Elephants call each other by names, study finds
- Christelle Delli
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 20
A new scientific study suggests that elephants may do something once thought to be uniquely human: they appear to call each other by individual names!
Researchers studying wild African elephants in Kenya have discovered that these animals may use specific vocal sounds to address particular members of their herd, and those individuals respond directly when called.
How did scientists discover it?
The research team analysed recordings of elephant “rumbles”: low-frequency sounds that elephants use to communicate across long distances.
Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, they examined hundreds of calls recorded over decades in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.
What they found was extraordinary: some calls were consistently used to address specific individuals, and those individuals responded when the call was played back to them.
Even more interesting, elephants were far more responsive when the call was directed at them—and often ignored calls meant for others.
Not copying… but creating names
What makes this discovery so remarkable is how elephants do it.
Unlike parrots or dolphins, which often mimic sounds, elephants do not simply copy each other’s calls.
Instead, researchers believe they may be creating unique, arbitrary vocal labels for one another, similar to how humans use names.
And this is where it gets even more interesting.
Scientists believe this ability may have evolved because elephants and humans share something important: complex social lives.
Even though elephants and humans split evolutionarily millions of years ago, both species live in deeply social groups where relationships really matter.
Elephants live in tight family units, wider herds, and extended social networks where everyone has a role and relationships are constantly maintained.
In situations like this, it helps to have a way to “label” individuals, so you can call out to a specific friend, relative, or calf when needed.
That means this ability to use “names” may not be random at all. It could have evolved due to similar social pressures in both humans and elephants.
If confirmed, this would mean elephants are one of the only known species (alongside humans) to assign names in this way.
Why this matters
As mentioned, elephants already live in complex social groups with strong family bonds. They:
Stay in tight-knit herds led by older females
Care for and protect calves together
Show signs of grief and emotional support
The ability to “name” each other adds another layer to their social intelligence.
It suggests elephants don’t just recognise each other visually or through scent, but may actively refer to individuals when communicating.
A glimpse into animal intelligence
Scientists say this discovery could help us better understand how communication evolved in intelligent species.
It also raises fascinating questions: How many other animals might be using complex communication systems we don’t yet understand?
As one researcher suggested, this may be just the beginning of what we learn about animal communication...
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