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- Popular Names for Pet Fish
- Funny Fish Names
- Cute Fish Names
- Betta Fish Names
- Goldfish Names
- Fish Names Based on Color
- Male Fish Names
- Female Fish Names
- Famous Fish Names
- Clownfish Names
What’s in a name? When it comes to pet fish, plenty! Whether you want to show off your new friend’s personality, good looks, or sense of humor, a great name can make your finned friend stand out in a sea of competition. From fierce to funny, cute to colorful, these fish names are sure to make a splash.
Key Takeaways
- Creative fish names include Bubbles, Goldie, and Nemo.
- Fish names often reflect color, species, or tank theme.
- Funny or pun-based names are very popular among owners.
- Naming helps identify individual fish in multi-species tanks.
- Short and playful names make fish-keeping more enjoyable.
Popular Names for Pet Fish
These are Chewy customers’ top picks for fish names in 2025.
- Fishy
- Blue
- Goldie
- Bubbles
- Nemo
- Oscar
- Sushi
- Fred
- Bob
- Red
Find more fish name inspo below:
Funny Fish Names
Your fish already brings a smile to your face every time you see them, but if you want to add a chuckle, consider these clever options and fish pun names.
| Barnacle Boy | A name that will make everyone smile from gill to gill, courtesy of “SpongeBob SquarePants.” |
| Betta Midler | In honor of the actress and singer, of course! To change things up, you can also use Bette’s alias, The Divine Miss M. |
| Blinky | In “The Simpsons,” Blinky is a species of three-eyed fish native to the radiated waters of Springfield. |
| Bubba | Normal for a Bulldog; hilarious for a fish. |
| Danny Ocean | In “Ocean’s Eleven,” George Clooney plays Danny, a smooth-talking con artist with a fin-tastic name for a fish. |
| Fido | Who’s a good … fish? Get ready to giggle every time you call your fish Fido. |
| Finnegan | With “fin” built in, this jaunty Irish name has aquatic appeal. |
| Fishmas | Perfect for the pet who arrives on Christmas Day! |
| Fishtina | An adorable ode to Christina. |
| Fishtopher | A fishy take on the name Christopher, this fish could be Fishtina’s equally adorable brother. |
| Fluffy | For the pet who is decidedly not fluffy. |
| Gillbert | When you add an extra “l” to Gilbert, it becomes a perfectly punny fish name. |
| Gilligan | A clever reference to both gills and “Gilligan’s Island.” |
| Happy Gillmore | The classic Adam Sandler movie is about a golfer, but with a small spelling change, it could be a great fishie flick. |
| Mackerelmore | Considering his fun “Thrift Shop,” lyrics, we think the rapper Macklemore would appreciate this fishy pun. |
| Salmon and Gillfunkel | If you have a pair of pets, look no further than iconic folk rock duo Simon and Garfunkel for inspiration. |
| Sashimi | We’re kidding, fish friends—we know you’d never seriously think of your pet as a delicious Japanese dish. |
| Sharknado | After the so-bad-it’s-good TV movie series, it’s the perfect name for the fish who lives every week like it’s Shark Week. |
| Spike | This classic dog name feels fresh and funny for fish. |
| Spot | For a spotted fish, this popular dog name will earn a chuckle. |
| Sushi | Your fish isn’t food, of course! It’s only funny because it’s absurd. (We blame the cat for this suggestion.) |
| Swim Shady | His name is what? His name is who? His name is SWIM SHADY. |
| Wanda | In honor of the cult-classic comedy “A Fish Called Wanda.” |
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Cute Fish Names
Your fish is 100% adorable, and they need a name to match. Find the perfect pick in this list of cute fish names.
| Babe | Whether a pig or a pufferfish, Babe is an endearing name for pets of all shapes and sizes. |
| Bubbles | A bubbly name for any pet. |
| Flipper | Inspired by the dolphin in the 1960s TV series, this name is so flippin’ cute! |
| Guppy | A sweet little name for a sweet pet, Guppy is perfect for small aquarium fish. |
| Minnow | A catch-all name for a variety of tiny fish. |
| Nixie | A whimsical name borrowed from the mythological water fairies. |
| Otter | As the ocean’s resident cuties, otters are always a good bet. |
| Pearl | Short and sweet with a seaside spirit, Pearl is perfect. |
| Pebbles | A cute little name for a cute little pet. |
| Pixie | No need to sprinkle fairy dust on this name—it’s magical already! |
| Pond | As far as bodies of water go, ponds are clearly the cutest. |
| Pucker | Because everyone loves a kissy fishy face. |
| Puppy | When your fish wags their tail, this name gets even cuter. |
| Pudge | As “Lilo & Stitch” fans know, Pudge is a well-fed tropical fish with an appetite for peanut-butter sandwiches. |
| Sandy | A beachy name with timeless charm. |
| Shrimp | An appropriately aquatic name for a tiny fish. |
| Skipper | A sea-faring name with an even cuter nickname—Skippy! |
| Splash | A playful name that’s sure to make a splish-splash. |
| Sprinkles | If you fish has spots, this one is spot-on. |
| Squirt | A pint-size name perfectly suited for tiny fish. |
| Sugar | It doesn’t get any sweeter than sugar. |
| Sunny | A bright-eyed name for yellow or orange fish. |
| Swedish | For a sweet and silly name, consider Swedish Fish. |
| Waverly | The traditional English name is a cute wink to the waves. |
Betta Fish Names
Also known as Siamese fighting fish, betta fish are notoriously territorial and can be aggressive—but with their colorful, flowing fins, these tropical fish are also elegant and beautiful. Consider these picks for betta fish names.
| Adira | A Hebrew name meaning “strong and powerful”—might be fitting for your fiery friend. |
| Agnar | An intimidating Old Norse name meaning “warrior with a sharp sword.” |
| Apsara | Betta fish are native to Southeast Asia and are the national aquatic animal of Thailand. For a Thai name, consider Apsara, meaning “heavenly nymph.” |
| Audrey | An English name meaning “noble strength,” Audrey also comes with a beautiful, betta-worthy pedigree thanks to actress and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. |
| Baldo | As silly as it sounds, Baldo is an Italian name meaning “brave.” |
| Betty | Betty Betta? Now that’s just plain adorable. |
| Blackbeard | The fearsome pirate is a fitting choice for your little matey. |
| Blair | A unisex Scottish name meaning “battlefield.” |
| Bridget | This Irish name means “power and strength.” |
| Brienne | On “Game of Thrones,” Brienne was a formidable female knight. |
| Chinda | A Thai girl’s name meaning “precious stone.” |
| Chirawan | Another fitting Thai choice, Chirawan means “eternal beauty.” |
| Everett | This Old English name means “brave, strong boar,” but we think it works just as well for a brave, strong fish. |
| Finley | Meaning “blonde warrior,” this Scottish option has “fin” right there in the name. |
| Griffin | A Latin name meaning “strong lord,” Griffin can also refer to a mythological half-eagle/half-lion creature that didn’t lose many fights. |
| Harvey | A Scottish name meaning “battle worthy.” |
| Humphrey | Meaning “peaceful warrior,” Humphrey has a mellow side. |
| Iridiana | A Greek girl’s name meaning “rainbow,” Iridiana is a colorful choice for vibrant betta fish. |
| Iris | In Greek mythology, Iris is the goddess of the rainbow. |
| Isolde | A German girl’s name meaning “ice battle.” |
| Joan | A nod to French warrior Joan of Arc. |
| Kelpie | As shapeshifting, man-eating aquatic spirits, Kelpies tend to be more feared than the average pet fish. |
| Koa | This Hawaiian name means “brave one.” |
| Kraken | Another monstrously fun choice, the Kraken is a sea monster who surfaces in Scandinavian folklore. |
| Leonardo | An Italian name meaning “lion” and “brave.” (For a female fish, try Leona!) |
| Leopold | This aristocratic German name means “brave people.” |
| Leviathan | You can call your little biblical sea monster “Levi” for short. |
| Ludwig | Another strong German name meaning “famous warrior.” |
| Madison | Meaning “mighty in battle,” Madison shortens to the super-cute “Maddie.” |
| Matilda | Equal parts brawn and beauty, Matilda means “strength in battle.” |
| Preeda | A celebratory Thai name meaning “joyful.” |
| Rainbow | A natural namesake for a colorful, awe-inspiring pet. |
| Riley | While common for dogs, Riley (meaning “brave and valiant”) is an unexpected fish name. |
| Sigmund | A Norse and German name, Sigmund (or Siggy, for short) means “victory” and “protection.” |
| Valentina | A romantic Latin name meaning “strong.” |
Goldfish Names
Whether you’re looking for an orange-inspired moniker or references to goldfish throughout pop culture, we’ve got you covered with this list of goldfish names.
| Amber | The pretty yellow-orange color is also used as a girl’s name. |
| Aurelia | Of Latin origin, this lovely girl’s name means “the golden one.” |
| Bea Goldfishberg | On Disney’s “Fish Hooks” cartoon, Bea Goldfishberg was the dramatic, brilliantly named goldfish. |
| Cantaloupe | A refreshing choice, just like this orange melon. |
| Cayenne | For the goldie with a spicy personality. |
| Cheddar | There’s nothing cheesy about this choice. |
| Cheeto | The bright-orange snack is always a crowd pleaser. |
| Clementine | This cute citrus is also a charming girl’s name. |
| Cleo | In “Pinocchio,” Cleo is Geppetto’s affectionate pet goldfish. |
| Dorito | The perfect name for Cheeto’s friend. |
| Dorothy | In “Elmo’s World,” Dorothy is Elmo’s inquisitive pet goldfish. |
| Eldora | A Spanish name meaning “covered in gold.” |
| Gail | As fans of “The West Wing” know, Gail is C.J. Cregg’s goldfish. |
| Ginger | A time-honored choice for orange-hued pets (and people). |
| Goldie | If your fish is fancy, consider going with the more formal name, Marigold. |
| Honey | Perfect for honey-hued sweeties. |
| Mango | The fruit’s vivid color makes it a natural namesake. |
| Marmalade | The citrus preserve has a bright orange hue. |
| Orla | An Irish girl’s name meaning “golden princess.” |
| Orville | This name, derived from Old French, means “gold town.” |
| Otto | In the classic children’s book “A Fish Out of Water,” Otto is an oversize goldfish. |
| Ron Weasley | The “Harry Potter” character famously has bright orange hair. |
| Pumpkin | A positively “gourdeous” goldfish name. |
| Rusty | This nickname alludes to an orange hue. |
| Saffron | The spice is known for its signature vibrant orange shade. |
| Samson | A name derived from Hebrew meaning “sun” or “sun child.” |
| Soleil | Oui, oui! This pretty French name means “sun.” |
| Sunset | A naturally beautiful name for a naturally beautiful pet. |
| Sweet Potato | Orange you glad we remembered this silly spud name? |
| Tangerine | An orange name with “a peel.” (See what we did there?) |
| Ted Lasso | Meaning “forgive and forget,” “be a goldfish” is an oft-quoted line from the popular TV show “Ted Lasso.” |
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Fish Names Based on Color
Short on inspiration? Consider your fish’s color! Here’s a rainbow’s worth of possibilities to peruse.
| Black fish names | Ebony, Licorice, Midnight, Noir, Onyx, Panther, Raven, Shadow, Twilight, Vesper |
| Blue fish names | Azure, Bluebell, Bluey, Celeste, Ciel, Elsa, Royal, Sapphire, Smurf, Stitch |
| Green fish names | Avocado, Basil, Elphaba, Emerald, Ivy, Fern, Forest, Jalapeno, Verde, Yoda |
| Orange fish names | Carrot, Citrus, Fox, Fuego, Garfield, Gritty, Kumquat, Monarch, Tiger, Velma |
| Pink fish names | Barbie, Blush, Bubblegum, Coral, Cotton Candy, Flamingo, Piglet, Peony, Pinkalicious, Princess |
| Red fish names | Apple, Cinnamon, Cherry, Lobster, Mars, Poppy, Roja, Rose, Ruby, Strawberry |
| White fish names | Angel, Bianca, Cloud, Daisy, Frost, Ghost, Jasmine, Lily, Snow, Storm |
| Yellow fish names | Banana, Big Bird, Lemon, Minion, Pikachu, Simpson, Star, Sunshine, Tweety, Woodstock |
| Multicolored fish names | Chroma, Confetti, Disco, Kaleidoscope, Lisa Frank, Peacock, Prism, Rainbow, Skittles, Unicorn |
Male Fish Names
Browse this list, and you just might find the perfect boy fish name for the new little guy in your tank.
| Adrian | Derived from a Latin name, Adrian is associated with the sea and water. |
| Atlantis | A fictional (or, as some believe, simply lost) island that allegedly disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean. |
| Beckham | An English name meaning “homestead by the stream.” |
| Bodhi | In the cult-classic thriller “Point Break,” Bodhi is a charismatic surfer (and creative bank robber) played by Patrick Swayze. |
| Captain | We say “Aye, aye!” to this nautical name. |
| Caspian | The world’s largest lake makes for a memorable name. |
| Clyde | An undeniably funny name for a fish, Clyde does have aquatic roots—the River Clyde flows through Glasgow, Scotland. |
| Douglas | A Scottish name meaning “dark water.” |
| Dover | This Celtic name means “the waters.” |
| Dylan | Welsh in origin, Dylan means “son of the sea.” |
| Fred | On “Sesame Street,” Fred is the unassuming name of Oscar the Grouch’s pet fish. |
| Gorgo | In the B-movie horror flick of the same name, Gorgo is a giant, dinosaur-like sea monster. |
| Hudson | The preppy boy’s name is a nice shout-out to New York’s Hudson River. |
| Hurley | An Irish name meaning “sea tide.” |
| Huron | In honor of one of the Great Lakes, which are home to more than 100 species of fish. |
| Irving | This fitting Scottish name means “sea friend.” |
| Jacques | In honor of French explorer and marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau, a friend to fish the world over. |
| Lincoln | This presidential pick is an English name meaning “lake colony.” |
| Marlin | A Welsh name meaning “sea fortress,” Marlin is also the name of Nemo’s father in “Finding Nemo.” |
| Maxwell | A Scottish name meaning “Mack’s stream” or “great stream.” |
| Moby Dick | Herman Melville’s antagonist is a giant whale, so consider Moby for extra-large fish. |
| Murdock | Derived from a Celtic name meaning “sea warrior.” |
| Nile | A nod to the Nile River, the longest in the world. |
| Namazu | According to Japanese mythology, Namazu is a naughty catfish who causes earthquakes. |
| Poseidon | A brother of Zeus, and trident-wielding god of the sea. |
| Tao | Chinese in origin, the name Tao can mean “large waves.” |
| Triton | King Triton is Ariel’s father in “The Little Mermaid.” |
| Wade | Meaning “river crossing,” this traditional boy’s name also alludes to walking through water. |
| Zale | A powerful Greek name meaning “sea-strength.” |
Female Fish Names
Looking for the perfect choice for your new female fish? Find inspiration in these girl fish names.
| Brooke | An English name referencing a small stream. |
| Calypso | In Greek mythology, Calypso is a goddess and nymph of the island Ogygia. |
| Coralia | An enchanting Greek name meaning “like or resembling sea coral.” |
| Coventina | A Celtic goddess of wells and springs. |
| Delphine | A girl’s name of French origin derived from a Greek word meaning “dolphin.” |
| Doris | A Greek name associated with the ocean, Doris was a sea nymph in Greek mythology. |
| Electra | For flashy fish, consider Electra, after the Greek goddess and nymph associated with sea clouds and rain. |
| Galene | The Greek goddess of calm seas. |
| Ika-Roa | In Māori mythology, Ikaroa is a fish that gave birth to all the stars in the Milky Way galaxy. |
| Isla | A popular girl’s name, Isla is the Spanish word for “island.” |
| Jennifer | Although a seemingly odd choice for a fish, Jennifer means “white wave” in Cornish. |
| Kai | A Hawaiian name meaning “sea.” |
| Lana | This lovely Hawaiian name means “calm as still waters.” |
| Lynn | A Welsh name meaning “lake.” |
| Marina | Of Latin origin, meaning “from the sea.” |
| Miriam | A Hebrew name often interpreted as “of the sea.” |
| Mora | An Irish name meaning “star of the sea.” |
| Nerida | A whimsical Greek name meaning “sea nymph.” |
| Nerissa | This Shakespearean name was likely derived from the Greek word for “sea nymph.” |
| Nessie | Who could forget Nessie, the Loch Ness’s resident monster? |
| Ondine | A magnifique French name meaning “wave” or “water fairy.” |
| Pacifica | Meaning “peaceful,” this elegant name also references the Pacific Ocean. |
| Sabrina | A Latin name meaning “from the river Severn,” Sabrina is also the Latin name for the goddess of the river Severn in Welsh mythology. |
| Sirena | The Spanish word for “mermaid.” |
| Tallulah | A beautiful Native American name meaning “leaping water.” |
| Ursula | The Disney sea witch has a certain swagger. |
| Venus | According to Greek and Roman mythology, the goddess Venus was born from sea foam. |
| Viviane | In Arthurian legend, Viviane was a mysterious enchantress known as the Lady of the Lake. |
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Famous Fish Names
For the pet with star-power, consider these A-list pop-culture picks.
| Aquaman | The DC Comics character can breathe underwater and communicate with marine life. |
| Ariel | Perfect for your own “Little Mermaid.” |
| Bruce | As the leader of the Fish-Friendly Sharks support group in “Finding Nemo,” Bruce the great white shark (mostly) believes that “fish are friends, not food.” |
| Captain Jack Sparrow | For the fish with style and swagger. |
| Captain Hook | A pirate pick for a feisty fish. |
| Destiny | In “Finding Dory,” Destiny is a friendly whale shark. |
| Dory | No one (not even Dory) will forget a fish named after the “Finding Nemo” sweetie. |
| Flounder | The lovable sidekick of “The Little Mermaid,” Flounder is fantastic for yellow fish. |
| Popeye | Considering the Sailor Man’s love of spinach, Popeye is an especially fun choice for green pets. |
| Jaws | To riff on a line from the iconic 1975 thriller, “You’re gonna need a bigger aquarium.” |
| Katie Ledecky | The record-breaking swimmer is an impressive namesake! |
| Lenny | In “Shark Tale,” Lenny is a vegetarian Great White. |
| Luca | In the Disney and Pixar movie of the same name, Luca is a sweet sea monster who is curious about life on the surface. |
| Michael Phelps | The Olympian’s nickname is the “Flying Fish,” after all. |
| Maui | Whether named after the “Moana” character or the Hawaiian island, Maui is a great name for an aquatic pet. |
| Moana | The Disney darling is known for her special relationship with the ocean. |
| Mr. Piranha | In the animated hit “The Bad Guys,” Mr. Piranha is a thieving fish with a secret talent for singing. |
| Mrs. Puff | Also known as Poppy Puff, the “SpongeBob SquarePants” character is a fan favorite. |
| Scuttle | This quirky seagull steals the show in “The Little Mermaid.” |
| Sebastian | Although he was a crab in “The Little Mermaid,” we think Sebastian is an adorable name for any creature “under the sea.” |
| Sherman | This sassy shark is the main character of the comic strip “Sherman’s Lagoon.” |
| SpongeBob | The titular character of the popular animated TV series “SpongeBob SquarePants.” |
| Squidward | In “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Squidward Tentacles is a grumpy (yet beloved) octopus. |
| Tamatoa | As “Moana” fans know, this giant crab is a greedy villain in the Disney hit. |
| Willy | Thanks to “Free Willy,” this name will always earn an “aww!” |
Clownfish Names
Beloved for their signature orange and white colors, clownfish are popular pets. While you don’t have to name yours after a clown, of course, we rounded up quite a few fun-loving options for these fan-fave saltwater fish.
| Bing Bong | In Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out,” Bing Bong is an imaginary friend with a clown-like demeanor and appearance. |
| Bozo | In honor of the vintage children’s TV host, Bozo the Clown. |
| Charlie | Comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame in 2001. |
| Clarabell | Of “The Howdy Doody Show,” Clarabell the Clown was known for a signature striped suit and horn. |
| Creamsicle | Like clownfish, creamsicle popsicles are orange, white, and oh-so-sweet. |
| Doink | For a wrestling-inspired name, consider Doink, a recurring clown character in the World Wrestling Federation in the 1990s. |
| Fozzie | In the “Muppets” universe, Fozzie Bear has a clown-like personality. |
| Jangles | In “Inside Out,” Jangles the Clown is one of Riley’s biggest fears. |
| Joker | The DC Comics supervillain is an evil clown. |
| Krusty | On “The Simpsons,” Krusty the Clown is a variety show host. For formal occasions, you can always go with Krusty’s legal name, Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yerucham Krustofsky. |
| Loonette | Loonette is the clown star of the children’s show “The Big Comfy Couch.” |
| Lulu | One of the earliest female clowns, Lulu Adams was a 20th-century circus performer. |
| Nemo | If you have a clownfish, good luck finding a cuter name than Nemo! |
| Mr. Noodle | In the children’s program “Elmo’s World,” Mr. Noodle is a helpful clown-like character. |
| Pennywise | For a spooky spin, consider the interdimensional being of “It” fame. |
| Ronald McDonald | The McDonald’s mascot is an iconic clown. |
Attributions
Monica Weymouth
Monica Weymouth is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, animal lover, and rescue advocate. She has a soft spot for senior animals, and she See More
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