Over 100 Tortoise Name Ideas: Funny, Cute, and Pop Culture Picks

Reptile enthusiasts, can you identify a land-dwelling creature encased in a bony, keratinous shell that moves slowly? You might have casually said "turtle," but there is another valid response: tortoise.

How do these two differ? Tortoises are part of the order Testudines, and every member of that order can technically be called a turtle. The key distinction is that tortoises are exclusively terrestrial, whereas turtles as a whole may inhabit land, water, or both. In short, every tortoise is a turtle, but the reverse is not true.

That's enough reptile background—you're here because you want a great name for your new pet tortoise! To assist you in finding an ideal tortoise name for your awesome reptile, we've assembled over 100 options. These names would also suit any pet turtle. Whether you're looking for girl tortoise names, boy tortoise names, funny tortoise names, or something in between, there's a choice for everyone. Browse all the good tortoise names below!

Tortoise Names For Girls

A girl in a hammock holding a pet tortoise.

Image via Getty Images/Oliver Rossi

Ladies first! Let's kick things off with some delightful tortoise names for girls.

• Emmy
• Summer
• Sheila
• Liv
• Julie
• Isla
• Carina
• Alice
• Hannah
• Rosa
• Marnie
• Kennedy
• Mona
• Helga
• Elise
• Molly
• Gretchen
• Jackie
• Margot
• Petra
• Lena

Tortoise Names For Boys

A mellow tortoise standing in the grass.

Image via Getty Images/Franco Di Claudio / 500px

Now it's the guys' turn in the spotlight with this selection of "turtle-y" awesome tortoise names for boys.

• Elvis
• Frank
• Landis
• Mac
• Dennis
• Kevin
• Arturo
• Charlie
• Zeke
• Axel
• Davy
• Spiro
• Dallas
• Gunter
• Andy
• Noel
• Stan
• Phillip
• Emile
• Jonas
• Bernie
• Harvey
• Rudy

Funny Tortoise Names

An Aldabra tortoise standing on a walking bridge.

Image via Getty Images/danm

Tortoises are naturally comical creatures, with their slow wandering, grumpy expressions, and shy yet sassy personalities. These funny tortoise names celebrate their humorous charm in all its glory.

• Wrinkles
• Speedy
• Flash
• Chompers
• Cabbage
• Zoomies
• Frisbee
• Sparky
• Rebel
• Shelby
• Captain
• Wizard
• Rowdy
• Bolt
• Clay
• Tank
• Grave Digger
• Dozer
• Rocky
• Burger
• Skipper
• Sheldon
• Boxty

Cute Tortoise Names

A woman holding two Indian star tortoises.

Image via Getty Images/Sephi Bergerson

Your tortoise may be wrapped in a hard shell, but that doesn't mean they can't have a name that's soft and sweet! These cute tortoise names are perfect for mellow, shy, and laid-back tortoises with a softer side.

• Poppy
• Willow
• Leaf
• Birdie
• Mushroom
• Doodle
• Clay
• Paco
• Mellow
• Karma
• Creek
• Wally
• Peaches
• Flora
• Moss
• Pebble
• Peepers
• River
• Snips
• Blink
• Rollo

Pop Culture-Inspired Tortoise Names

A tortoise going out for a walk.

Image via Getty Images/Rafael Duchement / 500px

Last but not least, consider giving your pet tortoise a name everyone will recognize by borrowing inspiration from some of the most famous fictional tortoises and turtles of all time!

• Torterra (Pokémon)
• Oogway (Kung Fu Panda)
• Koopa (Super Mario Brothers)
• Michelangelo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Great A’tuin (Terry Prachett’s Discworld)
• Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Gamera (Gamera)
• Blastoise (Pokémon)
• Turtwig (Pokémon)
• Squirtle (Pokémon)
• Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Gerson Bloom (Undertale)
• Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Tortimer (Animal Crossing)

Tubular Tortoise Facts

A Russian tortoise strolling through the grass.

Image via Getty Images/Teddi Yaeger Photography

How Long Do Tortoises Live?

Most species of tortoises have lifespans of around 50-100 years, but some exceptional species can live for much longer. Several species of giant tortoise, including the famous Galapagos tortoise, have members that lived to nearly 200 years old!

What Do Tortoises Eat?

Tortoises eat primarily vegetarian diets of grass, flowers, weeds, and green leafy plants, though some will supplement their diets with bugs and worms. According to TurtleHub, pet tortoises should eat a balanced diet of veggies, fruits, plants, and grasses, along with calcium and vitamin D supplements to make up for the lack of animal matter in their diets.

How Big Do Pet Tortoises Get?

Even among pet tortoise species, there is a wide range of variation in size. According to Pet Educate, pet tortoises can grow anywhere from 8 to 30 inches long, with weights ranging from 1 pound all the way up to 200 pounds. Nearly all tortoises are only 1-2 inches when they first hatch, though, so you can’t tell how big they’ll grow based on their hatchling size alone!