Puffins are adorable seabirds that are known for their colorful beaks and waddling walks. They nest in large colonies on cliffs and rocky islands, spending most of their lives at sea except during breeding season. Puffins make endearing pets with their clownish personalities, and many puffin owners enjoy giving their birds funny and clever names. When trying to think of a good puffin name, it helps to consider their appearance, behaviors, and origin. With so many options, choosing the perfect funny name for your puffin can be a fun challenge!
Appearance-Related Names
One approach for naming puffins is to pick something based on the bird’s distinctive appearance. Here are some funny puffin name ideas related to how these chubby seabirds look:
Beaky
Puffins have large, colorful beaks that come in a rainbow of shades like red, orange, yellow, and blue. Beaky highlights the puffin’s most prominent facial feature.
Toucan Sam
Their big, curved bills resemble the beak of a toucan. Toucan Sam is the mascot for Froot Loops cereal, so this is a cute reference to pop culture.
Bill Nye
Another name that plays off their billing by referencing Bill Nye the Science Guy, especially good for brainy puffins.
Mask Face
The black and white plumage patterns around a puffin’s eyes and beak gives the appearance of a mask, hence Mask Face.
Pango
Puffins look like they’re wearing eyeliner, so Pango is a clever pun on panda combined with the eye makeup brand L’Oreal.
Tuxedo Bird
Their black and white feathers are reminiscent of a penguin’s tuxedo. Tuxedo Bird is an apt description for these dressed up sea birds.
Bigfoot
Puffins have bright orange webbed feet, and Bigfoot jokingly exaggerates their foot size.
Fluff Butt
In reference to their fluffy white bellies and bottoms that stick out as they waddle on land.
Waddles
Their adorably awkward walking style on land lends itself to the name Waddles.
Behavior-Related Names
Puffins display many endearing behaviors that can provide inspiration:
Clown
These silly birds put on an entertaining show, earning them the nickname Clown.
Speedy
Puffins flap their wings up to 400 beats per minute to achieve speeds over 55 mph in flight. Speedy captures their lightning fast flying abilities.
Digger
They use their thick beaks and feet to dig burrows to nest in, hence Digger.
Pancake
Puffins flatten themselves out to appear larger and intimidate threats, reminiscent of a pancake shape.
Happy Feet
Their splashing, paddling feet when swimming look like happy feet dancing in the water.
Bomber
Puffins are known for dive bombing into the water at up to 60 mph to catch fish.
Chatterbox
These vocal birds chatter to their mates with a variety of grunts, groans, and other noises.
Origin-Related Names
Naming your puffin based on its roots can also lead to some amusing options:
Viking
Puffins are found in Iceland and other Nordic regions settled by the Vikings.
Falkor
From the Luckdragon Falkor in The Neverending Story, as a mythological Northern creature.
Thor
The Norse god Thor is another fitting nod to the puffin’s heritage.
Leif Erikson
After the famous Norse explorer Leif Erikson who led Vikings to North America.
Puff the Magic Dragon
References the classic song about an imaginary dragon, but gives it a puffin twist.
Hufflepuff
A puffin in Hufflepuff house for fans of Harry Potter’s House Cup.
Viking Helmet
In reference to their black and white head markings resembling a stereotypical Viking helmet.
Horned Helmet
Further plays off their head’s resemblance to a horned Viking helmet specifically.
Puns and Jokes
Puns and jokes can also provide lots of fun and ridiculous name options:
Puff Daddy
A punny rap reference to Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs.
Puff the Magic Dragon Slayer
A spoof on the classic song adding a fierce dragon slayer title.
Sir Puffs-a-Lot
An exaggeration on how much and frequent they puff up.
Forrest Puffin
A pun using Forrest Gump’s name.
Puff Diddy
Another Puff Daddy inspired pun.
PuffnStuff
After the 1970s stuffed animal and TV show Witchiepoo and the Magic Hosey.
Sea Clown
Calling out their habitat and silly personality in one name.
Pufflypuff
Rhyming, singsong name that’s fun to say.
Beakface McWaddle
Combines references to its beak, walk, and a stereotypical Irish last name.
Famous Fictional Characters
Naming your puffin after famous fictional characters can also be whimsical:
Hagrid
The lovable half-giant groundskeeper at Hogwarts in Harry Potter.
Yoda
The wise Jedi master in Star Wars has similarly funny syntax.
Gonzo
The eccentric Muppet known for his giant nose has a comparable offbeat look.
Tweety
This little yellow cartoon bird has an innocent personality fitting for a puffin.
Woodstock
Snoopy’s tiny best bird friend in the Peanuts comics.
Iago
The parrot companion from Aladdin with a big beak and lots of attitude.
Big Bird
Sesame Street’s tall, canary costume-wearing character.
Pikachu
The beloved pokemon mascot, especially if your puffin is yellow.
Food-Inspired Names
Funny food names are also cute options for puffins:
Cheeto
For an orange or red hued puffin in reference to the bright, crunchy snack.
Dorito
Also for orange or yellow colored puffins resembling the chip’s triangle shape.
Nacho
A yellow beaked puffin looks like cheesy nacho chips.
Chip
A basic reference to their similarity to potato chips.
Chester Cheeto
The Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah’s last name.
Peep
Their fluffy bodies and colorful beaks resemble the marshmallow Easter candy Peeps.
Skittle
Since puffins are as colorful as the rainbow candy Skittles.
Chiclets
Their small size and white belly call to mind Chiclets chewing gum.
Froot Loop
Again referencing the colorful cereal’s loop shape and bright hues.
Human Names and Titles
Giving puffins common human names and titles is also humorous:
Carl
A very ordinary and generic human male name contrasts with the puffin’s exotic nature.
Susan
Another mundane name that’s unexpected for a seabird.
Jeeves
The proper British butler name Jeeves does not fit their clownishness.
Captain
Captain adds gravitas and authority completely at odds with puffins.
President Beaky
Expanding on Captain, President Beaky takes it up a notch.
Lord Beakerton
A British noble title and surname also diverges from a puffin’s character.
Franklin
Franklin is an upstanding, respectable older male name.
Professor Schnabel
Professor Schnabel contrasts a stereotypical academic title with the German and Dutch word for beak.
Queen Elizabeth
What could be more dignified than the name of England’s monarch?
Conclusion
With their colorful bills, plump bodies, waddling walks, and clownish charm, puffins make for amusing and endearing pets. Their unique appearance and behaviors provide endless options when choosing a funny name. Names can highlight their resemblance to humans, food, fictional characters, mythical figures, and more. Puns and jokes are also a playful way to come up with puffin names. Choosing the perfect funny puffin name involves thinking about their origin, traits, and your own sense of humor. From Beaky to Puff Daddy to Captain Puffin, the possibilities are endless! Whatever you choose, a puffin by any other funny name would still be as sweet.