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Unique Dog Names

Updated: October 06, 2023

      What do Neil Armstrong, Horton Smith, and Annie Edson Taylor all have in common? They each were credited as being the first person to accomplish something. While many have followed in each of their footsteps, there is definitely something to be said about originality. In this list, we have tried to capture new and unique ideas to help pioneer the dog names of the future. Throughout this page you will encounter many cutting-edge and unfamiliar ideas that are part of the road less traveled and could make all the difference. Much like the first person to achieve something, we hope that these names become trends and not just a statistic.

      To help make the case for branching out more clear, Imagine a world where every dog goes by the same name. It would get kind of boring until you verbalized the overused title in a park or around the neighborhood. There is obvious value in making sure that your dog doesn’t have the same name as every other pooch on the block. All too often, owners settle on a typical name like Spot or Max. These aren’t bad names, just overused. Consider the Honda Civic for example. It’s a good quality bang for your buck automobile but everyone and their dog has one. When naming your puppy you want to be creative yet fitting. You are looking for the name that matches your dog but also stands out in the crowd.

      The key to finding a name that is truly distinct is to free your mind from experience imposed tracks. There is a reason that names like Spot and Max are common for dogs. Due to their widespread use, an association between the names and dogs are built at an early age. When focusing on dog names, the mind is only able to pull from these previous affiliations. In order to discover unique ideas, you will need to venture outside the box. Put the spotlight on characteristics of your dog and descriptive words that could be good naming material. Try to derive your dog’s name from your own cleverness and creativity rather than from memory.

Name Reason to Choose
Abercrombie Reminiscent of a famous clothing brand
Acacia Named after a plant species
Accalia Mythological She-wolf in Roman folklore
Aesop Historic Greek storyteller
Affinity expresses strong bond or likeness
Agamemnon Mythical Greek king
Ajax Hero from Greek mythology
Akamaru Anime character homage
Akita Japanese city
Andres Spanish origin
Android Reference to a type of mobile operating system
Angesis Sounds mythical, potentially Greek
Animal A general term for creatures, not typically used for dogs
Anja Scandinavian human name
Apollo Greek god of light and the sun
Aqua Water or color inspired
Archibald Classically human, uncommon for dogs
Argon Named after a noble gas, unconventional for pets
Arlen Celtic for 'promise'
Artemis Named after Greek goddess
Asachi Romanian writer and folklorist
Astrid Nordic in origin, rare in pet names
Atlas Inspired by Greek mythology, rare for dogs
Atomic Scientific term
Atticus Character from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
August Usually a month, not a pet
Bacco Italian variant of Bacchus, God of Wine, unique in pet names
Badger Derived from a wild animal
Balto Famous sled dog, unique for modern pets
Bamboo Reference to a fast-growing plant
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Historical Figures Dog Names

Names borrowed from historical figures can be unique and carry significant meanings related to their accomplishments.
Name Description
Beethoven A great name for a dog that is musically inclined or enjoys sounds, named after the famous composer
Caesar A dog bearing this name might have a commanding presence, just like the Roman dictator
Churchill A strong and determined dog might share traits with the iconic British Prime Minister during World War II
Cleopatra Ideal for a regal and beautiful dog, reminiscent of the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt
Confucius An excellent name for a wise dog or a dog that likes to 'teach' others, named after the Chinese philosopher
DaVinci This name could suit a dog with a creative or inventive spirit, after the famous Italian polymath
Einstein Perfect for a dog that shows signs of intelligence and curiosity, echoing the traits of the renowned physicist
Galileo A suitable name for a curious and explorative dog, named after the pioneering Italian astronomer
Gandhi Suitable for a peaceful, gentle dog, named after the leader of Indian nationalism
Hemingway Perfect for a dog with a strong or adventurous spirit, named after the famous American author
Houdini A fitting name for an escape artist dog, after the famed magician and illusionist
JoanOfArc Perfect for a brave and faithful dog, named after the French heroine
Lincoln This name would suit a dog with a calm and honest demeanor, just like the 16th President of the United States
Magellan Magellan would be a fitting name for a dog that loves to explore, echoing the name of the famed Portuguese explorer
MarieCurie This name suits an intelligent, pioneering dog, named after the physicist and chemist
Napoleon A dog with this name might have a small stature but a big personality, just like the famous French general
Picasso A great name for a dog that might have a colorful or expressive personality, like the famous painter
Plato For a dog with a thoughtful or contemplative demeanor, named after the classical Greek philosopher
Shakespeare A dog with this name might have a flair for drama, named after the iconic playwright
Socrates For a dog with a contemplative or wise demeanor, named after the classical Greek philosopher
Spartacus Perfect for a dog with a rebellious, fighting spirit, as per the famous Roman gladiator
Tesla For a dog with a spark of genius or energy, named after the great inventor
Tutankhamun Perfect for a dog with a majestic or noble demeanor, named after the Egyptian pharaoh
VanGogh VanGogh would be a fitting name for a dog with one ear or a dog that has a unique, artistic soul
Zarathustra This name would suit a dog with a philosophical or thoughtful nature, after the ancient Iranian spiritual leader
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Geographical Dog Names

Names inspired by places around the world can be unique and can represent the breed's origin or the owner's favorite destination.
Name Description
Alps A fitting name for a dog as majestic as the European mountain range
Amazon For a dog as wild and free as the world's largest tropical rainforest
Andes Inspired by the longest continental mountain range in the world
Arctic A cool name for a dog, inspired by the polar region in the northernmost part of the Earth
Aspen Inspired by the snowy mountains of Colorado
Bali Captures the essence of the Indonesian paradise island
Borneo Reflects the wild and untamed spirit of the Southeast Asian island
Cairo Carries the exotic charm of Egypt's bustling capital
Everest Perfect for a dog as mighty as the highest peak on Earth
Galapagos Named after the unique and isolated island group
Gobi Perfect for a dog as strong and enduring as the vast desert in Asia
Indus Paying homage to one of the longest rivers in Asia
Java Inspired by the Indonesian island known for its stunning landscapes
Mojave A cool name for a dog, inspired by the American desert
Ozark Named after the highland region spanning the central United States
Patagonia Named after the breathtaking region at the southern end of South America
Rio Named after the vibrant city in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro
Sahara It is the largest hot desert in the world
Savannah A nod to the expansive African grasslands
Sicily Carries the warmth and charm of the Italian island
Sydney Carries the lively and vibrant vibe of Australia's most populous city
Tahiti Resonates with the beauty and tranquility of the island in French Polynesia
Tundra For a dog as resilient as the Arctic plains
Yukon Captures the spirit of Canada's wild western territory
Zaire A unique name, after the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Literary Dog Names

Names from literature can be unique, especially if they come from less-known or classic pieces of work.
Name Description
Atticus Inspired by Atticus Finch, the morally upright lawyer in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Bennet Taken from the surname of the family in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'
Bovary Named for Emma Bovary, the dissatisfied character in Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary'
Bronte After the surname of the literary sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte
Darcy Named for Mr. Darcy, the proud and complex character in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'
Fitzgerald Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author of 'The Great Gatsby' and 'Tender Is the Night'
Gatsby After Jay Gatsby, the wealthy and mysterious character from F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'
Havisham Inspired by Miss Havisham, the eccentric character in Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations'
Heathcliff Inspired by the passionate and brooding character in Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'
Hemingway Named for Ernest Hemingway, the author of 'The Old Man and the Sea' and 'A Farewell to Arms'
Holden From the protagonist Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye'
Huckleberry Taken from the adventurous character Huckleberry Finn in Mark Twain's novel
Ishmael Named for the sailor and narrator in Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick'
Maugham Named for W. Somerset Maugham, the author of 'Of Human Bondage' and 'The Moon and Sixpence'
Moby After the legendary white whale in Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick'
Orwell Inspired by George Orwell, the author of dystopian novels '1984' and 'Animal Farm'
Pip Named for Pip, the character who experiences great expectations in Charles Dickens' novel
Poirot After the detective Hercule Poirot created by Agatha Christie
Quixote Taken from the idealistic and chivalrous character Don Quixote in Miguel de Cervantes' novel
Rochester Inspired by Mr. Rochester, the complex character in Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'
Salinger After J.D. Salinger, the author of 'The Catcher in the Rye' and 'Franny and Zooey'
Sawyer From the adventurous character Tom Sawyer in Mark Twain's novel
Scout After Scout Finch, the young narrator of Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Sherlock After the famous detective Sherlock Holmes created by Arthur Conan Doyle
Woolf Taken from Virginia Woolf, the modernist author of 'Mrs. Dalloway' and 'To the Lighthouse'
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Astronomy Dog Names

Names derived from celestial bodies, space phenomena, or famous astronomers can be distinctive and intriguing.
Name Description
Andromeda This is a spiral galaxy nearest to the Milky Way, our galaxy
Apollo Named after the NASA program that first landed astronauts on the moon
Astro This name is short for astronomy, the study of celestial objects
Celeste This name means heavenly or celestial in Latin
Comet This celestial object is known for its spectacular appearance in the sky
Cosmo Short for cosmos, the universe is an intriguing concept to name a dog after
Draco Draco is a large constellation in the northern sky
Eclipse An eclipse occurs when one astronomical body obscures another
Galaxy It represents an entire system of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies
Hubble Named after the Hubble Space Telescope that observes distant galaxies and nebulae
Jupiter Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system
Luna This is a magical name that refers to the moon
Meteor A meteor is a small body of matter from outer space that enters earth's atmosphere
Nebula A nebula is a cloud of dust and gas in space
Nova A nova is a star that suddenly increases in brightness
Orion This is named after a prominent constellation visible throughout the world
Pluto This name pays tribute to the former ninth planet in our solar system
Pulsar A pulsar is a highly magnetized rotating neutron star
Quasar A quasar is a massive and extremely remote celestial object
Rigel Rigel is the brightest star in the constellation Orion
Saturn This planet is known for its prominent ring system
Solaris This is a poetic term for anything related to the sun
Stellar This term is used to describe anything related to stars
Ursa Ursa Major and Ursa Minor are two prominent constellations in the night sky
Venus This is the name of the second planet from the sun, known as the morning star
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Mythological Dog Names

Names inspired by mythological figures can be unique and carry interesting stories and meanings behind them.
Name Description
Achilles From Greek mythology, Achilles was a hero of the Trojan War, a good name for a brave dog
Apollo A powerful name for a dog, inspired by the Greek god of music, truth, and prophecy
Ares Named after the Greek god of war, a suitable name for a fearless dog
Artemis Inspired by the Greek goddess of wild animals and hunting, perfect for an adventurous dog
Athena Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, a perfect name for a clever dog
Atlas Named after the Titan who held up the sky in Greek mythology, a suitable name for a strong dog
Diana Roman goddess of the hunt and moon, a fitting name for a night-loving or hunting dog
Fenrir In Norse mythology, Fenrir was a gigantic and powerful wolf
Helios From Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun, perfect for a sunny-natured dog
Hera From Greek mythology, Hera was the queen of all gods, a fitting name for a regal dog
Hercules After the Greek hero known for his strength, a suitable name for a strong and brave dog
Hermes Inspired by the Greek god of trade and travel, a fitting name for a dog who loves to explore
Juno A Roman goddess who was the protector of the nation and women, a great name for a protective dog
Jupiter Inspired by the Roman king of the gods, a regal name for a dog
Loki From Norse mythology, Loki was a tricky god, fitting for a mischievous dog
Medusa From Greek mythology, Medusa was a formidable creature, a fitting name for a formidable dog
Odin This name hails from Norse mythology where Odin was the chief of the gods
Orion Orion was a famed hunter in Greek mythology, making this a fitting name for a hunting dog
Persephone Taken from the Greek goddess of vegetation, perfect for a nature-loving dog
Poseidon From Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea, a great name for a dog who loves water
Rhea Named after the Greek Titaness, a mother of gods, a fitting name for a nurturing dog
Thor Inspired by the Norse god of thunder, a name suitable for a powerful dog
Venus From Roman mythology, Venus was the goddess of love, a perfect name for a loving dog
Vulcan Inspired by the Roman god of fire, a great name for a dog with a fiery spirit
Zeus Named after the ruler of the gods in Greek mythology
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User Images

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Image Comment
Yellow Photo of Yellow for Unique Dog Names When my daughter having troubles in life and noticed that she harming herself, I took an initiative as a mother to help her. I brought in Yellow in our life to represents sunshines to our life. Yellow did change her life. she wakes up with new life everyday because of her. YELLOW
Danger Photo of Danger for Unique Dog Names Rescue gave him the name Dillinger, and it was too much to say. So, I made it shorter and chose Danger. I have never seen the name Danger on a website, or knew anyone who named their dog this (and my job is as a dog walker/pet sitter). Simple, yet unique.
Yogi Photo of Yogi for Unique Dog Names I chose To go because it's unique
Gunny Jr. Photo of Gunny Jr. for Unique Dog Names Appropriate & didn't need to adjust to a new name.
Gunny Photo of Gunny for Unique Dog Names Prior dog(Border Collie) was named Sunny for his disposition. I wanted something of similar sound that was appropriate for a GSP and so he would respond when I slipped up and used the old dog's name. Named my next dog (a GSP/Coonhound mix) Gunny Jr. Appears I can only submit 1 picture
Macy grey Photo of macy grey for Unique Dog Names She is unique like the singer Macy Grey, and it's a beautiful name as she is a beautiful dog.
Willow Photo of willow for Unique Dog Names We chose the name Willow because we didn't know any dogs with this name and liked the sound of it.
Wheatie Photo of Wheatie for Unique Dog Names
Hemi Photo of Hemi for Unique Dog Names I liked the name HEMI it was different, not heard of much, and it seem to fit her.
Cato Photo of Cato for Unique Dog Names We chose this name because our friend that died of cancers last name Cato.

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Marvel Considering this name for our new puppy end of Feb. We are HUGE Marvel universe fans
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Story of a Unique Dog Named Pippin

In the picturesque village of Maplewood, nestled amidst rolling hills and vibrant fields, there lived a dog named Pippin. Pippin was a unique mix of breeds, with a coat of many colors and a wagging tail that seemed to possess a life of its own. Yet, what truly set Pippin apart from other dogs was not his appearance, but his extraordinary ability to paint.

The villagers often gathered at the central park to watch Pippin work his magic, creating stunning landscapes and vivid portraits with his brush held firmly between his teeth. Pippin was the pride of Maplewood, and his paintings were cherished by all who laid eyes upon them.

Pippin belonged to an elderly artist named Arthur, who had discovered the dog's talent by chance one day when he left his painting supplies unattended. He returned to find Pippin, then just a curious pup, creating a beautiful scene of the setting sun over Maplewood's rolling hills. Amazed by the young dog's gift, Arthur decided to nurture Pippin's talent and share it with the world.

Years passed, and Pippin's fame spread far and wide. Admirers journeyed from across the land to purchase his paintings, with some even calling him the "Canine da Vinci." Despite his newfound fame, Pippin remained a humble and gentle soul, always eager to please and bring joy to others.

One day, a wealthy art collector named Mr. Worthington visited Maplewood, hoping to add one of Pippin's masterpieces to his collection. Upon meeting the remarkable dog, Mr. Worthington was instantly captivated by Pippin's talent and proposed to take him to the capital city, promising a life of luxury and fame.

Arthur was hesitant, for he had grown to love Pippin like a son, and the thought of parting with him was unbearable. But he also knew that such an opportunity could change Pippin's life for the better. After much deliberation, Arthur decided to let Pippin go, his heart heavy with both pride and sorrow.

Upon arriving in the capital, Pippin was treated like royalty, with admirers lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the famous canine artist. He was given a lavish studio, the finest paints, and a steady stream of commissions from the city's elite. Yet, despite his newfound wealth and success, Pippin couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

As the days turned into weeks, Pippin's heart ached for the simple life he'd left behind in Maplewood. He missed the warmth of Arthur's embrace, the laughter of the villagers, and the freedom to paint what his heart desired. Pippin realized that fame and fortune couldn't replace the love and happiness he had known in Maplewood.

One night, Pippin made up his mind. He would return to Maplewood and reunite with Arthur, leaving behind the life of luxury that had once seemed so appealing. With a heavy heart, he penned a farewell letter to Mr. Worthington, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity but explaining his longing for home.

As Pippin approached Maplewood, he was greeted by the familiar sights and smells of the village he loved so dearly. Arthur, who had never given up hope of seeing Pippin again, welcomed him with open arms, tears of joy streaming down his face.

From that day on, Pippin resumed his life in Maplewood, once again painting for the sheer joy of it and sharing his gift with those he loved. The villagers welcomed him back with open hearts, grateful for the return of their beloved canine artist.

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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