Animal Names

Animals have given us some of the most enduring names in every culture. People named children after creatures to borrow their qualities: the courage of the lion, the loyalty of the wolf, the grace of the deer, the freedom of the bird. This hub gathers our guides to animal names, from bear, wolf, tiger and lion to fox, raven, butterfly, snake, spider and lamb, so you can compare them in one place.

Some animal names are so old that we barely notice the animal any more. Leo and Leona come from the Latin word for lion, Ursula means little bear, and Bjorn is the Old Norse word for bear. Bird names have become especially popular in recent years: Wren, Robin and Lark are used as they are, while Paloma is Spanish for dove and Colomba is the Italian equivalent. In Japanese, kitsune is the word for the fox, an animal steeped in folklore, and many Japanese names for animals draw on that imagery.

Animal names also turn up as family names. Many last names began as nicknames or as signs on houses and shops, so surnames such as Fox and Wolfe point back to an animal nickname or emblem. Reading those guides beside the first-name lists shows how the same creature can be a given name in one family and a surname in another.

As you browse, think about the impression each animal gives. Predators such as wolves, tigers and sharks suggest strength and independence, while lambs, rabbits and butterflies read as gentle and hopeful. Check pronunciation and spelling alternatives, and confirm that the meaning you love belongs to the language you have in mind. Each guide lists girl, boy and unisex names followed by names from individual cultures, so you can compare baby names with Japanese names for the same animal.