Names are an integral part of our identity. They carry meaning, history, and sometimes, mysteries. Riddles about names allow us to think about names in new and entertaining ways. Here are 53 riddles about names to challenge your brain and have some fun!
Riddles about First Names
First names identify us as individuals. Here are some riddles that play with the letters and meanings of common first names:
1. Why was the letter A like a flower?
Because a rose (rows) by any other name would smell as sweet!
2. What do you get if you cross a sheepdog with a daisy?
Collie-flower!
3. Why do scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
4. What do you call a deer with no eyes?
No eye deer (no idea)!
5. Why does Waldo wear stripes?
Because he doesn’t want to be spotted!
6. Why was Pavlov’s hair so soft?
Because he conditioned it!
7. Why is England the wettest country?
Because the queen has reigned there for years!
8. Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team?
Because she ran away from the ball!
9. What do you call a fish with no eyes?
A fshhh!
10. What do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs?
Still no eye deer!
Riddles about Last Names
Last names connect us to family histories. Here are some riddles about common last names:
11. Why don’t scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything!
12. Why did Adele cross the road?
To say hello from the other side!
13. What do you call a fish with two knees?
A two-knee fish!
14. Why does a milking stool only have 3 legs?
Because the cow has the udder!
15. Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?
Because the “P” is silent!
16. Why was six afraid of seven?
Because seven eight nine!
17. What did the buffalo say when his son left for college?
Bison!
18. Why do seagulls fly over the sea?
Because if they flew over the bay they’d be bagels!
19. How do you organize an outer space party?
You planet!
20. What kind of shorts do clouds wear?
Thunderwear!
Riddles about Full Names
Full names tell us even more about a person. Here are some riddles about names as a whole:
21. What do you call a dog magician?
A labracadabrador!
22. Why can’t Elsa from Frozen have a balloon?
Because she will let it go!
23. Why did Arthur have a round table?
So no one could corner him!
24. Why don’t eggs tell jokes?
They’d crack each other up!
25. What musical is about a man named Joel?
Moulin Joel!
26. Did you hear about the hungry clock?
It went back four seconds!
27. What do you call a fake noodle?
An impasta!
28. What do you call an alligator in a vest?
An investigator!
29. Why are frogs always happy?
They just croak up laughing!
30. Why did the melted cheese stop dancing?
It had lost its muenster moves!
Riddles about Name Meanings
The meanings behind names can also inspire riddles:
31. What do you call a funny mountain?
Hill-arious!
32. What happened to the dog that swallowed a firefly?
It was delighted!
33. Why was the baby ant confused?
Because all his uncles were ants!
34. What sits at the bottom of the sea and twitches?
A nervous wreck!
35. Where do you take someone who’s been injured in a peek-a-boo accident?
To the ICU (I see you)!
36. Why was everyone nice to the tightrope walker?
Because he was always so balanced!
37. Why are frogs so happy?
They just croak up laughing!
38. How does NASA organize their parties?
They planet!
39. What’s the best time to go to the dentist?
Tooth-hirty!
40. Why is Peter Pan always flying?
Because he Neverlands!
Riddles about Initials
Initials represent a name’s essence. Here are riddles about initials:
41. Why don’t eggs tell each other jokes?
They’d crack each other up!
42. What has to be broken before you can use it?
An egg!
43. What starts with “e” and ends with “e” but only has one letter?
An envelope!
44. What’s round as a dishpan and no matter the size, always contains just one piece of pie?
The letter “i”!
45. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?
The letter “m”!
46. What belongs to you, but others use it more than you?
Your name!
47. What building has the most stories?
The library!
48. What has many keys but can’t open a single lock?
A piano!
49. What has a neck but no head?
A bottle!
Riddles about Nicknames
Nicknames are playful variations of actual names. Here are some riddles about nicknames:
50. What did one hat say to the other?
You stay here, I’ll go on ahead!
51. What do you call a dog that can do magic tricks?
A labracadabrador!
52. Why don’t eggs tell each other jokes?
Because they’d crack each other up!
53. Why didn’t the orange win the race?
It ran out of juice!
Conclusion
Riddles can reveal the humor, complexity, and power behind names. A name encompasses so much meaning and history in just a word or two. With the right riddle, we can unlock new perspectives on names we thought we already knew. Next time you encounter names – whether strangers or friends – take a moment to appreciate the stories and meanings behind them.
