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Highland cattle names: 170+ Scottish, cute and funny cow names

172 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

The best Highland cattle names are Scottish, like Hamish, Morag and Bonnie, because the breed comes from the Highlands and western islands of Scotland. A Gaelic or Scots name suits a shaggy cow far better than a generic farm name.

Below are 170+ Highland cow names grouped by style: Scottish girl names for cows and heifers, boy names for bulls and steers, Scots and Gaelic words, Scottish places, cute calf names, funny puns, coat color names and matching pairs. Notes on the Scottish names give the origin or meaning, so you know what you are calling your coo.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Shaggy

    All coat, all charm, no haircut needed

  • Dolly

    Scotland's famous cloned sheep had this name too

  • Silver

    For one of the breed's rarer coat colors

  • Tiger

    For a brindle coat with stripes

  • Cinnamon

    Warm brown-red, like the spice

  • Morag

    From the Gaelic word for great, fitting for a big cow

Want endless ideas? Try the baby name generator and generate new names in one click.

Scottish cow names for girls

Traditional Scottish and Gaelic names for cows and heifers. Pronunciations are given where the spelling is not obvious.

  1. Morag: From the Gaelic word for great, fitting for a big cow
  2. Fiona: From Gaelic for fair or white, made popular by a Scottish poet
  3. Kirsty: A Scottish short form of Christine, friendly and warm
  4. Elspeth: The Scottish form of Elizabeth, prim and proper
  5. Mhairi: The Gaelic form of Mary, said VAH-ree
  6. Catriona: The Gaelic form of Katherine, said ka-TREE-na
  7. Eilidh: A Gaelic name linked to Helen, said AY-lee
  8. Shona: Anglicized from the Gaelic names Seonag and Seònaid
  9. Morven: Gaelic for big mountain, and the name of Scottish hills
  10. Flora: Shares a name with the heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape
  11. Effie: A Scottish pet form of Euphemia, sweet and old-fashioned
  12. Jessie: A traditional Scottish pet form of Janet or Jean
  13. Maisie: A Scottish pet form of Margaret, bright and cheerful
  14. Peigi: The Gaelic form of Peggy, a farmyard favorite
  15. Greer: A Scottish surname from Gregor, which means watchful
  16. Lorna: Invented for an 1869 novel, possibly after Lorne in Argyll
  17. Kenna: A feminine form of a name borne by early Scottish kings
  18. Ishbel: The Scottish form of Isabel, graceful and old
  19. Rhona: Possibly from Rona, a small Hebridean island
  20. Kenzie: Short for a proud Highland clan surname
  21. Davina: A Scottish feminine form of David

Scottish bull names for boys

Strong Gaelic and Scots names for bulls, steers and bull calves.

  1. Hamish: The Gaelic form of James, a classic for a Highland bull
  2. Angus: Gaelic for one strength, and a famous cattle county
  3. Fergus: From Gaelic, often explained as man of vigor
  4. Lachlan: From Lochlann, an old Gaelic name for Norway
  5. Callum: From the Latin for dove, through Saint Columba
  6. Dougal: From Gaelic for dark stranger
  7. Duncan: Gaelic, usually explained as brown warrior or brown chief
  8. Alistair: The Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander
  9. Rory: From the Gaelic for red king, perfect for a red bull
  10. Torquil: A Gaelic name from Old Norse, linked to the god Thor
  11. Gregor: A Scottish form of a Greek name meaning watchful
  12. Murdo: A classic name in the Hebrides, sturdy and warm
  13. Rabbie: The Scots pet form of Robert, as in the poet Burns
  14. Tam: The Scots short form of Thomas, hero of a famous Burns poem
  15. Wullie: The Scots form of Willie, cheerful and down to earth
  16. Archie: A Scottish favorite, short for Archibald
  17. Euan: A Scottish name of Gaelic origin, strong and simple
  18. Struan: From a Gaelic word for a little stream
  19. Bruce: After Robert I, the king of Scots who won at Bannockburn
  20. Wallace: After Sir William, Scotland's hero of the 1290s wars
  21. Kenneth: After Cináed mac Ailpín, often called the first king of Scots
  22. Hector: Long used in the Highlands for the Gaelic name Eachann

Scottish words that make great Highland cow names

Scots and Gaelic words, Scottish foods and Highland things. Short, cheerful and easy to call across a field.

  1. Bonnie: Scots for pretty, a perfect name for a pretty heifer
  2. Wee Bairn: Scots for small child, ideal for a newborn calf
  3. Heilan Coo: Scots for Highland cow, said with a smile
  4. Ceilidh: A Gaelic party with music and dancing, said KAY-lee
  5. Glen: From the Gaelic for valley, where the herd grazes
  6. Ben: From the Gaelic word for a mountain peak
  7. Loch: The Scottish word for a lake or sea inlet
  8. Braw: Scots for fine or handsome
  9. Canny: Scots for careful and shrewd
  10. Dreich: Scots for dull, wet weather, which these cows shrug off
  11. Thistle: Scotland's national flower, prickly but proud
  12. Heather: The purple flower that covers Highland hills
  13. Bracken: The tall fern on every Scottish hillside
  14. Tattie: Scots for potato, round and lovable
  15. Neep: Scots for turnip, the classic side to haggis
  16. Haggis: Scotland's national dish, for a round, hearty calf
  17. Shortbread: A buttery Scottish classic for a golden cow
  18. Bannock: A flat Scottish oat bread, warm and homely
  19. Tartan: For a cow that wears a plaid blanket in winter
  20. Piper: For a cow with a moo that carries across the glen
  21. Dossan: The Scots word for the long fringe over a Highland cow's eyes
  22. Kyloe: An old name for the small Highland cattle of the islands
  23. Stoater: Scots slang for an absolute beauty
  24. Blether: Scots for a chat, ideal for a chatty cow

Highland cow names from Scottish places

Islands, rivers, lochs and mountains of Scotland. Every one is a real place.

  1. Skye: The largest island of the Inner Hebrides
  2. Iona: A small Hebridean island famous for its ancient abbey
  3. Isla: Shares its name with two Scottish rivers, said EYE-la
  4. Ailsa: Named after a granite island rock in the Firth of Clyde
  5. Arran: An island in the Firth of Clyde, called Scotland in miniature
  6. Mull: A big Hebridean island of rugged hills and sea lochs
  7. Harris: An Outer Hebrides isle famous for its handwoven tweed
  8. Lewis: The northern part of the largest Outer Hebridean island
  9. Orkney: Northern isles dotted with ancient standing stones
  10. Tay: Scotland's longest river, flowing past Perth and Dundee
  11. Clyde: The river that runs through Glasgow
  12. Nevis: From Britain's highest mountain, near Fort William
  13. Cairngorm: A mountain area that is home to a reindeer herd
  14. Lomond: From the large loch north of Glasgow
  15. Ness: A deep loch with a legendary monster
  16. Glencoe: A dramatic Highland glen of steep mountains
  17. Oban: A harbor town known as the gateway to the isles
  18. Fife: A proud eastern county, home of St Andrews
  19. Moray: A northeast region of rich farmland and coast
  20. Argyll: A western county of lochs and islands
  21. Dundee: A city on the Tay, famous for marmalade
  22. Balmoral: The royal estate on Deeside in the Scottish Highlands
  23. Torridon: Dramatic red sandstone mountains in Wester Ross

Cute Highland cow names

Soft, sweet names for fluffy calves and gentle cows. These also work as cute cow names for any breed.

  1. Mochi: A soft, squishy rice cake name for a calf
  2. Teddy: A walking, mooing stuffed bear
  3. Mop: For a calf whose fringe covers both eyes
  4. Shaggy: All coat, all charm, no haircut needed
  5. Pom Pom: A round, bouncy calf with a fluffy coat
  6. Moo Moo: Twice the sound, twice the sweetness
  7. Buttercup: A classic dairy-farm name with a sunny glow
  8. Bramble: A wild blackberry name for a scruffy calf
  9. Willow: Gentle, graceful and calm in the field
  10. Poppy: Bright red, like the flower
  11. Woolly: That double coat keeps out any winter
  12. Bluebell: A Scottish wildflower name for a gentle cow
  13. Nutmeg: A warm, spicy name for a brown calf
  14. Sweetpea: A garden flower name for a gentle heifer
  15. Dolly: Scotland's famous cloned sheep had this name too
  16. Pippa: Small, sweet and full of pep
  17. Tuppence: An old coin name for a little calf
  18. Tufty: For a calf with a wild topknot
  19. Peony: A soft, pretty flower name
  20. Fern: A soft green name for a hillside grazer
  21. Wren: A tiny Scottish bird for a tiny calf
  22. Heidi: A mountain-girl name for a hill-loving calf

Funny Highland cow names

Puns on hair, horns, moos and Scotland. Highland cows have the best hair on the farm, and these names say so.

  1. Moodini: Escapes from every fence on the farm
  2. Moo-donna: A pop queen with a big hair era
  3. Bad Hair Day: Every day, and still gorgeous
  4. Hairy Styles: A pop star with the best hair on the farm
  5. Cowabunga: A surfer shout for a laid-back cow
  6. Udderly Fabulous: Knows exactly how good she looks
  7. Moo-tallica: A heavy-metal cow with heavy-metal hair
  8. Cowlick: That Highland hair is always sticking up
  9. Laird of the Glen: A Scottish lord who owns every inch of pasture
  10. Bagpipes: Loud, proud and impossible to ignore
  11. Chieftain: The head of the clan, horns and all
  12. Fluffalo: Half fluffy cow, half buffalo, all hugs
  13. Mooriarty: A clever villain name for a cow who plots escapes
  14. Cowlin Firth: A dashing actor with a Scottish waterway twist
  15. Loch Moo Monster: Hides in the reeds and pops up for snacks
  16. Highland Fling: A Scottish dance for a cow with big moves
  17. Fringe Festival: Edinburgh's famous arts event, plus the best bangs in Scotland
  18. Bravehorn: A Braveheart pun for a bold bull
  19. Scone Ranger: A lone hero with a Scottish bake
  20. Hornblower: A seafaring hero's name for a very pointy bull
  21. Mooch: Always hanging around the feed bucket
  22. Big Hairy Deal: Acts like it is no big thing, but it is
  23. Shampoo: The most-needed product on a Highland farm

Highland cow names by coat color

Most Highland cattle are red, but the breed also comes in yellow, black, dun, brindle, white and silver. Let the coat pick the name.

  1. Rusty: A classic for the famous red coat
  2. Copper: A shiny name for a bright red cow
  3. Rowan: After the red-berried Scottish tree
  4. Gingersnap: A spicy name for a red-orange calf
  5. Paprika: A smoky red spice for a deep red cow
  6. Cinnamon: Warm brown-red, like the spice
  7. Ember: A glowing name for a fiery red coat
  8. Marmalade: Orange-gold, and a nod to Dundee
  9. Butterscotch: For a golden yellow Highland cow
  10. Toffee: Sweet, chewy and golden brown
  11. Fudge: A soft brown name for a dun cow
  12. Oatmeal: A creamy name for a pale dun cow
  13. Sandy: For a pale yellow or dun coat
  14. Barley: A golden grain name for a yellow cow
  15. Midnight: For a deep black Highland cow
  16. Coal: Black, sturdy and warm
  17. Licorice: A sweet name for a glossy black coat
  18. Raven: For a black cow with a shiny coat
  19. Snowdrop: For a rare white Highland cow
  20. Silver: For one of the breed's rarer coat colors
  21. Frost: Pale and cool, for a white coat
  22. Tiger: For a brindle coat with stripes

Names for pairs of Highland cows

Two coos in the field? A fold of Highland cattle deserves names that belong together.

  1. Kilt and Sporran: A traditional Highland outfit, split in two
  2. Thistle and Rose: Scotland's flower and England's, sharing one field
  3. Tweedledee and Tweedledum: Two cows that are impossible to tell apart
  4. Burns and Scott: Scotland's two great writers, Robert and Walter
  5. Mist and Moor: A misty Highland morning in two names
  6. Pipe and Drum: A Highland band in two cows
  7. Highland and Lowland: One from the hills, one from the plains
  8. Peat and Moss: Two soft, earthy names from the Scottish moors
  9. Scone and Jam: A teatime pair for two sweet cows
  10. Tweed and Plaid: Two cozy Scottish fabrics for two cozy cows
  11. Sunshine and Showers: Scottish weather in one pair of cows
  12. Jig and Reel: Two lively Scottish dances for two lively calves
  13. Castle and Croft: One grand, one humble, both beloved
  14. Oatcake and Crowdie: A Scottish snack pair, soft cheese included
  15. Frost and Thaw: Seasons change, but the friendship stays

How to pick the right name

Go Scottish

Highland cattle come from the Scottish Highlands and islands, so a Gaelic or Scots name feels right. Hamish, Morag, Fergus and Bonnie are favorites for good reason.

Let the coat decide

Red, black, yellow, dun, white and silver coats each suggest names. Rusty, Midnight or Butterscotch tells visitors what to look for.

Check the pronunciation

Some Gaelic names are not said the way they look. Mhairi is VAH-ree and Eilidh is AY-lee. Pick one you are happy to call out every day.

Browse Scottish given names

For more ideas, use our baby name generator with the Scottish filter. Traditional human names suit Highland cattle surprisingly well.

Highland cattle names: 172 ideas from Nomezo

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Frequently asked questions

What is a good name for a Highland cow?

Popular Highland cow names include Hamish, Morag, Bonnie, Angus, Fiona and Heather. Scottish names suit the breed because it comes from the Highlands and islands of Scotland.

What are Scottish names for cows?

Try Gaelic and Scots names like Mhairi, Eilidh, Catriona, Fergus, Lachlan and Rory, or Scots words such as Bonnie, Braw and Ceilidh. Scottish places like Skye, Iona and Arran also make lovely cow names.

What is a group of Highland cattle called?

A group of Highland cattle is called a fold, not a herd. Traditionally the cattle were sheltered together in open stone enclosures called folds.

What do Scottish people call a Highland cow?

In Scots it is a Heilan coo, which means Highland cow. Many owners simply call their cattle coos.

Where do Highland cattle come from?

Highland cattle come from the Scottish Highlands and the Western Isles. Their long double coat protects them from cold, wet weather, which is why they thrive outdoors all year.

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