250+ Inspiring Snake Names (for Male and Female Snakes)

Snakes are extraordinary creatures – that’s why they have fascinated us since the beginning of (human) time.

Therefore, it is no wonder that there are many snake-inspired names and many snake characters in mythology and fiction.

If you are a fresh pet snake owner, you have probably wondered:

• What are the best snake names?
• What is the meaning of some strange-sounding snake names?
• How to pick the right name for your pet snake?

This article is here to answer these questions.

If you have been wondering how to find a perfect name for your smooth little beauty – dive into our 250-names-long snake names list!

Good Snake Names

When we say “good snake names,” we mean an appropriate name – that will be in tune with the general look, feel, and character of a snake as an animal.

You’ll agree with me here – naming your snake “flurry” or “fleabag” doesn’t quite do it.

So let’s look at typical, decent, well-fitting snake names, mostly unisex.

• Crawley
• Coatl
• Jungle
• Vanilla (may be given to an albino snake with a white-and-yellow color pattern)
• Mambo
• Jumbo (you can combine these last two to create a bonus funny snake name!)
• Indigo (quite obvious for an Indigo snake, right?)
• Scaly
• Slinky
• Wilder

Female Snake Names

Let’s look at some interesting female snake names.

• Alice (the association with eccentric characters such as Alice Cooper or Alice in Wonderland goes nicely with the snake’s nature)
• Amazonas
• Anemone
• Belinda (this name of old Germanic origin actually means “bright serpent”)
• Eve
• Ginger
• Havu
• Ivy
• Nagini
• Nathara
• Mrs. Hiss
• Rainbow (consider this name for colorful morphs)
• Shiva
• The Queen (especially appropriate for large boas and pythons)
• Freya (Norse goddess of love, beauty, and war)
• Cleopatra (Powerful and iconic queen of Ancient Egypt)
• Artemis (Greek goddess of the hunt and wilderness)

Male Snake Names

“It’s a boy?” Here are some fine male snake names:

• Askook
• Drake
• Dreki (‘Dragon’ in old Norse)
• Ghost
• Kaiser (meaning “King” in german; very appropriate for kingsnakes!)
• Nag
• Nitor (Latin for brilliance, sheen, luster, elegance)
• Merlin
• Mr. Huggy
• Mr. Sleek
• Ormr
• Steve (in honor of late Steve Irwin, ‘The Croc Hunter’)
• Vasuki (meaning ‘King of serpents’ in Sanscrit)
• Wizzy
• Ragnar (Legendary Viking hero known for his bravery and adventurous spirit)
• Jörmungandr (The colossal serpent from Norse mythology that encircles the world)
• Astrid

Funny Snake Names

If you stop fearing them, you will find that snakes are really funny creatures. How come?

Well, mostly because they differ so much from us. Consider this: Snakes have no legs. They have to crawl through their lives. On their bellies. Some species such as the egg-eating snakes can look quite grotesque and ridiculous when feeding. And hognoses – oh my those drama queens!

These traits make pet snakes perfect candidates for funny names.

Perhaps my favorite universal funny snake name would be Snek – according to the snake meme.

Now let’s look at some more specific ones.

Funny Names for Pythons

• Monty the Python
• Mr. Huggies
• Mr. Hiss
• Mr. or Mrs. Squeezy
• Shorty (the longer the snake, the funnier the name)

Funny Names for Hognoses (Mostly Based on Their ‘Play Dead Behavior’)

• Drama Queen
• Shakespeare
• Hamlet
• Macbeth
• Peppa
• Tragedy

Cool & Badass Snake Names

A large majority of snake species are cool and laid-back creatures that mean no harm. However, that small fraction of dangerous species, plus numerous mythological roles in legends, fairytales, and, famously, religions (forbidden apple, anyone?), give snakes a bad – or badass – reputation.

That is why many villain or otherwise badass names fit perfectly for many pet snakes.

Check out our cool, so-bad-that-it’s-good snake name list.

• Asmodeus (the prince of demons)
• Diablo
• Grurdir (according to the Dragon name generator, this dragon name means ‘The Deathlord’ – quite cool, and terrifying if you are a rodent!)
• Godzilla
• Medusa
• Nidhogg (Dragon-Serpent from Norse mythology, especially suitable for tree snakes)
• Snape (a famous and beloved Harry Potter villain, Severus Snape)
• Smeagol
• Severus
• Slytherin
• Smeagol (from Lord of The Rings)
• Fang
• Lilith (A powerful female demon in some mythologies)
• Kali (A fierce Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth)
• Ares (The Greek god of war, known for his violence and aggression)
• Scar
• Cerberus (Three-headed hound guarding the underworld, according to Greek mythology)
• Cobra
• Titan (Giant, powerful beings from Greek mythology)
• Thor (The Norse god of thunder, known for his strength)
• Striker

Cute Snake Names

Besides the ‘badassness’, we could also focus on the inherent cuteness of snakes. Just imagine a juvenile, curled-up ball python, and you’ll know what I’m talking about!

• Baby
• Bracelet
• Button (especially cute for baby snakes)
• Cuddly
• Cupcake
• Huggles
• Noodles
• Pickle
• Pretzel
• Sausage
• Spaghetti

Green Snake Names

Green snakes are especially beautiful and charming – and here are some appropriate names to point out how special they are.

• Avocado
• Basil
• Druid
• Goblin
• Hulk
• Goo
• Green Man (a nickname of an infamous killer from the celebrated first season of True Detective. Also, a song by the goth rock band Type O Negative, unrelated to the series).
• Kiwi
• Olive
• Pea
• Sweet pea
• Emerald
• Forest
• Jade (A precious green stone associated with luck and wisdom)
• Hunter
• Moss
• Leaf
• Camo Short for camouflage, emphasizing the snake’s ability to blend in.
• Matcha A powdered green tea with a unique, vibrant color.
• Loki The Norse god of mischief, is often associated with the color green.

Famous Snake Names

In this part of the list, I’ve included the names of famous snakes from pop culture and celebrities who could be a good inspiration for snake names.

• Black Adder (a human character from a cult British TV series of the same name).
• Bowie (David Bowie had a cold demeanor and presented himself in various colors – which could make ‘Bowie’ a perfect name for a colorful snake such as a Rainbow Boa).
• Iggy (the famous punk-rocker Iggy Pop is known for the snake-like moves on the stage).
• Kaa (the Burmese python from the Jungle Book movie).
• Ju-Ju (the snake that belongs to Mama Odie, a charismatic character from the Disney film The Princess and the Frog).
• Mara (from Dr. Who).
• Racer (according to the Blue Racer from the cartoon series of the same name)
• Ozzy (the famous rocker Ozzy Osborne would probably highly approve snake naming after him).
• Monty (Python) In honor of the iconic British comedy group Monty Python and their Flying Circus.
• Voldemort The terrifying, snake-like villain from the Harry Potter series. A perfect name for a dark and intimidating snake.
• Salazar (Slytherin) The founder of Hogwarts’ Slytherin House in Harry Potter, known for its association with serpents and ambition.
• Nagaina Rudyard Kipling’s deadly cobra from The Jungle Book stories.
• Titanoboa A reference to the extinct, gigantic prehistoric snake species. Great for a particularly large snake.
• Jafar The villain from Disney’s Aladdin who had the ability to transform into a giant cobra.
• Kundalini A reference to the coiled serpent energy believed to reside at the base of the spine in yoga and Hindu traditions.

Unique Snake Names

Unique snake names do not come from pop culture or associations with snake traits, as many people will come across these ideas.

So, how to get a completely unique pet snake name?

One solution may be to look at the dragon names. Snakes and dragons share many similarities. In fact, in many cultures, dragons essentially look like overgrown snakes. That is why it is completely legitimate and cool to emphasize this by picking a dragon name for your snake.

Here are some examples and their meanings:

• Veinoil – Champion Of The Green
• Albym – The Firestarter
• Uvrodon – The Magnificent
• Rindrianth – The Gifted One
• Uvrut – The White
• Porson – The Great
• Nonnilth – The Powerful
• Rumryss – The Warrior
• Hyrainth – Gentle Mind
• Lytaeth – Eternal Fire
• Urgis – The Hungry
• Ildriax – Evokes images of fire and power (perhaps fitting for a feisty snake).
• Tharaxis – Sounds ancient and mysterious, like a hidden dragon of legend.
• Skellig – Could reference a remote island or craggy mountain peak where a dragon might dwell.
• Vyrnith – Hints at a majestic, winged serpent of the skies.
• Kalidra – Has a feminine touch, suggesting a graceful yet formidable dragon.
• Taliseth – Flows smoothly, hinting at a snake’s sinuous movement.
• Sytharis – Sounds serpentine with hints of danger.
• Ryzanth – Has a bold and commanding presence.
• Aerion – Could represent a swift and agile dragon, or one with shimmering scales like the sky.

Find more awesome dragon name suggestions here!

Black Snake Names

There’s something undeniably sleek and mysterious about black snakes. They embody a power that’s both intriguing and a little intimidating. If you’re lucky enough to have a black snake as a pet, you’ll want a name that honors this striking beauty. Here’s a selection to get you started:

Darkness & Shadows

• Onyx
• Shadow
• Midnight (Evokes a sense of nocturnal wonder)
• Raven
• Obsidian (Refers to a volcanic glass known for its deep, glassy black color)
• Eclipse
• Blackout (For a dramatically dark snake with no other markings)
• Charcoal

Gothic & Mysterious

• Phantom (A dark and mysterious figure)
• Salem (For black snakes with a hint of witchy mystique)
• Omen
• Smudge (If your snake’s scales have a smoky or dappled look)
• Silhouette
• Nightshade
• Wraith (Evokes an ethereal presence, a ghostly black form)
• Goth (If your snake seems to have a slightly alternative attitude)
• Morticia (The iconic Addams family matriarch is a perfect goth inspiration)

Elegant & Refined

• Cinder (The charred remains of a fire)
• Noir (The French word for black, adds a touch of sophistication)
• Jet
• Sable
• Panther
• Soot
• Coal
• Velvet:
• Nocturnem (Musical composition inspired by the night)

Names with a Little Edge

• Stormcloud
• Vader (The iconic Star Wars villain for a snake with a powerful presence)
• Diablo (A devilish hint for a mischievous black snake)
• Licorice (Sweet but with a dark, distinctive color)
• Nero In reference to the infamous Roman Empire (often associated with black).
• Zorro (The masked hero with a black costume)
• Knight
• Ace
• Silas (Meaning “of the dark forest)

Mythological Snake Names

Snakes have played important roles in myths and legends from around the world. Many of these characters are fearsome, some are benevolent, and others still represent ideas like rebirth or transformation. If you seek a powerful, ancient-feeling name for your snake companion, look no further than mythology:

• Apep (or Apophis) – Egyptian serpent of chaos, embodying darkness and destruction.
• Basilisk – Fabled “King of Serpents” with a deadly gaze and venomous breath.
• Cadmus – Greek hero who battled a serpent and whose teeth, when sown, became warriors.
• Charybdis – A sea monster in Greek mythology, often depicted as a giant whirlpool or serpentine creature.
• Gorgon – Monstrous sisters from Greek mythology, including Medusa, who had snakes for hair.
• Hydra – Many-headed serpent from Greek legend. Each severed head grew two more.
• Imoogi – Korean folklore dragons, aspiring to become true dragons, often depicted as giant serpents.
• Jörmungandr – The World Serpent of Norse mythology, destined to battle Thor.
• Kaliya – Giant poisonous serpent vanquished by Krishna in Hindu mythology.
• Lamashtu – Mesopotamian demoness often depicted with serpentine features.
• Leviathan – Biblical sea creature described as a monstrous serpent or dragon.
• Naga – Divine serpent-like figures in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions.
• Nehebkau – Egyptian serpent-god associated with the afterlife and protection.
• Nidhogg – Dragon/Serpent in Norse myth who gnaws at the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil.
• Ouroboros – Symbol of an ancient serpent consuming its own tail, representing eternity and cycles.
• Quetzalcoatl – Feathered, flying serpent deity of Aztec and other Mesoamerican cultures.
• Rainbow Serpent – Powerful creator deity in Australian Aboriginal mythology.
• Sekhmet – Lioness-headed Egyptian goddess with protective serpent aspects.
• Set – Egyptian god of chaos, storms, and the desert. Often associated with serpents.
• Sheshnag – Cosmic serpent in Hindu mythology upon which Lord Vishnu rests.
• Tiamat – Mesopotamian serpent goddess of the primordial oceans and chaos.
• Typhon – Monstrous serpentine giant of Greek mythology and father of many monsters.
• Uraeus – Egyptian cobra symbol adorning pharaohs’ crowns, representing power and protection.
• Vasuki – King of the Nagas in Hindu mythology, often depicted coiled around Shiva’s neck.
• Wadjet – Predynastic Egyptian cobra goddess, protector of Lower Egypt.

Fantasy Snake Names (from fiction)

Snakes often play fascinating, mystical roles in fantasy stories. They can be guardians, wise advisors, slithering tricksters, or fearsome foes. When choosing a fantasy name for your snake, consider whether you want something that sounds ancient and powerful or perhaps playful and mischievous! Here are a variety to get you started:

• Balerion – The immense dragon known as “The Black Dread,” ridden by Aegon the Conqueror in Game of Thrones.
• Draco – Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter’s Slytherin nemesis, whose name means “dragon” in Latin.
• Falkor –The wise and gentle Luckdragon from The NeverEnding Story.
• Fenrir –The monstrous wolf from Norse mythology, destined to battle Odin at Ragnarok.
• Fafnir –The greedy dwarf-turned-dragon from Norse mythology.
• Galadriel – The powerful and ethereal Elven lady from Lord of the Rings.
• Ghidorah – The three-headed dragon and Godzilla’s nemesis.
• Glaurung – The first dragon from Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, known as the “Father of Dragons”.
• Gollum – The wretched creature obsessed with the One Ring in Lord of the Rings.
• Grimlock – The powerful but slow-witted Dinobot leader from Transformers.
• Haku – The elegant river spirit who takes the form of a dragon in Spirited Away.
• Hedwig – Harry Potter’s loyal snowy owl companion.
• Jabberwocky – The fearsome creature from Lewis Carroll’s poem.
• Mushu – The sassy, wisecracking dragon from Disney’s Mulan.
• Maleficent – The powerful sorceress who transforms into a dragon in Disney’s Maleficent.
• Norbert – Hagrid’s pet Norwegian Ridgeback dragon in Harry Potter.
• Orochi – The legendary eight-headed serpent of Japanese mythology.
• Puff – As in “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” a gentle and playful name for a snake.
• Rhaegal – One of Daenerys Targaryen’s powerful dragons in Game of Thrones.
• Saphira – Eragon’s bonded dragon companion in the Inheritance Cycle series.
• Shenron – The Eternal Dragon from the *Dragon Ball *series who grants wishes.
• Smaug – The cunning and destructive dragon from Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
• Toothless – Adorable and playful Night Fury dragon from How To Train Your Dragon.
• Vermithrax –The terrifying, ancient dragon from Dragonslayer.
• Viper – A common and evocative name for venomous snakes in fiction.

How to Come Up With a Good Name for Your Pet Snake?

As my colleague Ben suggested in his ball python names article, you have complete freedom to choose the name for your snake – you have no limitation on your choices or imagination.

However, there are a few things I’d like to advise you against.

Do not give your snake an offensive name

Although giving your snake an offensive name can seem like a funny idea to you and your close friends, it will probably not fly well when you have to say it in public – for example, in front of your parents, a teacher, or a teacher at the vets.

Do not give your snake a name that encourages fears and hostile stereotypes about snakes

Since snakes are a cause of fears and phobias in many people and are still persecuted and killed in many parts of the world, each pet snake is sort of a serpent ambassador. That is why I would abstain from giving snakes names that amplify their bad rap. These could include “Killer” or “Abomination.”

Also, although you may find it funny if you have a dark sense of humor, naming your snake according to prey animals (for example, “Mr/Mrs. Mouse”). It may be too morbid for most people.

And lastly, do not give your snek a name according to a real person to point out how vile that person is. It is not fair to the snake to symbolize a personal conflict.

It’s Your Turn!

Has this article inspired you to find that perfect pet snake name? I sure hope it has – and that you loved reading the lists as much as I enjoyed compiling them.

Naming your pet is always a special act of bonding. Take your time to pick the ideal name for your wiggly pet, and you won’t be sorry later. And have fun with it. What could be cuter than watching your pet ‘Shorty’ growing up into a 6 feet long serpent friend for life?

What’s your favorite pet snake name? Would you like to add any? Drop them in the comments – we would appreciate it!