Cows feel affection and they can recognize if you treat them like a family. There’s even a study that shows higher milk production of cows that are called by names over the unnamed ones. If you have cows it’s best to name them as it can lower their level of stress hormones.
Well, a lot of name choices will be provided in this article.
Table of Contents
How Did the Cow Get Its Name?
The word ‘cow’ is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘cū,’ which refers to a bovine species. Cū is singular, and the plural form is cȳ. In Middle English, it became ki or kie, and the plural terms are kien, kine, kies, or kuin. In the language of Scots, it’s coo or cou that becomes kye when the animal is more than one. This is how the word ‘cow’ was created.
Tips for Naming a Cow
When naming your cow, you can base it on the following factors. You may prepare paper and pen to write down your selection and then decide on the best ones.
Cow’s Characteristics
Naming a cow can start with the gender as cattle can be female and male or a steer and bull. The color also matters, and there’s the distinction among the breeds. Angus is commonly black, while Jersey is brown. Moreover, it’s black and white for Holstein.
When naming a herd of cattle, you can pick the names that rhyme or the themed ones that can create chronological order. So, you won’t need to think hard about naming them.
Ideas
It seems that this factor is vast as there are a lot of things that you can get ideas from. You can just look around you, and you’ll find some interesting things that you can relate to your cow’s name. For example, it can be your town’s name, any local wildlife, wildflowers, trees, and the list can go on.
Themes
This is especially applicable in naming several cows. You can base the names of various kinds of cheese like Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan, Halloumi, and Manchego. It’s appropriate as cow’s milk is turned into cheese, but this is just one example. You can always be creative and think about other themes.
By the Same Letter
You may give names that start with a certain letter to the cows that are born in the same year. As an example, you can pick the names that start with the letter ‘A’ for newborns this year, like Anna, Annabelle, Arabella, and more. You can have a ‘B’ in the next year.
Best Cow Names
- Rosie
- Pennie
- Penelope
- Bessie
- Buttercup
- Brownie
- Dottie
- Clarabelle
- Magic
- Nellie
- Guinness
- Sprinkles
- Sugar
- Snowflake
- Clay
- Kratos
- Romeo
- Bear
- Buster
- Ben
- Kent
- Gizmo
- Armor
- Dale
- Jack
- Elsie
- Craig
- Sophie
- Benny
- Elsie
- Nettie
- Pearl
- Balder
- James
- Ollie
- Bobby
- Jackie
- Duke
- Dorothy
- Odin
- Jackie
- Ava
- Esmeralda
- Casey
- Hydro
- Rocky
- Eli
- Walt
- Gentry
- Patricia
- Earl
- Josie
- Finn
- Adele
- Bella
- Jeb
- Carson
- Jasper
- Josh
- Esmeralda
- Justice
- Kit
- Sammy
- Petal
- Jeremy
- Shellie
- Shirley
Female Cow Names
- Dahlia
- Daisy
- Samantha
- Dorothy
- Kim
- Bella
- Emma
- Lisa
- Margie
- Minnie
- Anikka
- Eva
- Bunny
- Lexi
- Luna
- Jess
- Tess
- Penelope
- Marigold
- Missy
- Jasmine
- Anastasia
- Flower
- Pretty
- Iris
- Curly
- Gerty
- Jessie
- Lindsay
- Patty
- Patricia
- Anna
- Betty
- Kelly
- Molly
- Meg
- Maggie
- Annie
- Bessie
- Sally
- Katie
- Kate
- Cathy
- Kiley
- Henrietta
- Megan
- Erika
- Yvette
- Cassie
- Ella
- Liz
- Lizzie
- Iris
- Olivia
- Bridget
- Denise
- Frankie
- Blake
- Lucy
- Jolene
- Viola
- Yasmin
- Ruby
Male Cow Names
- Vinny
- Nigel
- Ryan
- Buddy
- Brock
- Chewy
- Teddy
- Jake
- Jamie
- Max
- Cody
- Riley
- Harley
- Nitrous
- Jasper
- Judie
- Ace
- Sam
- Lamuel
- Joel
- Jude
- Jimbo
- Gizmo
- Ben
- Duke
- Peanut
- Bobby
- Jack
- Armor
- Bobby
- Joey
- Midnight
- Rob Theo
- Pete
- Zeke
- Gunn
- Mike
- Kobe
- Kristoff
- Walt
- Horns
- Hank
- Tob
- Bailey
- Benji
- Finn
- Spike
- Cooper
- Angus
- James
- Thor
- Rich
- Richie
- Charlie
- Sampson
- Earl
- Odin
- Coco
- Baxter
- Homer
- Atreus
- Scout
- Timothy
- Scott
- Paulie
- Rex
- Arnold
- Arnie
- Tank
- Bully
- Loki
- Nate
- Smith
- Lucky
- Bull
- Vin
- Diesel
- Kyle
- Brad
- Jones
Funny Cow Names
Some modifications were done to the names of artists, celebrities, and popular characters to create funny cow names.
- Winnie the Moo – This is copied from the Disney bear called ‘Winnie The Pooh.’
- Mooly Cyrus – It’s inspired by one of the popular singers: Miley Cyrus.
- Moochelle Obama – This is from the name of the former first lady Michelle Obama.
- Moodonna – The sensational singer Madonna can also be related to cows. It’s a name that suits a cow that has a side of being a diva.
- Mooster – Instead of ‘meister,’ ‘ei’ is replaced by two ‘Os’ since cows like to moo.
- Moolan – You may have heard about Mulan from Disney. The ‘moo’ is emphasized to suit your cow.
You can also name your cow using the following funny names:
- Cockadoodle Moo
- Lovabull
- Dooby Dooby Moo
- Milkshake
- Buttercup
- Muffin
- Cowabunga
- Simon Cowell
- Mooranda
- Moona Lisa
- Leonardo di Cowprio
- Robert Cowney Jr.
- Moohammad Ali
- George Mooney
- Mooella Deville
- Kim Cowdashian
- Megan Ox
- DJ Cowled
- Mootalica
- Milkauley Culkin
- Frida Cowlo
- Pablo Picowsso
- Sir Loin
- Hugh Heifer
- Blake Livestock
- Marilyn Moonroe
- J.K. Cowling
- Liza Cowshy
- Big Mac
- T Bone
- Donald Rump
- Bradley Mooper
- Sandra Bullock
- Dairy Lee
- Beef Stew
Cute Cow Names
Even though cattle grow into big, hooved animals, you can still give them cute names since they’re dear to you.
- Cocoa
- Cookie
- Cupcake
- Sunshine
- Jellybean
- Muffin
- Prince
- Princess
- Buddy
- Joey
- Magic
- Maggie
- Beauty
- Pancake
- Penelope
- Peaches
- Sprinkles
- Syrup
- Popsicle
- River
- Diamond
- Beany
- Trotter
- Silver
- Rain
- Oats
- Chalky
- Fisher
- Rice
- Joy
- Juicey
- Tulip
- Pollen
- Lacey
- Opal
- Cloud
- Cream
- Bug
- Star
- Blossom
- Bumble
- Eenie
- Stamps
- Gorgeous
- Pita
- Arnie
- Harvest
- Blue
- Pepsi
- Milky
- Marble
- Spots
- Clover
Good Cow Names
- Enid
- Noreen
- Sunny
- Iris
- Isabella
- Winston
- Oreo
- Jewel
- Murphy
- Mouruiel
- June
- Leona
- Pinky
- Patricia
- Lila
- Bailey
- Tilly
- Betsy
- Mopsy
- Betsy
- Elsie
- Elsa
- Blue Cow
- Hank
- Olivia
- Buster
- Pearl
- Scarlett
- Sophie
- Nettie
- Augustine
- Bella
- Trudy
- Adelle
- Alma
- Jax
- Shelly
- Alex Moogan
- Gunnar
- Babe
- Bossy
- Muriel
- Pauline
- Apollo
- Sylvia
- Nora
- Nellie
- Emma
- Ollie
- Victoria
- Bruno
- Vera
- Adeline
- Leo
- Toby
- Moose
- Louie
- Sue
- Sally
- Imogen
Famous Cow Names
- Mrs. Calloway
- Betsy the Cow
- Heffer Wolfe
- Kai
- Toro
- Ferdinand
- Laughing Cow
- Milky White
- Benny
- Clemantine
- Maw Cow
- Taurus Bulba
- Clovis
- Mr. Udderly
- Ermantrude
- Flossie
- Dixie
Baby Cow Names
- Joy
- Joey
- Moo Moo
- Astro
- Dumpling
- Diablo
- Summer
- Speedy
- Tinker
- Flipper
- Imp
- Loopy
- Zippy
- Titch
Cartoon Cow Names
- Clarabelle Cow – This character is from the classic cartoon series, and it’s in the narrative universe of Mickey Mouse. Clarabelle Cow is seen in various stories of this narrative universe.
- Molly Moo-Cow – It’s a character from another classic cartoon entitled ‘Rainbow Parade.’ Those who love old entertainment will likely choose this name.
More of the cartoon cow names can be from Disney cartoons and movies, and they are as follow:
- Boo
- Cinderella
- Dory
- Mulan
- Nemo
- Sully
- Woody
- Remy
- Lightning McQueen
- Buzz Lightyear
- Boo
- Meridia
Australian Cow Names
- Jersey
- Emily
- Jack
- Henry
- William
- Mia
- Ava
- Kickers
African Cow Names
- Ola
- Ike
- Nneka
- Chima
- Zuma
- Zanga
- Sungu
Scottish Cow Names
- Angus
- Andy
- Andrew
- Bearnard
- Tory
- Uilleam
- Carson
- Dallas
- Lennox
- Ian
- Grant
- Cameron
American Cow Names
- Vannesa
- Vin
- Watson
- Wendy
- Harry
- Clinton
- Clifford
- Jack
- Jackson
- Jones
- Tom
- Tommy
- Lana
- Katy
- Sammy
- Steve
- Sandra
- Newton
- Patrick
- Randy
- Mac
- Ryan
- Bella
- Billy
- Bill
Cowboy Names
Badass Cowboy Names – The badass ones should have a name that represents their character.
- Breaker
- Buster
- Duke
- Colt
- Justice
- Gunner
- Rancher
- Buck
- Blaze
- Decker
- Flint
- Hawk
- Chance
- Maverick
- Ranger
- Rye
- Reno
- Romer
- Wilder
- Tex
Bookish Cowboy Names – These are for cowboys who are confident and comfortable when on a saddle.
- Jameson
- Calvin
- Dexter
- Gus
- Otis
- Reeve
- Coleman
- Brooks
- Phineas
- Sterling
- Waylon
- Wade
- Walker
- Thatcher
- Yale
- Silas
- Rufus
Funky Cowboy Names – These names are not for those who are shy and quiet.
- Boone
- Bronco
- Dodge
- Houston
- Hitch
- Dusty
- Dice
- Destry
- Calhoun
- Early
- Montana
- Jericho
- Huckleberry
- Ode
- Solo
- Mccoy
- Utah
- Tripp
- Quint
- Zalman
Urban Cowboy Names – Cowboys can be everywhere, even in urban areas.
- Roscoe
- Remington
- Loyal
- Mack
- Kit
- Bowen
- Denver
- Sawyer
- River
- Nash
- Jem
- Levi
- Abner
- Deacon
- Shane
- Wyatt
- Zane
- Shilon
- West
- Wylie
White Cow Names
A snow-white cow is a beautiful species, so it deserves to have a wonderful name.
- Crystal
- Blizzard
- Nova
- Moonshine
- Diamond
- Gem
- Ghost
- Dazzle
- Alaska
- Angel
- Ivory
- Luna
- Lily
- Magnolia
- Marshmallow
- Cloud
- Pearl
- Shimmer
- Opal
- Star
- Starlight
- Snowball
- Snowflake
- Cotton
- Coconut
- Glacier
- Powder
- Snow White
- Puff
Black and White Cow Names
A child usually describes a cow as black and white, as this is the image shown on TV and in books. A Belted Galloway can have ‘Oreo’ as a name. Nonetheless, there are many names that you can choose, as they are listed below:
- Salt N Pepper
- Coca Cola
- Domino
- Cookie
- Panda
- Polka
- Freckles
- Humbug
- Charlie Chaplin
- Keys
- Peble
- Cruela
- Snoopy
- Banksy
- Badger
- Skunk
- Pebble
- Vintage
- Pongo
- Snake Eye
- Silhouette
- Harlequin
- Newt
- Tuxedo
- Magpie
- Zebra
- Blackberry
- Penguin
- Retro
- Darth Vader
- Lemur
- Ziggy
- Perdita
- Smudge
Summary
It’s worth taking some time to choose a name for your cows as you can establish a good relationship with them. Your cows will be at ease and not stressed, and those who produce milk become more efficient. Naming your cow should be on your list of how to care for them and make your farm flourish.
List of Sources
Kaarlenkaski, T., Saarinen, K. (2013). Proper Name or Number Sequence? The Meanings and Changes of Naming Cows. Academia.
Burris, R. (2016). What Is “Cow Sense”? The Ohio State University.
Small Acres: The New Frontier. United States Department of Agriculture.