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Dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals in the world.
The average IQ of a bottlenose dolphin is 4.14– much higher than the majority of humanity!
However, dolphins don’t let their big brains stop them from having fun.
On top of being one of the smartest animals in the world, they are also one of the most playful! These amazing sea creatures are full of spunk and grace, and love to show off.
Whether your aquarium just got a new dolphin or you have a cute new dolphin plushie waiting for the perfect name, you’ll find inspiration here in our ultimate dolphin naming guide!
Let’s dive in.
Best Dolphin Names
Here are the most popular monikers given to our underwater friends:
- Jumper
- Paradise
- Dory
- Ocean
- Echo
- Azul – Blue
- Sterling – Little Star
- Clipper – A merchant sailing ship
- Mermaid
- Jupiter – The Roman’s supreme god of love and god of the sky
- Bluebell
- Coral
- Anchor
- Blue
- Sunny
- Dorian – Gift
- Snoopy
- Pisces – The fish
- Titan – Defender
- Sport
- Buddy
- Nemo
- Azure – Sky blue
- Coral
- Soleil – Sun
- Star
- Atlantis – Named after the lost underwater city, Atlantis.
- Shimmer
- Tux
- Pirate
- Summer
- Apollo – Destroyer
- Aurora – Dawn
- Poseidon – The Greek god of the sea
- Capricorn – Sea goat
- Oceana
- Luna – Moon
- Blue
- Reef
- Hydra – A water serpent from Greek mythology.
- Silver
- Misty
- Splash
- Fin
- Umiko – Patient
- Aqua
- Bubbles
- Kai – Sea, shell, or warrior
- Rascal
- Emerald
Names For A Girl Dolphin
Your graceful female dolphin deserves a name as beautiful and graceful as herself!
Here are some creative ideas for you:
- Cleo – To praise or acclaim
- Dolly – Gift of God
- Prim – First, First-born
- Myrtle – Tree or victory
- Grace – Goodness and generosity
- Didi – Older sister
- Kiki – Double happiness
- Hayley – Hay meadow
- Penelope – Weaver
- Jade – Precious stone
- Starla – Star
- Aquamarine – A stone that represents happiness and hope. Also translates to “water of the sea.”
- Odessa – Long journey
- Jewel
- Rose
- Dawn
- Destiny
- Pearl
- Princess
- Bella – Beautiful
- Roxie – Sassy
- Marina – From the sea
- Brooke – Water or small stream
- Flo – Flourishing
- Zsa Zsa – God is my oath
- Dora – Gift
Names For A Boy Dolphin
If you’re looking for boy names for a male dolphin, here are some great ideas to help you get started:
- Jacques – Supplanter
- Desmond – Gracious defender
- Jules – Youthful
- Jack – God is gracious
- Jasper – Treasurer
- Dax – Leader
- Oscar – Champion warrior
- Buddy
- Drake – Dragon
- Jonah
- Cooper – Barrel maker
- Nigel – Champion
- Louis – Famous warrior
- Fisher
- Billy – Protection
- Finley – Fair-haired courageous one
- Baxter – Baker
- Clifford – Cliff-side ford
- Hutch – Bright in mind, spirit, and heart.
- Caspian – Named after the Caspian Sea
- Sebastian – Respectable or wise
Unisex Names For Dolphins
It can be a little hard to tell a dolphin’s gender. If you’re struggling and looking for a name that could go for either a boy or a girl, here are some good ideas to help you get started:
- Sammy – God has heard
- Yoko – Child
- Frankie – Free or truthful
- Noah – Rest
- Dillon – Loyal
- Gale – Jovial
- Beau – Beautiful or handsome
- Bimini – Two islands
- Arctic – Named after the Arctic Sea
- Namu – Tree or wood
- Skipper – Captain
- Surfer
- Ronnie – Ruler, also advice and decision
- River
- Fifer – A piper
- Puck
- Ace
- Nereus – A god of the sea in Greek mythology
- Brine – Salty water
Cute Dolphin Names
Let’s be honest, certain dolphins deserve the cutest name available.
Whether you’ve got a new baby dolphin or a dolphin that regularly steals your heart, here are some cute names:
- Squeaky
- Bubba – A word used for brother
- Bobo
- Astro
- Bottle
- Kid
- Wavy
- Radar
- Pebbles
- Conch
- Angel
- Squirt
- Caspar – Keeper of the treasure
- Ariel
- Chips
- Chirpy
- Jelly Bean
- Sparkle
- Squid
- Galia – Wave of God
- Cupcake
- Tuna
- Prancer
- Winnie – Gentle, friend of peace
- Flounder
Good Names For Dolphins
Dolphins are teeming with personality. They can be sweet, sassy, and a little mischievous. Must be because of the aquatic animal’s big brain!
Whatever type of personality your dolphin has, here are some good names for any dolphin:
- Jumper
- Natsu – Means “born in summer,” perfect for dolphins because they love warm weather!
- Dusty
- Freedom
- Trickster
- Sunshine
- Venus – Roman goddess of love and beauty
- Nutmeg – A type of shell and a sweet spice
- Milos – Pleasant, dear
- Xenios – Protector of strangers
- Maui – Hawaiian god of fire, means magic
- Medea – Cunning
- Tinsel
- Lana – Calm, still waters
- Summer
- Panama
- Sandy
- Cersei – Bird
- Einstein – Because why not call attention to the big brain your dolphin has?
- Shamu – Named after the famous Seaworld orca
- Whistle – Did you know that dolphins are able to communicate with each other through a series of clicks and whistles?
- Liberty
- Neptune – The Roman god of the sea
Funny Dolphin Names
Dolphins love to be silly! Making people laugh is just part of their charm. If you’re looking for a humorous handle for your underwater friend, check out these popular choices:
- Loki – The famous norse god of mischief. If you’ve ever seen Marvel movies, you know this guy can get himself into a serious amount of trouble- and has fun doing it!
- Jack Sparrow – Nothing funnier than naming a dolphin after a notoriously drunk pirate!
- Kisser – Dolphin’s often kiss trainers on the cheek during aquarium shows.
- Smartie
- Sassy
- Kisame – means “Demon shark” in Japanese.
- Crash
- Loch Ness – Like the Loch Ness monster.
- Mr. Nibbles
- Moby Dick
- Soda Pop – Your dolphin probably leaves a trail of bubbles, like soda, wherever they go!
- Aquaman
- Gilligan – Just don’t take your dolphin on a three-hour sea cruise, if you know what I mean.
- Mahi Mahi
- Flotsam
- Scuttle
- Goofy
- Captain Ahab – Ahab is the name of the captain who hunted Moby Dick in the famous book, Moby Dick
- Jetsam
- Granny
- Squeal
- Flapper
- Jolly Roger – Like the flag flown on pirate ships. Plus, it makes your dolphin sound like a happy fella
Cool Names For Dolphins
Now we come to the names that were picked strictly because of their coolness.
If you’re looking for a name that’ll help your dolphin swim with some extra swagger, look no further than these!
- Calypso – To hide
- Phantom
- Typhoon
- Miami – Fans of Florida football will love a dolphin named after their team, the Miami Dolphins.
- Tempest
- Dagger
- Riptide
- Athena – A greek goddess. She beat the mighty Poseidon in a competition over who would look after Athens.
- Tornado
- Hermes – Patron god of travelers and thieves
- Mercury – Messenger of the gods
- Skywalker
- Nautilus
- Treasure
- Slick
- Zephyr – West wind
- Tahiti
- Lieutenant
- Serendipity – Events that happen by chance in a beneficial or happy way
- Triton – In Greek mythology, Triton was god of the sea and son of Poseidon. In Disney, he’s a grumpy, protective father who wields a giant fork.
- Delmare – French for “of the sea”
- Achilles – The brave hero from Homer’s Iliad
- Jet
Unique Names For Dolphins
The names below are great choices if you want your dolphin to stand out from the crowd- in a good way!
- Aoshima – Blue island
- Moonstone
- Nassau – Damp wet
- Okeanos – Greek titan and god of freshwater and ocean-stream
- Latoya – Victorious one, praised
- Nova – New
- Saoirse – An Irish name meaning freedom
- Icarus – Follower
- Laguna – Pool pond
- Haruki – Spring child
- Naia – Water nymph, dolphin, or flowing
- Kailani – Sea and sky
- Shanty – Short for the sea shanties that sailors used to sing
- Chowder
- Suijin – The Japanese god of water
- Mr. Limpet – Named from the old Don Knotts film, The Incredible Mr. Limpet
- Buoy – A floating object that serves as a warning in the ocean
- Mazu – The Chinese goddess of the sea
Famous Dolphin Names In Movies
Remember the first time you saw a dolphin on the big, silver screen?
Well, that movie might just help you find the perfect name!
If you’re looking for a name acclaimed with fame, check out these famous dolphin monikers from movies:
- Flipper – Flipper from Flipper is the most famous dolphin of all time. What kid from the 60s didn’t wish they had a dolphin friend?
- Snowflake – From Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
- Alpha – From the American science fiction thriller, The Day of the Dolphin
- Beta – From The Day of the Dolphin
- Winter – From Dolphin Tale
- Hope – From Dolphin Tale 2
- Bernie – From Bernie the Dolphin
- Willy – From Free Willy
Cartoon Dolphin Names
Cartoon dolphins are just as loveable as their real-life counterparts!
Below are the most well-known cartoon dolphins:
- Flow – Flow is Jake’s dolphin friend in the Disney Junior show, “Jake and the Neverland Pirates”
- Emerald – Barbie’s green dolphin from Dolphin Magic
- Ruby – Barbie’s pink dolphin from Dolphin Magic
- Topaz – Barbie’s red dolphin from Dolphin Magic
- Amethyst – Barbie’s purple dolphin from Dolphin Magic
- Lumba-Lumba – From the Disney Junior TV series, “The Lion Guard.”
- Snorky – From “The Simpsons”
- Daniel – From The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer
- Ecco – From the 1992 SEGA video game, “Ecco the Dolphin”
- Breaker – Breaker was the name given to the dolphin that was originally going to be Ariel’s sidekick in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
- Saloso – Saloso is a villain from the Disney Junior show, “Elena of Avalor.”
Name Inspiration
Just about anything from the sea can inspire you to find a good dolphin name. Try looking at titles of songs or books related to the sea, or even yummy sea-themed food. Seafood can make a funny name for a dolphin- but it also adds character!
If you’re still struggling to think of the perfect name for your new dolphin friend, here’s a list of seashells, water plants, and colors associated with the sea to help you get started:
1. Seashells
- Sanddollar
- Scallop
- Oyster
- Olive
- Limpets
- Cowries
2. Water plant names
- Lotus
- Water Lily
- Seaweed
- Kelp
- Algae
- Anemone
- Phytoplankton
3. Different tones of blue
- Lapis
- Cobalt
- Sapphire
- Denim
- Peacock
- Indigo
- Sky
- Teal
- Navy
- Berry
Help Choosing The Perfect Name
It’s completely normal to have trouble coming up with the perfect name for a pet dolphin. Needing extra help is absolutely okay!
Your friends and family might be able to offer you some keen insight into ideal names for your dolphin. They’re also a good resource if you want an opinion on the names you have picked out for better or for worse.
Bouncing ideas around with fellow dolphin lovers is another option for finding a good name! If you don’t know any dolphin lovers personally, try checking out online forums or internet discussion groups. Describe your dolphin to your new internet dolphin buddies, then wait and see what they come up with!
Conclusion
Hopefully after skimming- or should I say swimming– through this list you have come up with the perfect name to give your dolphin a total VIP status.
After all, there are only 200+ to choose from. How hard can it be?
If you are still struggling to decide on the perfect name, why not dig deeper into the history of these adored animals? When were they first discovered, and by who? Where do they originate from?
Who knows what you might learn while studying amazing dolphin facts!
FAQs
What are the dolphins’ names in Dolphin Tale?
Winter is the name of the main dolphin rescued by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Dolphin Tale. In real life, Winter shared a tank with another female dolphin named P.J.
Dolphin Tale 2 is about a dolphin named Hope, who was found in the Indian River Lagoon of Florida. Hope also shared a tank with Winter and P.J. at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
What is the name of the dolphin in Ace Ventura?
The name of the dolphin in Ace Ventura is Snowflake. In the film, Snowflake was the Miami Dolphins’ team mascot who was stolen by a group of individuals.