Butterflies have long captured the human imagination with their stunning, colorful wings and gentle fluttering flight. Beyond their visual appeal, butterflies play critical roles in pollination and as food sources, indicating the health of ecosystems. With over 18,000 species worldwide, butterflies display incredible diversity in size, color, and behavior.
An important part of appreciating and studying these beautiful insects is learning their unique butterfly names. Each name reveals clues about a species’ appearance, habitat, food sources, and even folklore. As our awareness grows, so does our wonder and motivation to protect these fragile creatures.
In this article, we will explore 350 butterfly names that reflect the diversity and splendor of these insects. From common names like Painted Lady to whimsical ones like Blue Gossamerwing, this glossary will make your heart flutter and deepen your connection to the natural world. Understanding butterfly names allows us to differentiate species, track populations, and gain insights into their lives. Let’s delve into the captivating world of butterflies!
Names of Butterfly with Interesting Fact
| Butterfly Names | Interesting Fact |
| Western Tiger Swallowtail | Large yellow and black butterfly found across western North America, named for stripe patterns resembling a tiger. |
| Spicebush Swallowtail | Pale pink and black Asian species are named for rose-scented caterpillars. |
| Black Swallowtail | Common North American species with distinctive black wings with yellow and sometimes blue spots. |
| Pipevine Swallowtail | Toxic black and iridescent blue butterfly that feeds on pipevine as a caterpillar. |
| Zebra Swallowtail | Striking white and black striped tropical species found in Central America and the southeast U.S. |
| Rose Swallowtail | Pale pink and black Asian species named for rose-scented caterpillars. |
| Mountain Apollo | One of the largest European butterflies, mostly white with black vein lines, found in mountain meadows. |
| White Admiral | Woodland butterfly native to Europe, Asia, and North America with bold white bands on dark wings. |
| Red Lacewing | Brilliant red and black tropical butterfly found in rainforests of Mexico, Central and South America. |
| Kaiser-i-Hind | Giant iridescent green swallowtail endemic to a few mountain valleys of northern India and named after an Empress of India. |
| Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing | World’s largest butterfly with up to a foot-wide wingspan, endangered and limited to Papua New Guinea. |
| Apollo | Europe and Asia’s premier butterfly genus is known for its large size, bright colors, and eye spots on wings. |
| Owl Butterfly | is Tropical genus with huge eyespots mimicking owls’ eyes to startle predators. |
| Dead Leaf Butterfly | Asian butterfly with a perfect leaf-like shape and markings that provide camouflage against forest floors. |
| Map Butterfly | Tropical Asian species with wings exhibiting vivid markings that resemble topographic map details. |
| Clipper | Tropical genus named for unusually angled and hooked wingtips. |
| Hall’s Baboon | African swallowtail species named for wing scales resembling a baboon’s face. |
| Malachite | Brilliant metallic green African butterfly named after the glowing green mineral malachite. |
| Tree Nymph | Widespread Asian species found in woodlands and forests, camouflaged to resemble a dry leaf when wings closed. |
| Purple Spotted Swallowtail | Larvae emit unpleasant scent from glands behind head; adults sip nectar from butterfly bush, lilacs. |
| Cracker Butterflies | Genus taking its name from the cracking sound produced when taking flight. |
| Great Mormon | Iridescent blue Asian swallowtail noted for intricate wing tails resembling a violin. |
| 88 Butterfly | Black and white tropical species with markings on underside resembling the number 88. |
| African Monarch | Vibrant orange and black tropical butterfly found in rainforests and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa. |
| Emerald Swallowtail | Rainforest species from Brazil with iridescent blue-green wings. |
| Soldier | Tropical genus with black wings marked with metallic blue, purple and red, named for resemblance to military uniforms. |
| Lemon Migrant | Small pale yellow butterfly known for regular migrations across India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. |
| Madagascan Sunset Moth | Large, striking day-flying moth endemic to Madagascar with wing colors resembling a sunset. |
| Cairns Birdwing | Endemic to northeast Australia, among the largest butterflies in the world with up to a 10-inch wingspan. |
| European Peacock | Unmistakable large butterfly found across Europe and Asia noted for eye-spot markings resembling a peacock. |
| Giant Owl Butterfly | Among the largest butterfly species with a wingspan up to 12 inches, found in the rainforests of South America. |
| Sara Longwing | Brilliant longwing species from Central America named after Sara, wife of a French entomologist. |
| Compton Tortoiseshell | Common across northern Europe with mottled brown wings resembling a tortoiseshell pattern. |
| Postman | Tropical butterfly named for white stripes and spots resembling a postal uniform. |
| Blue Pansy | Vivid blue butterfly common across Africa, belonging to the largest genus of brush-footed butterflies. |
| Plain Tiger | Widespread Asian species recognized by its orange wings with multiple black stripes and white speckles. |
| Australian Crow | Large black butterfly with blue spots on wings, found in northern Australia and New Guinea. |
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Boys Names Inspired by Butterflies
| Names | Meaning |
| Apollo | Greek god associated with butterflies |
| Atlas | Named for Atlas moth species |
| Avery | Derived from Old English for “ruler of elves” |
| Azul | Spanish for blue, referring to blue butterflies |
| Colias | Genus name of sulfur and clouded yellow butterflies |
| Damon | Means “to tame”, referring to rearing butterflies |
| Danaus | Genus name of milkweed butterflies |
| Ethon | Orange butterfly genus name |
| Eumaeus | Genus of tropical hairstreak butterflies |
| Morpho | Prominent blue butterfly genus of Central America |
| Oberon | King of fairies in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream |
| Papilio | Main genus name for swallowtail butterflies |
| Parnassius | Genus of mountain-dwelling white butterflies |
| Pieris | Genus name for common white butterflies |
| Polygonia | Genus of anglewing butterflies with angular wings |
| Troides | Largest genus of birdwing butterflies |
| Ulysses | Refers to Ulysses butterfly with long migrations |
| Vanessa | Genus name of painted lady, peacock, and admiral butterflies |
| Zerene | Genus name of dogface butterflies |
| Maenad | Female ritual devotees of Greek god Dionysus associated with butterflies |
| Nessus | Centaur from Greek mythology killed by poison coated cloak referencing toxic butterflies |
| Aristaeus | Mortal protector of flocks and bees from Greek myths |
| Terias | Genus name of yellow and orange sulphur butterflies |
| Erebia | Genus of brush-footed butterflies, many with eye spots |
| Heliconius | Tropical genus noted for mimicry and warning coloration |
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Girls Names Inspired by Butterflies
| Name | Meaning |
| Vanessa | Genus name for beautiful butterflies like peacocks and painted ladies |
| Callippe | Genus of brightly colored metalmark butterflies |
| Calisto | A nymph transformed into a butterfly in Greek myth |
| Chlosyne | Genus name of patch and checkerspot butterflies |
| Clossiana | Fritillary genus with glistening, spangled wings |
| Cynthia | From Greek origin meaning “moon goddess”, referring to butterfly life cycle |
| Danaus | Important milkweed butterfly genus |
| Euphydryas | Checkerspot genus with complex wing patterns |
| Heliconia | Tropical genus known for bright hues and mimicry |
| Hera | Queen goddess in Greek myth who sent a butterfly as a sign |
| Io | Priestess transformed into majestic peacock butterfly by Zeus |
| Junonia | Tropical brush-footed butterfly genus |
| Kallima | Oakleaf genus named for uncanny leaf imitation |
| Limenitis | Admirals and relatives bearing rich, contrasting colors |
| Melitaea | Genus in the brushfoot family abundant in meadows |
| Neptis | Prominent genus of sailer butterflies |
| Nymphalis | Group including anglewings, tortoiseshells, emperors and more |
| Papillon | French word for butterfly |
| Parthenos | Greek for “maiden”, alluding to their delicate nature |
| Phyciodes | Crescentspots and checkerspots widespread in North America |
| Pieris | Whimsical genus name of whites and orange-tips |
| Polygonia | Colorful, angular-winged genus of anglewings |
| Thecla | Hairstreak genus noted for delicate tails on wings |
| Udara | Tropical genus of ceruleans in Asia, Africa and North America |
| Vanessa | The iconic, tropical red admirable genus |
| Zerene | Dogface butterflies of northwestern North America |
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Unisex Names Inspired by Butterflies
| Name | Meaning |
| Asterocampa | Brushfoot genus of emperors and tortoiseshells |
| Atalopedes | Skipper genus of duskywings and dashwings |
| Atlides | Common hairstreak genus found worldwide |
| Charaxis | Tropical genus in the Charaxinae subfamily |
| Eumaeus | Tropical hairstreak genus with striking green hues |
| Euploea | Genus of striking crows and tigers found in Asia and Australia |
| Euptoieta | Includes the regal Fritillary species |
| Heliconius | Diverse tropical genus co-evolved with passionflowers |
| Hemiargus | Blues and hairstreak genus found in the Americas |
| Hypolimnas | Eggfly genus noted for white egg-shaped wing spots |
| Junonia | Cosmopolitan genus in the Nymphalidae family |
| Lycaena | Blues, hairstreaks and coppers found on all continents |
| Marpesia | Tropical genus named for distinctive wings |
| Mechanitis | Tropical genus named for wing shape resembling machine parts |
| Melanargia | Widespread Old World genus in subfamily Satyrinae |
| Melanitis | Genus of evening brown butterflies found in Asia and Australia |
| Myscelia | Tropical genus noted for bright blue males |
| Nymphalis | Genus including tortoiseshells and anglewings |
| Papilio | Large, regal swallowtail genus found worldwide |
| Parides | Prominent genus of tropical cattlehearts |
| Pieris | Familiar garden white butterflies |
| Polygonia | Colorful, angular genus of the brushfoot family |
| Protogoniomorpha | Exotic genus limited to Africa |
| Satyrus | Woodland genus in the Satyrinae subfamily |
| Siproeta | Tropical skipper genus |
| Stalachtis | Hairstreak genus found across the Americas |
| Ypthima | Widespread Old World genus in the Satyrinae subfamily |
| Zizina | Delicate hairstreak genus found across Africa and Eurasia |
| Zizula | Tiny hairstreak genus found in Asia and Africa |
Conclusion
From the stately Monarch to the aptly named Peacock, this glossary of butterfly names celebrates the diversity and splendor of these winged beauties. Learning their unique names allows us to identify and appreciate the nearly 20,000 butterfly species worldwide. It also reveals insights into their appearance, distribution, behavior, and folklore.
Studying butterflies in our backyards or meadows is deeply rewarding. Documenting the butterfly names we find connects us to broader conservation efforts to protect their fragile populations. Something as simple as learning the name of a Malachite or Red Admiral butterfly spotted on a hike enables us to contribute data to inform habitat management.
Butterflies have sparked imagination and wonder across cultures for millennia. May learning their lyrical butterfly names continue to transport our minds, stir our souls, and inspire us to protect the living world that sustains us all.
