Casting about for some funny fish names for your new water-bound bestie? Lucky for you, we've rounded up the best of the best. You can "tank" us later!
Fish aren’t exactly the cuddliest of animals, but they do make for lovable, low-maintenance pets. Plus, studies indicate it’s good for us to have them around. Watching them do their thing can be both calming and entertaining. And feeding them, interacting with them and keeping their habitat clean can provide structure and purpose (especially for older adults). All of that starts with selecting the perfect name for your finely finned friend. Luckily, there are plenty of funny fish names that’ll have you reeling with laughter.
Don’t rush the process! Just like coming up with dog, cat and bird names, settling on the perfect witty fish names is the first step in building a relationship with your new family members, says Maria Baker, DVM, a veterinarian at Pet-How. Need a little guidance? We asked Baker, pet behavior specialist Mustafa Tshash and Kathryn Rosalie Dench, MA VetMB, a veterinary surgeon and chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins, all about great names for fish.
Our roundup of the best fish names includes adorable monikers for your little flipper, nicknames based on famous fish, perfect names for fish pairs and funny fish names that were just too darn cute not to mention. Ahead, you’ll find pet names that will conjure up a unique identity and personality for your water-dwelling pal. And that, in turn, will enhance your emotional attachment.
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Cute fish names
Humans are conditioned to love cute things, and the fact that you can’t resist cute animal pictures stands as giddy proof. That’s why cute fish names may be the fastest, easiest and most direct route to building a bond with your pet fish. Just be warned that these goofy fish names might trigger cuteness overload!
- Bubbles
- Bubby
- Baby
- Guppie
- Puppy
- Tadpole
- Sparky
- Schmoopie
- Snookie
- Kiki
- Fifi
- Coco
- Franny
- Frankie
- Jake
- Johnny
- Pipsqueak
Funny fish names
Funny fish names tend to work well when there’s an equally funny owner in the picture. But they also work well with species that are known for their funny personalities. These include dwarf puffers, crayfish and oscars, to name a few.
Also deserving of a funny name? Any species of fish known for its adorably funny faces, including porcupine fish, triggerfish and plecos. You’ll even find some funny goldfish names in here. Expect a generous helping of irony and gill-splitting fish puns in this roundup of the witty fish names this side of the Atlantic.
- Sushi
- Sashimi
- Unagi
- Gefilte
- Rumaki
- Sir Fin USA
- James Pond
- Rory Gill-more
- Lorelei Gill-more
- Huck Finn
- Marlin Monroe
- Skate Middleton
- Bubble-Fett
- President John Fin-cy Adams
- President Woodrow Gill-son
Betta fish names
Sassy, wriggly and prone to eating their roommates, betta fish (aka Siamese fighting fish) come in a rainbow of colors and are among the most colorful animals in the world. And don’t let anyone tell you they can’t be a great starter fish—as long as you do your homework first. To wit, bettas are happiest when they live alone. But they also crave stimulation, which can be achieved by stocking your betta’s habitat with plants and rooms to swim in and out of.
In addition, calling them by name and offering some level of interaction daily will also go a long way toward keeping your betta happily occupied. Here are some ideal betta fish names.
- Lonestar
- Solo
- Roy G Biv
- Aquaman
- Blaze
- Ginger
- Onefish (but never Twofish because … see above!)
- Redfish
- Bluefish
- Betta Midler
- Betta Grable
- Betta Rubble
- Betta Ray
- Mo Betta Blue
- B.B. King (best for a blue betta)
Goldfish names
There’s a lot that people get wrong about goldfish. For starters, many people believe goldfish are rather dopey. But studies show that goldfish have remarkable problem-solving skills and recall, as well as an ability to recognize and respond to different stimuli, according to Tshash.
In addition, many believe goldfish are destined for an early demise. But here’s a lesser-known animal fact: Goldfish can live for several decades. And while they’re at it, they may grow to 12 inches long. Accordingly, we think you’ll find these funny goldfish names to be quite apropos.
- Old Yeller
- Stretch
- Sunny
- Saffron
- Gulden (as in the mustard)
- Yellowtail
- Sun Tzu (author of The Art of War)
- Karats
- Daisy
- Goldie Prawn
- Pepperidge (the manufacturer of Goldfish crackers)
- Chardonnay
- Prosecco
- Woodstock
- Yolkie
Famous fish names
Since few actual fish have ever become famous, our list of famous fish names consists mostly of famous fictional characters from film, television and books. That includes, of course, a selection of the best fish names inspired by Disney characters. We’ve also included a few funny fish names that offer punny spins on famous folks.
- Wanda (A Fish Called Wanda)
- Kilgore Trout (Slaughterhouse-Five and other Kurt Vonnegut books)
- Bruce (the mechanical shark used for filming Jaws)
- Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
- Nemo (Finding Nemo)
- Dory (Finding Nemo)
- Marlin (Finding Nemo)
- Oscar (Shark Tale)
- Flipper
- Carrie Fisher
- Lance Bass
- Joe Pesce
- Catfish Hunter
- “Salmon” Rushdie
- “Marlin” Brando
Cool fish names
Animals with unusual superpowers may well be the pinnacle of cool. But most don’t make for great pets, with the exception being cuttlefish, which can change color at will and live comfortably in an indoor aquarium.
On the other hand, aren’t all pet fish pretty cool, what with their mysterious grace and their uncanny ability to breathe underwater? In other words, the “cool” is implicit, so you don’t have to go out of your way to select a cool name for your new underwater bestie. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t!
- Poseidon
- Neptune
- Ikaroa
- Bubba
- Big Gulp
- Plato
- Skipjack
- Gemini
- Phish
- Rebel
- Bruiser
- Chompers
- Loki
- Lasso
- Flounder
Names for fish pairs
Many pet fish can live harmoniously in pairs. In fact, many crave fish companionship, and if you do decide to bring home a pair of pet fish, you may get to witness them communicating, cooperating and interacting. Of course, the kind of habitat plays a huge role in making this pet combo work. But first, you’ll want to give them one of these fish names designed specifically for pairs. Yes, this may be more for your own amusement, but there’s nothing wrong with that!
- Rick and Morty
- Shrek and Donkey
- Wayne and Garth
- Thelma and Louise
- Mom and Pop
- John Lennon and Yoko Ono
- Carrie and Big
- Jerry and Elaine
- Will and Grace
- Lilo and Stitch
- Snoopy and Woodstock
- Mutt and Jeff
- Abbott and Costello
- Frank and Beans
- Bonnie and Clyde
- Romeo and Juliet
- Butch and Sundance
- Felix and Oscar
- Hootie and the Blowfish
- The Prince and Princess of W(h)ales
FAQs
Do fish know their names?
Fish are cognitively capable of recognizing and interacting with their owners, according to Dr. Rosalie. When they see you approach, they may swim right up to you. They may even respond to hearing their name, although they may not grasp that it refers to them so much as associate the sound with good stuff to come, like food and social interaction.
And just to be clear, fish can hear—even through water, says Dr. Baker. However, even the smartest fish can’t necessarily distinguish tone, and certainly not the way dogs can. So while tone matters when calling to your dog, what matters most with your pet fish is simply repeating its name, both consistently and often.
What are some tips for naming fish?
Good fish names are those that resonate with you and feel “right” for your pet. In naming your fish, you could start by considering the particular species and its more common characteristics, either in personality or appearance. Or you might go with a cool or funny fish name because, let’s face it, any fish of yours is bound to be cool and funny.
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Sources:
- Maria Baker, DVM, veterinarian at Pet-How
- Kathryn Rosalie Dench, MA VetMB, veterinary surgeon and chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins
- Mustafa Tshash, pet behavior specialist
