Betta fish stand out from other fish for their striking color combinations, flowing fins, and their singular nature as "fighting fish." When choosing a name for your new betta, you can find inspiration in many places that match who your fish is.
Choosing a Betta Fish Name
Betta fish names can be based on anything you're passionate about, but if you're looking to pick out specific betta characteristics for inspiration, there are some key details to home in on. Obviously, they're beautiful and fancy fish with glamorous colors and fins.
Even the females, while not as flashy as the males, are still very colorful, as these fish are bred for these qualities. Bettas are also notoriously aggressive fish, hence their "Siamese fighting fish" nickname. This fierce side to their personality can be fodder for all sorts of names. You can also look for names from their countries of origin, which are primarily Thailand and Cambodia.
Warrior Names for Betta Fish
Because bettas are known for their fierce reputation, it's appropriate to name them after famous fighters and warrior terminology. These go particularly well with red or copper colored bettas and bettas with sleeker bodies like spade tails and plakats.
Male Warrior Names
- Leonidas (great warrior-king of Sparta)
- Hannibal (famous warrior from Roman days)
- Spartacus (famous gladiator and freedom fighter in Rome)
- Attila (as in the famous warrior, Attila the Hun)
- Flamma (a famous Roman gladiator)
- Lu Bu (a famous warrior from Ancient China)
- Miyamoto (Musashi was a legendary samurai)
- Sun Tzu (famous military tactician who wrote The Art of War)
- Saladin (first Sultan of Egypt and renowned warrior)
- Ragnar (historical Viking warrior featured in Vikings television show)
Female Warrior Names
- Khutulun (a famous Mongolian warrior and princess)
- Zenobia (an ancient Syrian Queen and warrior)
- Artemis (a warrior queen in ancient Turkey, also the name of the Greek goddess of the hunt)
- Boudica (a Celtic warrior queen of the Iceni)
- Lozen (a Native American warrior known as the "Apache Joan of Arc")
- Triệu (a Vietnamese rebel known for wearing yellow robes on the battlefield - good name for a yellow betta!)
- Tomoe (Gozen, a famous female samurai, or onna-bugeisha)
- Joan (after Joan of Arc, the French warrior)
- Nakano (Takaeko, another famous female samurai)
- Njinga (Mbande, a famous African queen and warrior)
Royal Names for Betta Fish
Crown tail and half-sun bettas go well with names derived from royalty, as their fins and tails form "crown-like" shapes. These names work well for any color betta, particularly gold shades, such as orange, yellow, or pineapple, and, of course, purple, the color of royalty.
- Baron/Baroness
- Czar/Czarina
- Duke/Duchess
- Emir/Emira
- Emperor/Empress
- Maharajah/Maharani
- Marquis/Marchioness
- Rana/Rani
- Shah/Shahbanu
- Sultan/Sultana
Thai and Cambodian Names for Betta Fish
Since bettas hail from Thailand and Cambodia, using names from their homeland makes a fitting choice. These can be used for any type of betta fish or color pattern.
Male Names
- Apinya ("magical power" in Thai)
- Arthit ("man of the sun" in Thai)
- Chakrii ("king" in Thai)
- Chhay ("a handsome man" in Cambodian)
- Kosal ("magical" in Cambodian)
- Kraisee ("lion" in Thai)
- Meaker ("greatest" in Cambodian)
- Olan ("great" in Thai)
- Oudom ("magnificent" in Cambodian)
- Samnang ("good fortune" in Cambodian)
Female Names
- Anong ("a beautiful woman" in Thai)
- Arinya ("a beautiful, smart woman" in Thai)
- Buppha ("flower blossom" in Thai)
- Chanlina ("moonlight" in Cambodian)
- Darika ("star" in Thai)
- Jorani ("jewel" in Cambodian)
- Kaliyanei ("beautiful woman" in Cambodian)
- Malee ("flower" in Thai)
- Nearidei ("a white flower" in Cambodian)
- Ransei ("ray of light" in Cambodian)
Flamboyant Names for Betta Fish
With their dramatic fins and personalities, it can be fun to use names based on fashionable, glamourous, or colorful characters, like those found on the stage, at the opera, or other entertainment. If you have a betta with particularly fabulous fins, such as the half moon, over-half moon, rosetail, feathertail, or super delta, you might enjoy these names. These also work well for fish with multi-color patterns such as the butterfly, marble, or the bi- or multi- colored bettas.
Male Names
- Buffo (an opera singer who does comedic roles)
- Divo (the most important opera singer)
- Harlequin (a male traditional clown)
- Impressario (an opera director)
- Khon (a type of dance in Thailand performed by men in fancy costumes)
- Maestro (the conductor)
- Pra Ram or Rama (the main hero in a Thai classical dance)
- Soubrette (a light opera singer)
- Spinto (an opera singer with a dramatic voice)
- Zanni (a male clown)
Female Names
- Apsara (a female character in a traditional Cambodian dance with an elaborate headdress)
- Bantheong (the Thai "Happiness Dance" performed by women)
- Chhayam (a Cambodian folk dance featuring beautiful women)
- Columbina (the feminine version of the male Harlequin)
- Diva (the most important opera singer)
- Geisha (female Japanese dancers, singers and artists)
- Kinnaree (a character in Thai folk dance played by women that is half woman/half bird)
- Lakhon (a type of Thai dance performed by women in elaborate costumes)
- Maiko (a Geisha apprentice)
- Prima Donna (the lead female opera singer)
Dragon Names for Betta Fish
Like bettas, mythological dragons are known for brightly colored scales and aggressive temperaments. Dragon names are perfect for dragonscale bettas as well as any of the flashier bettas like combtails, feathertails, and super deltas.
Mythological Dragon Type Names
- Apalala (A river dragon from Buddhist mythology)
- Bakunawa (A dragon of the sea in Filippino mythology)
- Con Rit (A river dragon in Vietnamese mythology)
- Imoogi (An ocean dragon in Korean mythology)
- Ikuchi (a water dragon in Japanese mythology)
- Jörmungandr (A sea dragon in Norse mythology)
- Nāga (A dragon in Hindu mythology)
- Neak (A dragon in Cambodian mythology)
- Ryū (A dragon in Japanese mythology)
- Sárkány (Adragon in Hungarian mythology)
Dragons in Literature and Movie Names
- Balerion (Game of Thrones)
- Charizard (Pokémon)
- Fafnir (Die Nibelungen)
- Falkor (The Neverending Story)
- Ghidorah (Godzilla)
- Haku (Spirited Away)
- Jabberwocky (Alice in Wonderland)
- Mushu (Mulan)
- Smaug (The Hobbit)
- Tiamat (Dungeon and Dragons)
Video Game Boss Names for Betta Fish
If you want to prove your geek cred, name your betta fish after some truly outrageous and fighting characters. Video game bosses are usually quite colorful and memorable, so they make a good name for any type of betta, including veil tails, double tails, and round tails.
- Artorias (Dark Souls)
- Atheon (Destiny)
- Bowser (Super Mario)
- Colossus (God of War II)
- Ganon or Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda)
- Goro (Mortal Kombat)
- Kai Leng (Mass Effect III)
- Malus (Shadow of the Colossus)
- Riku (Kingdom Hearts)
- Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)
Cute Betta Fish Names
While some betta fish give off an air of glamour and sophistication, others are simply as cute as a button. If that's the case, you can pick a cute betta name to suit your adorable little fish.
- Angel
- Ava
- Button
- Emma
- Finn
- Georgie
- Gilly
- Jax
- Obi
- Peep
- Pickle
- Pip
- Popcorn
- Poppy
- Reese
- Spike
- Squirt
- Tate
- Velvet
- Wiggle
- Zippy
Names After Other Famous Fish
It can be fun to give your fish the name of an iconic movie or TV character. While there aren't heaps of famous fish out there, there are still several recognizable names you can choose from.
- Aquaman (Aquaman)
- Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
- Cleo (Pinocchio)
- Dory (Finding Nemo)
- Flounder (The Little Mermaid)
- Lola (Shark Tale)
- Mrs. Puff (Spongebob Squarepants)
- Muddy Mudskipper (Ren and Stimpy)
- Nemo (Finding Nemo)
- Oscar (Shark Tale)
Ocean-Inspired Names for Bettas
Betta fish naturally live in shallow freshwater, but that doesn't mean you can't pick a name inspired by the deep blue sea. Any of these aquatic names would be a great choice for your little fish.
- Algae
- Bay
- Bubbles
- Captain
- Coral
- Guppy
- Marina
- Marlin
- Orca
- Pearl
- Seaweed
- Shrimp
- Skipper
- Splash
- Trout
Betta Fish Names Based on Color
Betta fish come in a wide range of gorgeous colors. From blue to yellow and even purple, your pet's scales can help inspire their name. Pick a special name for your betta fish based on their shade.
Blue Betta Fish Names
- Aqua
- Azul
- Azure
- Bleu
- Bluebell
- Blueberry
- Cobalt
- Indigo
- Neptune
- Peek-a-blue
- Periwinkle (Peri)
- Royal
- Sapphire
- Sky
- Zircon
Red Betta Fish Names
- Apple
- Blaze
- Burgundy
- Candy
- Carmine
- Cherry
- Chili
- Crimson
- Current
- Fire
- Flame
- Garnet
- Ginger
- Jam
- Raspberry
- Rose
- Ruby
- Rust
- Scarlet
- Spice
- Spirit
- Vermillion
Purple Betta Fish Names
- Amethyst
- Cheshire
- Crocus
- Eggplant
- Electric
- Grape
- Iris
- Lavender
- Lilac
- Magenta
- Mauve
- Orchid
- Plum
- Purp
- Viola
- Violet
- Vivid
Yellow Betta Fish Names
- Amber
- Banana
- Blondie
- Bumblebee
- Butter
- Butterscotch
- Canary
- Daffodil
- Dijon
- Goldie
- Honey
- Lemon
- Pineapple
- Sandy
- Star
- Sunny (Sun)
- Tart
- Tuscan
White Betta Fish Names
- Alabaster
- Blizzard
- Casper
- Celeste
- Chantilly
- Chiffon
- Cloud
- Coconut
- Cream
- Crystal
- Daisy
- Dove
- Fluff
- Frost
- Ivory
- Jasmine
- Lily
- Misty
- Pearl
- Polar
- Snow
Funny Betta Fish Names
If your new betta is a goofball or you're looking for a silly name to express your own sense of humor, these funny choices might suit them. You can choose anything from a fish-related pun to an ironic name like "Whale."
- Alpha Betta
- Anchovy
- Barracuda
- Caviar
- Fintastic
- Flotsam
- Hook
- Jaws
- Koi
- Mahi
- Snapper
- Sushi
- Swim Shady
- Tuna
- Whale
Betta Fish Names After Iconic Fighters
While many of the warrior names mentioned include iconic individuals throughout history, there are numerous modern fighters with great names. Some of these are MMA athletes, UFC fighters, boxers, and professional wrestlers. Consider any of these fighter names for your own Siamese fighting fish.
Male Fighter Names
- Andre the Giant (wrestler)
- Bruce Lee (martial arts)
- Conor McGregor (UFC)
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (wrestler)
- Floyd "Money" Mayweather (boxer)
- Hulk Hogan (wrestler)
- Mike Tyson (boxer)
- Muhammad Ali (boxer)
- Sugar Ray Robinson (boxer)
Female Fighter Names
- Ann Wolfe (boxer)
- Charlotte Flair (wrestler)
- Cris "Cyborg" Justino (MMA and UFC)
- Holly Holm (UFC and MMA)
- Laila Ali (boxer)
- Lucia Rijker (boxer)
- Sasha Banks (wrestler)
- Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko (MMA, UFC, and Muay Thai)
- "Rowdy" Rhonda Rousey (UFC and wrestler)
Unusual and Unique Names for Bettas
Bettas are very special fish, not only in appearance but also when it comes to their personalities. Why not give your unique pet betta fish and equally extraordinary name? These bizarre names will guarantee your fish stands out.
- Adonis
- Astrid
- Atomic
- Bellatrix
- Bix
- Bullet
- Cairo
- Indi
- Junie
- Kobe
- Marshmallow
- Miso
- Noam
- Nyla
- Ryker
- Snowdrop
- Tahoe
- Tessie
- Windy
- Yahoo
- Zuma
Choosing a Name for Your Betta Fish
Picking the best name for your new betta fish can be a lot of fun. With their vibrant colors, strong personalities, and elaborate fins, there are many aspects to focus on when thinking up a name. Use this list for inspiration to find the perfect betta name for your finned friend.
