Are you scratching your head trying to find the perfect name for your new feathered friend? Whether you’ve just brought home some fluffy chicks or finally decided to name your adult hens and roosters picking the right chicken name is possibly the most fun part of raising these quirky birds!
I’ve spent countless hours researching and compiling over 400 of the best chicken names from across the backyard chicken community. From punny classics like “Yolko Ono” to food-inspired favorites like “Nugget” we’ve got names that’ll make your whole flock stand out.
Why Naming Your Chickens Matters
Believe it or not, naming your chickens helps create a stronger bond between you and your feathered friends. It gives each bird a unique identity that matches their personality. Plus it’s just plain fun to yell “Cluck Norris” across the yard when it’s feeding time!
As one chicken owner told me, “Once you name them, they become part of the family instead of just livestock.” I couldn’t agree more!
Best Categories for Chicken Names
When choosing names for your chickens, there are several popular categories to consider:
Punny Chicken Names
Nothing beats a good chicken pun! These names will have visitors to your coop cackling with laughter:
- Hen Solo – Perfect for your independent chicken
- Cluck Norris – For the toughest bird in the coop
- Amelia Egghart – She’s ready to soar!
- Attila the Hen – The ruler of your flock
- Hennifer Aniston – A glamorous, golden-feathered beauty
- Albert Eggstein – For your smartest chicken
- Yolko Ono – Pair with John Hennon for a musical duo
- Eggatha Christie – A mysterious layer
- Meryl Cheep – The award-winning performer of your flock
- Abrahen Lincoln – A presidential pick
Food-Themed Chicken Names
What’s better than naming chickens after food? It’s deliciously ironic!
- Nugget – A classic choice
- Drumstick – For those with a darker sense of humor
- Curry – Spicy personality required
- Noodle – For your floppiest, most relaxed chicken
- Teriyaki – Sweet and savory
- Frittata – Breakfast inspiration
- Buffalo – Hot wings, anyone?
- Marsala – Fancy dinner vibes
- Piccata – Another gourmet choice
- Benedict – Double meaning for the win!
Pop Culture Chicken Names
From Disney to Hollywood stars, these names bring some celebrity status to your coop:
- Chicken Little – For your smallest bird
- Buffy – She slays predators
- Elvis – For the rooster with swagger
- Foghorn Leghorn – A cartoon classic
- Big Bird – Especially fitting for a yellow chicken
- Moira Rose – She loves the dramatic
- Dolly – Country music queen
- Sheldon – For your most particular bird
- Disney princesses – Elsa, Ariel, Belle, etc.
Cute Chicken Names
Sometimes simple and sweet is the way to go:
- Daisy – A perennial favorite
- Peep – Especially good for chicks
- Ruby – Perfect for a Rhode Island Red
- Snowball – Great for white chickens
- Rosie – Classic and charming
- Tootsie – Adorably old-fashioned
- Pixie – For your smallest hen
- Pearl – Elegant and timeless
- Sweetpea – As cute as they come
- Princess – Every flock needs royalty
Names Based on Chicken Colors
One of the easiest ways to name your chickens is based on their feather colors:
White Chickens
- Snowball
- Cotton
- Ghost
- Powder
- Ivory
- Blizzard
- Marshmallow
- Coconut
Black Chickens
- Shadow
- Raven
- Midnight
- Obsidian
- Ebony
- Onyx
- Crow
- Phantom
Brown/Red Chickens
- Rusty
- Penny
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Caramel
- Butterscotch
- Red
- Copper
Speckled/Multi-Colored Chickens
- Freckles
- Speckles
- Spot
- Splash
- Rainbow
- Confetti
- Pox
- Marble
Names for Chicken Groups or Pairs
If you’re naming multiple chickens, consider these fun themed groups:
- Bonnie and Clyde – For your mischievous duo
- Salt and Pepper – Classic pairing
- Thelma and Louise – Adventure seekers
- Lucy and Ethel – Best friends forever
- Laverne and Shirley – Another classic pair
- Cookies and Cream – Sweet combination
- Peanut Butter and Jelly – Perfect together
For trios or larger groups:
- Snap, Crackle, and Pop – A cereal-inspired trio
- Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup – Powerpuff Girls reference
- Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather – Disney’s fairy godmothers
Rooster Names With Attitude
Roosters often have big personalities that deserve strong names:
- Maximus – The leader of your flock
- Brutus – For your toughest rooster
- Rex – King of the coop
- Napoleon – Small but mighty
- Hercules – Strength personified
- Zeus – The ultimate ruler
- Raider – For your most aggressive bird
- Big Red – Classic for a large Rhode Island Red
- Colonel Sanders – Irony at its finest
- Mufasa – The lion king of chickens
Old-Fashioned Chicken Names
Sometimes the vintage names just feel right for chickens:
- Henrietta – The quintessential chicken name
- Gertrude – Old-world charm
- Mabel – Sweet and traditional
- Ethel – Pairs well with Lucy
- Edith – Dignified and proper
- Agnes – Classic grace
- Betty – Friendly and approachable
- Martha – Homey and comfortable
- Beatrice – Elegant old lady vibes
- Gladys – Strong traditional name
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Chicken Name
- Watch their personality develop – Wait a few days to see what quirks emerge
- Consider their appearance – Feather colors, patterns, or distinctive features
- Think about your theme – Having a naming theme makes it easier to come up with names for future flock additions
- Involve the whole family – Kids especially love naming chickens and often come up with the funniest ideas
- Don’t be afraid to rename – Sometimes a name doesn’t fit and needs changing!
My friend Julie says, “I named my first chicken ‘Penny’ because she was copper-colored. Three months later, she was clearly a ‘Margaret’ based on her bossy personality. Don’t be afraid to change names if they don’t fit!”
Our Readers’ Top 10 Favorite Chicken Names
Based on our survey of backyard chicken keepers, these are the most popular chicken names right now:
- Nugget
- Cluck Norris
- Hennifer Aniston
- Peep
- Rosie
- Daisy
- Pepper
- Ruby
- Tootsie
- Yolko Ono
Getting Creative With Chicken Names
Don’t feel limited by the names on this list! Some of the best chicken names come from combining ideas or making up something completely unique. One reader told us she named her chicken “Constitution” while another went with “Birdrib” – there truly are no rules!
When I named my first flock, I went with a spice theme: Pepper, Ginger, Sage, Paprika, and Nutmeg. My neighbor went with famous authors: Eggatha Christie, Charles Chickens, Hen Austen, Edgar Allen Poe-ltry, and Cluck Twain.
Final Thoughts
Naming your chickens isn’t just a fun activity—it helps create a stronger connection with your feathered friends. The perfect name can reflect your chicken’s unique personality, appearance, or your own sense of humor.
Remember, there are no wrong answers when it comes to naming chickens! Whether you go with something punny like “Yolkahontas,” something cute like “Fluffy Butt,” or something completely random like “Toaster,” the most important thing is that you enjoy calling your chickens by their names.
What’s the funniest chicken name you’ve ever heard? I’d love to know!
Names for Bossy Hens
Is your hen a bit sassy, a touch stubborn and high up in your flocks pecking order? She is the boss, and she knows it! We have just the name for her:
Names for Hens Who Are Amazing Egg Producers
If egg laying were a sport, would your hen get a gold medal? These names are perfect for your layer
Chicken Names – 42 TOP BEST Ideas | Names
FAQ
What is the best name for a chicken?
What makes a chicken name good?
Some of the best chicken names start with or include the word “Hen.” Any of these would be a perfect name for just about any hen or pullet. A lot of these are classic names but some are punny chicken names that play off of common human names, celebrity names or even characters from TV or movies!
What are the pretty chickens called?
Brahma Chicken
This chicken breed is considered to be one of the most beautiful because of its glamorous, fluffy plumage and feathered legs. Brahmas come in three color varieties that the American Standard of Perfection recognizes: light, dark, and Buff.
What are some food-inspired chicken names?
| Chicken Nugget (an all-time fav!) | Omelette Egg Nog Peep Tinkerbell Custard Jewel |
|---|---|
| Turkey Lurkey (kids will be kids!) | Henny Penny Pumpkin Boc-boc Cheerio Drumstick Meatloaf |
| Chick-fee-lay (groan!) | Jalfrezi PotPie Sparkle Princess Goldie Muffin Wiggles |