300+ Best Fish Names for Your Finned Pet

Monica Weymouth

Updated

Apr. 30, 2025

Photo by Chewy Studios

Jump to section

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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

Related articles