Bringing home a budgie, whether from a breeder or a rescue, starts with one fun job: picking a name. The right name suits your bird’s colour and character, and it is short enough for a chatty budgie to copy back to you.
This guide lists more than 300 budgie names, sorted so you can find the right one fast: boy and girl names, unisex names, funny and cute names, names by feather colour, and names for pairs. Budgies are small Australian parrots, so we have also included parrot names and a full section of Australian parrot names for cockatiels, galahs, rosellas and other species.
Not sure if your bird is a boy or a girl yet? Start with our simple guide to reading the cere, then come back to the lists.
Key Takeaways
- The best budgie names are short, usually one or two syllables, because budgies learn and repeat short, clear sounds most easily.
- In most adult budgies, a blue cere (the skin above the beak) means male and a pale or brown cere means female, but some colour varieties do not follow this rule.
- Unisex budgie names are a safe choice for young birds whose sex is not yet clear.
- Budgies are social flock birds, so many owners keep two and choose matching pair names.
- Feather colour is an easy source of ideas: blue, green, yellow and white budgies each suit different names.
- Budgies are one of around 56 parrot species found in Australia, so Australian place names and words make good budgie and parrot names.
- Avoid names that sound like everyday commands or the names of people in your home, so your bird does not get confused.
Our Top 10 Budgie Names
If you want a quick answer, these ten budgie names are short, easy for a budgie to say and suit almost any bird. They mix boy, girl and unisex options.
| Name | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwi | Green budgies (unisex) | Two crisp syllables that budgies copy easily |
| Pip | Boys or girls | One sharp sound, ideal for a first word |
| Sky | Blue budgies | Matches the most common pet colour |
| Charlie | Boy budgies | Friendly, classic and easy to call |
| Coco | Unisex | Repeated sounds are easy to mimic |
| Luna | Girl budgies | Soft, sweet and short |
| Mango | Yellow budgies | Bright and fruity, like the bird |
| Ollie | Boy budgies | Cheerful and simple |
| Poppy | Girl budgies | A British favourite with a bouncy sound |
| Biscuit | Unisex | Fun, homely and very British |
Is My Budgie a Boy or a Girl?
You can usually tell a budgie’s sex by the colour of its cere, the fleshy patch above the beak that holds the nostrils. According to the Australian Museum, adult males have a dark blue cere, while females have a light blue cere that turns brownish when they are ready to breed.
| Bird | Typical cere colour |
|---|---|
| Adult male | Bright or dark blue |
| Adult female (not breeding) | Pale blue, white or light tan |
| Adult female (breeding) | Brown and often crusty |
| Young budgie (under about 4 months) | Pinkish or pale, hard to read |
| Some colour varieties (for example lutino and albino) | Males may keep a pink or purple cere, so colour is less reliable |
Cere colour is a guide, not a guarantee. Omlet’s budgie sexing guide notes that some colour types are harder to sex. A cere that changes colour suddenly can also be a sign of illness, so ask an avian vet if you notice this. If you are unsure, pick a name from the unisex list below.
Boy Budgie Names
Boy budgie names work best when they are short and punchy, because male budgies tend to be the more talkative sex and often learn to say their own name. These male budgie names range from classic British names to mythical heroes.
- Alfie
- Apollo
- Archie
- Barney
- Basil
- Bertie
- Billy
- Bobby
- Buster
- Charlie
- Chester
- Cupid
- Dexter
- Eddie
- Elvis
- Ernie
- Felix
- Finn
- Fred
- George
- Gizmo
- Harry
- Hercules
- Hermes
- Jasper
- Leo
- Louie
- Marley
- Max
- Merlin
- Milo
- Monty
- Murphy
- Ollie
- Oscar
- Otis
- Percy
- Peter
- Prince
- Rocky
- Rufus
- Sid
- Stanley
- Teddy
- Thor
- Toby
- Tristan
- Ziggy
Tip: if you searched for budgie names for boys because your bird is still young, wait until the cere turns solid blue before settling on a very masculine name.
Girl Budgie Names
Girl budgie names can be soft and pretty or bold and bright. Female budgies are often confident and sometimes bossy, so a strong name can suit them just as well as a sweet one. Here are female budgie names to choose from.
- Amber
- Aphrodite
- Ariel
- Bella
- Bluebell
- Bonnie
- Cleo
- Clementine
- Daisy
- Dolly
- Ellie
- Evie
- Frida
- Gracie
- Hazel
- Iris
- Isla
- Ivy
- Lila
- Lily
- Lola
- Lottie
- Luna
- Mabel
- Maisie
- Millie
- Minerva
- Molly
- Nell
- Olivia
- Pearl
- Peggy
- Penelope
- Phoebe
- Polly
- Poppy
- Primrose
- Princess
- Rosie
- Ruby
- Sadie
- Sophie
- Stella
- Tiara
- Tilly
- Venus
- Willow
- Winnie
- Zara
Unisex Budgie Names
Unisex budgie names suit any bird, which makes them the best choice when you are not yet sure of your budgie’s sex. They also save an awkward rename if your “boy” lays an egg.
- Ash
- Bailey
- Bean
- Biscuit
- Breeze
- Chirpy
- Coco
- Echo
- Flick
- Frankie
- Indie
- Jazz
- Juno
- Kiki
- Lucky
- Nova
- Peaches
- Pepper
- Pip
- Quinn
- Rio
- Robin
- Sunny
- Tweety
- Zephyr
Funny Budgie Names
Funny budgie names are perfect for cheeky birds that knock toys off perches or shout at the kettle. A grown-up human name on a tiny bird is a classic British joke, and food names never fail to raise a smile.
- Barry
- Beaky Blinders
- Bird Brain
- Brenda
- Captain Cuttlebone
- Chicken Nugget
- Colonel Squawks
- Crumpet
- Dave
- Derek
- Doris
- Featherface
- Flapjack
- Gary
- Keith
- Kevin
- Maureen
- Mr Feathers
- Nigel
- Noodle
- Pam
- Pickle
- Ruffles
- Sir Chirps-a-Lot
- Squawkins
- Sprout
- Trevor
- Tweet Potato
- Waffle
- Wing Commander
Cute Budgie Names
Cute budgie names suit gentle, fluffy birds that love a head scratch. Sweet treats and tiny objects are popular themes, and most of these names are short enough for a budgie to learn.
- Bonbon
- Bubble
- Button
- Cuddles
- Cupcake
- Dimple
- Dumpling
- Fluffy
- Jellybean
- Marshmallow
- Muffin
- Nibbles
- Peanut
- Pebble
- Pom-Pom
- Popcorn
- Sweet Pea
- Teacake
- Toffee
- Twinkle
- Wiggles
Unique Budgie Names
Unique budgie names help your bird stand out from all the Kiwis and Skys. These ideas come from art, space, music and the spice rack.
- Aero
- Banjo
- Bramble
- Calypso
- Cosmo
- Dalí
- Fennel
- Galileo
- Hopscotch
- Indigo
- Jupiter
- Kazoo
- Loki
- Mojito
- Nimbus
- Orbit
- Picasso
- Pistachio
- Quill
- Sorbet
- Tango
- Topaz
- Vega
Budgie and Parrot Names by Colour
Naming a budgie after its feathers is one of the easiest ways to choose. Wild budgies are green and yellow, but pet budgies have been bred in many colours, including blue, yellow, white and grey. These colour lists work for parrots too.
Blue Budgie Names
Blue budgie names suit sky-blue, cobalt and violet birds. Blue is one of the most common pet budgie colours, so these names are in high demand.
- Azure
- Blue
- Blueberry
- Blu
- Marina
- Marine
- Moon
- Ocean
- River
- Sapphire
- Sky
- Skye
- Smurf
- Splash
- Turquoise
- Wave
Blue budgie names for boys: Atlas, Bluey, Cobalt, Denim, Jack Frost, Navy, Neptune and Storm all suit a blue boy budgie.
Green Budgie Names and Green Parrot Names List
Green budgie names honour the natural wild colour of the species. This green parrot names list also suits Indian ringnecks, Amazons, eclectus males and other green parrots, including green male parrots.
- Avocado
- Clover
- Emerald
- Fern
- Gherkin
- Grinch
- Hulk
- Jade
- Kale
- Kermit
- Kiwi
- Leaf
- Lime
- Mint
- Moss
- Olive
- Pea
- Pesto
- Sage
- Shrek
- Yoshi
Green parrot names for males: Basil, Hulk, Kermit, Shrek and Yoshi work well for green boy birds.
Yellow Budgie Names
Yellow budgie names suit lutino and yellow-faced birds that look like a little ray of sunshine.
- Banana
- Buttercup
- Butterscotch
- Custard
- Daffodil
- Goldie
- Honey
- Lemon
- Mango
- Marigold
- Mustard
- Nugget
- Saffron
- Sunflower
White Budgie Names
White budgie names fit albino and white-feathered birds, as well as white cockatoos and cockatiels.
- Blizzard
- Casper
- Cloud
- Coconut
- Cotton
- Frost
- Ghost
- Ice
- Ivory
- Olaf
- Snowball
- Snowy
- Sugar
Budgie Names for Pairs
Budgie names for pairs are popular because budgies are flock birds and many owners keep two. The RSPCA advises that most birds are social and do better with the company of other birds. Choose names that sound different from each other, so each budgie can learn its own.
- Bert and Ernie
- Bubble and Squeak
- Fiona and Shrek
- Fish and Chips
- Harry and Ginny
- Homer and Marge
- Jam and Scone
- Kiwi and Mango
- Lilo and Stitch
- Mickey and Minnie
- Peaches and Plum
- Pip and Squeak
- Rhubarb and Custard
- Romeo and Juliet
- Ron and Hermione
- Salt and Pepper
- Salt and Vinegar
- Sherlock and Watson
- Strawberries and Cream
- Sun and Moon
- Tea and Biscuit
- Thunder and Lightning
- Tom and Jerry
- Wallace and Gromit
Parrot Names for Every Parrot
Good parrot names work for budgies, cockatiels and larger parrots alike. Bigger parrots such as African greys and macaws can live for decades, so pick a name you will still like in 30 years.
Male Parrot Names
These male parrot names, also called boy parrot names, lean bold and characterful. Several are unique male parrot names you will not hear in every park.
- Admiral
- Bandit
- Captain
- Duke
- Einstein
- Gandalf
- Jago
- Kingston
- Marlowe
- Sergeant
- Tiberius
- Zeus
Female Parrot Names
Female parrot names, or girl parrot names, can be elegant, exotic or playful.
- Athena
- Cleopatra
- Delilah
- Esmeralda
- Juniper
- Lulu
- Nefertiti
- Opal
- Rosa
- Tallulah
Funny and Cute Parrot Names
Funny parrot names suit talkative birds with big personalities, and cute parrot names suit cuddly ones. Many funny budgie names above work for parrots too.
- Beaker
- Captain Squawk
- Cheeky
- Gossip
- Mumbles
- Parrot Potter
- Professor Feathers
- Sprinkles
- Squeaky
- Tutti Frutti
Cool Parrot Names
Cool parrot names have speed and attitude, ideal for confident fliers.
- Blaze
- Bolt
- Comet
- Jet
- Maverick
- Phoenix
- Rebel
- Rocket
- Shadow
- Talon
Grey Parrot Names
Grey parrot names suit African greys and grey cockatiels. African greys come from Africa, not Australia, but they are among the most famous talking parrots.
- Dusty
- Flint
- Granite
- Graphite
- Misty
- Pewter
- Silver
- Slate
- Smokey
- Socrates
Blue Parrot Names
Blue parrot names for macaws, blue-fronted Amazons and blue budgies include Cobalt, Indigo, Neptune, Sapphire and Sky. See the blue budgie list above for more ideas.
Popular Parrot Names
Popular parrot names tend to be classic, cheerful and easy to say. Long-standing favourites include Polly, Coco, Kiwi, Charlie, Rio, Mango, Sunny, Rocky, Pepper and Buddy. These are some of the best parrot names if you want something familiar.
Australian Parrot Names
Australian parrot names celebrate where budgies and many other pet parrots come from. Australia is home to around 56 parrot species, including cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, ringnecks and budgerigars, so Australian words and places make natural name ideas.
Aussie-Inspired Names
- Banjo
- Banksia
- Barra
- Billabong
- Bondi
- Boomer
- Cobber
- Coogee
- Darwin
- Digger
- Dingo
- Jarrah
- Joey
- Kookaburra
- Lamington
- Mallee
- Matilda
- Ned
- Ozzie
- Pavlova
- Perth
- Sheila
- Skippy
- Sydney
- Tasman
- Waratah
- Wattle
- Wombat
List of Australian Parrots (With Name Ideas)
This list of Australian parrots covers the species most often seen in the wild or kept as pets, with a name idea to match each one.
| Australian parrot | What it looks like | Name ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Budgerigar (budgie) | Small, green and yellow in the wild, many colours as pets | Kiwi, Pip, Sky |
| Cockatiel | Grey with a yellow crest and orange cheeks | Crest, Marigold, Ziggy |
| Galah | Pink and grey cockatoo | Rosie, Blossom, Flamingo |
| Sulphur-crested cockatoo | Large and white with a yellow crest | Snowy, Elvis, Casper |
| Rainbow lorikeet | Blue head, orange chest, green wings | Prism, Rainbow, Calypso |
| Australian king parrot | Male red and green, female mostly green | Rex, Ember, Duke |
| Crimson rosella | Deep red with blue cheeks | Ruby, Scarlet, Cherry |
| Eastern rosella | Red head, white cheeks, yellow and green body | Patch, Tango, Jester |
| Superb parrot | Green, males with a yellow face and red throat | Sunny, Lime, Monty |
| Eclectus parrot | Males bright green, females red and blue (Cape York) | Emerald, Jade, Duchess |
| Bourke’s parrot | Pink-brown with blue edges | Peaches, Dusk, Rosie |
| Princess parrot | Pastel green, pink throat, long tail | Princess, Pastel, Grace |
| Red-rumped parrot | Male green with a red rump | Rusty, Robin, Pepper |
| Scarlet-chested parrot | Blue face, red chest (males) | Scarlet, Ember, Blaze |
| Major Mitchell’s cockatoo | Soft pink and white with a banded crest | Major, Mitch, Candyfloss |
How to Choose a Name Your Budgie Can Say
The best budgie name is one or two syllables with clear, sharp sounds, because budgies copy short words more easily than long ones. Budgies are excellent talkers: a budgie called Puck was credited by Guinness World Records with a vocabulary of 1,728 words in 1995.
- Keep it short: Pip, Kiwi and Coco are easier to learn than Bartholomew.
- Use crisp sounds: names with “k”, “p” and “t” sounds tend to stand out to a listening bird.
- Avoid command sound-alikes: a budgie called “Stay” or “Step” will be confused during training.
- Avoid family names: do not use a name that sounds like a person or pet in your home.
- Say it often: repeat the name calmly during feeding and play. The RSPCA’s bird training advice explains how to use gentle, reward-based training.
- Test it for a week: call the name out loud and see if it still feels right before you commit.
Before You Bring a Budgie Home
A budgie is a commitment of many years, so plan its care before you plan its name. Birds are popular UK pets, with over a million kept in homes, but the RSPCA warns they can be difficult to care for well.
- Company: wild budgies live in nomadic flocks of 3 to more than 100 birds, according to the Australian Museum, so a single budgie needs lots of daily attention or a companion.
- Space to fly: choose the largest cage you can, plus safe time out of the cage.
- Vet care: register with a vet who treats birds. Our guide to what to expect at an avian vet visit explains what happens at a check-up.
- Adopt first: rescues and rehoming centres often have budgies and other parrots looking for homes. Check RSPCA rehoming before buying.
Want to learn more about small parrots first? Read all about parakeets and our guide to the most kept pet parrots.
FAQs
What are good budgie names?
Good budgie names are short and easy to say, such as Kiwi, Pip, Sky, Coco, Charlie, Luna and Mango. One or two syllables with clear sounds work best, because budgies learn short words most easily.
What is a good name for a boy budgie?
Popular boy budgie names include Charlie, Ollie, Alfie, Oscar, Milo and Apollo. If your boy budgie is blue, names like Cobalt, Denim or Neptune also suit him well.
What are cute girl budgie names?
Cute girl budgie names include Poppy, Daisy, Luna, Tilly, Rosie and Bluebell. Sweet food names such as Cupcake, Peaches and Toffee are also popular for female budgies.
How can I tell if my budgie is male or female?
Look at the cere, the patch of skin above the beak. Adult males usually have a blue cere, while females have a pale blue, white or brown cere. Some colour varieties do not follow this rule, so ask an avian vet if you are unsure.
Can budgies learn their own name?
Yes, many budgies learn to recognise and even say their own name, especially males. Repeating a short name calmly and often during feeding and play helps your budgie learn it.
What should I name two budgies?
Matching pair names such as Salt and Pepper, Fish and Chips or Romeo and Juliet are fun choices. Pick two names that sound different, so each budgie can learn to respond to its own name.
What are some Australian parrot names?
Australian parrot names include Banjo, Matilda, Bondi, Wattle, Skippy, Sydney and Joey. These names suit budgies, cockatiels, galahs and other parrots that come from Australia.
What is the most popular parrot name?
Polly is the classic parrot name, and other long-standing favourites include Coco, Kiwi, Charlie, Rio and Sunny. Short, cheerful names like these are easy for parrots to say.
Related Articles
- 900+ bird names for budgies, parrots and cockatiels
- All about parakeets
- The most kept pet parrots
- Avian vet: what you need to know
- Lovebirds as a pet
Conclusion
The best budgie name is short, fits your bird’s colour or personality, and is something you are happy to say every day for years. Start with the cere to work out if you have a boy or a girl, then pick from the boy, girl, unisex, funny or colour lists above.
If you have not found your budgie yet, consider giving a rescue bird a second chance. Many UK rescues and RSPCA rehoming centres have budgies and parrots waiting for a home, and a rescued bird deserves a great name as much as any other.
Note: This article is general information about naming pet birds. For questions about your budgie’s sex, health or a change in cere colour, speak to a vet who treats birds.
