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* Bird Names - Whimsical, Wacky, and WTF *

itsjustme2407
By itsjustme2407
Updated Tue May 23 2023
Common, uncommon, and honestly sort of wacky options for avian enthusiasts. Most are usable for either gender. Please suggest more if you can think of any.
  1. Wren

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "small bird"

    • Description:

      Wren, a lilting songbird name, could be the next Robin. Wren entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2012 and is among the new wave of popular English names for girls.
  2. Dove

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Meaning:

      "dove, a bird"

    • Description:

      One of the new bird names, like Lark and Wren, this one's associated with the billing and cooing sounds of love. Soft and gentle, Dove also has the admirable association with peace.
  3. Peregrine

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "traveler, pilgrim"

    • Description:

      Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the U.S., where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's not beyond consideration — in fact it's already been chosen by at least one Berry.
  4. Robin

    • Origin:

      Bird name, or English, diminutive of Robert

    • Meaning:

      "bright fame"

    • Description:

      After a 60 year slide down the popularity ladder, Robin made a turnaround in 2020 and began climbing back into favor for baby girls. One reason may be its new status as one of the most evenly-divided gender neutral names.
  5. Raven

    • Origin:

      Word and animal name

    • Description:

      Bird name Raven, once a symbol of pride for both African-American and Wiccan parents, is finding new life as a superhero name. Raven Darkholme is the real name of Mystique, heroine of the X-Men films played by Jennifer Lawrence. And there is another Raven superheroine in Teen Titans. Some parents may still choose Raven to signal black pride or mystical powers or maybe even Edgar Allan Poe fandom, but we are guessing most inspiration is coming from the comics.
  6. Jay

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "jaybird"

    • Description:

      Though this feels like a modern invention, Jay has been in use for centuries. Early Jays often were named in honor of founding father John Jay, whose surname derived from the jaybird. A popular mid-century choice, Jay was in the Top 100 from 1956 to 1970. In the last couple of decades he was replaced by such more elaborate forms as Jayden, Jaylen, and Jayce. But Jay could make a comeback in tandem with cousins May, Kay, Fay, and Ray.
  7. Lark

    • Origin:

      English bird name

    • Description:

      Lark is getting some new and well-deserved attention as a post-Robin and Raven bird name. Although it was first recorded as a name in the 1830's, it has never appeared on the Social Security list.
  8. Finch

    • Origin:

      English word and nature name

    • Meaning:

      "to swindle"

    • Description:

      It feels like Finch should be a modern bird name that's as popular as Wren or Lark, but that's not the case - so it's one to consider if you're looking for a nature name that's familiar but rare.
  9. Starling

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.
  10. Heron

    • Origin:

      Nature name or Greek

    • Meaning:

      "hero"

    • Description:

      Heron may feel like a very usable nature name -- the heron is a long-legged wading bird -- but it was also the name of a 1st century Greek inventor and of an Egyptian saint. Highly unusual yet easy to understand and meaningful on several levels, Heron is a fantastic choice.
  11. Crow

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      From Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, the story of a boy named Kafka -- crow in Czech.
  12. Sparrow

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Meaning:

      "sparrow, a bird"

    • Description:

      With related choices such as Lark and Phoenix gaining popularity, why not Sparrow? Though it's usually thought of as a female name, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden chose it for their son.
  13. Hawk

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Meaning:

      "hawk, a bird"

    • Description:

      Animal names are on the rise, especially more of the aggressive Hawk-Fox-Wolf variety than cute little Bunnys or Robins, and Hawk is a prime example.
  14. Falcon

    • Origin:

      Bird name

    • Description:

      There is a whole new species of bird names open to the baby namer, from the light and feminine Lark to the sleek and powerful Falcon.
  15. Halcyon

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "kingfisher bird"

    • Description:

      Heaven, Peace, Serenity: parents seem especially attracted to word names that signal paradise, but Halcyon sounds quite feminine, and might conjure up the sleeping pill Halcion.
  16. Myna

    • Description:

      Myna is an uncommon feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Mina, which has roots in multiple cultures, including German, where it serves as a diminutive of Wilhelmina, meaning "determined protector." In Hindu and Sanskrit traditions, Myna could relate to the Sanskrit word for "fish" or reference the mynah bird, known for its ability to mimic sounds and speech. The name may also be a form of the Arabic Muna, meaning "wish" or "desire." Despite its melodic quality and distinctive character, Myna remains relatively rare in English-speaking countries, giving it an exotic and uncommon appeal for parents seeking something unique for their daughters.

  17. Albatross
    • Cassowary
      • Condor
        • Cormorant