Betta Fish Names
Betta fish are the divas of the aquarium world: jewel-bright colors, long flowing fins and a fighting spirit that earned them the nickname Siamese fighting fish. A fish with that much personality needs a name to match, so we’ve gathered more than 90 betta fish names, from fierce warrior names to elegant names for veiltails and halfmoons, plus Thai names that honor the species’ roots.
Bettas (Betta splendens) come from the rice paddies and shallow waters of Thailand and neighboring countries. Because males must be kept alone, every betta is a solo star, so the name really matters. For other tank ideas, see our main fish names list and our goldfish names, or browse Thai names for more inspiration.
Fierce warrior names for male bettas
Male bettas flare their gills and fins to face down rivals (or their own reflection). These names honor that courage. More in samurai names and gladiator names.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Samurai | Japanese warrior class | Sleek, proud males |
| Spartacus | Thracian gladiator who led a slave revolt | Fighters |
| Achilles | Greek hero of the Trojan War | Bold males |
| Ares | Greek god of war | Aggressive flarers |
| Mars | Roman god of war | Red bettas |
| Zeus | King of the Greek gods | Tank rulers |
| Thor | Norse god of thunder | Blue bettas |
| Leonidas | Spartan king at Thermopylae | Brave fish |
| Maximus | Latin “greatest”; <em>Gladiator</em>’s hero | Big personalities |
| Genghis | Genghis Khan, Mongol ruler | Tank conquerors |
| Kaiser | German “emperor” | Regal males |
| Ronin | A masterless samurai | Solitary males |
| Viking | Norse seafarers | Adventurous fish |
| Titan | Greek giants | Large plakats |
| Blade | Sharp edge | Crowntails with spiky fins |
| Brawler | A scrapper | Feisty fish |
| Rocky | The boxer from <em>Rocky</em> | Champion fighters |
| Bruiser | A tough guy | Short-finned plakats |
Elegant names for flowing fins
Veiltail, halfmoon, delta, double-tail and rosetail bettas have spectacular fins that look like silk gowns.
| Name | Inspiration | Fin type |
|---|---|---|
| Veil | Veiltail fins | Veiltails |
| Halo | A ring of light | Halfmoons with round fins |
| Crescent | Half-moon shape | Halfmoons |
| Silk | Smooth, flowing fabric | Long-finned bettas |
| Chiffon | Sheer, light fabric | Pale bettas |
| Satin | Lustrous fabric | Shiny bettas |
| Rosette | A rose shape | Rosetails |
| Plume | A large feather | Feathertails |
| Ballerina | Graceful dancer | Flowing females |
| Tutu | A ballet skirt | Frilly fish |
| Duchess | Noble title | Regal females |
| Marquis | Noble title | Elegant males |
| Aurora | Latin “dawn” | Multicolored fins |
| Delta | Greek letter; delta-tail fins | Delta tails |
| Ribbon | A long flowing strip | Long fins |
| Gatsby | <em>The Great Gatsby</em> | Showy males |
Thai names for betta fish
Bettas are called pla kat (“biting fish”) in Thailand and were declared the country’s national aquatic animal in 2019.
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Siam | see-AHM | Former name of Thailand |
| Mali | MAH-lee | “Jasmine” |
| Dao | dow | “Star” |
| Fah | fah | “Sky” |
| Nam | nahm | “Water” |
| Chai | chai | “Man, victory” (common name element) |
| Kla | klah | “Brave” |
| Suriya | soo-ree-YAH | “Sun” |
| Chan | chahn | “Moon” |
| Lek | lek | “Small” (common nickname) |
| Mek | mek | “Cloud” |
| Petch | pet | “Diamond” |
| Plakat | PLAH-kat | Thai name for short-finned fighting bettas |
| Siri | SEE-ree | “Glory, splendor” |
| Ploy | ploy | “Gemstone” |
| Nok | nok | “Bird” |
Gem and color names
Bettas come in red, blue, turquoise, black, white, yellow, orange, purple and dazzling combinations like koi and dragon scale. See also gemstone names.
| Name | Color | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby | Red | The classic red betta |
| Sapphire | Blue | Deep royal blue |
| Emerald | Green | Green-sheen bettas |
| Amethyst | Purple | Purple bettas |
| Onyx | Black | Black Orchid or Melano bettas |
| Opal | White/iridescent | Opaque white bettas |
| Topaz | Yellow | Pineapple and yellow bettas |
| Garnet | Deep red | Dark red bettas |
| Turquoise | Blue-green | Turquoise bettas |
| Cobalt | Bright blue | Electric blue fish |
| Crimson | Deep red | Red veiltails |
| Koi | Koi pattern | Marbled koi bettas |
| Dragon | Dragon-scale pattern | Metallic dragon scales |
| Marble | Marble pattern | Color-changing marble bettas |
| Cellophane | Transparent | Nearly clear bettas |
| Mustard | Mustard Gas coloring | Blue body, yellow fins |
Fire, storm and element names
Big, dramatic names for bettas with blazing colors.
| Name | Meaning | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Mythical firebird | Red-orange fish |
| Blaze | A bright fire | Fiery reds |
| Ember | Glowing coal | Orange bettas |
| Inferno | A roaring fire | Very red bettas |
| Flare | Their gill-flaring display | Any male |
| Tsunami | A giant wave | Blue fish |
| Typhoon | A tropical storm | Energetic bettas |
| Storm | Wild weather | Dark bettas |
| Thunder | Stormy sound | Bold males |
| Lightning | Electric flash | Fast fish |
| Nebula | Cosmic cloud | Galaxy koi bettas |
| Comet | Blazing tail | Long-tailed bettas |
Funny betta fish names
A few puns for fish with a big attitude in a small tank.
| Name | The joke | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fins Bond | James Bond | Secret-agent males |
| Alpha Betta | Alpha beta | Dominant males |
| Betta Midler | Bette Midler | Divas |
| Betta White | Betty White | White bettas |
| Betta Than You | Better than you | Snooty fish |
| Betta Late Than Never | Better late… | Slow eaters |
| Gill-ian | Gillian | Female bettas |
| Fishcasso | Picasso | Colorful fish |
| Sir Flaresalot | Sir Lancelot | Frequent flarers |
| Mr. Fancypants | For the fanciest fins | Halfmoons |
| Karate Kid | Martial arts classic | Fighters |
| Mike Tyson | The boxer | Tough males |
| Fish Fillet | Not the plan | Dark humor |
| Swim Shady | Slim Shady | Rapper fish |
Tips for naming a betta fish
- Wait a day or two: stressed bettas look pale, and their full color and fins show once they settle in.
- Let fin type inspire you. Crowntails suit spiky names like Blade; halfmoons suit soft names like Crescent or Halo.
- Bettas can change color, especially marble bettas, so a color name may not stay accurate forever.
- Female bettas are usually smaller with shorter fins; but they have just as much attitude, so give them names like Duchess, Ruby or Aurora.
- Bettas really do learn routines and often “dance” at the front of the tank when their owner appears.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good name for a betta fish?
Popular betta names include Ruby, Sapphire, Samurai, Zeus, Siam and Phoenix. Funny picks include Fins Bond and Betta Midler.
Why are betta fish called Siamese fighting fish?
Bettas are native to Thailand (formerly Siam), where people bred them for fighting contests. Males are territorial and will fight other males.
What does betta mean?
The name is often linked to the Ikan Bettah, a local Malay name for these fish, though the exact origin is debated.
What is a Thai name for a betta fish?
In Thailand, bettas are called pla kat, meaning “biting fish.” Thai names like Mali (jasmine), Dao (star) and Petch (diamond) make lovely betta names.
Is the betta the national fish of Thailand?
Yes. Thailand named the Siamese fighting fish its national aquatic animal in 2019.