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Best Dog Names

Updated: October 06, 2023

      Commonly referred to as ‘Man’s best friend’, every puppy bursts on to the scene with the unique ability to quickly move to the top in their owner’s heart. If a puppy’s excessive cuteness doesn’t get you, the playful attitude will. With a lack of coordination and oversized paws, a new pup can quickly turn feet into smiles. As Fido is pawing and pouncing a way to your heart, it is time to start coming up with ‘Man’s best name’.

      The best dog names come from the family; the puppy’s biological family that is. While Aunt June probably won’t be too keen on the idea of naming a household pet after her, looking to the dog’s parents is a huge plus. This is a great opportunity for your new pal to carry the family name on to the next generation. While honoring one’s creators is an excellent idea, it is not the only reason names kept in the family rate highly. Part of being a best name is standing the test of time, and a family name already has at least one vote in its favor.

      As an alternative to combing the family tree, many of the best names can be found from other great dogs. Seldom a day goes by that there isn’t news somewhere of a heroic or wonderful dog accomplishing amazing feats. Take the chance to honor one of these brave canines by passing their name on to your new pal.

Name Reason to Choose
Abel A strong, biblical name that fits a faithful companion
Addison A classy name for a sophisticated pup
Alfalfa For a pet that's as essential and beneficial as the plant
Angus An excellent choice for a large, sturdy dog breed
Annie For a loving, caring, and family-oriented dog
Attila For a dog with a powerful and fearless personality
Aussie Perfect for australian breeds or a dog with a free-spirited nature
Avis Ideal for a rare, special, or unique dog breed
Bebe A cute, affectionate name for a small and lovable dog
Beck For a dog with a charismatic and magnetic personality
Bella Ideal for a beautiful, charming female dog
Bobo Perfect for a funny, silly, and entertaining dog
Bond A cool and suave name for a dog with a confident demeanor
Bones Great for a dog who loves to chew or is a fan of treats
Brian Simplicity and human-like charm make it a top choice
Bruiser Perfect for a muscular or tough looking pet
Brutus Showcases strength and might, ideal for a large dog
Bug Adorable and fitting for a small or lovable pet
Bull Apt for a robust and fearless canine
Bullet Stands out for a fast and energetic dog
Bumblebee A fun and distinctive name for a playful pup
Butterball Endearing for a chubby, cute dog
Cabo A cool and unique name with a sense of adventure
Cameo Suits a dog with unique markings or patterns
Cammy A sweet, simple name great for a female pup
Carve An unusual and interesting choice, perfect for a trailblazing dog
Cassie Balances between being traditional and trendy
Caviar Ideal for a posh and luxurious breed
Cheddar Great for a dog with a golden or orange coat
Cherry Fits a dog with a sweet and bubbly personality
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Pop culture references

These are names inspired by popular culture, such as movies, books, or celebrities. For example, 'Simba' would be an excellent name for a Lion King fan.
Name Description
Buffy Inspired by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, perfect for a fearless and loyal dog
Chewbacca For a big and fluffy dog, just like the Star Wars character
Darth A nod to Star Wars’ Darth Vader, perfect for a dog with a commanding presence
Dexter Inspired by the TV show Dexter, great for a dog with a calm demeanor
Dobby A tribute to the lovable house-elf from Harry Potter, great for a loyal pet
Frodo Another character from Lord of the Rings, ideal for a small, brave dog
Gandalf Named after the wizard from Lord of the Rings, fitting for a dog with a majestic appearance
Gizmo Named after the cute and furry creature from the movie Gremlins, perfect for a small and adorable dog
Groot Inspired by the lovable tree-like being from Guardians of the Galaxy
Hagrid For a large, gentle dog, named after the lovable character from Harry Potter
Heisenberg A nod to the character from Breaking Bad, perfect for a dog with a strong personality
Hulk For big, strong dogs, named after the Marvel Comics character
Iron A reference to Iron Man from Marvel Comics, perfect for a strong and courageous dog
Krypto Superman's superdog from the DC Comics, ideal for a dog with a strong, heroic demeanor
Loki For a mischievous and playful dog, named after the trickster from Norse mythology and Marvel Comics
Neo For Matrix fans, especially if your dog is a black-coated breed
Pikachu For Pokémon fans, especially if your dog is small, cute, and energetic
R2D2 If your dog is your trusty sidekick, this Star Wars character would make a fitting namesake
Sherlock Inspired from the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, perfect for a dog with a keen sense of smell
Simba A reference to the brave lion from Disney's The Lion King, perfect for a courageous and noble dog
Snoopy Inspired by the iconic beagle from the Peanuts comic strip
Spock Named after the iconic Star Trek character, suitable for a dog with pointed ears
Thor Perfect for a strong, brave dog, named after the God of Thunder from Marvel Comics
Totoro Named after the lovable forest spirit from Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, great for a fluffy and friendly dog
Yoda For Star Wars fans, especially if your dog is wise and calm
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Appearance-based names

These are names that are based on the dog's physical appearance. For example, 'Spot' could be a fitting name for a Dalmatian.
Name Description
Caramel Fits a dog with a sweet, light brown coat
Chubby Great for a slightly plump, cuddly dog
Curls Ideal for a dog with a curly coat
Dusty Perfect for a light-brown or beige dog
Fluffy Perfect for a dog with a thick, soft fur coat
Freckles Ideal for a dog with spotted markings
Ginger Perfect for a dog with reddish or auburn fur
Goldie Perfect for a golden-brown canine companion
Ivory Ideal for a dog with a pale, cream-colored coat
Jet Ideal for a dog with black, glossy fur
Misty For a dog with a grey or silver coat
Patches Great for a dog with a multi-colored coat
Pepper A good choice for a speckled or brindled dog
Rusty A good match for a dog with reddish-brown fur
Shadow Ideal for a dark-furred friend
Silky Fits a dog with a smooth, shiny coat
Smokey A good name for a dog with greyish-black fur
Snowy Fits a dog with a pristine white coat
Socks Great for a dog with distinctively colored paws
Spot A classic choice for a dog with unique markings
Stripes A fun name for a dog with striped markings
Sunny Suits a dog with a bright, golden coat
Tiny Suits a small breed or a petite pup
Twinkle Suits a dog with bright, sparkling eyes
Whiskers A playful choice for a furry-faced pup
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Personality-based names

These are names that reflect the dog's personality. For example, 'Bouncy' could be a great name for an energetic dog.
Name Description
Barker A great fit for a dog who loves to communicate vocally
Bolt For a fast and energetic canine companion
Chaser Fitting for a dog who loves to chase after balls, frisbees, or squirrels
Cheerio Great for a happy and cheerful dog
Cuddle Perfect for a dog that loves to snuggle up
Dash Ideal for a fast and agile dog
Digger Perfect for a dog who loves to burrow and dig
Einstein Perfect for a smart and quick-learning dog
Fluffy Ideal for a dog with a thick, soft coat
Grumpy For a dog who might be a bit moody or sullen, but still loved
Guardian A fitting name for a protective and watchful dog
Hunter Ideal for a dog with a strong instinct to pursue and capture
Jumper Great for a dog who loves to leap and bound
Loyal A great name for a devoted and faithful companion
Munchkin For a small, adorable dog
Nibbler Perfect for a dog who has a habit of gently gnawing on toys or treats
Ninja For a dog who moves silently and swiftly
Rascal Suited to a playful and mischievous pooch
Roamer For a dog who loves to explore and wander
Shadow For a dog who follows you everywhere you go
Sniffer A perfect name for a dog with an exceptional sense of smell
Snoozer Ideal for the dog who loves to nap the day away
Wiggles For a dog who can't contain their excitement
Zeal Ideal for a dog with an enthusiastic and energetic personality
Zoomie Ideal for a dog who loves to run around at lightning speed
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Gender-specific names

These are names that are specifically catered to the gender of the dog. For example, 'Bella' is a popular name for female dogs.
Name Description
Bella This name exudes femininity and beauty, perfect for a graceful female dog
Bruno Shows dominance and strength, great for a robust male dog
Buddy Great for a friendly and loyal male dog
Charlie An all-time favorite for male dogs, embodying both strength and friendliness
Chloe A cute and feminine name suitable for a playful female dog
Cooper A modern and strong name, ideal for a male dog
Daisy A soft and sweet name, perfect for a loving female dog
Duke This name portrays authority and is fitting for a confident male dog
Jack A robust and classic name ideal for a male dog
Leo A strong and commanding name, ideal for a male dog
Lily A delicate and feminine name, great for a sweet-natured female dog
Lucy A charming and sweet name fitting for a loving female dog
Luna A sweet and mystical name suitable for a female dog
Max A strong and classic name, suitable for a robust male dog
Molly Perfect for a loving and gentle female dog
Oscar A classic and noble name suitable for a male dog
Rex An old-time favorite, evokes strength and courage, fitting for a male dog
Rocky Ideal for a sturdy and courageous male dog
Rosie Perfect for a playful and cheerful female dog
Ruby A unique and feminine name for a precious female dog
Sadie A lovely and charming name suitable for a female dog
Sophie A classy and feminine name for a female dog
Stella A stylish and feminine name, great for a female dog
Toby A friendly and charming name perfect for a male dog
Zeus A powerful and commanding name perfect for a sturdy male dog
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Breed-based names

These are names that resonate well with the breed of the dog. For example, 'Frost' could be a good name for a Siberian Husky.
Name Description
Akita A cool name for an Akita, a breed known for its strength and loyalty
Beagle This name is a nod to the breed's name, making it a great choice for a Beagle
Bernie It's a perfect name for a Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxer It's a powerful name fitting for the Boxer breed
Bulldog A straightforward name that reflects the breed, perfect for a Bulldog
Chihuahua A fun name suited for the Chihuahua breed
Cocker Ideal for Cocker Spaniels because of the breed's name
Collie A friendly name for a Border Collie
Dachshund An interesting name choice for this unique breed
Dane A short and simple name that's perfect for a Great Dane
Doberman It honours the breed name and is great for a Doberman
Greyhound A sleek name for a sleek breed like the Greyhound
Husky Inspired by the Siberian Husky breed
Lab An ideal name for a Labrador
Maltese A cute name for a small breed like the Maltese
Mastiff This name is derived from the breed itself, making it ideal for a Mastiff
Pitbull It's a strong name that suits the Pitbull breed
Pomeranian A fluffy name for a fluffy breed like the Pomeranian
Poodle A chic name that suits the elegance of a Poodle
Retriever An attractive name for a Golden Retriever
Rottie A fun and casual name for a Rottweiler
Schnauzer A classy name for a Schnauzer
Shepherd A strong name that fits the German Shepherd breed
Shih Tzu A distinct name for this unique breed
Terrier A playful name that's great for any dog of the Terrier breed
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Lila Photo of lila for Best Dog Names Pronounced Lee-lah (we speak Spanish at home). In Spanish it means lilac or purple which is my favorite color, it's also a beautiful name, and if you look up name meanings for English it means 'play' which suits her personality perfectly! The only pictures I get are when she's sleeping because when she's awake, she's too fast! Always playing!
Rocco Photo of rocco for Best Dog Names Weeeell , he was always chewing on rocks so there ya go ..
Ruff Photo of ruff for Best Dog Names My name is Ruff. I have many nicknames like Ruffie, BigBoo, Bigbaby, Bigbabybudda. (R.I.P. 12/20/2014 RUFFIE. LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND MISS YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY, GOOGGES, DANNY AND BIG GIRL XOXOXO FOREVER
Rocky Photo of Rocky for Best Dog Names He thinks he is a pit bull.

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The Three Tails of Friendship

In the bustling town of Pawsville, three dogs lived seemingly separate lives, unaware that fate would soon intertwine their paths and forge an unbreakable bond of friendship. These three canine companions were Charlie, a scruffy but lovable mutt; Luna, a regal and elegant Afghan Hound; and Max, a playful and mischievous Beagle.

Charlie spent his days roaming the streets, surviving on the kindness of strangers and the scraps they provided. Despite his hard life, he never lost his friendly nature or his desire to find a family to call his own.

Luna lived with a wealthy family on the edge of town, her days filled with pampering and luxury. But behind the gates of her palatial home, Luna was lonely. She longed for the companionship of other dogs and the simple joy of running free.

Max, on the other hand, was a ball of energy, always finding new ways to entertain himself and his loving human family. But Max's adventurous spirit often got him into trouble, leaving him yearning for friends who shared his zest for life.

One fateful day, Max's curiosity led him to dig a hole under the fence and escape his yard, eager to explore the world beyond his home. Meanwhile, Luna, tired of her gilded cage, seized an opportunity to slip out the front door when the door was carelessly left open.

As Max and Luna wandered the streets of Pawsville, their paths crossed with Charlie, who was scavenging for food near the town's park. Intrigued by one another, the three dogs decided to join forces and explore the park together.

At the park, the trio quickly discovered that they complemented each other perfectly. Charlie, with his street-smarts, taught Max and Luna the best places to find food and how to avoid danger. Luna's regal bearing and natural grace inspired Charlie and Max to carry themselves with more confidence, while Max's boundless energy and sense of adventure helped Charlie and Luna forget their troubles and live in the moment.

As the sun began to set, the three dogs knew that their time together was drawing to a close. But as they prepared to go their separate ways, they realized that they couldn't bear to part. They had found in each other the friendship and camaraderie they had been seeking all their lives.

Together, they devised a plan: they would take turns visiting each other's homes, sharing the best parts of their lives with one another. And so, Luna's family embraced the scruffy Charlie and mischievous Max, welcoming them into their home and showering them with love and affection. In return, Luna taught Charlie and Max the art of being pampered, showing them that there was more to life than just survival.

Max's family, delighted by the arrival of their energetic Beagle's new friends, opened their home and hearts to Charlie and Luna. The three dogs would spend hours running and playing together in the spacious backyard, their laughter and barks filling the air.

And on the streets of Pawsville, the three friends introduced Charlie's fellow strays to the kindness and generosity of the town's residents, transforming the lives of countless dogs and forging new bonds between humans and their canine companions.

The lives of Charlie, Luna, and Max had become forever intertwined, and their friendship became the stuff of legend in the town of Pawsville. They had shown one another that, no matter how different their backgrounds or circumstances, the love and loyalty of true friends could bridge any divide and create a bond that would stand the test of time.

We would like to take this time to thank all of our visitors that make DogNamed.com the best dog naming resource on the web. Our site would not be where it is today without your suggestions, ratings, and photo submissions. So pat yourselves on the back for a job well done and keep up the good work! If you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas for the this page or any part of our site, don't hesitate to drop us a line on our Contact Page. Thank you! -The DogNamed Team

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