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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Names: Hero to Villain

Updated
These Ninja Turtle Names will have you saying, “Cowabunga!”

Cowabunga! You have found the ultimate guide to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. We rounded up the most radical collection of TMNT names, ranging from the core four heroes to deep-cut mutants from Dimension X.

Whether you grew up on the 1987 cartoon or just watched Mutant Mayhem with your kids, this list has you covered. Grab a slice of pepperoni pizza and get ready to master your ninja knowledge.


Leading Ninja Turtles Characters

These heroes in a half-shell are the stars of the show.

  1. April O’Neil: The Turtles’ first human ally is a brave reporter known for her sharp wit.
  2. Donatello: This purple-masked hero is the brains of the operation and wields a bo staff.
  3. Jennika: A former Foot Clan assassin who mutated into a turtle and wears a yellow mask.
  4. Leonardo: The disciplined leader of the team who wears blue and fights with twin katanas.
  5. Michelangelo: The party dude of the group loves pizza, wears orange, and swings nunchucks.
  6. Punk Frogs: A team of four mutated frogs named after historical conquerors.
  7. Raphael: The team’s bad boy wears red, wields sais, and has a rebellious temper.
  8. Venus de Milo: The first female turtle introduced in the live-action series, known for her shinobi magic.

Villainous Ninja Turtle Names

These evil mutants and masterminds will have you seeing red.

  1. Antrax: An executioner for Krang from Dimension X who looks like a giant ant.
  2. Armaggon: A mutant shark from the future who works as a bounty hunter.
  3. Baxter Stockman: A mad scientist who often mutates into a humanoid fly.
  4. Bebop: A punk rock thug turned into a mutant warthog with a purple mohawk.
  5. Chrome Dome: A massive robot built by Shredder to destroy the Turtles.
  6. Dirtbag: A mutant mole who serves as a minor henchman for the villains.
  7. Go Komodo: A powerful businessman who forcibly mutates into a Komodo dragon.
  8. Groundchuck: A mutant bull created by Shredder who often pairs up with Dirtbag.
  9. Hun: The massive, muscular leader of the Purple Dragons street gang.
  10. Jagwar: A mutant jaguar who protects the rainforests in the Archie comics universe.
  11. Karai: A high-ranking Foot Clan ninja who is often depicted as Shredder’s daughter or rival.
  12. King Komodo: A giant mutant lizard who once bit off Leonardo’s hand in the comics.
  13. Krang: A brain-like alien warlord from Dimension X who rides inside a robotic body.
  14. Maligna: The insect queen of the Malignoids who attempts to conquer Earth.
  15. Mighty Mutanimals: A spin-off team of mutant heroes that includes Slash and Leatherhead.
  16. Purple Dragons: A violent street gang in New York City that often works with the Foot Clan.
  17. Rahzar: A mutated gray wolf created by the ooze to fight the Turtles.
  18. Rock Soldiers: Stone-skinned warriors from Dimension X who serve Krang.
  19. Rocksteady: A former arms dealer mutated into a rhinoceros who is Bebop’s partner in crime.
  20. Savanti Romero: An evil sorcerer and time traveler who frequently battles the Turtles.
  21. Screwloose: A chaotic mutant mosquito who appears alongside Wingnut.
  22. Scumbug: A mutant exterminator transformed into a giant cockroach-like creature.
  23. Street Phantoms: A gang capable of phasing through solid objects.
  24. Superfly: The main antagonist of Mutant Mayhem who leads a gang of mutants.
  25. Tatsu: Shredder’s silent and ruthless right-hand man in the 1990s films.
  26. Tattoo: A sumo wrestler villain whose tattoos can come to life.
  27. The Foot Clan: An ancient organization of ninjas and dark magic users led by Shredder.
  28. The Shredder: The Turtles’ arch-nemesis, also known as Oroku Saki, wears razor-sharp armor.
  29. Tokka: A mutant alligator snapping turtle with immense strength but low intelligence.
  30. Wingnut: An alien bat who is often an ally to the Turtles but occasionally an enemy.

Allies and Supporting Characters

These iconic and rare names flesh out the massive TMNT universe.

  1. Ananda: A super-strong mutant who helps form the second Justice Force.
  2. Attila the Frog: A member of the Punk Frogs who wields a flail.
  3. Baron Draxum: An alchemist warrior from the Hidden City voiced by John Cena.
  4. Bishop: A government agent who manipulates events to protect Earth from aliens.
  5. Casey Jones: A vigilante who fights crime with sports equipment and wears a hockey mask.
  6. Doctor Dome: A superhero with a massive dome head who controls technology.
  7. Fugitoid: The mind of Professor Honeycutt trapped inside a robot body.
  8. Genghis Frog: The leader of the Punk Frogs who was named after Genghis Khan.
  9. Hamato Yoshi: A ninja master who either mutates into Splinter or is Splinter’s owner.
  10. Ice Cream Kitty: A stray cat mutated with ice cream that lives in the Turtles’ freezer.
  11. Irma Langinstein: April O’Neil’s clumsy but loyal best friend at Channel 6 News.
  12. Joey Lastic: A stretching superhero and member of the Justice Force.
  13. Justice Force: An homage to the Justice League, this team includes golden-age heroes.
  14. Leatherhead: A mutant alligator who fluctuates between being an ally and a confused enemy.
  15. Master Splinter: The mutant rat sensei and father figure who taught the Turtles ninjutsu.
  16. Metalhead: A robotic turtle created by Donatello that possesses the abilities of all four brothers.
  17. Miyamoto Usagi: A samurai rabbit from another dimension who is a close friend of Leo.
  18. Mona Lisa: A mutant lizard or salamander who often serves as a love interest for Raphael.
  19. Mondo Gecko: A skateboarding mutant gecko who shares Michelangelo’s love for vibes.
  20. Mr. O’Neil: April’s father, Kirby O’Neil, is often depicted as a scientist.
  21. Mutagen Man: A victim of experimentation who lives in a containment suit to hold his form.
  22. Ninjara: A fox thief named Umeko who becomes Raphael’s girlfriend in the comics.
  23. Rat King: An enigmatic villain who lives in the sewers and controls the city’s rodent population.
  24. Renet: A ditzy apprentice Time Master who takes the Turtles on temporal adventures.
  25. Slash: A volatile “evil turtle” who eventually becomes an anti-hero.
  26. Stainless Steel Steve: The elderly leader of the Justice Force who has a steel skull.
  27. Tang Shen: Hamato Yoshi’s beloved wife whose tragic death sparked the feud with Shredder.

Ninja Turtles Names FAQs

What Are the Names of the 4 Ninja Turtles?

The four brothers are named after famous Italian Renaissance artists. Leonardo is named after Leonardo da Vinci, the painter of the Mona Lisa. Donatello is named after the sculptor Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi. Raphael gets his name from the architect and painter Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino. Michelangelo is named after the legendary artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.

Which Ninja Turtle Is a Girl?

The franchise has introduced two main female turtles over the years. Venus de Milo appeared in the live-action show The Next Mutation in the late 90s. More recently, the IDW comic series introduced Jennika, a female Foot Clan assassin who was mutated via a blood transfusion from Leonardo.

What Are the 4 Ninja Turtle’s Personalities?

The team dynamic is built on four distinct archetypes. Leonardo is the disciplined, serious leader. Raphael is the aggressive, rebellious hothead. Donatello is the pacifist genius and inventor. Michelangelo is the carefree, pizza-loving wild card who provides comic relief.

Who Is the Fifth Ninja Turtle?

Fans debate the identity of the “fifth turtle” often. The title has been applied to several characters, including Venus de Milo (the female turtle), Slash (the feral turtle), and Jennika (the comic book addition). Sometimes, even human allies like Casey Jones or April O’Neil are honorarily considered the fifth member of the squad.

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About the Author

Cate Hoepner

Cate Hoepner is a professional blogger and freelance writer of seven years. Before transitioning into a writing role, she worked in finance and customer service. Cate enjoys DIY projects, old movies, music, and a good cup of coffee. In her free time, you'll find her homeschooling her three kids, crafting her dream homestead, and reading anything she can get her hands on.