Naming your pet fish can be a lot of fun but also a little tricky (especially if you have a tank full of similar looking fish). Whether it’s a betta, clownfish, or a guppy, you’ll be sure to find a unique, funny, cute, or plain fish name for your scaled, aquatic friend in this list. How about Aquaman, Poseidon, Skipper, or Sheldon? Or perhaps Captain Sparrow, Ahab, or Goldie? Of course, you can’t go wrong with Fishy. Now you’ll just need to be able to tell who is who in that school of fish.

Here are some popular fish names to get you started. Maybe your perfect choice is on the list.

Pet Fish - Great Names and Fun Facts

  • FinneausFishy McFishSwimsterChipsCaspianRipleyBobBubblesBigmouthSwimzellSwim ShadyBigmouth BillySquirtleLong John SilverMr. RayCaptain MorganBetta WhiteSmall FryTuna PianoHarvey

Fictional Fish Names

Want to name your fish in honor of a make-believe fish from film, literature, or television? There are plenty of options!

  • Blinky: The three-eyed fish in The Simpsons.Cleo: Geppetto’s goldfish in the Disney movie PinnochioLarry: A Shark from the movie Shark TalesBruce: A “friendly” shark from the movie Finding NemoDon Lino: A not-so-friendly shark from the movie Shark TalesDory: A little blue fish played by Ellen DeGeneres in the movie Finding Nemo and Finding DoryNemo: A little clownfish from the movie Finding NemoMarlin: Nemo’s clownfish dadMr. Limpet: A man-turned-fish, played by Don Knotts in The Incredible Mr. LimpetMrs. Puff: Sponge Bob’s hapless driving teacherOtto: A goldfish that grows to tremendous size in the Dr. Seuss book A Fish Out of WaterSwimmy: The protagonist in the children’s book of the same nameRainbow Fish: The fish who gives away all her rainbow scales in the children’s book The Rainbow FishFlounder: Ariel the Mermaid’s close fish friend from the movie Little MermaidJaws: The terrifying shark from the movie JawsWanda: The luckless fish from the movie A Fish Called WandaOne Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, or Blue Fish: From the Dr. Seuss book of the same nameUndertow: A shark in the movie Little Mermaid IIGail: A goldfish given as a gift in the TV show The West WingKlaus Heisler: A goldfish in TV show American Dad!Magikarp: From the Pokemon video game

Not Technically Fish But Close Enough for Fun

While a purist may feel that fish should only get fish names, these other ocean-going creatures have some pretty great names too:

  • Leviathan: a gigantic mythical sea creatureFlipper: everyone’s favorite dolphin (which is technically a mammal)Sponge Bob: he’s a sponge, but he lives under the seaSquidward: Sponge Bob’s best frenemySebastian: a crab, from the movie Little MermaidAriel: The Little MermaidPoseidon: Ariel’s father the KingWillie: a famous whale (another mammal) from the movie Free WillieMonstro: A whale in the 1940 animated Disney film PinocchioCetus: A sea monster from ancient Greek mythologyPatrick Star: Sponge Bob’s best sea-star friend

Fun and Silly Fish Names

If you’re looking for a giggle, these fish names may be perfect for your pet.

  • AhiAlbusAlgaeAlgae B EaterAlphaAngelAquafinnaAtlanticAtlantisBaitBaywatchBelugaBermudaBig BoyBig FishBubbaBubblesBubblyBuffyBusterCalypsoCaptain HookCatCaviarCharlieCheetoChowderChumCiciCrashCuddlesDaphneDexterDiverDoritoDobbyEdisonEinsteinElviraElvisEmberErieFabianFidoFiletFinFinleyFinniganFinsterFish BonesFish FaceFish N’ ChipsFishyFlashFlipFloaterFlotsamFrankFritoGefilteGeneral FinnGidgetGilliganGingerGoldieGodzillaGreat WhiteGrenadeGuidoHarryHigh TideHobnailHulkHydraJaques CousteauJetsamJonahJulietKaiKermitKrakenLakeLeftyLennyLow TideLouieLuckyMahi MahiMakiMarinaMarlinMary AnnMcGyverMr. BubblesMr. NibblesMrs. PaulieNeptuneNessieNigiriOrcaPacificPeeWeePescePezPhelpsPiscesProfessorRiptideRiverRockyRomeoRoxySaltySandySashimiScoobySeaweedSharknadoSilverSkipperSkipjackSlimSlipperSnapeSpikeSplashSplishStinkyStreamSudsSurfs UpSushiSwimsalotTabithaTankTartar SauceTeslaTetraTictacTritonTwisterTsunamiTuna RollWalkerWallaceWalleyeWaveWhaleXenaZeke

More About Fish Names

While the names above are great for any fish, you’ll want to know much more about the specific species of fish living in your aquarium. Not only will you want to choose an appropriate name, but you’ll also want to find out more about how to care for your fish. Each species needs something a little different to live a long, healthy life.

  • Fish & Aquariums