100+ Awesome and Fun Pet Turtle and Tortoise Names

We're all familiar with the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, Squirtle, and wildlife like the green turtle, and while these iconic characters and species offer some naming inspiration, there's much left to be desired! Whether you have a male or female turtle, pick a name that means something special.

Popular Turtle Pets

Most common of all is the Red-Eared Slider, an aquatic turtle. It is very common throughout the U.S. and nonnative in some areas. They have the characteristic red stripe along the head. Other popular species include the African Aquatic Sideneck Turtle, Ornate Box Turtle, Wood Turtle, Painted Turtle, and the Russian Tortoise.

Considerations When Choosing a Name

• What species of turtle do you have?
• What does your turtle look like? Colors, patterns, behaviors?
• What is your turtle's personality? Shy? Bold? Fast? Slow?

One of my turtles, a Red-Eared Slider, is named Squirtle—he was only 1-inch in diameter when we got him, and now he's nearly 10 inches long and 20 years old! Turtles have an amazing lifespan. The green turtle, also know as the honu in Hawaiian, has been known to live upwards of 70-100 years!

Turtles have an incredible feature called the carapace—their shell. It works to protect their vital organs and is made up of chitin. They are known ectotherms (being reptiles) which means that their temperature is regulated by their environment. As for any pet, it's important that you meet your species' husbandry needs—reptiles especially require UV light daily!