When you bring home a new pet, the first step is to pick a good parrot name. When deciding upon a name, remember that parrots are long-lived birds and will have that moniker for several decades.
The best name for a parrot depends on its gender, color, or breed. Choose cute names, like Kiwi, Coco, Buddy, Polly, Tiki, and Lucky. Pick human names, like Jerry, Paddy, Sonny, Angel, Reba, and Baby. Cartoon characters, Disney characters, and movie characters, such as Daffy, Daisy, Iago, or Tweety, are also good choices.
No matter what name you choose for your parrot, it will learn and remember it. Select a moniker that’s easy to say and teach your parrot. Once you’ve made a selection, begin training your parrot to respond to it. Avoid changing it!
Top 10 Most Popular Parrot Names
The most well-loved parrot names come from shared sources. For example, Tweety belongs to the well-known Looney Tunes character, who knew its name but not its age. Even though Tweety wasn’t a parrot, you may enjoy ascribing that name to your new bird friend.
Other names aren’t bird-specific, like Buddy and Lucky. These are a favorite to tack on to our new animal companions. No matter what you choose, if you want your parrot to join the ranks with a popular name, then consider.
- Tweety
- Coco
- Charlie
- Max
- Kiwi
- Sunny
- Buddy
- Lucky
- Tiki
- Polly
Male Parrot Names
The more customized a name is, the more precious it can feel. As such, you might want to narrow down your name choices by the sex of your parrot. It’s natural to give a parrot a human name.
Some are simple, everyday names for males, while others are fun and cute. Try spending a day or two with your parrot and get a feel for its unique personality. Which of these would fit the bird best?
- Jerry
- Paddy
- Sonny
- Paco
- Floyd
- Buster
- Taz
- Sparky
- Yogi
- Toby
- Huey
- Gabriel
- Rio
- Frankie
- Ollie
- Petrie
- Pascal
- Remus
- Larry
Female Parrot Names
If your bird is female, you can get more flowery with the naming custom. You can even get unique. Many of the most popular female names for parrots aren’t traditional human names. Check out this list and see which one fits your new feathery friend. You might recognize some as famous characters from TV and/or movies:
- Angel
- Reba
- Baby
- Minnie
- Pearl
- Buffy
- Thelma
- Louise
- Roxy
- Rosa
- Belle
- Kiki
- Sophie
- Priscilla
- Ethel
- Rosie
- Jenny
- Jessie
- Molly
- Katie
- Leia
- Gracie
- Goldie
- Lizzie
- Lily
- Jewel
- Isabelle
Famous Bird Names
Maybe you can’t think of a name that quite fits your bird’s unique aesthetic. Is male or female too simple? Do you want a popular name that already has some personality assigned to it?
Then pop culture is a great place to look. Let’s look at these names from famous birds on the silver screen. Your parrot, of course, doesn’t need to be a duck or a pelican. The charm of these shared names can still fit your parrot:
Daffy
While Daffy might be a duck from the Looney Tunes, it can also be a good parrot name. Does your parrot have a stubborn personality? Is your parrot a big talker? If so, you may be looking at your new Daffy.
Zazu
Zazu is an African hornbill. Nonetheless, if you’re a fan of The Lion King and looking for a name from the movie, you can’t do better than Zazu. This has assertiveness and loyalty written all over it. It’s even fun to say.
Woodstock
Woodstock is a much-loved canary from the Peanuts comics. The name also works as a fun parrot name, especially if your bird happens to be yellow. Imagine how cute it’ll be if you can teach the parrot to sing the theme song?
Daisy
If you have a female parrot, what better name than Daisy, one of the most famous female birds ever? If you have a male and a female parrot, you can always name them Donald and Daisy.
Iago
This is one of the most obvious names for a parrot. Iago from Disney’s Aladdin is one of the most well-known parrots ever. Loud-mouthed, hilarious, and bright red in color, you may find your parrot mirrors some of this cartoon character’s fun habits.
Diablo
Are you a Sleeping Beauty fan? Do you have a parrot with dark-colored feathers? Why not name it after Maleficent’s trusted companion? This also works if you have a parrot that likes to get into trouble.
Becky and Nigel
If you’re more of a Pixar fan and love Finding Dory, Becky, and Nigel, and good names for your parrot. In the movie, they may be a loon and a pelican, but that doesn’t mean you can’t repurpose their names. This works great if you own two birds that love to be partners in crime.
Big Bird
If you love Sesame Street or have kids who do, there’s no better name for a parrot. If your bird is yellow in color, then Big Bird is an obvious favorite.
Hedwig
In the Harry Potter books and movies, Hedwig might be a white owl, but don’t let that hold you back. If you’re a Potterhead, it’s the perfect name for any bird you keep as a pet. What if your parrot is white, loyal, and full of personality? Then the name is even more fitting.
Blue Parrot Names
Do you have a blue parrot and want a name that represents the color of its feathers? Then your options are wider than you’d expect. Whether it’s as simple as Blue or more poetic like Celeste or Midnight, browse through this collection. You’re sure to find one that matches your parrot’s personality:
- Celeste
- Midnight
- Jasmine
- Sapphire
- Blue
- Swift
- Jet
- Blue
- Misty
- Stella
- Bluebell
- Petunia
- Jay
- Sky
- Teal
- Star
- Crystal
- River
- Luna
Green Parrot Names
Do you have a green or olive-colored parrot? Want to emphasize that with its name? Then you can get creative. These names range from your favorite green character to a green plant you’re fond of. Let’s explore some of the best green parrot names:
- Flora
- Sprout
- Fern
- Mikey
- Rosemary
- Kiwi
- Holly
- Pickles
- Jade
- Ivy
- Kermit
- Kelly
- Sage
- Olive
- Tinkerbell
- Yoshi
- Link
- Eve
- Yoda
- Marvin
- Basil
Red Parrot Names
Is your parrot a bright red hue? If so, it deserves a name that highlights its color. Whether it’s Phoenix to describe its fire-red color or Scarlet to show off its dark red feathers, look no further. These names for red parrots can represent boldness:
- Ruby
- Rusty
- Amber
- Strawberry
- Scarlet
- Phoenix
- Red
- Rose
- Poppy
- Annie
Funny Parrot Names
Parrots can bring fun and happiness into any home. What if their name alone helped in that venture? When you want to lighten the mood, then consider giving your parrot a funny name. If your bird is silly, cutesy – or even overly serious – these names can fit it perfectly:
- Nugget
- Beaker
- Harmony
- DJ
- Coconut
- Boss
- Doodle
- Snoopy
- Rainbow
- Wingman
- Jeeves
- Siri
African Grey Parrot Names
African Greys are one of the most popular breeds to own as pets. They’re also one of the smartest, according to Ethology, the intonation journal of behavioral biology. They can learn and comprehend words and phrases, easily picking up speech. That makes it even more important to give them a name worthy of their intelligence.
You can also play into their unique coloring. If you want a name that highlights the neutral shade of their feathers, then take a look:
Male Names
- Ghost
- Ash
- Lancelot
- Smoke
- Thor
- Merlin
- Storm
- Sterling
- Paco
- Alfie
- Jet
- Zeus
- Miguel
- Gray
- Bentley
- Apollo
- Chip
- Ringo
- Shadow
Female Names
- Penelope
- Heather
- Willow
- Pearl
- Jane
- Lilac
- Violet
- Stella
- Pepper
- Periwinkle
Disney Names
If Daffy and Iago got you sold on the cartoon angle, then why not lean into it? Disney has a range of characters that have imprinted on our minds – and our sense of humor. When you’re naming a bird that’s full of personality, you can consider these options:
Captain Peghook
Want to get spooky and fun? This parrot was a ghost in Ducktales and was a bit of a menace for the other characters in the show. If your parrot likes to get into trouble, Captain Peghook can be the perfect name for it.
Groucho
If your parrot is a fan of singing, this is a perfect choice. It’s also the name of a real parrot at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He sings to visitors at the park, keeping the mood light and fun. If your parrot likes to entertain you with a song, it has to be Groucho.
Parrot
This name may seem too simple to you – but it was good enough for Mickey Mouse and Pluto’s parrot. Found on a ship in the aptly named cartoon, Mickey’s Parrot, this bird left a memorable mark. If you want something simple, cute, and silly, then you can’t go wrong with Parrot.
Famous Pirate Names
Parrots are also synonymous with pirates. They are like peanut butter and jelly; they go together. What better way to honor that pairing than by naming your parrot after a pirate or something pirate-related? Here are a couple of names to choose from.
- Bandit
- Crackers
- Parley
- Matey
- Mr. Smee
- Scuttle
- Peter Pan
- Skully
- Bones
- Davy Jones
- Scallywag
- Jolly Roger
- Strumpet
- Bucko
- Barbossa
- Long John Silver
- Rapscallion
- Hook
- Littlefoot
- Sinker
- Paulie
Unisex Names
Are you uncertain about the sex of your parrot? Then don’t worry about getting caught up in the details. There are plenty of great unisex names to choose from. Check out these catchy options:
- Hershey
- Snickers
- Ozzy
- Whisper
- Nibbles
- Sugar
- Spice
- Teke
- Casper
- Hunter
- Piper
- Scooter
- Jazz
- Sammy
- Harley
- Piglet
- Peri
- Squidward
- Tiger
- Poncho
Do Parrots Know Their Own Name?
Parrots can learn and respond to their names. If your parrot is fully grown and rehomed to you from a previous owner, it’s recommended that you keep its original name. Just like humans, parrots can get attached to the sound and remember it for years to come. Of course, this depends on:
- How well the parrot is trained
- How often the name is used
If done right, your parrot will eventually understand that Polly, Tweety, Larry, or any other name belongs to it.
How To Teach Your Parrot Its Name
Picking out a name can be difficult. Teaching your parrot its name and ensuring it learns the sound can be just as tough. However, with enough persistence, you will ensure your bird friend adapts to the new custom.
In fact, according to The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, parrots have evolved to learn complex words, phrases, and “social affiliations.” How can you help your parrot learn its name? Follow these steps:
Pick A Name And Stick To It
Once you’ve chosen a name, try not to change it. That will confuse your parrot, making it difficult for the bird to associate the sounds you make with a name. Instead, consider the ideal name for a day or two before settling on it.
Use The Name Often
Once you have the ideal moniker, you should refer to the parrot by that name often. This should be:
- When you come home
- When you feed the parrot
- When you take the parrot out of the cage
- Whenever you look directly at the parrot, as a greeting
You should also encourage any visitors or roommates to do the same. This will help the bird realize that the sound isn’t just any name – but its own name.
Use Treats
When your parrot responds to its name, offer it a treat. This teaches the bird to associate that name with good things. Additionally, it lets your parrot know that the word you’re saying means you’re talking to it.
For better results, you can break these down into specific training sessions. Be sure to repeat the name-and-treat process for 15 minutes at a time.
Repeat Sessions
Keep doing these 15-minute treat sessions, 3 or 4 times per day, until the bird responds every time. This may take a few weeks.
With that said, make sure to give the parrot breaks in between sessions. It can get overly full on treats or become bored if you do the same task repeatedly.
If the parrot responds every time, then congratulations. It’s learned its name, and you can move on to teaching it other skills using this same process.
Finding the Right Name for Your Parrot
Choosing a name that best fits your parrot is not an easy task. You have to take into account a bird’s:
- Physical appearance
- Personality
- Age, gender, or other optional characteristics
Once you’ve narrowed that down, you should also consider:
- What names you’re willing to say aloud
- How quickly the names can be said
- If the name will eventually be shortened to a nickname (as doing so might confuse the bird).
Finding the right name can feel like a chore in itself. Luckily, the male and female names above should help you find the best name for a pet parrot.
