While artist Takaya Imamura would be responsible for the character designs of the Star Fox team, all but one member of the team would be named by Star Fox's programmer, Dylan Cuthbert:

• Fox's surname, McCloud, was inspired by Connor MacLeod from the 1986 film Highlander, as Cuthbert wanted to give him a "cool sounding name" and wanted it to be based on his piloting abilities.
• Peppy's name was based on his characteristic of having a lot of energy despite his old age.
• Slippy's name was based on his clumsy, slippery characteristics.

According to Imamura, Falco Lombardi's name was inspired by Carlo Rambaldi, a famed Italian special effects and make-up artist who worked on films such as Alien and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.