100+ Best Tropical Fish Names – The Ultimate List

Fish-keeping is not just a fun activity but also a decorative one. However, with the plethora of fish species available, choosing a specific breed and setting up your freshwater tank can be a hassle. But in the end, it is a rewarding task and a beautiful addition to your home. 

Many fish species have various behavioral patterns, and some often go beyond just being a “pet” fish. That being said, they deserve a name. But what should you call them? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. 

This guide offers some of the most fascinating tropical fish names for your tropical fish. Everyone across the various ranks in fishkeeping–beginners to seasoned aquarists can attest to the undeniable fact that selecting the perfect name for your marine friends is worth it and an entertaining adventure.  

So, from funny names like “fin diesel” to nice-looking, classic names like “Iris,” this blog narrows your search to the most interesting names for your aquatic pets. The names are well chosen to suit their behaviors. So, let’s get into the world of fish names and choose the best moniker for your species.

Also don’t miss these other perfectly curated fish names:

• Best Hawaiian Fish Names
• Best Small Fish Names
• Best Badass Fish Names

Tropical Fish Names For Girls

Choosing a name for your tropical fish can be a delightful task. But “ladies first” must also be obeyed even for your finned friends, so we begin with the girls. Here are 50 of the best tropical female fish names, each with a unique charm and meaning:

 1. Aqua – Water

2. Bella – Beautiful

3. Coral – Marine beauty

4. Daisy – A cheerful flower

5. Emerald – Precious green gem

6. Fiona – Fair or white

7. Goldie – Precious metal

8. Harmony – Perfect balance

9. Iris – Colorful like the rainbow

10. Jewel – A valuable gem

11. Kiara – Bright or light

12. Luna – The moon

13. Misty – Cloudy and mysterious

14. Nina – Dreamer or achiever

15. Opal – A gem with colorful sparkles

16. Pearl – A precious underwater gem

17. Quinn – Wisdom, intelligence

18. Rose – A beautiful flower

19. Sapphire – Blue gemstone

20. Tara – Star or rocky hill

21. Ursula – Little female bear

22. Violet – Purple flower

23. Wanda – Wandering

24. Xena – Welcoming

25. Yasmin – Jasmine flower

26. Zara – Princess or flower

27. Amber – Fossilized tree resin

28. Brooke – Small stream

29. Cleo – Pride, fame, glory

30. Daphne – Laurel tree

31. Ella – Fairy maiden

32. Flora – Flower

33. Ginger – A spice or piquant

34. Hazel – Hazelnut tree

35. Ivy – A climbing vine

36. Jade – Green gemstone

37. Kiki – Double happiness

38. Lily – Purity, beauty

39. Marina – From the sea

40. Nala – Successful

41. Olive – Symbol of peace

42. Penny – Weaver

43. Ruby – Precious red gem

44. Skye – Sky

45. Tiffany – Appearance of God

46. Uma – Tranquility

47. Velvet – Soft fabric

48. Willow – Graceful tree

49. Xanthe – Golden or yellow

50. Yvette – Yew tree

Tropical Fish Names For Boys

Selecting a name for your male tropical fish can be just as exciting. But finding the perfect name without any guide can be tasking. So here are 50 of the best tropical male fish names, along with their meanings:

1. Ace – Number one, the best

2. Blaze – Flame or fire

3. Chase – Hunter

4. Dexter – Skillful

5. Echo – Reverberating sound

6. Finn – Fair or white

7. Gus – Majestic or grand

8. Hank – Ruler of the home

9. Indy – Independent

10. Jax – Son of Jack

11. Kai – Sea

12. Leo – Lion

13. Max – Greatest

14. Nemo – Nobody

15. Oscar – Divine spear

16. Pike – A type of fish

17. Quincy – Fifth

18. Rex – King

19. Spike – Long, heavy nail

20. Tank – Large container

21. Ulysses – Wrathful

22. Vince – Conquering

23. Wade – To go through water

24. Xander – Defender of men

25. Yuri – Farmer

26. Zane – God’s gracious gift

27. Atlas – Bearer of the heavens

28. Bruno – Brown

29. Cody – Helpful

30. Drake – Dragon

31. Elvis – All wise

32. Flash – Bright light

33. Gill – Bright pledge

34. Hunter – One who hunts

35. Ivan – God is gracious

36. Jake – Supplanter

37. King – Ruler

38. Loki – Trickster

39. Maverick – Independent

40. Nash – By the ash tree

41. Orion – Son of fire

42. Phoenix – Dark red

43. Quill – Feather

44. Rusty – Red-headed

45. Sam – God has heard

46. Thor – Thunder

47. Ugo – Mind, heart, spirit

48. Vinny – Conquering

49. Winston – Joy stone

50. Xerxes – Ruler over heroes

Popular Names for Tropical Fish

Some fish names are outstanding and often used among fishkeepers. Here are 20 of the most popular and fascinating tropical fish names:

 1. Bubbles

2. Splash

3. Finley

4. Sunny

5. Shadow

6. Blue

7. Rainbow

8. Marlin

9. Casper

10. Glimmer

11. Sparkle

12. Ziggy

13. Ariel

14. Crystal

15. Dazzle

16. Flash

17. Goldfish

18. Moby

19. River

20. Wave

Funny Tropical Fish Names

You can also choose fish names based on their sense of humor. So add some humor to your aquarium with these 20 funny tropical fish names:

 1. Sushi

2. Bait

3. Fish Stick

4. Gillbert

5. Fin Diesel

6. Swim Shady

7. Bubbly

8. Koi Story

9. Flounder

10. Fish and Chips

11. Captain Hook

12. Nibbles

13. Bobber

14. Aquaman

15. Mr. Fins

16. Swimmy

17. Finnegan

18. Bubblegum

19. Kraken

20. Puddle

Unique Tropical Fish Names

Your scaly friends are unique in their behaviors, so if you are seeking something different, here are 20 unique tropical fish names:

1. Zephyr

2. Quasar

3. Nimbus

4. Kaleido

5. Eclipse

6. Orbit

7. Rhapsody

8. Solstice

9. Twilight

10. Zen

11. Galaxy

12. Nova

13. Aurora

14. Cirrus

15. Lagoon

16. Mystic

17. Nebula

18. Oceana

19. Pandora

20. Vortex

Fictional Tropical Fish Names

You can draw inspiration from different places when naming your pet fish. Inspired by characters from literature, movies, and mythology, here are 20 fictional fish pet names:

 1. Narnia

2. Hobbit

3. Gandalf

4. Sherlock

5. Watson

6. Dumbledore

7. Frodo

8. Hermione

9. Voldemort

10. Spartacus

11. Merlin

12. Zeus

13. Athena

14. Hades

15. Apollo

16. Thorin

17. Loki

18. Batman

19. Robin

20. Joker

Famous Tropical Fish Names

Sometimes, fish names are derived from famous persons based on their characters. Here are 20 famous tropical fish names inspired by well-known figures or characters:

 1. Einstein

2. Newton

3. Darwin

4. Mozart

5. Beethoven

6. Cleopatra

7. Shakespeare

8. Galileo

9. Da Vinci

10. Napoleon

11. Aristotle

12. Freud

13. Hemingway

14. Van Gogh

15. Picasso

16. Mandela

17. Churchill

18. Lincoln

19. Gandhi

20. Tesla

Creative Tropical Fish Names

You should give room for creativity when it comes to naming tropical fish. If you want a dash of creativity, consider these creative tropical fish names:

 1. Kaleidoscope

2. Ripple

3. Sonnet

4. Haiku

5. Fresco

6. Mosaic

7. Cadence

8. Harlequin

9. Sonata

10. Palette

11. Symphony

12. Allegro

13. Ballad

14. Fandango

15. Graffiti

16. Impression

17. Limerick

18. Ode

19. Rhapsody

20. Tango

With these varied and exciting names, you’ll surely find the perfect fit for your tropical fish, adding personality and charm to your aquarium!

How To Name Your Fish

Choosing the perfect name for your blue companion from the aquatic world can be fun and daunting. If you’re seeking inspiration, consider names derived from their physical attributes, such as Gill or Finn, which reflect parts of fish anatomy. Look to the specific species of your fish for a name that speaks to its unique identity.

Expand your horizons by considering your fish’s color, patterns, and unique characteristics. Names that highlight these aspects can add a personal touch and make your fish’s name truly special. Combining these factors will lead you to the perfect name for your finned friend. 

Navigating the Sea of Names

Embarking on the journey of pet ownership brings joy and the exciting challenge of naming. It may be a daunting task with thousands of names to choose from. Here are some buoys to help you navigate through:

1. Simplicity is Key:

Opt for a name that flows off the tongue, preferably with one or two syllables. It should be memorable and easy for you to use comfortably. For example, names like Finn or Pearl are quite simple to pronounce.

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? These traits can inspire names like Sushi or Zaggy, respectively. Naming them after these traits can be both meaningful and fun. 

3. Unique Stories Lead to Unique Names:

Has your fish’s arrival into your life been nothing short of a storybook tale? Consider names that reflect this special journey.

You can take inspiration from your favorite movies or books, such as Dora, meaning “God’s gift,” or the beloved Nemo, which can add a narrative touch to your fish’s identity. Finding that perfect name for your fish must have some emotional attachment, and your unique story can help with that. 

4. The Charm Factor:

Let the name reflect the cuteness and playfulness of your aquatic friend. However, don’t feel pressured to follow trends. A name with positive associations in literature or with a personal connection can be just as delightful. Exploring the charm factor while choosing a name for your pet fish will always land you on one that brings you a smile each time you call it. 

5. The Name Trial:

Test out your favorite names to see how they sound when called out loud. Feedback from friends and family can be invaluable in gauging a name’s fit. You can try out different names until you find one that you find comfortable and at peace with. 

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. Collaboration can spark the perfect name. Always reach out to get more ideas anytime you need clarification.

7. Revitalize Common Names:

Add a twist to a common name by adding a title or modifying it slightly to refresh its appeal. “Ms. Nemo” can offer a new take on a classic name. You can also simply combine your favorite names to make a cute new name for your pet fish. 

8. For the School of Fish:

When naming multiple fish, consider themes, pairings, or group names that reflect their collective identity. Some great naming ideas include Peek and Boo and Bonnie and Clyde for fishes in pairs. Drawing inspiration from previous pets can also connect generations of your aquatic family.

Final Thoughts

Picking a name for your tropical fish doesn’t have to be a headache. We’ve got a list of great naming options that cover everything—from your fish’s unique looks and characteristics to their quirky behaviors. 

There’s no need to stress about overthinking it; just dive into the list of names we’ve provided, and hopefully, one name jumps out at you. After all, we’re confident that your fish’s perfect name is somewhere there. 

So, take your sweet time, enjoy the name selection process, and when you find that name that feels just right, you’ll know it’s the one. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some of the questions aquarists tend to ask when it comes to choosing a name for their pet tropical fish.

What Is the Best Fish Name?

While there are more than enough names to call your marine friends, some are outstanding and often come off as the best. Some of the best pet fish names include Xena, Bubba, Iris, and Gilligan.

What Are the Most Popular Tropical Fish Names?

Some of the most famous names given to tropical fishes include Nemo, Sushi, and Captain Jack (after Captain Jack Sparrow from the movie, “Pirates of the Caribbean”). 

How Can I Choose the Best Name for a Tropical Fish?

Choosing the best name for your tropical pet fish requires considering some factors. These factors include the fish’s personality, appearance, and species characteristics. You can also consider some of the myths surrounding that particular fish type.