Cows make interesting companions who are intelligent, social, and friendly, so when you get one of them as a pet, it’s time to search for the perfect cow name for them. Naming your cow, whether they are a family pet or a productive family animal, can make your bovine friend feel like family.

Whether it be naming one cow, a pair of cows, or a small herd, we've pulled a variety of cow names to help spark your own creativity.

Top Cow Names

• Bessie
• Brownie
• Buttercup
• Clarabelle
• Dottie
• Guinness
• Magic
• Nellie
• Penelope
• Penny
• Rosie
• Snowflake
• Sprinkles
• Sugar

Traditional Cow Names 

Some cow names are simple classics, used as bovine monikers for centuries. Note the abundance of names with “bell” in them. It’s possible they were inspired by the cowbells traditionally placed on cows so their owners could keep track of the cow’s whereabouts. Take a gander at some of these time-honored cow names:

• Annabelle
• Bella
• Bessie
• Betty
• Betsie
• Bossy
• Clarabelle
• Daisy
• Flossie
• Gertie
• Henrietta
• Nellie
• Rosie

Names for Black Cows  

Some cow names based on the color black include:

• Angus
• Black Beauty
• Blackjack
• Ebony
• Emery
• Espresso
• Guinness
• Magic
• Midnight
• Onyx
• Shadow
• Smokey
• Storm
• Thunder

Names for Black and White Cows  

What could be more quintessentially bovine than the black and white cow? Some fun names to consider include:

• Cookies and Cream
• Domino
• Dot
• Dottie
• Oreo
• Panda
• Patches
• Polka Dot
• Speckles 
• Spot
• Sprinkles
• Tux (short for Tuxedo)
  

Names for Brown Cows

How about names for a brown cow? Here are some ideas based on the color brown:

• Brownie
• Butterscotch
• Cocoa
• Hershey
• Hickory
• Honey
• Mocha
• Molasses
• Moose
• Nutella

Names for Red Cows

Some red cow name ideas include:

• Amber
• Brandy
• Cabernet
• Cayenne
• Copper
• Crimson
• Foxy
• Ginger
• Goldie
• Peaches
• Penny
• Red
• Rosie
• Ruby

Names for White Cows  

White cows are beautiful to behold. Consider some names based on a white cow’s striking color:

• Angel
• Bianca
• Coconut
• Crystal
• Diamond
• Ivory
• Marshmallow
• Milky
• Pearl
• Popcorn
• Snowball
• Snowflake
• Snowy
• Sugar

Female Cow Names 

It’s cute to choose an extra-girly name for a female cow. Consider some of these feminine cow names:

• Amy
• Arabella
• Bertha
• Bubbles
• Buttercup
• Chloe
• Cinnamon
• Ella
• Elsie
• Emma
• Hope
• Lulu
• Maggie
• Melody
• Millie
• Minnie
• Moolinda
• Moolise
• Moolissa
• Muffin
• Penelope
• Phoebe
• Princess
• Sadie
• Sweetie

Male Cow Names

Here are some ideas for your handsome male cow:

• Apollo
• Biggie
• Bruno
• Bubba
• Bullseye
• Bully
• Clover
• Diesel
• Duke
• Earl
• Frank
• Herbie
• Hercules
• James
• Jimmy
• Kenny
• Maverick
• Mercury
• Neptune
• Orson
• Pluto
• Rex
• Samson
• Toby
• Zeus

Famous Cow Names

Want to name your cows after those that have become famous? Check out these ideas:

• Ada
• Chatty Belle
• Ferdinand
• Lani Moo
• Minnie Moo
• Norman
• Ollie
• Pauline Wayne
  

Tips for Naming Your Cow

As you start your quest for a great name for your cow, consider some of your cow’s defining characteristics. All of these features can help inspire you as you start thinking about the perfect name for your cow:

Consider the Gender and Color

First, is your cow male (called a bull or a steer) or female (called a cow or heifer)? Also important is your cow’s color, which is often linked to their breed. For instance, Angus cattle are usually black, Holstein cattle are black and white, and Jersey cattle are brown.

Consider the Type of Cow

Don’t forget about the type of cow you own. Even if your cow’s sole purpose will be as your treasured pet, is your cow a dairy cow or beef cow?

Consider How Many Cows You Have

Also, think about how many cows you have to name. Coming up with names that rhyme or themed names for two, three, four, or more cows is always fun.

For more pet name ideas, check out:

• 64 Name Ideas for Pet Goats and Sheep
• 76 Chicken Names
• Good Names for Exotic Pets