You can summon a cow with a name of your choosing whenever you want using a cheat (game command) in Minecraft. This is done using the /summon command.
Let's explore how to do this.
The command to summon a cow with a custom name is available in the following versions of Minecraft:
* The version that it was added or removed, if applicable.
NOTE: Pocket Edition (PE), Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows 10 Edition are now called Bedrock Edition. We will continue to show them individually for version history.
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Summon Command in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac)
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow [pos] {CustomName:"\"<value>\""}
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [x] [y] [z] {CustomName:<value>}
In Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon Cow [x] [y] [z] {CustomName:<value>}
Definitions
- pos or x y z is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- CustomName is optional. It is a compound NBT tag (formerly called data tag) that sets the custom name for the cow. See NBT tags for cow.
- value is the name for the cow.
Summon Command in Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE)
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
/summon cow [spawnPos] [yRot] [xRot] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtEntity> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtPosition> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
In Minecraft Pocket Edition (PE) 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- xRot is the x-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. Positive values look downward and negative values look upward. 0=facing forward, 90=facing straight down, -90=facing straight up.
- yRot is the y-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. 0=South, 90=West, 180=North, 270=East.
- lookAtEntity is the name of a player (or a target selector) that the cow will face when spawned.
- lookAtPositon is a set of x y z coordinates that the cow will face when spawned.
Summon Command in Minecraft Xbox One Edition
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
/summon cow [spawnPos] [yRot] [xRot] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtEntity> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtPosition> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
In Minecraft Xbox One Edition 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- xRot is the x-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. Positive values look downward and negative values look upward. 0=facing forward, 90=facing straight down, -90=facing straight up.
- yRot is the y-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. 0=South, 90=West, 180=North, 270=East.
- lookAtEntity is the name of a player (or a target selector) that the cow will face when spawned.
- lookAtPositon is a set of x y z coordinates that the cow will face when spawned.
Summon Command in Minecraft PS4 Edition
In Minecraft PS4 Edition 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
/summon cow [spawnPos] [yRot] [xRot] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtEntity> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtPosition> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
In Minecraft PS4 Edition 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- xRot is the x-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. Positive values look downward and negative values look upward. 0=facing forward, 90=facing straight down, -90=facing straight up.
- yRot is the y-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. 0=South, 90=West, 180=North, 270=East.
- lookAtEntity is the name of a player (or a target selector) that the cow will face when spawned.
- lookAtPositon is a set of x y z coordinates that the cow will face when spawned.
Summon Command in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
/summon cow [spawnPos] [yRot] [xRot] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtEntity> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtPosition> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
In Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- xRot is the x-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. Positive values look downward and negative values look upward. 0=facing forward, 90=facing straight down, -90=facing straight up.
- yRot is the y-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. 0=South, 90=West, 180=North, 270=East.
- lookAtEntity is the name of a player (or a target selector) that the cow will face when spawned.
- lookAtPositon is a set of x y z coordinates that the cow will face when spawned.
Summon Command in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition 1.20, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
/summon cow [spawnPos] [yRot] [xRot] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtEntity> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow [spawnPos] facing <lookAtPosition> [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
In Minecraft Windows 10 Edition 1.16, 1.17, 1.18 and 1.19, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- xRot is the x-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. Positive values look downward and negative values look upward. 0=facing forward, 90=facing straight down, -90=facing straight up.
- yRot is the y-rotation that the cow is facing in degrees. 0=South, 90=West, 180=North, 270=East.
- lookAtEntity is the name of a player (or a target selector) that the cow will face when spawned.
- lookAtPositon is a set of x y z coordinates that the cow will face when spawned.
Summon Command in Minecraft Education Edition
In Minecraft Education Edition 1.14.31, 1.17.30 and 1.18.32, the syntax to summon a cow that has a name using the /summon command is:
/summon cow [spawnPos] [spawnEvent] [nameTag]
/summon cow <nameTag> [spawnPos]
Definitions
- spawnPos is optional. It is the x y z coordinate where the cow should spawn. If no coordinate is specified, the cow will spawn in the current location.
- spawnEvent is optional. It is the name of a game event for the cow. See spawn events for cow.
- nameTag is the custom name to assign to the cow. It will appear as a nametag above the cow.
- Java
- PE
- Xbox
- PS
- Nintendo
- Win10
- Edu
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20
To summon a cow that is named Betsy in Minecraft 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19 and 1.20:
/summon cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:"\"Betsy\""}
To summon a cow that is named "Travelling Terry":
/summon cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:"\"Travelling Terry\""}
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.11 and 1.12
To summon a cow that is named Betsy in Minecraft 1.11 and 1.12:
/summon cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:Betsy}
To summon a cow that is named "Travelling Terry":
/summon cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:"Travelling Terry"}
Example in Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10
To summon a cow that is named Daisy in Minecraft 1.8, 1.9 and 1.10:
/summon Cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:Daisy}
To summon a cow that is named "The Hereford":
/summon Cow ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:"The Hereford"}
Example in Pocket Edition (PE)
To summon a cow that is named Betsy in Minecraft PE:
/summon cow Betsy
To summon a cow that is named "My Betsy" at the coordinates (12, 65, -8):
/summon cow "My Betsy" 12 65 -8
Example in Xbox One Edition
To summon a cow that is named Daisy in Minecraft Xbox One Edition:
/summon cow Daisy
To summon a cow that is named My Daisy and is 4 blocks West of your current position:
/summon cow "My Daisy" ~-4 ~ ~
Example in PS4 Edition
To summon a cow that is named Boss in Minecraft PS4 Edition:
/summon cow Boss
To summon a cow that is named "My Boss" at the coordinates (8, 67, 100):
/summon cow "My Boss" 8 67 100
Example in Nintendo Switch Edition
To summon a cow that is named Hereford in Minecraft Nintendo Switch Edition:
/summon cow Hereford
To summon a cow that is named "My Hereford" at the coordinates (8, 72, 100):
/summon cow "My Hereford" 8 72 100
Example in Windows 10 Edition
To summon a cow that is named Dairy in Minecraft Windows 10 Edition:
/summon cow Dairy
To summon a cow that is named "Dairy Cow" and is 1 block above your current position:
/summon cow "Dairy Cow" ~ ~1 ~
Example in Education Edition
To summon a cow that is named Pet in Minecraft Education Edition:
/summon cow Pet
To summon a cow that is named "My Pet" at the coordinates (-70, 63, 12):
/summon cow "My Pet" -70 63 12
In this example, we are going to summon a cow named Daisy in Minecraft Java Edition (PC/Mac) 1.20 with the following command:
Type the command in the chat window. As you are typing, you will see the command appear in the lower left corner of the game window. Press the Enter key to run the command.
Congratulations, you have summoned a named cow in Minecraft.
If you need help with /summon commands, you can use these tools to automatically generate commands for you: