200+ Black Chicken Names: Cute, Funny, Unique & More (2026)
Last updated March 11, 2026
My first Australorp was named Luna. She had this way of hanging back from the rest of the flock — not skittish, just watchful — like she was keeping track of something the other hens couldn't see. The name just fit. Black chickens have that effect on you. Whether you've got a glossy Black Australorp, a bold Jersey Giant, a fluffy Black Silkie, or the remarkable Ayam Cemani (the all-black breed where even the bones are dark), their striking appearance makes naming them genuinely fun.
Here are 200+ names organized by vibe — so whether you want something dramatic, funny, sweet, or completely unexpected, you'll find it.
Quick Pick: 10 Best Black Chicken Names at a Glance
Luna | Shadow | Onyx | Oreo | Morticia | Raven | Darth Egger | Midnight | Salem | Obsidian
What Is the Nickname of the All-Black Chicken?
The Ayam Cemani is often called the "world's darkest chicken" — it's entirely black, including its feathers, beak, skin, and even internal organs and bones. If you have one of these remarkable birds, a name with some depth and drama feels right. Other popular all-black breeds include the Black Australorp, Jersey Giant, Black Star, and Black Silkie — and their dramatic, iridescent feathers are exactly why naming them is such a satisfying project.
A Few Tips Before You Start Naming
Before you dive into 200 names, a few things that actually help:
- Match the name to the personality, not just the color. A calm, observant hen might be more "Luna" than "Nemesis." A bossy rooster who acts like he owns everything? That's your Vader.
- Shorter names (1–2 syllables) are easier for chickens to learn. They can actually recognize their names with consistent use — "Raven" or "Onyx" works better than "Obsidian the Magnificent."
- Name by quirk. The hen who always roosts highest might be "Summit" or "Eclipse." The rooster who appears out of nowhere? Phantom.
- Make it a family thing. Narrow it to a shortlist of 5 and let the kids vote. It becomes a flock tradition, and everyone gets invested.
Names for Black Hens
Black hens are naturally suited to names that feel mysterious, beautiful, or a little dramatic. These are my favorites — with a few notes on the ones that feel especially right.
Top picks:
- Luna — For the hen who always seems to be watching, waiting, and thinking three moves ahead. My personal favorite.
- Salem — Named for the black cat in Sabrina the Teenage Witch — perfect for a hen with attitude and opinions.
- Midnight — Classic for a reason. Best for a hen who's last to roost and first to make her presence known in the morning.
- Raven — Beautiful and a little mysterious. Suits a hen with sleek, iridescent black feathers that catch the light.
- Ebony — Elegant and simple. Best for a hen who carries herself like she knows she's the prettiest bird in the yard.
Full list:
Luna, Midnight, Salem, Raven, Ebony, Nyx, Nova, Mystique, Selene, Indigo, Umbra, Ophelia, Ravena, Hera, Onyx, Octavia, Morticia, Blackberry, Inky, Pepper, S'mores, Dusky, Mocha, Espresso, Stormy, Velvet, Noir, Bella, Sable, Lily, Nora, Dusk, Lady, Tara, Crownette
Names for Black Roosters
A black rooster strutting across the yard is one of the more impressive things in backyard chicken-keeping. The names should match the energy. (Quick note: local ordinances in many areas don't allow roosters — check yours before you get attached to naming one.)
Top picks:
- Vader — The obvious Star Wars choice, but it works. Reserve it for a rooster who acts like he owns the coop and everyone in it.
- Hades — God of the underworld, ruler of the coop. Ideal for a rooster who takes his guard duties very, very seriously.
- Phantom — For the rooster who moves silently and appears out of nowhere. Somehow always startles you.
- Obsidian — Volcanic glass with razor edges. A name for a rooster with gleaming black feathers and a no-nonsense attitude.
- Rogue — Independent, unpredictable, impossible to boss around. If your rooster clearly has his own agenda, this is his name.
Full list:
Vader, Hades, Phantom, Rogue, Obsidian, Crow, Noir, Panther, Nemesis, Nightshade, Draven, Eclipse, Zorro, Shadow, Voodoo, Diablo, Sith, Thunder, Shade, Jet, Goliath, Omen, Knight, Blackheart, Gunsmoke, Mace, Night Train, Azrael, Ember, Onyx
Funny Black Chicken Names
This is my favorite category. Black chickens practically write their own punchlines.
Punny Names (dark-theme wordplay):
Darth Egger, Cluck Vader, Blackula, Shadow Beak, Volde-bird, Darkwing Duck, Edgar Allan Crow, Count Cluckula, The Darkling, Hen-ry the Dark
My neighbor named hers "Chicken Blackius" and I respect the commitment.
Just Plain Funny:
Ninja, Charcoal, Batman, Goth Chicken, Black Jack, Black Pearl, Reaper, Gotham, Blackbeard, Ravenclaw, Shady Lady, Phantom Menace, Smoke Screen, Mystic, Gothic
Cute Black Chicken Names
Don't let the dramatic feathers fool you — black chickens can have the sweetest names. These work especially well for hens with gentle personalities or fluffy breeds like Silkies.
Oreo, Licorice, S'mores, Brownie, Cocoa, Espresso, Mocha, Blackberry, Cookie, Panda, Smudge, Inky, Sootie, Pepper, Luna, Willow, Nova, Stormy, Velvet, Pudding, Sprinkles, Mochi, Dusk, Indigo, Pebble, Biscuit, Shadow, Ebony, Twinkle, Midnight
Unique Black Chicken Names
If you want a name no one else's chicken has, here's where to look.
From Mythology:
- Nyx — Greek goddess and personification of night itself. Best for a hen that is truly blacker than black.
- Erebus — Primordial darkness in Greek mythology — the darkness that existed before even night.
- Kali — Hindu goddess of power and transformation, often depicted in deep black. Bold and beautiful.
- Hecate — Greek goddess of magic, crossroads, and the night. For a hen who seems otherworldly.
- Tenebris — Latin for "darkness." Elegant, unusual, no one else will have it.
- Morgan — As in Morgan le Fay, the Arthurian sorceress with dark powers. Sophisticated and unexpected.
From Astronomy & Science:
- Vantablack — The darkest man-made substance known (absorbs 99.96% of light). A bold choice.
- Penumbra — The outer shadow of an eclipse. Softer and more poetic than "Umbra."
- Umbra — The full, deepest part of an eclipse shadow. Short, striking, unique.
- Aphelion — The point in a planet's orbit farthest from the sun. Unusual and beautiful.
- Eventide — The time of evening. Softer and more lyrical than most names on this list.
From Other Languages:
- Noir (French: black)
- Sable (French/heraldic: black)
- Oscuro (Spanish: dark)
- Noche (Spanish: night)
- Schwarz (German: black)
Black and White Chicken Names
If your chicken has white markings — or you just love the contrast — these names play on both colors.
Oreo, Domino, Panda, Checkers, Magpie, Tuxedo, Harlequin, Yin and Yang, Patches, Dice, Penguin, Inkblot, Smudge, Piebald, Dalmation
Dark and Mysterious Black Chicken Names
Some black chickens just look like they have secrets. These names lean into that energy.
Top picks with notes:
- Nightshade — Beautiful, but potentially fatal. For a hen with iridescent black feathers and a mysterious way about her.
- Bellatrix — Both a star and a Harry Potter character. Both are dramatic and unapologetically intense.
- Wormwood — Botanical, dark, completely unexpected. For the chicken who seems a little bewitched.
- Belladonna — Also called deadly nightshade — beautiful and just slightly ominous. Fits a hen with expressive eyes.
- Eclipse — For the chicken who darkens every space she walks into, in the most beautiful way.
Full list:
Nightshade, Bellatrix, Wormwood, Belladonna, Eclipse, Penumbra, Hemlock, Ravenna, Hecate, Circe, Maleficent, Eventide, Solstice, Hex, Morgan, Umbra, Tenebris, Erebus, Shade, Vesper
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nickname of the all-black chicken? The Ayam Cemani is often called the "world's darkest chicken." It's entirely black — feathers, beak, skin, bones, and even internal organs. Other all-black breeds include the Black Australorp, Jersey Giant, Black Star, and Black Silkie.
What should I name my black bird? For something dramatic, try Shadow, Obsidian, or Eclipse. For something cute, Oreo, Mocha, or Luna are popular choices. For something funny, Darth Egger or Blackula are hard to beat.
What are unique names for black chickens? Try mythology (Nyx, Erebus, Kali) or other languages (Noir, Sable, Noche). These are striking, unusual, and most people haven't heard them used for chickens before.
What is a good name for a black hen? Luna, Salem, Midnight, Raven, and Ebony are consistently popular for black hens. They're evocative without being over-the-top.
What is a good name for a black rooster? Vader, Hades, Phantom, Obsidian, and Crow all carry the dark, powerful energy a black rooster naturally brings to a flock.
Can chickens learn their names? Yes — chickens can recognize and respond to their names, especially with consistent use. Short names with a clear vowel sound (like "Luna" or "Raven") are easiest for them to learn.
