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When it comes to naming critters and creatures butterflies aren’t at the top of the list. But those who know them well understand that they have unique personalities and a captivating aura. The genus of butterflies is equally elegant and abstract.
Butterfly names should respect your flier’s personality and beauty, and you can draw inspiration from any variety of sources. Whether you want names of Greek origin, names that nod at the type of butterfly, or names that highlight those beautiful butterfly wings, this list of butterfly names has you covered.
For small butterflies and giant butterflies of every color imaginable, this guide will point you in the right direction.
Let’s dive in.
Best Butterfly Names
Your pretty butterfly deserves only the best, and these are some of the most popular choices out there.
Even if you don’t find the right name here, these names are a great launching off point for your butterfly-naming journey.
- Scarlet
- Jemma
- Aisha
- Hawthorne
- Moona
- Jacinth
- Arianell
- Esme
- Dahlia
- Aisha
- Leilani
- Bela
- Jolie
- Zeus
- Oleander
- Bela
- Gemma
- Jameson
- Viola
- Belle
- Jaxon
- Parker
- Yetta
- Coral
- Acadia
- Serendipity
- Ivory
- Butter
- Lola
- Luna
- Art
- Farida
- London
- Diamenta
- Fur Elise
- Derry
- Cosmo
- Flint
- Aeris
- Adonis
- Amor
- Agate
- Wilder
- Tansy
- Piper
- Alabaster
- Blossom
- Afton
- Adesia
- Lola
Featured post: Incredible insect names
Names For Female Butterflies
Your butterfly doesn’t need to be biologically female to have a feminine way, but there are a few ways you can check. These usually depend on the type of butterfly, but females are often larger than males and they are the ones that lay eggs.
These names also work well for the feminine charm of butterflies, regardless of biology.
- Porsha
- Ansley
- Addison
- Edith
- Cassandra
- Mila
- Guinevere
- Nessa
- Avril
- Felicity
- Calanthe
- Kalliope
- Muirne
- Lucy
- Ashleigh
- Grace
- Arya
- Dalia
- Diana
- Aurelia
- Madeleine
- Alyne
- Lyntheth
- June
- Phoswen
- Aimee
- Morgan
- Maisie
- Cecilia
- Beverley
- Pearl
- Alma
- Juno
- Olja
- Mabel
- Stella
- Ailen
- Ginessa
- Akasma
- Kellsie
- Celeste
- Centaine
- Zenobia
- Bede
- Jonette
- Larissa
- Lolite
- Ava
- Lola
- Maripossa
Names For Male Butterflies
A masculine name often evokes feelings of bravery and strength, and these names are great for butterflies strong enough to carry them.
You may be able to distinguish male butterflies based on the pattern on their wings, vibrant colors, and their smaller size.
- Mael
- Perry
- Aodhan
- Blondell
- Niko
- Shakespeare
- Clancy
- Thibault
- Devie
- Smith
- Orthurus
- Leo
- Orion
- Ezra
- Baxter
- Alder
- Cerberus
- Kiran
- Chester
- Remy
- Charon
- Nigel
- Atticus
- Sebastian
- Julian
- Phoenix
- Pax
- Cicero
- Gael
- Finn
- Avis
- Edom
- Octavius
- Cold
- Henley
- Viceroy
- Reed
- Rowan
- Milo
- Ferb
- Alle
- Barnett
- Lucas
- Flanagan
- Leviathan
- Admiral
- Duke
- Beaman
- Saule
- Kent
Unisex Names for Butterflies
Gender doesn’t need to play a role in naming your butterfly, and it may be easiest to find a gentle unisex name for your butterfly.
Inspiration for these names comes from many places, including unisex baby names, colors, and objects.
These names hold up well for any butterfly.
- Vijaya
- Skye
- Burgundy
- Gucci
- Armani
- Dolon
- Garnet
- Peacock
- Lennon
- Moonlight
- Chestnut
- Chryso – Greek word “chrysos” meaning gold
- Paris
- Garnet
- Obsidian
- Aqua
- Ireland
- Vienna
- Ivory
- Gilded
- Bayu
- Goldie
- Porsche
- Blue
- Piper
Cute Butterfly Names
While butterflies are often elegant, their delicate frame and colorful appearance also evoke feelings of cuteness.
Take a closer look at any butterfly, and you will realize they have a soft, fuzzy cuteness and adorable bug eyes.
These cute names also make good nicknames for your everyday visitors.
- Poppy
- Lollipop
- Petunia
- Butter
- Camellia
- Jujubee
- Rhythm
- Jellybean
- Jasmine
- Willow
- Lily
- Sweet Pea
- Ivy
- Flurty
- Holly
- Flora
- Iris
- Daphne
- Flitter
- Pancakes
- Flapper
- Tulip
- Flutter
- Powerpuff
- Poppet
Good Names for Butterflies
It doesn’t take much to be a good name for a butterfly, but many great names revolve around flowers, gemstones, and anything else that highlights their beautiful colors and fruity nature.
Good may be subjective, but we think these are good names for any butterfly you have.
- Briar
- Opaline
- Pear
- Bellona
- Apple
- Valerian
- Dandie
- Saphira
- Aphrodite
- Cherise
- Peach
- Opal
- Petal
- Cupid
- Atlanta
- Flower
- Daisy
- Sorrel
- Belle
- Zinnia
- Dream
- Oren
- Blossom
- Azalea
- Caramel
Funny Butterfly Names
There are a few ways you can play with a butterfly’s characteristics to give them a funny name. These names may be fun, but they also highlight your butterfly’s personality on a whole new level.
Whether you’re a jokester or have a quirky flier in your life, these comical names can make anyone crack a smile.
- Schmetter
- Peanut Butter
- Flutura
- Patterpillar
- Pitter Patter
- Bug
- Butter Bread
- Butter Baby
- Butter Fly By
- Fluttershy
- Butter Pancakes
- Farfalla
- Butter Biscuits
- Flutterfly
- Sky Butter
- Butter Pie
- Butters McGee
- Butterfly McQueen
- Butter Nut
- Flitter
Cool Names for Butterflies
On the other end of the spectrum are the butterflies that are cool, calm, and collected. They deserve modern, nouveau names that let everyone know they’re the ones who wear the shades.
These cool names for butterflies exude strength, dignity, and elegance that work perfectly for their reputation.
- Ametrine
- Mars
- Bronze
- Jupiter
- Diamond
- Otto
- Hades
- Peridot
- Alexander
- Houdini
- Storm
- Venus
- Kite
- Elizabeth
- Calanthe
- Zurie
- Shire
- Saturn
- Pluto
- Trojan
- Diable
- Tiger
- Mercury
- Albertine
- Terra
- Neptune
- Anubis
- Yonder
- Knight
- Kunzite
Unique Butterfly Names
Unique names come from a variety of sources, including history, foreign languages, and the rich culture of the world around you. A unique name is anything that the other butterflies don’t have, and you can snag it from anything you’re passionate about.
Look to literature and don’t be afraid to piece things together to make a special name for your butterfly.
- Aponi – Navajo for “butterfly”
- Zircon
- Anubis
- Birdwing
- Adelite
- Beryl
- Shri
- Pitch
- Tala
- Mala
- Mayari
- Saga
- Baast
- Carnelian
- Sonder
- Tanzanite
- Spinel
- Diamenta
- Amberjill
- Hanan
Famous Butterfly Names
There aren’t many famous butterflies, but you can borrow names from similar insects like caterpillars or moths to evoke the same feeling of recognition.
This is also the perfect opportunity to acknowledge famous butterfly enthusiasts that inspire you and artists inspired by these beautiful creatures.
- Fountaine
- Hokusai
- Shigenobu
- Hirst
- Shaiapouf
- Van Gogh
- Luna
- Psyche
- Ashvin
- Mothra
- Merian
- Coorte
- Harrison
- Kahlo
- Nabokov
- Maria
- Colin
- Hulme
- Gainsborough
- Hope
Cartoon Butterfly Names
In that same vein, looking to cartoons for butterfly representation or inspiration is a great way to find a name for your friend. Cartoons often have colorful characters that may match perfectly.
Cartoons aren’t only for children, and your list of inspiration only gets bigger when you look to other animations for inspiration.
- Amber
- Asuka
- Ai
- Megumi
- Nezuko
- Dustox
- Absolem
- Kuzco
- Haruhi
- Beautifly
- Tohru
- Himeko
- Ghopawing
- Faye
- Sakura
- Cassandra
- Haruko
- Taiga
- Boomifly
- Beryl
- Hayu
- Isumi
- Akane
- Butterfree
- Akari
- Vivillon
- Volcarona – A Pokemon name that perfectly suits a painted lady butterfly
- Tamaki
- Celty
- Biggerfly
Names for Big Butterflies
If you have a big butterfly in your life, you want a name large enough to support those wings. These names for big butterflies either literally relate to something big in this world, or they have a big reputation capable of complementing your friend.
Big is beautiful, and you want a name that celebrates this sentiment.
- Apocalypse
- Colossus
- Deuce
- Zatanna
- Zephyr
- Vixen
- Zeus
- Tsunami – A great name for a big blue butterfly
- Lilith
- Diablo
- Elektra
- Ares
- Banshee
- Jupiter
- Mars
- Heathcliff
- Baroness
- Saturn
- Nova – Latin for “new”/ Hopi for “chaser of butterflies”
- Juno
- Freya
- Ursula
- Sargeant
- Sheba
- Medusa
- Hera
- Rogue
- Juggernaut
- Wrath
- Goliath
- Gaia
Names for Small Butterflies
Most of your names for small butterflies focus on their dainty nature. These names make perfect sense for your tiny treasures, but they’ll work well for butterflies of any size.
Small butterflies still have a big personality, and these names show nothing but respect for mini-mariposas.
- Toto
- Gidget
- Bumble
- Smidge
- Gremlin
- Chickpea
- L’il
- Meep
- Tiny
- Gumdrop
- Tiny
- Lyneth
- Capone
- Small Fly
- Peep
- Pip
- Pea
- Pebble
- Shrimpy
- Bebe
- Peewee
- Bo Peep
- Candy Corn
- Poke
- Glasswing
- Peaches
- Baby Ruth
- Bambino
- Beanie
- Dolly
- Trinket
- Gizmo
- Acorn
- Cutie
- Cub
- Guppy
- Sweetie Fly
- Button
- Nugget
French Butterfly Names
French names always have an air of elegance, especially if you live outside the area. They’re foreign enough to feel unique, and they have a rich history that enhances your butterfly’s beauty.
These French names are a great choice for any beautiful butterfly, regardless of their gender, size, or wing pattern.
- Berthe – Bright
- Chloe – Fresh blooming
- Anais – Grace
- Arielle – Lioness of God
- Etienne – Garland, crown
- Gael – Generous lord
- Lucien – Light
- Bayleigh – Berry wood
- Amber – Precious jewel
- Oceane – Ocean
- Papillon – Butterfly
- Abelle – Bee
Japanese Butterfly Names
Japan is another country with a rich history and beautiful language, and anyone with respect for Japanese culture may want to find the perfect name from this country.
Japanese names often have beautiful meanings, and you’re not likely to find any other creature with one of these names.
- Sen – Wood fairy
- Nozomi – Hope
- Rika – True fragrance
- Kiumi – Longtime beauty
- Suki – Beloved
- Ruri – Emerald
- Gen – Spring
- Ami – Beauty
- Sayuri – Small lilly
- Kaede – Maple leaf
- Fuji – Wealthy, intention
- Haruki – Radiant Spring
- Takara – Treasure
- Kakashi – Hair ornament
- Miki – Flower stem
- Yuka – Fragrant
- Akiko – Bright and autumn
- Masumi – Increasing beauty
- Ren – Water lily
- Toshi – Mirror image
- Yuri – Lily
- Chou – Butterfly
- Kazumin – Harmonious beauty
- Hikaru – Light
- Misaki – Beauty bloom
- Hoshi – Star
- Yumi – Yumi
- Mitsu – Light
- Haru – Springtime
Names for Colorful Exotic Butterflies
Whether your colorful butterfly is common in your area or something rare you’ve never seen before, these names are just as extravagant and bold.
- Jonila
- Kaleidoscope
- Alisah
- Amaranth
- Itzpapalotl – From Aztec Ītzpāpālōtl meaning “obsidian butterfly”
- Jinelle
- Manzat
- Iridiana
- Daryllyn
- Halena
- Bayu
- Leueue
- Rue
- Polychrome
- Kiran
- Jonda
- Harlequin
- Mirage
- Hina
- Neven
- Amitola
- Paradise
- Oil Spill
- Motley
- Poly
- Araceli
- Amaterasu
Name Inspiration
You can find inspiration almost anywhere; you just need to know where to look.
Blend what you know about your butterfly with your own interests, and then search for names in those areas.
Here are some common sources of inspiration for naming any creature:
Names of Latin origin:
- Vincent – Conquering
- Florence – Flourishing, prosperous
- Aurora – Dawn
- Clementine – Mild, merciful
- Silas – Wood, forest
- Ambrose – Immortal
- August – Great, magnificent
- Cordelia – Heart, daughter of the sea
- Arabella – Yielding to prayer
- Cassius – Hollow
- Cassian – Hollow
- Jude – Praised
- Oliver – Olive tree
- Magnus – Greatest
- Clara – Bright, clear
- Felix – Happy, fortunate
- Miles – Soldier, merciful
- Aurelius – The golden one
- Beatrice – She who brings happiness; blessed
Names of English origin:
- Beacher – Dweller by the beech tree
- Charmaine – Charm, bountiful orchard, singer
- Alfred – Wise counsel
- Preston – Priest town
- Avery – Ruler of the elves
- Elvina – Elf, magical creature, friend
- Aldrich – Old king
- Acton – Village with oak trees
- Acton – Town with many oaks
- Alcott – Old cottage
- Harlow – Rock hill
- Ackley – Meadow of oaks
- Barclay – Birch meadow
- Amsden – From the ambrose valley
- Archie – Archer, bold, brave
- Knox – Small hill
- Bentley – From the moor
- Deonne – Valley, church leader
Crystals and gemstones:
- Citrine
- Lapis Lazuli
- Sapphire
- Diamond
- Copper
- Emerald
- Amber
- Aquamarine
- Coral
- Ebony
- Ruby
- Tourmaline
- Cinnabar
- Topaz
- Amethyst
Flora:
- Reed
- Hazel
- Marigold
- Lars
- Heywood
- Rose
- Aster
- Cedar
- Dandelion
- Elwood
- Magnolia
- Birch
- Herb
- Violet
- Arbor
- Primrose
- Juniper
- Indigo
- Hyacinth
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Orchid
Help Choosing the Perfect Name
Some people find the perfect name within seconds, but many want to take time to get to know their butterfly before making the commitment. It’s easiest to narrow down your search and throw around some ideas when you feel stuck.
After you spend some time observing your butterfly and learning its personality, you should have a general idea of what names work well for them. There’s no shame in working with your interests or running through lists of names for baby girls or baby boys.
Online forums and groups will understand your passion and desire to name your butterfly baby, and they can help you pin down the perfect name. Friends and family are usually more than willing to offer their input, and you can always take a name for a test drive before making it official.
Conclusion
There are endless wells to tap for the perfect butterfly name, including words of native American origin and ancient Greek mythology. Different species of butterflies exist all over. This includes the Monarch butterfly of North America, and many look to regional names to identify them.
Others prefer to highlight the unique markings of a colorful butterfly, and some try to find the perfect name to highlight their beauty and strength.
Whatever your reason, here are thousands of names waiting to settle into place. The right name will lock right into place, and it will bring you that much closer to your majestic friend.