Congratulations on your new pet turtle! Now that you’ve brought your hard-shelled bestie home, your first duty as their parent is choosing a perfect name—one that’ll serve them well throughout their long life. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in this list of 200 turtle names that are as cute, funny and unique as your new pet. Whether you’re looking for sweet or snappy, these names are turtley awesome.

Key Takeaways

• Popular turtle names include Shelly, Leonardo, Tank, and Crush.
• Names often reflect the turtle’s appearance, personality, or species.
• Many owners choose pun-based or pop-culture-inspired names.
• A creative name adds charm and personality to your pet’s identity.

What are the most popular turtle names? These names rank among the most common amongst pet parents in the Chewy community.

Top Turtle Names
Squirt	The name of the baby sea turtle in “Finding Nemo.”
Shelly	A shell reference and a lovely girl’s name all in one!
Franklin	Franklin is the adorable star of the “Franklin the Turtle” children’s books and animated series.
Crush	With his California surfer accent and laid-back ways, Crush the sea turtle was a fan favorite in “Finding Nemo.”
Squirtle	The adorable Pokémon species has big saucer eyes and squeezable chubby cheeks.
Sheldon	A shell-shockingly good turtle name, made famous on “The Big Bang Theory.”
Leo	Leonardo (aka Leo) is the sword-fighting leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Mikey	Cowabunga! As the Ninja Turtles’ resident goofball, Michelangelo (or Mikey) is a turrrific choice.
Speedy	An ironic name for most turtles, who are known for their “slow and steady” pace.
Myrtle	For a playful rhyme, Myrtle is sublime.

Find the perfect pick for your girl turtle with these feminine names.

Girl Turtle Names
Arcadia	Throughout time, turtles have been celebrated as symbols of peace and tranquility. Arcadia is a Greek name meaning “peace and contentment.”
Ari	Ari Atoll is an island in the Maldives known for its sea turtles.
Ariel	Thanks to “The Little Mermaid,” this name will always have “under the sea” swagger.
Beryl	This throwback girl’s name with Greek origins is a reference to the light green mineral.
Briar	This nature-inspired girl’s name has a sweet and wild sensibility.
Chartreuse	The French girl’s name is also the name of a light yellow-green color.
Constance	Meaning “steadfastness,” this old-school Latin name is perfect for slow-and-steady turtles.
Coraline	Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles live in the waters around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. With a nod to sea coral, this pretty name is a fun way to honor your pet’s wild relatives.
Costa	Meaning “coast” in Spanish, Costa is a short and sweet marine moniker.
Doris	In Greek mythology, Doris was a sea nymph; today, her name means “gift.”
Elphaba	Like turtles, Elphaba (aka The Wicked Witch of the West) has green-hued skin.
Emerald	The gemstone is famous for its bright, saturated green color.
Esmeralda	Looking for something a little fancier? This Spanish girl’s name means “emerald.”
Fern	Of Old English origin, Fern calls to mind the shade-loving greenery.
Frida	Meaning “peace,” Frida nods to the turtle’s gentle nature. As a reference to Frida Kahlo, it can also be fun for painted turtles, which are known for their ornate shell markings.
Giada	A classic Italian girl’s name meaning “jade.”
Halimah	This Arabic name means “gentle” or “mild-mannered.”
Hana	A remote area of Maui, which is famous for its sea turtles.
Hisako	Some species of turtles have long life spans. In fact, the oldest known living land animal is a giant tortoise named Jonathan, who was born in 1832. For a female turtle, consider the Japanese name Hisako, which means “longevity.”
Idona	Another age-related option, this Scandinavian name means “renewal and immortality.”
Isla	The elegant girl’s name of Spanish origin means “island.”
Ivy	A classic girl’s name calling to mind gardens and greenery.
Jade	Although it can be a number of colors, the mineral is prized in its green varieties.
Jemima	A biblical name meaning “dove,” the peaceful connotations of Jemima make it prime for turtles, too.
Juniper	The girl’s name is also the name of a berry-bearing bush and a shade of bluish green.
Kai	Kai is a name with international turtle power. In Hawaiian it means “sea” and in Japanese it means “shell.”
Kailani	Hawaii is famous for its sunbathing green sea turtles, the only species of sea turtle that regularly comes ashore. For an island-inspired name, consider Kailani, which means “sea and sky.”
Kaimana	This strong Hawaiian name means “power of the sea.”
Kelly	Commonly associated with St. Patrick’s Day, Kelly green is a bright, vivid shade of green.
Lana	A lovely little name meaning “calm as still waters” in Hawaiian.
Malina	A Hawaiian girl’s name meaning “peace.”
Mandana	Of Persian origin, Mandana means “everlasting.”
Margarita	This traditional girl’s name is also the name of a green cocktail. For short, try Margie!
Matcha	The trendy green tea has a turtle-like tinge.
Midori	Cheers to this Japanese girl’s name, which is also the name of a bright green liqueur.
Minerva	Across cultures and time, turtles have been symbols of wisdom. As the Roman goddess of wisdom, Minerva is a fitting namesake.
Mira	This girl’s name means both “peace” and “ocean,” making it perfect for turtles.
Moana	The Disney heroine has a special relationship with the ocean and its wildlife. At the beginning of the titular movie, Moana protects a baby sea turtle.
Morla	In “The Neverending Story,” Morla (also known as The Ancient One) is a giant turtle considered to be the wisest being in Fantastica.
Olivia	A reference to both color and temperament, Olivia is a girl’s name meaning “olive tree,” which is considered a symbol of peace.
Ondine	The name of a mythological water nymph, it also means “little wave.”
Orna	An Irish name meaning “little pale green one.”
Paloma	This girl’s name is also the Spanish word for “dove,” another traditional symbol of peace.
Patience	If “The Tortoise and the Hare” is to be believed, turtles are patient creatures (even when faced with show-off hares).
Paz	Of Hebrew and Spanish origin, this girl’s name means “peace.”
Ramona	A Spanish name meaning “wise protector.”
Sabira	An Arabic name, Sabira is associated with patience and endurance.
Sage	Sage references both the grey-green color and wisdom.
Serena	A twist on “serene,” Serena means “peaceful and quiet.”
Shelby	With “shell” right there in the name, Shelby is a punny choice.
Shelley	Shelley was a mild-mannered turtle Muppet on “Sesame Street” in the 1980s and ’90s.
Shiloh	A time-tested Hebrew name meaning “tranquil.”
Sisu	Sisu is a Finnish concept that roughly translates into “enduring perseverance in the face of adversity.” As ancient creatures with humble homes, we think turtles can relate.
Sylvia	Of Latin origin, this girl’s name means “from the forest.”
Tatum	For an alliterative name, consider Tatum Turtle.
Teagan	Like Tatum, Teagan Turtle has a playful ring to it.
Umi	In Japanese, Umi means “ocean.”
Verna	Of Latin origin, meaning “spring green.”
Winifred	Of Welsh origin, Winifred means “peacekeeping.” For a more casual nickname, try Winnie!

Find the best name for your new turtle bro on this list.

Boy Turtle Names
Alden	An Old English name meaning “wise old friend.”
Alderman	In Beatrix Potter’s “The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher,” Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise is a turtle with a fondness for salad.
Aspen	This trendy gender-neutral name is also the common name for certain species of forest trees, as well as a shade of light green.
Akumal	Meaning “place of the turtle” in Mayan, Akumal is a Mexican beach town famous for its sea turtles.
Akupara	In Hindu mythology, the giant turtle that supports the earth is known as Akupara.
Axel	A Scandinavian name with rock-and-roll vibes, Axel means “father of peace.”
Basil	The British boy’s name calls to mind the green herb.
Bertie	Bertie, a leopard tortoise, currently holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Fastest Tortoise.
Caspian	The Caspian turtle is native to the eastern Mediterranean region.
Cecil	In “Looney Tunes,” Cecil is a turtle who outsmarts Bugs Bunny.
Celadon	Sometimes used as a boy’s name, Celadon is soft, grayish shade of green.
Conrad	A German name related to wisdom.
Dante	This long-lived Latin name means “everlasting.”
Darwin	A wink to Charles Darwin, whose work with tortoises on the Galapagos Islands inspired his evolutionary theory.
Denver	A pastoral Old English name meaning “green valley.”
Donatello	As “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fans know, Donatello is the smartest hero in a half-shell.
Dylan	A Welsh name meaning “son of the sea.”
Fastitocalon	J. R. R. Tolkien’s poem “Fastitocalon” is about a mythical turtle fish.
Filburt	In “Rocko’s Modern Life,” Filburt Shellbach is a pessimistic (but nonetheless beloved) turtle.
Fillmore	In the celebrated comic strip “Sherman’s Lagoon,” Fillmore is the resident nerdy sea turtle.
Frederick	An English form of a Germanic name meaning “peaceful ruler.”
Galapagos	Native to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise.
Honu	In Hawaiian culture, sea turtles—known as Honu—are sacred beings and symbols of good luck, protection and longevity.
Hunter	The boy’s name is also a shade of dark green.
Irving	A Scottish name meaning “green river” or “sea friend.” (For a nickname, Irv the Turtle is cute as can be!)
Jonah	Meaning “dove,” this peaceful Hebrew name also has connections to the sea via the prophet Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale.
Keanu	Made famous by actor Keanu Reeves, this laidback Hawaiian name means “the breeze.”
Kurma	Meaning “tortoise” in Sanskrit, Kurma is an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.
Mack	Mack is an opinionated turtle in the Dr. Seuss classic “Yertle the Turtle.”
Marlin	A Welsh name meaning “near the lake,” Marlin can also be an ironic turtle choice—the blue marlin is one of the fastest fish in the ocean.
Maturin	In Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower” series, Maturin is an ancient, otherworldly turtle.
Moray	A Scottish boy’s name meaning “sea.”
Murphy	This Irish name, derived from the Gaelic, means “sea warrior,” making it perfect for pets with built-in armor.
Oliver	A Latin name meaning “olive tree,” Oliver has peaceful roots and an adorable nickname (Ollie!)
Oran	An Irish name thought to mean “little pale green one.”
Orwell	An English and Scottish name meaning “branch of the river.”
Oscar	Inspired by the beloved grumpy green Muppet, Oscar the Grouch.
Paxton	This unisex name means “peace town.”
Picasso	For painted turtle species, consider a nod to artist and animal lover Pablo Picasso.
Raphael	The rebellious Ninja Turtle is known for his acrobatics and sarcastic sense of humor.
Ridley	This sophisticated English name is also the name of a type of sea turtle.
Reef	Although an unusual choice for babies, this English boy’s name is perfectly suited for turtles.
Sipadan	The Malaysian island is famous for its green and hawksbill sea turtles.
Tahoe	The lake, which straddles California and Nevada, has a trendy, outdoorsy ring to it.
Testudo	The University of Maryland’s official mascot is Testudo, a diamondback terrapin.
Thanos	Thanos is an ancient Greek name meaning immortal. Today, the name is mostly associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where Thanos is a powerful, long-lived villain.
Toby	In Disney’s animated “Robin Hood,” Toby is a shy, bespectacled turtle.
Tokka	For a more obscure “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” reference, consider Tokka, a mutant alligator snapping turtle and minion of Shredder.
Triton	In Greek mythology, Triton was a merman and demigod of the sea.
Verne	In the animated film “Over the Hedge,” Verne is loving and selfless box turtle.
Vardon	A French boy’s name meaning “green knoll.”
Wade	An English boy’s name perfectly suited for swimmers.
Zale	A Greek name meaning “sea strength.”

Is your new pet epically adorable? Consider these cute turtle names to match their precious vibe.

Cute Turtle Names
Alfie	This adorable name comes courtesy of children’s author Roald Dahl, whose book “Esio Trot” features a small tortoise named Alfie.
Apple	Actress Gwyneth Paltrow chose this cute name for her daughter. Assuming it’s Granny Smith-inspired, it’s also perfect for a green turtle!
Avocado	The fan-favorite veggie has a signature green color.
Bubbles	A perky name for your bubble-blowing bestie.
Edamame	Fun to say and fun to eat, this soybean snack gets the green light.
Flips	Only sea turtles have true flippers, but this cute name works for any species.
Guacamole	If Avocado is a little too plain for your pal, consider the spicier Guacamole.
Honeydew	The light green melon has a sweet name to match its sweet taste.
Jolly	If your turtle is on the larger side, the Jolly Green Giant might be an oversize fit.
Kermit	Kermie’s a frog, but we think he’d be happy to lend his name to a fellow green pond dweller.
Kiwi	A cheery green fruit—and cute to boot!
Lucky	Many cultures view turtles as symbols of good luck.
M&M	Like the candy, turtles have hard outer shells and sweet spirits.
Nibbles	One of the cutest things about turtles? Their teeny-tiny nibbles!
Nixie	The nixie is a mischievous water spirit.
Nugget	An itty-bitty cutie for itty-bitty cuties.
Peek-a-Boo	A turtle’s flexible neck provides protection from predators, allowing it to retract safely into its sturdy shell. Of course, the unique feature is also fun for a game of peek-a-boo.
Pickle	Sweet or spicy, Pickle is turtle-approved.
Pistachio	Small, green and nutty, Pistachio is perfect for turtles with a silly side.
Pokey	“Poke” a little fun at your slow-moving friend with this endearing name.
Pop-Tart	Is there anything cuter than a turtle head pop?
Poppy	This cheery girl’s name has plenty of turtle appeal.
Puddles	An aquatic-inspired cutie for water-loving friends.
Saffi	A cutie-pie Greek name meaning “wisdom.”
Sandy	A classic girl’s name, Sandy is also a cute reference to the beach.
Scooter	A precious pick for little waddlers.
Shamrock	Add some color commentary with this lucky name.
Shelbow	In “The Little Mermaid,” Shelbow is a goofy sea turtle who plays drums in The Catfish Club Band.
Soleil	The French word for “sun,” Soleil is a sweet way to reference your turtle’s fondness for sunbathing.
Splash	For turtles who like to splish-splash while they take a bath.
Sprout	Adorable and green, just like turtles.
Sunny	An optimistic name for sweet sun worshippers.
Tammy	Some names are just plain fun to say. Case in point: Tammy Turtle!
Tank	In “My Little Pony,” Tank is Rainbow Dash’s sweet pet tortoise.
Tilly	Get ready to awww! Tilly the Turtle is as cute as they come.
Tommy	Like Tilly, Tommy is tailor-made for terrapins.
Tuck	On Nickelodeon’s “Wonder Pets!” series, Tuck was the loveable, hug-obsessed young turtle.
Waddles	Although graceful in water, turtles have an endearingly awkward waddle on land.
Wobbles	For Waddles’ sillier, clumsier brother.
Yertle	Created by Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle is a magnificent moniker.
Yoda	As “The Mandalorian” has proved, Baby Yoda is the cutest creature in the universe.
Zippy	If you were a Beanie Babies collector, you’ll recognize Zippy as the name of the cuddly turtle.

Give your turtle one of these names, and you’ll also give yourself the giggles every time you address them.

Funny Turtle Names
Achilles	When it comes to funny turtle names, speed (or lack thereof) is always good for a giggle. In Greek mythology, Achilles was a warrior known for his swiftness.
Aristurtle	For a playful name with plenty of wisdom, consider this punny play on the famous philosopher.
Bolt	In honor of sprinting superstar Usain Bolt.
Bowser	Although it sounds like a dog’s name, Bowser is a turtle-like creature in Nintendo’s “Mario” franchise. When you want to switch things up, Bowser’s alias, King Koopa, is an equally hilarious name for a turtle.
Broccoli	Even if you don’t like eating it, Broccoli is a fun name for a turtle.
Cheetah	Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land animals, making this an ironically funny name for your turtle.
Comet	Although a common name for dogs, Comet is unexpected for turtles (considering comets can streak through the sky at thousands of miles per hour!)
Cruiser	This slow-and-steady name is perfect for pets who aren’t in a rush.
Ferrari	Famous for its speed and flashiness, the luxury sports car could learn a few things from the humble turtle.
Fiona	As “Shrek” fans know, Princess Fiona turns green after the sun sets.
Flash	The DC Comics superhero is the fastest man alive—another ironic name for your not-so-speedy buddy.
Gallop	Gallop is the ironically named turtle in the children’s series “Babar and the Adventures of Badou.”
Godzilla	Naming your pet after a nuclear-powered prehistoric sea monster is always a good idea.
Grand Master Oogway	In “Kung Fu Panda,” Grand Master Oogway is a wise, elderly tortoise and creator of kung fu.
Grinch	Remember, this greenie isn’t a meanie! The Grinch is simply misunderstood.
Gumby	A retro reference to the green Claymation character.
Hermes	With his signature winged sandals, Hermes was able to fly like the wind, according to Greek mythology.
Houdini	Houdini didn’t have a turtle shell to hide in—but the master illusionist did famously make an elephant “disappear” from the stage.
Hulk	The green-skinned superhero is a comically large namesake.
Indy	This cute name winks to the Indianapolis 500.
Jet	Another ironically fast name. (We’re truly sorry about all the slow jokes, turtle friends. We’re laughing with you, not at you!)
Kale	A favorite snack among turtles, Kale also makes for a fun and silly name.
Lenny Turteltaub	On “BoJack Horseman,” Lenny Turteltaub is a business-minded Hollywood producer who wears an unconvincing toupee.
Lightning	As in “lightning fast,” which your turtle is decidedly not.
Mary Shelley	For a punny literary reference, “Frankenstein” author Mary Shelley has a turtle-ready surname.
Michael Phelps	Or perhaps it should be Michael Shellps?
Mike Wazowski	The “Monsters, Inc.” jokester has a lime green hue.
Mock Turtle	In “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” the Mock Turtle is a turtle-like mixture of creatures. As a lover of puns, Lewis Carroll named him after mock turtle soup, a popular dish in Victorian England (which did not, incidentally, contain turtle).
Molasses	Sweet as sugar and slow moving, just like your pet.
Mustang	Unlike the cars and horses, Mustang the Turtle won’t be known for his speed.
Neptune	As the powerful and vengeful sea god of Roman mythology, Neptune is a funny choice for low-key creatures.
Nessie	The Loch Ness Monster probably isn’t a turtle, but Nessie is a fun name for any pond dweller.
Ninja	Clunky and slow-moving, there’s not very much ninja-like about turtles (with the exception of a few teenage mutants, of course).
Nitro	When you mention your pet Nitro, no one will suspect a turtle.
Poseidon	Similar to his Roman counterpart Neptune, Greek god Poseidon is a powerful, ill-tempered, earthquake-causing sea king.
Rocky Balboa	In the film “Rocky,” Sylvester Stallone’s title character has two pet turtles, Cuff and Link.
Salad	Your turtle will like this cute name so much, he might eat it right up.
Shrek	The green-skinned ogre takes a little warming up to, but he’s a sweetheart to share a name with.
Slimer	The “Ghostbusters” slimy ghost is famous for his eerie green glow.
Sloth	Known for taking their time, sloths are kindred turtle spirits.
Snappy	Snappy the turtle will never “make it snappy.”
Sonic	More appropriate for an energetic hedgehog, but funny for a pokey turtle.
Stretch	Some scientists believe that turtles’ stretchy necks evolved as a way to quickly snatch prey.
Superman	For the pet that’s definitely not faster than a speeding bullet.
Tardy	On quirky puppet show “Greg the Bunny,” Tardy is the name of a perpetually late turtle.
Taylor (Not So) Swift	Taylor Swift may be a loud and proud cat lady, but her last name lends itself ironically well to turtles.
Tucker	This English name is also a funny allusion to turtles’ necks.
Turbo	A supercharged name for a super laidback pet.
Zoom	Want to be the office hero? Bring Zoom the Turtle on your next Zoom call.

Equal parts shy and majestic, turtles have been admired throughout the ages and across the globe. If you’re lucky enough to call one your friend, make sure you pick a name deserving of such an awww-inspiring creature!

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
+