[Updated for 2022]

Betta Fish Names By Color and Personality

If you need a name for your male betta or female betta fish, this article will help you pick the best name, or at least provide you with some inspiration.

Choosing the perfect name can be tricky because betta fish have their own unique personalities and colors.

The best way to pick a name for your betta fish is to observe your fish and decide whether he or she is a bloodthirsty warrior, a shy and gentle nonbelligerent, a happy-go-lucky optimist, or something else entirely.

Then, based on the color of your betta fish, choose a name that best fits its personality.

Below you will find betta fish names categorized by color, personality, theme, types of betta, and even funny betta fish names.

If you are a new betta fish owner, or plan to get one soon, check out my article on what betta fish need and make sure you have everything you need to care for these amazing fish.

Alright, back to naming your betta.

Red Betta Fish Names

Red betta fish.

Red betta fish are stunning because their crimson color is often accompanied by a fiery personality. Whether you have a male red betta or a female red betta, check out my list of unique red betta fish names below:

  • Aka (means red in Japanese)
  • Amber
  • Apple
  • Ariel
  • Auburn
  • Autumn
  • Beets
  • Berry
  • Blaze
  • Blush
  • Bordeaux
  • Brandy
  • Brick
  • Burgundy
  • Candy Cane
  • Cardinal
  • Carrot
  • Cayenne
  • Pimento
  • Cherry
  • Chestnut
  • Cheyenne
  • Clifford
  • Chili
  • Cinnamon
  • Copper
  • Cranberry
  • Crimson
  • Currant
  • Curry
  • Elmo
  • Ellie
  • Ember
  • Eric
  • Fiona
  • Flame
  • Flann
  • Flamingo
  • Foxy
  • Frizzle
  • Furnace
  • Garnet
  • Gilroy
  • Ginger
  • Glow
  • Harkin
  • Harry
  • Hazel
  • Hong (means red in Chinese)
  • Hydrant
  • Jam
  • Jelly Bean
  • Jess
  • Ketchup
  • Kimchi
  • Lady Bug
  • Lobster
  • Lucy
  • Mahogany
  • Mars
  • Merida
  • Merlot
  • Pansy
  • Paprika
  • Penny
  • Peppermint
  • Pepperoni
  • Peter
  • Phoenix
  • Poppy
  • Phineas
  • Radish
  • Raspberry
  • Reddy
  • Rhubarb
  • Rogan
  • Rojo (means red in Spanish)
  • Rose
  • Rosie
  • Rosso (means red in Italian)
  • Rouge (means red in French)
  • Rover
  • Rowan
  • Ruby
  • Russell
  • Rusty
  • Saffron
  • Sandy
  • Sangria
  • Scarlet
  • Sienna
  • Skelton
  • Solo
  • Spark
  • Strawberry
  • Sumac
  • Sunset
  • Suri
  • Thor
  • Tiger
  • Tomato
  • Tulip
  • Twizzler
  • Vine
  • Wilma

Blue Betta Fish Names

Blue betta fish.

Bue betta fish have a regal look. Consider the unique betta names listed below for betta fish that have a majestic personality.

  • Admiral
  • Aegean
  • Annette
  • Aqua
  • Arctic
  • Ashe
  • Azura
  • Azure
  • Beryl
  • Blau (German for blue)
  • Blue
  • Blueberry
  • Cerulean
  • Cobalt
  • Dedue
  • Denim
  • Dimitri
  • Felix
  • Indigo
  • Ingrid
  • Lapis
  • Lapras
  • Mercedes
  • Navy
  • Ocean
  • Poliwag
  • Peacock
  • River
  • Sapphire
  • Sky
  • Slate
  • Sobble
  • Squirtle
  • Stone
  • Sylvain
  • Yale

Blue Green Betta Fish Names

Blue green betta fish.
  • Avocado
  • Basil
  • Chartreuse
  • Crocodile
  • Emerald
  • Fern
  • Goblin
  • Grookey
  • Hulk
  • Juniper
  • Leaf
  • Lime
  • Marine
  • Matcha
  • Mint
  • Moss
  • Olive
  • Parakeet
  • Pear
  • Pickle
  • Pine
  • Pistachio
  • Sage
  • Sea Foam
  • Seaweed
  • Shamrock
  • Shrek
  • Teal
  • Veggie
  • Verdant

Gray and Blue Betta Fish Names

Grey blue betta fish.
.
  • Ash
  • Brand
  • Cinder
  • Coal
  • Coke
  • Foggy
  • Fuzzy
  • Gandalf
  • Grigio: means “gray” in Italian.
  • Gris: means “gray” in French.
  • Haiiro: means “gray” in Japanese.
  • Haze
  • Myst
  • Reardon
  • Shade
  • Slate
  • Smokey
  • Stoke
  • Sully

Pale, Silver, and White Betta Names

White betta fish.
  • Ansel
  • Argent: means “silver” in French.
  • Banshee
  • Bijou
  • Bullet
  • Gin: means “silver” in Japanese.
  • Gleam
  • Glimmer
  • Glitter
  • Kesef: “silver” in Hebrew.
  • Mint
  • Nickel
  • Phantom
  • Plata: means “silver” with Spanish.
  • Scratch
  • Shade
  • Shadow
  • Silber: means “silver” in German,
  • Sheen
  • Shimmer
  • Shine
  • Specter
  • Steel
  • Sterling
  • Tinsel
  • Umbra
  • Vanilla
  • Wisp
  • Wraith

Orange Betta Fish Names

Orange betta fish.
  • Alani
  • Amarillo
  • Amber
  • Apple
  • Apricot
  • Aslan
  • Auburn
  • Autumn
  • Bittersweet
  • Blaze
  • Brass
  • Butterbean
  • Buttercup
  • Butterscotch
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carmello
  • Carrots
  • Cayenne
  • Charmander
  • Cheddar
  • Cheetah
  • Cheeto
  • Cherry
  • Cheyenne
  • Chianti
  • Chili
  • Chester
  • Chilie
  • Chip
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cinnamon
  • Citrus
  • Colby
  • Copper
  • Coral
  • Creamsickle
  • Crimson
  • Cuervo
  • Curry
  • Curtis
  • Dana Scully
  • Dandelion
  • Dandy Lion
  • Dempsey
  • Dorito
  • Dundee
  • Ferris
  • Flame
  • Flanigan
  • Flynn
  • Forsythia
  • Frazier
  • Furgus
  • Gala
  • Garfield
  • Gild
  • Gina
  • Ginger
  • Goldie
  • Heinz
  • Julius
  • Keegan
  • Kyo
  • Loki
  • Lucy
  • Maizy Mango
  • Mango
  • Maple
  • Marmalade
  • Maxie
  • Meg
  • Merlot
  • Muffin
  • Nacho
  • Noodles
  • Nubit
  • Nutmeg
  • Ochre
  • Opi
  • Opie
  • Opus
  • Orange
  • Oscar
  • Paprika
  • Peaches
  • Peanut Butter
  • Pekoe
  • Penny
  • Pepsi
  • Poppy
  • Pooh
  • Harry
  • Puff
  • Pumpkin
  • Pumpkin Head
  • Red
  • Rory
  • Rose
  • Rudy
  • Russet
  • Rusty
  • Saffron
  • Salmon
  • Sandy
  • Scarlet
  • Scarlett
  • Sherbert
  • Sinbad
  • Sooner
  • Succotash
  • Sunbeam
  • Sunflower
  • Sunkiss
  • Sunkist
  • Sunny
  • Sunshine
  • Synominn
  • Tabasco
  • Tang
  • Tangerine
  • Tare
  • Tiger Lily
  • Tigger
  • Tigress
  • Titian
  • Treasure
  • Tulip
  • Twany
  • Tweetie
  • Tweets
  • Vincent
  • Winnie

Yellow Betta Fish Names

Yellow betta fish.
  • Butter
  • Butterball
  • Buttercup
  • Biscuit
  • Butterscotch
  • Buffy
  • Cabby
  • Chalk
  • Cheesecake
  • Chamois
  • Claude
  • Corona
  • Cookie
  • Creamer
  • Crackers
  • Custard
  • Dandelion
  • Dandy Lion
  • Dew
  • Flaxen
  • Karo
  • Giallo
  • Gold
  • Golden
  • Highlighter
  • Hilda
  • Ignatz
  • Latte
  • Lemon
  • Leonie
  • Lorenz
  • Lysithea
  • Marianne
  • Marzipan
  • Mellow
  • Milkshake
  • Mustard
  • Nilla
  • Noodle
  • Omlet
  • Pikachu
  • Popcorn
  • Raphael
  • Sparkle
  • Sun
  • Sunflower
  • Sunny
  • Sunshine
  • Taffy
  • Taxi
  • Tapioca
  • Tequila
  • Toffi
  • Vanilla
  • Waffle
  • Yeller
  • Yellow

Black Betta Fish Names

Black betta fish.
  • Ace
  • Angus
  • Ashes
  • Atticus
  • Anisette.
  • Blackie
  • Bear
  • Bernadetta
  • Blake
  • Blackjack
  • Bogie
  • Caspar
  • Cave
  • Cesare
  • Charcoal
  • Cheyenne
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Cinderella
  • Coal
  • Coffee
  • Colbie
  • Crow
  • Darth Vader
  • Dragon
  • Daegan Kai
  • Dante
  • Dorothea
  • Draakar Noir
  • Dugan
  • Duncan
  • Ebony
  • Edelgard
  • Elvira
  • Espresso
  • Eclipse
  • Ferdinand
  • Flint
  • Forest
  • Gabe
  • Guiness
  • Hades
  • Hubert
  • Ink
  • Inky
  • Indigo
  • Ivory
  • Jacket
  • Jamaica
  • Jett
  • Jaguar
  • Johnny Cash
  • Kieran Mael
  • Kodiak
  • Kole
  • Kuro
  • Lelia
  • Licorice
  • Linhardt
  • Mamba
  • Matches
  • Maverick
  • Metal
  • Midnight
  • Misty
  • Morticia
  • Musqua
  • Ninjia
  • Nuit
  • Obsidian
  • Oil
  • Onyx
  • Panther
  • Pearl
  • Pepper
  • Pepsi
  • Petra
  • Phantom
  • Pitch
  • Prieta
  • Phantom
  • Poppy
  • Raven
  • Retread
  • Rasputin
  • Rubber
  • Sable
  • Sabbath
  • Salem
  • Sammy
  • Satchmo
  • Sheba
  • Shadow
  • Shady
  • Sharpie
  • Singularity
  • Sky
  • Skye
  • Soot
  • Sooty
  • Spider
  • Spooky
  • Skylar
  • Spade
  • Tar
  • Tarra
  • Tank
  • Trilby
  • Talladega
  • Tina
  • Vadar

Purple Betta Fish Names

Purple betta fish.
  • Amethyst
  • Beet
  • Berry
  • Boysenberry
  • Ditto
  • Eggplant
  • Ekans
  • Grape
  • Heather
  • Indigo
  • Iris
  • Jam
  • Lavender
  • Lilac
  • Magenta
  • Mauve
  • Mewtwo
  • Mulberry
  • Orchid
  • Periwinkle
  • Plum
  • Purples
  • Raisin
  • Sangria
  • Starmie
  • Thanos
  • Violet
  • Wine

Koi and Galaxy Betta Names (Rainbow colored betta fish)

Koi galaxy betta fish.
  • Allure
  • Blender
  • Calico
  • Camo
  • Charm
  • Checker
  • Chromatic
  • Dapple
  • Dapper
  • Enfys (means rainbow in Welsh)
  • Flash
  • Fleck
  • Florid
  • Jazz
  • Jazzy
  • Kaleidoscope
  • Koi Koi
  • Lucky
  • Marble
  • Mingle
  • Mix
  • Motley
  • Mottle
  • Multi
  • Niji (means rainbow in Japanese)
  • Opal
  • Pied
  • Pinto
  • Poly
  • Prism
  • Rainbow
  • Skittles
  • Speckle
  • Spectrum
  • Splash
  • Spot
  • Sprinkles
  • Starburst
  • Streak
  • Versi

Pink Betta Fish Names

Pink betta fish.
  • Blush
  • Bubblegum
  • Coral
  • Flamingo
  • Fuchsia
  • Lemonade
  • Magenta
  • Peach
  • Pinky
  • Punch
  • Rose
  • Rosewood
  • Rouge
  • Salmon
  • Slipper
  • Strawberry
  • Taffy
  • Watermelon

Dumbo Betta Fish Names

Dumbo betta fish.
  • Babar
  • Benjamin
  • CJ
  • Donphan
  • Dumbo
  • Ears
  • Elmer
  • Emily
  • Hathi
  • Horton
  • Jumbo
  • King
  • Manny
  • Max
  • Meena
  • Mirabelle
  • Nangi
  • Nelson
  • Oliphant
  • Rolo
  • Shep
  • Sniff
  • Snorky
  • Snout
  • Snuffleupagus
  • Tantor
  • Taj
  • Tika
  • Woolie
  • Zunesha

King Betta Fish Names

  • Akbar
  • Alexander
  • Augustus
  • Caligula
  • Charlemagne
  • Cyrus
  • Frederick
  • Godzilla
  • Henry VIII
  • Julius
  • Kingdra
  • Kingler
  • Kingly
  • King Tut
  • Kublai Khan
  • Leonidus
  • Leopold
  • Marcus
  • Napoleon
  • Nero
  • Richard III
  • Solomon
  • Tiberius
  • Titus
  • Vespasian
  • Vlad
  • William
  • Xerxes

Dragon Betta Fish Names (Dragon Scale Betta)

These betta fish names are based on mythological dragons and dragon-like creatures (cool names for dragon scale betta fish and crowntail bettas):

  • Aura
  • Bahamut
  • Balerion
  • Blau
  • Celes
  • Drake
  • Draco
  • Drago
  • Dragonite
  • Dreamfyre
  • Drogon
  • Fafnir
  • Falkor
  • Genryu
  • Hydra
  • Jormangandr
  • Kirin
  • Kukulkan
  • Leviathan
  • Malchior
  • Meraxes
  • Mizuki
  • Mushu
  • Nidhogg
  • Orochi
  • Saphira
  • Shenron
  • Sunfyre
  • Smaug
  • Smirkenorff
  • Tiamat
  • Viserion
  • Wyvern

Japanese Names for Betta Fish (in Romanji)

  • Suisei (Mercury)
  • Kinsei (Venus)
  • Chikyuu (Earth)
  • Kasei (Mars)
  • Mokusei (Jupiter)
  • Dosei (Saturn)
  • Tenousei (Uranus)
  • Kaiousei (Neptune) Meiousei (Pluto)

Cool Betta Names for a Defensive Fish

  • Alloy
  • Chromium
  • Diamond
  • Golem
  • Graveler
  • Indium
  • Iridium
  • Metapod
  • Paladin
  • Palladium
  • Panzer
  • Pillar
  • Remoraid
  • Steelix
  • Scales
  • Shield
  • Silver
  • Tank
  • Titanium
  • Tower
  • Tungsten
  • Turret

Aggressive Betta Fish Names

  • Barb
  • Brinks
  • Bully
  • Dexter
  • Dynamo
  • Forceful
  • Force
  • Hannibal
  • Hostile
  • Hawk
  • Hurricane
  • Hyde
  • Jekyll
  • Killer
  • Nipper
  • Nips
  • Maverick
  • Martial
  • Pushy
  • Pug
  • Perky
  • Quarrel
  • Rocky
  • Roundy
  • Ruthless
  • Scrapper
  • Scrappy
  • Slash
  • Snap
  • Snarky
  • Snipper
  • Snippy
  • Spunky
  • Terminator
  • Thunder
  • Intruder
  • Truck
  • Tuffy
  • Vade
  • Vader
  • Warrior
  • War

Funny Betta Fish Names

  • Algae
  • Alpha
  • Angel
  • Atlantic
  • Atlantis
  • Bait
  • BigFish
  • Bubbles
  • Bubbly
  • Calypso
  • Fin
  • Finley
  • Fish
  • Fish N’ Chips
  • Fishy
  • Flash
  • Flip
  • Flotsam
  • General Finn
  • Goldie
  • Hydra
  • Jaques Cousteau
  • Jetsam
  • Jonah
  • Kraken
  • Mahi Mahi
  • M&M
  • Mr. Bubbles
  • Mr. Krabs
  • Mr. Nibbles
  • Pacific
  • Sushi
  • Swim Shady
  • Tetra
  • Walleye

Funny Fish Name for Betta Male

  • Mr. Bean
  • Dr. Jones
  • Eeyore
  • Chappelle
  • Pickle
  • Pikachu
  • Scar Face
  • Rambo
  • Luigi
  • Aquaman
  • Cloud Strife
  • Sephiroth
  • Pied Piper
  • Chewy
  • Nintendo
  • Popeye
  • Rick
  • Morty
  • Bojangles
  • Nemo
  • Water Boy
  • Oddish
  • Carrot
  • Dilbert
  • Garfield
  • Otis
  • Magikarp
  • Pewdiepie

Funny Fish Name for Betta Female

The list of names below is for betta fish female names that make you smile, but what people find funny will differ so don’t judge me too much for this selection:

  • Aerith
  • Amy Schumer
  • Bikini
  • Boss Lady
  • Butterfly
  • Cardi B.
  • Flip Flop
  • Gamora
  • Jellybean
  • Jigglypuff
  • Latte
  • Marie Kondo
  • Mean Girl
  • Mermaid
  • Misty
  • Ms. Marbles
  • Ms. Piggy
  • Pepper
  • Popcorn
  • Princess
  • Queen B
  • Starbuck
  • Tay Swift
  • Tomato
  • Yuffie
  • Zelda

Moon Related Betta Fish Names

  • Anumati: Meaning “divine favor,” Anumati is the Hindu deity of the moon.
  • Artemis: Greek goddess of hunting and associated with the moon
  • Bendis: In Thracian mythology, Bendis is the goddess of the hunt and the moon.
  • Elatha: Elatha is the Irish god of the moon.
  • Jarilo: A shapeshifting Slavic god associated with the moon, springtime, and fertility.
  • Kaskuh: In Hittite mythology, a moon deity.
  • Luna: Roman goddess associated with the moon.
  • Selene: In Greek mythology, Selene is the goddess associated with the moon.
  • Meness: In Latvian mythology, Meness is a moon deity.
  • Napir: In Elamite mythology, Napir is a moon deity.
  • Nyx: In Greek mythology, Nyx is the goddess of the night.
  • Rathi: Indonesian goddess of the moon.
  • Trivia: Roman goddess associated with graveyards and crossroads.
  • Wu Gang: Wu Gang is the Chinese version of Sisyphus and is depicted as endlessly cutting down the self-healing osmanthus tree on the moon. His name is associated with endless toil.

Nature Related Betta Fish Names

  • Alfalfa
  • Ash
  • Aspen
  • Aster
  • Autumn
  • Barley
  • Bean
  • Berry
  • Birch
  • Blossom
  • Breeze
  • Breezy
  • Briar
  • Brook
  • Buttercup
  • Butternut
  • Cedar
  • Cherry
  • Chili
  • Cinnamon
  • Clementine
  • Cliff
  • Clover
  • Copper
  • Cricket
  • Cypress
  • Daffodil
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Dahlia
  • Dandelion
  • Dawn
  • Diamanda
  • Dusty
  • Ebony
  • Echo
  • Eden
  • Fern
  • Fig
  • Fjord
  • Flash
  • Flint
  • Freesia
  • Forest
  • Foxy
  • Gaia
  • Garnet
  • Gem
  • Gemma
  • Genesis
  • Ginger
  • Goji
  • Gold
  • Gypsy
  • Harmony
  • Heather
  • Herb
  • Holly
  • Honey
  • Honeysuckle
  • Huckleberry
  • Hyancinth
  • Indigo
  • Iris
  • Ivory
  • Ivy
  • Jacinto
  • Jade
  • Jasmine
  • Jemima
  • Jewel
  • Jewels
  • Jordan
  • Jupiter
  • Kai
  • Kiwi
  • Kyle
  • Kylee
  • Lark
  • Laurel
  • Lilac
  • Lily
  • Lilybeth
  • Luna
  • Magnolia
  • Magpie
  • Mango
  • Maple
  • Marigold
  • Marina
  • Mercury
  • Midnight
  • Mist
  • Misty
  • Naia
  • North
  • Nutmeg
  • Oakley
  • Olive
  • Opal
  • Orchid
  • Orion
  • Pea
  • Peanut
  • Pearl
  • Peony
  • Pepper
  • Petunia
  • Phoenix
  • Pluto
  • Poppy
  • Pumpkin
  • Rain
  • Reed
  • Ridge
  • Rio
  • Rock
  • Rocky
  • Rose
  • Rosemary
  • Ruby
  • Sage
  • Sandy
  • Savannah
  • Sienna
  • Sierra
  • Sky
  • Skylar
  • Smoke
  • Smokey
  • Sprout
  • Star
  • Stone
  • Storm
  • Stormy
  • Summer
  • Sunny
  • Sweetpea
  • Tansy
  • Thunder
  • Topaz
  • Tulip
  • Venus
  • Violet
  • Wasabi
  • West
  • Willow
  • Wind
  • Woody
  • Zeva
  • Zoey
  • Zofie

Gemstone Betta Fish Names

  • Amber
  • Amethyst
  • Beryl
  • Citrine
  • Coral
  • Crystal
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Garnet
  • Gem
  • Jade
  • Jasper
  • Jet
  • Jewel
  • Lapis
  • Onyx
  • Opal
  • Pearl
  • Quartz
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Topaz

Why Are Fighting Fish Called Bettas?

What we in America call the Siamese fighting fish, fighting fish, or just betta, is scientifically named the Betta splendens.

But calling Betta splendens a “betta” overlooks the fact that over 70 species of betta fish exist. Most of these wild type bettas show little of the color or aggression that Betta splendens is famous for, but they too are “bettas.”

Back in 1849, Dr. Theodore Edward Cantor bestowed the Latin name, Macropodus pugnax on an aggressive fish with sizable pelvic fins. Around 1897, this aggressive fish was reclassified into the genus Betta and became Betta pugnax.

In 1909, the fish was renamed, “Betta splendens” because another species of Betta already possessed the name “Betta pugnax.”

While accounts differ on how the genus name “betta” came about, many believe that it derives from a Malay term for a local warrior tribe.

“Splendens” is a Latin word meaning bright, brilliant, or shining, which seems fitting for a fish with vivid colors.

While the scientific genus name Betta has become a common name for these fish, bettas are also referred to as “Siamese fighting fish,” and I have even seen them referred to as “Chinese fighting fish” and “Japanese fighting fish.”

Bettas are called “Siamese fighting fish” because betta fish were originally bred in Siam (Thailand) for fighting.

The owners of these betta fish would place bets on their fish and place two males together in a small bowl.

The owner of the winning fish would receive not only money, but prestige in his community as a prize fish breeder.

These betta fish fights became popular on a national scale, and breeders began strategically selecting for traits like strength and aggression.

While many betta fish males were killed or died from injury, breeders of Siamese fighting fish would try to remove the losing betta before it was mortally injured so that the fish could recover and fight another day.

When betta fish were introduced to Europe, color, instead of aggression, was the focus of breeding programs, and that is where the modern betta, we know and love, came from.

Conclusion

My list of betta fish names could go on and on, and will be updated periodically, but, for now, I hope it inspired you to pick a name for your betta fish.

For those who are choosing between a male and a female betta fish, check out my article on female vs male betta fish to learn about which fish may be better for you to keep.

If you want to learn more about betta fish in general, check out my article on betta fish care, and if you want your betta to live in a planted tank, check out my articles on the best plants for betta fish and planted nano tanks.

If you plan to create a community tank or need ideas for which fish to keep, check out my articles on 12 of the easiest fish to keep in your aquarium and the best fish for a 10 gallon tank.

As always, stay zen aquarists.