How Our Goats Got Their Names

Every Goat Has a Personality

One of the best parts of raising goats is watching their personalities develop.

When they're born, you can only guess what they'll be like. Some are adventurous from the start. Others are shy, stubborn, or constantly looking for trouble. It doesn't take long before their personalities begin to shine through. Naming them is one of my favorite parts.

Over the years, we've had a lot of goats, and sometimes finding the right name is easy. Other times, a goat earns a nickname that sticks even better than the name we originally gave them.

The Goat They Called Back Breaker

One goat in particular earned a nickname the hard way. She absolutely hated being milked. Every time it was her turn on the milk stand, she made it her mission to kick, squirm, and knock over the milk bucket. Nothing about milking her was easy.

After spending enough mornings bent over dodging flying hooves and saving buckets of milk, she earned the nickname "Back Breaker."

It wasn't her official name, but everyone knew exactly who we were talking about.

Names Inspired by Personality

Sometimes a goat's appearance inspires a name. We once had a goat that was a cross between a Nubian and a LaMancha.

Nubians are known for their long floppy ears, while LaManchas are known for having very small ears. This goat landed somewhere in the middle. Her ears seemed to have a mind of their own, and they flopped every which way. We named her FlipFlop. The name fit her perfectly.

Sometimes the Kids Get Involved

Some of the best names come from children. We once had a goat named Pickle.

Our grandson gave her that name after a character from the cartoon Blaze and the Monster Machines. The name made us laugh, but it suited her. Before long, everyone knew her as Pickle. She was Country Living Fair famous. We took her to the Ohio Country Living Fair for years. 

What Makes the Best Pet Names?

I've often wondered whether pets should have people names or not. Some people prefer traditional pet names.

Others treat their animals like members of the family and give them names you might hear in a classroom or workplace. There really isn't a right or wrong answer. Over the years, we've had plenty of both.

The Goats We Have Today

Right now, our herd includes:

• Louie
• LulaBell
• Rosie

Each one has their own personality, habits, and quirks. And if history has taught us anything, there's always a chance they'll pick up a nickname somewhere along the way.

More Than Just a Name

A name is often the first sign that an animal has become part of the family. Over the years we've had goats come and go, but I still remember many of them by name.

Back Breaker.

FlipFlop.

Pickle.

And all the others who left us with funny stories and good memories. That's one of the things I enjoy most about keeping goats. Every one of them is different, and every one of them brings their own story to the farm.