279+ Detective Names [Female, Male, Famous, Fictional]

Detective names are used for many different characters in literature, film, and television.

Whether you’re looking for a famous female detective or a male detective from your favorite crime show, these names should help get you started.

In this article, we cover different names across various categories.

These include:

• Detective Names (Girl)
• Detective Names (Boy)
• Detective Names Generator
• Detective Names for a Story
• Detective Names in Movies
• Detective Names for Dogs
• Detective Names for Cats
• Famous Detective Names (Old Time Detective Names)
• Funny Detective Names
• Good Detective Names
• Cool Detective Names
• Detective Names for Stories (Fictional Detective Names)
• Clever Detective Names
• Detective Names for Games

First, let’s look at some tips on how to come ups with detective names.

Tips for Coming Up with a Detective Name

1. Brainstorm potential surnames to start with

Use words or syllables that evoke detective-like images, such as “Sleuth”, “Mystery”, and “Clue”.

You could also look up the meaning of your own last name for inspiration.

2. Find a first name to go with your surname

Comb through books and movies featuring detectives to get ideas for a first or middle name that would fit well with your chosen surname.

3. Make it memorable

Choose a detective name that stands out from others by combining two uncommon names together into one unique one.

4. Incorporate puns and alliteration

Consider using puns or alliteration to make your detective name more memorable.

For example, if you chose the surname “Mystery” for your detective name, you could use a first name like “Miles” to create the clever name “Miles Mystery”.

5. Search for already-existing names

Before settling on any particular detective name, it is important to search for similar names that may already be in use.

If there is an existing character with a similar name, it would be best to choose something else that is unique and easily recognizable.

6. Choose a name that fits your character’s personality

Your detective name should reflect both your character’s profession and their unique personality traits.

Consider what kind of detective they are – an ace sleuth, a bumbling investigator, or something else entirely – and use this to guide your choice of name.

Wordplay can also help bring out certain personalities in the name itself; for example, if your detective is crafty and clever, try combining words like “Thief” and “Brain” to create the name “Thief Brain”.

7. Have fun with it!

Creating a detective name should be an enjoyable process, so don’t be afraid to get creative and have some fun playing around with different options until you find one that’s perfect for your character!

Take your time and don’t be afraid to experiment with different names until you find the perfect one for your character.

Detective Names (Girl)

1. Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote)

2. Nancy Drew (The Nancy Drew Series)

3. Temperance Brennan (Bones)

4. Clarice Starling (The Silence of the Lambs)

5. Jane Marple (Miss Marple Mysteries)

6. Lisbeth Salander (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

7. Sarah Lund (The Killing Trilogy)

8. Olivia Benson (Law & Order: SVU)

9. Sam Tyler (Life on Mars)

10. Detective Rachel Young (Rizzoli & Isles)

Name the TV Detective Show Quiz 60’s, 70’s & 80’s | Classic TV Detective Trivia | TV Trivia Boomers

Detective Names (Boy)

1. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Series)

2. Thomas Magnum (Magnum, P.I.)

3. Gregory House (House M.D.)

4. Adrian Monk (Monk)

5. Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly)

6. Jim Gordon (Gotham City PD)

7. John Rebus (Rebus series by Ian Rankin)

8. Jack Frost (A Touch of Frost TV Series)

9. Patrick Jane (The Mentalist )

10. Harry Bosch (Bosch TV Series)

Detective Names Generator

These detective names were automatically generated.

Let’s see if they’re any good.

1. Marlene Frost

2. Ray Kreuger

3. Tricia Miller

4. Eric Stone

5. Jake Wilson

6. Paige Lewis

7. Hank Harper

8. Ava Dalton

9. Abigail Walker

10. Mason Cooper

Detective Names for a Story

1. Alice Anderson

2. Tony O’Connor

3. Rebecca Jackson

4. David Taylor

5. Samuel Bryant

6. Emma Moore

7. Oliver Grant

8. Victor Smith

Detective Names in Movies

1. John Shaft (Shaft)

2. Sherlock Gnomes (Sherlock Gnomes)

3. Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry Series)

4. Philip Marlowe (The Big Sleep)

5. Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible Franchise)

6. Jane Carter (Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous Film)

7. Manny Pardo (Miami Vice Movie)

8. David Mills and William Somerset (Seven Film)

9. Robert Angier and Alfred Borden (The Prestige Movie)

10. Nick Curran (Basic Instinct Movie)

Detective Names for Dogs

1. Sherlock Bones

2. Fido Finder

3. Spot-on Spade

4. PawNapper Poirot

5. Miss Marple Paws

6. Watson Woofers

7. Miss Scarlet Sniffer

8. Inspector Barkington

Top 10 Detective TV Series

Detective Names for Cats

1. Inspector Meow Mathis

2. Agatha Clawss

3. Purrlock Holmes

4. Kitty Marple

5. Columbo Catnip

6. Nine Lives Lestrade

7. Whiskers Watson

8 Clue-Cat Cattrello

Famous Detective Names (Old Time Detective Names)

1. Sherlock Holmes (Conan Doyle)

2. Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie)

3. Philo Vance (S.S. Van Dine)

4. Ellery Queen (Frederic Dannay and Manfred B Lee)

5. Father Brown (G K Chesterton)

6. Nero Wolfe (Rex Stout )

7. Nick Carter (John R Coryell)

8. Charlie Chan (Earl Derr Biggers)

Clever Detective Names

1) Sherlock Holmes

2) Nancy Drew

3) Miss Marple

4) Hercule Poirot

5) Sam Spade

6) Philip Marlowe

7) Jake Gittes

8) Adrian Monk

9) Jessica Fletcher

10) Lord Peter Wimsey

Creative Detective Names

1) Sterling Sleuthsby

2) Maggie McMystery

3) Oliver Oddclue

4) Daring Dashwood

5) Freya Finditfast

6) Ravenous Reasoner

7) Moxie Moonshine

Detective Names for Games

1) Detective Copperclue

2) Agent Bexley

3) Enigma Enoch

4) Shadow Shrewd

5) Jack Justice

6) Inspector Insight

7) Baker Blitz

8) Tracker Troubadour

9) Maverick MacGuffin

10) Professor Perplexity

Cool Detective Names

1) Magnate Magnum

2) Ace Aceson

3) Viper Vickers

4) Chance Chisholm

5) Phoenix Pyne

6) Tango Tucker

7) Maverick Metcalf

8) Scout Swift

Funny Detective Names

1. Inspector Goofy

2. Detective Fumblefoot

3. Lieutenant Clueless

4. Miss Sleuthful

5. Agent Sniffer

6. Sergeant Nosey

7. Detective Clouseau

8. Agent Blunderpants

Good Detective Names

1. Sherlock Holmes

2. Hercule Poirot

3. Miss Marple

4. Ellery Queen

5. Inspector Rebus

6. Lieutenant Columbo

7. Sam Spade

8. Dexter Morgan

Cool Detective Names

1. John Watson

2. Nick Brandt

3. Ace Ventura

4. Thomas Magnum

5. Philip Marlowe

6. Harry Hole

7. Lt Joe Kojak

8. Hannibal Lecter

Detective Names for Stories (Fictional Detective Names)

1. Detective Jack McAllister

2. Detective John Mason

3. Detective Paul Taylor

4. Inspector James Blake

5. Chief Inspector Charlotte Miller

6. Agent Amy Brown

7. Special Agent Richard Jones

8. Private Investigator Sarah Thompson

Creative Detective Names (Made Up Detective Names)

1. Detective Rosewood Sage

2. Inspector Dodger Hartman

3. Agent Moonlight Gable

4. Chief Investigator Phoenix Chase

5. Special Officer Scarlet Knight

6. Private Eye Hunter Garcia

7. Lieutenant Brandy Silverstone

8. Agent Maverick Johnson

Interesting Detective Names (Unique Detective Names)

1. Captain Smoke Dagger

2. Commander Shadow Panther

3. Detective Steel Falcon

4. Inspector Gunner Avenger

5. Agent Phantom Fox

6. Chief Constable Galaxy Ranger

7. Private Investigator Eclipse Hunter

8 .Special Detective Storm Blade

Female Detective Names (Female Sleuths)

1. Clarice Starr

2. Veronica Speedwell

3. Liz Talbot

4. Kinsey Millhone

5. Serena Jones

6. Jane Tennison

7. Joanna Blalock

8 .Samantha Spade

Male Detective Names (Male Sleuths)

1. Philip Marlowe

2. John Rebus

3. Cormoran Strike

4. Sam Vimes

5. Luther Swann

6. Harry Bosch

7. Matthew Scudder

8 .Jack Taylor

Animal Detective Names (Animal Sleuths)

1. Columbo Cat

2. Sherlock Bones

3. Miss Marple Paws

4. Agatha Clawss

5. Watson Woofers

6. Inspector Barkington

7. PawNapper Poirot

8 .Spot-on Spade

Unusual Detective Names (Unique and Weird Detective Names)

1. Magnolia Dagger

2. Storm Shadow Wolf

3. White Knight Falcon

4. Jet Black Panther

5. Hunter Bright Fox

6. Shadow Spirit Dragon

7. Phoenix Sky Ranger

8 .Lunar Eclipse Hunter

Types of Detective Names (Different Types of Detectives)

1. Private Investigator

2. Detective Agency

3. Crime Scene Investigator

4. Forensics Expert

5. Law Enforcement Officer

6. Federal Agent

7. Security Consultant

8 .Paranormal Detective

Superhero Detective Names (Fictional Character Detectives)

1. Batman (Bruce Wayne)

2. Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)

3. Iron Man (Tony Stark)

4. Daredevil (Matt Murdock)

5. Wonder Woman (Diana Prince)

6. Flash (Barry Allen)

7. Green Arrow (Oliver Queen)

8. Superman (Clark Kent)

Cartoon Detective Names (Animation Character Detectives)

1. Scooby-Doo

2. Detective Conan

3. Inspector Gadget

4. Danger Mouse

5. Jimmy Neutron

6. Sly Cooper

7. The Pink Panther

8. Jake Long – American Dragon

FAQs – Detective Names

What is a good name for a detective?

The best detective names are ones that evoke the detective-like qualities of being clever, observant, and resourceful.

Consider words or syllables such as “Sleuth”, “Mystery”, and “Clue” when coming up with a name for your detective.

What makes a good detective name?

A good detective name is one that stands out from others by combining two uncommon names together into one unique one.

Incorporating puns or alliteration can also help make your detective’s name memorable.

Additionally, consider how well the chosen name reflects the character’s profession and personality traits to ensure it fits perfectly with who they are.

Can I use an existing detective name?

Before settling on any particular detective name, it is important to search for similar names that may already be in use.

If there is an existing character with a similar name, it would be best to choose something else that is unique and easily recognizable.

What is a good name for a female detective?

Female detective names should be strong and empowering, while still reflecting the character’s profession.

Consider combining words such as “Huntress”, “Investigator”, and “Enigma” with more traditional female names to create a unique name for your female detective.

Additionally, think about incorporating puns or alliteration into her name to make it stand out from others.

Who is the most famous detective of all-time?

The most famous detective of all-time is Sherlock Holmes, created by the British author Arthur Conan Doyle.

Sherlock Holmes has been featured in novels, feature films, television shows and even video games for over 100 years.

He remains one of the most iconic characters in literature and pop culture alike.

Other highly popular detectives include Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie’s mystery stories and Nancy Drew from the long-running series of children’s books by Carolyn Keene.

And don’t forget Shaggy, Scooby Doo, Fred, Vilma, and Daphne 🙂

Conclusion – Detective Names

Detective names range from the classic and serious to the funny, creative, and cool.

Coming up with a detective name can be a fun and creative process!

Brainstorm potential surnames, consider first or middle names to go with them, incorporate puns or alliteration if desired, and make sure to check if the chosen name is original by existing existing detective detective name name?

No matter what type of detective name you choose, make sure it works with your character and story.

With this list of detective names, you can find the perfect one for your mystery or crime-solving adventure!  Good luck sleuthing!

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