100+ Animals and their Meat Names with Pictures

Animals and their meat names are common food vocabulary words in English. Some meat names are different from the animal names. For example, we say beef for cow meat, pork for pig meat, and venison for deer meat. However, some words stay the same, such as chicken, duck, fish, and salmon.

Learning these names helps you understand menus, recipes, food labels, and everyday conversations more easily. In this guide, you will learn 100+ animals and their meat names with a simple chart, grouped examples, comparison tables, and easy notes. It is useful for students, English learners, teachers, and anyone who wants to learn food vocabulary in a clear and practical way.

What Are Meat Names?

Meat names are the words we use for animal flesh when people eat it as food. In English, some animals have special meat names. For example, we say beef for cow meat, pork for pig meat, and mutton for meat from an adult sheep.

However, not every animal has a special meat name. Many animals use the same word for both the animal and the food. For example, chicken, duck, turkey, salmon, and tuna can describe the animal as well as the meat.

In some cases, English speakers simply add the word meat after the animal name. For example, they may say rabbit meat, goat meat, buffalo meat, or kangaroo meat.

Important points to remember:

• Some animals have special meat names, such as cow → beef.
• Some animals use the same word for the animal and the meat, such as chicken → chicken.
• Some animals use the animal name plus meat, such as rabbit → rabbit meat.
• Some young animals have special meat names, such as calf → veal.

100 Animals and Their Meat Names Chart

The chart below shows common animals, birds, wild animals, fish, seafood, and young animals with their meat names.

No.	Animal	Meat Name
1	Cow	Beef
2	Cattle	Beef
3	Bull	Beef
4	Ox	Beef
5	Calf	Veal
6	Pig	Pork
7	Hog	Pork
8	Wild Boar	Wild Boar Meat
9	Sheep	Mutton
10	Young Sheep	Lamb
11	Goat	Goat Meat / Chevon
12	Young Goat	Kid Meat
13	Buffalo	Buffalo Meat
14	Bison	Bison Meat
15	Yak	Yak Meat
16	Camel	Camel Meat
17	Horse	Horse Meat
18	Rabbit	Rabbit Meat
19	Hare	Hare Meat
20	Guinea Pig	Cuy
21	Chicken	Chicken
22	Hen	Chicken
23	Rooster	Chicken
24	Young Chicken	Poussin
25	Turkey	Turkey
26	Duck	Duck
27	Goose	Goose
28	Quail	Quail
29	Pheasant	Pheasant
30	Pigeon	Squab / Pigeon Meat
31	Dove	Dove Meat
32	Guinea Fowl	Guinea Fowl
33	Partridge	Partridge
34	Grouse	Grouse
35	Ostrich	Ostrich Meat
36	Emu	Emu Meat
37	Young Duck	Duck Meat
38	Young Goose	Goose Meat
39	Capon	Capon
40	Game Bird	Game Bird Meat
41	Deer	Venison
42	Roe Deer	Venison
43	Reindeer	Reindeer Meat / Venison
44	Elk	Elk Meat / Venison
45	Moose	Moose Meat / Venison
46	Antelope	Antelope Meat
47	Gazelle	Gazelle Meat
48	Kangaroo	Kangaroo Meat
49	Alligator	Alligator Meat
50	Crocodile	Crocodile Meat
51	Turtle	Turtle Meat
52	Frog	Frog Legs
53	Bear	Bear Meat
54	Squirrel	Squirrel Meat
55	Beaver	Beaver Meat
56	Llama	Llama Meat
57	Alpaca	Alpaca Meat
58	Warthog	Warthog Meat
59	Caribou	Caribou Meat / Venison
60	Springbok	Springbok Meat
61	Fish	Fish
62	Salmon	Salmon
63	Tuna	Tuna
64	Cod	Cod
65	Trout	Trout
66	Bass	Bass
67	Tilapia	Tilapia
68	Catfish	Catfish
69	Sardine	Sardine
70	Herring	Herring
71	Mackerel	Mackerel
72	Eel	Eel
73	Anchovy	Anchovy
74	Haddock	Haddock
75	Halibut	Halibut
76	Snapper	Snapper
77	Grouper	Grouper
78	Carp	Carp
79	Pike	Pike
80	Perch	Perch
81	Walleye	Walleye
82	Pollock	Pollock
83	Crab	Crab Meat
84	Lobster	Lobster Meat
85	Shrimp	Shrimp
86	Prawn	Prawn
87	Oyster	Oyster
88	Clam	Clam
89	Mussel	Mussel
90	Scallop	Scallop
91	Squid	Squid / Calamari
92	Octopus	Octopus
93	Snail	Escargot / Snail Meat
94	Cuttlefish	Cuttlefish
95	Crayfish	Crayfish
96	Abalone	Abalone
97	Sea Urchin	Sea Urchin
98	Conch	Conch
99	Whelk	Whelk
100	Cockle	Cockle

Most Common Animal Meat Names

Some meat names are much more common than others. Therefore, learners should start with the words they will see most often in menus, recipes, food labels, and daily conversation.

Animal	Meat Name
Cow / Cattle	Beef
Pig	Pork
Sheep	Mutton
Young Sheep	Lamb
Calf	Veal
Deer	Venison
Chicken	Chicken
Turkey	Turkey
Duck	Duck
Fish	Fish
Goat	Goat Meat
Rabbit	Rabbit Meat
Crab	Crab Meat
Lobster	Lobster Meat
Squid	Calamari

These words are useful because they appear in many common food names. For example, beef burger, pork chop, lamb curry, chicken soup, and venison stew all use meat names instead of animal names.

Why Animal and Meat Names Are Different?

English uses different meat names for some common farm animals because these words became common through food history and daily use. As a result, English speakers usually say beef instead of cow meat and pork instead of pig meat.

However, many birds, fish, and seafood names stay the same. For example, chicken, duck, salmon, and tuna can describe both the living animal and the food. Because of this pattern, meat vocabulary becomes easier when you learn the common special names first.

Also, some meat names are regional or restaurant-style words. For example, chevon, cuy, escargot, and calamari may appear more often in certain countries, cuisines, or menu contexts than in everyday conversation.

Common Farm Animals and Meat Names

Farm animals give us many of the most common meat names in English. Some have special meat names, while others use the animal name with the word meat.

Cow / Cattle — Beef
English speakers call meat from a cow or cattle beef. They usually say beef, not “cow meat.” Common foods include beef steak, beef burger, roast beef, and beef stew.

Calf — Veal
English speakers call meat from a young cow veal. Veal differs from regular beef because it comes from a younger animal.

Pig — Pork
English speakers call meat from a pig pork. Pork works as the general meat name, while bacon, ham, sausage, and pork chops name different pork products or cuts.

Sheep — Mutton
English speakers call meat from an adult sheep mutton. Mutton usually has a stronger flavor than lamb.

Young Sheep — Lamb
English speakers call meat from a young sheep lamb. The word lamb can mean both the young animal and the meat.

Goat — Goat Meat / Chevon
English speakers usually call meat from a goat goat meat in everyday English. Chevon works as a more formal or less common word for goat meat.

Guinea Pig — Cuy
People in some South American countries use cuy as a food name for guinea pig. Most English speakers do not use it as an everyday meat word, but it can help learners understand broader food vocabulary.

Other farm animal meat names include:

• Buffalo → Buffalo Meat
• Bison → Bison Meat
• Yak → Yak Meat
• Camel → Camel Meat
• Rabbit → Rabbit Meat
• Hare → Hare Meat

Birds and Poultry Meat Names

Bird meat is often called poultry. This word usually refers to birds raised for food, such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys.

Bird	Meat Name
Chicken	Chicken
Turkey	Turkey
Duck	Duck
Goose	Goose
Quail	Quail
Pheasant	Pheasant
Pigeon	Squab / Pigeon Meat
Guinea Fowl	Guinea Fowl
Partridge	Partridge
Ostrich	Ostrich Meat

In many bird names, the animal name and meat name are the same. For example, chicken can mean the living bird or the food. Similarly, duck, turkey, goose, and quail can also work as both animal names and meat names.

A few bird meat names need extra explanation:

• Squab usually means young pigeon meat.
• Poussin means a small young chicken prepared as food.
• Capon means a special type of chicken raised for meat.
• Game bird meat refers to birds hunted or raised as game, such as pheasant or grouse.

Wild Animals and Game Meat Names

Meat from wild animals is often called game meat. Some game meats have special names, while others simply use the animal name with the word meat.

Wild Animal	Meat Name
Deer	Venison
Roe Deer	Venison
Reindeer	Reindeer Meat / Venison
Elk	Elk Meat / Venison
Moose	Moose Meat / Venison
Antelope	Antelope Meat
Wild Boar	Wild Boar Meat
Bison	Bison Meat
Bear	Bear Meat
Kangaroo	Kangaroo Meat
Rabbit	Rabbit Meat
Hare	Hare Meat
Alligator	Alligator Meat
Crocodile	Crocodile Meat
Frog	Frog Legs

The most important word in this group is venison. It usually means meat from deer. In some contexts, it may also refer to meat from similar deer-family animals, such as elk, reindeer, or moose. However, words like elk meat, reindeer meat, and moose meat are also clear and common.

Fish and Seafood Meat Names

Fish and seafood names are usually simple because the animal name is often the same as the food name. For example, salmon means both the fish and the meat eaten as food.

Sea Animal	Meat Name
Fish	Fish
Salmon	Salmon
Tuna	Tuna
Cod	Cod
Trout	Trout
Bass	Bass
Tilapia	Tilapia
Catfish	Catfish
Sardine	Sardine
Mackerel	Mackerel
Crab	Crab Meat
Lobster	Lobster Meat
Shrimp	Shrimp
Prawn	Prawn
Oyster	Oyster
Squid	Squid / Calamari
Octopus	Octopus
Snail	Escargot / Snail Meat

Some seafood words are also cooking or restaurant words. For example, calamari usually means squid prepared as food, especially when it is cooked and served in restaurants. Likewise, escargot usually means snail prepared as food, especially in French-style dishes.

Young Animals and Special Meat Names

Some young animals have special meat names. These words are useful because they often appear on menus and in food vocabulary lists.

Young Animal	Meat Name
Calf	Veal
Young Sheep	Lamb
Young Goat	Kid Meat
Young Chicken	Poussin
Young Pigeon	Squab
Young Pig	Suckling Pig

The most useful young-animal meat names are veal, lamb, squab, and poussin. These words are more common in food writing than many rare or technical meat names.

Animal Name vs Meat Name

In English, some meat names are different from the animal names. Therefore, learners may hear cow in one sentence and beef in another sentence.

Animal Name	Meat Name	Common Use
Cow	Beef	Beef burger, beef steak
Pig	Pork	Pork chop, pork sausage
Sheep	Mutton	Mutton curry, mutton stew
Young Sheep	Lamb	Lamb roast, lamb curry
Calf	Veal	Veal cutlet, veal roast
Deer	Venison	Venison steak, venison stew

This difference is important because native speakers usually say beef instead of “cow meat” and pork instead of “pig meat.” However, for many animals, saying the animal name with meat is normal, such as goat meat, rabbit meat, or buffalo meat.

Confusing Meat Names Compared

Some meat names are easy to mix up. The table below explains the most common differences in a simple way.

Comparison	Difference	Example Use
Beef vs Veal	Beef comes from adult cattle, while veal comes from a calf.	Beef steak, veal cutlet
Mutton vs Lamb	Mutton comes from an adult sheep, while lamb comes from a young sheep.	Mutton curry, lamb roast
Pork vs Bacon	Pork is general pig meat, while bacon is a processed pork product.	Pork chop, bacon strips
Pork vs Ham	Pork is the main meat name, while ham is cured meat from a pig.	Pork roast, ham sandwich
Deer vs Venison	Deer is the animal, while venison is the meat.	Deer in the forest, venison stew
Squid vs Calamari	Squid is the sea animal, while calamari usually means squid prepared as food.	Squid in the ocean, fried calamari
Goat Meat vs Chevon	Goat meat is common in everyday English, while chevon is more formal or less common.	Goat curry, chevon dish
Chicken vs Poultry	Chicken is one bird and its meat, while poultry is a broader group of bird meat.	Chicken soup, poultry farm

Processed Meat Names from Animals

Processed meats are food products made by curing, smoking, grinding, drying, or seasoning meat. These are not animal meat names in the same way as beef or pork. However, they are useful food vocabulary words.

Processed Meat	Usually Comes From
Bacon	Pig
Ham	Pig
Sausage	Pig, Beef, Chicken, or Mixed Meat
Salami	Pig or Beef
Pepperoni	Pig and Beef
Hot Dog	Beef, Pork, Chicken, or Mixed Meat
Burger Patty	Beef, Chicken, or Other Meat
Minced Meat	Beef, Lamb, Chicken, or Other Meat
Steak	Usually Beef
Ribs	Beef, Pork, or Lamb

Useful notes:

• Pork is the general meat name for pig meat.
• Bacon and ham are pork products.
• Steak is usually beef, but the word can also be used with other meats.
• Sausage can be made from different kinds of meat.

Example Sentences with Meat Names

These simple sentences show how meat names are used in everyday English.

• Beef comes from cows or cattle.
• Pork comes from pigs.
• Mutton is meat from an adult sheep.
• Lamb is meat from a young sheep.
• Veal comes from a calf.
• Venison usually comes from deer.
• Chicken can mean both the bird and the meat.
• Turkey is a common poultry meat in many countries.
• Duck meat is used in many traditional dishes.
• Goat meat is eaten in many parts of the world.
• Rabbit meat is a type of lean meat.
• Crab meat is used in soups, salads, and seafood dishes.
• Lobster meat is often served in restaurants.
• Calamari usually means squid prepared as food.
• Fish is one of the most common seafood names in English.
• Buffalo meat is a type of red meat.
• Bison meat is often compared with beef.
• Poussin means a young chicken prepared as food.
• Squab usually means young pigeon meat.
• Escargot means snail prepared as food.

Quick Learning Notes

Here are the most important rules to remember:

• Use beef for meat from cows or cattle.
• Use pork for meat from pigs.
• Use mutton for meat from adult sheep.
• Use lamb for meat from young sheep.
• Use veal for meat from calves.
• Use venison for meat from deer.
• Use chicken, duck, turkey, and fish for both the animal and the meat.
• Use meat after many animal names when there is no special meat word, such as rabbit meat or goat meat.

FAQs

Summary

Animals and their meat names are useful vocabulary words in English. Some meat names are different from the animal names, such as cow → beef, pig → pork, sheep → mutton, calf → veal, and deer → venison. Many animals also use the same word for both the animal and the meat, such as chicken, duck, turkey, fish, and salmon.

Learning these names helps you understand menus, recipes, food labels, restaurant words, and everyday English conversations more easily. Start with common words like beef, pork, mutton, lamb, veal, venison, chicken, and fish. Then, learn less common meat names such as rabbit meat, goat meat, buffalo meat, and kangaroo meat step by step.

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