Bird Names - Comprehensive List

Nascha

Navajo

"owl"

A Navajo nature name with a cool, fresh sound.

Netta

English, diminutive of names ending in -ette or -etta, or variation of Neta, Hebrew

"plant"

Netta ranked in the US Top 1000 in the 1880s, when it was often used as a short form of names such as Jeanette, Annette, and Antoinette. In Jewish families, Netta was typically seen as a variation of…

Nightingale

Bird name from German

"night singer"

Charming nature name made even more appealing by the connection to iconic nurse and statistician Florence Nightingale.

Oriole

Latin

"golden"

A bird name from the same Latin root as Aurelia, Oriole is extremely rare as a name: No babies were given the name in the US in 2022. But most people are aware of the Oriole bird, which makes this…

Palila

Hawaiian

"a bird"

Pacific island member of the currently-in-favor Lila/Leila family and one of the most attractive and unique girls' names starting with P .

Peregrine

Latin

"traveler, pilgrim"

Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the US, where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's…

Perlita

Perlita is a charming feminine name of Spanish origin, functioning as a diminutive of 'perla,' meaning 'pearl.' This endearing name conveys preciousness and delicate beauty. In Hispanic cultures,…

Petronia

Petronia is the feminine form of Petronius, a Roman family name derived from the Latin 'petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' With ancient Roman origins, it shares its roots with more common names like…

Philomel

Philomel is a rare feminine name derived from Greek mythology, referring to Philomela who was transformed into a nightingale in Ovid's Metamorphoses. The name combines 'philo' (loving) and 'melos'…

Philomela

Greek

"lover of songs"

Philomela, the name of a mythological Athenian princess who was transformed into a nightingale, is rarely heard outside the Greek community. The mellifluous Philomela might make a more distinctive…

Piaf

French surname

"sparrow"

Possible musical tribute name to the waiflike, husky-voiced midcentury French singer who was given this last name because of her birdlike quality.

Polly

English variation of Molly, diminutive of Mary, Hebrew

"bitter"

An alternative to the no-longer-fresh Molly, the initial 'P' gives Polly a peppier sound, combining the cozy virtues of an old-timey name with the bounce of a barmaid. Associated with Tom Sawyer's…