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Basketball Dog Names

Updated: April 27, 2024

For every sports lover who is also a proud dog parent, we understand how exciting it is to combine the love for your favorite game with the affection you hold for your furry friend. This page is specially crafted for those who have a passion for the court game and are looking for the perfect name that mirrors this passion for their four-legged companion.

From names inspired by legendary basketball players to terms used in the game, we have compiled an extensive list that will satisfy your desire to label your pet with a name that echoes your love for basketball. The list is designed to cater to every breed and personality, so whether your dog is a fast runner like a point guard, or tall and strong like a center, you will find a name that fits just right.

So, whether you are a fan of the NBA, NCAA, or you simply love shooting hoops in the park, delve into this list that blends the exciting world of basketball with the adorable realm of dogs. We're certain you'll find that perfect name that's nothing but 'net'!

Name Reason to Choose
Adidas A popular brand of basketball shoes
Air A term associated with Michael Jordan's nickname, 'His Airness'
Alley Part of 'alley-oop', a play involving a high pass and dunk
And1 A term for a successful shot that is followed by a free throw
Assist Commemorating the helping move in the game
Bankshot A shot that is aimed to bounce off the backboard and into the basket
Bark A playful twist on 'Bark'ley
Barkley After the legendary Charles Barkley
Basket A reference to the goal of the game
Bird In honor of Larry Bird
Blazer For the Portland Trail Blazers team
Block A defensive play where a player deflects an opponent's shot
Bogues Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history
Bounce A nod to the bouncing motion of a basketball
Boxout A technique used to secure a rebound
Bryant Kobe Bryant, an icon of the sport
Buck In honor of the Milwaukee Bucks team
Bull In honor of the Chicago Bulls team
Buzzer Derived from 'buzzer beater'
Cager An old term for a basketball player, referring to the cage-like court
Cavalier In honor of the Cleveland Cavaliers team
Celtic After the Boston Celtics team
Chamberlain Honoring Wilt Chamberlain, an iconic player in the history of the sport
Champion A term for the winning team
Clipper After the LA Clippers team
Clutch A term for a player or play that comes through under pressure
Curry Named after Stephen Curry
Dexter In honor of Dexter Shouse, a professional basketball player
Dime Slang for an assist
Dirk After Dirk Nowitzki, famous for his signature fadeaway
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Names Based on Basketball Movies

If you're a fan of basketball movies, choosing a dog name from your favorite film can be a great way to combine your love for the sport and cinema.
Name Description
Airbud A nod to the famous basketball-playing dog
Believe From 'Believe in Me', a girls' basketball film
Buddy The name of the dog in 'Air Bud'
Coach A nod to all the inspiring coaches in basketball films
Durant After Kevin Durant who starred in 'Thunderstruck'
Fletch A character who plays basketball in the movie of the same name
Flubber From the basketball scene in the movie 'Flubber'
Glory For 'Glory Road', the inspiring basketball film
Haskell From the movie 'The Heart of the Game', featuring Bill Resler and Darnellia Russell at Roosevelt High School
Heaven From 'Heaven is a playground', a basketball documentary
Hickory This is the name of the high school in 'Hoosiers'
Hoop Short for Hoop Dreams, a popular basketball documentary
Hoosier Inspired by the classic basketball movie 'Hoosiers'
Husky The mascot of the team in 'Air Bud'
Jimmy After Jimmy Chitwood, the star player in 'Hoosiers'
Juwanna From 'Juwanna Mann', a comedy basketball film
Lebron After LeBron James who starred in the animation 'Space Jam 2'
Monix One of the main characters in 'Semi-Pro'
Monstar The antagonists in 'Space Jam'
Murray For Bill Murray who played in 'Space Jam'
Pistol From 'The Pistol: Birth of a Legend', a basketball biopic
Rucker For the legendary Rucker Park, where many basketball movies are set
Streetball From 'Streetballers', an independent basketball film
Thunderstruck Named after a basketball movie featuring Kevin Durant
Tune From 'Tune Squad', the team in 'Space Jam'
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Names Based on Basketball Brands

By naming your dog after a basketball brand, you can show off your sporty style and passion for the game.
Name Description
Adidas Taken from the name of a global sports brand, famous for their basketball shoes
And1 This is a reference to the basketball shoe and apparel company
Anta This name is a nod to a rising basketball shoe brand from China
Asics This name is borrowed from a brand that creates athletic gear
Converse Named after the brand that produced the first basketball shoes
Fila Inspired by a brand known for its sports shoes and clothing
Jordan This pays tribute to the iconic basketball shoe brand
K1X Inspired by a German company that specializes in basketball gear
LiNing Named after the Chinese sports brand that's popular in the basketball world
Mikasa Named after the brand that produces basketballs
Molten This pays homage to the international basketball brand
NewBalance This brand has recently ventured into the basketball market
Nike This brand is well-known for basketball sneakers and apparel
Peak Inspired by a Chinese brand that sponsors many basketball players
Puma This brand is making a comeback in basketball footwear
Qiaodan This is a popular basketball brand in China
Rawlings Named after the brand that makes basketball equipment
Reebok This name is inspired by a brand known for its basketball shoes
Sketchers Named after the brand that ventured into basketball shoes with its 'D'lites' collection
Spalding Named after the popular basketball manufacturing brand
Stance This name derives from a brand that designs basketball socks
Starbury This name is a tribute to a brand that produced affordable basketball shoes
UnderArmour This name is borrowed from a brand that creates basketball gear
Voit Inspired by a brand that produces basketballs and other sports gear
Wilson Inspired by the brand that produces basketball gear
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Names Based on Basketball Teams

This subcategory allows you to name your dog after your favorite basketball team, showing your loyalty and support.
Name Description
Blazer From the Portland Trail Blazers
Buck For Milwaukee Bucks fans
Bull From the Chicago Bulls
Cavalier For Cleveland Cavaliers enthusiasts
Celtic An homage to the Boston Celtics
Clipper In honor of the Los Angeles Clippers
Grizzly Inspired by the Memphis Grizzlies
Hawk From the Atlanta Hawks
Heat Derived from the Miami Heat
Hornet For Charlotte Hornets enthusiasts
King A tribute to the Sacramento Kings
Laker Inspired by the Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Named after the Orlando Magic
Maverick A nod to the Dallas Mavericks
Nugget Inspired by the Denver Nuggets
Pacer A tribute to the Indiana Pacers
Piston A tribute to the Detroit Pistons
Raptor Drawn from the Toronto Raptors
Rocket A nod to the Houston Rockets
Sixer For fans of the Philadelphia 76ers
Spur For San Antonio Spurs fans
Sun In honor of the Phoenix Suns
Thunder In honor of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Warrior For Golden State Warriors enthusiasts
Wizard A nod to the Washington Wizards
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Names Based on Basketball Terms

Basketball terms can make for unique and sporty dog names, which can be a great choice for basketball enthusiasts.
Name Description
Alley Part of 'alley-oop', a play in basketball
Block A term for a defensive play in basketball
Buzzer A term referring to the final shot at the end of a basketball game or quarter
Clutch In basketball, a 'clutch' moment is a significant play that occurs in a high-pressure situation
Double Short for 'double dribble', a violation in basketball
Dribble Taken from the basketball term, 'dribble', which is the action of bouncing the ball on the floor repeatedly
Dunk A forceful shot in basketball where the ball is thrust down into the hoop
Foul A term for rule violations in basketball
Freebie Short for 'free throw', a type of shot in basketball
Hoop Shortened from 'basketball hoop', the target for shooting the ball
Jumper Taken from 'jump shot', a type of basketball shot
Layup A one-handed shot made from directly underneath or very close to the basket
Pick Derived from 'pick and roll', a common offensive play in basketball
Pivot Derived from a basketball maneuver where a player keeps one foot in place while moving the other
Quarters A basketball game is divided into four quarters
Rebound Inspired by the act of gaining possession of the ball after a missed field goal or free throw
Rookie A term for a player in their first season of professional basketball
Slam Short for 'slam dunk', a type of shot in basketball
Steal A term for when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action(s)
Swish A basketball term used to describe the sound the ball makes when it perfectly goes through the net
Teardrop A type of basketball shot, typically a high-arcing lofted shot made while driving to the basket
Travel A violation in basketball where a player holding the ball moves one or both of their feet illegally
Tripper Derived from 'triple-double', a basketball term for a player who reaches a double-digit number in three of five statistical categories
ZigZag Taken from a defensive maneuver in basketball
Zone Derived from 'zone defense', a type of defense in basketball
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Names Based on Basketball Players

Naming your dog after famous basketball players can be a fun and unique way to showcase your love for the sport.
Name Description
Barkley Charles Barkley, former NBA player and current analyst, has the perfect dog name in his surname
Bird Named after Larry Bird, this name is a fitting tribute to the former Celtics player
Bryant Kobe Bryant's surname is a great choice for a dog that has a strong and confident personality
Chamberlain Wilt Chamberlain's name is a fitting choice for a dog that's tall and strong
Curry Steph Curry's name is a great choice for a dog that's quick and agile
Drummond Andre Drummond's name is a great choice for a dog that's big and powerful
Duncan Tim Duncan's name is a fitting choice for a dog that's known for its calm and composed demeanor
Durant Kevin Durant's name is a great choice for a dog that's tall and slim
Embiid Joel Embiid's name is a great choice for a dog that's tall and strong
Ewing Patrick Ewing's name is a great choice for a dog that's tall and strong
Giannis Giannis Antetokounmpo's name is a unique choice for a dog that's long and agile
Harden James Harden's name is a great choice for a dog that's known for its strong and tough personality
Jordan Named after the legendary basketball player, Michael Jordan
Kareem Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's name is a great choice for a dog with a lot of height or reach
Kobe This name is a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, an iconic figure in basketball
Kyrie Kyrie Irving's name is a unique and cool name for a dog
Lebron Lebron James, one of the greatest basketball players, is the inspiration behind this name
Lillard Damian Lillard's name is a great choice for a dog that's quick and nimble
Magic Magic Johnson, the former Lakers player, lends his name to this choice
Pippen Scottie Pippen's name is a great choice for a dog that has a strong and loyal personality
Shaquille Shaquille O'Neal's name is a fitting choice for a dog that's big and strong
Simmons Ben Simmons' name is a great choice for a dog that's versatile and agile
Stockton John Stockton's name is a great choice for a dog that's quick and smart
Wade Dwyane Wade's name is a great choice for a dog that's strong and loyal
Westbrook Russell Westbrook's name is a great choice for a dog that's energetic and fast
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