Raven names can be inspired by their intelligence, appearance, or starring role in fantasy fiction. These black birds don’t make great pets, as they tend to maintain their wild instincts. But that shouldn’t stop you from naming ravens that visit your garden or those you encounter during a nature walk. We’ve got names for male and female ravens, funny and badass raven names, and those of the famous Tower of London ravens. Here are our winners for the best raven names.
Contents
- Male raven names
- Female raven names
- Names for pairs of ravens
- Tough raven names
- Funny names for ravens
- Black raven names
- Raven characters
Ravens are among the smartest of all birds, able to play games, solve complicated puzzles, and mimic the calls of other bird species. When raised in captivity, these communicative birds can even imitate human speech. If that wasn’t impressive enough, ravens are also acrobatic fliers, able to tumble and roll in the air while carrying sticks aloft, dropping them mid-flight, then diving to catch them in midair.
Ravens vs Crows
Although ravens are often mistaken for crows, it’s easiest to distinguish them is by their considerably larger size. Ravens have a wingspan of three to four feet, while a crow’s wingspan is about two and a half feet. Crows travel in large groups, ravens in pairs. Their tails are different too. The raven has longer middle feathers, and its tail appears wedge-shaped when open. Crows’ tail feathers are essentially the same length and open like a fan. Crows caw, while ravens have a lower croaking call.
Boy Raven Names
Although male ravens are a little larger than females, they look very similar. Males will use their in-flight aerobatics to attract a female during courtship. Here are some names suitable for male ravens.
- Marvin
- Calvin
- Alvin
- Donovan
- Roland
- Ramon
- Ronald
- Raymond
- Chico
- Levon
- Kevin
- Braedan
- Richard
- Randolph
- Crawford
- Poe
- Elijah
- Gus
- Oliver
- Dexter
- Rex
- Maxwell
- Fitheach
- Bertram
- Raban
- Fechin
- Ronne
- Wolfram
- Renwick
- Corben
- Ren
- Cormac
- Oreb
- Renfiled
- Roxbury
- Bertok
- Jeeves
Girl Raven Names
Female ravens will lay from three to seven eggs and are fed by the male while on the nest. There are plenty of feminine names that are suitable for a girl raven. Here are the ones we’ve selected.
- Rachel
- Ramona
- Rhonda
- Lenore
- Leigh
- Christina
- Charlotte
- Devon
- Lauren
- Diana
- Mia
- Bella
- Hedwig
- Robin
- Rose
- Rita
- Veronica
- Alexandra
- Zelda
- Sylvia
- Gabby
- Rae
- Cassandra
- Angelica
- Oliva
- Mavis
- Fannie
- Elvira
- Fay
- Maddie
Raven Couple Names
Once two ravens find each other, they mate for life and build a nest together during the breeding season. Since you’ll often see two of them at the same time, here are some names that are perfect for a raven couple.
- Heckle and Jeckle
- Bonnie and Clyde
- Fred and Wilma
- Lucy and Ricky
- Homer and Marge
- Lady and Tramp
- Antony and Cleopatra
- Mickey and Minnie
- Adam and Eve
- Napoleon and Josephine
- Bogie and Bacall
- Lancelot and Guinevere
- Romeo and Juliet
- Scarlett and Rhett
- Tristan and Isolde
Badass Raven Names
The wickedly intelligent raven is associated with sorcery, trickery, and prophecy. They’re known to remember where other birds have stashed food, which they then steal. Ravens will also communicate with carnivores like wolves, who can give them easier access to the meat of dead animals. Here are some names suitable for one of nature’s most badass birds.
- Night Caller
- Maverick
- Nevermore
- Banshee
- Eclipse
- Wicked
- Wizard
- Magic
- Merlin
- Baltimore
- Blackmore
- Dragon
- Mystique
- Warrior
- Skylar
- Fantasy
- Houdini
- Misty
- Caprice
- Legend
- Voodoo
- Darth Vader
- Prophet
- Scavenger
- Sorcerer
- Arabia
- Soldier
Funny Raven Names
Despite their links to gloom and doom, ravens can be pretty funny creatures. In addition to exhibiting a wide range of noises that includes chirps and cat-like meows, they display some comical behaviors, like sliding single file down snowfields and rolling around in anthills just for the fun of it. Here are some funny raven names that show off their sillier side.
- Inkblot
- Snatcher
- Tumbler
- Mischief
- Croaker
- Bobo
- Wrecker
- Scooter
- Soot
- Destroyer
- Beaky
- Pipsqueak
- Einstein
- Jinx
- Chase
- Godfeather
- Plucky
- Jailbird
- Squawk
- Bandit
- Copycat
- Dodger
Black Raven Names
Ravens are large birds with big feet and long bills and are entirely black, including the legs, eyes, and beak. It seems only fitting to include color-based names that reflect the raven’s darker side.
- Licorice
- Black Hawk
- Ebony
- Midnight
- Currant
- Shadow
- Cinder
- Crow
- Blackjack
- Jet
- Blackout
- Black Moon
- Black Widow
- Onyx
- Pepper
- Asher
- Coal
- Flint
- Black Cat
- Diesel
- Dark Angel
- Gothic
- Dark Knight
Tower of London Raven Names
The captive ravens at the Tower of London are known as the guardians of the Tower. Revered and a little feared as legend has it that the Tower and kingdom will fall if the famous ravens ever leave the fortress. Here are the raven names of the current Tower of London residents.
- Jubilee
- Harris
- Gripp
- Rocky
- Erin
- Poppy
- Georgie
- Branwen
- Edgar
Famous and Fantasy Raven Names
You can find many raven references in folklore and literature. Most notably, Edgar Allan Poe’s poem is said to have been inspired by a pet raven named Grip, owned by Charles Dickens. Shakespeare often used these ominous birds to create a sense of foreboding in his writing. Here are some raven names inspired by the arts.
- Grip (Barnaby Rudge)
- Hamuel (Tangled)
- Diablo (Maleficent)
- Tamaa (The Lion Guard)
- Hugin (Odin’s raven representing thought)
- Munin (Odin’s raven representing memory)
- Wormwood (Sofia the first)
- Maui (Moana)
Choosing the Best Name for a Raven
Ravens are not your average birds. They deserve a name as unique as they are. Let your imagination soar, and you’ll find a name that suits your favorite raven well.
Did you choose one of our raven names or come up with one of your own. Let us know in the comment section below.
References and Resources
- “All About Birds” The Cornell Lab
- “Common Raven” Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
