Pigs are highly intelligent and social animals, but they do not actually have personal names like humans do. In the wild, pigs live in matriarchal herds led by an older, experienced female called the sow. Mother pigs are referred to as sows, while father pigs are called boars and baby pigs are called piglets. Sows do not have unique personal names – they are identified by their physical traits and hierarchy within the social group. However, on farms where pigs are raised for food, the farmers may give names to individual pigs to help keep track of them. These names are chosen by the farmers and are not considered the pig’s “real” name in the same way a human’s name is part of their identity. The sow’s true identity is her role as matriarch and mother within the herd.
Do Pigs Have Personal Names?
In the wild, pigs do not use personal names the way humans do. Pigs identify each other mainly using scent and vocal cues that signal information about their age, sex, health status, and dominance rank within the group. Sows develop a social hierarchy where older, higher-ranking females may exert more authority. But sows do not have unique names distinguishing them as individuals. The main identifiers are their physical traits, scent, and status in the herd.
How are Sows Identified on Farms?
On commercial pig farms, farmers need ways to monitor individual sows, especially for breeding purposes. Thus, each sow may be tagged with an identification number when young. Farmers also often give names to their pigs. However, these names are chosen by the farmers for practical purposes – they do not reflect the pig’s own identity. The names help the farmers track lineages, breeding schedules, litter sizes, etc. Typical sow names on farms are short, cute, and easy to say, like Lucy, Matilda, Betsy, or Olivia. But these are not the sows’ real names in any personal or cultural sense.
What is a Sow’s Real Identity?
A sow’s true name and identity is her role as mother pig and leader of the matriarchal herd. In the wild, a sow establishes her identity through her experience, intelligence, communication skills, and ability to guide the group. On a farm, the sow’s identity may be reduced to her ear tag number and productivity. But her innate identity is that of a nurturing mother caring for her piglets and social leader protecting her family group. “Sow” is not so much a name as a description of the female pig’s true role and purpose.
Sow Naming Conventions
While sows do not use personal names, there are some naming conventions used for mother pigs:
- Sow – A mature female pig; mother to multiple litters of piglets.
- Gilt – Young female pig that has not yet had a litter.
- Boar – Mature male pig used for breeding.
- Hog – Generic term for a domestic pig.
- Piglet – Newborn or young pig that is still dependent on the sow.
These labels identify the pig’s age, sex, and reproductive status. But they do not confer an individual personal name.
Anthropomorphic Naming
While pigs do not name each other, humans do bestow names on pigs based on human conventions. Farmers name their pigs for easy identification and tracking. Children also name pet pigs who they treat like friends or family members. This anthropomorphic naming reflects the human tendency to see pigs through a human lens. But these external names do not define the sow’s core identity as mother and matriarch that comes from within.
Conclusion
In summary, mother pigs do not have formal personal names like humans. In the wild, sows derive their identity from their lineage, communication cues, and social status. On farms, they may be given human names and identification numbers for management purposes. But a sow’s true “name” is her inner identity as mother, nurturer, and leader of her family herd. The sow’s name reflects the deep maternal instincts that drive her noble purpose as a pig.