Elephants have their own set of names — for the group, the babies and the sexes — and they’re some of the most-asked questions about the species. The quick version: a group of elephants is a herd, a baby is a calf, a female is a cow and a male is a bull. Here’s the full breakdown, including a few collective nouns you might not know.
The short answer: a group of elephants is a herd; a baby is a calf; a female is a cow; a male is a bull.
What is a group of elephants called?
A group of elephants is called a herd. Herds are family units led by the oldest female, the matriarch, and usually made up of related cows and their calves. You may also see the poetic collective nouns a “parade” or a “memory” of elephants — the latter a nod to their famous recall. Adult bulls often roam alone or in loose bachelor groups. More on this in our guide to elephant herds and social behaviour.
What is a baby elephant called?
A baby elephant is called a calf (plural: calves). Calves weigh 200–265 lb at birth and stay close to their mothers for years — see our guide to baby elephants and how long elephants are pregnant.
What is a female elephant called?
A female elephant is called a cow. Cows are the heart of the herd — the matriarch who leads is always a cow, and females typically stay with their family group for life.
What is a male elephant called?
A male elephant is called a bull. Young bulls leave the herd as they mature and live alone or in loose bachelor groups, rejoining females mainly to breed.
Elephant names at a glance
| Elephant | What it’s called |
|---|---|
| Group | Herd (also a “parade” or “memory”) |
| Baby | Calf (plural: calves) |
| Female | Cow |
| Male | Bull |
| Leader of the herd | Matriarch (the oldest cow) |
Bonus: what are an elephant’s body parts called?
A couple of common follow-ups: an elephant’s “nose” is properly called its trunk (a fusion of nose and upper lip — see what the trunk does), its long ivory teeth are tusks, and its broad, cushioned feet help it move almost silently despite its size.
The bottom line
A group of elephants is a herd, a baby is a calf, a female is a cow and a male is a bull — with the wise old matriarch leading the way. Keep exploring: how elephant herds work, baby elephants, and the three species of elephant.
Frequently asked questions
A herd — a family group led by the oldest female (the matriarch). It can also be called a “parade” or a “memory” of elephants.
A calf (plural: calves).
A cow. The matriarch who leads the herd is always a cow.
A bull. Mature bulls usually live alone or in loose bachelor groups.
The trunk — a fused nose and upper lip. It is not simply a “nose,” though people often call it that.
