Tortoise Names: 359 of the Coolest, Cutest, and Funniest Names

Have you recently added a new tortoise to your family?

Congratulations!

But now comes one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a tortoise keeper: choosing the perfect name for your new shelled friend.

Here’s the thing about tortoise names—they should match your pet’s personality and your own style. Some people love classic names like Charlie or Daisy. Others prefer funny tortoise names like Turbo or Flash (ironic, right?). Still others want something unique that nobody else has thought of.

The good news? With 359 carefully curated tortoise names in this guide, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that fits perfectly. Whether you have a dignified male, a sweet female, or you’re not sure yet, this list has you covered.

I’ve organized these names into categories to make your search easier. Browse through male names if you’ve got a boy, female names for girls, cool names that work for either sex, funny options that’ll make you smile every time you say them, and even names inspired by famous tortoises and pop culture.

Your little chelonian deserves a name as special as they are. Let’s find it.

67 Great Male Tortoise Names

Got a bouncing baby boy tortoise in need of a name? These masculine tortoise names range from classic and dignified to strong and adventurous:

Abbott • Alfie • Angus • Archie • Atlas • Augustus • Bandit • Bartholomew • Bear • Beauregard • Benedict • Bruno • Buddy • Charlie • Chesterfield • Cooper • Cornelius • Davenport • Duke • Ellington • Fabian • Fitzgerald • Frankie • Gatsby • George • Gizmo • Hawthorne • Henry • Leo • Louie • Mac • Major • Marlo • Maverick • Max • Milo • Montgomery • Nash • Nemo • Nico • Oden • Oliver • Ollie • Oscar • Pablo • Parker • Percival • Pongo • Quaker • Quatro • Quest • Reginald • Remington • Rocket • Rocky • Teddy • Uno • Upton • Valor • Vinnie • Wallace • Wellington • Wilson • Xirus • Xylo • Yang • Yeller

Popular picks: Charlie, Max, and Rocky remain perennial favorites for male tortoise names. They’re short, easy to say, and somehow just fit.

Sophisticated options: If you want something more distinguished, consider Bartholomew, Montgomery, or Reginald. These work especially well for larger species like sulcatas or leopard tortoises.

Unique choices: Looking for something nobody else has? Try Xirus, Quatro, or Hawthorne for tortoise names that stand out.

67 Great Female Tortoise Names

Added a little girl tortoise to your family? These feminine tortoise names range from sweet and delicate to strong and spirited:

Alta • Angelica • Aspen • Astra • Bessie • Betsy • Bitsy • Blossom • Bobbie • Brandi • Bunny • Camilla • Cece • Charlotte • Delilah • Dixie • Dottie • East • Eden • Emiko • Faye • Fifi • Freckles • Gaia • Gemma • Georgia • Golden • Hattie • Heidi • Hope • Ivory • Jet • Josie • Jovie • Kaia • Kiki • Koko • Laika • Lucky • Lulu • Mabel • Madeline • Maisy • Mimi • Moxie • Noelle • Novi • Ocean • Olivia • Opal • Oreo • Peaches • Pippa • Quanita • Quinny • Quote • Redd • Scarlett • Sienna • Suki • Tamara • Trudy • Tsarina • Yoko • Yolo • Zadie • Zuri

Vintage charm: Names like Mabel, Bessie, and Hattie have old-fashioned appeal that somehow feels perfect for tortoises.

Nature-inspired: Female tortoise names like Autumn, Willow, and Ocean connect to the natural world where tortoises belong.

Playful picks: Kiki, Mimi, and Pippa are fun to say and suit particularly energetic or curious tortoises.

111 Coolest Tortoise Names

Perhaps it’s too soon to know the sex of your new pet. No worries—these gender-neutral tortoise names work for any tortoise and won’t require a rethink once you determine the sex. Plus, they’re just plain cool:

Ace • Apollo • Ash • Astrid • Astro • Athena • Autumn • Axel • Bandit • Bear • Blaze • Boots • Bruiser • Calypso • Captain • Cerberus • Chief • Cinder • Clubber • Coal • Count • Cujo • Destro • Dexter • Diesel • Dillinger • Dutch • Ebony • Eclipse • Edge • Elvis • Eva • Forrest • Frida • Fury • Governor • Gunner • Harley • Hercules • Iceman • Indiana • Ivan • Ivy • Jade • Jasmine • Jax • Joker • Juggernaut • Kai • Kang • Khan • Kong • Kyle • Lefty • Leonidas • Levi • Maddux • Magnus • Mahogany • Maple • Mud • Murdock • Nemesis • Onyx • Orion • Ozzy • Parker • Phoenix • Piper • Prince • Raider • Rain • Ranger • Riker • Rock • Rodney • Savage • Scar • Scarlett • Sergeant • Serpico • Skipper • Solo • Sparrow • Spy • Star • Stinger • Stomp • Storm • Summer • Sunshine • Taboo • Taz • Tex • The Fonz • Thunder • Trevor • Trooper • Ursula • Vegas • Venom • Vice • Vicious • Vixen • Winston • Wolfgang • Wraith • Wren • Xena • Zack • Zeus

Powerful names: Zeus, Hercules, and Athena work brilliantly for tortoises who carry themselves with dignity (which is most of them).

Color-based: Tortoise names like Onyx, Coal, Ebony, or Mahogany are perfect if your pet’s shell has distinctive coloring.

Attitude names: Some tortoises just have personality. Names like Maverick, Rebel, or Storm suit those independent spirits.

Nature themes: Rain, Storm, Blaze, and Thunder connect to natural forces—appropriate for these ancient creatures.

57 Funniest Tortoise Names

In some ways, tortoises are funnier than any other pets in the world. Their slow, deliberate movements combined with their seemingly wise expressions make them perfect candidates for humorous tortoise names. Check out these knee-slappers:

Artoo Tortoo • Beau Dacious • Biggie Shells • Boris • Bubbles • Bulldozer • Cat • Chomp • Corvette • Crush • Doc • Dog • Fancy • Flash • Fluffy • Grandma • Grandpa • Grumpy • Guinness • Hashtag • Helmet • Jennifer Slowpeds • Lindsay Slowhan • Lunchbox • Mack • Marshmallow • Mr. T • Muscles • Mustang • Neck Sweater • Pea • Peek-a-Boo • Pickle • Plop • Pokey • Portis • Pusher • Quintin Tarantorto • Racecar • Rigor Tortoise • Rocket • Rolls • Scooter • Sheldon • Shelly • Shelly Duvall • Snappy • Speedy • Squirt • Tater Tot • The Dude • Tortellini • Tortilla • Tortimus • Tortle Combat • Tortnado • Tortoise McTurtleface • Tort-Pac • Turbo • Turt Reynolds • Voldetort • Yertle • Zippy

Speed-based irony: Naming a tortoise Flash, Turbo, Rocket, or Speedy never gets old. The irony is perfect.

Pun-tastic options: Funny tortoise names like Quintin Tarantorto, Turt Reynolds, and Rigor Tortoise are guaranteed conversation starters.

Opposite names: Calling a tortoise Cat or Dog, or a tiny hatchling Bulldozer or Muscles creates hilarious contrast.

Pop culture twists: Jennifer Slowpeds, Lindsay Slowhan, and Shelly Duvall bring celebrity name puns into the mix.

43 Animated Tortoise Names

Like the idea of an animated name for your chunky chelonian? These tortoise names come from beloved animated shows and movies where tortoises (and turtles) have made memorable appearances:

Aloysius III (Infinity Train) • Archie (The Land Before Time IV) • Baby Shelby (Mickey Mouse Works) • Bert the Turtle (Duck and Cover) • Burt (Danger Rangers) • Cecil Turtle (Looney Tunes) • Coco Jumbo (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) • Crush (Finding Nemo) • Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) • Filburt (Rocko’s Modern Life) • Fillmore (Sherman’s Lagoon) • Gallop (Babar) • Gramps (The Rescuers) • Grand Master Oogway (Kung Fu Panda) • Grandpa (Wild Kratts) • Granny Pearl (Pajanimals) • Hun (Turtles Forever) • Kongwe (The Lion Guard) • Lenny Turteltaub (Bojack Horseman) • Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) • Lucky (Bionic Max) • Madge (It’s a Big Big World) • Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) • Morla (The Never-ending Story) • Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) • Shelbow (The Little Mermaid) • Shelly (Sesame Street) • Slash (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) • Speed (The Swan Princess) • Super-Turtle (DC Comics) • Tardy Turtle (Greg the Bunny) • Terrific Whatzit (DC Comics) • The Lion Turtle (Avatar: The Last Airbender) • Thelma Tortoise (Manga Aesop’s Fables) • Tim Turtle (Lionel’s Kingdom) • Tippi Turtle (Saturday Night Live) • Toby Tortoise (The Tortoise and the Hare) • Toby Turtle (Robin Hood) • Toto (Harry & Toto) • Tuck (Wonder Pets) • Turner (Chucklewood Critters) • Turtle (Bossy Bear) • Verne (Over the Hedge)

Most popular: Crush (from Finding Nemo) and Master Oogway (from Kung Fu Panda) are fan favorites that capture the chill, wise nature of tortoises.

TMNT options: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo—remain classic animated tortoise names decades after their debut.

For wise tortoises: Grand Master Oogway perfectly suits tortoises who seem ancient and contemplative.

10 Video Game Tortoise Names

Gamer tortoise names are growing in popularity as video games become increasingly mainstream. Consider these options from beloved games:

Bentley (Sly Cooper) • Bowser (Super Mario Bros.) • Devan Shell (Jazz Jackrabbit) • Gerson (Undertale) • Ghido (Final Fantasy V) • Koopa Troopa (Super Mario Bros.) • Shen-zin Su (World of Warcraft) • Tortimer (Animal Crossing) • Valluta (RuneScape) • Warnado (Skylanders)

The most famous: Bowser is probably the most recognizable video game tortoise name (technically he’s a turtle-dragon hybrid, but close enough).

For Nintendo fans: Koopa Troopa and Tortimer are perfect if you grew up on Super Mario Bros. or Animal Crossing.

RPG choices: Gerson and Ghido work well for tortoises who seem particularly wise or mysterious.

4 Famous Tortoise Names

Famous names provide a chance to bestow your little pet with a time-tested title. Unfortunately, there aren’t many famous real-world tortoises, but these four have made history:

Diego: Estimated to be up to 150 years old, Diego is an Española saddleback tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis) who spent more than 100 years living in zoos before being returned to the wild. Researchers attached a GPS device to his shell to track his movements and learn more about the species. Diego is particularly famous for his breeding success—he’s estimated to have fathered over 800 offspring, helping save his species from extinction.

Harriet: A captivating tortoise who lived at Australia Zoo (of Irwin family fame), Harriet was collected by none other than Charles Darwin in 1835. A beloved ambassador for an estimated 175 years, Harriet passed peacefully in her enclosure in 2006. She holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest known chelonian at the time of her death.

Jonathan: Recognized as the oldest known living land animal, Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) who’s currently estimated to be 191 years old. Despite his advanced age and the fact that he’s blind and has lost his sense of smell, Jonathan still moves around his enclosure with his companions on the island of St. Helena.

George: Usually known as “Lonesome George,” this deceased tortoise (he passed in 2012) was the last known Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis niger abingdonii) in the world. While alive, he was characterized as the rarest creature on Earth. His passing marked the extinction of his subspecies, making him a symbol of conservation efforts worldwide.

These famous tortoise names carry weight and history. Naming your pet after one of these legendary individuals connects them to tortoise conservation and the remarkable longevity these animals achieve.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Tortoise Name

Picking from hundreds of tortoise names can feel overwhelming. Here are some strategies that help:

Consider personality: Does your tortoise seem particularly grumpy? Bold? Timid? Names that match personality traits feel more authentic.

Think about size: A name like Tiny works great for a Hermann’s tortoise but might feel ironic (in a good or bad way) on a giant sulcata.

Say it out loud: You’ll be saying this name for decades (tortoises live 50-100+ years). Make sure it doesn’t get old.

Keep it simple: While “Tortoise McTurtleface” is hilarious, you might tire of saying it. Shorter names are easier for daily use.

Match the species: Some tortoise names just feel right for certain species. Zeus seems perfect for a sulcata. Pebbles fits a Russian tortoise.

Don’t stress: Your tortoise probably won’t learn their name like a dog would. You can always change it later if something fits better.

Test it out: Try a few different names for a few days. See which one feels most natural when you’re talking to or about your tortoise.

Do Tortoises Learn Their Names?

Here’s an interesting question: will your tortoise actually recognize the name you choose?

The answer is… maybe, sort of. Tortoises aren’t like dogs who clearly learn and respond to their names. However, tortoises can recognize their keepers and learn to associate certain sounds with feeding time or positive experiences.

Some keepers report that their tortoises seem to respond when called by name, but this is more likely recognition of the keeper’s voice and presence rather than the specific name itself.

This actually takes some pressure off choosing tortoise names—your tortoise won’t judge you for picking something silly or changing your mind later.

Caring for Your Newly Named Tortoise

Once you’ve chosen from our list of tortoise names, your next priority is ensuring your newly named friend gets excellent care from day one.

Proper nutrition is foundational to your tortoise’s health and longevity. Young, growing tortoises need balanced nutrition that supports shell development, bone growth, and overall health. TheBaby Sulcata Superfood Powder provides comprehensive nutrition specifically formulated for growing tortoises, helping them develop properly during those critical early years.

For tortoises of all ages, consistent supplementation helps fill nutritional gaps and supports long-term health. The Vitamin and Mineral Topper offers essential vitamins and minerals that keep shells strong, bones healthy, and immune systems functioning optimally throughout your tortoise’s long life.

Remember—choosing the perfect name is just the beginning. Providing excellent care ensures your tortoise thrives for the decades you’ll spend together.

Species-Specific Tortoise Name Considerations

Different tortoise species have different personalities and characteristics that might influence name choices:

Sulcata tortoises: These gentle giants deserve strong, impressive tortoise names. Consider Zeus, Atlas, Hercules, or Tank. Their size and dignified bearing suit powerful names.

Russian tortoises: Smaller and often quite active, these tortoises suit cute names like Pebbles, Milo, Pip, or Dash.

Hermann’s tortoises: European species might suit names like Heidi, Klaus, Bruno, or Wolfgang that reflect their geographic origin.

Leopard tortoises: Their distinctive spotted shells inspire tortoise names like Freckles, Dotty, Patches, or Spot.

Red-footed tortoises: Colorful and personable, these tortoises might suit vibrant names like Scarlett, Ruby, Rusty, or Blaze.

Greek tortoises: Mediterranean species could carry names like Apollo, Athena, Aristotle, or Olive.

Of course, these are just suggestions. The best name is whatever feels right to you regardless of species.

The Bottom Line on Tortoise Names

Choosing from 359 tortoise names might seem overwhelming, but here’s the truth: there’s no wrong choice. Whether you pick something classic like Charlie, something funny like Turbo, something inspired by pop culture like Master Oogway, or something completely unique, what matters is that it feels right to you.

Your tortoise will be with you for decades—possibly longer than many other pets you’ll have in your lifetime. Their name becomes part of their identity in your household and in your memories.

Take your time browsing through these options. Try a few out. See what sticks. And remember that the perfect name is simply the one that makes you smile when you say it.

Congratulations again on your new tortoise. Whatever you decide to name them, they’re lucky to have a keeper who cares enough to choose thoughtfully.

Everything Your Tortoise Needs to Thrive

You’ve picked the perfect name from our extensive list of tortoise names—now make sure your newly named friend has everything needed for a long, healthy, happy life.

Join our tortoise care community and get instant access to resources that ensure your tortoise thrives:

Member-Exclusive Savings – Get discounts on premium nutrition and supplements that keep your tortoise healthy through every stage of life, from hatchling to ancient elder

Complete Nutrition Guide – Download “The Ultimate Guide to Tortoise Nutrition” with species-specific feeding recommendations, supplement schedules, and meal planning strategies that prevent common health problems

Expert Care Training – Access “The Ultimate Sulcata Care Webinar” with comprehensive guidance on housing, temperature, humidity, and enrichment that applies across most tortoise species

Supportive Community – Join our private Facebook group where thousands of experienced keepers share care tips, troubleshoot problems, and celebrate milestones like first names, first meals, and first outdoor adventures

Growth Tracking Tools – Download templates for monitoring your tortoise’s development, ensuring they’re growing healthy and hitting appropriate milestones throughout their long life

Your tortoise will carry their name for 50, 75, maybe even 100 years. Make sure they have the nutrition, care, and support to live every one of those years in excellent health.

Get your resources and start your tortoise care journey right →