A grand formal name can create a deliberate comic contrast with a tiny nickname; make sure both suit the same character.
Cute and gentle-sounding ideas
Try a soft-sounding nickname beside a familiar personal name before deciding on a style.
For another large-animal naming palette, compare giraffe names and zebra names.
| Name |
|---|
| Chomper |
| Pebbles |
| Waddles |
| Munchkin |
| Giggles |
| Snuggles |
| Buttercup |
| Jolly |
| Tippy |
| Splash |
| Nibbles |
| Doodle |
| Bobble |
| Ziggy |
| Patches |
| Muddy |
| Bumper |
| Zippy |
| Twinkle |
| Boomer |
| Cuddles |
| Squirt |
| Roly-Poly |
Female name ideas
Compare these suggestions with the sound and everyday use you want for the name.
| Name |
|---|
| Ruby |
| Rosie |
| Willow |
| Amber |
| Jasmine |
| Savannah |
| Ivy |
| Hazel |
| Pearl |
| Aurora |
| Cleo |
| Ellie |
| Gigi |
| Stella |
| Maya |
| Zoey |
| Grace |
| Molly |
| Sophie |
| Chloe |
| Layla |
| Nora |
| Sadie |
| Tilly |
| Emma |
Male name ideas
Try the full name and the short form before narrowing this collection.
| Name |
|---|
| Brutus |
| Hercules |
| Samson |
| Thor |
| Maximus |
| Goliath |
| Apollo |
| Chief |
| Caesar |
| Ajax |
| Leo |
| Atlas |
| Odin |
| Nero |
| Spartan |
| Khan |
| Jupiter |
| Blaze |
| Shadow |
| Bolt |
| Maverick |
| Fang |
| Zephyr |
| Storm |
| Hunter |
| Griffin |
Young-character and nickname ideas
Choose a nickname you will still enjoy using as the companion or character grows.
| Name |
|---|
| Frolic |
| Bean |
| Pipsqueak |
| Bubbles |
| Puddle |
| Tadpole |
| Ducky |
| Sprout |
| Wiggles |
| Jellybean |
| Tinker |
| Bambi |
| Fidget |
| Squeak |
| Fluffy |
| Bounce |
| Poppy |
| Mopsy |
| Skippy |
| Pixie |
Story and character-style ideas
Use these as creative suggestions for a character, rather than as a catalogue of published identities.
| Name |
|---|
| Fiona |
| Gustavus |
| Tumbo |
| Mara |
| Owen |
| Henry |
| Jessica |
| Humphrey |
| Lobi |
| Happy |
| Oliver |
| Kiboko |
| Moto |
| Jabu |
| Greta |
| Bruno |
| Mzee |
| Hodor |
| George |
| Sunshine |
| Lily |
| Charlie |
| Max |
| Sam |
| Gloria |
| Moto Moto |
| Hyacinth Hippo |
| Henrietta Hippo |
| Peter Potamus |
| Hilda Hippo |
| Hugo |
| Flavio and Marita |
| Rosebud |
| Holly Hippo |
| Pat |
| Hal |
| Martha |
| Harold |
| Hannah Hippo |
| Henri |
| Humpy |
| Helga |
| Hilda |
| Hopper |
| Herbie |
| Helen Hippo |
| Harry Hippo |
| Herb |
| Hannah |
| Hippos |
| Hippy |
| Bloop |
| Wobble |
| Twirl |
| Puddles |
| Toots |
| Doodles |
| Squish |
| Baloo |
| Flip |
| Munchie |
| Slinky |
| Blubber |
| Cuddle |
| Floppy |
| Hoppy |
| Tootsie |
| Whiskers |
| Tantor |
| Dorothy |
| Ursula |
| Lulubelle |
| Gloriana |
| Miss Hippo |
| Bridget |
| Clarabelle |
| Madame Hippo |
| Flora |
| Jumbo |
| Daisy |
| Gladys |
| Lotus Blossom |
| Madame |
| Miss Bianca |
| Mabel |
| Penny |
| Perdita |
| Shenzi |
| Si and Am |
| Tina |
More names to compare
Compare this collection with your first favorites instead of expanding the shortlist indefinitely.
| Name |
|---|
| Zara |
| Tank |
| Misty |
| Rocky |
| Nova |
| Jade |
| Duke |
| Nyx |
| Kai |
| Echo |
| Zephyrus |
| Felix |
| Rocco |
| Lola |
| Lulu |
| Chompy |
| Marbles |
| Marshmallow |
| Harmony |
| Boulder |
| Rumble |
| Nimbus |
| Calypso |
| Orion |
| Azura |
| Eclipse |
| Serenity |
| Gaia |
| Titan |
| Mystic |
| Neptune |
| Sierra |
| Zenith |
| Odyssey |
| Genesis |
| Cosmos |
| Sahara |
| Talon |
| Ember |
| Canyon |
| Whisper |
| Mirage |
| Snacker |
| Gobbler |
| Cruncher |
| Biscuit |
| Pickles |
| Grub |
| Chewy |
| Tummy |
| Scoff |
| Nosh |
| Chewbacca |
| Rumbles |
| Snackwell |
| Cookie |
| Burrito |
| Muffin |
| Jaws |
| Dumpling |
| Pudding |
| Chubby |
| Bagel |
| Cannoli |
| Waffles |
| Gourmet |
| Meatball |
| Pumpkin |
| Fudge |
| Biggie |
| Tubby |
| Snapper |
| Mudpie |
| Yawnster |
| Paddles |
| Bouncer |
| Snorty |
| Hippie |
| Grunter |
| River |
| Sinker |
| Chomps |
| Diver |
| Plumpy |
| Tusk |
| Basker |
| Dozer |
| Floater |
| Wrinkles |
| Thumper |
| Napper |
| Gazer |
| Grumble |
| Hulky |
| Hippo Sunshine |
| Hippo Heartthrob |
| Hippo Bouncer |
| Hippo Snugglebear |
| Hippo Marvel |
| Mvuu |
| Tembo |
| Jabari |
| Zalika |
| Bheka |
| Sefu |
| Ayo |
| Tafara |
| Zuri |
| Thandi |
| Chipo |
| Ndlovu |
| Folami |
| Jelani |
| Asani |
| Akua |
| Bahati |
| Mirembe |
| Nia |
| Reth |
| Tumaini |
| Uzima |
| Zane |
| Kanzi |
| Omari |
| Simba |
| Tau |
| Yara |
| Ace |
| Cyrus |
| Duchess |
| Marley |
| Finn |
| Cairo |
| Elara |
| Rufus |
| Viola |
| Juno |
| Caspian |
| Rhea |
| Pippa |
| Zelda |
| Rex |
| Marigold |
| Thunder |
| Squishy |
| Huggie |
| Dizzy |
| Sleepy |
| Puffy |
| Bluebell |
| Lolly |
| Blinky |
| Tumbles |
| Yawn |
| Nuzzle |
| Berry |
| Cozy |
| Truffles |
Choose a name you will use
A character name, a mascot name and an affectionate nickname serve different purposes. Pick the use first, then compare the sound.
Try the name in a simple introduction: “This is Chomper.” Then try the shortest form you would naturally use. Compare it with Ruby before adding more candidates. If you are naming several companions or characters, keep their names distinct rather than making every name rhyme.
Names are suggestions, not origin claims. For a specific language meaning or published character reference, check the original source before relying on it.
Keep exploring
Compare these related collections as you refine your shortlist:
