Every October, like clockwork, I find myself standing in the middle of a pumpkin patch, sizing up squash like I’m picking a puppy. You know the drill — orange everywhere, the crunch of leaves underfoot, kids darting between rows. And without fail, someone — usually my niece — says, “We need to name this one.” It always makes me laugh, but also? It makes perfect sense.
Naming pumpkins has quietly become one of those oddball American traditions that sneaks up on you. It starts at school, with kids naming their classroom jack-o’-lanterns. Then you spot it on Instagram — someone’s carved “Chad” into a 15-pound gourd. Before you know it, you’re giving your Thanksgiving porch decor a personality. (Last year mine was “Gordie.” No regrets.)
What I’ve found over the years is that this isn’t just about being cute. It’s about making fall feel personal — whether it’s for a Halloween carving contest, a fall festival, or just a bit of harvest-season humor on your front steps.
So if you’re here looking for pumpkin name ideas — funny, cute, or totally off-the-wall — you’re in the right place. Let’s dig into the best names for pumpkins this season.
Literary & Pop Culture References
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 85 |
Gatsby |
86 |
Sherlock |
87 |
Hagrid |
88 |
Cinderella |
| 89 |
Weasley |
90 |
Hermione |
91 |
Potter |
92 |
Gandalf |
| 93 |
Frodo |
94 |
Gollum |
95 |
Bilbo |
96 |
Shakespeare |
| 97 |
Hemingway |
98 |
Darcy |
99 |
Gatsby |
100 |
Ariel |
| 101 |
Belle |
102 |
Elsa |
103 |
Simba |
104 |
Nemo |
| 105 |
Mickey |
106 |
Minnie |
107 |
Goofy |
108 |
Dumbo |
| 109 |
Bambi |
110 |
Winnie |
111 |
Tigger |
112 |
Piglet |
Food & Flavor-Inspired Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 197 |
Nutmeg |
198 |
Cinnamon |
199 |
Clove |
200 |
Ginger |
| 201 |
Spice |
202 |
Honey |
203 |
Maple |
204 |
Caramel |
| 205 |
Toffee |
206 |
Butterscotch |
207 |
Vanilla |
208 |
Mocha |
| 209 |
Latte |
210 |
Chai |
211 |
Cocoa |
212 |
Pepper |
| 213 |
Sage |
214 |
Rosemary |
215 |
Thyme |
216 |
Basil |
| 217 |
Pecan |
218 |
Almond |
219 |
Walnut |
220 |
Hazelnut |
| 221 |
Cookie |
222 |
Biscuit |
223 |
Crumble |
224 |
Tart |
How to Choose the Perfect Name for Your Pumpkin
Naming a pumpkin isn’t exactly life-or-death, but hey — it does set the vibe for your whole fall display. I’ve named dozens (maybe too many?) over the years, and what I’ve found is that the right name can totally shift how people react. You want them to smile, laugh, or at least say, “Oh my gosh, that’s perfect.”
Here’s what’s worked for me when you’re staring down a squash and drawing a blank:
- Match the name to the pumpkin’s vibe. Big, bumpy ones? I usually go with something heavy-hitting like Bruno or Tank. Tiny and cute? Think Button or Pip.
- Use color or texture as a clue. A ghost-white gourd might be Luna or Frosty. One with weird stripes? I once went with Zebra Dan (don’t ask).
- Name it after the event. For a Halloween party, I lean into spooky or silly — like Spookleton or Jackie-O’-Lantern. If it’s for Thanksgiving decor, something cozier like Maple or Harvest Joe works better.
- Let someone else name it. Seriously. Do a quick naming contest at work, or have your kids vote. People love getting involved.
- Try a pumpkin name generator. I know, I know — cheesy. But sometimes it jogs your brain in the right direction. One even gave me Sir Squash-a-Lot and honestly, he was a legend that year.
Now, the trick is not to overthink it. You’re naming a pumpkin, not a royal baby. Go with your gut — or whatever makes you laugh out loud. That’s usually the one that sticks.
Names cherry
Cute & Whimsical Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 29 |
Boo |
30 |
Bubbles |
31 |
Cupcake |
32 |
Pudding |
| 33 |
Giggles |
34 |
Snuggles |
35 |
Twinkle |
36 |
Muffin |
| 37 |
Marshmallow |
38 |
Waffle |
39 |
Jellybean |
40 |
Buttercup |
| 41 |
Sprinkles |
42 |
Cookie |
43 |
Pumpkin Pie |
44 |
Honeybun |
| 45 |
Cuddlebug |
46 |
Pumpkin Spice |
47 |
Butterscotch |
48 |
Tootsie |
| 49 |
Sweetie |
50 |
Nugget |
51 |
Peanut |
52 |
Snickerdoodle |
| 53 |
Fluffernutter |
54 |
Pumpkaboo |
55 |
Dumpling |
56 |
Maple |
Pumpkin Puns & Word Plays
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 141 |
Plumpkin |
142 |
Gourdgeous |
143 |
Pumpqueen |
144 |
Seed-ney |
| 145 |
Squashy |
146 |
Vine-cent |
147 |
Stemily |
148 |
Pulpy |
| 149 |
Gourdian |
150 |
Stem-antha |
151 |
Pumpkoween |
152 |
Gourdbot |
| 153 |
Pumpkin-ito |
154 |
Seedmore |
155 |
Stemuel |
156 |
Gourdon |
| 157 |
Gourdielocks |
158 |
Stemspiration |
159 |
Pumpsalot |
160 |
Stemtacular |
| 161 |
Seedlings |
162 |
Pumpkinstein |
163 |
Pumpadour |
164 |
Vineessa |
| 165 |
Stemthing |
166 |
Seedy |
167 |
Patchwork |
168 |
Pulpa |
Traditional Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 1 |
Jack |
2 |
Amber |
3 |
Gourd |
4 |
Autumn |
| 5 |
Pumpky |
6 |
Harvest |
7 |
Orange |
8 |
Squash |
| 9 |
Patch |
10 |
Lantern |
11 |
Plump |
12 |
Piper |
| 13 |
Rusty |
14 |
Ember |
15 |
Ginger |
16 |
Carver |
| 17 |
Sunny |
18 |
Goldie |
19 |
Copper |
20 |
Seed |
| 21 |
Pumpernickle |
22 |
Pie |
23 |
Spice |
24 |
Pumpington |
| 25 |
Cinnamon |
26 |
Blossom |
27 |
Sprout |
28 |
Pumpkinella |
Regal & Mythical Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 113 |
King |
114 |
Queen |
115 |
Princess |
116 |
Prince |
| 117 |
Knight |
118 |
Duke |
119 |
Duchess |
120 |
Baron |
| 121 |
Count |
122 |
Countess |
123 |
Emperor |
124 |
Empress |
| 125 |
Zeus |
126 |
Athena |
127 |
Apollo |
128 |
Artemis |
| 129 |
Thor |
130 |
Loki |
131 |
Odin |
132 |
Freya |
| 133 |
Merlin |
134 |
Morgan |
135 |
Arthur |
136 |
Guinevere |
| 137 |
Excalibur |
138 |
Camelot |
139 |
Avalon |
140 |
Nimue |
Spooky & Halloween-Themed Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 57 |
Spook |
58 |
Phantom |
59 |
Goblin |
60 |
Boo-Berry |
| 61 |
Haunty |
62 |
Ghostie |
63 |
Casper |
64 |
Midnight |
| 65 |
Shadow |
66 |
Spellbound |
67 |
Creepy |
68 |
Batty |
| 69 |
Eerie |
70 |
Cauldron |
71 |
Hocus |
72 |
Pocus |
| 73 |
Salem |
74 |
Witch |
75 |
Warlock |
76 |
Ghoul |
| 77 |
Spellcaster |
78 |
Mystic |
79 |
Nightmare |
80 |
Cobweb |
| 81 |
Beastie |
82 |
Moonbeam |
83 |
Twilight |
84 |
Specter |
Colorful Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 225 |
Amber |
226 |
Russet |
227 |
Tangerine |
228 |
Ruby |
| 229 |
Coral |
230 |
Scarlet |
231 |
Crimson |
232 |
Sunset |
| 233 |
Gold |
234 |
Bronze |
235 |
Copper |
236 |
Sienna |
| 237 |
Rust |
238 |
Vermilion |
239 |
Apricot |
240 |
Peach |
| 241 |
Cider |
242 |
Marmalade |
243 |
Ochre |
244 |
Ginger |
| 245 |
Nutmeg |
246 |
Umber |
247 |
Saffron |
248 |
Butterscotch |
| 249 |
Tawny |
250 |
Sepia |
251 |
Paprika |
252 |
Cinnamon |
Seasonal & Nature-Inspired Names
| # |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
# |
Name |
| 169 |
Autumn |
170 |
Harvest |
171 |
October |
172 |
November |
| 173 |
Crisp |
174 |
Leaf |
175 |
Acorn |
176 |
Chestnut |
| 177 |
Maple |
178 |
Oak |
179 |
Birch |
180 |
Pine |
| 181 |
Sunbeam |
182 |
Moonlight |
183 |
Starlight |
184 |
Sunrise |
| 185 |
Sunset |
186 |
Dawn |
187 |
Dusk |
188 |
Cricket |
| 189 |
Firefly |
190 |
Morning Dew |
191 |
Breeze |
192 |
Gust |
| 193 |
Windfall |
194 |
Haystack |
195 |
Cornfield |
196 |
Scarecrow |
