98 Cute, Funny, And Scientific Cactus Names For Your Prickly Plants

Martha Martins
Sep 29, 2023 By Martha Martins
Originally Published on Jan 10, 2023
Edited by Daisha Capers
Fact-checked by Pratiti Nath
Barrel Cactus in southern Arizona desert

Cacti are members of the family Cactaceae, they require full sun to grow along with dry soil.

The scientific name for every species of cactus will vary according to the types of cacti along with the common name. Some of the most popular cactus species are blue barrel cactus (Ferocactus glaucescens) and Thanksgiving cactus (Schlumbergera truncata).

Read on to know more about the easy to grow family of cactus species.

Cute Cactus Names For Your House Plants

Your houseplant can have a simple and sweet name inspired by the plant type, its natural color or something more universal. Here is a list of some really cute cactus names that you can choose from for your houseplants.

Christmas Cactus (Latin origin) meaning ‘cactus that is like Christmas’, Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a cute name used for naming houseplants. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is usually confused with Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera truncata). Thanksgiving cactus is also known as crab cactus.

Arrow (English origin) meaning ‘weapon of offense', is one cute name for the houseplant.

Beau (French origin) meaning ‘handsome’, is another cute name that can be given to the cactus in the home.

Chloe (Greek origin) meaning ‘green shoot’, is one of the cute names for a houseplant.

Esmeralda (Spanish origin) meaning ‘emerald', is another cute cactus name for the houseplant.

Furry (English origin) meaning ‘hairy or full of hair’, is a cute name used for naming houseplants.

Jenny (English and Scottish origins) meaning ‘God is gracious’, is a cute name used for naming the houseplants.

Murphy (Irish origin) meaning ‘sea warrior’, is one of the cute names that is used to name house plants.

Needles (English origin) meaning ‘pointers’, is a cute name used for naming houseplants.

Nellie (English origin) meaning ‘light', is another cute cactus name for a houseplant.

Nopal (Mexican origin) meaning‘no pal or friend’, is one cute name for a houseplant, to refer to the pads of cactus.

Onyx (Latin origin) meaning ‘gem’, is a cute name used for naming houseplants.

Pauline (Multiple origins) meaning ‘humble to small’, is another cute cactus name for a houseplant.

Peanut Butter (American origin) meaning ‘happy’, is one cute name for the houseplant.

Pokey (English origin) meaning ‘prodding’, is one of the cute names that is used to name houseplants.

Prickles (English origin) meaning ‘stings’, is another cute cactus name for a houseplant.

Sharpie (English origin) meaning ‘piercing’, is another cute cactus name for a houseplant known for its sharp spikes.

Star (English origin) meaning ‘stellar’, is a cute cactus name, which refers to the star-shaped cactus with a round body divided into eight parts.

Sweetie (English origin) meaning ‘sweet or gentle', is one cute name for a houseplant.

Sylvia/Sylvie (Latin origin) meaning ‘forest’, is another cute name that can be given to the cactus in the home.

Tuna (Spanish origin) meaning ‘fruit’, is one cute name for the houseplant, referring to cactus fruit,

Verde (Spanish origin) meaning ‘green’ is a unique cactus name, rarely used but a cute name you can choose for your houseplant.

Zane (Italian origin) meaning ‘the gift of God’, is one of the cute names that is used for naming the houseplants.

Funny Cactus Names

A cactus has a unique look, and they are spiny, strong, and mostly green. So, these prickly plants deserve great funny names. Here is a list of funny cactus names for your prickly plants.

Avocado (Spanish origin) meaning ‘a soft green fruit’, is a funny name for a moon cactus.

Blue Myrtle (English origin) meaning ‘blue colored plant’, is a funny yet unique name that can be used for a cactus that have bluish-gray stems that grow in candelabra-like style.

Bunny Ears (English origin) meaning ‘bunny ear shaped’; bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is a funny name that is inspired by its appearance with two bunny ear-shaped pads. bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is covered with white flowers and brown prickles. Opuntia microdasys must be handled with care.

Cheesecake (Greek origin) meaning ‘thanks’, is a funny yet unique name that can be used for a cactus.

Cockle (French origin) meaning ‘a shell’, is a funny name for a moon cactus.

Dia (English origin) meaning ‘the light', is a funny name that is inspired by the type of cacti.

Flint (English origin) meaning ‘a piece of rock’, is a funny name for cactus.

Goldie (Englishorigin) meaning ‘made of gold’, is a very funny name for a cactus.

Goodie (Englishorigin) meaning ‘good’, is a very funny name used to refer to a cactus.

Greenie (Englishorigin) meaning ‘natural’, is funnily used in the west to name cacti

Jim (English origin) meaning ‘supplant’, is a very familiar but funny name since Jim is a popular name for prickly plants.

Pearl (English origin) meaning ‘a gem’, is a very funny name for a cactus grown in hanging baskets.

Pointy (English origin) meaning ‘sharp point’, is a funny name for a cactus known for its pointed spines.

Ruby (English origin) meaning ‘red’, is another funny name used by many people for the leaves of cactus blush in red color.

Ruff (German origin) meaning ‘red haired’, is a funny yet unique name that can be used for a cactus.

Sneeze (Multiple origin)  is quite a funny name of a cactus as it refers to the involuntary action of sneezing.

Spike (Americanorigin) meaning ‘long" or heavy nail’, is quite a funny name because cactus plants have spikes.

Sylvester (Anglo-Norman origin) meaning ‘woody and wild’, is a very funny name used to refer to cactus.

Topaz (Englishorigin) meaning ‘golden gem’, is a funny name for a moon cactus.

Totem Pole (English origin)meaning ‘tall structure’, is funnily used to name cacti.

Victor (Latin origin) meaning ‘victory’, is a funny and edgy name for a cactus.

Woody (American origin) meaning a ‘cartoonish’ or ‘tree’, a very funny name and can be used to refer to a cactus.

Arizona Cactus Names

Arizona cactus grows in the deserts of North America. Some people keep these plants in their homes and give them unique names. If you are looking for cactus name ideas, check this list and choose a unique name for the Arizona cactus.

Alfonzo (German origin) meaning 'ready for battle' is an excellent name for the Arizona cactus.

Chin (Greek origin) meaning ‘naked kalyx’, refers to the absence of spines or hair on the flower buds of Arizona cactus.

Cholla (Spanish origin) meaning ‘spiny’, is said to be used to refer to Arizona cactus, with sharp spines.

Kalan (English origin) meaning ‘keeper of keys or pure', is a catchy name for an Arizona cactus.

Kenya (Hebreworigin) meaning ‘animal horn’, is quite a cool name for a ball cactus.

Letty (English origin) meaning 'gladness’ or ‘joy’' is a variant of Letitia and can be used to name an Arizona cactus.

Moon (English origin) meaning 'light’, refers to the ball cactus.

Nolina (Celticorigin) meaning ‘fair or blond’, is a catchy name for an Arizona cactus with yellow flowers.

Old Lady (English origin)meaning ‘an old or aged person', is a funny cactus name.

Old Man (English origin)meaning ‘an old or aged person', is a funny cactus name, that refers to a plant covered with white hair

Oxalis (English origin) meaning ‘divine power’, is said to be used to refer to Saguaro cactus.

Ramses (Egyptian origin) meaning 'son of God', is said to be used to refer to Saguaro cactus.

San Pedro (Spanish origin) has no actual meaning, but can be used for a cactus with pink-red flowers and white hairs.

Sedona (American origin) is the name of a place in Arizona and is said to be used to refer to an Arizona cactus.

Selloa (Hebrew origin) meaning ‘rock’, is said to be used to refer to Arizona cactus for its beautifulness and strength.

Taylor Swift (Multiple origins) meaning ‘eternal beauty’, is a celebrity name and bound to make the cactus plant stand out that requires sun regularly.

Xavier (Spanish origin) meaning ‘bright and splendid’, is popularly used to refer to the Arizona cactus.

Flowering Cactus Names

Many of us appreciate flowering cacti and give them cute and funny names. Here are some cool and unique flowering cactus names.

Bloom (Multiple origins) meaning ‘fragrant floral’, is used to name a chin cactus.

Blossom (English origin) meaning to bloom’ can be used as a name for a pink-purple flowering cactus.

Candelabra (Latin origin) meaning ‘candle’, can be used to name a blue-green flowering cactus, with some yellow-green flowers.

Florence (Latin origin) meaning ‘prosperous’, can be used as a name for a flowering cactus.

Hana (French origin) meaning ‘blessed’, can be used to name flowering chin cactus plants.

Kangaroo Paws (Australian origin) is used very little but is a very popular name for a flowering cactus.

Katy (English origin) meaning ‘pure’, the name can be used to name a flowering cactus with golden-yellow spines.

Kitty (English origin) meaning ‘pure’, the name represents pureness and can be used to name a flowering cactus.

Lawrence (English origin) meaning ‘bright’, is the best name if you are looking for a name for a flowering cactus. 

Linda (Spanish origin) meaning ‘pretty’, is used to name a flowering cactus with golden-yellow spines.

Lizzie (Multiple origins) meaning ‘God is abundance’, is an ideal name for an old cactus.

Queen of the Night (English origin) meaning ‘ruler of the night’, refers to flowering cactus with large white flowers that bloom at night.

Rihana (Irish origin) meaning ‘sweet basil’, the name is only an Irish variant, can be used by those people who are looking for something fun for naming their old lady cactus.

Selma (Multipleorigin) meaning ‘peaceful’, sounds quite funny but is popularly used by many people to name their flowering cacti.

Sherwood (English origin) meaning ‘bright forest’, is a sparkly, funny name for an old lady cactus.

Sneezewort (Multiple origin) meaning ‘sneezing’ is quite a funny name for an Easter cactus, but still very popularly used by many people.

Sweetie (English origin) meaning ‘sweet or gentle', is one cute name for all the flowering cacti.

Desert Cactus Names

Cactus mainly grow in the deserts.  Some people keep these plants in their homes and give them unique names. Here are some cool names for the desert cactus.

Barbara (Greek origin) meaning ‘strange’, is an ideal name for a weird and wonderful desert plant.

Brendan (Welsh origin) meaning ‘great impact’, is popularly used to name desert cactus.

Bruce (English origin) meaning ‘willow land’, is a great name for a majestic cactus plant.

Daphne (Greek origin) meaning ‘laurel tree’, is a name of desert cactus used by many people.

Edna (Hebrew origin) meaning ‘rebirth’, is a great name for a resilient plant like an Easter cactus.

Eve Needle (English origin) meaning ‘needle-like spines’, can be used to name a desert cactus.

Feris (Arabic origin) meaning ‘critical’ is a name of desert cactus and is very popularly used by many people.

Golden Barrel (English origin) meaning ‘yellow-colored with barrel shape’, golden barrel cactus is a desert cactus name known for its small yellow flowers and its large spherical spiked globe.

Jacob (Hebrew origin) meaning ‘supplanter’, can be used to name an Easter cactus.

Jade (Spanish origin) meaning ' stone of the side.' is the name of the desert cactus plants.

Mark (English origin) meaning ‘polite or shining’, can be used to name a desert cactus.

Ocotillo (English origin) meaning ‘long and tall’, is an ideal name for a desert cactus known for its long, tall green stems.

Organ Pipe (English origin) meaning ‘long tube’, the name represents long tubular succulent stems of plants and can be used to name a desert cactus.

Ozul (Gothic origin) meaning 'shadow', is a name of desert cactus and is very popularly used by many people. 

Plum (Multiple origin) meaning ‘capacity or limit’, refers to the capacity of desert cactus to store water.

Prickly Pear (Englishorigin) meaning ‘sharpness'; prickly pear cactus sounds quite funny but is popularly used by many people to name their desert cactus from South America. Prickly pear cactus must be handled with care.

Richard (Hebrew origin) meaning ‘strong’, for the cactus plant that promises to be strong in the desert.

Sage (Latin origin) meaning ‘wise’, can be used to name a desert cactus.

Steve (Greek origin) meaning ‘victorious’, for a cactus plant that shall never fail.

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Sources

https://pottingplans.com/cactus-names/

https://www.babygaga.com/30-succulent-baby-names-millennial-moms-love/

https://leafyplace.com/desert-plants/

https://fallebach.blogspot.com/2013/03/spanish-cactus-names.html

https://www.ftd.com/blog/design/types-of-cactus

https://cactusway.com/15-tall-cactus-plants-with-names/

https://kidadl.com/quotes/funny-plant-names-for-your-plant-babies

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a36290231/funny-plant-names/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nopal#:~:text=Nopal (from the Nahuatl wordwell as for its pads.

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Written by Martha Martins

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha Martins picture

Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics

Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.

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Fact-checked by Pratiti Nath

Bachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology, Masters of Science specializing in Biotechnology

Pratiti Nath picture

Pratiti NathBachelor of Science specializing in Microbiology, Masters of Science specializing in Biotechnology

A Master's in Biotechnology from Presidency University and a Bachelor's in Microbiology from Calcutta University. Pratiti holds expertise in writing science and healthcare articles, and their inputs and feedback help writers create insightful content. They have interests in heritage, history, and climate change issues and have written articles for various websites across multiple subjects. Their experience also includes working with eco-friendly startups and climate-related NGOs.

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