Each mermaid comes from a different sea or ocean around the world. It's mermaid tradition to be given two names: one in the mermaid language and one in a human language. The human name usually comes from the local people who live near where the mermaid normally swims. The names below are their human names, as mermaid is hard to spell.
Indadi lives in the Southern Ocean near South Africa and cruises with the penguins and coelacanths. Her name means “swimmer” in Xhosi.
Tepkunset lives in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and North Atlantic Ocean near Canada and spends time with the local beluga whales and narwhals. Her name means “moon” in Mi'kmaq.
Anemone lives in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece and spends her time playing with the Mediterranean monk seals and parrotfish. Her name means “daughter of the wind” in Greek.
Pacifica lives in the Inland Sea and North Pacific Ocean near the U.S./Canada border and is friends with puffins and orcas. Her name means “peaceful” in Spanish.
Meri lives in the Baltic Sea near Finland and has races with the Harbour porpoises. Her name means “sea” in Finnish.
Umi lives in the North Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian islands and likes hanging out with the trigger fish and green sea turtles. Her name means “ten” in Hawaiian (she comes from a large family).
Callastra lives in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Italy and races bluefin tuna and swordfish. Her name means “graceful” in Latin.
Xok'okaj lives in the Caribbean Sea near Belize and plays with manatees and eagle rays. Her name means “rainbow” in K'iche.
Serena lives in the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic Sea near France and often travels with the pilot whales and Cuvier's beaked whales. Her name means “serene/peaceful” in French.
Bárru lives in the Norwegian Sea near Norway and is friends with humpback and Minke whales. Her name means “wave” in Northern Sami.
Tere lives in the Tasman Sea near New Zealand and loves to float around with the Southern right whales and leafy sea dragons. Her name means “swift” in Maori.
Marjan lives in the Arabian Gulf near Iran and spends time with the guitar fish and whale sharks. Her name means “coral” in Persian.
Kirakira lives in the Sea of Japan and swims with the firefly squid at night. Her name means “glittering/shining” in Japanese.
Haina lives in the Baltic Sea near Poland and is friends with the grey seals. Her name means “ruler of the home” in Polish.
Niryana lives in the Bay of Bengal near India and likes gliding with the manta rays and sea snakes. Her name means “ending of this life” in Sanskrit.
The mermaids are all based on real local peoples and cultures, but not specific individuals. Mermaids live all over the world, and vary in looks and shape just like humans. Bardic Armadillo encourages you to go learn more about the peoples, their history, culture, language, and traditions that the mermaids are based on. Be aware that there were some artistic choices made, such as not giving tattoos to Tere or Umi, to avoid closed cultural practices. All cultural depictions are intended to be respectful, and share the best of these cultures and people.