Name a Falcon!
Here’s your chance to name one of this year’s Eyases!
We are very happy to announce that once again falcon fans will have an opportunity to choose a name for one eyas in the nest box atop the Times Square Building, and it will be in the form of a naming contest open to all viewers.
Much care and thought has been used to name past eyases. We’ve included the criteria for choosing a name. Please read the rules very carefully and use the link below to submit one (1) gender neutral name.
Please, only one submission per person!
The deadline for name submissions is 11:59 pm (EDT) on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Suggested Rfalconcam Naming Criteria Acceptable Categories for Names:
Explorers, Astronomers, Conservationists, especially those with
International appeal (e.g., Galileo, [Amelia] Earhart, Magellan), or those who have played a significant role in Peregrine re-population efforts.
Names inspired by Nature–topographic, meteorological, geographic, etc. (e.g. Kaver, Isaura, Fulmine, Alkyonis, Skye, Aconcagua)
Inspirational Names (e.g. Freedom, Hope, Destiny)
Words that refer to falcons in languages other than Modern English (e.g. Thlotli, Hafoc)
Categories that do not fit the criteria:
Names derived from religious, political, or popular culture icons.
Names directly related to a human person either living or dead, except as noted in the acceptable criteria above.
Names related to a commercial product, or a copyrighted or trademarked name owned by any corporation, individual or organization.
Names that reflect negatively on any group, organization, individual or entity.
Names should be well researched whenever possible. Supporting rationale for the name is required, so give us a few sentences that explain the name and the reason you chose it.
Submitting a Name:
That’s easy! Just click on this link to open the submission form. Only one submission per person please! If multiple submissions are sent in, only the first one that meets the criteria will be accepted.
https://forms.gle/xmu677Yk9EYCfXZ47
NOTE: IF SUBMITTING A NAME, PLEASE DO NOT DISCUSS IT HERE, ON THE FORUM, OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.
Judging the Name Submissions:
The Rfalconcam Naming Committee will evaluate all name submissions for appropriateness, including (but not limited to) adherence to the naming criteria, well researched name, uniqueness of the name and how well it follows the “spirit” of past falcon names.
The committee will select the top 10 names from those submitted and create a poll for our viewers to vote for their favorite.
NOTE: MEMBERS OF THE NAMING COMMITTEE WILL HAVE FINAL EDITORIAL RIGHT OF REFUSAL FOR ALL SUBMISSIONS, AND THEY MAY REJECT ANY NAME SUBMISSION THAT DOES NOT MEET THE NAMING CRITERIA OR IS JUDGED NOT TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
Past Falcon Names that Meet the Criteria Above:
2002 Freedom
2003 Isaura – A wind that blows off the Greek Isles
Chayton – A Native American word for Falcon
Destiny
Thlotli – An Aztec name for Falcon
Edge – Named for Rosalie Edge
2004 Alkyonis – Named in honor of the 2004 Olympic games in Greece
Pride
Gahastey – Native American word for a type of wind
Grissom – Named in memory of Virgil “Gus” Grissom
Hafoc – Old English word for Falcon
2005 Esperanza – Spanish word for Hope
Ihteram – Arabic word for Respect
Fulmine – Italian word for Lightning
Aconcagua – A mountain in Argentina
Skye – An island in Scotland where falconry is practiced
2006 Aura – Latin word for breeze
2007 Ananta – A Sanskrit word meaning “infinite” and “endless.”
2008 Diamante – Spanish for “diamond”
Quest – A search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something
Seneca – Named after the largest tribe of the Iroquois confederacy
Zephyr – The name given to the West Wind in Greek mythology
2010 Callidora – Gift of Beauty
Jemison – In honor of Mary Jemison, an American frontierswoman
2012 Orion – The constellation of “The Hunter”
2013 Baron, Rosetta, Voyager
2014 Tesh, Nettie, Nor’easter, Mercury
2015 Cadence, Genesee, Bronx
2016 Matilda, Aria, Lilac, Leo
2017 Seabreeze, Ontario, Charlotte, Rachel
2018 Mike, Letchworth, Sundara
2019 Lakota, Phoenix, Jupiter, Donna
2020 Roc, Hope, γεράκι
2021 Freyja, Golden
2022 Blaze, Zara, Kanfai Malachim
2023 Sterling, Artemis, Jubilee
2024 Justice, Meng, Walker, Mighty
2025 Denali, Anders, Zephyrus
The deadline for name submissions is 11:59 pm (EDT) on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Good Luck!
May 21st, 2026 at 10:15 AM
I suggest naming an eyas EILEEN, not just for our wonderful dumpsterkitty, but for the astronaut
EILEEN COLLINS
Collins was born in 1956, and she earned a staggering four college degrees from four different universities throughout her extensive studies. She holds diplomas in science, math, economics, and management. Along the way, while still studying in school, Collins also found time to become a U.S. Air Force pilot — as well as instruct other pilots.
Then, in 1990, she was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA. On STS-63 in 1995, Eileen Collins became the first woman to ever pilot the space shuttle, also carrying out a docking with Russia’s Mir space station. Later in her career, Collins’ crew was responsible for deploying the massive Chandra X-ray Observatory from the space shuttle. In all, she’d fly a total of four different shuttle missions before retiring from NASA in 2006. Interestingly, her spouse, Pat Youngs, was also a pilot, flying passengers for Delta Airlines.
Eileen Collins has flown higher and faster than any falcons, but she had technical help:-)
The name “Eileen” is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name “Eibhlín,” which itself is a form of the Norman name “Aveline.” The name “Aveline” has Germanic roots and is believed to be derived from the element “avi,” meaning “desired.” As such, the name “Eileen” carries the connotation of being “desirable” or “beloved.” This name has a rich etymological history, reflecting the interplay of Gaelic, Norman, and Germanic linguistic influences.
Alternatively coming from “Aibhlin”, it is also considered to mean: Little bird (!), Strength, or Hazelnut!