Gorillas are such fascinating animals that have captured the hearts of many animal lovers around the world. Known for their intelligence, strength, and surprisingly gentle nature, they aren’t suitable as pets due to their large size and wild nature.
However, I’ve noticed that many people love naming their favorite stuffed animals, video game characters, and even cars or boats after these incredible creatures. The names are often inspired by the physical characteristics, unique personality traits, or even their favorite foods.
In this article, I’ll share some great ideas for Gorilla Names that might provide the perfect inspiration when you’re looking to find just the right name for your own little jungle buddy!
Cute Gorilla Names:
Bobo
Mojo
Tiki
Rafi
Lola
Simba
Nino
Pippa
Zara
Momo
Gigi
Tango
Fifi
Ollie
Rico
Daisy
Zuzu
Toto
Peanut
Sunny
Lila
Kuma
Maxie
Panda
Ruby
Benny
Tuffy
Sun kissed > Check out our guide: The List of Iguana Names
Ella
Funny Gorilla Names:
Captain Chaos
Coco Loco
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Grumpy Goliath
Gorilla Glue
Jungle Jester
Rascal Ruckus
Sir Prance-a-Lot
Wookiee Wonder
Ape-ocalypse Now
Snickers the Strong
Chatterbox Charlie
Giga-Gorilla
Dancing King Kong
Mister Mischief
Banana Splitz
Chuckles the Chimp
Hunky Chunk
Cuddly King
Giggle Monster
Sir Bananapants
Captain Giggles
Bongo Brawler
Gorilla Fist Bump
Bamboo Bandit
Muffin the Mighty
Jungle Boogie
Grizzly Giggle
Bubblegum Beast
Famous Gorilla Names:
Binti Jua – A female western lowland gorilla famous for saving a child who fell into her enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
Harambe – A western lowland gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo who gained worldwide attention after being shot in 2016 when a child climbed into his enclosure.
Ozzie – A male western lowland gorilla at Zoo Atlanta, known for being the oldest living gorilla in captivity.
Gonzalez – A famous gorilla from the San Francisco Zoo, known for his playful behavior and interactions with visitors.
Paco – A male gorilla from the London Zoo who gained fame for his personality and intelligence.
Bobo – A well-known gorilla from the Los Angeles Zoo, recognized for his entertaining behavior and interactions with staff and visitors.
Gorilla Glue – A humorous name associated with the viral incident involving a woman who used the adhesive in her hair.
Coco – Another spelling of Koko, a gorilla known for her sign language communication.
Winston – A male silverback gorilla known for his gentle demeanor at the San Francisco Zoo.
Flint – A male western lowland gorilla known for his intelligence and problem-solving skills at the Chester Zoo.
Tango – A famous gorilla at the Omaha Zoo known for his playful interactions with visitors.
Zuri – A young female gorilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, known for her playful and curious nature.
Tango – A male gorilla at the Vancouver Aquarium, known for his engaging personality.
Mekong – A famous gorilla from the San Diego Zoo, celebrated for his large size and strength.
Binti – Another reference to Binti Jua, who is widely recognized for her heroic actions.
T’Challa – A fictional gorilla character in Marvel Comics, often associated with the Black Panther universe.
Nneka – A female gorilla at the Houston Zoo, known for her caring nature towards her offspring.
Sammy – A famous gorilla at the L.A. Zoo, noted for his interactions with trainers and visitors.
Kijito – A well-known gorilla at the Franklin Park Zoo, recognized for her playful personality.
Jambo – A male gorilla who became famous after a 1998 incident where he comforted a child who fell into his enclosure at the Jersey Zoo.
Mabou – A famous gorilla known for his playful and friendly behavior at the Toronto Zoo.
Vernon – A male gorilla at the Philadelphia Zoo, celebrated for his intelligence and social interactions.
Sasha – A female gorilla at the Calgary Zoo, known for her nurturing behavior with her young.
Othello – A male silverback gorilla known for his protective nature at the North Carolina Zoo.
Jabari – A young male gorilla at the San Francisco Zoo known for his energetic behavior.
Kuchiki – A female gorilla at the Miami Zoo, recognized for her outgoing personality.
Coco Chanel – A playful name for a female gorilla at the Los Angeles Zoo, known for her stylish demeanor.
Gigi – A female gorilla at the Atlanta Zoo, celebrated for her interactions with keepers and visitors.
Max – A male gorilla from the Bronx Zoo, known for his size and strength.
Sula – A well-known gorilla at the Toronto Zoo, recognized for her playful interactions with visitors.
Male Gorilla Names:
Jabari
Malik
Kato
Ashanti
Tambo
Simba
Zuri
Kwanzaa
Ndani
Kwame
Amani
Tundi
Jengo
Kwasi
Nuru
Chuma
Jengo
Penda
Zuberi
Mufasa
Akello
Kimo
Ganya
Duma
Kijani
Raji
Yaro
Kito
Jengo
Female Gorilla Names:
Kiara
Nia
Jada
Zara
Talia
Zola
Rani
Yara
Suri
Cleo
Tanya
Kima
Ivy
Fiona
Pippa
Sable
Veda
Lila
Amani
Nyla
Penny
Tessa
Mila
Zadie
Freya
Sasha
Carmen
Indie
Juno
Baby Gorilla Names:
Waffles
Zuri
Sunny
Gummy
Twinkle
Marshmallow
Bambi
Teddy
Pippin
Sprout
Doodle
Milo
Jellybean
Kiki
Pudding
Ollie
Chai
Pixel
Fuzzy
Boomer
Biscuit
Luna
Cuddles
Juno
Pinky
Frodo
Skittles
Ginger
Snuggle
Gorilla Names Inspired By Their Traits:
Strength-Inspired Names:
Bruiser
Goliath
Mighty
Crusher
Colossus
Brawler
Thor
Hercules
Ragnar
Juggernaut
Behemoth
Sledge
Tank
Viking
Rambo
Grit
Steel
Boulder
Rhino
Size-Inspired Names:
Bigfoot
Colossal
Mammoth
Brutus
Hulk
Atlas
Ogre
Sumo
Waldo (as in “Where’s Waldo?” for their size)
Blubber (playful take on size)
Horizon
Maximus
Brawny
Eagle (for their large presence)
Mountain
Yeti
Kong (inspired by King Kong)
Leviathan
Bear
Pairs of Gorilla Names:
Kali & Jenga
Kimba & Tara
Tamba & Koko
Baba & Zola
Faya & Juma
Zuri & Kumba
Dara & Zuri
Maji & Amani
Jambo & Suki
Tiko & Kisha
Rani & Tana
Bantu & Kira
Coco & Zuri
Mimi & Pamba
Jabari & Kani
Kito & Lela
Simba & Tani
Tiko & Koko
Duma & Bongo
Razi & Zina
Nuru & Jenga
Bongo & Jazi
Suka & Jiri
Kano & Tavi
Zana & Zuri
Penda & Kira
Juma & Nia
Kito & Tanda
Safi & Zuri
Nature-Related Gorilla Names:
Zuri (Swahili) – Meaning “beautiful,” often relating to natural beauty.
Lela (African) – Meaning “night,” symbolizing the beauty of nature.
Kito (Swahili) – Meaning “precious gem,” a natural element.
Nuru (Swahili) – Meaning “light,” symbolizing the sun and nature.
Jabari (Swahili) – Meaning “brave,” associated with wildlife.
Shumba (Shona) – Meaning “lion,” representing the wild.
Pendo (Swahili) – Meaning “love,” reflecting the love for nature.
Safa (Arabic) – Meaning “purity,” often associated with clear waters.
Tala (Tagalog) – Meaning “star,” symbolizing nature’s beauty.
Hadiya (Arabic) – Meaning “gift,” reflecting nature’s bounty.
Lulu (Swahili) – Meaning “pearl,” symbolizing something precious from nature.
Kale (African) – Meaning “the one who is strong like the earth.”
Nia (Swahili) – Meaning “purpose,” often associated with natural growth.
Nuru (Swahili) – Meaning “light,” representing the sun’s warmth.
Kali (Swahili) – Meaning “strong” or “the earth,” representing a connection to nature.
Zola (Zulu) – Meaning “calm” or “tranquil,” reflecting natural serenity.
Jenga (Swahili) – Meaning “to build,” reflecting growth in nature.
Chipo (Shona) – Meaning “gift,” representing the natural gifts of the earth.
Tendai (Shona) – Meaning “to be grateful,” often reflecting gratitude for nature.
Nicknames for Gorillas:
Gummy Bear
Grizzly
Hulk
Titan
Bigfoot
Rascal
Bam-Bam
Thunder
Chewie
Macho Man
Mighty Joe
Chunky Monkey
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Coco
Snuggle King
Iron Ape
Ziggy
Bongo
Jungle Jim
Brawn
Duke
Peanut
Teddy
Goliath Jr.
Grumpy Gorilla
Cuddly King
Fuzzy Titan
Rumble Guts
King of the Jungle
Fictional Gorillas in Storytelling:
Fictional gorillas often embody exaggerated traits or unique personalities. Choose names that enhance their character or reflect their roles in the story.
Funny and Quirky Names:
Chewy
Waffles
Biscuit
Marshmallow
Fuzzy
Pickles
Muffin
Snickers
Noodle
Tater Tot
Pogo
Jellybean
Pudding Pop
Squishy
Rolo
Peanut
Bubbles
Momo
Yoyo
Tickle
Epic and Heroic Names:
King Kong
Tarzan
Chewbacca
Baloo
Mowgli
Smeagol
Shere Khan
Brutus
Hercules
Jaws
Captain
Titan
Valiant
Falcon
Thunder
Blitz
Rocky
Phantom
Ranger
Inferno