Through out the series the Magical Girls call it Kyubey however they respond just as well to Homura when she calls them Incubator and don't go to correct her.
I am wondering which is their real name, Kyubey or Incubator?
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5"Kyubey" is a kind of short-hand for "In(cub)ator"; perhaps like any other shortened name or nickname, e.g. Edward -> "Ed". _Kyubey_ could be seen as the creatures' names, whereas _Incubator_ is the name of the species/entity, whereas you and I are _human_. – Jan 26 '15 at 23:22
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The name Kyubey is a short-hand for Incubator (pronounced [in-kyuh-bey-ter](source), which shows similar phonetic pronunciations). This follows a pattern similar to other nicknames or names that are shortened, such as:
- "Ed", from "Edward" (e.g. Edward "Ed" Elric from FMA) and
- "Al", from "Alphonse" (like Alphonse "Al" Elric, also from FMA).
That said, Kyubey is the name of the creatures, whereas Incubator is its race/species.
From the Madoka Magica wiki:
Kyubey is an Incubator/Messenger of Magic. Because of this, he, like his race, cannot exhibit emotions of any kind.
In episode 8, around 20:10, Homura says
I won't let things go according to your plans, Kyubey.
Or should I say... "Incubator"?
Which would be equivalent, in context, to me saying
I won't let things go according to your plans, Memor-X.
Or should I say... "Human"?
