Chameleons are intriguing lizards that can change colors and blend into their environments. If you’re lucky enough to have a chameleon as a pet, finding the perfect name for them can be a fun and exciting task.
In this article, you’ll find over 200 chameleon names to help you find the perfect fit for your scaly friend.
Chameleon facts
Chameleons can be found in the deserts and rainforests of Africa. The forest-dwelling chameleons are usually green, while those who live in deserts are brown.
These fascinating lizards can change their skin color to match their environment. They also have extra long, sticky tongues to catch insects for food.
Chameleons have large eyes that can move in two different directions simultaneously.
There are over 150 species of chameleons, ranging from tiny to cat-sized.
Chameleons can also make great pets for the right person. They’re not necessarily the best pick for an inexperienced reptile parent since they require specific conditions to thrive.
How to choose a name for a pet chameleon
When I think of exotic animals, the chameleon is one of the first that comes to mind. Such unique pets require equally compelling names.
These types of names generally fit chameleons:
African names: One way to respect your pet’s heritage is to choose a name from their native region. Since most chameleons originate from Africa, African names are perfect for them.
Of course, you might also have a veiled chameleon native to the Arabic peninsula. If so, Arabic names are a great choice.
Color names: Chameleons can change their skin color, so any color of the rainbow makes a great chameleon name!
Lizard names: You can also find inspiration from name ideas for other lizard species.
Girl chameleon names (with meanings)
Popular female chameleon names include Coco, Daisy, Dixie, Luna, Misty, Nala, Peaches, and Scarlett.
You could choose names like Cleo, Nefertiti, or Cleopatra if you want something more exotic.
| Abena | “Born on Tuesday” (Ghanaian) |
| Alani | “Orange tree” (Hawaiian) |
| Ayah | “Miracle” (Arabic). You can’t deny that the chameleon is one of nature’s miracles! |
| Bijou | “Jewel” (French). The colorful chameleons are as beautiful as a jewel. |
| Camilla | ”Helper to the priest” (Italian) |
| Carmen | ”Garden” (Spanish) |
| Cassia | “Cinnamon” (Greek) |
| Cleopatra | “Glory of the father” (Greek) |
| Coco | |
| Daisy | |
| Dixie | “Tenth” (Latin) |
| Ivy | ”Vine” (English) |
| Karma | ”Fate, destiny” (Sanskrit) |
| Leona | “Lioness” (Latin) |
| Misty | |
| Nala | “Lioness” (Swahili) |
| Nefertiti | “The beautiful one has arrived” (Egyptian) |
| Nova | “New” (Latin). Chameleons can renew their appearances anytime, so the meaning of this name is fitting. |
| Scarlett | “Red” (French) |
| Sylvia | ”Forest” (Latin) |
| Terra | ”Earth” (Latin) |
| Zara | “Blooming flower” (Arabic) |
Boy chameleon names (including meanings)
Male chameleons have fun and cool names, including Ace, Apollo, Blaze, Duke, Max, Rex, and Zeus.
For something unique, you could try names like Kwame or Azul.
| Ace | ”Number one” (Latin) |
| Apollo | ”Destroyer” (Greek) |
| Azul | ”Blue” (Spanish) |
| Bobo | “Born on Tuesday” (Ghanaian) |
| Caesar | |
| Camilo | ”Helper to the priest” (Spanish) |
| Chacha | “Strong man” (Swahili) |
| Chaz | ”Free man” (German) |
| Cosmo | ”Universe” (Greek) |
| Draco | ”Dracon” (Greek) |
| Duke | ”Leader” (Latin) |
| Geo | ”Earth” (Greek) |
| Gizmo | ”The playful one” (American) |
| Kwame | “Born on Saturday” (Ghanaian) |
| Leon | “Lion” (Greek) |
| Leonard | “Lion’s strength” (German) |
| Max | ”Greatest” (Latin) |
| Pascal | ”Easter child” (French) |
| Rex | ”King” (Latin) |
| Simba | “Lion” (Swahili) |
| Sly | ”Forest” (Latin) |
| Spike | A fitting name for a chameleon who has spikes. |
| Zeus | ”Sky” (Greek) |
Good chameleon names
- Basil
- Blaze
- Camembert
- Cameo
- Cameron
- Camo
- Camouflage
- Cleo
- Echo
- Gem
- Jade
- Jewel
- Kobe
- Leaf
- Leap
- Mojito
- Moss
- Rain
- Rango
- Stripey
- Zephyr
Color-inspired chameleon names
Chameleons have the ability to change their color, so color names are perfect for them. Since these lizards can transform their skins into any shade, you can choose any color!
Of course, you can also choose a name based on the regular color of your chameleon. For example, a green chameleon could be Emerald and a brown one can be named Caramel or Mocha.
- Amarillo
- Amber
- Aqua
- Avocado
- Azure
- Blue
- Cadet
- Cafe
- Carmine
- Cedar
- Cerise
- Cherry
- Chroma
- Copper
- Coral
- Crayola
- Crimson
- Cyan
- Emerald
- Fern
- Garnet
- Goldie
- Indigo
- Iris
- Jade
- Lemon
- Lime
- Mauve
- Midori (“Green” in Japanese)
- Mint
- Mocha
- Moss
- Myrtle
- Pink
- Rainbow
- Ruby
- Saffron
- Sage
- Sandy
- Sapphire
- Scarlett
- Sienna
- Tawny
- Violet
Famous chameleon names
Many chameleons have appeared in movies, video games, and mythology. Here are some of the top picks:
| Agemo | A chameleon in the Yoruba religion. He’s a messenger of gods. |
| Chuck and Leon | Chameleons in Rocko’s Modern Life. |
| Espio | A ninja warrior chameleon in the video game Knuckle’s Chaotix. |
| Flick | A red chameleon in Animal Crossing. |
| Pascal | Rapunzel’s pet chameleon in the 2010 animated Disney film Tangled. |
| Rango | A chameleon protagonist in the 2011 animated film Rango. |
| Target | A male Parson’s chameleon in Wild Kratts. |
Badass chameleon names
- Amaru
- Basilisk
- Chase
- Climber
- Ember
- Hunter
- Hydra
- Naga
- Pharaoh
- Phoenix
- Sahara
- Shadow
- Slinky
- Slyde
- Speedy
- Typhon
Cute chameleon names
- Avocado
- Basil
- Beanie
- Camembert
- Candy
- Cappuccino
- Caramel
- Chai
- Choco
- Cinnamon
- Clover
- Coffee
- Cookie
- Ginger
- Guava
- Kiwi
- Kombucha
- Mango
- Matcha
- Melon
- Nessie
- Nutmeg
- Olive
- Papaya
- Peaches
- Pebble
- Pepper
- Skittles
- Walnut
- Yoda
- Zippy
Funny names for a chameleon
Chameleons are fun to look at. Their unique behavior inspires many punny and funny names. For example, their long, sticky tongues made me think of Snappy and Sticky.
- Blendie
- Cha Million
- Godzilla
- Lord Lizardbottom
- Mr. Long-Tongue
- Mrs. Scales
- Ms. Reptilia
- Scaley Haley
- Shady Scales
- Sir Lizardton
- Snappy
- Snapzilla
- Sticky
Stoner chameleon names
Some people like to give their chameleons pothead-themed monikers. Here are some hilarious stoner names to inspire you:
- Ace
- Ash
- Blaze
- Bob Marley
- Bud
- Ganja
- Harry Potter
- Herbie
- Kaya
- Mary Jane
- Mr. Green
- Puffy
- Sativa
- Smoke
- Trippy
- Weedy
- Weedy Gonzalez
Unique chameleon names (+ meanings)
Unique animals beg for unusual names, and that also applies to chameleons! Here are some one-of-a-kind monikers for your charming lizard:
| Arcus | “Goddess of rainbows” |
| Chamoisee | A warm, light shade of brown. This name fits a brown chameleon. |
| Chandraneel | A Hindi boy’s name that means “precious blue gem”. |
| Chateau | A shade of brown or green. As a name, it fits both brown and green chameleons. |
| Chavatangakwunua | “Short rainbow” (Native American). This name is difficult to pronounce, but it has the perfect meaning for chameleons! |
| Claramay | A British girl’s name that means “bright” or “clear”. |
| Kobicha | A warm shade of brown. |
| Rangeen | “Colorful” (Hindi) |
Chameleon FAQ
Where does the word chameleon come from?
The name “chameleon” comes from the Greek words chamai (“on the ground”) and leon (“lion”). So chameleon literally means something like “lion on the ground”.
What is the name of a baby chameleon?
A baby chameleon is called a hatchling.
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