Lizards make great pets—from skinks to monitor lizards, basilisks and beyond, there are no other animals quite like them. So of course, they need extra-special names. Whether you prefer funny or fancy, cute or colorful, sweet or badass, this list of pet lizard names has plenty of options to choose from. Whether you have a gecko, bearded dragon, chameleon or other reptile, we’ve rounded up the best names for lizards of every likeness. Looking for the most popular lizard names? Browse top picks from Chewy pet parents.
Key Takeaways
- Popular lizard names include Spike, Rango, and Draco.
- Names often reflect species traits, colors, or pop culture references.
- Funny, fierce, or fantasy names are trending for reptiles.
- Naming builds connection and identity for pet lizards.
- Choose a name that suits your lizard’s look or behavior.
| Top 10 Lizard Names | |
|---|---|
| Spike | A pre-teen dragon, Spike is Twilight Sparkle’s BFF in the “My Little Pony” world. |
| Mushu | In Disney’s “Mulan,” Mushu is a small, lizard-sized dragon (who likes to think of himself as much larger). |
| Draco | Meaning “dragon” in Latin, Draco is a fierce name with some literary baggage. In the “Harry Potter” series, Draco Malfoy is a proud Slytherin with a fondness for the dark arts. |
| Leo | What Does Leo Mean? Stemming from the Latin word for lion. |
| Toothless | Although bearded dragons do have teeth, this name from “How to Train Your Dragon” is still super cute. |
| Rex | In “Toy Story,” Rex is the name of the adorably anxious Tyrannosaurus rex figure. |
| Spyro | The name of the lead character—a purple dragon—in a long-running series of video games. |
| Rango | Voiced by Johnny Depp, Rango is an eccentric chameleon in the 2011 film of the same name. |
| Puff | Puff the Magic Dragon is especially fitting for puff-necked bearded dragons! |
| Lizzy | Lizzy is a perfect lizard name. |
They may be tiny, but these lizards can have some big personalities. Scan this list to find a gecko name to match your pet.
| Gecko Names | |
|---|---|
| Baby | Geckos are petite lizards, with most species growing up to around 6 inches long, so Baby is a simple and sweet name for your pint-sized pet. |
| Biggie | For an ironic take, Biggie also works well for geckos. |
| Chirpy | Geckos are known for their unique vocalizations, including chirps. |
| Echo | For a rhyming name, consider Echo the Gecko. |
| Estelle | Most gecko species are nocturnal. For a night-inspired moniker, try Estelle, an elegant French name meaning “star.” |
| Eve | Perfect for pets who are most active during the evening. |
| Freckles | The leopard gecko is a popular species with spotted skin. For a fitting name, consider Freckles. |
| Gary | Gary the Gecko is an alliteratively adorable male lizard name. |
| Geico | No matter which car insurance you have, you likely have a soft spot for the GEICO Gecko. |
| Grogu | Grogu—aka Baby Yoda—is the perfect Star Wars namesake for all things small, green and outrageously cute. |
| Hulk | A humorously huge name for a little lads. |
| Layla | Hebrew in origin, Layla means “night.” |
| Logan | A Scottish name meaning “small hollow.” |
| Lorcan | Small but mighty, Lorcan is an Irish name meaning “little fierce one.” |
| Luna | Meaning “moon” in Latin, Luna is also a popular girl’s name. |
| Midnight | A reptile name for the pet who likes to party after hours. |
| Monkey | Geckos have sticky, hair-like structures on their feet, enabling them to climb walls and even scamper across ceilings. For such skilled climbers, Monkey is fitting. |
| Nightcrawler | Like geckos, the “X-Men” character has night vision, as well as clingy hands and feet. |
| Nuit | This French word for “night” doubles as a unique name. |
| Owl | A nocturnal namesake for your little night owl. |
| Peanut | Perfectly pint-sized and always popular, just like geckos. |
| Pip | Short for Pipsqueak, which we think suits chirpy little geckos perfectly. |
| Ryan | A Gaelic name meaning “little king.” |
| Shortcake | A sweet little name for your sweet little pet. |
| Shorty | Another reminder that good pets come in small packages. |
| Spider-Man | Just like geckos, the Marvel superhero can scale walls. When you want to switch things up, call him Peter Parker! |
| Spot | A good lizard name for leopard geckos. |
| Squeaky | In addition to chirping, some species of geckos make squeaking noises when excited. |
| Squirt | A tiny term of endearment for your little squirt. |
| Stella | Meaning “star” in Italian, Stella is a pretty choice for nocturnal pets. |
| Sweet Pea | Small, green and sweet, the legumes are natural namesakes. |
| Tinkerbell | A magical female lizard name after Peter Pan’s teeny green friend. |
| Twyla | An unusual and elegant name meaning “twilight.” |
| Vesper | Of Latin origin, meaning “evening star.” |
| Zora | An Arabic name meaning “dawn,” Zora is an interesting choice for pets who go to sleep as the sun rises. |
These lizards aren’t actual dragons, of course—but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your new lizard a dragon-inspired name! Read on for bearded dragon name inspiration.
| Bearded Dragon Names | |
|---|---|
| Aussie | Bearded dragons are native to Australia, where they live in deserts and other dry areas. |
| Belindo | The masculine form of the more common Belinda, Belindo is a German name meaning “dragon.” |
| Balthromaw | On “Rick and Morty,” Balthromaw is a grumpy pet dragon. |
| Blackbeard | Bearded dragons get their names for their unusual throats, which turn black and puff out when they experience heightened emotions. For a silly (yet strangely accurate) name, consider Blackbeard, after the infamous English pirate. |
| Boomerang | A nod to your pet’s Australian roots, Boomerang shortens sweetly to “Boomer.” |
| Camelot | In Arthurian legend, King Arthur’s castle was home (and occasionally prison) to a number of dragons. |
| Charizard | A dragon-like lizard, Charizard is one of the most popular Pokémon characters. |
| Chuck Norris | With his signature facial hair, the much-memed tough guy makes an excellent name for bearded dragons. |
| Daenerys | If you name your pet after the famously long-titled “Game of Thrones” character, you’ll have plenty of nicknames to choose from, including: Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons. |
| Dalí | Although known for his mustache, we think Salvador Dalí warrants an honorable bearded mention. |
| Draco | Meaning “dragon” in Latin, Draco is a fierce name with some literary baggage. In the “Harry Potter” series, Draco Malfoy is a proud Slytherin with a fondness for the dark arts. |
| Drake | An Old English name meaning “dragon.” |
| Drogon | In “Game of Thrones,” Drogon is Daenerys’ favorite dragon. |
| Dulcy | The sweetly named dragon of the “Sonic the Hedgehog” universe. |
| Falkor | In “The Neverending Story,” Falkor is the wise, glittering, dog-like Luck Dragon. |
| Fuego | The Spanish word for “fire,” Fuego is a fitting name for dragons of all kinds (even those who don’t breathe flames). |
| Haku | In “Spirited Away,” Haku is a river spirit who can take many forms, including a white dragon. |
| Hufflepuff | Dragons are plentiful in the magical world of “Harry Potter.” While the House of Hufflepuff is associated with the far-less-ferocious badger, the name is a fun reference to the bearded dragon’s “puffy” throat. |
| Jabberwock | In Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There,” the Jabberwock is a dragon-like creature. |
| Julian | Of Latin origin, the name Julian means “downy bearded.” |
| Kaida | A Japanese girl’s name meaning “little dragon.” |
| Kylie | This classic Australian name of Aboriginal origin means “boomerang.” |
| Ladon | In Greek mythology, Ladon was a 100-headed dragon. |
| Lockheed | In the “X-Men” universe, Lockheed is Shadowcat’s alien dragon companion. |
| Mate | A friendly name for your Australian friend. |
| Matilda | Highly popular in Australia, the name Matilda is associated with the ballad “Waltzing Matilda,” which is considered the country’s “unofficial national anthem.” |
| Maleficent | The Disney villain can take the form of a human or dragon. |
| Merlin | The Arthurian wizard was famously bearded and rubbed elbows with plenty of dragons. |
| Mushu | In Disney’s “Mulan,” Mushu is a small, lizard-sized dragon (who likes to think of himself as much larger). |
| Norbert | Lovingly raised by dragon-obsessed Hagrid, Norbert is a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon in “Harry Potter.” (This is a name with some versatility. Later in the series, it’s discovered that Norbert is female, and she begins going by Norberta.) |
| Puff | Puff the Magic Dragon is especially fitting for puff-necked bearded dragons! |
| Scorch | A fiery name for your fiery friend. |
| Sharptooth | This is the name of the T-rex who terrorizes the main characters of the animated film “The Land Before Time.” |
| Sisu | In “Raya and the Last Dragon,” Sisu is a sweet, goofy dragon voiced by comedian Awkwafina. |
| Smaug | The last “great dragon” of Middle Earth, Smaug is the main antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” In the film adaptation, he was menacingly voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. |
| Snapdragon | This snappy name comes courtesy of the popular flower. |
| Spike | A pre-teen dragon, Spike is Twilight Sparkle’s BFF in the “My Little Pony” world. |
| Toothless | Although bearded dragons do have teeth, this name from “How to Train Your Dragon” is still super cute. |
Choose one of these funny lizard names for your pet, and you’ll always have a reason to smile.
| Funny Lizard Names | |
|---|---|
| Bad Bill | In the animated comedy “Rango,” Bad Bill is a Gila monster outlaw. |
| Barney | The purple dinosaur is a funny throwback name for anyone who grew up in the ’90s. |
| Boss | The tough-guy nickname takes on a cute quality when applied to little lizards. |
| Bowser | In Nintendo’s “Mario” franchise, Bowser is a reptilian super villain with a soft spot for Princess Peach. |
| Camo | For color-changing chameleons, consider Camo (short for camouflage!) |
| Coachella | Is your lizard an aspiring influencer? The trendy arts and music festival is named for Coachella Valley, which is home to many desert-dwelling reptiles. |
| Cricket | For an ironic name, consider your lizard’s favorite meal. |
| Croc | Lizards aren’t closely related to their crocodile cousins, but Croc makes a funny name for a much smaller (and gentler) reptile. |
| Dr. Bruce Banner | Marvel fans will appreciate this hat-tip to the Hulk, who goes by Dr. Bruce Banner when he’s not a giant green superhero. |
| Dr. Connors | For another distinguished Marvel name, consider Dr. Connors, a scientist-turned-lizard and enemy of Spider-Man. |
| Earl Sinclair | On the ’90s sitcom “Dinosaurs,” Earl was a lovably grumpy Megalosaurus and patriarch of the Sinclair family. |
| Eddie Lizzard | A punny shout-out to comedian Eddie Izzard. |
| Fido | The stereotypical dog name feels fresh and funny for a lizard. |
| Fuzzy | In the children’s rhyme, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, much like your new pet lizard. |
| Godzilla | The smaller the lizard, the more fun it is to name them after a prehistoric, man-eating sea monster. |
| Granny Smith | A matronly moniker for the bright green apple of your eye. |
| Hydra | The many-headed mythological monster is especially funny for tiny reptiles. |
| Jub-Jub | On “The Simpsons,” Jub-Jub is Selma’s sleepy-eyed pet iguana. |
| Jurassic | Perfect for the pet who could fit right in with dinosaurs. |
| Lizard Lemon | To be fair, Liz Lemon has far worse nicknames on “30 Rock.” |
| Miss Crawly | In the animated hit “Sing,” Miss Crawly is a mistake-prone iguana with good intentions and bad eyesight. |
| Mojo Jojo | Although Mojo Jojo is a chimpanzee mad scientist, the “Powerpuff Girls” villain has lizard-like green skin. (And, of course, a very fun name to say.) |
| Mr. Green Jeans | A wonderfully silly name, with a nostalgic nod to the “Captain Kangaroo” character. |
| Randall | Randall Boggs is the creepy-crawly, lizard-like villain in “Monsters, Inc.” |
| Rango | Voiced by Johnny Depp, Rango is an eccentric chameleon in the 2011 film of the same name. |
| Raptile | For the lizard who enjoys hip-hop. |
| Reptar | In “Rugrats,” Reptar is a Godzilla-like cartoon character adored by the babies. |
| Snowball | An unexpected name for your cold-blooded, decidedly unfluffy friend. |
Others might think your lizard looks tough or scary, but you know that they’re downright adorable—so why not give them a cute lizard name?
| Cute Lizard Names | |
|---|---|
| Amigo | A cute little name for a cute little friend. |
| Annie | Any lizard can be an Annie—but Annie the Anole is especially cute. |
| Bean | This could be a reference to your pet’s small size, or to his “green bean” color. |
| Bruni | In “Frozen II” Bruni is the Fire Spirit, and takes the shape of an adorable salamander. |
| Bud | A freshly-picked name for a green buddy. |
| Buggy | With their buggy eyes, many lizards have an endearing bug-like quality. |
| Chilly | For the cold-blooded pet who never fails to warm your heart. |
| Dottie | For leopard geckos, Dottie is an old-fashioned cutie. |
| Iggy | When it comes to iguanas, Iggy is irresistible. |
| Jolly | For lizards large or little, Jolly the Green Giant is a festive namesake. |
| Junior | A pint-sized name for your bitty bud. |
| Kiwi | The delicious green fruit makes for a deliciously cute name. |
| Knuckles | In the “Quack Pack” cartoons, Knuckles is the name of Daisy Duck’s pet iguana. |
| Larry | Alliteration always ups the cute quotient. Case in point? Larry the Lizard. |
| Lenny | Similar to Larry, Lenny the Lizard will always earn a smile. |
| Limerick | For a fun green reference, consider Limerick, a town in Ireland and also the name of a playful poetry form. |
| Littlefoot | In “The Land Before Time,” Littlefoot is a lovable Apatosaurus. |
| Llama | Animals named after other animals are always cute—especially when the animal is a llama. |
| Lucky | Because you’re lucky to have each other! |
| Mint Chocolate Chip | For brown and green lizards, Mint Chocolate Chip is a cute and colorful choice. |
| Nugget | For the pet as precious as a golden nugget. |
| Olaf | As a snowman, Olaf doesn’t have much in common with desert-dwelling lizards—but he does like warm hugs! |
| Pascal | In Disney’s “Tangled,” Pascal is the name of Rapunzel’s saucer-eyed chameleon. |
| Peewee | A fun-to-say name for petite pets. |
| Peter Pan | With his fun-loving spirit and signature green outfit, Peter Pan (or Pete, for short) has potential. |
| Pickle | Perfect for green pets, both sweet and spicy. |
| Pistachio | Ideal for green pets with a nutty side. |
| Pixie | For tiny pets so adorable, it’s almost magical. |
| Poppy | Like lizards, many species of poppy flowers call the desert home. |
| Rainbow | For color-changing chameleons, Rainbow is a cheery choice. |
| Rascal | An endearing name for pets with a mischievous side. |
| Rex | In “Toy Story,” Rex is the name of the adorably anxious Tyrannosaurus rex figure. |
| Sandy | A classically cute name that’s especially appropriate for desert dwellers. |
| Shamrock | For a little dose of green, consider the happy-go-lucky Shamrock. |
| Scamp | For the pet who scampers, Scamp is a mischievous name with a sweet side. |
| Scooter | This classic pet name is especially good for quick-moving lizards. |
| Skittles | Why “taste the rainbow” when you can be the rainbow? We love Skittles for chameleons. |
| Sunny | A bright-eyed name for little sunbathers. |
| Yoda | This wise, green Star Wars character makes a cute lizard name. |
| Yoshi | The fan-favorite Nintendo dinosaur is about as cute as reptiles get (which is to say, extremely). |
Find a feminine choice for your new pet with these girl lizard names.
| Girl Lizard Names | |
|---|---|
| Amity | A Latin name meaning “friendship,” Amity speaks to the human-animal bond. |
| Arizona | The state’s warm, dry climate is attractive to many species of lizards. |
| Atacama | The Chilean desert also makes for a pretty girl’s name. |
| Aurora | Meaning “dawn,” Aurora is a name that sun-bathing, cold-blooded companions could certainly warm up to. |
| Camilla | Camilla the Chameleon might be interested to know that her name has been associated with nobility across cultures. |
| Chroma | A colorful choice for flashy chameleons. |
| Emerald | The gemstone is known for its vivid green hue. |
| Fiona | In “Shrek,” Princess Fiona turns a lizard-like green when the sun goes down. |
| Iris | A Greek name meaning “rainbow,” Iris is another pretty choice for chameleons. |
| Ivy | A natural namesake, Ivy calls to mind forests and greenery. |
| Izzy | Because Izzy Lizard is just plain fun to say. |
| Jade | This true gem of a name references the green stone. |
| June | For a summery name with year-round warmth, consider the old-school-cool June. |
| Juniper | A trendy girl’s name, Juniper is also the name of an ornamental shrub. |
| Kalahari | The Kalahari Desert is home to a number of lizard species. |
| Lima | The Spanish word for “lime” is also a pretty name for green gals. |
| Liz | In “The Magic School Bus,” Ms. Frizzle has a pet chameleon named Liz. |
| Lori | Alliteratively speaking, Lori Lizard has a certain ring to it. |
| Myrtle | Of Greek origin, Myrtle is a girl’s name referencing the evergreen shrub of the same name. |
| Mystique | The shape-shifting, color-changing “X-Men” mutant is a super-powered choice for chameleons. |
| Olive | A vintage name with timeless appeal—especially for green pets! |
| Peridot | A French girl’s name, as well as a green gemstone. |
| Sahara | For a desert-inspired name, Sahara is anything but dry. |
| Sedona | The Arizona desert city is home to many lizards. |
| Sierra | The Spanish word for “mountain range,” Sierra is also a girl’s name that’s perfect for wild-at-heart pets. |
| Solana | Meaning “sunshine,” this Spanish name is bright and cheery. |
| Sonora | Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, the hottest desert in both Mexico and the United States. |
| Summer | The sunniest season also makes for a beautiful girl’s name. |
| Sunniva | Meaning “sun gift,” this Scandinavian name couldn’t be more perfect. |
| Tesni | Of Welsh origin, meaning “warmth of the sun.” |
| Tonks | Cue the chameleons! In “Harry Potter,” Tonks is a shape-shifting witch who changes her hair color as often as her robes. |
| Verde | Of Spanish origin, this fresh girl’s name means “green.” |
Use this list to pick the perfect boy lizard name for your new, scaly guy friend.
| Boy Lizard Names | |
|---|---|
| Alvin | An Old English name meaning “elf friend,” Alvin was tailor-made for compact companions. |
| Amazon | The Amazon Rainforest is home to millions of species of wildlife, including more than 370 types of reptiles. |
| Anatoly | Of Russian origin, meaning “sunrise.” |
| August | The summer month also makes for a sunny boy’s name. |
| Baja | A beachy name inspired by the California desert. |
| Bellamy | This posh English name means “fine friend.” |
| Cameron | Cameron the Chameleon rolls off the tongue. |
| Charmander | The reptilian Pokémon’s name is a portmanteau of “char” (in reference to his flame-tipped tail) and “salamander.” |
| Darwin | An English surname meaning “dear friend,” Darwin is also an elegant reference to the naturalist (and reptile enthusiast) Charles Darwin. |
| Dino | An Italian boy’s name meaning “little sword,” Dino could also be short for “dinosaur.” |
| Dune | A sand-inspired name for your little desert dude. |
| Elio | An Italian name meaning “sunny.” |
| Gobi | The Gobi desert is an important source of fossil finds, including dinosaur eggs. |
| Haru | A Japanese boy’s name meaning “sunshine.” |
| Helios | For a name with history, consider Helios, the Greek god of the sun. |
| Ignatius | For less formal occasions, Ignatius the Iguana could go by “Iggy.” |
| Igor | The perfect name for Iggy’s iguana buddy. |
| Joshua | Native to the Mojave Desert, Joshua trees are invaluable to the ecosystem, providing shelter and food for reptiles, birds, mammals and insects. |
| Kaitoke | The New Zealand district lends its name to a cool, dark shade of green. |
| Laurel | This botanical name is also a light, delicate shade of green. |
| Leon | Although the name Leon means “lion” in Greek, there’s no denying that Leon the Lizard is pure poetry. |
| Malachite | The green mineral also makes for a strong boy’s name. |
| Mantis | The refreshing shade of green borrows its name from the praying mantis insect. |
| Mojave | The Mojave Desert is home to a number of unusual lizards, including the Mohave fringe-toed lizard, whose fancy feet are able to scamper across sand dunes at up to 23 miles per hour. |
| Newton | If your pet lizard is a newt, you won’t find a more fitting name than Newton. |
| Phoenix | Arizona’s capital is also a name of Greek origin meaning “dark red,” making it perfect for red-hued reptiles. |
| Pine | A forest-inspired name with evergreen appeal. |
| Reno | Considering Nevada’s many lizard species, the “biggest little city in the world” could be a fun namesake. |
| River | An increasingly popular baby name, River is a tranquil tribute to the natural world. |
| Saguaro | The majestic tree-like cactus has strength and swagger. |
| Sal | Sal the Salamander, at your service. |
| Silas | This gorgeous Greek names means “forest.” |
| Sylvester | A Latin name meaning “woodland,” Sylvester can also be shortened to “Sly,” a la Sylvester “Sly” Stallone. |
No matter what lizard name you pick, we hope you and your new friend enjoy many days in the sun. Still looking for inspo? Keep browsing our lists of pet names.
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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