Do animals give each other names?

Do animals give each other names?

Fido, Goldie or Felix might have their own unique names…

Published: January 21, 2022 at 11:00 am

Once thought of as a uniquely human trait, research now suggests that other social species also dish out and respond to names. Green-rumped parrot parents give their chicks a ‘signature call’ or ‘name’, which is learned in the nest.

Dolphins learn their own, idiosyncratic ‘signature whistle’ from their mother, as well as recognising and remembering the ‘names’ of other dolphins too. These names are loaded with meaning – one study found that male dolphins respond more strongly to the whistles of consistently helpful allies than to those of more erratic aides.

Read more:

Asked by: Anna Crosby, Durham

To submit your questions email us at questions@sciencefocus.com (don't forget to include your name and location)

© Getty Images