Credit: Dolphin Ecology Project – Under Authority of NOAA Fisheries Permit #911-1722-00
Mahi Mahi Colored Pencil, Dorado Art Print, Dolphin Fish Illustration, Fish Decor, Deep Sea Fishing, Digital Download, Gift for Him, Green SketchyWildlifeStore. 5 out of 5 stars (137) Sale Price $4.79 $ 4.79 $ 5.99 Original Price $5.99' (20% off) Favorite Add to 10 Dolphin Overlays, Digital Dolphin, digital overlays, digital, sea overlays. The mahi-mahi (/ ˈmɑːhiːˈmɑːhiː /) or common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. Dolphin fish (coryphaena hippurus), surface dwelling, ray-finned fish - dolphin fish stock illustrations day's catch of dolphin fish, mahimahi or dorado - dolphin fish stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images.
Even though they live in the ocean all of the time, dolphins are mammals, not fish. Also, dolphins are different than 'dolphinfish,' which are also known as mahi-mahi.
Like every mammal, dolphins are warm blooded. Unlike fish, who breathe through gills, dolphins breathe air using lungs. Dolphins must make frequent trips to the surface of the water to catch a breath. The blowhole on top of a dolphin's head acts as a 'nose,' making it easy for the dolphin to surface for air.
Other characteristics of dolphins that make them mammals rather than fish are that they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs and they feed their young with milk. Also, like all mammals, dolphins even have a tiny amount of hair, right around the blowhole.
Whales and porpoises are also mammals. There are 75 species of dolphins, whales, and porpoises living in the ocean. They are the only mammals, other than manatees, that spend their entire lives in the water.
An area of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is home to a resident group of bottlenose dolphins. Many businesses conduct dolphin tours in this area, which can stress the dolphins. To help reduce disruption to dolphins in the sanctuary, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Marine Fisheries Service, the Dolphin Ecology Project, and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society created the Dolphin SMART program. This program recognizes businesses that promote responsible viewing of wild dolphins.
For more information:
Bottlenose Dolphin, Encyclopedia of the Sanctuary
Cetaceans: Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
Marine Mammals, NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources
It's safe to say that dolphins are amongst the most adored animals, and what's better than having the best names for these wonderful and friendly creatures? Here, we will explore the top options when it comes to naming dolphins.
Now the task at hand may seem easy, but that's far from the truth. With so many names available, how can we choose the right one? That's where we come in.
We've categorized names and set you up to find the perfect name for your dolphin. Although you won't be able to have one as a pet, unless you are the owner of an aquarium or zoo, it's perfectly fine to look for great names to give your dolphin if you were able to get one! We will begin with names that are cute.
Contents
Cute Names For Dolphins
Dolphins are adorable animals, so it's only fitting to give them a cute name. Listed below are 15 of the cutest names to give a dolphin!
- Star – Dolphins are huge hits when it comes to seeing animals, so they can be considered amongst the stars of the animal kingdom.
- Chirp – Everyone's familiar with dolphin noises, and Chirp is a great name for a dolphin who loves to communicate.
- Clicker – Similar to the aforementioned name, Clicker refers to the sounds that dolphins make.
- Fin – Dolphins have fins on their backs, and it can even be their name. Short and cute, just like their actual fin!
- Cuddly – Perfect for the super friendly dolphin!
- Happy – Ideal for the dolphin who is always in a good mood!
- Lazy – For the dolphin who's less active than his friends.
- Bubbles – Cute name for any sea animal!
- Kisser – Dolphins often pop up and out of the water of their aquarium to give kisses to their human visitors, so what better name for a dolphin who loves to smooch his adoring fans!
- Jumper – For the dolphin who's constantly jumping out of the water to give people some extraordinary pictures!
- Jumpy – Similar to the name above, Jumpy is great for dolphin who's constantly jumping up and out of the water.
- Trickster – Reserved for the most talented performer!
- Hops – This name is extremely suitable for the dolphins that get major air time when jumping out the water.
- Hopster – Another suitable name for a dolphin who spends a large amount of time flying in and out of the water to greet people and let them get some great pictures!
- Agape – We can all agree we absolutely adore dolphins, so what better name for a dolphin than the Greek word for love!
Famous Dolphin Names
There may not be many famous dolphins out there, but the names listed below are the ones that made it to the big screen!
- Flipper – The absolute perfect name for an active dolphin, as they are known for doing acrobatic tricks in water. Three TV series featured a dolphin named Flipper, so it's a very popular name for dolphins under the spotlight!
- Snorky – In a Simpsons episode called 'Night of the Dolphin', we see a dolphin at Springfield's Marine World doing tricks and stunts in front of a crowd. The episode takes a dramatic turn, which sees Snorky talking and commanding an army of dolphins.
- Alpha – In the movie 'The Day of the Dolphin', Alpha is the name of one of the two dolphins that are subject to an experiment, and later a kidnapping, in an effort to train them to carry out an assassination. It is also the first letter of the Greek alphabet.
- Beta – From the aforementioned movie, Beta is the name of the other dolphin. It is also the second letter of the Greek alphabet.
- Snowflake – The movie starring Jim Carey called 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective', features the Miami Dolphins mascot, a dolphin named Snowflake. The mascot goes missing and Jim Carey's character needs to find him.
Good Dolphin Names
Below are a group of names that would suit any dolphin, overall very solid and interesting names.
Dolphin Fish Mahi Mahi
- Aqua
- Summer
- Buddy
- Azul (male)
- Azula (female)
- Ocean
- Oceana
- Captain
- Pirate
- Crystal
- Destiny
- Sparkle
- Aquamarine
- Blue
- Blueberry
- Odessa
- Queen
- Princess
- Sunshine
- Hotshot
- Paradise
- Delphine
- Mermaid
- Santorini
- Mykonos
- Aegean
- Aegeus
- Samos
- Chios
- Lemnos
- Naxos
- Kos
- Paros
- Milos
- Karpathos
- Skyros
- Delos
- Hydra
- Andros
- Leros
- Psara
- Aegina
- Thasos
- Amorgos
- Kasos
- Spetses
- Serifos
- Antiparos
- Alonnisos
- Keros
- Ios
- Syros
- Zakynthos
- Xenios
- Bella
Discovery Cove Dolphin Names
Discovery Cove is a theme park where people can interact with a large number of marine species, including bottlenose dolphins! We've put together a list of the names that the people over at Discovery Cove have given their dolphins.
- Dixie
- Hutch
- Starsky
- Akai
- Lester
- Oscar
- Copper
- Rascal
- Maria
- Hayley
- Capricorn
- Diego
- CJ
- Scarlet
- Tyler
- Bossa
- Latoya
- Sharky
- Goofy
- Astra
- Thelma
- Kendall
- Yoko
- Rose
- Natalie
- Clipper
- Roxy
- Madison
- Coral
- Kaylee
- Dot
- Aries
- Stella
- Calypso
- Maui
- Frankie
- Catalina
- Nueces
- Gala
- Luna
- Kailani
- Brigg
- Kyla
- Soleil
- Ipanema
- Aurora
- Starla
- Bimini
- Finn
- Gertrude
- Sparrow
- Prim
- Isadora
- Reef
- Skye
- Eden
- Kona
- Titan
- Lola
Barbie Dolphin Magic Names
The famous Barbie film series featured a movie in which there were dolphins called gemstone dolphins. Barbie and her crew visited a tropical resort, where they eventually encounter the dolphins.
- Emerald (green)
- Topaz (red)
- Ruby (pink)
- Amethyst (purple)
Dolphin Fish Recipes
Funny Dolphin Names
The list below is a compilation of comical names to give a dolphin.
- Kisame – Japanese for 'demon shark'. Funny name considering how loving and cute dolphins are.
- Leonidas (or Leo) – A Greek general who was feared by all, Leonidas would be a funny name to give a male dolphin.
- Jack Sparrow – Everyone has heard of Captain Jack Sparrow! The famous pirate from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean ruled the seas, and would definitely make for a funny dolphin name, especially for young fans.
- Mushu – Naming a dolphin after a small dragon is quite amusing, especially since the character from the movie Mulan puts a smile on people's faces, just like a dolphin does!
Male Dolphin Names
The names below are great for male dolphins, either for their underlying meaning or the simple greatness of the person whom the name originated from.
- Dixie
- Hutch
- Starsky
- Akai
- Lester
- Oscar
- Copper
- Rascal
- Maria
- Hayley
- Capricorn
- Diego
- CJ
- Scarlet
- Tyler
- Bossa
- Latoya
- Sharky
- Goofy
- Astra
- Thelma
- Kendall
- Yoko
- Rose
- Natalie
- Clipper
- Roxy
- Madison
- Coral
- Kaylee
- Dot
- Aries
- Stella
- Calypso
- Maui
- Frankie
- Catalina
- Nueces
- Gala
- Luna
- Kailani
- Brigg
- Kyla
- Soleil
- Ipanema
- Aurora
- Starla
- Bimini
- Finn
- Gertrude
- Sparrow
- Prim
- Isadora
- Reef
- Skye
- Eden
- Kona
- Titan
- Lola
Barbie Dolphin Magic Names
The famous Barbie film series featured a movie in which there were dolphins called gemstone dolphins. Barbie and her crew visited a tropical resort, where they eventually encounter the dolphins.
- Emerald (green)
- Topaz (red)
- Ruby (pink)
- Amethyst (purple)
Dolphin Fish Recipes
Funny Dolphin Names
The list below is a compilation of comical names to give a dolphin.
- Kisame – Japanese for 'demon shark'. Funny name considering how loving and cute dolphins are.
- Leonidas (or Leo) – A Greek general who was feared by all, Leonidas would be a funny name to give a male dolphin.
- Jack Sparrow – Everyone has heard of Captain Jack Sparrow! The famous pirate from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean ruled the seas, and would definitely make for a funny dolphin name, especially for young fans.
- Mushu – Naming a dolphin after a small dragon is quite amusing, especially since the character from the movie Mulan puts a smile on people's faces, just like a dolphin does!
Male Dolphin Names
The names below are great for male dolphins, either for their underlying meaning or the simple greatness of the person whom the name originated from.
- Okeanos – The name of a Greek Titan, God of the ocean-steam and freshwater.
- Poseidon – Named after the Greek God of the ocean, a dolphin named Poseidon is extremely fitting.
- Odysseus – The hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus spent 10 years at sea following the Trojan War. Having upset Poseidon, the god of the seas, Odysseus had an extremely hard time making his way home to the island of Ithaca.
- Hercules – The Greek hero Hercules was one of the strongest and most feared characters of Greek mythology, a great name for a male dolphin.
- Alexander the Great – Amongst the greatest generals to have ever lived, the Greek leader conquered and led a vast empire.
- Achilles – A name inspired by arguably the best Greek soldier to have ever existed.
- Kobe – In honor of one of the greatest ever basketball players, who inspired so many people in sports and in day to day life.
- Thor – Norse God and superhero, Thor is a great name for a male dolphin.
- Loki – Dolphins are extremely intelligent creatures, so naming a dolphin after the Norse God of mischief isn't a bad idea.
- Einstein – Einstein possessed one of the greatest minds, so why not name a smart animal like a dolphin after him.
- Natsu – Japanese for 'born in summer', Natsu is a fantastic name for a dolphin, due to how they love the warm weather.
That's our comprehensive list of the best names for a dolphin!
Dolphin Mammals Or Fish
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