Koi fish are one of the greatest fish species you can own; they’re elegant and beautiful, and having them in your tank or pond makes for a truly spectacular setup.
Now, here’s the kicker: coming up with a spot-on name for your koi fish can be quite the brain teaser. You typically want names that capture their distinct color and unique patterns and perfectly mirror their individualities.
Not to worry; that’s where we step in. Regardless of the type of name you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered, offering you a treasure trove of names for your favorite pet koi.
You will also like our top sought collection of fish names:
Contents
Koi Fish Names For Girls
If you have a female koi fish, the best name is one that highlights its beauty, femininity, grace, and elegance, and the joy they bring as pets. Here are 50 names for female koi, along with their meanings:
1. Sakura – Cherry Blossom
2. Yuki – Snow
3. Kiko – Hope
4. Hana – Flower
5. Midori – Green
6. Ai – Love
7. Sora – Sky
8. Kiyomi – Pure Beauty
9. Emiko – Smiling Child
10. Aiko – Child of Love
11. Yuri – Lily
12. Naomi – Pleasant
13. Mariko – True Village Child
14. Akari – Brightness
15. Fumiko – Child of Literature
16. Rei – Lovely
17. Chiyo – Thousand Generations
18. Haru – Spring
19. Natsuko – Summer Child
20. Aki – Bright; Autumn
21. Miyu – Beautiful Kindness
22. Asami – Morning Beauty
23. Ayame – Iris
24. Sayuri – Small Lily
25. Keiko – Blessed Child
26. Noriko – Law Child
27. Rin – Dignified
28. Tsubaki – Camellia
29. Yumi – Reason Beautiful
30. Hitomi – Pupil of the Eye
31. Megumi – Blessing
32. Riko – Child of Truth
33. Sumiko – Clear Thinking Child
34. Mayu – True Gentle
35. Kanako – Child of Kana
36. Eri – Blessed Prize
37. Yoko – Positive Child
38. Kana – Powerful
39. Maki – True Hope
40. Miho – Protected, Guaranteed Beauty
41. Saki – Blossom of Hope
42. Tomiko – Wealthy Child
43. Hanako – Flower Child
44. Ayako – Colorful Child
45. Chika – Scattered Flowers
46. Mai – Dance; Brightness
47. Nozomi – Hope
48. Yuko – Gentle Child
49. Misaki – Beautiful Blossom
50. Sayoko – Little Night Child
Koi Fish Names for Boys
If you’re gunning for an enigmatic aura and a commanding presence for your male fish, we’ve got just the right name to represent this. Here are 50 koi fish names and their meanings imbued with strength, character, and the boldness of their colors.
1. Kaito – Ocean Flying
2. Haruki – Shining Sun
3. Takumi – Artisan
4. Ren – Lotus
5. Hiroshi – Generous
6. Kenji – Intelligent Second Son
7. Yuki – Happiness; Snow
8. Akio – Bright Man
9. Daiki – Great Glory
10. Ryo – Cool, Refreshing
11. Masato – Righteous Person
12. Toshi – Alert, Intelligent
13. Sota – Thick, Big
14. Hiro – Abundant
15. Kazuki – Peaceful Tree
16. Isamu – Bravery
17. Shota – Soaring Big
18. Ryu – Dragon
19. Jun – Pure
20. Kei – Blessing
21. Naoki – Honest Tree
22. Kota – Happiness, Good Fortune
23. Sho – Flying
24. Yuji – Courageous Second Son
25. Nobu – Faith
26. Seiji – Lawful, Manage
27. Kyo – Cooperation
28. Taiki – Great Radiance
29. Satoshi – Wise, Fast Learner
30. Yuuto – Gentle Person
31. Makoto – Sincerity
32. Yoshi – Good, Respectable
33. Hajime – Beginning
34. Fumiya – History, Chronicle
35. Tsubasa – Wings
36. Hikaru – Light, Radiance
37. Daisuke – Great Help
38. Akihiko – Bright Boy
39. Eiji – Eternity Order
40. Shinji – True Second Son
41. Koji – Little Child
42. Yasu – Peace
43. Ikki – One Breath
44. Tatsuya – Dragon Value
45. Manabu – Learn
46. Kenta – Healthy, Strong
47. Takeshi – Warrior
48. Haruto – Sun Flying
49. Sora – Sky
50. Shun – Fast, Talented
Popular Koi Fish Names
The most popular koi fish names often reflect their majestic beauty and cultural significance. Is your koi fish the most popular fish in your tank? How about a name that’s representative of its popularity? Here are 20 of the most admired names.
1. Kai – Sea
2. Gin – Silver
3. Suki – Loved
4. Tama – Jewel
5. Kuro – Black
6. Aya – Colorful
7. Hikari – Light
8. Nami – Wave
9. Ryu – Dragon
10. Momo – Peach
11. Kaze – Wind
12. Asa – Morning
13. Yume – Dream
14. Umi – Ocean
15. Rei – Spirit
16. Hoshi – Star
17. Sakura – Cherry Blossom
18. Akira – Bright, Clear
19. Yoshi – Lucky
20. Riku – Land
Funny Koi Fish Names
There’s no reason why you cannot give your koi fish a funny name. If you’re quite the comedian, then consider these playful and funny names.
1. Sashimi
2. Fin Diesel
3. Gilly Nelson
4. Bubbles McFishface
5. Fish and Chips
6. Sir Scales-a-Lot
7. Captain Flapjack
8. Swim Shady
9. Gillbert
10. Nemo’s Cousin
11. Sushi
12. Wanda – from “A Fish Called Wanda”
13. Puddles
14. Flippy
15. Bobber
16. Kraken
17. Loch Ness
18. Squirt
19. Floaty McFloatface
20. Finny the Pooh
Unique Koi Fish Names
Koi fish are well known for being incredibly beautiful, having distinct features, like quirky shapes, diverse colors and patches, and whimsical personas. As such, it’s only right that you give your fish that’s just for them Here are 20 unique names for your koi fish:
1. Zephyr
2. Orion
3. Nova
4. Lotus
5. Azura
6. Eclipse
7. Celeste
8. Blaze
9. Calypso
10. Indigo
11. Zen
12. Lyra
13. Vega
14. Marlin
15. Neptune
16. Cobalt
17. Nimbus
18. Lagoon
19. Aurora
20. Serenity
Fictional Koi Fish Names
The world of fiction is a treasure trove of rad character names. Drawing inspiration from literature, mythology, and pop culture, here are 20 fictional names for koi fish:
1. Poseidon
2. Aquaman
3. Triton
4. Ariel
5. Nereus
6. Caliban
7. Dagon
8. Ondine
9. Atlantis
10. Galadriel
11. Elrond
12. Arwen
13. Merlin
14. Gandalf
15. Frodo
16. Bilbo
17. Yoda
18. Skywalker
19. Vulcan
20. Spock
Famous Koi Fish Names
There are quite a number of famous personalities after whom you could name your pet koi fish. Reflecting fame and notoriety, these are 20 famous names suited for your koi:
1. Kintsugi – Japanese art of fixing broken pottery
2. Midas – as in the golden touch
3. Monet – Impressionist painter
4. Picasso – Famous artist
5. Da Vinci – Renaissance genius
6. Cleopatra – Ancient Egyptian queen
7. Zenith – At the peak
8. Caesar – Roman ruler
9. Helios – Greek sun god
10. Athena – Greek goddess of wisdom
11. Apollo – Greek god of the sun
12. Venus – Roman goddess of love
13. Thor – Norse god of thunder
14. Loki – Norse god of mischief
15. Freya – Norse goddess of love
16. Beethoven – Famous composer
17. Mozart – Classical music composer
18. Shakespeare – Famed playwright
19. Hemingway – Noted author
20. Darwin – Famous naturalist
Creative Koi Fish Names
Unleash your creative side with these 20 imaginative names for your koi:
1. Mosaic
2. Symphony
3. Haiku
4. Fresco
5. Sonnet
6. Rhapsody
7. Allegro
8. Chiaroscuro – the contrast of light and dark in art
9. Fable
10. Mirage
11. Palette
12. Sonnet
13. Tango
14. Vivace – lively, in music
15. Whisper
16. Echo
17. Kaleidoscope
18. Odyssey
19. Pixie
20. Mystic
Each of these names offers a unique way to connect with your koi, whether through humor, creativity, or a deep appreciation of their beauty and character. Happy naming!
How To Name Your Fish
Choosing the perfect name for your underwater companion from the aquatic world can be fun and daunting. But that shouldn’t stop you.
If you’re seeking inspiration, consider names derived from their physical attributes, such as Gill or Finn, which reflect parts of fish anatomy. You can also look to the specific species of your fish for a name that speaks to its unique identity.
Expand your horizon by considering the color, patterns, and unique characteristics of your fish. Names that highlight these aspects can add a personal touch and make your fish’s name truly special.
Navigating the Sea of Names
Embarking on the journey of pet ownership brings joy and the exciting challenge of naming. Still, there are some nifty tricks to employ when searching for the right name for your pet fish. Here are some buoys to help you navigate through:
1. Simplicity is Key:
While you’re free to experiment with complex-sounding names, you typically want to opt for a name that flows off the tongue, preferably with one or two syllables. You don’t want people biting their tongues pronouncing your pet’s name, do you? Instead, it should be memorable and easy for you to use comfortably.
2. Seek Far and Wide for Inspiration:
Your inspiration can come from anywhere – from baby name books to the unique personality traits of your fish. Is your fish an eager eater, or does it have a quirky swimming pattern? Perhaps it’s a playful fish, or maybe there’s something about the shop where you got it. Naming them after these traits can be both meaningful and fun.
3. Unique Stories Lead to Unique Names:
We all have a story to tell. Has your fish’s arrival into your life been nothing short of a storybook tale? Consider names that reflect this special journey.
Some names with great meaning include Sakura, meaning “cherry blossom,” Kiyomi, meaning “child of beauty, or Eri, meaning “blessed prize. These names not only sound great but can add a touch of narrative to your fish’s identity.
4. The Charm Factor:
You want a name that showcases your fish’s charming side. Still, you shouldn’t feel pressured to follow the latest naming trends. Instead, settling for a name with positive associations in literature or with a personal connection can be just as delightful.
5. The Name Trial:
Test your favorite names to see how they sound when called out loud. Ask friends and family about your naming choice. Their insight can be invaluable in gauging a name’s fit.
6. A Collective Brainstorm:
If you’re stuck in a naming whirlpool, turn to your social circle or dive into online communities and forums for a sea of ideas. Ask your kids, partners, parents, friends, and even online strangers for help. Collaboration can spark the perfect name.
7. Revitalize Common Names:
How about giving a twist to a common name by adding a title or modifying it slightly to refresh its appeal? “Ms. Pansy” sounds like a great name, don’t you think so, too?
8. For the School of Fish:
If you’re naming a school of fish, you want to consider themes, pairings, or group names that reflect their collective identity. Drawing inspiration from previous pets can also connect generations of your aquatic family.
Final Thoughts
Picking the perfect name for your koi can be tricky, but don’t worry! Our collection has tons of awesome options for you. Take your time looking through them and pick the one that feels just right for your new fishy friend.
Ultimately, the best name for your fish is the one that brings you the most joy. Whether it’s quirky, wonderful, or somewhere in between, choose a name that makes you smile whenever you see your pal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Having gone through our collection of purple fish names, let’s look into answers to some of the more common questions about naming your fish that you might find helpful.
Is Koi a Nickname?
No, Koi (also called Nishikigoi) is not a nickname but rather the specific name for a domesticated ornamental variety of the common carp. These fish are domestically bred for their beautiful colors and patches.
Why Are Koi So Special?
Koi fish hold a special place in many cultures, particularly the Japanese. Beyond their fame as an ornamental breed, they’re seen as a symbol of luck, prosperity, and good fortune in Japanese culture.
What Are the Most Popular Koi Fish Names?
Kai, Suki, Ryu, and Sakura top the list of the most popular koi fish names
Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.