Giving cuddly cute stuffed animal names to their favorite plush toys is something that can add fun to a child’s playtime. 

And, if your child has a soft scaly friend, a cuddly bunny, a favorite teddy, or any other little toy, giving it a name can make playtime even more special. 

Safari Ltd is home to a line of popular stuffed toy brands, including Aurora, Cuddle + Kind, and Fiesta Toys, that produce all sorts of plush animals to name and cuddle. 

Not only is it fun to name stuffed animals, but playing with them can offer a range of benefits for your child which are even backed by research.

So explore these fun names for stuffed animals and check out the collection of stuffed animals at Safari Ltd to make playtime more fun than ever!

Cute Stuffed Animal Names for Aurora Plush

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Aurora plush toys are animals with creative and entertaining designs that let children explore their playful, creative side. And they make perfect, beloved companions your child can cherish in their own creative ways, starting with giving them the perfect name! Alliterative names are always fun! These are just a few ideas to get you started naming some of our most loved Aurora plush animals.

• Benny the Bunny: Soft and huggable, this bunny makes a wonderful friend with a friendly name to match.
• Sammy the Sloth: Slow and steady, this plush sloth is best named something laid-back and relaxed.
• Unity the Unicorn: With magical features and a calming presence, this unicorn deserves a name that's inspiring and enchanting.
• Eli the Elephant: A gentle giant with a loving spirit. Other names could include Stomper or Grayson to capture his grandeur.
• Gina the Giraffe: Tall and graceful, perfect for a name that reflects her elegance like Skyler or Spots.
• Perry the Panda: Soft and cuddly, names like Bamboo or Patch would suit this adorable creature.
• Ricky the Raccoon: Mischievous and curious, try names like Bandit or Shadow for this clever little critter.
• Tara the Tiger: Fierce yet beautiful, names like Stripe or Amber would reflect her bold stripes and vibrant personality.

Find more cuddly characters here: Aurora Collection

Snuggly Cuddle + Kind Characters

Cuddle + Kind plush dolls are hand-crocheted with love and are a cuddly friend for your little one all while supporting a lifesaving social cause. With every Cuddle + Kind doll you purchase, 10 meals go to children in need. This way your child not only has a playmate in doll format but also feels the love of giving to a wonderful cause. After all, what’s in a name? Give a name to your doll and it comes to life in your child’s imagination and a fun play session. Here are some suggestions for naming your dolls.

• Blossom the Bunny: Hopping through fields of flowers, Blossom is a sweet name for a bunny who brightens every day.
• Snickers the Sneaky Bunny: With a mischievous grin, Snickers is the name for a bunny who loves a good laugh.
• Poppy the Penguin: With a friendly demeanor, this penguin suits a cheerful name like Poppy.
• Pebble the Polite Penguin: With a respectful nature, Pebble is an ideal name for a penguin who always minds his manners.
• Luna the Lamb: Gentle and dreamy, Luna is a fitting name for a lamb who inspires imagination.
• Basil the Bear: With a love for adventures, Basil makes the perfect name for a bear who's always up for fun.
• Ellie the Elephant: Gentle and kind, Ellie is a perfect name for an elephant who never forgets a friend.
• Finn the Fox: Full of spirit and wit, Finn is a perfect name for a fox who loves to play tricks.
• Piper the Prankster Fox: Quick and clever, Piper is a playful name for a fox with endless energy.
• Explore more huggable friends here: Cuddle + Kind Collection

Fiesta Toys Favorites

Fiesta Toys’ line of plush animals are super friendly and built to last. Here are a few ideas to help identify your child’s new Fiesta friends with a fun and personable name.

• Max the Manatee: Lively and energetic, Max is the perfect name for a manatee plush.
• Sasha the Shark: Make this oceanic friend extra cool with a name like Sasha.
• Rex the Dinosaur: Rule the prehistoric world with Rex, a classic yet fitting name for any dinosaur toy.

Discover more fun Fiesta plush here: Fiesta Toys Collection

Finding the Perfect Cute Stuffed Animal Names

Coming up with the best cute stuffed animal names can be more fun you might think! Here are some ideas to help you find more names for your stuffed animal collection.

• Draw Inspiration: Encourage your kiddo to draw inspiration from favorite TV shows, story books, or whatever sparks their imagination so they dream up a name for their new stuffed friend. They can also draw inspiration from their own imaginations, dreaming up characters and stories that reflect their interests
• Consider Characteristics: Have your child take a close look at the toy’s features. Is he big or little? Is he a particular color or pattern that stands out in some way? What is the expression on his face? What could it tell you about his personality? His mood? The little details your child observes will help to spark a name.
• Reflect Uniqueness: Give your kid a new name to call it that reflects something about its uniqueness, and motivates a special bond. Try to get the child to come up with a name that seems right for the stuffed animal, and that feels uniquely personal. This name should bring to mind something about the appearance or qualities of the toy, or something imagined about its personality. It should make it feel like a uniquely personal friend.

Research-Backed Benefits of Stuffed Animal Play

Play with stuffed animals goes far beyond mere toys; in fact, it helps children acquire essential life skills. Naming, caring for, and telling stories about their stuffed toy companions helps children improve language skills, emotional intelligence, and cognitive development all at once – and in a pleasant, supportive way. 

Stuffed companions offer an important source of comfort for our little ones, but they also play a critical developmental role in the formation of social competencies, emotional development, and language as research has shown.

• Fosters Social and Emotional Development: Stuffed animals can serve as "transitional objects," helping children manage their feelings and providing comfort in times of stress. According to research by neuroscientists from Cardiff University, playing with these toys helps children explore emotions, empathy, and the nuances of social interactions. By caring for a stuffed animal, children practice nurturing behavior and empathy, transferring these skills to real-life relationships.
• Enhancing Sleep Habits: According to research by Golem et al. (2019), stuffed animals provide physical and emotional support at bedtime, which can help children develop and maintain good sleep habits. The comforting presence of a stuffed animal at night can make sleeping alone less daunting and more inviting.
• Promoting Reading Skills: Okazaki et al. (2017) found that a stuffed animal sleepover program significantly increased preschool children’s interest in reading. By involving stuffed animals in active reading roles, children feel encouraged to practice reading aloud, which enhances their literacy and narrative skills.
• Alleviating Pain Post-Surgery: A study by Ullán et al. (2014) showed that providing children with a stuffed animal after surgery can reduce their pain levels. The stuffed animals may distract children from their discomfort or boost their spirits, which in turn can lessen the perception of pain.
• Therapeutic Benefits for Adults: Research involving older adults, such as the pilot study by Trzinski and Higgins (2001), indicates that stuffed animals can also play a therapeutic role in adult settings, promoting socialization and cohesion in nursing homes.
• Supporting Social and Emotional Development: Tai et al. (2011) demonstrated that touching a teddy bear could mitigate feelings of social exclusion and promote prosocial behavior among undergraduates, suggesting that stuffed animals can provide emotional support and encourage kindness.

These results point to the wide variety of functions that plush toys can fulfill throughout childhood and adulthood, going well beyond being a mere emotional aid to also enhancing educational development, physical health, and psychological understanding.

Explore Plush Animals to Give Cute Stuffed Animal Names To

Our curated plush animal collection by Safari Ltd brings imagination to life while promoting inventiveness and creative playtime. From soft teddy bear toys to exotic animals, each plush animal beckons kids to play and gives parents an opportunity to teach them how to name their favorite plush friend. 

Once a child names a stuffed animal, it’s then up to him or her to invent stories about where it came from, and even what the animal ate for breakfast. By naming the stuffed animal, children begin to build stories that use their having the stuffed animal as a key plot point. 

Furthermore, naming the stuffed animal helps them come up with elaborate stories where they imagine that the animal talked, went on an adventure, came upon a problem, learned a lesson, and grew. By naming the stuffed animal, kids develop their imagination and artistic communication skills.

Sources Cited: 

• Exploring the Benefits of Doll Play Through Neuroscience. 
• The Positives Of Plushies: Stuffed Animals Have Benefits For Children And Adults
• Golem, D. L., et al. (2019). Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(2), 423-433.
• Okazaki, Y., et al. (2017). Early Childhood Education Journal, 45(3), 357-364.
• Ullán, A. M., et al. (2014). Pain Management Nursing, 15(1), 273-279.
• Trzinski, A. P., & Higgins, H. (2001). Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 26(1), 47-58.
• Tai, K., et al. (2011). Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 47(5), 1024-1029.
• Hooley, J. M., & Wilson-Murphy, M. (2012). Journal of Personality Disorders, 26(4), 568-577.