345+ Best Donkey Names (Unique, Funny, Male & Female)

There’s something genuinely charming about naming a donkey. Whether you’ve just welcomed a new four-legged friend to your farm, picked up a stuffed donkey toy for your kid, or you’re writing a story that needs the perfect animal character  the right donkey name matters more than you’d think.

Donkeys are loyal, intelligent, and surprisingly expressive. In fact, donkeys can live up to 50 years, which means a great name will stick around for a long, long time. So let’s make it count. Here are 345+ of the best donkey names across every style: funny, cute, famous, male, female, and everything in between.

Donkey Names

Let’s start with the classics  these are the most popular and well-loved donkey names that have stood the test of time.

• Clyde
• Jack
• Jenny
• Buddy
• Chester
• Biscuit
• Daisy
• Mocha
• Pepper
• Dusty
• Beau
• Sandy
• Rusty
• Willow
• Hazel
• Blaze
• Scout
• Peanut
• Coco
• Toffee

These are timeless for a reason. Names like Jack (the traditional term for a male donkey) and Jenny (the proper term for a female) are rooted in history and feel completely natural. For a brown or golden-coated donkey, Toffee or Mocha is an especially fitting pick.

Male Donkey Names

Male donkeys  officially called jacks  tend to carry a sturdy, strong energy. Their names should match.

• Max
• Bruno
• Charlie
• Duke
• Samson
• Rocky
• Diesel
• Maverick
• Thor
• Barnaby
• Hank
• Rufus
• Gus
• Winston
• Bandit
• Cletus
• Amos
• Barley
• Otis
• Sullivan

Samson is a brilliant choice for a large, powerful male donkey — the biblical name conjures strength and resilience without taking itself too seriously. Otis on the other hand has that lovable, slightly goofy quality that suits a donkey’s personality to perfection.

Name	Best For
Duke	A large, commanding donkey
Diesel	A stubborn, strong-willed male
Maverick	A wild and independent spirit
Gus	A friendly, laid-back farm donkey
Bruno	A big, protective companion

Female Donkey Names

Female donkeys are called jennies or jennets  and they deserve names that match their gentle grace and quiet strength.

• Rosie
• Luna
• Ruby
• Molly
• Bella
• Violet
• Penny
• Gracie
• Nellie
• Clara
• Winnie
• Ivy
• Sadie
• Pearl
• Ellie
• Mabel
• Fern
• Celia
• Dixie
• Harriet

Rosie consistently ranks as one of the most beloved female donkey names  it’s warm, sweet, and somehow just fits a donkey’s soft brown eyes perfectly. Luna is a rising favorite for donkeys with a calm, moonlit gentleness about them.

Shrek Donkey Name

Here’s a fun one that almost everyone gets wrong. The beloved, wisecracking donkey from the Shrek franchise — voiced brilliantly by Eddie Murphy — is simply called Donkey. He has no other official name throughout all four films.

That’s actually what makes him iconic. In a franchise full of named characters like Shrek, Fiona, and Puss in Boots, the fact that the most lovable character just goes by Donkey is both hilarious and perfectly fitting.

If you want to name your donkey after him, you have a few options:

• Donkey (the original)
• Shrekster (a fan-made tribute)
• DonDon
• Eddie (after Eddie Murphy, his voice actor)
• Far Far Away (for the dramatic donkey in your life)

The Shrek franchise, produced by DreamWorks Animation, remains one of the most successful animated film series of all time  and Donkey’s character played a huge part in that legacy.

Cute Donkey Names

Some donkeys are just impossibly adorable, especially as foals. These names lean straight into that sweetness.

• Muffin
• Snuggles
• Cupcake
• Nibbles
• Pumpkin
• Butterbean
• Pebble
• Sprout
• Honey
• Doodle
• Pudding
• Boo
• Twinkle
• Button
• Marshmallow
• Fluffy
• Jellybean
• Cinnamon
• Caramel
• Sugarpie

Butterbean is a standout here  it’s funny without trying too hard, warm without being saccharine, and it rolls off the tongue in the most satisfying way. Perfect for a small or chubby little donkey.

Another Name for Donkey

Not sure what to call a donkey in general? You’re not alone  donkeys go by several names depending on the region and context.
Here’s a quick reference:

Term	Meaning
Ass	The oldest English term for donkey
Burro	Spanish term, common in Latin America and the US Southwest
Jack	A male donkey
Jenny / Jennet	A female donkey
Moke	British slang for a donkey
Neddy	Old British nickname
Hinny	Offspring of a male horse and female donkey
Mule	Offspring of a male donkey and female horse

The scientific name for a donkey is Equus africanus asinus — quite a mouthful for such an endearing creature. When most people say “burro,” they typically mean a smaller, wild-type donkey native to desert regions, like those found in the American Southwest.

Funny Donkey Names

This is where things get delightful. Donkeys are naturally comedic animals  their stubborn personalities and expressive braying make them perfect candidates for a punny name.

• Bray-ndon (Brandon with a twist)
• Donkey Kong
• Burro Potter (Harry Potter pun)
• Hee-Haw Harrison
• Sir Bray-a-Lot
• Ass-tronaut
• Winnie the Hoof
• Jabba the Hump
• Mulean (Mulan pun)
• Bray Solo (Han Solo)
• Clop Daddy
• Shrekster
• Neigh-o (Neo from The Matrix)
• Donkey Hotey (Don Quixote)
• Hoof Hearted
• Mr. Giggles
• Gandhoof (Lord of the Rings)
• HobbitHoof
• Hay-sus
• Braying Mantis

Bray Solo deserves a special mention — it’s the kind of name that makes people stop, think for half a second, and then burst out laughing. Puns that require just a beat of effort always land harder.

For even more creative naming inspiration that goes beyond animals, check out these fun friends group names — the same creativity that makes great group names works brilliantly for naming your donkey too.

Donkey Names Girl

For girl donkeys specifically  sweet, spirited, and full of character  these names work beautifully.

• Gigi
• Rosalind
• Clover
• Primrose
• Magnolia
• Betsy
• Tallulah
• Winifred
• Evangeline
• Matilda
• Lottie
• Dolly
• Bessie
• Hazel
• Maple

Tallulah is one of the most underused girl donkey names  it has that Southern charm and personality baked right in. Dolly is a timeless classic that works especially well for a sweet, gentle jenny.

Famous Donkey Names

Some donkeys have made their mark in history, literature, film, and culture. Naming your donkey after one of these icons adds a layer of storytelling.

• Eeyore — The beloved melancholic donkey from A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh
• Donkey — The hilarious sidekick from Shrek (DreamWorks)
• Benjamin — The wise, cynical donkey from George Orwell’s Animal Farm
• Platero — From the Spanish literary classic Platero and I by Juan Ramón Jiménez
• Sancho’s Dapple — Don Quixote’s faithful companion
• Modestine — The donkey that traveled with Robert Louis Stevenson in Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes
• Francis — The talking Army mule from the 1950s film series
• Puzzle — The donkey from C.S. Lewis’ The Last Battle
• Balthazar — From Robert Bresson’s film Au Hasard Balthazar
• Lucky — A famous rescue donkey at the Donkey Sanctuary in the UK

Eeyore and Benjamin are by far the most popular literary-inspired donkey names. Eeyore, with his resigned wisdom and gloomy charm, has a warmth that makes the name unexpectedly lovable. Benjamin from Animal Farm carries a quiet dignity that suits a thoughtful, observant donkey.
As National Geographic notes, donkeys have been loyal companions to humans for thousands of years  making their names a reflection of that deep bond. 

Unique Donkey Names

If you want your donkey to have a name nobody else has thought of, these picks are genuinely one of a kind.

• Fjord
• Cobblestone
• Zephyr
• Thistle
• Ramona
• Oleander
• Quartz
• Indigo
• Cassidy
• Thicket
• Ridgeway
• Sable
• Copperfield
• Yarrow
• Solstice
• Hearthstone
• Barnabas
• Merriweather
• Crumble
• Foxglove

Thistle is a standout — it’s earthy, slightly sharp, and has the rugged outdoor quality that suits a working farm donkey perfectly. Merriweather has a warm, almost Victorian charm that feels completely original for an animal name.

Short Donkey Names

Sometimes simple is best. Short names are easy to call out across a field, quick for children to learn, and they tend to stick naturally.

• Bo
• Ace
• Dot
• Flo
• Kay
• Rue
• Jem
• Pip
• Ned
• Bea
• Taz
• Kit
• Rex
• Zeb
• M
• Bix
• Wren
• Eli
• Gem
• Jay

Bo is possibly the perfect short donkey name  one syllable, easy to shout across a paddock, and somehow both friendly and sturdy at the same time. Pip works wonderfully for a small or young donkey with a lively spirit.

Quick Name-Picking Guide

Not sure where to start? Use this table to match your donkey’s personality to the right style:

Donkey Personality	Best Name Style	Top Picks
Sweet and gentle	Cute	Honey, Butterbean, Boo
Stubborn and bold	Strong male	Duke, Bruno, Diesel
Graceful and quiet	Elegant female	Luna, Pearl, Violet
Hilarious and dramatic	Funny	Bray Solo, Sir Bray-a-Lot
Wise and calm	Famous	Benjamin, Eeyore, Platero
One-of-a-kind personality	Unique	Thistle, Zephyr, Merriweather

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good name for a donkey?

Great donkey names include Jack, Rosie, Biscuit, Eeyore, and Bray Solo. The best name matches your donkey’s personality or coat color.

What is the donkey from Shrek called?

The donkey from Shrek is simply called Donkey — he has no other official name throughout the entire film franchise.

What are funny donkey names?

Funny donkey names include Bray Solo, Burro Potter, Sir Bray-a-Lot, Donkey Kong, and Hee-Haw Harrison. Puns and pop culture references work especially well.

What is a female donkey called?

A female donkey is officially called a jenny or jennet. Popular female donkey names include Rosie, Luna, Bella, and Molly.

What is a male donkey called?

A male donkey is called a jack. Common male donkey names include Max, Duke, Bruno, Samson, and Otis.

What are other names for a donkey?

Other names for a donkey include ass, burro, moke, and neddy. A male is a jack, a female is a jenny, and their offspring with horses are called mules or hinnies.

What is a unique name for a donkey?

Unique donkey names include Thistle, Merriweather, Zephyr, Cobblestone, and Solstice  all unusual, memorable, and full of personality.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect donkey name is one of those small joys that makes animal ownership feel a little more special. Whether you went for something funny like Bray Solo, something sweet like Butterbean, or something deeply meaningful like Eeyore or Benjamin, the right name builds a genuine connection between you and your animal.

Take your time, say the name out loud a few times, and watch how your donkey responds. The best names always feel like they were waiting there all along  you just had to find them.