Name Ideas for Black Sheep

Naming a pet based on a physical trait is a common yet creative practice. Giving your pet a name based on their color further narrows down your list of options. If you are looking for a name for your black sheep, there is a long list of possibilities to choose from. 

What are some names for black sheep and lambs? There are many different directions you can go when deciding on a name for your black sheep. You can choose a food-inspired name like Cocoa Puff or Pepper. You can pick a name based on the night sky like Twilight or Nova.  You can also go “darker” with a name like Poe or Morticia. 

Keep reading for a list of different black-inspired categories and over 100 sheep names to choose from. 

Black Sheep: 20 Food-Inspired Names

Food, and sweets in particular, are a popular theme when naming pets. Have you ever met an animal named Oreo or Cupcake? Choosing a name for your black sheep based on dark-colored foods is a fun idea, and with a plethora of possibilities. You can choose a food that is in the sweet category, like Cocoa, or in the spice category, like Pepper. Here is a list of twenty different black sheep names inspired by food.

• Godiva
• Nestle
• Dove
• Cadbury
• Hershey
• Caviar
• Kettle
• Root Beer
• Bourbon
• Cocoa Puff (especially great for a black sheep, as “Puff” can refer to the fluffy fleece of your sheep!)
• Cocoa Pebbles
• Anise
• Truffle
• Espresso
• Licorice
• Black Bean
• Fig
• Pepper
• Chia
• Blackberry
• Cadbury
• Cocoa

 

Black Sheep: 12 Media-Inspired Names

There is plenty of inspiration to be found in movies, television shows, and books. There are several characters listed below that are more than fitting for a black sheep. Some of them are fictional characters, some are band names, some are superheroes. Because there is such a variety of different characters below, you are likely to find one that matches your sheep’s personality or other traits. For example, if you have a particularly large and strong ram, you may name him Black Adam. Or you may decide to call your little lamb Black-Eyed Pea (or Black-Eyed Peanut?). If you’re a movie buff or a Marvel fan, you might find the perfect name for your black sheep in one of the names below.

• Black Beauty
• Black Jack
• Black-Eyed Pea
• Black Widow
• Black Panther
• Darth Vader
• Black Swan
• Blackstreet Boy
• Blackbeard
• Black Adam
• Black Dahlia
• Black Hawk
• Loki

 

Black Sheep: 16 Names Inspired By The Solar System

Since the beginning of time, our solar system has been an endless source of inspiration for artists, scientists, and yes, even for pet names. For a number of reasons, not the least being the awesomeness of what we know (and don’t know) of space, humans are fascinated by our solar system, and rightfully so. We often associate space with blackness. Despite the beauty of our bright sun and the almost limitless stars that are visible to us, there is an emptiness and a vastness to space. For this reason, space can be a great inspiration when trying to find a name for a black sheep, or any black animal. You too may find inspiration in the below sixteen names inspired by our solar system. 

• Nightfall
• Twilight
• Black Hole
• Eclipse
• Midnight
• Starry Night
• Galaxy
• Kuiper
• Cosmo
• Nova
• Comet
• Orion
• Celeste
• Astro
• Luna
• Velvet Sky

 

Black Sheep: 9 Frightful and Spooky Names 

Villains, monsters, and other spooky characters may come to mind when we consider the color black. It is the color of gothic themes, mystery, and shadows that are hiding the things of our imaginations. Using a name inspired by the things that go bump in the night can be fun and engaging, especially for a lamb born in October. If you are a brave soul who has an appetite for Halloween and Grimm fairy tales, you may enjoy these nine frightening and creepy names. These can be particularly fitting for a sheep that likes to hide in the shadows or takes comfort in the dark corners of the barn. 

• Phantom
• Poe
• Morticia
• Wednesday
• Salem
• Grimm
• Mystery
• Spook
• Blade

 

Black Sheep: 8 Names Inspired By Other Animals

While most sheep are white, there are many animals that are naturally black or dark-colored. Some of them are small and innocent like the beetle, while others are fearsome and menacing like the black mamba. Depending on the personality of your sheep, you may find a fitting name in the below eight names inspired by black (or dark-colored) animals. 

• Raven
• Crow
• Panther
• Mamba
• Angus
• Widow
• Beetle
• Bird

 

Black Sheep: 6 Foreign Names

There are so many cultures and languages from which we can find inspiration. We indulge in the delicious food of other cultures, enjoy the beauty of other countries, and we can also seek out names in other languages. The below six names mean “black” in other languages.

• Noir (French)
• Schwarz (German)
• Nero (Italian)
• Preto (Portuguese)
• Madow (Somali)
• Pango (Maori)

 

Black Sheep: 5 Sets of Names For Sheep Pairs

If you are lucky enough to have two black sheep, you just might need a special set of names that you can use for the pair. Below are five sets of names that would be perfect for your sweet pair of black sheep.

• Doom & Gloom
• Men in Black (this is how you can refer to your pair or group of black rams)
• Rum & Coke
• Rock & Roll (a great choice for a set of sheep that are always on the move and ready to go)
• Harley & Davidson  (this may be a great choice for the rebellious black sheep in your herd)

 

Black Sheep: 9 Names Inspired By Weather And Natural Events

You can find a fitting name for a black sheep when looking at the weather and weather-related events. Names like Stormy and Misty are appropriate names for a darker sheep, as are smoke-related names like Ash and Cinder (something many of us are all too familiar with in the Summer months). If you would like a weather-related name, you may find the perfect fit in the below nine names. 

• Stormy
• Misty
• Dusty
• Charcoal
• Ash
• Soot
• Smoky
• Cinder (if your black sheep is a female, “Cinderella” may be an appropriate alternative)
• Coal

 

Black Sheep: Names Inspired By Natural Materials

There are a surprisingly large amounts of organic materials that would make great names for black sheep. From the dark timber that is ebony to the rock that we call granite, there are many names that can be inspired from the below rocks, elements, and other organic compounds. 

• Ebony
• Onyx
• Iron
• Obsidian
• Carbon
• Diesel
• Tar
• Granite
• Pitch

 

Black Sheep: 12 Other Names To Consider

Of course, there are still some other honorable mentions that don’t fit in any particular category. Below are twelve additional names that can be used for a black sheep. If you haven’t found the perfect name for your dark-fleeced livestock yet, you may find your match below. 

• Shadow
• Mascara
• Rebel
• Smudge
• Jet
• Inky
• Bandit
• Night Rider
• Ghost
• Gotham
• Zorro
• Journey

 

Are Black Sheep Common?

While not nearly as common as the quintessential white fleece sheep, there are a number of different breeds that come in black. Some solidly black sheep breeds include the Black Hawaiian, the Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, and the Arapawa Island Sheep. There are also breeds of sheep that come in a variety of colors, including black, such as the Katahdin. Many sheep also have white fleece but black faces and limbs, like the Dorper and the Suffolk. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself with a black sheep, you will likely want to give it a special name based on its most striking feature – its color. 

Where Did The Term “Black Sheep” Originate?

The term “black sheep” is used in modern culture to describe someone who does not fit into a particular group, or someone whose actions have been considered to be disreputable to his or her family. This term has been used as an idiom since the 1800’s and comes from the occasional incidence of a black or dark-fleeced sheep being born in a flock of white sheep. This darker sheep was considered a misfortune because the wool cannot be dyed the way that a white fleece can be colored. Versions of this idiom have been found in many other languages around the world, including German, French, Hebrew, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Spanish, and Polish. In some countries, the term “white crow” is used in the same way we use the term “black sheep”.

Giving Your Black Sheep A Special Name

Though black sheep may have a negative reputation, they are actually quite unique and beautiful. You will want to honor your special sheep with a name that is equally unique. It would be a challenge to individually name a flock of white sheep, but a standout animal requires a standout name. Whether this name is inspired by darker-colored food, a popular band, or our stunning solar system, it will surely be a name to remember.

 

To get more name ideas for your sheep, check out my article Funny Sheep Names: 100 Best Funny Sheep Names.