Hyenas are fascinating and unique animals known for their distinctive laughing sounds and strong social bonds. These intelligent creatures are often misunderstood, but they make exciting pets for those lucky enough to care for them.
With their playful personalities and striking appearance, hyenas deserve names that match their special character. Whether you want something that reflects their wild nature, their amusing laugh, or their loyal friendship, the perfect name is out there waiting.
A good name should feel right when you say it and capture what makes your hyena special. In this blog post, we’ll explore hundreds of creative naming options to help you find that perfect match for your extraordinary companion.
Fun Facts About Hyenas
Hyenas are amazing animals with surprising secrets! Despite looking like dogs, they’re actually more closely related to cats (source).
Female hyenas are the bosses of their groups, making all the important decisions. These incredible creatures have jaw strength powerful enough to crush bones like crackers.
Their famous “laugh” is actually how they talk to each other, showing different emotions and messages to their family members.
5 Quick Tips For Choosing The Right Name
1. Keep It Short and Simple – Choose names with 1-2 syllables that are easy to say quickly. Your hyena will learn and respond to shorter names much faster.
2. Match Their Personality – Watch how your hyena acts. Are they playful, calm, or mischievous? Pick a name that fits their unique character and behavior.
3. Test It Out Loud – Say the name several times to see how it feels. Make sure it sounds good when you call it across the yard or at the vet’s office.
4. Avoid Confusing Sounds – Don’t pick names that sound like common commands such as “sit” or “no.” This helps prevent training confusion later.
5. Choose Something You Love – You’ll say this name thousands of times, so pick something that makes you smile and feels special to you both.
Cute Hyena Names
Hyenas may be known as fierce wild animals, but they can also inspire adorable names! These cute hyena names are perfect for pets, stuffed animals, or fictional characters, capturing the sweeter side of these interesting creatures.
- Ada
- Honey
- Maple
- Candy
- Bella
- Luna
- Daisy
- Rosie
- Muffin
- Peanut
- Buttons
- Cocoa
- Pip
- Annie
- Snuggles
- Poppy
- Pickle
- Biscuit
- Marshmallow
- Buttercup
- Giggles
- Clover
- Pudding
- Nibbles
- Pepper
- Cupcake
- Floofer
- Huggle
- Freya
- Elise
Famous Hyena Names
These are well-known hyena names from movies, TV shows, books, and other popular media. Most famous hyenas come from animated films and cartoons, especially Disney’s “The Lion King” franchise, where they often play memorable villain or comic relief roles.
- Shenzi
- Banzai
- Ed
- Azizi
- Kamari
- Baasho
- Scar
- Janja
- Chungu
- Cheezi
- Nne
- Tano
- Reirei
- Goigoi
- Dogo
- Kijana
- Madoa
- Jasiri
- Wema
- Tunu
- Kiburi
- Tamka
- Nduli
- Tamaa
- Kenge
- Mzingo
- Shupavu
- Njano
- Vita
- Shabaha
Male Hyena Names
These Strong names are perfect for male hyenas. These names capture the bold, fierce, and dominant nature of male hyenas, drawing inspiration from their strength, hunting abilities, and leadership qualities in the wild.
- Vader
- Rex
- Thor
- Zeus
- Atlas
- Bruno
- Max
- Hunter
- Shadow
- Duke
- Tank
- Diesel
- Ranger
- Storm
- Blaze
- Titan
- Ace
- Rocky
- Chief
- Kodiak
- Bear
- Gunner
- Spike
- Buster
- Ranger
- Scout
- Rebel
- Axel
- Kane
- Bronx
Female Hyena Names
Perfect names for female hyenas that reflect their strong, independent, and matriarchal nature. In hyena societies, females are typically larger and more dominant than males, so these names capture their powerful leadership qualities and fierce maternal instincts.
- Electra
- Athena
- Nala
- Zara
- Luna
- Bella
- Maya
- Raven
- Storm
- Nyx
- Cleo
- Sasha
- Kira
- Freya
- Tara
- Zena
- Nova
- Amber
- Sage
- Ruby
- Ivy
- Dawn
- Jade
- Vera
- Mira
- Eden
- Aria
- Skye
- Willow
- Phoenix
Baby Hyena Names
Adorable names perfect for baby hyenas, also known as cubs. These sweet and playful names capture the innocent, curious, and endearing nature of young hyenas before they grow into their fierce adult personalities.
- Cupcake
- Pip
- Peanut
- Button
- Tiny
- Bubbles
- Cookie
- Bambi
- Ziggy
- Pebble
- Squeaky
- Patches
- Bingo
- Chippy
- Doodle
- Fidget
- Gizmo
- Hobbit
- Jelly
- Kiwi
- Munchkin
- Niblet
- Ollie
- Puddle
- Rascal
- Snippet
- Tadpole
- Wiggle
- Yogi
- Zippy
Nicknames For Hyena
Fun and casual nicknames that capture the playful, mischievous, and distinctive traits of hyenas. These short and catchy names are perfect for everyday use, highlighting their famous laugh, spotted appearance, and wild personality.
- Mottled
- Giggles
- Spots
- Chuckles
- Patches
- Snickers
- Dotty
- Laughs
- Speckles
- Howler
- Cackles
- Freckles
- Whoopi
- Smirks
- Peppered
- Grins
- Dapple
- Chortles
- Spottie
- Haha
- Dotsy
- Teehee
- Sprinkles
- Chuckie
- Leopard
- Snorts
- Polka
- Guffaw
- Specky
- Jester
Funny Hyena Names
Hilarious and clever names that play on hyenas’ reputation for their distinctive “laughing” sounds, scavenging habits, and mischievous nature.
These humorous names are perfect for bringing out the comedic side of these entertaining animals.
- Laugh-a-Lot
- Laughzilla
- Chuckleberry
- Gigglepuff
- Snorticus
- Cackleface
- Whoopee
- Tickles
- Guffawbert
- Chortleston
- Snickerdoodle
- Belly-Laugh
- Chorizo
- Knee-Slapper
- Gigglesworth
- Ha-Ha-Harry
- Chucklenuts
- LOL-bert
- Cackleberry
- Snort-Snort
- Teehee-Rex
- Chucklehead
- Gigglemonster
- Snickerpants
- Cackleton
- Belly-Buster
- Whoopie-Cushion
- Chuckle-Chuck
- Giggle-Wiggle
- Snorty-McSnort
Badass Hyena Names
These strong names capture their reputation as skilled hunters, fearless scavengers, and dominant predators of the African savanna.
- Phantom
- Venom
- Crusher
- Fang
- Reaper
- Savage
- Destroyer
- Viper
- Chaos
- Rampage
- Predator
- Vortex
- Havoc
- Razor
- Demon
- Slasher
- Nightmare
- Beast
- Terror
- Inferno
- Carnage
- Striker
- Fury
- Ripper
- Dagger
- Menace
- Vengeance
- Stalker
- Outlaw
- Warlock
Unisex Hyena Names
Gender-neutral names that work perfectly for any hyena, regardless of whether they’re male or female. These versatile names focus on universal traits like strength, nature, and personality characteristics that suit all hyenas equally well.
- Zephyr
- River
- Storm
- Shadow
- Sage
- Phoenix
- Dakota
- Rowan
- Sky
- Hunter
- Ash
- Forest
- Journey
- Echo
- Vale
- Raven
- Ember
- Ocean
- Sterling
- Rain
- Frost
- Canyon
- Blaze
- Cedar
- Nova
- Ridge
- Slate
- Dawn
- Quest
- Sage
Cool Hyena Names
Stylish and trendy names that give hyenas a modern, edgy vibe. These cool names blend contemporary appeal with the wild nature of hyenas, perfect for those who want something that sounds both fashionable and fierce.
- Titan
- Zyx
- Onyx
- Nexus
- Zephyr
- Cipher
- Axel
- Vex
- Knox
- Ryder
- Phoenix
- Zara
- Jet
- Neo
- Rex
- Ace
- Zion
- Kai
- Mox
- Jax
- Cruz
- Vega
- Flux
- Zen
- Lynx
- Dash
- Blitz
- Rocco
- Zeke
- Nyx
Last Words
We hope you’ve selected your favorite name. Finding the perfect name for your pet hyena should be fun and meaningful. Remember that the best names reflect your hyena’s unique personality while being easy to say and remember.
Whether you choose something wild and adventurous or sweet and playful, the most important thing is that it feels right for both of you. Take your time, try out different options, and trust your instincts. Your hyena will soon learn to love their new name just as much as you do!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take for a hyena to learn their name?
A: Most hyenas can learn their name within 2-4 weeks with consistent use and positive reinforcement during training.
Q: Can I change my hyena’s name if they already have one?
A: Yes! Hyenas are smart and adaptable. It may take a few extra weeks, but they can definitely learn a new name.
Q: Should I avoid human names for my hyena?
A: Not at all! Many pet owners use human names. Choose whatever feels right and makes you happy.
Q: Do hyenas respond better to certain types of names?
A: Names with strong consonant sounds (like “Max” or “Koda”) are often easier for animals to recognize and remember.
Q: Is it okay to have a long name with a short nickname?
A: Absolutely! You can have a formal long name but use a shorter nickname for daily calling and training.
