About 50% of pets have names or nicknames that are commonly used for humans. This reflects their importance as valued members of the family.
Pet owners need to know their dogs before choosing a name that matches their canine companion’s personality.
Some pet owners name their dogs based on their appearance, for example Blacky, Midnight or Spot.
And some dog owners opt for irony: One of my former neighbors had a gray miniature poodle named Bear.
Choose a simple name
Finding the perfect dog name for your new pup is essential. Browning and Finley snuggle on the couch.
Don’t overcomplicate yourself. Keep it simple. A name with one or two syllables is best.
I also recommend saying it out loud a few times to see how it sounds. Does it roll off your tongue? Would you be embarrassed if your friends or neighbors heard it?
When I adopted my first dog, Browning, a Labrador mix puppy, I briefly considered calling him Pulitzer.
As a journalist, I thought it was a funny name. But it had too many syllables and didn’t sound that good when I shouted it from the platform.
My sister Amy suggested a literary name because all my siblings studied English in college.
I considered several names, such as Shakespeare and Hemingway. However, in the end I decided on Browning, named after the poet Robert Browning. I made this decision when I saw the adorable beagle/lab puppy I adopted from the animal shelter.
A few months later, Finley, a mixed breed dog, came to our house. Friends found him abandoned near the Finley River in southwest Missouri.
Although I briefly considered changing Finley’s name to a literary one, I ultimately decided against it. Finley suited him and I was worried that the name change would confuse him.
Avoid the most popular names
When I got Sydney in 2008, I considered several names: Aspen (because I now live in Colorado), Bella, and Cinco (the paper necklace she wore only had the number 5 when I adopted her).
I finally decided on Sydney because she is an Australian Shepherd/Corgi mix.
The name suited her and I’m glad I decided on Bella, my second choice.
Three of the eight dogs in her puppy kindergarten class were named Bella. If I had chosen that name for my girl, 50 percent would have had the same name. It was confusing enough having three Bellas.
And I like that none of my dogs’ names have been on any popular lists. Each dog is original and I love that each one has a unique name.
When I got Sydney in 2008, I considered several names: Aspen (because I now live in Colorado), Bella, and Cinco (the paper necklace she wore only had the number 5 when I adopted her).
I finally decided on Sydney because she is an Australian Shepherd/Corgi mix.
The name suited her and I’m glad I decided on Bella, my second choice.
Three of the eight dogs in her puppy kindergarten class were named Bella.
If I had chosen that name for my girl, 50 percent would have had the same name. It was confusing enough having three Bellas.
And I like that none of my dogs’ names have been on any popular lists.
Each dog is original and I love that each one has a unique name.
male dog names
If you have a male puppy or male dog, you may want to consider:
- King
- Duke
- max.
- Charlie
- copper
- Buddy
- Milo
- Rocky
- Jacob
- oliver
- Teddy bear
- Lion
- toby
- Luis
Names for girl dogs
If you have a female puppy or female dog, choose from popular female dog names, including:
- Pretty
- moon
- Lucy
- Daisy flower
- Lily
- Zoe
- lola
- sadie
- girl
- Exterior wall
- wake
- Maggie
- roxy
- Sophie
- cloe
- Penny
- Nala
- rosie
- Ruby
cute dog names
Nutmeg, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, joined Hansen’s pack in July 2020.
Other dog owners opt for cute or gender-neutral names for their furry friends.
When I bought my Corgi Nutmeg puppy, I discovered that Corgi owners often choose clever or cute names.
Some names are fun:
- Scooter
- butters
- thor
- Storm
- Sunflower
- baxter
Others choose to name their dogs after spices:
- Nutmeg
- Cinnamon
- chai
- Nail
- Thyme
- Vanilla
- wasabi
Some choose flower names:
- Pink
- Lily
- Daisy flower
- Ivy
- Rosemary
And some get creative and give their dogs titles, most likely in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s long-standing fondness for corgis. Options include:
- Sir Winston Shaking the Bottom
- Lady Summer Wigglebutt
- mr darcy
- Mrs. Penny Peachbottom
- Mr. Shrimp
- Lady Peaches of Lilliput
- Sir Remington Von Barkwaffle
- Lady Summer Corgdashian
- Lord Lanzarote
- coconut lady
Popular options
According to a survey conducted by Veterinary Pet Insurance, the most popular pet names are Max, Molly, Buddy, Bella and Lucy. The survey included more than 450,000 policyholders.
You can search online and find lists that offer options ranging from whimsical names to holiday-related names to Star Wars names.
If you need more help choosing a good dog name for your puppy, visit dognameguide.com.
Still, do you need inspiration? Check out BlogofTom for more great name ideas.
Sara B. Hansen He has spent more than 20 years as a professional editor and writer. She is also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with dogs in a family and, since she bought her first house, she has had one or two furry companions who helped her turn it into a home. She shares her heart and her home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can contact Sara @ [email protected].
