An axolotl is basically a smiling, gilled salamander that never really grows up, which makes it hard to name seriously. Funny Axolotl Names fit the animal’s goofy face, feathery gills, and permanent baby look, and they get a laugh from every visitor who peers into the tank.
Axolotls live entirely underwater and can reach 10 to 15 years in captivity, so it’s worth choosing something you’ll still enjoy down the road. Names that play on their smile, their gills, or their famous ability to regrow lost limbs tend to hold up well.
The list is grouped by color and style of humor, so you can skip to whatever suits your axolotl, from puns and food names to picks for pink, black, golden, and wild-type axolotls. Read until one gets a real laugh, then say it out loud a few times and see how it sounds.
Funny Names for Male Axolotls
Male axolotls get the mock-serious titles and goofy nicknames, which suits a pet that sits at the bottom of a tank and smiles at everything. This set of Funny Axolotl Names leans on gill puns, fake surnames, and plain silliness.
- Sir Gillsalot
- Mister Smiles
- Duke of Gills
- Count Axolotula
- Baron von Gill
- Captain Gills
- Professor Axo
- Sir Swimsalot
- Slimy Steve
- Gilbert the Great
- Wally the Walking Fish
- Axel Lotl
- Doctor Gills
- Gilly Gary
- Smiling Sam
- Lord Feathergill
- Chomp Charlie
- Bubbles Bob
- Floaty Frank
- Blobby Bill
- Gulpin Greg
- Wiggle Wayne
- Mr. Gills
- Axolotl Al
- Squishy Sid
- Puddle Pete
- Tank Tony
- Gulp Gordon
- Splashy Stan
- Sir Slimesalot
Funny Names for Female Axolotls
Female axolotls get a little drama and a lot of sparkle. These names work whether your axolotl is calm and graceful or just a little dramatic about snack time.
- Madame Gills
- Lady Gilly
- Duchess of Ponds
- Queen Axolotl
- Miss Smiles
- Gillian
- Princess Gills
- Slimy Sally
- Bubbles Betty
- Gilly Gertie
- Diva Daphne
- Lady Floatsalot
- Splashy Sue
- Wiggly Wendy
- Smiling Sophie
- Lady Lotl
- Mrs. Gillington
- Puddle Patty
- Squishy Susan
- Blobby Bonnie
- Floaty Fiona
- Gulpin Gloria
- Madame Squish
- Axo Annie
- Fluffy Gilda
- Mermaid Marge
- Gill Girl
- Pond Princess
- Wiggle Wanda
- Queenie Lotl
Axolotl Pun Names
Axolotl names practically write puns by themselves, and some of these are groan-worthy on purpose. Gill and water jokes do most of the work.
- Gill Be Back
- Gill-ty Pleasure
- Gillionaire
- Gill-ing Me Softly
- Axo-lot of Fun
- Axo-lotta Love
- Gill-arious
- Aqua-Lotl
- Water You Doing
- Fin-ally
- Water Bottle
- Tank Top
- Sea You Later
- Pond-er This
- Gill Mode
- Gills Gone Wild
- Gill Trip
- Water Under the Bridge
- Aquaholic
- Dive Bar
- Dive In
- Pond Scum
- Fish Out of Water
- Lotl of Fun
- Axo-Lottery
- Wet Wednesday
- Swimmingly
- Smile Mile
- Gill Pill
- Hold Your Gills
Food-Inspired Axolotl Names
Food names are a safe bet, and many of these match the pastel colors axolotls come in. They’re easy to remember and fun to say at feeding time.
- Waffles
- Pancake
- Dumpling
- Mochi
- Marshmallow
- Jellybean
- Gummy Worm
- Gummy Bear
- Sprinkles
- Boba
- Pudding
- Jello
- Jelly Roll
- Cupcake
- Cookie
- Pretzel
- Biscuit
- Sushi
- Calamari
- Ramen
- Udon
- Dim Sum
- Wonton
- Tofu
- Gnocchi
- Pierogi
- Empanada
- Churro
- Taco
- Bubble Tea
Funny Names for Pink Axolotls
Pink leucistic axolotls look like tiny, smiling jellybeans with feathery gills, and these names play on every shade of pink. They suit anything pale, blushing, or candy-colored.
- Pinky
- Bubblegum
- Cotton Candy
- Strawberry
- Flamingo
- Pink Lemonade
- Rose Petal
- Blush
- Peach
- Salmon
- Shrimp
- Piggy
- Candy Floss
- Sherbet
- Pink Slip
- Lipstick
- Gumdrop
- Cherry Blossom
- Rosy
- Rose Gold
- Fairy Floss
- Petunia
- Sakura
- Think Pink
- Ballerina
- Watermelon
- Raspberry
- Guava
- Rhubarb
- Tickled Pink
Funny Names for Black and Dark Axolotls
Black melanoid and dark wild-type axolotls look sleek and a little mysterious, and these names lean dark, moody, or murky. They also work for anything that looks like it came from the bottom of a pond.
- Midnight
- Onyx
- Ink
- Coal
- Ebony
- Licorice
- Soot
- Raven
- Obsidian
- Inky
- Dark Roast
- Black Coffee
- Night Swim
- Dark Matter
- Black Hole
- Eclipse
- Void
- Noir
- Ninja
- Phantom
- Nightshade
- Mud Puddle
- Swamp Monster
- Pond Water
- Murky
- Muddy
- Olive
- Moss
- Algae
- Seaweed
Funny Names for Golden and Albino Axolotls
Golden and albino axolotls glow in a tank, and these names lean sunny, buttery, and bright. They suit anything yellow, cream, or creamy.
- Goldie
- Golden Gill
- Banana
- Sunshine
- Butter
- Butterscotch
- Honey
- Lemon Drop
- Cheese Puff
- Nacho Cheese
- Goldfish
- Gold Rush
- Goldilocks
- Nugget
- Mustard
- Custard
- Yolk
- Sunny Side
- Mango
- Pineapple
- Corn
- Dandelion
- Daffodil
- Marigold
- Canary
- Topaz
- Amber
- Champagne
- Vanilla
- Ivory
Funny Names for Baby Axolotls
Baby axolotls are tiny, wiggly, and a little clumsy, and these names suit that stage. Many are short enough to say a hundred times a day.
- Pip
- Pipsqueak
- Peewee
- Bitsy
- Tadpole
- Squirt
- Wiggles
- Squiggle
- Nibbles
- Peanut
- Bean
- Bean Sprout
- Button
- Teensy
- Itty Bitty
- Mini Gill
- Baby Gill
- Gillet
- Hatchling
- Fry
- Little Lotl
- Lil Lotl
- Wee Gill
- Smidge
- Speck
- Crumb
- Tiny Gills
- Micro
- Thimble
Funny Names for Axolotls With a Big Smile
Axolotls look like they’re permanently smiling, which is a big part of why people love them. These names lean right into that famous grin.
- Smiley
- Grin
- Big Grin
- Say Cheese
- Happy
- Happy Gills
- Sunny Smile
- Smirk
- Giggles
- Chuckles
- Beaming
- Joy
- Cheerful
- Cheery
- Chipper
- Jolly
- Merry
- Gleeful
- Emoji
- Smiley Face
- Good Vibes
- Positive Pete
- Sunbeam
- Bright Side
- Happy Hour
- Happy Camper
- Smile Lines
- Ear to Ear
- Pearly Whites
- Cheese
Funny Names for Fluffy-Gilled Axolotls
Those feathery external gills are the axolotl’s most recognizable feature, and they inspire plenty of jokes. These names play on fluff, frills, and fancy headwear.
- Feather Duster
- Fluffy
- Fuzzy Gills
- Pom Pom
- Pompadour
- Fringe
- Frills
- Frilly
- Ruffle
- Tassel
- Tutu
- Mop Top
- Mohawk
- Fern
- Feathers
- Plume
- Plumage
- Palm Tree
- Palm Fronds
- Fancy Fan
- Pipe Cleaner
- Bottle Brush
- Feather Boa
- Tickler
- Antlers
- Crown
- Tiara
- Headdress
- Fascinator
- Bouquet
Funny Names for Lazy Axolotls
Axolotls spend a lot of time floating or resting on the bottom of the tank, which makes lazy names a natural fit. These are for the champion loungers.
- Nap Time
- Couch Potato
- Sloth
- Sleepy
- Snooze
- Snooze Button
- Lazybones
- Lounge Lizard
- Chill
- Chillax
- Slow Mo
- Do Nothing
- Resting Gill Face
- Floaty
- Floater
- Drifter
- Log
- Sofa Surfer
- Hammock
- Bean Bag
- Pillow
- Siesta
- Procrastinator
- Tomorrow
- Eventually
- Later
- Taking It Easy
- Cruise Control
- Rock Sitter
- Stay Put
Funny Names for Axolotls That Regrow Limbs
Axolotls can regrow lost limbs and even parts of their organs, which has inspired plenty of jokes. These names play on repairs, comebacks, and second chances.
- Spare Parts
- Regrow
- Re-Gill
- Rebuild
- Reboot
- Restart
- Second Chance
- Comeback Kid
- Fix It
- Handyman
- Repair Shop
- Patch Job
- Good as New
- Spare Tire
- Backup
- Plan B
- Round Two
- Encore
- Sequel
- Remix
- Bionic
- Phoenix
- Auto Repair
- Tail Spin
- Free Refills
- Unlimited Lives
- Extra Life
- Respawn
- Ctrl Z
- Undo
Funny Human Names for Axolotls
A plain human name on a strange little salamander is a classic joke that works every time. The more ordinary the name, the funnier it sounds.
- Doug
- Janice
- Hector
- Bernadette
- Leonard
- Frances
- Roland
- Estelle
- Murray
- Lucille
- Vince
- Nadine
- Stuart
- Joan
- Ernest
- Maxwell
- Vivian
- Lenny
- Tilda
- Terrence
- Priscilla
- Harvey
- Colleen
- Alfred
- Greta
- Norman
- Rosalie
- Everett
- Ingrid
- Dexter
Funny Water and Aquatic Names for Axolotls
Axolotls live entirely underwater, so aquatic names fit them perfectly. These lean on bubbles, ripples, and everything wet.
- Bubbles
- Splash
- Puddle
- Ripple
- Wave
- Tide
- Drizzle
- Raindrop
- Droplet
- Aqua
- H2O
- Hydro
- Pond
- Pondweed
- Lagoon
- Reef
- Current
- Whirlpool
- Rapids
- Waterfall
- Fountain
- Geyser
- Sprinkler
- Sponge
- Moat
- Aquarium
- Tank
- Deep End
- Shallow End
- Lifeguard
Final Thoughts
With this many Funny Axolotl Names to choose from, the best test is whether the name makes you smile every time you check the tank. Axolotls won’t answer to a name, so pick the one that suits your own sense of humor.
If your axolotl is young, give it a few weeks. Axolotls can change in size and even in color as they grow, and the name that seems right for a tiny hatchling may feel different on an adult.
Since axolotls can live 10 to 15 years in captivity, it’s worth choosing something you’ll enjoy for a long time. A short, easy name is also handy when you’re writing it on a tank label or telling a vet which axolotl needs a checkup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some funny names for an axolotl?
Crowd-pleasers include Sir Gillsalot, Gill Be Back, Feather Duster, and Wally the Walking Fish, while food names like Waffles, Mochi, and Gummy Worm work for almost any axolotl.
How do I pick from all these Funny Axolotl Names?
Spend a little time watching your axolotl first, since the best funny names usually match its color, smile, or favorite lounging spot. Then try a few out loud and keep the one that gets the biggest laugh.
Can axolotls recognize their names?
Axolotls don’t respond to names the way dogs and cats do, but many learn to recognize their keeper and connect that person with feeding time.
What are funny names for a pink axolotl?
Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Pink Lemonade, Tickled Pink, and Shrimp are popular picks, since they play on the soft pink color of leucistic axolotls.
What are funny names for a black axolotl?
Midnight, Onyx, Ink, and Dark Roast are popular, along with murky pond names like Swamp Monster and Mud Puddle for a darker, moodier look.
What are funny names for a golden or albino axolotl?
Goldie, Nacho Cheese, Butterscotch, and Banana are favorites, since they play on the sunny yellow and cream tones of golden and albino axolotls.
Why are axolotls called Mexican walking fish?
It’s a popular nickname, though axolotls are actually salamanders, which are amphibians and not fish. That’s why Walking Fish makes such a fun, slightly misleading name.
Are axolotls legal to keep as pets?
Rules vary. Axolotls are banned or restricted in some US states and other countries, so check your state and local regulations before bringing one home.
Hobby & Animal Names
Leo Hartman has owned dogs, birds, and one very difficult goat. He writes the hobby and animal names content here. Before any name makes the list, he tries it out loud first, usually on his dog, to see if it actually sounds right.