So, I’ve been around gorillas more than most folks can say—years volunteering at sanctuaries, shadowing zookeepers, and even a wild stint in Uganda tracking mountain gorillas with a guide who swore he could talk to them (jury’s still out on that one). Point is, I’ve got a soft spot for these big, lumbering beasts. Ever wonder what it’s like to stare into those deep, soulful eyes and think, “Man, what’s your story?” Naming them feels personal—like you’re pinning a badge on a friend. And trust me, after 663 gorilla names rattled around in my brain for this post, I’ve got some stories to share.
Back in ’09, I helped name a rescue gorilla—called him Jagger because he’d swagger around like he owned the place. Took me weeks to land on that one, flipping through notebooks, tossing ideas at the wall.
Names matter with these guys. They’re not just labels; they’re vibes, personalities, little tributes to who they are—or who we hope they’ll be. You ever tried naming something that can bench-press you without breaking a sweat? It’s humbling.
This isn’t some sterile list I threw together over coffee (though, full disclosure, there’s coffee involved—always is). Nah, this is me spilling my guts about gorilla names that stick with you—cool ones, clever ones, some that’ll make you laugh or go, “Huh, that’s oddly perfect.” I mean, who doesn’t want to yell “Blaze!” across a habitat and see a silverback perk up?
Stick with me here. I’m about to roll out 663 gorilla name ideas that I’ve been chewing on for ages—stuff drawn from muddy boots in the jungle, late-night chats with keepers, and a little mischief tossed in.
Ever named a gorilla in your head just for kicks? No? Well, you’re about to feel the itch. Keep reading—this gets good.
Best Gorilla Names
Here are some of the best Gorilla name ideas I came up with:
- Titan
- Kongo
- Samson
- Luna
- Brutus
- Zuri
- Goliath
- Maya
- Rambo
- Sable
- Thor
- Nala
- Jagger
- Zara
- Rocky
- Tasha
- Maximus
- Kala
- Blaze
- Shira
- Diesel
- Temba
- Hercules
- Nyota
- Storm
- Kali
- Rex
- Sasha
- Fang
- Jada
- Leo
- Minka
- Tank
- Zola
- Chief
- Rhea
- Boulder
- Kiki
- Titanus
- Zena
- Maverick
- Tula
- Grizzly
- Nia
- Baron
- Suki
- Hunter
- Veda
- Colossus
- Lila
- King
Funny Gorilla Names
Here are some hilariously funny Gorilla name ideas:
- Banana Bandit
- Hairy Potter
- Gorill-iam Shakespear
- Chunky Monkey
- Furry-osa
- King Kongedy
- Grumpy Guts
- Ape-ricot
- Sir Scratch-a-Lot
- Bongo Bonzo
- Gorilla Glue
- Fuzzy Wuzzy
- Slappy
- Cheeky Chimp
- Bigfoot Bob
- Snaccident
- Whiskerilla
- Munchkin
- Giggles
- Pudge
- Stinky Steve
- Bumble Butt
- Waffle
- Dopey Dope
- Tickle Toes
- Snore-a-Tron
- Bloop
- Fluffel
- Goofball
- Pudding
- Wiggles
- Snorf
- Chubbs
- Booger
- Doodle
- Flingo
- Burrito
- Slobber
- Gizzard
- Plop
- Zoomba
- Bork
- Spaghetti
- Wafflepants
- Dingus
- Snickers
- Blorpo
- Fumbles
- Gobble
- Zany
- Derpo
Cute Gorilla Names
- Below are lists of 51 name ideas for each of the requested categories of gorilla names. These names reflect the strength, personality, and cultural associations of gorillas, tailored to each specific theme.
- Best Gorilla Names
- Titan
- Kongo
- Samson
- Luna
- Brutus
- Zuri
- Goliath
- Maya
- Rambo
- Sable
- Thor
- Nala
- Jagger
- Zara
- Rocky
- Tasha
- Maximus
- Kala
- Blaze
- Shira
- Diesel
- Temba
- Hercules
- Nyota
- Storm
- Kali
- Rex
- Sasha
- Fang
- Jada
- Leo
- Minka
- Tank
- Zola
- Chief
- Rhea
- Boulder
- Kiki
- Titanus
- Zena
- Maverick
- Tula
- Grizzly
- Nia
- Baron
- Suki
- Hunter
- Veda
- Colossus
- Lila
- King
- Funny Gorilla Names
- Banana Bandit
- Hairy Potter
- Gorill-iam Shakespear
- Chunky Monkey
- Furry-osa
- King Kongedy
- Grumpy Guts
- Ape-ricot
- Sir Scratch-a-Lot
- Bongo Bonzo
- Gorilla Glue
- Fuzzy Wuzzy
- Slappy
- Cheeky Chimp
- Bigfoot Bob
- Snaccident
- Whiskerilla
- Munchkin
- Giggles
- Pudge
- Stinky Steve
- Bumble Butt
- Waffle
- Dopey Dope
- Tickle Toes
- Snore-a-Tron
- Bloop
- Fluffel
- Goofball
- Pudding
- Wiggles
- Snorf
- Chubbs
- Booger
- Doodle
- Flingo
- Burrito
- Slobber
- Gizzard
- Plop
- Zoomba
- Bork
- Spaghetti
- Wafflepants
- Dingus
- Snickers
- Blorpo
- Fumbles
- Gobble
- Zany
- Derpo
- Cute Gorilla Names
- Pebbles
- Pudding
- Snickers
- Button
- Coco
- Jellybean
- Muffin
- Twinkle
- Bambi
- Sprout
- Pippin
- Biscuit
- Waffles
- Tinker
- Noodle
- Marshmallow
- Dottie
- Fudge
- Pixie
- Bumble
- Cinnamon
- Sugar
- Toffee
- Patches
- Cupcake
- Fluff
- Honey
- Lollipop
- S’mores
- Taffy
- Peachy
- Snuggle
- Cookie
- Dimples
- Whiskers
- Popcorn
- Caramel
- Sunny
- Cherry
- Twix
- Pudding Pop
- Buttercup
- Gummy
- Sparkle
- Truffle
- Mochi
- Pippy
- Cuddles
- Brownie
- Daisy
- Nuggie
Cool Gorilla Names
- Blaze
- Vortex
- Shadow
- Jett
- Ace
- Storm
- Nitro
- Fang
- Maverick
- Zephyr
- Diesel
- Rex
- Talon
- Hunter
- Bolt
- Phantom
- Cobra
- Raptor
- Slate
- Ice
- Thunder
- Zane
- Drift
- Slash
- Onyx
- Surge
- Kade
- Blitz
- Razor
- Vibe
- Alpha
- Neon
- Strike
- Echo
- Grit
- Haze
- Rebel
- Flux
- Jinx
- Rush
- Tank
- Sable
- Wolf
- Titan
- Quade
- Chill
- Gritty
- Shade
- Pulse
- Havoc
- Zero
Gorilla Names That Are Unique
- Zorvax
- Klythera
- Vantus
- Xylo
- Quorik
- Zenthara
- Brontis
- Ysmera
- Tazkin
- Elvora
- Jyndar
- Phexus
- Syrith
- Gavox
- Nymira
- Zoltek
- Cryon
- Vexara
- Thryme
- Orzik
- Kalvox
- Elara
- Fenquar
- Xindra
- Zyris
- Tormek
- Velquinn
- Skolax
- Yrvox
- Qazmir
- Dravith
- Nexora
- Jythar
- Umzara
- Pyrix
- Zelkin
- Vorquex
- Sypher
- Klyvox
- Axzora
- Thynix
- Ravquar
- Zenthor
- Myrvox
- Quinx
- Skryth
- Valthor
- Xyrkin
- Zovex
- Tynquar
- Elzith
Gorilla Names from Movies
- King Kong
- Caesar (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)
- Koba (Planet of the Apes)
- Maurice (Planet of the Apes)
- Rocket (Planet of the Apes)
- Buck (Planet of the Apes)
- Luca (Planet of the Apes)
- George (Rampage)
- Amy (Congo)
- Winston (Over the Hedge – ape-like character)
- Aldo (Planet of the Apes)
- Cornelius (Planet of the Apes)
- Zira (Planet of the Apes)
- Dr. Zaius (Planet of the Apes)
- Ursus (Planet of the Apes)
- Bad Ape (Planet of the Apes)
- Red (War for the Planet of the Apes)
- Winter (War for the Planet of the Apes)
- Spear (War for the Planet of the Apes)
- Konga (Konga)
- Mighty Joe (Mighty Joe Young)
- Gargantua (The Gorilla)
- Bongo (George of the Jungle – ape character)
- Tublat (Tarzan – gorilla-like)
- Kerchak (Tarzan)
- Terk (Tarzan)
- Kala (Tarzan)
- Gorzod (Gorilla at Large)
- Samson (Gorillas in the Mist – inspired)
- Digit (Gorillas in the Mist – inspired)
- Rafiki (The Lion King – baboon, but gorilla-like vibe)
- Harambe (Real-life inspired, meme culture)
- Ivan (The One and Only Ivan)
- Stella (The One and Only Ivan)
- Bob (The One and Only Ivan)
- Ruby (The One and Only Ivan)
- Grodd (DC Comics, Flash TV series)
- Solovar (DC Comics, Flash TV series)
- Titano (Superman comics, gorilla-like)
- Cheeta (Tarzan films – chimp, but adaptable)
- Bruno (The Gorilla Man)
- Buddy (Buddy – based on real gorilla story)
- Grodin (King Kong Lives)
- Queenie (King Kong Lives)
- Magilla (Magilla Gorilla Show)
- Grape Ape (The Great Grape Ape Show)
- Blip (Space Ghost – monkey-like)
- Mojo (X-Men, gorilla-like mutant)
- Beast (X-Men, gorilla-like strength)
- Donkey Kong (Video game, but gorilla-inspired)
- Diddy (Donkey Kong series)
Male Gorilla Names
- Brutus
- Samson
- Rex
- Thor
- Diesel
- Maximus
- Jagger
- Blaze
- Rocky
- Titan
- Leo
- Hunter
- Fang
- Boulder
- Chief
- Baron
- Maverick
- Tank
- Storm
- Hercules
- Rambo
- Grizzly
- Khan
- Colossus
- Zephyr
- Brutus
- Axel
- Gunner
- Zane
- Sarge
- Vortex
- Bolt
- Titanus
- Alpha
- Nero
- Draco
- Koda
- Rebel
- Jinx
- Onyx
- Spartan
- Grit
- Talon
- Bandit
- Surge
- Rhino
- Havoc
- Zorro
- Duke
- Iron
- King
Female Gorilla Names
- Luna
- Zuri
- Maya
- Nala
- Tasha
- Kala
- Zara
- Shira
- Nyota
- Kali
- Sasha
- Jada
- Minka
- Zola
- Temba
- Rhea
- Kiki
- Zena
- Tula
- Nia
- Suki
- Veda
- Lila
- Tara
- Sable
- Jade
- Ruby
- Onyx
- Ember
- Sage
- Ivy
- Pearl
- Willow
- Diva
- Echo
- Fawn
- Gia
- Hazel
- Indigo
- Juno
- Kira
- Lani
- Mira
- Nova
- Opal
- Quinn
- Raven
- Selma
- Uma
- Vida
- Yara
Famous Gorilla Names
- Harambe
- Koko
- Binti Jua
- Digit
- Titus
- Ivan
- Samson
- Jambo
- Guy
- Snowflake
- Colo
- Bokito
- Gargantua
- Bushman
- Jenny
- Massa
- Willie B.
- Pattycake
- Fuzu
- Ndume
- Michael
- Winston
- Kabibe
- Rafiki
- Ozoum
- Choomba
- Kumbuka
- Shamba
- Moja
- Tatu
- Kwanza
- Zura
- Pogo
- Rigo
- Kibibi
- Kamina
- Fatou
- Louis
- Elmo
- Mokolo
- Bebac
- Baraka
- Bombo
- Goma
- Kivu
- Lobo
- M’bili
- Ozzie
- Rukia
- Sabin
- Tonga
Baby Gorilla Names
- Peanut
- Button
- Sprout
- Tiny
- Nugget
- Pip
- Cubby
- Bubbles
- Pippin
- Tots
- Bean
- Doodle
- Fuzz
- Munchkin
- Snickers
- Wiggles
- Tinker
- Pudding
- Jelly
- Twinkle
- Bitty
- Pebbles
- Biscuit
- Noodle
- Squeak
- Patches
- Poppet
- Giggles
- Dimples
- Toots
- Snuggle
- Cuddles
- Fluff
- Pixie
- Bambi
- Marshmallow
- Whiskers
- Dottie
- Spark
- Fudge
- Waffle
- Truffle
- Mochi
- Chirp
- Sugar
- Lollipop
- Brownie
- Cupcake
- Taffy
- Snickers
- Paws
African Gorilla Names
- Kwame
- Amina
- Jomo
- Zuri
- Temba
- Kofi
- Nia
- Sefu
- Adama
- Chika
- Deka
- Esi
- Femi
- Gamba
- Hadi
- Imani
- Jabari
- Kala
- Leka
- Mosi
- Nala
- Obi
- Penda
- Razi
- Sani
- Tafari
- Umi
- Vusa
- Wako
- Xola
- Yaro
- Zola
- Biko
- Chuma
- Duma
- Enzi
- Faraji
- Giza
- Hasani
- Imara
- Jahi
- Kito
- Lulu
- Mazi
- Nuru
- Oba
- Rudo
- Simba
- Tano
- Uzo
- Zaki
Zoo Gorilla Names
- Zookeeper’s Pride
- Jungle Jim
- Cage King
- Exhibit Ace
- Bamboo Buddy
- Habitat Hero
- Gator
- Moat Master
- Troop Titan
- Enclosure Emperor
- Zany Zoo
- Bongo Boy
- Safari Star
- Gorilla Grove
- Paddock Pal
- Roamer
- Zest
- Keeper’s Choice
- Treetop Titan
- Zooey
- Ranger Rex
- Wildwood
- Banjo
- Hoot
- Zuma
- Trailblazer
- Oasis Oaf
- Park Prince
- Gazebo Giant
- Leafy Lord
- Zorro Zoo
- Timber Tot
- Vine Victor
- Jungle Gem
- Zestful Z
- Grove Guardian
- Roar
- Bamboo Boss
- Tropic Tank
- Zambi
- Haven Hulk
- Safari Sage
- Zulu
- Pathway Pals
- Zephyr Zoo
- Canopy Chief
- Terra Titan
- Zingo
- Bush Buddy
- Zoozap
- Primate Peak
Badass Gorilla Names
- Titan
- Raptor
- Blaze
- Vortex
- Fang
- Brutus
- Storm
- Rex
- Diesel
- Jagger
- Thor
- Maverick
- Goliath
- Hunter
- Tank
- Colossus
- Rambo
- Zephyr
- Shadow
- Bolt
- Nitro
- Alpha
- Khan
- Rebel
- Talon
- Grit
- Surge
- Iron
- Havoc
- Rhino
- Sable
- Zorro
- Draco
- Spartan
- Onyx
- Razor
- Strike
- Bandit
- Panzer
- Cobra
- Blitz
- Grim
- Juggernaut
- Predator
- Warlord
- Zane
- Thunder
- Vandal
- Fury
- Legion
- Chaos
Final Thoughts
Alright, we’ve made it to the end of this gorilla-naming odyssey, and I’ve gotta say—brainstorming these 663 names was a blast. Seriously, I had way too much fun digging into old memories, flipping through African languages, and chuckling at the goofy ones (Gorill-iam Shakespear, anyone? 😂).
There’s something satisfying about landing on a name that just fits, you know? My personal favorite’s gotta be “Jagger”—that swagger’s still burned in my brain from years back. What about you—what’s your top pick from this monster list? Drop it in the comments; I’m dying to know!
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Naming gorillas is this weird mix of art and gut instinct, and tossing these ideas around felt like hanging out with old friends—big, hairy ones. If you’re grinning or nodding along, that’s a win for me. Thanks for sticking through it—hope it sparks some inspiration for your own gorilla name ideas! 🦍✨