Wasp Name Generator
Sharp, stingy names for wasps, hornets and yellowjackets
Names for wasp characters, pet hornets, yellowjackets, paper wasps and whole nests: sting and buzz puns, real genus names like Vespa and Polistes, famous fictional wasps, and fierce villain-style names with a black-and-yellow streak. Handy for stories, mascots, classroom projects and Animal Crossing-style bug collections.
About wasp names
Wasps get named very differently from bees. A bee is soft, round and sweet; a wasp is glossy, narrow-waisted and armed, so the best wasp names lean into that edge: stings, needles, darts and zaps, the yellow-and-black warning colours (Amber, Ochre, Saffron, Onyx, Pitch), and a slightly villainous swagger. Latin taxonomy is a surprisingly rich vein here. Vespa is the hornet genus, Vespula and Dolichovespula are the yellowjackets, Polistes are the umbrella-shaped paper wasps, and Sceliphron, Pepsis and Sphex cover mud daubers, tarantula hawks and digger wasps, all of which make handsome character names or nicknames (Vespa, Polly Polistes, Dolly Dolichovespula).
Paper wasps chew wood into pulp to build their nests, so Papyrus, Vellum, Parchment and Paperwing suit a builder character, while the colony's real caste system gives you a foundress queen, sterile workers and late-summer drones. Fictional wasps add recognisable options: Marvel's Wasp (Janet van Dyne and later Hope), Yellowjacket, Waspinator from Beast Wars, Vespiquen from Pokemon and the Green Hornet. The list adds common names of real wasps (Tarantula Hawk, Beewolf), words for wasp in other languages (Avispa, Wespe), flight callsigns and gall names.
For a mascot or children's book, puns on the word itself work hardest (Wasperina, Waspernicus, Stingerella, Buzzington); for a serious story, a clean genus name or a colour word reads better than a joke.
How to choose wasp names
- Match the species: a hornet can carry a heavy, regal name (Mandarinia, Crabro, Empress Orientalis); a yellowjacket wants something quick and nippy (Zigzag, Jabber, Zapp); a mud dauber suits earthy names like Dauber, Mudsy or Potter.
- Lean on the colours. Amber, Ochre, Saffron and Marigold for the yellow; Onyx, Pitch, Sable and Sooty for the black; Pinstripe or Striper for both at once.
- Give the nest a naming scheme: a foundress queen (Regina, Vespina, Her Majesty Mandarinia), job-named workers (Forager, Sentry, Scout) and lazy-sounding drones (Dronald, Droney).
- Picnic-raider names (Soda Can, Jam Jar, Barbecue Betty, Sugar Fiend) are perfect for comic relief characters and late-summer yellowjacket villains.
- If the wasp is a pet in a game like Animal Crossing or Grounded, short two-syllable names with a Z or hard K (Zingo, Zinger, Jacket, Spiker) read best in a small name field.
Frequently asked questions
What are good names for a wasp character?
Pick by personality: Stinger, Zapp, Javelin or Dart for an aggressive one; Vesper, Vespa or Amber for an elegant one; Papyrus, Vellum or Dauber for a builder; and puns like Stingerella, Wasperina or Lord Buzzington for comedy. Genus names such as Polistes and Vespula work for a more serious tone.
What is the difference between a wasp, a hornet and a yellowjacket for naming purposes?
Hornets (genus Vespa) are the biggest and suit heavy, regal names like Crabro or Mandarinia. Yellowjackets (Vespula and Dolichovespula) are small, fast and bold, so quick names like Jacket, Zigzag and Jabber fit. 'Wasp' covers both plus paper wasps, mud daubers and thousands of solitary species, so anything in this list applies.
Who are some famous fictional wasps?
Marvel's Wasp (Janet van Dyne and Hope van Dyne) and the villain Yellowjacket, Waspinator from Transformers: Beast Wars, Vespiquen and Beedrill from Pokemon, the Green Hornet, and Hornet from Hollow Knight. Stinger, Zinger and Zapper are common stock names for wasp mascots.
Do any human names mean wasp or hornet?
Very few. Vespa and Vesper both come from Latin (vespa means wasp, vesper means evening) and make natural wasp names; Vespucci echoes the same root. In Japanese, Suzume-bachi means hornet (literally sparrow bee), which some writers shorten to Suzu for a hornet character.
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All 1,000 wasp names
A: 42 names
- Acadica
- Ace
- Adder
- Admiral Amber
- Affinis
- Agaonid
- Agelaia
- Aileron
- Alecto
- Amber
- Ammo
- Ammophila
- Ampere
- Ampiainen
- Ancistrocerus
- Angelica
- Annularis
- Anoplius
- Antenna
- Aphid Annie
- Aphid Farmer
- Apoica
- Apple Ambusher
- Arbalest
- Arc
- Archduke Aculeus
- Archer
- Arenaria
- Argyle
- Armadillo
- Arrowhead
- Artichoke Gall
- Asp
- Aster
- Attic
- Aunt Ampulex
- Auntie Histamine
- Aurelia
- Aurifer
- Avispa
- Avispón
- Awl
B: 82 names
- Bad Apple
- Baldface
- Ballista
- Bandit
- Barbecue Betty
- Barbecue Bob
- Barcode
- Baron von Barb
- Baroness
- Barrel Roll
- Bdelycleon
- Bedeguar
- Bee Gone
- Beedrill
- Beer Garden Gus
- Beeware
- Beewolf
- Belladonna
- Bellicosus
- Bellona
- Belonogaster
- Bembix
- Bessie Cow Killer
- Bin Raider
- Birdbox
- Bishop Barb
- Bitey
- Black Shield
- Blackjacket
- Blackstripe
- Blaze
- Blazer
- Blitzen
- Bluey
- Blusterer
- Bodice
- Bodkin
- Bogey
- Bolt
- Bomber
- Bottle Neck
B, continued
- Bounder
- Bowman
- Brachygastra
- Bramble
- Brawler
- Briar
- Brimstone
- Broadhead
- Brocade
- Brood Minder
- Bruiser
- Builder
- Bullet
- Bullseye
- Bumble-Nope
- Burger Bandit
- Burr
- Bushwhacker
- Bustle
- Butterscotch
- Buzz Lightwing
- Buzzaldrin
- Buzzalot
- Buzzanne
- Buzzard
- Buzzbomb
- Buzzby Berkeley
- Buzzcut
- Buzzephine
- Buzzette
- Buzzfield
- Buzzington
- Buzzkill
- Buzzlebee
- Buzzmarck
- Buzzoka
- Buzzsaw
- Buzztopher
- Buzzwald
- Buzzwig
- Buzzworthy
C: 77 names
- Cacynen
- Calabrone
- Calamine Jane
- Caltrop
- Canary
- Candyfloss
- Caprifig
- Captain Havoc
- Captain Jacket
- Caramel
- Carton
- Catapult
- Caterpillar Carrier
- Caution Tape
- Cayenne
- Cell Block
- Cerceris
- Chalcedony
- Chalcis
- Chalybion
- Cherry Gall
- Chervil
- Chevron
- Chewie
- Chewpaper
- Chiffon
- Chili
- Chimney Pot
- Chlorion
- Chomp
- Chomper
- Chrysalis Chaser
- Chrysis
- Cicada Killer
- Cider
- Cinch
- Cinder
- Citrine
C, continued
- Claw
- Clawdia
- Clover Killer
- Clypeus
- Cobalt
- Cocoon
- Cofoundress
- Cola Carla
- Colonel Cinder
- Combstress
- Contrail
- Coral Comb
- Corkscrew
- Corn Silk
- Corporal Crabro
- Corset
- Cotesia
- Count Vespula
- Countess
- Cow Killer
- Crabby
- Crabro
- Crabtree
- Crackle
- Cranky
- Cravat
- Cream Soda
- Crinoline
- Crossbow
- Crosspatch
- Crumbs
- Cuckoo
- Cummerbund
- Cupcake Crasher
- Curmudgeon
- Cutlass
- Cyanide
- Cyclone
- Cynthia Cynips
D: 37 names
- Daffodil
- Dagger
- Daisy Dauber
- Damask
- Dame Dauber
- Dame Dolores Dart
- Dandelion
- Darázs
- Darning Needle
- Dart
- Dash
- Dasymutilla
- Daub Marley
- Dauber
- Daubleday
- Daubrey
- Dazzle
- Dean Divebomb
- Desperado
- Dill
- Dirk
- Divebomb
- Doctor Ouch
- Dogfight
- Dolly Dolichovespula
- Dolly Maculata
- Dominula
- Doughnut Diver
- Dowager
- Downy
- Drillbit
- Dronald
- Droney
- Drummer
- Drumroll
- Ducalis
- Duchess
E: 19 names
- Earl of Ochre
- Eaves Dropper
- Ebony
- Ectemnius
- El Aguijón
- Ember
- Emerald Jewel
- Empress Orientalis
- Encarsia
- Enforcer
- Envelope
- Enyo
- Epee
- Erinys
- Estoc
- Eugene Eumenes
- Evania
- Exclamans
- Executioner
F: 32 names
- Fairyfly
- Fallen Pear
- Fang
- Fanner
- Fennel
- Fig Thief
- Figaro
- Figgy
- Figleaf
- Figwort
- Fishhook
- Fizzgig
- Fizzle
- Fizzy Pop
- Flagellum
- Flak
- Flavia
- Flechette
- Fletcher
- Flight Sergeant
- Flyby
- Foiche
- Forager
- Foundress
- Fracas
- Frazzle
- Frelon
- Frostbite
- Fruit Salad
- Furiosa
- Fury
- Fuscatus
G: 41 names
- Gable
- Gaff
- Gall Maker
- Gallicus
- Gamboge
- Gaster
- Gedehams
- Geitungur
- General Mayhem
- General Vespa
- Germanica
- Geting
- Gilded Gale
- Gilt
- Gimlet
- Ginger Beer
- Gingham
- Glaive
- Glidepath
- Glimmer
- Gnash
- Gnasher
- Goblin
- Goldenrod
- Goldie
- Gossamer
- Grand Duchess Gyne
- Grape Grabber
- Grass Carrier
- Great Golden Digger
- Gremlin
- Grouch
- Grouchy
- Grub
- Grumpus
- Guard Duty
- Guardian
- Guêpe
- Gunslinger
- Gyne
- Gynevra
H: 73 names
- Habanero
- Hachi
- Hailstone
- Halberd
- Hamper
- Hamuli
- Hangar Queen
- Harpoon
- Harpy
- Hatpin
- Hazard
- Hedychrum
- Heir Apparent
- Helix
- Helleborine
- Hemipepsis
- Her Majesty Mandarinia
- Herilane
- Herringbone
- Hex
- Hexa
- Hexagon
- Hexcomb
- Hexen
- Hi-Vis
- Highwayman
- Hippolyta
- Hiss
- Hissy
- Hobgoblin
- Hogweed
- Holding Pattern
- Hollow Log
- Honey Bun
- Honey Wasp
- Honeycomb Hal
H, continued
- Honeydew Hank
- Hooligan
- Hoornaar
- Hope
- Hornbeam
- Hornblower
- Hornelia
- Hornella
- Hornet
- Hornet Knight
- Hornet's Jest
- Hornetia
- Hornetino
- Hornetrude
- Hornetta Fizz
- Hornetta Mae
- Hornisse
- Hornpipe
- Hornsby
- Hornswoggle
- Hornsworth
- Horntail
- Horse Guard
- Hot Streak
- Hotdog Harriet
- Houndstooth
- Hourglass
- Hover
- Huangfeng
- Hum
- Humbug
- Humdinger
- Hunter
- Huntress
- Hurricane
- Hveps
- Hyrnet
I: 10 names
- Ice Cream Ivan
- Icepick
- Ichneumon
- Il Pungiglione
- Imp
- Indigo
- Inferno
- Interceptor
- Isodontia
- Ivy Bloom
J: 23 names
- Jab
- Jabber
- Jabby
- Jabs
- Jack Yellow
- Jacket
- Jacketeer
- Jacketson
- Jacketta
- Jam Jar
- Jam Session
- Jam Tart
- Jamboree
- Jasper Jacket
- Javelin
- Jelly Roll
- Jet
- Jinx
- Jitter
- Jolt
- Joule
- Judge Jabber
- Juice Box
K: 9 names
- Kamikaze
- Katana
- Kato
- Ketchup Kid
- Keyhole
- Kilowatt
- Knopper
- Knuckles
- Kunai
L: 28 names
- Lace
- Lady Lancet
- Lady Macsting
- Lady Megarhyssa
- Lady Vespula
- Lancer
- Lancetta
- Lapsene
- Larra
- Larva Lou
- Last Slice
- Late Brood
- Lemon Curd
- Lemon Zest
- Lemonade Larry
- Lemondrop
- Leucospis
- Levin
- Licorice
- Lieutenant Lancer
- Lightning
- Livewire
- Lolly Licker
- Long-Waist
- Loop the Loop
- Lord Buzzington
- Lovage
- Low Pass
M: 47 names
- Maculata
- Maculifrons
- Mad as a Hornet
- Madame Mache
- Mademoiselle Mud
- Major Menace
- Malbeol
- Mamba
- Mammoth
- Mandarinia
- Mandible
- Mandy Mandarinia
- Mandy Mandible
- Marble Gall
- Marigold
- Marimbondo
- Marlinspike
- Marmalade
- Marshal
- Masaris
- Mason
- Matriarch
- Maverick
- Mayor Mandible
- Median
- Megaera
- Megascolia
- Melon Rind
- Mesosoma
- Metricus
- Mischief
- Mischocyttarus
- Miscreant
- Miss Demeanor
- Missed Me
- Missile
- Mistral
- Monobia
- Monsoon
- Moxie
- Mud Pie Maud
- Mudge
- Mudlark
- Mudsy
- Munch
- Mustard
- Mutilla
N: 27 names
- Naginata
- Nasonia
- Ne'er-Do-Well
- Nectarine
- Needle and Thread
- Needlemeyer
- Needlenose Ned
- Needles
- Needleworth
- Nest Egg
- Nest in Show
- Nest Mate
- Nestor
- Nestora
- Nibbles
- Nightshade
- Nimpha
- Nip
- Nipper
- Nippy
- Nipsy
- Nitro
- Norwegica
- Nosedive
- Not a Bee
- Nurse
- Nyigu
O: 19 names
- Oak Gall
- Oakapple
- Ocelli
- Ochre
- Ochre Otto
- Odynerus
- Ohm
- Onyx
- Opal Onyx
- Ophion
- Orchard
- Organ Piper
- Organza
- Osa
- Ouchington
- Outlaw
- Overwinter
- Owie McStab
- Oxybelus
P: 62 names
- Paper Doll
- Paper Lantern
- Paper Moon
- Paper Tiger
- Paperclip
- Paperwing
- Papier
- Paprika
- Papyrus
- Parasol
- Parchment
- Parsnip
- Partisan
- Patio Pete
- Peach Pit
- Pear Drop
- Pelecinus
- Penthesilea
- Pepsis Pat
- Percy Pierce
- Pesky
- Petiole
- Petticoat
- Philippa Philanthus
- Philocleon
- Picnic Crasher
- Picnic Pam
- Pierce
- Piercer
- Pilum
- Pimpla
P, continued
- Pinprick
- Pinstripe
- Pitch
- Pixie
- Plum Thief
- Podalonia
- Pokey Joe
- Polistes
- Polly Polistes
- Polybia
- Pompilia
- Poniard
- Pop Top
- Poppy Pulp
- Porch Light
- Potter
- Prickle
- Prickles
- Princess Pupa
- Private Pinch
- Professor Polistes
- Prong
- Pronto
- Provespa
- Pulp Friction
- Pulpetta
- Pulpfiction
- Puncture
- Pupa Pete
- Pushpin
- Putakti
Q: 11 names
- Quake
- Quarrel
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Queen Ochre
- Queen Polista
- Queen Vespina
- Queenella
- Quicksilver
- Quickstep
- Quill
- Quillon
R: 32 names
- Racing Stripe
- Rafter
- Ranger
- Rapier
- Rapscallion
- Rascal
- Rattle
- Rattler
- Raven
- Razz
- Razzle
- Red Leader
- Regina
- Reverend Rapier
- Rhyssa
- Ringed Paper
- Rivet
- Rizzle
- Rizzo
- Robin's Pincushion
- Rocket
- Rogue
- Rootbeer
- Ropalidia
- Rotor
- Rotter
- Ruby Rapier
- Ruby Tail
- Ruckus
- Rufa
- Ruffian
- Rustler
S: 144 names
- Sable
- Sabre
- Sabrina Sabre
- Saffron
- Sand Digger
- Sand Lover
- Sandhills
- Sandwich Snatcher
- Sash
- Sassy
- Sawfly
- Saxonica
- Scallywag
- Scalpel
- Scape
- Scarlet Stinger
- Sceliphron
- Scimitar
- Scolia
- Scorch
- Scoundrel
- Scout
- Scramble
- Scrapper
- Screen Door Sam
- Scrumpy
- Seam Ripper
- Second in Command
- Sentinel
- Sentry
- Sergeant Sting
- Sfika
- Shandy
- Shed Dweller
- Sheriff
- Shershen
- Shimmer
- Shock
- Shocker
- Shuriken
- Simillima
- Singe
- Sir Sirex
- Sir Stingsalot
- Sir Zaps-a-Lot
- Sirocco
- Six Sides
- Skedaddle
S, continued
- Skewer
- Slugger
- Smoulder
- Snapper
- Snarly
- Snip
- Sniper
- Snippet
- Snow Cone
- Snowberry
- Soda Can
- Soffit
- Sonic Boom
- Sooty
- Soror
- Sortie
- Sourpuss
- Spangle
- Spark
- Sparkler
- Speach
- Spear
- Sphecius
- Sphex
- Spider Hawk
- Spider Wrangler
- Spiker
- Spikey
- Spindle
- Spiny
- Spitfire
- Spur
- Squadron Leader
- Squall
- Squamosa
- Squib
- Sriracha
- Stalker
- Staple Gun
- Static
- Steel Blue
- Stella Sting
- Stenogaster
- Sticky Bun
- Stictia
- Stiletto
- Sting
- Sting Ray Charles
S, continued
- Stingaling
- Stingapore
- Stingaree
- Stingaroo
- Stingbert
- Stinger
- Stingerbell
- Stingerella
- Stingfellow
- Stingle Bells
- Stingleton
- Stingo
- Stingomatic
- Stingrid
- Stingston
- Stingsworth
- Stingtron
- Stingwald
- Stingy
- Stinko
- Storm
- Stormy
- Strafe
- Straw Sipper
- Stripe Malone
- Striper
- Stripes
- Stripey
- Stung Once
- Stylet
- Sugar Fiend
- Sugar Rush
- Sulphur
- Sultana of Sting
- Sumac
- Sunny
- Suzu
- Suzumebachi
- Swarm Founder
- Swatless
- Swatter Dodger
- Sweet Cicely
- Sweet Tooth
- Swoop
- Sylvestris
- Symmorphus
- Synoeca
- Syrup
T: 54 names
- Tabasco
- Tabuhan
- Tachytes
- Taffeta
- Tailcoat
- Tailspin
- Tallulah Tarantula
- Tangerine
- Tanker
- Tansy
- Tanto
- Tantrum
- Tar
- Tarantula Hawk
- Tarsus
- Tataiya
- Tegula
- Thimble
- Thistle
- Thorax
- Thorn
- Thornton
- Thread-Waist
- Thumbtack
- Thunder
- Tiger Eye
- Tigerwing
- Tinder
- Tine
- Tiphia
- Tisiphone
- Toffee Apple
- Toothpick
- Topaz
- Tornado
- Torpedo
- Torymus
- Toxie
- Toxin
- Trash Can Dan
- Treacle
- Trebuchet
- Tree Wasp
- Tremex
- Trichogramma
- Trident
- Trifle
- Trooper
- Tropica
- Trypoxylon
- Tsarina Vespovna
- Tulle
- Turmeric
- Twice Shy
U: 4 names
- Umbelle
- Uncle Urocerus
- Undertaker
- Usurper
V: 38 names
- Vandal
- Vapsva
- Varmint
- Vellum
- Velutina
- Velvet
- Velveteen
- Vendetta
- Vengeance
- Venom
- Veps
- Versicolor
- Vespa
- Vespa Crabro
- Vespadrille
- Vespaline
- Vesparella
- Vesper
- Vesper Vance
- Vesperia
- Vespertine
- Vespina
- Vespiquen
- Vespucci
- Vespula
- Vespula Vee
- Vesuvia
- Vex
- Vexis
- Vexley
- Vidua
- Viespe
- Viper
- Viscountess Venin
- Volt
- Voltina
- Vosa
- Vulgaris
W: 56 names
- Waistcoat
- Wanda Wasp
- Warden
- Warning Label
- Warrior
- Wasabi
- Wasabi Wasp
- Wasp Nest Wanda
- Wasp Scallion
- Wasp Waist
- Wasp Woman
- Wasp-Star
- Waspadilly
- Waspadoodle
- Waspanova
- Wasparagus
- Waspartame
- Waspberry
- Waspbuckle
- Waspcake
- Wasper
- Wasper the Unfriendly
- Wasperina
- Waspernicus
- Waspinator
- Waspington
- Waspiration
- Waspiring Actor
- Wasplash
- Wasplendid
- Wasplinter
- Waspresso
- Waspstruck
- Wasputin
- Water Carrier
- Watt
- Wendell Wasp
- Wesp
- Wespe
- Whalebone
- Whirligig
- Whirly
- Whiz
- Whizbang
- Wick
- Widow
- Wild Carrot
- Windfall
- Window Tapper
- Wing Commander
- Wingbeat
- Wingman
- Winifred Wasp
- Woodpile
- Worker Bea
- Wrath
X: 1 name
- Xanthe
Y: 7 names
- Yarrow
- Yellow Five
- Yellow-Legs
- Yellowbelly
- Yellowjack
- Yellowjacket
- Yellowjill