Your pet fish might not be cuddly like your cat or playful like your dog, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a splash in your household, especially when they’ve got a great, stand-out name to set them apart. Of course, choosing the perfect names for pet fish is no easy feat, especially if you’ve got more than one fishy friend to christen. Naming even a singular pet can be a tricky (if rewarding) task, but what happens when you have a full aquarium of fish in need of new names?
Luckily, you need not rack your brain any longer. From clever fish names and funny fish names to cute fish names and unique fish names, we’ve got more than enough to spare. These maritime monikers make for good fish names for just about any breed of aquarium fish you can imagine, from guppies to goldfish, bettas to tetras, clownfish to angelfish, and far beyond!
Funny Fish Names
Who doesn’t love a funny pet name? Fish are inherently amusing critters, and punny, funny fish names aren’t hard to come by—try a few of these on for size.
- Swim Shady
- Platie-pus
- Saul Bass
- Wavy Gravy
- Danny Ocean
- Gill-bert Godfried
- Gilligan
- Aquafina
- Guppy Love
- Squirt
- Koi-lie Jenner
- Finderella
- Mackerelmore
- Big Gulp
- Swimberly
- Fin-stagram
- Fishbert
- Carpe Diem
- Billy Ocean
- Swim-di Lauper
- Shelly Duvall
- Tuna Turner
- Fugu
- Fin-neas
- Bubble Watson
- Angela Bass-ett
- Chip Shop
- Codzilla
- Smoochie
- Splash
- “Fin” Wolfhard
- Sharknado
- Flipper
Cute Names for Pet Fish
In the mood for some cute fish names? From the way that they gracefully glide through the water to their multi-colored, shimmering scales, pet fish have a magical, mesmerizing charm that’s undeniably adorable, making them well-suited for cute and charismatic names like these:
- Orinoco
- Playa
- Jonah
- Jules
- Skips
- Laguna
- Bubble Jr
- Heremoana
- Jacques
- Ahab
- Pontus
- Bali
- Del Mar
- Aquamarine
- Nanami
- River
- Caspian
- Ludwig
- Zephyr
- Calypso
- Breezy
- Flora
- Lake
- Pacifico
- Mariana
- Wiggle
- Moana
- Courage
- Waverly
- Nerissa
- Submarine
- Navy
- Dylan
- Bloop
Related: 10 Best Fish for Beginners Who Aren’t Sure Where to Start
Classic Goldfish Names
Goldfish are perhaps the quintessential pet fish: they’re colorful, relatively easy to care for (when given proper living conditions), and in Chinese and Japanese culture, they’re considered symbolic of prosperity and good luck. If you’re the lucky parent of a pet goldfish, then consider these awesome (and auspicious) goldfish names!
- Koi
- Ginger
- Pax
- Glitter
- Sona
- Sparkle
- Kingsley
- Fortuna
- Kiyoshi
- Aurelio
- Persimmon
- Bling
- Flash
- Summer
- Megumi
- Sunny
- Goldie
- Hikaru
- Dazzle
- Shimmer
- Rico
- Copper
- Golidlocks
- Marvel
- Prospero
- Clementine
- Junior
- Feliciano
- Ming
- Yukio
- Ruixiang
- Dancer
- Lucky
- Chauncey
- Belinda
- Queenie
Names for Betta Fish
Hailing from the marshes and rice paddies of Southeast Asia, betta fish are primarily known for two things: their gorgeous, rainbow-colored bodies and their pugnacious nature. Betta fish can be successfully housed alongside certain other pet fish species, and female bettas can even live together in groups (provided they’re given enough space). Putting two male betta fish in the same tank, however, is a recipe for disaster. Bettas aren’t called fighting fish for nothing!
Betta fish straddle the line between beautiful and belligerent, which is why so many aquarium enthusiasts are so fascinated by them. Each one of the names we chose for this list is fit for a warrior, making them perfect for your brilliant betta!
- Saladin
- Tomoe
- Hannibal
- Klahan
- Samnang
- Mulan
- Attila
- Nike
- Fighter
- Boudica
- Ares
- Akira
- Alonso
- Ashoka
- Chatri
- Warrior
- Leonidas
- Koa
- Praew
- Vixen
- Valentine
- Kratos
- Bruiser
- Genghis Khan
- Zhihao
- Rambo
- Bellatrix
- Tamatoa
- Gabriel
- Valkyrie
- Morrigan
- Achara
- Artemis
- Miyamoto
Adorable Guppy Names
Guppies are also known as “rainbow fish” due to their vibrant, colorful scales and fabulous, fan-like tail fins. Guppies come in a diverse array of colors and patterns, and no two guppies are alike. Factor in their hardiness and their easygoing nature, and you can see why guppies are so beloved by fish owners. These guppy names are cute, sweet, and timeless, just like the timeless beauty that these iconic aquarium fish possess.
- Maxy
- Colin
- Moby
- Dawn
- Geppetto
- April
- Molly
- Candace
- Francis
- Kevin
- Didi
- Felix
- Bart
- Loopy
- Gracie
- Fiona
- Kiki
- Melvin
- Hannah
- Davie
- Maggie
- Sammy
- Wally
- Ty
- Ditzy
- Daniel
- Wiggles
- Giula
- Archie
- Felicia
- Harold
- Popple
- Buddy
- Albert
Related: 8 Fish to Avoid in Beginner Aquariums: Difficult Species
Pop Culture-Inspired Fish Names
From the beloved Pixar trio of Nemo, Marlin, and Dory to quippy sitcom sidekicks like American Dad‘s Klaus Heisler, the pop culture world is full of colorful fish characters. These savvy pop culture-inspired fish names are ripped from the pages of classic literature, beloved video games, and both the silver and small screens.
- Swimmy
- Shellsea
- Wanda
- Ponyo
- Fish Out of Water
- Klaus
- Inspector Gill
- Gurgle
- Angie
- Roysten
- James Pond
- Flounder
- Cheep-Cheep
- Marlin
- Kenny the Shark
- Cthulhu
- Lola
- Nemo
- Mr. Limpet
- Dory
- Blinky
- Gail
- Gummy Fish
- Freddi Fish
- Dorothy
- Jabberjaw
- Oscar
- Cleo
- Vice President Blowfish
- Magikarp
- Bubble Bass
- Muddy Mudskipper
- Mrs. Puff
- Rainbow Fish
- Darwin
Myth and Mythology-Inspired Fish Names
The vast ocean and the water-breathing denizens that dwell within have always captivated the human consciousness and influenced our mythologies. If you’re looking for good fish names with a touch of magic to them, consider some of these names that reference powerful ocean and fish deities, legendary sea monsters, and popular aquatic cryptids from all over the world.
- Scylla
- Ebisu
- Kraken
- Nessie
- Davy Jones
- Leviathan
- Hydra
- Kulullu
- Ogopogo
- Siyokoy
- Triton
- Amabie
- Ryuujin
- Neptune
- Cetus
- Gillman
- Charbydis
- Isonade
- Thalassa
- Jormungandr
- Aruna
- The Salmon of Knowledge (or “An Bradán Feasa” in the original Irish)
- Susanoo
- Samebito
- Nereus
- Tiamat
- Dagon
- Poseidon
Food-Inspired Fish Names
Chances are, the colorful pet fish that inhabit your aquarium aren’t the same fish topping the nigiri at your favorite sushi joint. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for some food-inspired fish names that are funny, mouthwatering, and perhaps more than a bit irreverent, we’ve whipped a few of them up for you.
- Branzino
- Gefilte
- Ceviche
- Frutti di Mare
- Swedish Fish
- Mango
- Paella
- Gravlax
- Cheerio
- Fish ‘n’ Chips
- Taiyaki
- Sashimi
- Coconut
- Tuna Melt
- Honey
- Peaches
- Poke
- Calamansi
- Sofrito
- Sardine
- Bouillabaisse
- Caviar
- Nori
- Edamame
- Chamoy
- Skittles
- Narutomaki (Naruto for short!)
- Pickles
- Jambalaya
- Sushi
- Casserole
- Gumbo
- Caramel
- Sweet Pea
Names for Pairs or Groups of Fish
Got an entire school of fish to name? Instead of trying to come up with names for each fish individually, why not consider naming them in pairs or even bigger groups? Save yourself time and stress on your naming journey and have a little fun by choosing classic name combos such as:
- Kirk, Spock, and Bones
- Han and Chewy
- Sonny and Cher
- Statler and Waldorf
- Batman and Robin
- Mickey and Minnie
- Alien and Predator
- Milo and Otis
- Groucho, Harpo, Chico
- Mac, Dee, Charlie, Frank, and Dennis
- Finn and Jake
- Fish and Chips
- Hall and Oates
- Mary-Kate and Ashley
- Luke and Leia
- Edward, Jacob, Bella
- Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup
- Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice
- Woody and Buzz
- Nandor, Colin, Nadja, Guillermo, Lazlo
- Trixe and Katya
- Romeo and Juliet
- Huey, Dewie, Louie
- Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
- John, Paul, George, Ringo
- Peanut Butter and Jelly
- Michael, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon Jackson
- Athos, Porthos, Aramis
- Abbie and Ilana
- Homer and Marge
- Bert and Ernie
- Jack and Diane
- Mario and Luigi
- Thelma and Louise
- Flotsam and Jetsam
- Penn and Teller
- Cheech and Chong
- Snap, Crackle, Pop
- Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy
- Moe, Larry, Curly
- Brad and Janet
- Phineas and Ferb
- Rick and Morty
- Paris and Nicole
- Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy
- Bill and Ted
Tips for Naming Tiny or Tropical Fish
Fish are unlike any other pet, which gives fish owners and aquarium enthusiasts lots of creative leeway when it comes to naming them. Obviously, there’s no right or wrong way to name your pet fish, but if you’re still looking for advice, here are a few tips to consider:
- Seriously, Consider Naming Them In Groups: Unlike with mammals, birds, or other pets that you might have to train, you don’t necessarily have to remember the names of each individual fish if you have a whole lot of them (especially if it’s difficult to tell them apart visually). Naming fish as a group is fun and easier to remember, and if you accidentally mix up the names of a couple of fish in said group, it’s no biggie.
- Use All The Colors Of The Rainbow: Tropical fish are popular because they’re vibrant and colorful, so why not let that influence you? Consider choosing names that reference your fish’s primary color or patterns. Not only can you find some genuinely beautiful and unique names this way, but it might make it a bit easier to pick your fish out of the crowd if you can tie their name to their looks.
- Sound It Out First: You might not need to use your fish’s name out loud all of the time, but hearing it spoken out loud can help you determine if it’s the right fit or not. A fish’s name can sound great on paper, but for it to really pass muster, it has to sound “right” when you say it aloud, too!
Up Next:
Related: Fish-Buying Tips: How to Choose Healthy Aquarium Fish