Many people may think of koi as “just fish,” but koi enthusiasts love their fish very deeply, like members of the family. This means that it’s important for some people to pick the perfect name for their koi fish.
Believe it or not, koi can have distinctive personalities, and each one has a unique appearance. From colors to shapes to size, each koi is an individual, so you want to choose the name that suits your fish the best. Of course, koi’s scales and colors can provide a multitude of names to choose from.
How to Name Your Koi Fish Based on Color
To pick a color-based name for your koi, you can pick a name anywhere on the spectrum from expected to rare. Most people know basic colors, but there are a lot of words associated with the colors of koi fish that can be used.
Modern koi originated in Japan in the 1800s, while carp have been bred domestically since the 4th century in China, so there are plenty of name options from the native languages associated with koi and their carp family members.
The 150 Majestic Koi Fish Names
Basic Koi Colors
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Gold
White
Black
Yellow
Red
Orange
Cream
Platinum
Pink
Blue
Silver
Gray
Fun Color Names
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Goldie
Goldie Hawn
Goldilocks
Radiance
Dazzle
Sparkle
Splat
Ember
Smoky
Flame
Fire
Berries and Cream
Indigo
Indy
Onyx
Phoenix
Jasmine
Yellow Brick Road
Casper
Ghost
Eclipse
Glow
Glisten
Stellar
Starry
Stormy
Pinky
Shimmer
Glitter
Glitz
Shiny
Blaze
Sunny
Ash
Shadow
Metal
Reflective
Glacier
Ice
Crystal
Rainbow
Galaxy
Mirror
Diamond
Mesh
Netting
Chainmail
Rusty
Ruby
Amber
Sapphire
Jade
Iridescent
Pearl
Clear
Lemon
Blue Suede Shoes
Silverware
Wasabi
Zigzag
Variety and Appearance Names with Meanings
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Hi (red)
Ko (red)
Aka (red)
Beni (orange)
Ki (yellow)
Kigoi (yellow)
Sumi (black)
Karasu (black background)
Shiro (white)
Shiroji (white)
Haku (white)
Cha (brown)
Nezu (gray)
Ai (blue)
Ochiba (light blue)
Kin (gold)
Gin (silver)
Purachina (platinum)
Midori (green)
Kohaku (white body with red or orange patches)
Asagi (silver body with red patches)
Taisho Sanke (white body with red and black patches)
Tancho (white body with red patch on head)
Showa (black body with red and white patches)
Utsuri (black body with red, yellow, or white patches)
Bekko (white body with black patches or red or yellow body with black patches)
Shusui (silver body with red patches)
Ginrin (diamond scales)
Kinginrin (shiny gold or silver scales)
Ogon (single color)
Hikarimoyomono (multi-color)
Yamato Nishiki (platinum with red and black patches and metallic scales)
Sanke (platinum with red and black patches and matte scales)
Hariwake (white body with yellow or orange patches and metallic scales)
Doitsu Yamabuki (platinum with red and black patches and no scales)
Gin-Matsuba (white body with dark reticulation on metallic scales)
Chagoi (tea carp)
Japanese Names
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Koi (carp)
Nishikigoi (koi)
Akarui (bright)
Hanako (flower girl)
Gingko (silver fruit)
Koshi (green)
Hoshi (star)
Gohan (rice)
Jinyu (golden fish)
Momotaru (peach boy)
Aka Hana (red nose)
Ochiba Shigure (fallen leaves from rain)
Budo/Budou (grape)
Utsuri (reflection)
Kujaku (peacock)
Kikusui (light chrysanthemum)
Kuchi (lips)
Jinli (brocaded)
Words Associated With Specific Koi Colors
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Success
Romance
Determination
Strength
Prosperity
Motherly
Fatherly
Childlike
Growth
Love
Affection
Youth
Femininity
Peace
Comfort
Influx
Uniqueness
Luck
Persistence
Energy
Positivity
Bravery
Courage
In Conclusion
There is no shortage of name options for your koi fish, even if you’re only looking for a name related to the beautiful colors and appearance of your fish. Some of these names are the official names of certain koi varieties, while many of these names are fun and interesting descriptors for fish. Now all that’s left is for you to pick the perfect name for your lovely fish.
Brooke Billingsley spent nine years as a veterinary assistant before becoming a human nurse in 2013. She resides in Arkansas with her boyfriend of five years. She loves all animals and currently shares a home with three dogs, two cats, five fish, and two snails. She has a soft spot for special needs animals and has a three-legged senior dog and an internet famous cat with acromegaly and cerebellar hypoplasia. Fish keeping has become a hobby of Brooke’s and she is continually learning how to give her aquarium pets the best life possible. Brooke enjoys plants and gardening and keeps a vegetable garden during the summer months. She stays active with yoga and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2020. She hosts a podcast focusing on folklore and myth and loves spending her free time researching and writing. Brooke believes that every day is an opportunity for learning and growth and she spends time daily working toward new skills and knowledge....Read more
