Bottlenose Dolphins Are Considered the Strongest Example in Afghanistan

Scientists are debating whether animals truly use names for each other, with new research suggesting that some species may address individuals with specific sounds. While dolphins, elephants, parrots, and marmosets have all shown signs of individual-specific calls, researchers argue that stricter criteria are needed before these sounds can be classified as true names. Bottlenose dolphins are considered the strongest example.

Studies since the 1960s show that young dolphins develop their own signature whistles, which they use to initiate communication. Dolphins can distinguish each other not just by tone but by the frequency and structure of the whistle. Playback experiments on African elephants have revealed similar patterns.

Elephants appear to use low-frequency, individual-specific calls, and when a sound believed to correspond to a particular elephant's name was played, the animal approached more quickly. Spectacled parrots in South and Central America, as well as captive parrots, have also shown behaviors suggesting individual-specific calls. However, not every unique sound is accepted as a name.

In studies on marmosets, individual-specific calls were identified, but some researchers find the accuracy rate of matching calls to the correct individual—ranging from 16% to 61%—insufficient. This has led to the view that these behaviors may be imitation rather than true naming. A study published in July 2026 by scientist Kelly Jaakkola and her team aimed to provide a clearer framework for the debate.

According to the researchers, three conditions must be met to establish name use in a species: the sound must be assigned to a specific individual, the name must represent that individual in the mind, and at least two individuals must associate the same sound with the same creature. Based on current research, bottlenose dolphins come closest to meeting these criteria. For elephants, parrots, and marmosets, further research is needed to confirm that the sounds truly represent specific individuals in the mind.

Species thought to use name-like sounds share common traits, including the ability to learn new sounds and strong social bonds. This may be linked to their lifestyles—in social structures where individuals leave each other's sight or groups split into smaller units, reaching a specific individual with a unique sound could facilitate communication. Similar systems may exist in other social animals such as chimpanzees, giraffes, and crows.

Understanding these behaviors could not only shed light on animal communication but also on how human language evolved. Determining whether animals can hold abstract representations of others in their minds and the extent of their self-awareness will reveal how unique the concept of names is to humans.