Throughout history, we’ve looked to animals for companionship, inspiration, and guidance, even in choosing names for our children…or ourselves. And there is no shortage of excellent animal-themed names to choose from. We’ve rounded up the best options from the literal to the mythological to the celebrity-endorsed. Check out our list of Animal Names, Names with Animal Meanings, Names from Mythological Animals, and Celebrity Animal Names, and let us know if YOU have chosen an animal name for your little one.

Animal Names

Bear

You’ve likely heard of Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild, but did you know celebrities like Kate Winslet and Alicia Silverstone have also used the name Bear for their children: Bear Blaze and Bear Blu, respectively?

Birdie

Celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Busy Phillips have used this name for their children.

Bison

A bison is a wild ox, giving this name a connotation of strength.

Bull

Another strong name, Bull references a male cow.

Bunny

Singer Brian Adams used this name for his daughter, calling her Mirabella Bunny.

Butterfly

Actress Butterfly McQueen, originally named Thelma, starred in Gone with the Wind. 

Canary

The name Canary, after a songbird, may be a great option for the musically inclined.

Cat/Kat

A cat is the household pet we all know and love, but Cat or Kat may also be nicknames for Catherine, Kathleen, and similar names.

Cheval

French for “horse,” this or Chevall are more commonly used as surnames.

Coral

Coral is a marine animal that builds reefs. It’s also a nice color name.

Cricket

More often used as a cute nickname, Cricket refers to a chirping insect, as well as a sport.

Dauphin

This name is French for “dolphin,” and is also the title for a French crown prince (historical royal title: Dauphin of France).

Dove

A dove is a bird that symbolizes peace. Actress Dove Cameron (nee Chloe Celeste Hosterman) took on the name after her father nicknamed her “Dovey” as a child.

Fawn

A fawn is a young deer, but fawn can also refer to a soft brown color.

Fox

If you want a name that implies a quick wit and cleverness, consider Fox.

Hawk

A bird of prey, Hawk is often used in media for characters who are strong, sharp, and strategic, like MCU’s Hawkeye or MASH’s Hawkeye Pierce.

Heron

A heron is a long-legged bird often found wading in water.

Kit

The name for a young fox, Kit may also be a nickname for Christopher or similar names.

Koala

Rapper Macklemore gave his daughter this marsupial-based middle name: Colette Koala.

Lark

A lark is a type of songbird. Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle (also a great animal name!) on Saved by the Bell. 

Lobo

Lobo means “wolf” in Spanish.

Lynx

A lynx is a wild cat with tufted ears.

Mare

A mare is a female horse, but can also be a shortening of names like Mary or Marilyn.

Mavis

Mavis is a French name for a song thrush bird, making it fitting that one of the most famous people with this name is musician Mavis Staples.

Newt

A newt is a salamander-like amphibian. When used as a name, Newt is typically short for names like Newton. Politician Newt Gingrich was, indeed, born Newton.

Otter

The otter is an adorable aquatic mammal. While not overly common as a name, it’s seen some recent use, such as Zooey Deschanel’s daughter Elsie Otter.

Owl

An owl is a nocturnal bird of prey that is often used in stories to connote wisdom and guidance.

Paloma

Paloma is the Spanish word for “dove,” making this a unique way to incorporate Hispanic or Latin culture along with an animal name.

Raven / Ravenna

A raven is a black bird. One of the best-known Ravens is actress Raven-Symoné (fun fact: while commonly mispronounced as “Simone,” her name is actually meant to be said, “See-mon-ye”).

Renard

Renard is the French word for “fox.” An alternate spelling, Reynard, is a cunning fox character in fables from medieval times. 

Robin

A cheerful bird name, Robin works for all genders. Famous Robins include Robin Wright and Robin Williams.

Sable

A sable is a weasel-like animal valued for its fur.

Seal

Seals are marine mammals. Singer Seal was in fact given this name, born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel (sometimes written as Sealhenry).

Sparrow

Nicole Richie used this name, which means a small bird, for her son, Sparrow James Midnight Madden. She said she chose the name in part because of Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Swan

A swan is the graceful water bird at the heart of the story “The Ugly Duckling.”

Talon

Talon is the claw of a bird of prey.

Tiburon

Tiburon is the Spanish word for “shark.”

Tiger

A tiger is a large, orange-striped cat. It’s also the “stage” name of famed golfer Tiger Woods, originally born Eldrick Tont Woods.

Wolf, Wolfe, Wolfgang, Wolfrick

All of these names are variations on “wolf.” Famous Wolfs include journalist Wolf Blitzer and composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Wren

A wren is a small songbird.

Names with Animal Meanings

Agnes

A Greek name meaning “lamb of God,” this name has been used for everyone from saints like Saint Agnes to actresses like Agnes Moorehead.

Aquila

Aquila means “eagle” in Latin.

Arcadia

Arcadia is derived from Greek arktos, meaning “bear.”

Ari

Ari is a short name meaning “lion” in Hebrew or “eagle” in Norse/Old German.

Aries

Aries is Latin for “ram,” and is the zodiac sign symbolized by a ram.

Corvin

From the Latin corvus, meaning “raven,” this name is associated with mystery and wisdom.

Everett

Everett is an Old English name meaning “strong as a wild boar” or “wild boar herd.”

Lionel/Leon

These lion-related names symbolize power and bravery. Famous Lionels include soccer player Lionel Messi and singer Lionel Richie.

Malinda

The name Malinda is a sweet name meaning honeybee.

Ophrah

This Hebrew male name means “fawn” or “young deer.”

Orson

This name means “bear cub.” Orson Welles was an actor/director.

Oscar

Oscar means “deer lover” and has been used by author Oscar Wilde and as a term for the Academy Awards (the “Oscars”).

Phillip

Phillip and its variations (like Philippa) mean “horse lover.”

Portia

The name Portia sounds fancy, but actually means “pig.” Famous Portias include actress Portia de Rossi and the character Portia from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

Rachel

This biblical name means “ewe,” or “female sheep.” Famous Rachels include Rachel McAdams (actress) and Rachel (biblical figure).

Ronan

The name Ronan means “little seal.”

Svala

Svala is a Nordic name tied to swallows.

Tabitha

Tabitha is a biblical name that means “gazelle” in Aramaic. One of the most famous characters with this name is Tabitha Stephens from Bewitched.

Todd

Todd means “fox,” which is why it makes perfect sense that the fox on The Fox and the Hound had that name!

Ulrich

The strong name means “wolf ruler.”

Una

The name Una means “lamb,” which symbolizes innocence.

Ursula

Meaning “little bear,” the name Ursula has been used for Saint Ursula, writer Ursula K. Le Guin, and the evil sea witch on The Little Mermaid. 

Vasco/Velasco

These names mean “crow.”

Yaen

Yaen is a Hebrew name meaning “ostrich.”

Zev 

This name of Hebrew origins means “wolf.”

Zipporah

Zipporah was a Biblical figure and the wife of Moses. The name means “bird” or “sparrow.”

Names from Mythological Animals

Chimera 

In Greek mythology, a chimera is a fire-breathing lion/goat/serpent hybrid.

Drago, Draco, Dragon

These names, all of which mean “dragon,” may symbolize power or mystery.

Griffin

A griffin is a mythical creature with a lion’s body and the head and wings of an eagle.

Halcyon

In a Greek myth, Alcyone transformed into a halcyon, meaning “kingfisher.”

Pan

Pan is known as the God of the wild (as well as shepherds, flocks, music, and fertility), often presenting as a half-man, half-goat hybrid.

Pegasus

A pegasus is a winged horse.

Phoenix

A phoenix is a mythical bird that dies in flames and is reborn from the ashes. It symbolizes renewal or immortality.

Satyr

Like Pan, a satyr is half human, half goat. They are known to be mischievous.

Scylla

Scylla is a sea monster from Greek mythology, known for devouring sailors with her multiple heads.

Sphinx

From Egyptian and Greek mythology, the sphinx has a lion’s body but a human’s head. It’s been immortalized in the Great Sphinx of Giza.

Typho/Typhon

A mysterious serpent giant in Greek mythology, Typhon fathered several monsters and represents chaos.

Celebrity Animal Names

Plenty of celebrities have animal names, although the majority are surnames or nicknames. Here are a few of the most well-known.

John Cougar

Singer-songwriter also known by his original name John Mellencamp.

Buffalo Bill Cody

Frontiersman and bison hunter, born William Frederick Cody.

Megan Fox

Actress and model.

Tony Hawk

Professional skateboarder.

Larry Bird

Professional baksetball player and NBA hall of famer.

Samantha Bee

Comedian, political satirist, and former Daily Show correspondent.

Jamie Foxx

Actor, singer, and comedian, born Eric Marlon Bishop.

Florence Nightingale

The founder of modern nursing.

Sheryl Crow

Singer/songwriter.

Lance Bass

Singer and member of NSYNC.

Robin Williams

Actor and comedian.

Ladybird Johnson

Former First Lady of the United States, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson. Her real name was Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson.