Someone once asked me if my chickens had names. I replied “of course, don’t your children have names?”
OK – so I’m not quite to the point of thinking my chickens are ‘real children’ – my hens are much better behaved!
This article is a bit of fun to see what names people have come up with for their birds – you might be surprised at the variety and hilarity of some.
You can name your hens when you first get them, or you can wait until they develop personalities.
We will also look at some famous chickens, both real and fictional in the hopes of inspiring you to name your hens!
Of course, we expect you to let us know in the comments section below what you decide to name your hens…
Famous Real World Chicken Names
A very real and adventurous hen named Monique, sailed the world with her ‘boyfriend’ Guirec Soudee. She became his best companion and provided him with six eggs per week!
Salvador Dali, the famous Spanish surrealist painter had a pet rooster called Oscar.
President Theodore Roosevelt had chickens at the White House. His favorite was a hen called Baron Spreckle and a nameless one legged rooster.
Tori Spelling has a chicken named Coco.
Many celebrities keep chickens: Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Charles and of course, Martha Stewart to name a few.
People have cooked up some imaginative names for their hens and roosters. Several chickens have been named after film stars, celebrities or historical figures. A small selection follows:
- Albert Eggstein
- Attila the Hen
- Cluck Norris
- Dixie Chick
- Elvis
- Farrah
- Gregory Peck
- Henneth Paltrow
- Lindsay Lo-hen
- Mary Poopins
- Meryl Cheep
- Oprah Henfrey
- Pocahontas
- Princess Lay-a
- Roo Paul
- Rooster Cogburn
- Russell Crowe
- Yolko Ono
There are many, many more, but you get the idea!
Chickens Names from the Silver Screen
There are surprisingly few superstar chickens…several chickens featured in several films but few actually have names!
Of course, who can forget the cast of Chicken Run: Ginger, Rocky, Fowler, Babs and Bunty. These plucky chickens won several minor awards in filmdom. At the time of release to the cinema it was running box office second to Me, Myself and Irene – not too shabby for a ‘stop motion’ chicken tale!
The Muppet Movie features Camilla the chicken who is Gonzo the Great’s girlfriend, although apparently Gonzo can’t tell one chicken from another and frequently dates another ‘chick’, thinking it’s Camilla.
Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’ gave us Lady Kluck, a hen-in-waiting to Maid Marian and Alan-a–Dale. To me, Lady Cluck would suit a Wyandotte.
Also from Disney is ‘Hei Hei’ the rooster in Moana (2016).
In 1991 an animated film called ‘Rock-a-doodle’ introduces us to Chanticler, a rooster in search of fame. Chanticler goes off to Las Vegas and becomes rich and famous as a singing Elvis impersonator!
Small Screen Chicken Stars
Perhaps the most well-known cartoon chicken is Foghorn Leghorn the barnyard rooster of Looney Tunes.
Foghorn ruled the barnyard, tormented the Barnyard Dawg and was pursued by Miss Prissy, the barnyard spinster hen. She finally gets her rooster in the cartoon episode titled ‘of Rice and Hens’ where they are happily married. Egghead Jr. is Miss Prissy’s son in later episodes.
In the extended Garfield franchise (U.S. Acres), there are two chicks mentioned by name – Booker and Sheldon. Booker looks like a chick, but Sheldon looks like an egg with feet! Inside his shell there are apparently all sorts of things including a pinball machine – why would he want to leave his shell?
Also in the same franchise we meet Roy Rooster who is loud, greedy and annoying.
In a 1935 cartoon, Prunella Pullet falls in love with a returning boxing hero in ‘Cock o’ the Walk’.
Clara Cluck was an operatic chicken friend of Mickey Mouse. She appeared in several Mickey Mouse cartoons but never had her own cartoon.
In the ‘101 Dalmatians – the series’, we meet ‘Spot’ the chicken who wants to be a Dalmatian.
Back in the 1960s’ series ‘George and the Jungle’ there is a superhero chicken by the name of Henry Cabot Henhouse III.
In the world of video games, chickens are few and far between, but ‘Bernadette the Chicken’ made her debut in Donald Ducks ‘Goin’ Quackers’ video game as a wicked chicken. I think Bernadette would be perfect for a Brahma.
Advertising Chickens
Although there are several advertisements that feature chickens, few give their stars a name.
Quite possibly the most famous and memorable to this day is Cornelius the Kellogg’s rooster.
Although Cornelius has long since gone to the chicken-yard in the sky, his memory and likeness linger on.
Themed Chicken Names
Some folks seem to stick to a theme with the names they choose. The only limit to your themes is imagination, as you can see in our short, compiled lists.
Precious Stones: Pearl, Ruby, Beryl, Garnet, Topaz and Amber.
Colors: Blackie, Lemon, Scarlet, Indigo, Blue, Copper, Chocolate and Greybird.
TV Characters: Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sofia (Golden Girls); Lucy and Ethel (I love Lucy); Carla, Diane and Lilith (Cheers); Hyacinth and Violet (Keeping up Appearances); Gomez, Lurch and Morticia (The Adams Family).
Food and Drink: Noodle, Burrito, Pot Pie, Nugget, Casserole, Omlette, Marshmallow, Pumpkin, Salt & Pepper, Margarita, Whiskey, Peanut, Mango, Peaches.
Herbs and Flowers: Saffron, Clove, Angelica, Rosemary, Rue, Daisy, Bluebell, Blossom, Sweet Pea and Pansy.
Fictional Characters: Miss Marple, Wyatt Chirp, Dumbledore, Thelma and Louise, Watson and Holmes, Benny and Joon, Godzilla, Big Bird, Popeye, Othello and Desdemona.
Royal Titles: Queenie, Princess, Countess, King, Duke, Baron, His/Her Highness.
Rock Stars: Lady Gaga, Dusty, Cilla, Lulu, Little Richard and Weird Al.
‘Old lady’ Names: Clara, Edna, Mabel, Nellie, Winnie, Bertha, Henrietta, Alice, Tallulah and Harriet.
Names to fit the appearance or personality of a hen are also popular. Of course, you might have to wait a while before you name them so you can determine their personality, but it can be fun!
Pom Pom, Snowball, Miss Crabby, Bok bok, Punk and Fluff all come to mind! I think Pom Pom would make a great name for a Polish Chicken!
Literary Bird Names
The not so humble hen has inspired many books to be written about chickens – without a doubt, chickens are popular in children’s books. Although they are mostly for children, they are still worthy of a read by us adults.
Many of these books are ‘moral’ stories reflecting ‘good’ societal values – much like a latter day ‘Aesop’s Fables’.
Some of the most notable children’s books featuring named chickens are:
- Beautiful Yetta the Yiddish chicken – D&J. Pinkwater
- Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken – K.DeCamillo & H.Bliss
- Chicken Little
- Tillie Lays an Egg – T. Golson
- Zinnia and Dot – L.Campbell-Ernst
- The Little Red Hen
- Henrietta and the Golden Eggs – H.Johansen
- Hannes Quest – O.Dunrea
In 1907 Frank Oz introduced Billina the talking chicken to his ‘Oz’ series. She is a notable heroine in ‘Ozma of Oz’ in which she saves Dorothy and her friends. When the adventure is over, Billina stays in Oz and becomes the Queen and Governor of all chickens. She was featured in Disney’s ‘Return to Oz’ (1985).
Summary
Naming your chickens is a fun thing to do, especially if you have kids. Children can come up with some amazing names.
As you can see, you can stick to a theme or just ‘freewheel’ with the names you choose.
Some of my birds are named, some aren’t – I think the ones who have the most character are the easiest to name, such as my Ms. Crabby.
She came by her name by being crabby to everyone for the first two or three years of her life. She is now seven years old and has mellowed considerably, but still answers to Ms. Crabby!
We have given you some suggestions here and a lot of ideas for your birds’ names.
Enjoy and have some fun – and don’t forget to let us know the names of your hens and roosters in the comments section below…
Jason catley says
I have 3 hens that all stick and hunt together . There named scampi , chips, and salad .
Mel says
I have got 5 chickens at the min with looking to get another 5
My 5 girls names are
Sassy
Bella
Masie
Daisie
Dolly
Carl says
My hens name is Peter Carlos. Named because we thought it was a rooster at first due to the size.
Kris says
I have a rooster named Carlos! My nephew named him 8 years ago.
Maryann says
My older 2 Barred Rocks are Pickles and Olive
The next 4 are named after fabric:
Poly and Ester, Gabby (Gabardine) and Roy (corduroy -we thought she might be a rooster at first )
chuk says
Anyone read Little Women? I recently bought 4 hens so called them after the 4 girls in this famous book; Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy.
Michelle says
What a fun article! Here are the names of our 4 feathered friends:
Curious Georgia
Hennifer
Eggster
Squawkbox
I love having these girls! They have more personality than you would think chickens would have. They come running and flapping when they’re called, they don’t mind being petted, they put my dog in her place, they follow me like I’m a mamma hen, and always go back to their coop when it’s time. Plus I just love their various sounds. They are so much fun!
Janet Carr Wharton says
My three original girls are Geoff, Clarky and Bunty-Mare.
Recent additions are Geoff Two, Lidl, BBB (Big Beautiful Bird), and? Sadly, Poorly Speckle passed last month. All rescued birds.
LOVE these creatures x
Pamela Gervais says
My favorite hen is now gone but she had the most precious personality and my daughter named her Diana Ross because she wanted to be a Diva. Some other names we’ve loved through the years where Cinnamon, Red and Big Mama. Love naming the hens!!!
mimisbtx says
1 1/2 years ago I got my first chickens after 50 years off the farm. initially I was going to just band them with letters A-F, but my grand daughter named a brown one Fluffy, because she was super soft. Since then, they have become Alpha, Bite Me (not just what she does, but it’s her attitude), Candy (sweeeeeeeet), Dorie (little bit looney), Ellie (my complainer. She reminds me of my grand daughter’s cousin and never shuts up). Ellie also follows me around the coop talking to me as I do my chores. After chores, I sit on a tree stump and dole out treats. Who knew chickens could be such fun?
Lisa Rising says
It took me a long time to pick these names. It’s not easy to name a chicken! My 2 Rhode Island Reds are Pheobe & Trixie, Plymouth rocks are Petunia & Blossom, Americanas are Tallulah & Annabelle and my black Jersey Giant is Gigi. ? ?
CJ says
Gillie and Bertha Mae.
Sharon says
My chicken is Henny Penny,
Pam says
Early, Gabby, Goldie, Bossy
Barbara Silverstein says
Mine are named for my favourite British authors: Jane (Austen), Anne, Emily and Charlotte (Bronte), Virginia (Woolf), Penelope (FitzGerald) and Monica (Dickens). Jane is a Plymouth Rock, but hasn’t turned out as sweet-tempered as I’d hoped.
Sheila Berner says
My 3 chickens are my first ever. They are my new friends: Rachel, Monica and Phoebe.
Tracy Joon says
Collectively I call the ladies “My Little Angels”. Individually the two EE are called Big Mama (after the owl in The Fox and Hound) and Bossy (based on their behavior as 2 days old) Our two Rhode Island’s were first called Trouble 1 and Trouble 2, they out grew the trouble maker stage and are now known as Sweet Caroline and Desiree – my favorite Neil Diamond songs. Finally the two New Hampshires are Little Miss Sunshine and Little Girl, these two are quite the proper ladies.
Diana says
I adopted a Blue Andalusian rooster – gorgeous boy, who already had the name “Esteban” and it suited him. (they were originally bred in Spain)
Lynn says
Great article as usual !! Thank you so much.
My ladies are : Annie, Daisy and Lottie.
Jennifer says
I love your post! Thank you for all the great ideas! Here are ours, although some have passed away:
Rooster: Marty Poopins
Hens:
Mary Poopins
Aunt Jemima
Waffles
Dirty Birdie
Pocahontas
Katy Pecky (aka Katy Piggy and My Piggy)
Buffy
Mrs. Pickles (aka Sweetie)
Roxanne
Mother Clucker
Donkey Kong
Lucy
Paul D says
Belle (Bluebell)
Cinnamon (Ginger Ranger / Calder Ranger)
Pearl (Staffordshire speckledy)
Roxy (Black Rock)
Dovydas says
I had 50 chicken, if i need to call them name, thats should be hard 😀
Jane says
Bella, Jasmine, Gloria, Buffy and little Miss Gladys
Bonnie Cederholm says
Betty Lou , Verna and Annie
Adrian says
Our Rooster is Billy
Hens are Missy, Cheeky, Precious, Zoe, Jenny, Mandy & Melissa
Guinea Fowl are Molly & Polly
Nicole says
We and the grandkids had lots of fun naming our chickens:
Abigail
Henrietta (might turn into Henry or supper yet)
Woody
Star
Mary Poopins
Toby (he definitely is a rooster)
Tiny
Dopey
Mary Reece says
Our Rhode Island reds are Honey and Ginger and our Speckled Sussex are Patty and Dot.
Elizabeth Bach says
My road island red Roosters names are Mr Noodle & George Our hens are Lady , Millie and Grumpy There off spring are not named as of yet .But thank you for some good names
Jacki Berry says
I have had 5 hens and one rooster.. My roosters name was Coco. My hens are Chilli, Chutney, Tuppence, Cheddar & Pepsi. They are a big part of our family, all have their own personality.
Linda Hemus says
Thank you, this artical was a delightful start to the day.
We hatched an impressive (in size and colour) rooster that we named Goldie. However, his 4 white sisters were a challenge… until one morning my husband took them down our basement and they emerged with “tail doos” created with swipes of acrylic paint … they became Pinky, Bluie, Greenie and Yellow. Regular “tail doo” appointments have been continued for of 4 years.
Kim says
Gen 1: Audrey Henburn, Feather Flocklear, Typhoid Mary (not sick, just broody), Nando and the Rockettes. – Adults
Gen 2: Jan, LadyHawk, Olive, Jo, Grace, Cuddlebum, Maggie. – 4 months old
Gen 3: Little Roo (and girls TBD). – 2.5 months old
Gen 4: Baby Roo (and girls TBD). – 5 weeks old
Good fun.
Kaye says
As a child I had a turkey called Polly, several years later I had a gentle little white hen called Marth. Much later I got two Isa Browns called Toot and Carmen, when Toot died we got a friend for Carmen we called Sunny, calm ‘n sunny, it made us smile. Now we have a rooster called Reuben and the girls are Joanna and Suzanna, no one can tell them apart, Speckles and Freckles, both Speckled Sussex and a White Sussex called Priscilla
jeff piper says
Rooster Cogburn, Shelly,(thick shell eggs) Janice(Joplin, she’s blue), Becky(Red, after my Momma),Hawk, she is wild looking and a personality matches. She will jump on most other hens if I pet them, she will set in my lap for some love for a long time. Therapeutic Chickens.
jeff piper says
I am a disabled Veteran with pts and anxiety, Chickens are better than my counselor.
Abby says
I named a several of my chickens after storybook hens, like Henrieta, and HennyPenny, (She’s gorgeous!) My favorite chicken I named Artful Dodger after Charles Dicken’s pickpocket in Oliver because she is super sneaky, and very nice. I also have a Griselda, Myrtle and Maude.
Karen says
with 5 roosters ( jersey giants) and my love for Sam Elliott, one is Sam the other Elliott. then I have Cpt. Jack Sparrow, Elvis, Pete’s Dragon
RoseAnn Simpkins says
I have 20 hens. They all have names. My favorites are the Barred Rocks Barbie and Rocky. They are extremely friendly. Plus 3 Australorps Amy, Penny and Bernadette from the Big Bang Theory. Our favorite show.
Miriam Kimple says
Our first chickens ever. We got them as 1 day old chicks, now 18 wks old. My grandchildren, my daughter & myself named them. 2 Rhode Island Reds: Orange & Lofty, 2 Wyandotts: Raspberry & Bubblegum. 2 Plymouth Barred Rocks: Kiwi & Hey-Hey. They are lots of fun & they are all hens….
Missy Westbrook says
Here are my girls names.
Lulu and Sally
Sweet pea and kit Kat
Janis Joplin
Beverly
Laverne and Shirley
Dotty
Mary and Jane
Sunny and Cher
Stevie Nick’s and Dixie
Christa Guenther says
Some of our chicken names are: The Thompson Twins, Trixie and Dixie [pair of silkies], Philbee- silkie roo, Sophie and Penelope [d’uccles] Martha- my favorite Orpington, Buffy- bantam Easter egger, George- my huge Bielfelder roo, Louis- Isbar roo, Tony- my bantam cochin roo that rules ALL my roosters. Perry-Bantam Brahma, Carol-Brahama, Snowball-white cochin, Butterball-buff cochin, Wookie-partridge cochin, Dot-Wyandott, Leggy-legborn, Belle and Bella cream legbars, Mama Cita-Spanish, Edith and Bette- bantam gold lace cochins, Lola-she’s a showgirl silkie, Okay so I have 50 birds and most have names.
Izzy says
me my mum and dad have got a hen each my dads is suzy for she is a sussex my mums is netty she likes playing in nettles and is a french blue and mine is a belguim brown and is called annemarie after my auntie who got me obsessed with chickens
Jennifer Ho says
Rooster names we’ve used- Joseph (coat of many colors) Roofus ( imaging him on a roof top) Caruso what a voice!!
CALEB says
we had a rooster named max but hes getting old and we got a new rooster recently and we don’t know what to call him, please give suggestions.
thankyou