Check the meme world on alligators, and you’ll find how humorously it connects us with these seemingly dangerous but amazing creatures. Whatmore, people nowadays are keeping the ‘gators’ as pets!
This is where naming an exotic animal like an alligator is essential. Whether it be for a rescued hatchling or adult, or an emotional-support pet, naming comes along by default.
If you’re one of those lucky alligator moms or dads and looking for a suitable name for your big reptile buddy, we’ve got you covered. Explore our list of over a hundred alligator names to choose from.
Why Naming Your Alligator Matters?
If you were interested in alligators while visiting the zoo in your childhood, you might have counted how many alligators were there. You might’ve even named some of them out of your imagination. We bet that childish gesture embodied a long-term bond between you and those gators.
The same will happen when you happen to pet an alligator and subsequently name it. Let’s talk about what naming an alligator can mean to your friendship down the line:
Naming Personifies Character
Remember ‘Wally Gator?’ This penchant, mischievous, and lovable alligator character from Hannah Barbera’s animated series captured millions of hearts worldwide. If you were a fan, every time you hear the name ‘Wally,’ the endearing ‘gator’ character pops up in your mind.
The point is, if you name an animal, a real specimen or a fictional character, it personifies its traits, habits, and nuances. For instance, you may call your reptile friend ‘Emerald’ due to its greenish hue in sunlight and its precious presence in your life.
Naming Deepens Bond
You’ll love to strengthen your bond with your pet or rescued alligator, and naming makes the process easier. While you may not expect your alligator to fully remember and respond to its name unless extensive training, calling the name daily will turn the animal into an inseparable part of your life.
Naming Brings Popularity
For an exotic beast like an alligator, it’s true. Alligators in captivity, especially in a rescue center or zoo draw a lot of public attention. For instance, a female alligator without a top jaw became famous among netizens and visitors in 2023.
The rescuers named it ‘Jawlene,’ respecting the gator’s survival capacity while its name spread quickly to make it famous within a year or so.
Factors to Consider When Naming Your Alligator
As you’re now aware of why it’s essential to name an alligator, you must learn to consider a few factors before naming it. Keep the following points in check:
Consider Physical Appearance
While you may not necessarily be able to tell one alligator apart from the other, it’s always some tiny signs or giveaways that work best for an owner.
Let’s say, your alligator is closer to the color black. Here, you may call it ‘Dark Knight’ or ‘Onyx,’ which is more fitting to its appearance and movement.
Observe Personality Traits
Closely observing your alligator’s nature, habits, and disposal of matters can give you an idea of what name to choose. Some alligators will most likely spend their time on water and basking while others love to bask or walk around their habitat. Some are calm while some are playful.
Check which category your alligator falls in to determine a suitable name. Names like ‘Spooky,’ ‘Denzel,’ or ‘Ariz’ are best suited to a highly active and energetic alligator. For a gentle or grumpy one, try ‘Lyra,’ ‘Thalia,’ or ‘Edgar’ can be perfect.
Take Cultural or Mythological Inspirations
One of the easiest and most effective ways to name your pet alligator is by following cultural or mythical moniker trends. You can find appropriate names in the mythological arena for your alligator.
Try ‘Hercules’ or ‘Achilles’ for a strong and big male alligator whereas the name ‘Charis’ can be fitting for a graceful female alligator.
Funny Alligator Names
You can make your alligator’s name more exciting by adding humor to it. If you’re running out of ideas, try one of these:
Flat Snout | Green Goblin | Scaley-tor |
Tooth Shop | Dead-Man-Floating | Crawling Boat |
Snappy Joe | Jawsome | Gatorade |
Muddy Buddy | Chompers | Gator Gatsby |
Guffaw-Gator | Snort-‘n-Swim | Snicker-Slide |
Spike Boat | Soggy Dude | Puddle Waddle |
Snaparoo | Snapalot | Land-Slider |
Male Alligator Names
If your alligator is a male, the following strong and authoritative names can be good choices to choose from:
Maximus | Optimus | Spike |
Rex | Bruno | Arthur |
Milo | Ben | Bill |
George | Mike | Jack |
Maddy | Rover | Boris |
Hanson | Gertrude | Demien |
Dante | Leo | Carl |
Female Alligator Names
Call your female alligator with a name that inspires respect and appreciation due to its depth and grace; like the ones mentioned below:
Queen | Diva | Amy |
Cleo | Scarlet | Emerald |
Emmy | Judith | Harley |
Flora | Nala | Paula |
Nikita | Agrona | Bellona |
Bria | Alexandra | Amira |
Chasina | Zarya | Nakoma |
Cute Alligator Names
Following are some pretty names for your adorable baby alligator or a gentle big one:
Jaws Junior | Halima | Alli-giggle |
Mindy | Tiny Gator | Adiva |
Yuto | Damara | Clemens |
Jumpy Gator | Kevin | Ninad |
Snuggle Swim | Fluffy Fins | Happy Splash |
Gizmo | Squishy | Chomp-Chomp |
Jellybean | Gummy | Lyle |
Famous Alligator Names
Naming your reptile friend after popular alligator characters from the news, animated films, or cartoons can enhance the effect of interactions:
Name | Reference |
---|---|
Guidry | A recently rescued alligator (5-6 years old) from New York Creek, now transferred to Marc Perpetua, the owner of Reptile Encounters in NY |
Jawlene | A rescued top-jaw-less female alligator at the Gator Land |
Ben Ali Gator | The famous alligator character from Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ segment |
Wally the Gator | The world’s first licensed Emotional Support Alligator who was stolen from his dad/owner and then rescued and released by a rescue team into a swamp with other alligators |
Mystic | The leucistic female baby alligator at Gatorland, Florida with partial loss of pigmentation; hence blue eyes and light pink skin tone |
Stoke’s Alligator | (Unnamed) Weighing over a thousand pounds and nearly fifteen feet in length, Mandy Stoke’s trophy alligator was declared the largest American alligator killed in licensed alligator hunting |
Rover | A courageous and determined alligator character from the animated series ‘Pound Puppies’ who constantly tries to save his friends |
Gabby Gator | The cunning and humorous antagonist character from the famous ‘Woody Woodpecker Show’ |
Axl and Bull Gator | The two confused yet determined antagonists from the animated series ‘Taz-Mania’ |
King Gator | The humorous and flamboyant king of the swamp from the popular animated film ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ |
Roger | The lovable, gentle, and friendly alligator buddy of the penguins in ‘Penguins of Madagascar’ |
Louis | The fun-loving, gentle alligator from Disney’s animated film ‘The Princess and the Frog’ |
Cool Alligator Names
If you want your gator buddy to look and sound more stylish and edgy, try one of these cool alligator names:
Rollo | Grimace | Grinder |
Bucky | Smasher | Diesel |
Viper | Logjam | Nitro |
Raptor | Vortex | Thunder |
Tank | Lynx | Avon |
Chewy | Cassel | Largo |
Lizzo | Rambo | Vlad |
Badass Alligator Names
The following badass names will connect to the alligator’s fearsome and dominating characteristics. Choose one for yours:
Matador | LeBelle | Goliath |
Marshal | Reaper | Kraken |
Storm | Mighty King | Vandal |
Juggernaut | Fury | Inferno |
Rampart | Terminator | Hulk |
Randy | Warlord | Bane |
Bandit | Titan | Grinden |
Baby Alligator Names
Bring out the fun and joy in your teeny-tiny baby alligators with these cute names below:
HappySnap | Alli-Giggles | LoveBite |
Goofy Grins | Sugar Tail | Didi |
Piccolo | Newt | Tadpole |
Guppy | Babykins | Shorty |
Dot | Lizzy | Tiny Tail |
Chillygator | Dinky | Wee |
Minnow | Albie | Aldo |
Creative Alligator Names Inspired by Nature
Let nature pour into your pet alligator’s daily activities and interaction with it. Choose a nature-inspired name for your gator friend from below:
Ashton | Acorn | Barrow |
Birch | Buckthorn | Island |
Reed | Dean | Dylan |
Flint | Ewan | Ford |
Marsh | Orion | Bolt |
Thorny | Trunk | Silas |
Ridge | Ayla | Blossom |
Historical Alligator Names
You may take inspiration from historically famous figures for a suitable alligator name, like the ones below:
Alexander | Cirus | Lincoln |
Albert | Benjamin | Homer |
Frank | Leonardo | Marie |
Joseph | Caesar | Thomas |
Joan | Isaac | Albert |
Galileo | Napolean | Stalin |
Augustus | Arthur | Bacon |
Food-Inspired Alligator Names
Some food or snack-inspired names will suit your pet foodie alligator:
Lollipop | Pickles | Maple |
Hazel | Durian | Gazpacho |
Green Salad | Mochito | Honey |
Croissant | Saslic | Bruschetta |
Babaganoush | Pupperoni | Waffles |
Pringle | Peaches | Crumpet |
Cucumber | Parsnip | Zucchini |
Mythological Alligator Names
If you want to add versatility and strength to your alligator’s title, try one of the distinguished mythological character names from below:
Name | Origin | Description |
---|---|---|
Sobek | Egyptian | The crocodile-headed god that represents power, fertility, and protection |
Basilisk | Greek | The king of the serpent; the giant, monstrous snake that kills anything with its death stare, much like an alligator’s cold and intimidating stare |
Makara | Hindu | The mythical sea creature with an elephant head and alligator-like body, used as a transport by the river goddess Ganga |
Buaya | Malyasian | The crocodile from the second-century tale was constantly outsmarted by its prey, a mousedeer called Sang Kancil |
Minotaur | Greek | The powerfully built monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man |
Cerberus | Greek | The monstrous three-headed dog that guards the underworld, Hades |
Wyvern | European | An eighth-century mythical two-legged creature with wings and a serpentine body |
Griffin | Greek/ Egyptian/ Persian | The strong and loyal creature with a lion’s head, body, hind legs, and wings of an eagle |
Leviathan | Hebrew | The giant sea monster depicted in the Hebrew Bible |
Pegasus | Greek | A powerful, magical winged horse born from the blood of Gorgon Medusa |
Alligator Nicknames
Check out these alligator nicknames that reflect an alligator’s personality, habits, or physical features and feats:
Water Log | Death Roll | Swampy |
Tailspin | Wide Gape | Flat Face |
Scaly Tail | Swamp King | Crawl Hunter |
Crawly | Gluttony | Jaws |
Bone Crusher | Mighty Bite | Dead-Man-Crawling |
Rio Monstruo | Gentle Giant | Night Hunter |
Razor Bite | Saw-in-a-jaw | Basking Giant |
Scientific Name of Alligators and Its Significance
The scientific names for the two extant or living species of alligators are Alligator Mississippiensis (American Alligator) and Alligator Sinensis (Chinese Alligator).
Alligators are sub-classified species of crocodiles. However, the word ‘Mississippiensis’ in the Americal alligator’s scientific name refers to the Mississippi River, the primary alligator habitat. Similarly, Sinensis refers to the Latin meaning, ‘of China,’ denoting the Chinese alligators.
Both these alligators’ natural habitat, survival, and lifestyle in the wild have inspired many photographers, zoologists, licensed hunters, and even today’s exotic pet enthusiasts. People take inspiration from their wildlife legacy while naming their alligators.
Names like Angus, Audrey, Drew, Keren, etc., connect to the strength, grace, and survival instincts of these illustrious reptilian creatures.
Conclusion
When choosing a name for an alligator, it’s essential to select names based on their physical attributes, nature, and personality. You can further take inspiration from famous gator or crocodile characters, historical figures, or mythical names like we’ve pinned down in this article.
To make your tasks easier, explore our list of over hundred alligator names to choose yours. If you have more creative names in your mind, share with us.
FAQ’s
Some good names for an alligator are Joy, Jason, Manny, Drake, Sidney, etc.
Some notable alligator names in movies and TV shows are Ramon (Alligator, 1980), Stan & Carmine (The Wild, 2006), Flat Dog (Crocodile, 2000), Gustave (Primeval, 2008), etc.
Choosing a badass name for an alligator is comparatively easy, given their fierce nature, hunting skills, and dominance. So, go with an alligator’s behavioral or physical features like gigantic size, scaly skin, distinct skin tone, insatiable appetite, and so on to name one. If you’re finding it difficult, consult our list of ‘Badass Alligator Names’ above.
Some funny and humorous names for alligators are Slouch, Flat Head, Fat Jack, Flabbygator, etc.
The scientific name of the American alligator is ‘Alligator Mississippiensis’ whereas the scientific name of the Chinese alligator is ‘Sinensis Alligator.’