200+ Chinese Betta Fish Names – Complete Guide with Meanings

Your betta looks like a tiny, elegant menace—so "Bluey" just doesn't cut it. Chinese names work perfectly for fighting fish: they emphasize power, color, and warrior energy—exactly what your betta shows off when it flares.

Below are 14 battle-ready naming categories with Chinese characters + pinyin + meanings. Pick by color, personality, or pure badass factor.

3 Quick Rules

• Keep it 2–3 syllables — "Qing Long" is easy to say. "Xi Wang Mu" isn't.
• Match color + vibe — Red fish? Try fire/blade names. Black fish? Shadow/armor names.
• Avoid deity names — Mythical beasts (dragons, tigers) are perfect. Creator gods (Pangu, Nuwa) are disrespectful in Chinese culture.

Good Fortune & Auspicious Names (Family-Friendly, Universally Loved)

These are the safest, happiest names in Chinese culture—perfect for beginners or anyone who wants a name that makes people smile. In China, these words are used everywhere from restaurant signs to baby names, so they carry zero risk and maximum good vibes.

Male betta picks (15)

• 福星 (Fu Xing) — "Fortune Star"; brings luck energy.
• 锦鲤 (Jin Li) — "Koi (Lucky Carp)"; the ultimate good-luck fish name.
• 吉祥 (Ji Xiang) — "Auspicious"; classic good-luck term.
• 如意 (Ru Yi) — "As You Wish"; everything goes smoothly.
• 宝来 (Bao Lai) — "Treasure Comes"; prosperity vibe.
• 招财 (Zhao Cai) — "Attract Wealth"; for the betta that cost more than your lunch budget.
• 旺财 (Wang Cai) — "Prosper Wealth"; energetic, lively males.
• 大吉 (Da Ji) — "Great Fortune"; bold, confident fish.
• 鸿运 (Hong Yun) — "Grand Luck"; red bettas especially.
• 瑞龙 (Rui Long) — "Auspicious Dragon"; lucky dragon energy.
• 福宝 (Fu Bao) — "Fortune Treasure"; cute but still dignified.
• 金福 (Jin Fu) — "Golden Fortune"; gold-colored males.
• 喜来 (Xi Lai) — "Joy Arrives"; happy, active swimmers.
• 瑞雪 (Rui Xue) — "Auspicious Snow"; white bettas, calm elegance.
• 龙腾 (Long Teng) — "Dragon Ascends"; rising power, halfmoon flares.

Female betta picks (5)

• 如意 (Ru Yi) — "As You Wish"; graceful, easy-going females.
• 锦绣 (Jin Xiu) — "Brocade Splendor"; colorful, beautiful patterns.
• 彩云 (Cai Yun) — "Colorful Clouds"; marble/koi females.
• 瑞雪 (Rui Xue) — "Auspicious Snow"; white/pale females.
• 福宝 (Fu Bao) — "Fortune Treasure"; sweet, cherished pet.

Poetic & Classical Literature Names (For the Cultured Betta Owner)

These names come from famous Chinese poems, classical texts, and literary imagery. They sound incredibly elegant and show you know your culture. Perfect if you want a name that sparks conversations or feels like fine art.

Male betta picks (15)

• 惊鸿 (Jing Hong) — "Startled Swan" (from Cao Zhi's poem); graceful, unforgettable beauty.
• 沧浪 (Cang Lang) — "Blue Waves" (from ancient song); literary, water imagery.
• 逍遥 (Xiao Yao) — "Free & Easy" (Zhuangzi); carefree swimmer.
• 凌波 (Ling Bo) — "Ripple Walker" (from Cao Zhi); graceful movement over water.
• 云帆 (Yun Fan) — "Cloud Sail" (Li Bai); flowing fins like sails.
• 烟雨 (Yan Yu) — "Misty Rain"; poetic, soft colors.
• 秋水 (Qiu Shui) — "Autumn Water" (Zhuangzi); clear, pure, reflective.
• 长风 (Chang Feng) — "Long Wind" (Li Bai); powerful, far-reaching.
• 寒江 (Han Jiang) — "Cold River"; solitary, calm presence.
• 明月 (Ming Yue) — "Bright Moon"; classic poetic image, pale bettas.
• 沧海 (Cang Hai) — "Blue Sea"; vast, deep-colored males.
• 孤帆 (Gu Fan) — "Lone Sail"; solitary journey, single-tank king.
• 雪泥 (Xue Ni) — "Snow Mud" (Su Shi metaphor); fleeting beauty.
• 采薇 (Cai Wei) — "Picking Ferns" (Book of Songs); ancient, elegant.
• 行云 (Xing Yun) — "Drifting Clouds"; smooth, flowing movement.

Female betta picks (5)

• 采薇 (Cai Wei) — "Picking Ferns" (Book of Songs); gentle, classic.
• 采莲 (Cai Lian) — "Picking Lotus"; traditional feminine grace.
• 清照 (Qing Zhao) — After poet Li Qingzhao; elegant, literary.
• 如梦 (Ru Meng) — "Like a Dream" (from famous Ci poem); dreamy, soft.
• 婉约 (Wan Yue) — "Graceful & Restrained"; poetic style, delicate females.

Cute & Affectionate Names (Because Sometimes Your "Warrior" Is Actually a Tiny Baby)

Not every betta is a villain. Some are just… round-eyed and dramatic, like a little puppy that learned to flare. These names are common Chinese "pet-style" nicknames—short, friendly, and easy to say. Perfect for bettas with goofy personalities or when you just want something adorable.

Male betta picks (15)

• 包子 (Bao Zi) — "Bun"; for chonky, hungry boys.
• 团团 (Tuan Tuan) — "Round-Round"; sweet and bouncy.
• 皮皮 (Pi Pi) — "Cheeky"; for curious troublemakers.
• 圆圆 (Yuan Yuan) — "Roundy"; soft, friendly vibe.
• 小虎 (Xiao Hu) — "Little Tiger"; small but fearless.
• 泡泡 (Pao Pao) — "Bubbles"; constant bubble-nest builder.
• 糯米 (Nuo Mi) — "Sticky Rice"; white bettas, extra cute.
• 豆豆 (Dou Dou) — "Bean-Bean"; tiny and energetic.
• 呆呆 (Dai Dai) — "Silly"; the fish that stares at everything.
• 跳跳 (Tiao Tiao) — "Hoppy"; quick darts, playful movement.
• 叮当 (Ding Dang) — "Ding-Dong"; bright personality.
• 咕咕 (Gu Gu) — "Coo-Coo"; gentle, goofy charm.
• 乐乐 (Le Le) — "Happy"; cheerful vibes.
• 旺仔 (Wang Zai) — "Little Champ"; confident, lively male.
• 小闪 (Xiao Shan) — "Little Flash"; fast swimmer, shiny color.

Female betta picks (5)

• 甜甜 (Tian Tian) — "Sweet-Sweet"; calm, friendly females.
• 奶糖 (Nai Tang) — "Milk Candy"; cream/white tones.
• 花花 (Hua Hua) — "Flower-Flower"; koi/marble patterns.
• 琪琪 (Qi Qi) — "Qiqi"; short, cute, easy to call.
• 蜜桃 (Mi Tao) — "Peach"; warm pink/orange females.

Mythical Beasts & Sacred Creatures (God-Tier Energy, Zero Cultural Risk)

If your betta looks like it was born to rule a rice-paddy kingdom, mythical beast names just fit. These are divine animals, not gods—so you get all the epic energy without cultural issues. Perfect when your fish has a strong "element" look—fire-red, ink-black, snow-white, or blue-green shimmer.

Color cheat sheet: red bettas love Zhu Que vibes, black bettas look unstoppable as Xuan Wu, white bettas wear Bai Hu like a crown, and blue/green bettas basically beg to be Qing Long.

Male betta picks (15)

• 青龙 (Qing Long) — Azure Dragon; best for blue/green or metallic bettas with "boss" posture.
• 白虎 (Bai Hu) — White Tiger; clean, aggressive, perfect for white/ice-pattern fish.
• 玄武 (Xuan Wu) — Black Tortoise; heavy defense vibe for black/dark bettas.
• 应龙 (Ying Long) — Winged Dragon; great for long-fin halfmoons that "fly" through the tank.
• 麒麟 (Qi Lin) — Qilin; noble guardian energy, good for calm-but-proud males.
• 鲲鹏 (Kun Peng) — Kunpeng; giant transformation myth—perfect for big-fin "expansion mode" flares.
• 夔龙 (Kui Long) — Kui Dragon; one-legged thunder dragon, great for unique-patterned bettas.
• 金乌 (Jin Wu) — Golden Crow; sun vibe for gold/yellow bettas.
• 烛龙 (Zhu Long) — Candle Dragon; ancient dragon that controls day/night—for red bettas with "glow."
• 螭龙 (Chi Long) — Hornless Dragon; powerful but no crown—good for plakats.
• 睚眦 (Ya Zi) — Yazi (dragon son); fierce, combat-oriented, perfect for aggressive males.
• 狻猊 (Suan Ni) — Suanni (dragon son); sits like a guardian lion, calm power.
• 蒲牢 (Pu Lao) — Pulao (dragon son); roars loudly—for bettas that flare constantly.
• 霸下 (Ba Xia) — Bixi (dragon son); carries weight, heavy presence—thick-bodied males.
• 饕餮 (Tao Tie) — Taotie; fierce beast—use cautiously, means "greedy," but looks powerful.

Female betta picks (5)

• 朱雀 (Zhu Que) — Vermilion Bird; made for red/orange bettas with flowing fins.
• 凤凰 (Feng Huang) — Phoenix; ultimate elegance, any color works.
• 玉兔 (Yu Tu) — Jade Rabbit; gentle moon creature, perfect for pale/pearl bettas.
• 白泽 (Bai Ze) — Baize; wise mythical beast, calm and graceful.
• 青鸾 (Qing Luan) — Azure Luan bird; elegant blue/green females.

Wuxia & Martial Arts Names (Sharp, Fast, Main-Character Energy)

Wuxia names are basically built for bettas: quick movement, sudden aggression, dramatic pauses. If your fish flares at its own reflection like it's challenging a rival sect… yeah, this is the category.

Male betta picks (15)

• 破军 (Po Jun) — "Army Breaker"; for relentless males that never back off.
• 剑心 (Jian Xin) — "Sword Heart"; calm face, lethal intent.
• 战魂 (Zhan Hun) — "War Soul"; perfect for flaring champions.
• 影刃 (Ying Ren) — "Shadow Blade"; for dark fish that strike from cover.
• 断浪 (Duan Lang) — "Wave Cutter"; great for fast swimmers that slice the water.
• 狂刀 (Kuang Dao) — "Mad Blade"; for the fish with zero chill.
• 玄剑 (Xuan Jian) — "Mystic Sword"; sleek and serious, black/blue fish love it.
• 风行 (Feng Xing) — "Wind Walker"; for restless, always-moving bettas.
• 破阵 (Po Zhen) — "Formation Breaker"; aggressive plakats especially.
• 铁衣 (Tie Yi) — "Iron Robe"; armored vibe for thick-bodied males.
• 飞鸿 (Fei Hong) — "Flying Wild Goose"; elegant motion, long fins.
• 独孤 (Du Gu) — "Lone Master"; perfect for a solo male in his own kingdom (lone-wolf vibe).
• 天罡 (Tian Gang) — "Heavenly Force"; strong, classic martial name.
• 霜刃 (Shuang Ren) — "Frost Blade"; best for white/ice/metallic bettas.
• 惊鸿 (Jing Hong) — "Startled Swan"; graceful but fast, legendary elegance.

Female betta picks (5)

• 剑舞 (Jian Wu) — "Sword Dance"; graceful but fierce.
• 霓裳 (Ni Shang) — "Rainbow Silk"; for multicolor or marble females.
• 飞燕 (Fei Yan) — "Flying Swallow"; quick, light, pretty movement.
• 兰心 (Lan Xin) — "Orchid Heart"; calm, elegant temperament.
• 轻影 (Qing Ying) — "Light Shadow"; subtle color, gentle motion.

Ancient Weapons & Armor (Classic Steel-and-Glory Names)

This set works when your betta looks like a weapon: sharp contrasts, metallic shimmer, and fins shaped like a blade or banner. Also: these names sound great in English because the translations are clean.

Male betta picks (15)

• 龙枪 (Long Qiang) — "Dragon Spear"; long, straight, flashy fins.
• 断刃 (Duan Ren) — "Broken Blade"; for battle-scarred, tough-looking males.
• 赤戟 (Chi Ji) — "Crimson Halberd"; red bettas with heavy attitude.
• 玄甲 (Xuan Jia) — "Black Armor"; black fish that feels invincible.
• 霜矛 (Shuang Mao) — "Frost Spear"; white/icy males.
• 青锋 (Qing Feng) — "Azure Edge"; blue-green shimmer, sharp silhouette.
• 破甲 (Po Jia) — "Armor Piercer"; for the fish that charges first.
• 玄弓 (Xuan Gong) — "Mystic Bow"; precise, watchful males.
• 追魂箭 (Zhui Hun Jian) — "Soul-Chasing Arrow"; fast striker vibe.
• 盘龙戟 (Pan Long Ji) — "Coiled Dragon Halberd"; dramatic fin curls.
• 铁胆 (Tie Dan) — "Iron Courage"; compact plakats, fearless personality.
• 金钟 (Jin Zhong) — "Golden Bell"; gold fish, calm tank "guardian."
• 虎头刀 (Hu Tou Dao) — "Tiger-Head Saber"; bold, high-contrast patterns.
• 方天戟 (Fang Tian Ji) — "Sky-Piercing Halberd"; legendary-weapon energy.
• 镇岳锤 (Zhen Yue Chui) — "Mountain-Quelling Hammer"; heavy, slow, intimidating.

Female betta picks (5)

• 凤翎刀 (Feng Ling Dao) — "Phoenix-Feather Blade"; elegant fins with sharp edges.
• 银月弓 (Yin Yue Gong) — "Silver Moon Bow"; pale/pearl females.
• 玲珑甲 (Ling Long Jia) — "Exquisite Armor"; detailed patterns, lace-like fins.
• 绛纱盾 (Jiang Sha Dun) — "Crimson Veil Shield"; red females with soft flow.
• 玉纹剑 (Yu Wen Jian) — "Jade-Pattern Sword"; mint/teal/white marbling.

Yin–Yang & Five Elements (Safest Chinese System, Still Looks Elite)

If you want "very Chinese" without stepping on cultural toes, this is the cleanest lane. The Five Elements are basically a style guide: fire, water, wood, metal, earth—plus yin/yang balance. This is the most culturally authentic category and works for any betta color or personality.

Male betta picks (15)

• 赤焰 (Chi Yan) — "Crimson Flame"; red males that flare hard.
• 玄水 (Xuan Shui) — "Mystic Black Water"; black/blue males with calm menace.
• 金雷 (Jin Lei) — "Metal Thunder"; metallic fish with bold movement.
• 苍木 (Cang Mu) — "Azure Wood"; blue-green bettas, growth vibe.
• 厚土 (Hou Tu) — "Deep Earth"; solid-bodied plakats.
• 烈火 (Lie Huo) — "Raging Fire"; nonstop aggression (the fun kind).
• 冰泉 (Bing Quan) — "Ice Spring"; white/icy shimmer.
• 铁砂 (Tie Sha) — "Iron Sand"; dark metallic freckles or galaxy specks.
• 青藤 (Qing Teng) — "Green Vine"; emerald tones, graceful motion.
• 流金 (Liu Jin) — "Flowing Gold"; gold fish that moves like silk.
• 霜金 (Shuang Jin) — "Frosted Metal"; white + metallic overlay.
• 岩心 (Yan Xin) — "Stone Core"; steady, confident temperament.
• 雷木 (Lei Mu) — "Thunder Wood"; unpredictable, explosive bursts of speed.
• 熔岩 (Rong Yan) — "Molten Rock"; red/orange marbling.
• 风火 (Feng Huo) — "Wind & Fire"; fast swimmer + hot color palette.

Female betta picks (5)

• 月水 (Yue Shui) — "Moon Water"; pale blues, gentle shimmer.
• 柔木 (Rou Mu) — "Soft Wood"; calm females, warm tones.
• 霞火 (Xia Huo) — "Sunset Fire"; orange/pink females.
• 雪金 (Xue Jin) — "Snow Metal"; white females with metallic flash.
• 春土 (Chun Tu) — "Spring Earth"; softer browns/creams, mellow vibes.

Color-Based Names (Match the Paint Job, Instantly Feels "Right")

This is the easiest way to nail a name in under 60 seconds: pick the dominant color + a strong image (wind, blade, flame, wave). If your betta is marble or koi-pattern, go for "mist," "glow," or "jade." These names are super practical and sound natural in Chinese.

Male betta picks (15)

• 黑风 (Hei Feng) — "Black Wind"; for dark bettas that move like smoke.
• 赤雷 (Chi Lei) — "Crimson Thunder"; red males with explosive flares.
• 白刃 (Bai Ren) — "White Blade"; ice-white fish with sharp contrast.
• 雪枪 (Xue Qiang) — "Snow Spear"; clean, bright males with long fins.
• 青焰 (Qing Yan) — "Azure Flame"; blue-green fire shimmer.
• 金鳞 (Jin Lin) — "Golden Scales"; gold fish that looks armored.
• 紫电 (Zi Dian) — "Purple Lightning"; purple sheen or iridescent flash.
• 苍影 (Cang Ying) — "Blue Shadow"; deep navy, stealth vibes.
• 银浪 (Yin Lang) — "Silver Wave"; metallic white/blue movement.
• 墨刃 (Mo Ren) — "Ink Blade"; black males with sharp fin edges.
• 碧锋 (Bi Feng) — "Jade Edge"; greenish shimmer, crisp silhouette.
• 霜火 (Shuang Huo) — "Frost Fire"; white + red combo fish.
• 乌金 (Wu Jin) — "Black Gold"; black body with gold highlights.
• 琥珀 (Hu Po) — "Amber"; warm gold/orange koi patterns.
• 蓝曜 (Lan Yao) — "Blue Gleam"; bright blue sparkle.

Female betta picks (5)

• 桃霞 (Tao Xia) — "Peach Glow"; soft pink/orange females.
• 玫雪 (Mei Xue) — "Rose Snow"; pink + white mix.
• 绢蓝 (Juan Lan) — "Silk Blue"; smooth, gentle blue tones.
• 金叶 (Jin Ye) — "Golden Leaf"; gold highlights, delicate fins.
• 玉霜 (Yu Shuang) — "Jade Frost"; pale green/white elegance.

Shape & Fin-Style Names (Halfmoon, Crowntail, Plakat… But in Chinese)

If you bought your betta for the fins (same), name it after the silhouette. These names are designed to "read" instantly when someone sees the fish—like a nickname that matches the outfit.

Male betta picks (15)

• 半月将 (Ban Yue Jiang) — "Halfmoon General"; perfect for halfmoons with huge spreads.
• 冠尾爵 (Guan Wei Jue) — "Crowntail Duke"; crown-like rays, proud posture.
• 短鳍霸 (Duan Qi Ba) — "Short-Fin Boss"; plakats that look built for speed.
• 巨耳卫 (Ju Er Wei) — "Big-Ear Guard"; dumbo-ear fins, strong presence.
• 纱尾侯 (Sha Wei Hou) — "Veil-Tail Marquis"; smooth flowy veiltails.
• 扇鳍王 (Shan Qi Wang) — "Fan-Fin King"; wide fin display, dramatic flares.
• 燕尾刃 (Yan Wei Ren) — "Swallowtail Blade"; forked tail look, sharp vibe.
• 流苏尾 (Liu Su Wei) — "Tassel Tail"; long trailing edges.
• 旋鳍龙 (Xuan Qi Long) — "Swirl-Fin Dragon"; fins that curl when he turns.
• 波纹盾 (Bo Wen Dun) — "Ripple Shield"; patterned fins, "defensive wall" vibe.
• 披风侠 (Pi Feng Xia) — "Cape Hero"; long fin drape like a cloak.
• 旗帜鳍 (Qi Zhi Qi) — "Banner Fin"; fins held high like a flag.
• 甲胄鳍 (Jia Zhou Qi) — "Armored Fin"; thick fin rays, strong body.
• 旋风尾 (Xuan Feng Wei) — "Whirlwind Tail"; fast spins, constant motion.
• 刀锋鳍 (Dao Feng Qi) — "Blade Fin"; angular fin edges.

Female betta picks (5)

• 花仙子 (Hua Xian Zi) — "Flower Fairy"; soft fins, gentle colors.
• 玫瑰裙 (Mei Gui Qun) — "Rose Skirt"; rounded fins like layered petals.
• 珍珠纱 (Zhen Zhu Sha) — "Pearl Veil"; pale shimmer, veil-tail elegance.
• 蝶翼 (Die Yi) — "Butterfly Wings"; wide, fluttery fin movement.
• 月光尾 (Yue Guang Wei) — "Moonlight Tail"; silver/white glow, calm swim style.

Natural Imagery Names (Very Chinese, Very Safe, Always Sounds Beautiful)

If you want names that feel poetic without going full warlord, this is it. Mountains, rivers, stars, mist—classic Chinese vibes that still read clean in English. This category has zero cultural risk and works for anyone who loves nature-inspired elegance.

Male betta picks (15)

• 山河 (Shan He) — "Mountains & Rivers"; big, grounded presence.
• 北辰 (Bei Chen) — "North Star"; calm fish that still feels "important."
• 苍浪 (Cang Lang) — "Blue Wave"; ocean-colored males.
• 霁云 (Ji Yun) — "Clear Sky Clouds"; soft colors, smooth swimming.
• 远山 (Yuan Shan) — "Distant Mountain"; quiet tank ruler.
• 松风 (Song Feng) — "Pine Wind"; steady, elegant movement.
• 岩川 (Yan Chuan) — "Rock & River"; tough body + flowing fins.
• 暮潮 (Mu Chao) — "Dusk Tide"; dark blue/black shimmer.
• 星河 (Xing He) — "Star River"; galaxy/metallic speckles.
• 长空 (Chang Kong) — "Vast Sky"; long-fin males that glide.
• 雾岚 (Wu Lan) — "Mist Haze"; marble bettas, smoky blends.
• 霜原 (Shuang Yuan) — "Frost Plain"; white/ice males.
• 归鸿 (Gui Hong) — "Returning Wild Goose"; graceful swimmers.
• 瀚海 (Han Hai) — "Vast Sea"; deep-blue males.
• 雪岭 (Xue Ling) — "Snow Ridge"; crisp white with strong outlines.

Female betta picks (5)

• 桃溪 (Tao Xi) — "Peach Stream"; soft warm tones.
• 杏雨 (Xing Yu) — "Apricot Rain"; delicate, gentle swimmers.
• 晴岚 (Qing Lan) — "Clear Mountain Mist"; pale colors, calm vibe.
• 轻舟 (Qing Zhou) — "Light Boat"; smooth, floating movement.
• 花影 (Hua Ying) — "Flower Shadow"; subtle patterns and elegance.

Flowers & Plants (The Most Traditional Chinese Pet-Naming Style)

In Chinese culture, naming pets after flowers and plants is extremely common and loved. Each plant carries symbolic meaning: plum blossoms = resilience, orchids = elegance, bamboo = strength, lotus = purity. This category works beautifully for any betta and has deep cultural roots.

Male betta picks (15)

• 寒梅 (Han Mei) — "Winter Plum"; resilient, blooms in cold—perfect for white/pink males.
• 青松 (Qing Song) — "Green Pine"; evergreen strength, calm presence.
• 翠竹 (Cui Zhu) — "Jade Bamboo"; flexible but unbreakable, green bettas.
• 幽兰 (You Lan) — "Hidden Orchid"; elegant, subtle beauty.
• 墨荷 (Mo He) — "Ink Lotus"; black/dark bettas with graceful fins.
• 松风 (Song Feng) — "Pine Wind"; steady movement like wind through trees.
• 竹影 (Zhu Ying) — "Bamboo Shadow"; slender, graceful swimmers.
• 梅骨 (Mei Gu) — "Plum Backbone"; strong character, tough fish.
• 兰锋 (Lan Feng) — "Orchid Edge"; refined elegance with sharp presence.
• 莲心 (Lian Xin) — "Lotus Heart"; pure, centered personality.
• 菊隐 (Ju Yin) — "Hidden Chrysanthemum"; autumn vibes, gold/orange fish.
• 桂香 (Gui Xiang) — "Osmanthus Fragrance"; golden bettas, sweet presence.
• 藤影 (Teng Ying) — "Vine Shadow"; flowing fins, green tones.
• 苍柏 (Cang Bai) — "Blue Cypress"; ancient tree energy, deep colors.
• 红枫 (Hong Feng) — "Red Maple"; autumn fire, red males.

Female betta picks (5)

• 海棠 (Hai Tang) — "Crabapple Blossom"; delicate pink/red females.
• 芙蓉 (Fu Rong) — "Lotus"; classic beauty, any pastel color.
• 紫薇 (Zi Wei) — "Crape Myrtle"; purple/pink elegance.
• 茉莉 (Mo Li) — "Jasmine"; white females, gentle nature.
• 水仙 (Shui Xian) — "Narcissus"; graceful, pale colors.

Gemstones & Jade (Perfect for Metallic & Shimmery Bettas)

Chinese culture has a deep love for jade and gemstones—they symbolize purity, value, and beauty. These names work especially well for metallic, dragon-scale, or copper bettas where the shimmer looks like polished stone. Great for showing off your fish's "expensive" look.

Male betta picks (15)

• 玄玉 (Xuan Yu) — "Black Jade"; dark bettas with deep shimmer.
• 赤玉 (Chi Yu) — "Red Jade"; crimson males with gloss.
• 碧玉 (Bi Yu) — "Green Jade"; emerald/teal bettas.
• 琉璃 (Liu Li) — "Glazed Glass"; transparent shimmer, blue/green metallic.
• 琥珀 (Hu Po) — "Amber"; warm gold/orange with depth.
• 金刚 (Jin Gang) — "Diamond/Vajra"; indestructible presence, metallic males.
• 翡翠 (Fei Cui) — "Jadeite"; bright green shimmer.
• 玛瑙 (Ma Nao) — "Agate"; banded patterns, marble bettas.
• 青金 (Qing Jin) — "Lapis Lazuli"; deep blue with gold flecks.
• 墨晶 (Mo Jing) — "Black Crystal"; dark metallic, sharp edges.
• 赤铜 (Chi Tong) — "Red Copper"; copper-colored males.
• 白玉 (Bai Yu) — "White Jade"; pure white with smooth shimmer.
• 紫晶 (Zi Jing) — "Amethyst"; purple iridescent flash.
• 银石 (Yin Shi) — "Silver Stone"; platinum/silver males.
• 碧玺 (Bi Xi) — "Tourmaline"; multicolor shimmer, galaxy koi patterns.

Female betta picks (5)

• 珊瑚 (Shan Hu) — "Coral"; pink/orange females with delicate structure.
• 珍珠 (Zhen Zhu) — "Pearl"; white/cream shimmer, classic elegance.
• 玉瓷 (Yu Ci) — "Jade Porcelain"; pale smooth finish, mint/white tones.
• 冰晶 (Bing Jing) — "Ice Crystal"; clear white with sparkle.
• 水晶 (Shui Jing) — "Crystal"; transparent/pale bettas with shine.

Legendary Swords & Famous Blades (For Weapon Collectors & History Nerds)

China has a rich history of legendary swords with famous names. These are actual historical/mythical weapons, not just generic "sword" words. Perfect for bettas that look sharp, sleek, and dangerous—especially metallic or high-contrast fish.

Male betta picks (15)

• 干将 (Gan Jiang) — Legendary sword name; powerful, masculine energy.
• 莫邪 (Mo Ye) — Sister sword to Gan Jiang; elegant but deadly.
• 湛卢 (Zhan Lu) — One of the Five Great Swords; black blade, legendary sharpness.
• 纯钧 (Chun Jun) — Another of the Five Great Swords; balanced, perfect form.
• 鱼肠 (Yu Chang) — "Fish Intestine Sword"; short, deadly, hidden weapon.
• 七星 (Qi Xing) — "Seven Stars Sword"; mystical, powerful.
• 青虹 (Qing Hong) — "Azure Rainbow"; beautiful blue-green blades.
• 赤霄 (Chi Xiao) — Legendary sword of Liu Bang; imperial power.
• 倚天 (Yi Tian) — "Heavenly Sword" (from Jin Yong novels); ultimate weapon.
• 屠龙 (Tu Long) — "Dragon Slayer" (from Jin Yong); companion to Yi Tian.
• 承影 (Cheng Ying) — "Shadow Bearer"; invisible legendary sword.
• 宵练 (Xiao Lian) — "Night Practice"; mysterious, sharp.
• 含光 (Han Guang) — "Contained Light"; legendary invisible sword.
• 龙泉 (Long Quan) — "Dragon Spring"; famous sword-making location.
• 霸王 (Ba Wang) — "Overlord"; Xiang Yu's legendary power.

Female betta picks (5)

• 莫邪 (Mo Ye) — Female legendary sword; graceful strength.
• 秋水 (Qiu Shui) — "Autumn Water Blade"; clear, reflective beauty.
• 青冥 (Qing Ming) — Legendary sword name; deep blue elegance.
• 紫电 (Zi Dian) — "Purple Lightning Blade"; fast, iridescent.
• 凤鸣 (Feng Ming) — "Phoenix Cry"; elegant, powerful presence.

Weather & Sky Phenomena (Dynamic, Powerful, Always Appropriate)

Thunder, lightning, wind, frost—these are instant drama generators and work for any betta that moves with force or has striking color changes. Weather names are very common in Chinese culture and carry zero cultural baggage.

Male betta picks (15)

• 惊雷 (Jing Lei) — "Thunderclap"; instant threat display.
• 霹雳 (Pi Li) — "Thunderbolt"; explosive flare.
• 疾风 (Ji Feng) — "Swift Wind"; fast, sudden movement.
• 狂澜 (Kuang Lan) — "Wild Waves"; chaotic, powerful swimmer.
• 寒霜 (Han Shuang) — "Cold Frost"; white/ice bettas.
• 赤电 (Chi Dian) — "Red Lightning"; red flash, fast strikes.
• 云涛 (Yun Tao) — "Cloud Waves"; flowing, billowing fins.
• 风暴 (Feng Bao) — "Storm"; nonstop activity.
• 雷霆 (Lei Ting) — "Thunder"; deep, rumbling power.
• 星雨 (Xing Yu) — "Star Rain"; galaxy/speckled patterns.
• 极光 (Ji Guang) — "Aurora"; iridescent, color-shifting bettas.
• 冰雹 (Bing Bao) — "Hail"; white with hard attitude.
• 朝雾 (Zhao Wu) — "Morning Mist"; soft, pale colors.
• 晚霞 (Wan Xia) — "Sunset Glow"; warm red/orange/pink.
• 流星 (Liu Xing) — "Meteor"; fast dart across the tank.

Female betta picks (5)

• 晴雪 (Qing Xue) — "Clear Snow"; white with soft presence.
• 微风 (Wei Feng) — "Gentle Breeze"; calm, flowing movement.
• 彩虹 (Cai Hong) — "Rainbow"; multicolor females.
• 霜花 (Shuang Hua) — "Frost Flower"; delicate white patterns.
• 云锦 (Yun Jin) — "Cloud Brocade"; soft, layered colors.

How to Choose the "Right" Name in 30 Seconds

1. Pick your anchor: Start with the most obvious trait—color (Black/Red/White/Blue), fin type (Halfmoon/Crown/Plakat), or personality (calm/aggressive/goofy).
2. Pick a vibe category:
   • Epic/Dramatic → Mythical Beasts, Weapons, Legendary Swords
   • Elegant/Poetic → Natural Imagery, Flowers, Poetic Names
   • Safe/Classic → Five Elements, Good Fortune, Gemstones
   • Cute/Fun → Cute Names, Weather (gentle ones)
   • Sharp/Aggressive → Wuxia, Weapons, Weather (intense ones)
3. Say it out loud twice: If it feels weird the second time, swap it. Your fish deserves a name you'll actually use.
4. Cultural safety check: Avoid deity names (gods/goddesses with human forms), political references, or terms you can't verify. When in doubt, stick to animals, nature, colors, or objects.

Quick Reference: Best Names by Betta Color

• Red bettas: 赤焰 (Chi Yan), 朱雀 (Zhu Que), 烈火 (Lie Huo), 赤雷 (Chi Lei), 红枫 (Hong Feng)
• Blue bettas: 青龙 (Qing Long), 苍浪 (Cang Lang), 蓝曜 (Lan Yao), 青焰 (Qing Yan), 瀚海 (Han Hai)
• White bettas: 白虎 (Bai Hu), 霜刃 (Shuang Ren), 雪枪 (Xue Qiang), 寒梅 (Han Mei), 白玉 (Bai Yu)
• Black bettas: 玄武 (Xuan Wu), 墨刃 (Mo Ren), 黑风 (Hei Feng), 墨荷 (Mo He), 玄玉 (Xuan Yu)
• Gold bettas: 金乌 (Jin Wu), 金鳞 (Jin Lin), 琥珀 (Hu Po), 流金 (Liu Jin), 锦鲤 (Jin Li)
• Green bettas: 碧玉 (Bi Yu), 青藤 (Qing Teng), 翡翠 (Fei Cui), 翠竹 (Cui Zhu), 碧锋 (Bi Feng)
• Purple bettas: 紫电 (Zi Dian), 紫晶 (Zi Jing), 紫薇 (Zi Wei)
• Multicolor/Marble: 锦绣 (Jin Xiu), 琥珀 (Hu Po), 星河 (Xing He), 雾岚 (Wu Lan), 彩云 (Cai Yun)

Final Thoughts: Why Chinese Names Actually Work for Bettas

Chinese naming culture is image-heavy, not meaning-heavy—it's about what you see and feel, not complex backstory. A betta doesn't need a "name meaning" essay; it needs a name that matches its look and vibe in 2 seconds. That's exactly what these names do.

Plus, let's be honest: calling your fish "Frost Blade" or "Azure Dragon" just sounds cooler than "Bubbles." And if anyone asks what it means, you get to explain—which makes your betta 10× more interesting.

Pro tip: Write the pinyin on a sticky note near the tank for the first week. By day 7, you'll be saying it naturally, and your betta will (probably) recognize the sound when you approach for feeding time.