Coming up with good turtle names can be a challenge. However, with a bit of imagination, a lot of creativity, and a list of ideas to get you started, you can choose the perfect turtle name for your shelled pet.
Cool Names for Turtles That Play on Words
Using words associated with a turtle can be a fun way to come up with a unique name for your pet. Consider the following play on words:
- Shell Shock
- MiSHELL
- Tuck and Roll
- Sneak
- Hokey Pokey
- Caramel Turtles
- Sally Monella (Salmonella - you may or may not find this funny, depending upon your sense of humor)
Famous Turtles Names
There are a few famous turtles that you could name your pet after. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles provide inspiration. There are the four main characters:
- Leonardo
- Raphael
- Michelangelo
- Donatello
You could also name the turtle after other characters in the series, even though they were not actually turtles. Consider:
- Shredder
- Splinter
- Casey Jones
- April O'Neil
Other famous turtles include:
- Franklin from the Canadian television series
- Koopa from the Mario Brothers games
- Mock Turtle from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland
- Crush from Finding Nemo
- Squirt from Finding Nemo
- Squirtle from Pokemon
- Wartotle from Pokemon
- Yertle by Dr. Seuss
Funny Turtle Names
A pet turtle can be named something funny or silly, as well:
- Shelly
- Speedy
- Zoom
- Rocky
- Doorstop
- Mario Andretti
- The Flash
- Scooter
- Jet
- Flippy
- Hard Hat
- Lightning
- Bolt
- Speedster
- Ninja
Serious Turtle Names
Dignified names seem to suit some turtles, particularly large box turtles or snappers. Serious names can be based on famous historical figures, leaders, actors and actresses, literary characters, artists, or made up:
- Queen Victoria
- Mr. Wigglesworth
- Napoleon
- Charlemagne
- Abraham Lincoln
- King George
- Chancellor
- Lady Bertha
- Sir Lancelot
- Chester
- Shakespeare
- Washington
- Poe
- Einstein
- King Tut
- Cleopatra
- Voltaire
- Mozart
- Picasso
- Monet
Personality-based Names for Turtles
Watch your turtle for a while and you're certain to come up with a nickname or two. Each turtle has a distinct personality. Some are shy and some are outgoing. Some move faster and more often than others. You could even name your turtle the opposite of what they are, such as Zippy for a slow-moving turtle.
- Sunny for a turtle that enjoys bathing on a warm rock
- Tank for a large sluggish turtle
- Hide and Seek for a turtle that goes in and out of their shell a lot
- Backspace for a turtle who likes to back up
Appearance-based Turtle Names
Different types of turtles can inspire names, as well. A red-eared slider might be called "Blush," for example. Here are some other ideas that will suit different turtle types.
For box turtles, consider:
- Cardboard
- Square
- Lumpy
- Dome
- Terra
Have a map turtle? Try one of these monikers:
- Globe
- Continent
- East/West
- Compass
One of these names is great for a painted turtle:
- Rainbow
- Stained Glass
- Crayon
- Skittles
One of these names might suit a mud turtle:
- Pigpen
- Mud Wrestler
- Digs
- Snow White
- Mr. Clean
These names work perfectly for a red-eared slider:
- Dumbo
- Scarlet
- Ruby
- White Castle
- Crimson
- Cherry
"T" Is for Turtle Names
Another naming option is to use names that start with the letter T. This option has endless possibilities and is a fun way to come up with a name. Some T names to consider include:
- Tommy
- Tim
- Tillie
- Taffy
- Trent
- Truffles
- Talon
- Tony
- Tiger
- Trixie
- Tina
- Tabitha
- Ted
- Thelma
- Tory
- Taylor
- Titan
- Tubby
- Thor
- Tad
- Truman
- Tyrell
- Tate
- Trey
- Trinity
- Tara
- Tessa
- Travis
- Tamara
Turtle Couple Names
Maybe you have more than one pet turtle and want to name them something as a pair. You can name them based on a famous couple or use names that fit together as a pair. Some catchy naming options include:
- Jack and Jill
- Salt and Pepper
- Mickey and Minnie
- Sugar and Spice
- Adam and Eve
- Rock and Roll
- Romeo and Juliet
- Hugs and Kisses
- North and South
- Yin and Yang
- Amos and Andy
- Ben and Jerry
- Bert and Ernie
- Donald and Daisy
- William and Kate
Turtle Names Based on Size
Though each turtle has their own personality, the size of the turtle might best dictate its name. Big or tiny, every turtle deserves a fitting name.
Big Turtle Names
- Hammer
- Andre the Giant
- Bruiser
- Godzilla
- Butch
Small Turtle Names
- Boop
- Baby
- Frodo
- Peanut
- Niblet
Good Tortoise Names
Tortoises are actually turtles -- they're just species that have evolved to live entirely on land, though they still fall under the designation of "turtle." The main difference is that tortoises aren't equipped for water, says National Geographic. For this reason, just about any name you use for turtles will work for tortoises, and vice versa.
- Snappy
- Doris the Tortoise
- Ardha (from Ardha-Kurmasana, the "half tortoise" yoga position)
- Feng (tortoises and turtles are considered good luck in Feng Shui)
Funny Tortoise Names
- Gloria in exc-shell-sis Deo
- Aristurtle
- Shell Yeah
- Paper Weight
Coming Up With Pet Turtle Names
The sky is the limit when naming your new pet. You'll likely find inspiration in things like favorite foods your turtle likes to eat and your favorite television shows and books. Don't rush into a name because you will have to live with your final choice for years to come. Once you feel you've found the perfect nickname for your pet, you'll be ready to dub them Sir Creep Along or whatever else suits your fancy.
