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Home > Fish > 150 Majestic Koi Fish Names for Their Beautiful Colors (With Meanings)

150 Majestic Koi Fish Names for Their Beautiful Colors (With Meanings)

Koi Fish Names

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.

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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

orange and white koi fish
Image Credit: adrian vieriu, Pexels

  • Gold
  • White
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Red
  • Orange
  • Cream
  • Platinum
  • Pink
  • Blue
  • Silver
  • Gray

Fun Color Names

multicolored koi fish
Image Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh, Pexels

  • 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

Koi fish in a pond
Image Credit: imsogabriel, Pixabay

  • 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

koi fish in fish pond
Image Credits: auntmasako, Pixabay

  • 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

Koi Fish
Image Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh, Pexels

  • Success
  • Romance
  • Determination
  • Strength
  • Prosperity
  • Motherly
  • Fatherly
  • Childlike
  • Growth
  • Love
  • Affection
  • Youth
  • Femininity
  • Peace
  • Comfort
  • Influx
  • Uniqueness
  • Luck
  • Persistence
  • Energy
  • Positivity
  • Bravery
  • Courage

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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.

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Featured Image Credit: Vital Safo, Shutterstock

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