While there isn't a single, universally established "gender name" for a wolf in the English language, specific terms are commonly used to refer to male and female wolves.
Understanding Terms for Male and Female Wolves
Unlike some other animal species that have distinct single words for their genders (e.g., cow/bull), wolves typically use descriptive terms.
Key Terms by Gender:
- For a Female Wolf: There is no specific, given noun in English uniquely identifying a female wolf. It is often referred to simply as a wolf or, more descriptively, as a she-wolf.
- For a Male Wolf: Similarly, a male wolf is often just called a wolf. In a pack hierarchy, a dominant male might be referred to as an alpha-male.
Common and Historical Designations
The following table summarizes the common and some historical or informal terms used for wolves based on their gender:
Gender | Common Term(s) | Historical/Informal Term(s) | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Male | Wolf, Alpha-male | Were (Old English) | The general term "wolf" applies. "Alpha-male" specifically denotes the dominant male within a pack. Historically, in Old English, "were" meant "man" (referring to a male human), suggesting a "man-wolf" or "male wolf." |
Female | Wolf, She-wolf | Wifwolf (Old English) | The general term "wolf" applies. "She-wolf" is a descriptive, informal term. In Old English, "wif" meant "woman," leading to "wifwolf" as a term for a female wolf. |
The Absence of a Single Female Term
It is notable that while terms like "lioness" for a female lion exist, English does not have a parallel single word for a female wolf. The term "she-wolf" serves this descriptive purpose, emphasizing the wolf's gender when necessary.
Wolf Terminology