Description
Name That Dino!
Name That Dino! automatically gives your newly tamed creatures a name selected from a large collection of funny, memorable and species-themed names.
The mod currently contains more than 7,600 names covering 124 creatures. Additional species will be added regularly as we work towards supporting every tameable creature in ARK: Survival Ascended.
Features
- Automatically names newly tamed creatures
- Supports standard tames, bred babies and applicable wild baby tames
- Selects names based on the creature’s species and gender
- Includes carefully curated names inspired by each creature’s appearance, abilities, behaviour and personality
- Uses a non-repeating draw-bag system
- Tracks names across the tribe to reduce duplicates
- Allows creatures to be renamed manually at any time
- Does not automatically rename existing creatures
- Lightweight and stackable, with no core remaps
Non-Repeating Names
Instead of choosing freely from the entire name pool every time, the mod uses a draw-bag system.
Each available name is used once before any are repeated. When every suitable name has been used, the pool begins again and Roman numeral suffixes are added where necessary:
- Fang
- Fang II
- Fang III
This keeps names varied while allowing the system to continue working even after a complete name pool has been exhausted.
How It Works
- A creature is tamed, claimed or raised.
- The mod identifies its species and gender.
- A suitable themed name pool is selected.
- An unused name is chosen at random.
- The name is applied automatically.
Once assigned, the creature can still be renamed normally. The mod will not prevent or overwrite your choice.
Supported Creatures
Name That Dino currently supports 124 creature species, with more being added through regular updates.
Only creatures with a completed curated name pool will receive an automatic name. This allows every supported species to have names that genuinely suit the creature rather than relying on generic random names.
Compatibility
Name That Dino has been designed to work in:
- Single-player
- Non-dedicated sessions
- Dedicated servers
The mod uses no core remaps and should be compatible with most other mods. Modded creatures can also be supported once a dedicated name pool has been created for them.
Existing creatures will not be renamed when the mod is installed. Only newly tamed, claimed or raised creatures are affected.
Suggestions and Updates
Have a funny name idea, want to suggest a creature, or would like notifications when new species are added?
Join the Name That Dino Discord
Version 2 Roadmap
We are currently planning a major Version 2 update for Name That Dino. Features being considered include:
- Re-roll a creature’s name through its radial menu
- A placeable item for controlling the mod’s settings
- Optional baby names based on mutation stats
- Colour-themed name pools
- An option to return a name to the available pool when its creature dies
- INI settings for adding your own custom names
- Separate options for real names, such as Bob or Mary, and themed names
- An option to prevent babies from being named
- Support for additional creature mods where the required creature information is available
The exact features and their implementation may change during development and testing.
If you have suggestions—particularly ideas for mutation-based baby names or creature mods you would like supported—please let us know. This is the best time to suggest features while Version 2 is being designed.


