Deciding on a name for a new pet can be difficult. Settling on a suitable name for a new dog or cat is usually straightforward enough, but when it comes to assigning names to an entire tank of fish, things become more difficult. Need some help nailing down the perfect name for your aquatic animals? Below are some ideas to help you get inspired.
Movie Names
There’s no shortage of fictional fish you can seek inspiration from when it comes to naming your own aquatic pets. Pixar fans will find it hard to resist settling on names like Nemo, Dory and Marlin. Older Disney classics are also worth exploring for name inspiration. The characters you take inspiration from needn’t even be a fish themselves. Take Disney’s The Little Mermaid as an example. You needn’t limit yourself to Flounder the tropical fish sidekick when exploring ideas. Sebastian, Ursula and Ariel will all make terrific tags for fellow tank mates.
Myths & Legends
If you’re looking for more unusual names for your favourite fish, look to the fields of mythology, folklore and legends. The pantheon of gods from Ancient Greece and Rome are a good place to start if you’re looking for classical-sounding names with plenty of character. If you’re looking for a good place to start, there’s Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Other maritime names from Greek mythology include Oceanus, Pontus and Triton. If you’re after female names, consider Thalassa, Tethys or Nereid. Roman mythology is also rife with water deities. There’s Neptune, the Roman equivalent of Poseidon, along with his consort, Salacia.
Fearsome sea creatures from ancient myths also provide plenty of inspiration for naming your new pets. Kraken is a particularly fitting name for a territorial betta, while Calypso will provide a great fit for a more alluring tropical variety. If you’re struggling to come up with a suitable name for a particularly mean looking specimen, a handle like Leviathan carries plenty of gravitas. You could also take inspiration from collective names assigned to mythical creatures usually encountered on the ocean waves. Selkie and Siren are just two examples of the kind of names you can pluck from the annuals of folklore when it comes to naming fish.
Characters from Literature
If you’re struggling to nail down the perfect name for your new pets, another good idea is to explore your bookshelf for character names from seafaring tales. Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick is an enduring classic and packed with memorable names you can assign to the occupants of your aquarium. Aside from the titular Moby Dick there’s Ahab and Ishmael, as well as Starbuck, Boomer and Stubb.
Group Names
Naming an entire population of an aquarium one at a time can take an age. To save time and theme your pet names, think about naming them in groups. If there’s a pair of aquatic pets that like to stick together, consider christening them with a suitable moniker. Think Bert and Ernie, Thelma and Louise or Bonnie and Clyde for starters. There’s literally thousands of examples we could name here, so pick double act names that fall in line with your favourite characters and fit the temperament of your new pets.
Many fish species tend to be introduced to aquariums as part of a larger group, which means you’ll have to have to be more creative when it comes to assigning names. Musical groups and bands are always a good place to seek out inspiration. Introducing a handful of tropical fish to your tank? Why not name them after music icons like the Beatles and dun them Paul, Ringo, John and George?
When it comes to naming fish, it’s worth remembering that you’re not tied down to a chosen name for life. Unlike dogs and cats, fish won’t respond and engage when you use their names, so you can easily switch things up at a later date.
