Mushrooms are one of the most sustainable food sources you can find[1] — and they’re also very unique.
Unlike fruits and vegetables, mushrooms start as spores. They can grow in spaces of any size, require less water than most plants, and can even grow in the dark![1]
Because they can break down decaying materials like leaves, sticks, and branches, fungi play an important role in our ecosystem.[2]
They’ve also been eaten for thousands of years. Though not all mushrooms are edible, evidence of mushroom consumption can be found as far back as the 13th century.[3]
Because mushrooms themselves are so unique and interesting, they can make great inspirations for names.
We list the names inspired by and meaning “mushroom” below, plus tips to help you pick the perfect one.
Elata
inspired by Morchella elata
Auri
after the Aricularia genus
Kinoko[4]
means “mushroom” in Japanese
Mellea
after Armillaria mellea, the honey or oak mushroom
Maitake[5]
a type of mushroom; means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese
Celia
short for “mycelia”
Aurata
meaning “golden”; inspired by Russula aurata mushrooms
Chanterelle
a type of mushroom; “Chanty” for short
Enoki
a type of mushroom
Amanita
a genus of mushroom
Ramaria
a genus of fungi
Seta
means “mushroom” in Spanish
Lea
short for “Daedalea,” a genus of fungi
Morel
a type of mushroom
Rosea
inspired by Mycena rosea
Citrina
inspired by Amanita citrina
Leotia
a genus of fungi
Augustus
after Agaricus augustus
Nameko
a type of mushroom
Morgan
after Chlorophyllum morgani
Mirabelle
after Boletus mirabilis
Leon
inspired by Pleteus leoninus, the “Lion Shield” mushroom
Astraeus
meaning “star”; a genus of fungi
Erin
inspired by “Hericium erinaceus,” a type of mushroom
Angel
after the “destroying angel,” Amanita virosa
Alba
inspired by alba clamshell or brown beech mushrooms
Bernard
after Agaricus bernardii
Bella
short for “portabella”
Portia Bella
a play on “portabella”
Mushroom-Inspired Name Generator
How to Choose the Perfect Name That Means Mushroom
Choosing just the right name can be a challenge. You’ll want to find something that sounds neat and has a special meaning to you.
To help you narrow your options and find that perfect moniker, keep these tips in mind:
- Make a list of your favorite fungi. There are so many different varieties of fungi, and every mycologist has a few favorites. Jot down the species or names you like the most and whittle down your options from there. As a bonus, most mushrooms have both a scientific name and a common name, so you’re actually generating twice as many options as you think by listing out your favorites!
- Alter mushroom-related words in creative ways. If the options you like sound a bit too scientific or don’t quite work as a name, edit them! You can use only part of a word, change the spelling, or choose a name that sounds similar. For example, it’s easy to see that “Portia Bella” is inspired by portabella mushrooms, but it’s a bit more personable and unique.
- Consider your purpose. Are you naming a pet, your child, or a character in your novel or script? The usage of the name can have a great impact on which option is best for you. For example, with pets, you can get away with using scientific words that might seem a bit too unusual to be human names. If you’re naming a child, you might want to choose something that’s easy to spell and pronounce to make things easier for the child as they get older.
