Ustalion
- Ulmarine Habitat
- Urbimar Base
- Umbrathal
- Ur’kanth
- Ustralia Deepframe
- Undopolis
- Uxiom Core
- Uil’drassa
- Underidge Point
- Unduriel
- Ulvenreach
- Urellex Spire
- Unavellon
- Umberyssia
- Udraeth’atia
- Ulmire Station
- Usceria Citadel
- Utorvia
- Ulskireith
- Umarian-ollara – don’t be afraid to create compound names using a hyphon.
- Ulcari Exclave
- Undal Biosphere
- Urpravia
V
- Virrala Deepworks
- Velia Habitat
- Virconis-6 – can use any numbered suffix
- Valarquar
- Vytherion
- Vorl Citadel
- Vaelopolis
- Vronis Prime
- Ventaria’s Reach
- Veridian Base
- Vellhar
- Valharian
- Viremont Point
- Virexia
- Vossar Exclave
- Vandoria
- Vorthalis
- Vyrinthia
- Vylan Station
- Vornex Fortress
- Vandria Nexus
- Vaeloria
- Vaelhaven Deep
- Vandura-X – can use any combination of roman numerals here.
- Verris Habitat
- Vireline Colony
- Vatemar
- Vorenthmir
- V’yalden – don’t be afraid to expirement with punctuation.
- V’ymar
- V’orthian
W
- Wateria Point
- Windmire Habitat
- Waverly Deepworks
- Wovartis-4 – again, can use any number here as a suffix
- Wathariel
- Wyn’daria
- Wavenveil
- Winorril
- Wexal Deepgrid
- Westarl Cove
- Weldendale Colony
- Wavemont Citadel
- Waveropolis
- Wynvara Hub
- Wanthareil
- W’yrathian – much like other letters, experiment with punctuation
- Wavemere Trench
- Waxaron-4
- Wolvaris Array
- Warlathia
- Wyn’tareith
- Woxmere
- Watalspire
- Wirran Habitat
- Wirdrix Core
- Winarran
- Worso
- Wynclyde
- Walgow Base
X
- Xaria
- Xenolopolis
- Xont Colony
- Xelmar
- Xavellia
- Xenton Deepbay
- Xurian Citadel
- Xarealeith
- Xalthial
- Xindurial
- Xanthax Nexus
- Xyinthor
- Xinthillia
- Xylenor
- Xerrin Exclave
- Xylar-5
- Xelmire
- Xanvror
- X’antia
- X’lanthill
- Xiradill
- X’undar
- Xora Habitat
- Xirrmera Cove
- Xelvia Ridgepoint
Y
- Yorridia
- Yascar Platform
- Yuveria Base
- Yovilith
- Yirrixia
- Yilrae Temple
- Yevathrin
- Ysannia
- Yarden Colony
- Yevin Bay
- Yandrossia
- Yenholm Deepworks
- Yuvra Trenchport
- Yorvix Corebase
- Yoventra-3
- Yenarra Rdige Station
- Yarrow Deep Point
- Yirallis Station
- Yeselmar
- Yindraxia
- Yorvorthen
- Yarsellia
- Yothriel
- Yothrael
- Yarlock Enclave
- Yervendror
- Y’yissia
- Yir’indria
- Yor’vaxis
Z
- Zarvyn Citadel
- Zelmar Station
- Zavaria
- Z’yendel
- Zarthalia
- Zen’irria
- Zarthiel
- Zythor
- Zylar Ridgepoint
- Zypheon Deepbase
- Zendraxis Basin
- Zerrinmora
- Zormire
- Zorverth Bay
- Zarvel Habitat
- Zerivvia Deepport
- Zinthideil
- Zarhill Enclave
- Zinkirk
- Zersollia
- Zy’vox
- Zeraxdon Fortress
- Zyarphia
- Zarrin Spire
- Zyinthill
- Zal’drunn
FAQs About Underwater City Names
How do I come up with a good underwater city name?
To create a memorable underwater city name, blend imagination with real-world inspiration. Study prefixes and suffixes from coastal cities — like -port, -mar, or -cove — and combine them with flowing, unusual sounds for a sense of mystery. Geography, mythology, and ocean imagery are also rich sources: names inspired by ancient languages or maritime terms.
Consider the city’s story and tone: soft, melodic names suggest beauty and serenity, while harsher consonants hint at decay or danger. By mixing real-world patterns, symbolic meaning, and story-driven creativity, you can craft underwater city names that feel authentic, immersive, and unforgettable.
Should my underwater city name be realistic or fantastical?
A lot of people will question the validity of their city name by how “realistic” it is. When it comes to naming a settlement, the most important thing is that the name makes sense in the wider context of the story and genre. For instance, a name like Wivelspire wouldn’t make sense in a contemporary fiction novel about people searching for submerged townships in the 21st century. The name should be realistic to your story and your world buidling.
How do cities become submerged by water?
A key thing to consider when naming your city is if it was submerged by nature, or by humans. Was this settlement built underwater, or has it been reclaimed by humans after being submerged by nature? If you choose nature as your reason why your city is underwater, then it needs to make sense within the world you build. Landslides, global warming, and floods are real-world examples of how a city or settlement might end up under the waves. Wizards casting spells, or aliens building bases are fun, creative ways to consider. The most crucial aspect to keep in mind is your genre and story. Does it makes sense in your plot and world?
What meanings do certain underwater cities hold in mythology?
In mythology, the names of underwater cities often carry echoes of loss, rebirth, and divine mystery. These names are more than simple labels — they’re linguistic relics that mirror how ancient cultures imagined the sea: as both a cradle of life and a tomb for forgotten worlds.
Take Atlantis, the most famous of them all — its name, derived from Atlas, means “island of Atlas” or “the daughter of the Titan who held up the sky.” That connection to the heavens gives Atlantis a dual symbolism: a civilization that reached for the divine and drowned under its own ambition.
In Welsh myth, Cantre’r Gwaelod means “The Low Hundred,” a fertile plain lost to the waters of Cardigan Bay. Its name preserves the memory of an entire landscape that once thrived, turning a catastrophe into a living legend.
Many underwater city names share this linguistic duality — a blend of beauty and tragedy. They often evoke the fragility of human creation against the vastness of nature. Whether it’s the echo of divine punishment, the murmur of lost knowledge, or the sea’s quiet reclamation of what was once ours, these names remind us that every city beneath the waves carries a story — and a warning.
What do underwater cities symbolize in storytelling?
In storytelling, underwater cities symbolize memory, loss, and the unreachable depths of human longing. They exist at the edge between the known and the forgotten — reminders that what we build, no matter how grand, can be swallowed by time and nature.
To many writers and mythmakers, the ocean represents the subconscious — a realm of secrets, dreams, and buried truths. So when a city sinks beneath it, it becomes a metaphor for the hidden layers of civilization and the human psyche. An underwater city is not just lost; it’s remembered imperfectly, shimmering beneath the surface like a half-forgotten story.
Ultimately, underwater cities in storytelling remind us of a paradox: that beauty and tragedy often share the same depth. They invite us to imagine what remains beneath the waves — not just of the ocean, but of our own histories, dreams, and forgotten selves.
How do underwater city names shape the tone of a fantasy world?
Underwater city names do more than mark a place on a map — they set the emotional current of the entire world around them. The right name can make a reader feel awe, melancholy, or unease before they’ve even glimpsed a single coral tower or ruined dome.
In worldbuilding, an underwater city’s name becomes its first story. It tells readers how the people of your world see the sea: as sanctuary, as tomb, or as something in between. Whether it’s a city born of bioluminescent wonder or one lost to the dark centuries ago, its name ripples outward — shaping mood, history, and the imagination that surrounds it.
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