Goldfish Names
The goldfish is the world’s most popular pet fish, first bred from wild carp in China more than 1,000 years ago. It’s also often a child’s very first pet, which makes naming it a big occasion. Here are more than 90 goldfish names, from shimmering golden names to famous goldfish, funny puns and names inspired by fancy breeds like the Oranda, Ryukin and Bubble Eye.
A well-kept goldfish can live 10 to 15 years or more, so choose a name that will still feel right when your “little” fish is the size of a hand. For more ideas, see our main fish names page and betta fish names, or look through names that mean gold.
Golden and orange goldfish names
Names inspired by their famous color, which ranges from pale yellow to deep red-orange.
| Name | Meaning / inspiration | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Goldie | The classic goldfish nickname | Kids’ favorite |
| Nugget | A lump of gold | Small goldfish |
| Midas | King whose touch turned things to gold | Regal fish |
| Aurelia | Latin “golden” | Elegant females |
| Oro | Spanish/Italian “gold” | Short and sweet |
| Aurum | Latin “gold” (source of Au on the periodic table) | Science fans |
| Bullion | Gold bars | Hefty fish |
| Doubloon | Spanish gold coin | Pirate fans |
| Goldilocks | The fairy-tale girl | Curious fish |
| Blondie | Golden-haired | Pale gold fish |
| Sunny | Warm, golden sunshine | Cheerful fish |
| Sol | Latin/Spanish “sun” | Bright orange fish |
| Marigold | The golden-orange flower | Female fish |
| Saffron | The golden spice | Deep yellow fish |
| Amber | Fossilized golden resin | Warm-toned fish |
| Honey | Golden nectar | Pale gold fish |
| Butterscotch | Golden candy | Light orange fish |
| Copper | Reddish metal | Red-orange fish |
| Penny | Copper coin | Small red-orange fish |
| Ginny | Ginger-colored; also a <em>Harry Potter</em> redhead | Red-orange females |
| Gilded | Covered in a thin layer of gold | Fancy fish |
| Klondike | The Yukon gold rush of the 1890s | Adventurous fish |
| Eldorado | Legendary city of gold | Explorers |
| Sunset | An orange evening sky | Deep orange fish |
Fruity and tasty goldfish names
Orange food names are cute, simple and perfect for kids. (The crackers are named after the fish, not the other way round.)
| Name | Food | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Mango | Tropical fruit | Orange-yellow fish |
| Peaches | Sweet fruit | Pale orange fish |
| Tangerine | Small citrus | Bright orange fish |
| Clementine | Seedless citrus; a classic girl’s name | Female fish |
| Kumquat | Tiny golden citrus | Small fish |
| Apricot | Soft orange fruit | Pale fish |
| Carrot | Crunchy orange veggie | Orange fish |
| Pumpkin | Round orange squash | Round fancy goldfish |
| Cheddar | Orange cheese | Kid-friendly |
| Cheeto | Orange snack | Funny pick |
| Nacho | Cheesy chips | Orange fish |
| Dorito | Triangular chip | Fish with pointy fins |
| Cracker | Goldfish crackers | Obvious and fun |
| Marmalade | Orange preserves | Classic British charm |
| Papaya | Orange tropical fruit | Tropical tanks |
| Sweet Potato | Orange root vegetable | Chubby fish |
Famous goldfish
Goldfish have had their share of fame on screen and in stories.
| Name | Where it’s from | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cleo | Disney’s <em>Pinocchio</em> (1940) | Geppetto’s flirtatious goldfish |
| Wanda | <em>A Fish Called Wanda</em> (1988) | Ken’s pet fish shares the heroine’s name |
| Brunhilde | Ponyo’s real name in <em>Ponyo</em> | A grand name for a small fish |
| Ponyo | Studio Ghibli’s <em>Ponyo</em> (2008) | The goldfish who wants to be human |
| Mr. Limpet | <em>The Incredible Mr. Limpet</em> (1964) | A man who turns into a fish |
| Fish | Dr. Seuss’s <em>The Cat in the Hat</em> | The worried goldfish in the bowl |
| Nemo | <em>Finding Nemo</em> | Orange-and-white fish |
| Magikarp | Pokémon, a golden-orange carp | Carp relatives |
Names for fancy goldfish breeds
Fancy goldfish have been bred in China and Japan for centuries into remarkable shapes. Match the name to the breed.
| Name | Breed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry | Oranda | The bumpy head growth (wen) looks like a raspberry |
| Brainiac | Oranda | The wen looks like a brain |
| Lionel | Lionhead | Named for the lion-like head growth |
| Leo | Lionhead | Latin “lion” |
| Pom Pom | Pompom | Fluffy nasal outgrowths |
| Bubbles | Bubble Eye | Fluid-filled eye sacs |
| Goggles | Telescope Eye | Big bulging eyes |
| Stargazer | Celestial Eye | Eyes point upward |
| Ryu | Ryukin | Japanese “dragon”; the Ryukin’s namesake |
| Fantail | Fantail | Split, fanned tail |
| Butterfly | Butterfly Tail | Tail looks like wings from above |
| Comet | Comet | Long single tail, fast swimmer |
| Shubunkin | Shubunkin | Calico-patterned goldfish breed |
| Calico | Shubunkin or Calico | Patchy colors |
| Ranchu | Ranchu | The “king of goldfish” in Japan |
| Pearl | Pearlscale | Raised, pearl-like scales |
| Panda | Panda Moor | Black-and-white coloring |
| Moor | Black Moor | The breed itself |
Funny goldfish names
Pun-tastic names for a fish with a big personality.
| Name | The joke | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Fin Diesel | Vin Diesel | Speedy fish |
| Goldie Hawn | The actress | Classic comedy |
| Goldfinger | The Bond film | Spy fish |
| Swimmy McSwimface | Boaty McBoatface | Internet-famous |
| Sir Swims-a-Lot | Knightly pun | Active swimmers |
| Flash | The superhero | Fast fish |
| Carpe Diem | Latin “seize the day” (goldfish are carp) | Philosophical fish |
| Frida Fishlo | Frida Kahlo | Artsy fish |
| Mr. Bubbles | Always blowing bubbles | Any fish |
| Chip | Short and snacky | Small fish |
| Nibbler | Always eating | Hungry fish |
| Fishmael | Ishmael from <em>Moby-Dick</em> | Literary families |
| Goldberg | A surname with “gold” in it | Big, tough fish |
| Gilligan | <em>Gilligan’s Island</em>, with a gill in it | Castaway fish |
| Finnegan | Irish name with a fin built in | Happy fish |
| Swimberly | Kimberly, but swimming | Female fish |
Chinese and Japanese goldfish names
Goldfish originated in China, and in Chinese culture they symbolize wealth, since the word for fish (yú) sounds like the word for abundance. Japan has a long tradition of fancy breeds too. See also Chinese names and Japanese names.
| Name | Language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Jin | Chinese | “Gold” |
| Jinyu | Chinese | “Goldfish” |
| Fu | Chinese | “Good fortune” |
| Chinese | “Star” | |
| Bao | Chinese | “Treasure” |
| Kin | Japanese | “Gold” |
| Kingyo | Japanese | “Goldfish” |
| Hoshi | Japanese | “Star” |
| Taiyo | Japanese | “Sun” |
| Kohaku | Japanese | “Amber”; also a red-and-white koi pattern |
Tips for naming a goldfish
- Plan for growth: common and comet goldfish can reach 10 inches or more, so “Tiny” may end up ironic.
- Goldfish colors can change with age and light, and some black goldfish turn orange, so don’t lock in a color name too early.
- If you have several, name them by shape or markings so you can tell who’s who.
- Let children pick from a short list of three or four names you’re happy with.
- Goldfish can learn to recognize the person who feeds them, so say the name at feeding time.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good name for a goldfish?
Goldie, Nugget, Mango, Midas, Cleo and Bubbles are some of the most popular goldfish names.
What is the name of the goldfish in Pinocchio?
Geppetto’s goldfish in Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio is named Cleo.
What is the goldfish in Ponyo called?
Ponyo’s real name is Brunhilde, but the boy Sōsuke names her Ponyo, and that’s the name she keeps.
How long do goldfish live?
With a large tank or pond and good filtration, goldfish commonly live 10 to 15 years, and some have lived over 40.
What does goldfish mean in Chinese?
The Chinese word for goldfish is jīnyú, literally “gold fish.” It sounds like “gold and jade” or “gold in abundance,” so goldfish are a symbol of wealth.