Insect Name Generator
Names for bugs, beetles, and bug characters
Generate names for insect characters, pet bugs, and entomology projects, from cute nicknames for a stick insect or tarantula to Latin-flavored species names and heroic beetle warriors for animated stories.
About insect names
Insect names tend to come from one of three places: the sound or motion the bug makes (Buzz, Skitter, Flit, Click), its body or colour (Chitin, Elytra, Emerald, Copper), or the Latin binomials entomologists actually use (Vespa, Apis, Formica, Coccinella). Children's stories from A Bug's Life to Maya the Bee lean on the first two, which is why so many bug characters have snappy one-syllable names or a formal-sounding title paired with an anatomical joke, like Professor Proboscis or Baron von Beetle.
A good insect name should hint at scale. Tiny, quick species suit clipped names like Pip, Dot, or Zing, while heavyweight beetles earn names such as Goliath, Atlas, and Hercules, all of which are real common names for giant beetle species. Social insects open up another convention entirely: bees, ants, and termites can be named by caste and role, so a hive character might be Queen Melissa (Greek for honeybee), Forager Fenn, or Drone Seventeen.
This list mixes cute pet-bug names for stick insects, mantises, and tarantulas with story-ready character names, folk names (Snake Doctor), insect words from other languages (Mariposa), and Latin-flavored species names for worldbuilding or biology projects. Alliterative names like Wendell Weevil and Agatha Aphid follow the tradition of Beatrix Potter and Richard Scarry, where the species is baked right into the name.
How to choose insect names
- Match the name to movement: darting insects (dragonflies, tiger beetles) suit sharp names like Dash or Zing, while slow crawlers (stick insects, caterpillars) suit soft names like Moss or Mochi.
- For a pet mantis, beetle, or tarantula, pick a two-syllable name you will actually enjoy saying out loud when you feed it; grand titles like Sir Buzzington get shortened to Buzz within a week.
- For a cast of bug characters, use one naming rule per species so readers can keep them straight, for example Latin names for the ants and homely English names for the beetles.
- Latin genus names (Vespa for wasps, Apis for bees, Formica for ants) make excellent serious character names and are instantly recognisable to anyone who has taken a biology class.
- Alliteration (Barnaby Beetle, Ida Inchworm) is the classic picture-book formula and helps young readers remember which character is which.
Frequently asked questions
What are good names for a pet insect like a stick insect, mantis, or beetle?
Short, gentle names work best for slow-moving pets: Twig, Fern, or Bramble for stick insects, Jade or Madame Mantis for a praying mantis, and sturdy names like Tank, Boulder, or Goliath for large beetles. Rhinoceros and Hercules beetles are often given strongman names because those are their real common names.
Where do the Latin-sounding insect names come from?
Names like Vespa, Apis, Formica, Coccinella, and Papilio are real scientific genus names for wasps, honeybees, ants, ladybirds, and swallowtail butterflies. They make good serious or scholarly character names and are safe to use in any story.
How should I name bees or ants in a story about a hive or colony?
Social insects are usually named by role: queen, worker, drone, forager, scout, or nurse. Give the queen a proper name (Melissa is Greek for honeybee) and workers either numbers or short functional names to reflect how colonies actually operate.
Can I use these insect names for a book, game, or product?
Yes. The names here are common words in English and other languages, real species and folk names, names from myth, or original combinations, and you can use them freely in commercial and personal projects.
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All 1,000 insect names
A: 52 names
- Abbot Aphid
- Abeille
- Abeja
- Abelha
- Ace
- Acherontia
- Acheta
- Acorn
- Actaeon
- Actias
- Adalia
- Admiral
- Admiral Aphid
- Adonis
- Aeshna
- Agatha Aphid
- Almond
- Ambassador Elytra
- Amber
- Ambereye
- Amble
- Ameise
- Ammophila
- Anax
- Andrena
- Anopheles
- Anselm Greenhelm
- Antenna
- Antlion
- Apatura
- Aphid Herder
- Aphis
- Apis
- Apollo
- Arethusa
- Argus
- Argynnis
- Army Ant
- Artemis
- Ash
- Assassin
- Aster
- Atalanta
- Atlas
- Atlas Moth
- Atropos
- Atta
- Attacus
- Augustus Ant
- Aunt Agnes Antlion
- Auntie Antenna
- Avispa
B: 76 names
- Backswimmer
- Bandleader Bushcricket
- Bark
- Barkbiter
- Barnaby Beetle
- Barney Booklouse
- Baron Bagworm
- Baron Barkbeetle
- Baron von Beetle
- Baroness Brambling
- Baroness Buzz
- Barrel Roll
- Beacon
- Bean
- Beatrice Bumblebee
- Bebe
- Beetle
- Behemoth
- Bergamot
- Bernadette Bee
- Besouro
- Betsy Butterfly
- Bibi
- Biene
- Biplane
- Biscuit
- Bishop Beetle
- Bishy Barnabee
- Bitsy
- Bittle
- Blaberus
- Blatta
- Blink
- Blip
- Blossomdiver
- Bluebell
- Bluebottle
- Bluemantle
B, continued
- Bluewing
- Boatman
- Bobo
- Bogong
- Bombardier
- Bombus
- Bombylius
- Bombyx
- Boomerang
- Bop
- Borage
- Boris Borer
- Boulder
- Bounce
- Bourdon
- Brakka Rootbreaker
- Bramble
- Brannoc of the Briar
- Breezecatcher
- Brimstone
- Briseis
- Bristle
- Bront the Unbending
- Bronze
- Brood Nurse
- Brother Bristletail
- Bruiser
- Buckeye
- Buddleia
- Builder Daub
- Builder Pellet
- Bumble
- Bumblebee
- Bunbun
- Buprestis
- Burrow
- Button
- Buzz
C: 100 names
- Cabbage White
- Caddis
- Caligo
- Calliphora
- Calopteryx
- Calosoma
- Camilla
- Camponotus
- Candledancer
- Cantharis
- Captain Clicker
- Carabus
- Caramel
- Carapace
- Carausius
- Carpenter
- Carpet Moth
- Cashew
- Cassida
- Catmint
- Cellmaker Hex
- Centipede
- Cerambyx
- Cercus
- Cetonia
- Chafer
- Chalcosoma
- Chancellor Chitin
- Checkerspot
- Cheeselog
- Chestnut
- Chichi
- Chiron
- Chirp
- Chirrup
- Chitin
- Chitter
- Chomp
- Chrysalis
- Chrysomela
- Chrysopa
- Chuggy Pig
- Cicada
- Cicadetta
- Cicala
- Cicindela
- Cigarra
- Cimex
- Cinder
- Circe
C, continued
- Clamber
- Clarence Clearwing
- Clatter
- Cleg
- Clementine Caterpillar
- Click
- Click Beetle
- Clover
- Coach Grasshopper
- Cobalt
- Coccinella
- Cockchafer
- Coco
- Cocoon
- Coleoptera
- Colonel Cricket
- Colonel Cutleaf
- Colony Herald
- Colossus
- Comb Keeper
- Comma
- Commander Carapace
- Conehead
- Constance Cockroach
- Copper
- Copperwing
- Copris
- Corbin Blackmantle
- Cornelius Cricket
- Corporal Caterpillar
- Corporal Chafer
- Cosmos
- Countess Caddisfly
- Countess Chrysalis
- Countess Cutworm
- Cousin Cricketleg
- Crackle
- Cranefly
- Creak
- Creep
- Cricket
- Crosswind
- Crumbsnatcher
- Crumpet
- Crusher
- Cuckoo Bee
- Cuckoo Spit
- Culex
- Curculio
- Cynthia
D: 51 names
- Daddy Longlegs
- Dame Damselfly
- Dame Dobsonfly
- Damsel
- Danaus
- Dandelion
- Dapple
- Darning Needle
- Darter
- Dash
- Dawnsinger
- Deacon Deathwatch
- Dean Dermestes
- Death's-Head
- Desmond Dungbeetle
- Detective Dragonfly
- Devil's Coach Horse
- Dew Fetcher
- Dewdrop
- Dewsipper
- Dexter Dragonfly
- Didi
- Digger
- Dither
- Doctor Dermestid
- Doctor Doodlewing
- Doctor Drone
- Dolores Damselfly
- Doodlebug
- Dorcus
- Dorothy Dobsonfly
- Dorrin the Dauntless
- Dot
- Drone
- Drone Forty
- Drone Seventeen
- Drosophila
- Duchess Dragonfly
- Duchess of Dew
- Duke Darner
- Duke of Dung
- Dumpling
- Dunedasher
- Dung Roller
- Dunstan Barkshield
- Duskfiddler
- Duskhopper
- Dusky
- Dustwing
- Dynastes
- Dytiscus
E: 24 names
- Earl of Elderflower
- Eciton
- Edith Earwig
- Egg Tender
- Elater
- Elder Earwig
- Elowen Dewlance
- Elytra
- Ember
- Emberwing
- Emerald
- Emmet
- Emperor
- Empress Formica
- Empress Vespula
- Ephemera
- Eristalis
- Ernest Emperor Moth
- Escarabajo
- Eudicella
- Euglossa
- Eustace Earwig
- Extatosoma
- Eyespot
F: 43 names
- Falter
- Fanner Breeze
- Fanny Fruitfly
- Farfalla
- Farrow Nettleguard
- Feeler
- Felicity Froghopper
- Fenna of the Far Meadow
- Fern
- Fiddle
- Fidget
- Fifi
- Fig
- Filigree
- Firebug
- Firefly
- Fizz
- Flare
- Fleck
- Flicker
- Flit
- Flitter
- Flora Flea
- Florence Fly
- Flounce
- Flurry
- Flutter
- Flyby
- Forager Bristlecone
- Forager Fenn
- Forager Flick
- Forager Tansy
- Forficula
- Forkytail
- Formica
- Fourmi
- Foxglove
- Freckle
- Frelon
- Friar Firebrat
- Fritillary
- Fulgora
- Fungus Farmer
G: 36 names
- Gadfly
- Gallinipper
- Garnet
- Garrick of the Garden Wall
- Gate Sentinel
- General Gnaw
- Geotrupes
- Gerris
- Gherkin
- Gideon
- Gigi
- Gilbert Grub
- Glimmer
- Glint
- Glowworm
- Goldenback
- Goliath
- Goliathus
- Gossamer
- Grandmother Cicada
- Grandpa Grasshopper
- Grandpa Grub
- Granfer Grig
- Granny Gnat
- Grassdancer
- Greenbottle
- Grillon
- Grimble the Stout
- Groundhopper
- Gryllus
- Guard Gorse
- Guard Tamarack
- Gus Gnat
- Gust
- Gwendolyn Grasshopper
- Gyrinus
H: 43 names
- Hairstreak
- Half-Pint
- Halobates
- Hanneton
- Harmonia
- Harvester Ant
- Hauler Crumb
- Hauler Grist
- Hawker
- Hawkmoth
- Hazel
- Heather
- Hecate
- Helena
- Heliconius
- Hellgrammite
- Herbert Housefly
- Hercules
- Hesper Duskblade
- Hierodula
- Hilda Hardshell
- Hive Mother
- Hive Warden
- Hollyhock
- Honey
- Honey Guard
- Honeybee
- Honeypot
- Honeysuckle
- Hopper
- Horace Hornet
- Horatio Horsefly
- Hormiga
- Hornet
- Hoverfly
- Huhu
- Hum
- Humblebee
- Humla
- Hummel
- Humphrey Hoverfly
- Hush
- Hymenopus
I: 13 names
- Icarus
- Ida Inchworm
- Ignatius Icebug
- Ilka the Sharp-Eyed
- Imogen Inchworm
- Inachis
- Inkblot
- Inspector Inchworm
- Inspector Itch
- Iris
- Ironshell
- Ischnura
- Ivory
J: 15 names
- Jade
- Jar Fly
- Jasper
- Jenny Longlegs
- Jetstream
- Jewel
- Jiji
- Jingle
- Jitter
- Joaninha
- Judge Gallwasp
- Judge Junebug
- Juggernaut
- Juju
- Junebug
K: 13 names
- Kagero
- Kallima
- Karn Stonehorn
- Katydid
- Kestra Thornlance
- Kever
- Kheper
- Kiki
- Kiko
- Kindle
- Kit Katydid
- Krekel
- Kumquat
L: 53 names
- Lace
- Lacewing
- Lachesis
- Lady Antennae
- Lady Lacewing
- Lady Lilypad
- Lady Lumina
- Ladybird
- Ladybug
- Ladycow
- Lampcircler
- Lampyris
- Lantern
- Larder Keeper
- Larkspur
- Larva
- Lasius
- Leaf Insect
- Leafcutter
- Leafwalker
- Leafwing
- Leander
- Leonora Locust
- Leopold Leafhopper
- Lepisma
- Libellula
- Liftoff
- Lightning Bug
- Lili
- Lilyrider
- Limenitis
- Lionel Locust
- Little Lord Leafroller
- Locusta
- Logroller
- Lolo
- Longhorn
- Loop-the-Loop
- Lord Lanternfly
- Lord Leafminer
- Lord Longhorn
- Lucanus
- Lucciola
- Lucilia
- Luciole
- Ludo Ladybug
- Lulu
- Lumen
- Luna
- Lupin
- Lurk
- Lycaena
- Lysa of the Lily Pads
M: 69 names
- Mabel Mayfly
- Machaon
- Madame Mantis
- Madame Mayblossom
- Maela Swiftwing
- Magicicada
- Major Mealworm
- Major Mothball
- Mandible
- Manduca
- Mantis
- Mantodea
- Marble
- Marigold
- Mariposa
- Marmalade
- Marquess of Mandibles
- Marquis de Mosquito
- Mason
- Master Midge
- Matilda Moth
- Matron Mealybug
- Maud Mudwasp
- Maybug
- Mayfly
- Mayor Mayfly
- Meadow Brown
- Meadowsweet
- Medusa
- Megasoma
- Melipona
- Meloe
- Melolontha
- Menelaus
M, continued
- Midgie
- Millie Midge
- Millipede
- Mimi
- Miner
- Mining Bee
- Mirelle of the Moonlit Pond
- Miss Mayapple
- Miss Mosquito
- Missus Mudwasp
- Mister Midsummer
- Mistwing
- Mitsubachi
- Mochi
- Momo
- Monarch
- Monsieur Moustique
- Moonchaser
- Moonwing
- Morpheus
- Morpho
- Mortimer Moth
- Mosquito Hawk
- Moss
- Mossrunner
- Mote
- Motley
- Mound Chief
- Mudlark
- Muffin
- Musca
- Mustard
- Myrmecia
- Myrmeleon
- Myrmica
N: 27 names
- Nanny Nightmoth
- Nanny Nymph
- Nectar
- Nectarthief
- Nepa
- Neptune
- Nibbles
- Nicrophorus
- Nightchirper
- Nightflutter
- Nightglow
- Nim the Nimble
- Nini
- Niobe
- Nip
- No-See-Um
- Nono
- Notonecta
- Nudge
- Nurse Clary
- Nurse Lindenleaf
- Nurse Nectar
- Nurse Nettle
- Nursery Warden
- Nutmeg
- Nymph
- Nyuki
O: 20 names
- Oakhorn the Elder
- Ochre
- Odo Bramblehelm
- Oecanthus
- Old Ironback
- Old Lady Locust
- Old Man Weevil
- Old Mother Mothwing
- Olive Oakworm
- Ollie Orbweaver
- Ommatidia
- Onyx
- Opal
- Ophelia Orchidmantis
- Orangetip
- Orchid Bee
- Orthetrum
- Oryctes
- Otis Owlfly
- Owl Butterfly
P: 79 names
- Painted Lady
- Paisley
- Palp
- Pandora
- Panorpa
- Pantala
- Papa Pupa
- Paperwasp
- Papilio
- Papillon
- Parnassius
- Peacock
- Peanut
- Peapod
- Pearl
- Pebble
- Pecan
- Pediculus
- Peep
- Peewee
- Pell the Small and Mighty
- Peppercorn
- Pepsis
- Percival Pondskater
- Periplaneta
- Petalhopper
- Phasma
- Pheidole
- Philanthus
- Phineas Pillbug
- Photinus
- Photuris
- Pickle
- Piebald
- Pieris
- Pinching Bug
- Pinto
- Pinwheel
- Pip
P, continued
- Pipi
- Pipsqueak
- Pistachio
- Plum
- Polistes
- Pollen
- Polly Planthopper
- Polyommatus
- Pompom
- Pondglider
- Pondskater
- Popcorn
- Popo
- Poppyseed
- Postmaster Planthopper
- Potato Bug
- Potter
- Pounce
- Praline
- Pretzel
- Priam
- Prickle
- Primrose
- Prince Petiole
- Prince Pollenmore
- Prince Pollux
- Princess Petal
- Princess Pollen
- Princess Propolis
- Private Pillbug
- Professor Pollenpuff
- Professor Proboscis
- Professor Pronotum
- Promethea
- Propeller
- Prudence Pillbug
- Puddlejumper
- Pulex
- Pupa
- Purr
Q: 16 names
- Queen Ambrosia
- Queen Apis
- Queen Aurelia
- Queen Beatrix
- Queen Calliope
- Queen Honoria
- Queen Marzipan
- Queen Melissa
- Queen Ottoline
- Queen Regina
- Queen Thessaly
- Quentin Queenbee
- Quickleg
- Quill
- Quill of the Compost Heap
- Quiver
R: 24 names
- Ragnar Rhinohorn
- Raindodger
- Raisin
- Rattle
- Redcap
- Reedclimber
- Reginald Roach
- Reverend Roach
- Reverend Rosebeetle
- Rhino
- Ringlet
- Riri
- Robberfly
- Roly-Poly
- Rook the Relentless
- Rootnibbler
- Rosalia
- Rosalind Rosechafer
- Rosy Maple
- Rotor
- Runner Quickfoot
- Runner Rush
- Rupert Rhinobeetle
- Rusty
S: 116 names
- Sable
- Saffron
- Sage Sapsucker
- Samson
- Sandsifter
- Sapdrinker
- Sapper
- Sapphire
- Satin
- Saturnia
- Sawfly
- Scamper
- Scarab
- Scarabaeus
- Scarabeo
- Scoot
- Scorpionfly
- Scout Halfpenny
- Scout Meadowlark
- Scout Sixpence
- Scout Skeeter
- Scritch
- Scuffle
- Scurry
- Scuttle
- Sedum
- Seedroller
- Selene
- Sentry Flint
- Sentry Hawthorn
- Sentry Sable
- Sentry Snap
- Sergeant Sandfly
- Sergeant Stinger
- Sesame
- Seven-Spot
- Shadow
- Sharpjaw
- Sheriff Sandwasp
- Shieldbug
- Shimmer
- Sienna
- Sigrun Stingspear
- Silkmoth
- Silkspinner
- Silpha
- Sir Aldous the Armored
- Sir Buzzington
- Sir Scuttleworth
- Sir Skitterby
- Sir Springtail
- Sister Silkworm
- Skater
- Skedaddle
- Skeeter Eater
- Skim
- Skimmer
- Skip
S, continued
- Skipper
- Skipperling
- Skitter
- Skydancer
- Slater
- Smidge
- Snake Doctor
- Snakefly
- Snapdragon
- Snicker
- Snip
- Softwing
- Soldier Brack
- Soldier Pincer
- Soldier Sting
- Solenopsis
- Somersault
- Soot
- Sootwing
- Sophie Silkworm
- Sorrel the Sure-Footed
- Sowbug
- Spark
- Speck
- Speckle
- Sphinx
- Spinner
- Spiral
- Spittlebug
- Sprite
- Sproing
- Squeak
- Squire Scarab
- Stag
- Staphylinus
- Starhopper
- Stationmaster Stagbeetle
- Stella Stinkbug
- Stinger
- Stonecreeper
- Stonefly
- Stormwing
- Streamskimmer
- Strekoza
- Stripes
- Strum
- Sugar Ant
- Sunbasker
- Sunflower
- Sunwing
- Swallowtail
- Swarm Caller
- Sway
- Sweatbee
- Sweetpea
- Sybil Springtail
- Sylvester Silverfish
- Syrphus
T: 56 names
- Tabanus
- Tabby Tsetse
- Tabitha Termite
- Tailspin
- Tangerine
- Tank
- Tarrow the Tunneler
- Tati
- Teensy
- Teeter
- Tegmen
- Tenodera
- Tessa of the Tall Grass
- Tettigonia
- Thaddeus Thrips
- Thermal
- Thermobia
- Thimble
- Thistle
- Thorax
- Thornback
- Thornbug
- Thrum
- Thrum of the Deep Burrow
- Thyme
- Tick
- Tickle
- Tigerstripe
- Tilly Treehopper
- Tinker
- Tipula
- Titan
- Titanus
- Toe Biter
- Toffee
- Tombo
- Torvald Shieldwing
- Tot
- Toto
- Trail Marker
- Treacle
- Trill
- Troides
- Troilus
- Trundle
- Tulle
- Tumble
- Tumblebug
- Tunnel
- Tunnel Boss
- Tunneler Sett
- Tutu
- Twiddle
- Twig
- Twinkle
- Twitch
U: 5 names
- Uncle Bartholomew Bee
- Uncle Ulysses
- Updraft
- Urania
- Ursula Underwing
V: 11 names
- Vanessa
- Varek Twinpincer
- Velvet
- Verbena
- Verdigris
- Vernon Velvetant
- Vespa
- Vespula
- Viceroy
- Viscount Vespa
- Viscountess Velvetwing
W: 40 names
- Waffles
- Waggle Dancer
- Wally Walkingstick
- Walnut
- Warden of the Hive
- Water Scorpion
- Water Strider
- Wax Maker
- Waxwing
- Weaver
- Weevil
- Wendell Weevil
- Wespe
- Weta
- Whirligig
- Whirlwind
- Whirr
- Whisk
- Whisper
- Whiz
- Wiggler
- Wiggles
- Wilfred Wasp
- Wilhelmina Wasp
- Windrider
- Wingcase
- Wingman
- Wink
- Winston Waterbug
- Wisp
- Witchetty
- Wobble
- Wood Ant
- Woodlouse
- Woolly Bear
- Worker Bee Wilma
- Worker Eleven
- Worker Two Hundred
- Wren the Wingless
- Wriggle
X: 1 name
- Xylocopa
Y: 4 names
- Yarrow
- Yaya
- Yellowjacket
- Ysolde Brightshell