Pick a name you enjoy saying, or use a color, favorite food, character, or small detail about your fish as a starting point. These 180 ideas are grouped so you can make a shortlist without scrolling through repeated names.
Choose a theme
A color name such as Cobalt is simple; a food name such as Mochi can work regardless of appearance. You do not need to know the fish’s sex before naming it. If you want to check, use the male and female identification guide rather than relying on fin length alone.
Red betta names
Ruby, Blaze, Cherry, Ember, Scarlet, Garnet, Crimson, Poppy, Paprika, Carmine, Phoenix, Chili, Rose, Flame, Burgundy.
Blue betta names
Cobalt, Indigo, Azure, Navy, Denim, Lagoon, Sapphire, Aqua, Bluebell, Neptune, Brook, Sky, Cerulean, Admiral, Periwinkle.
Black and dark betta names
Onyx, Midnight, Shadow, Ink, Jet, Slate, Raven, Noir, Coal, Obsidian, Eclipse, Storm, Velvet, Phantom, Smokey.
White and pale betta names
Pearl, Cloud, Snowdrop, Ivory, Casper, Frost, Silk, Alabaster, Halo, Wisp, Ghost, Blizzard, Opal, Misty, Polar.
Yellow and orange betta names
Sunny, Amber, Clementine, Mango, Copper, Marigold, Goldie, Sunrise, Peach, Saffron, Dandelion, Honey, Tangerine, Apricot, Topaz.
Names for patterned bettas
Patches, Freckles, Prism, Mosaic, Domino, Checkers, Splash, Zigzag, Confetti, Kaleidoscope, Dapple, Puzzle, Marbles, Rainbow, Dazzle.
Food-inspired names
Mochi, Waffle, Biscuit, Noodle, Pickle, Cocoa, Popcorn, Truffle, Dumpling, Toffee, Pretzel, Cookie, Taco, Olive, Custard.
Nature-inspired names
Willow, Fern, Clover, Reed, Breeze, River, Pebble, Dewdrop, Maple, Coral, Acorn, Daisy, Sage, Ripple, Aspen.
Space-inspired names
Luna, Orion, Nova, Comet, Cosmo, Stella, Vega, Nebula, Meteor, Saturn, Pluto, Galaxy, Solstice, Astro, Stardust.
Character-inspired names
Nemo, Dory, Ariel, Stitch, Mushu, Loki, Groot, Rocket, Dobby, Hedwig, Frodo, Bilbo, Yoda, Chewie, Kirby.
Funny fish names
Fin Diesel, Swim Shady, Tuna Turner, Bubble Fett, Harley Finn, Betta White, Gillbert, Sir Bubbles, Captain Splash, Fishgerald, Finjamin, Bettaman, Sharkira, Ann Chovy, Tiny Titan.
Classic pet names
Charlie, Max, Leo, Oliver, Jasper, Oscar, Finn, Sam, Alex, Robin, Bella, Cleo, Iris, Pip, Coco.
Make the name your own
Choose three favorites, say them aloud, and see which one you still like the next day. You can shorten a long name: Captain Splash can become Captain, and Kaleidoscope can become Kale.
For inspiration from appearance, compare the color and pattern guide and the fin-form guide. A name does not need to be a permanent description of the fish’s color.
Keep naming separate from care decisions. Do not add tankmates or provoke displays just to see a fish live up to a dramatic name.