Dog Names

Part of the joy of bringing in a new dog to your family — whether a puppy or an adult dog that is getting a fresh start — is selecting a name. While you’ll find many online directories that feature dog names arranged by names for male dogs and names for female dogs (or names for particular breeds or certain colors of dogs), we wanted to do something a little bit different.

We’ve got a whole directory of potential dog names here arranged by topic. We’ll be expanding this directory so please let us know if you have a special interest. We’d love to hear your suggestions for topics and for potential names!

How to select a name for your puppy or newly adopted dog

Wondering how to select from all the great names? The American Kennel Club recently issued some good tips to keep in mind when you name your dog:

• Observe your dog for a few days to learn more about his character. You might want a name that suggests his personality; if he loves to be the center of attention, a name like King or Star might be appropriate.
• Look for short, sweet names of one or two syllables.
• Look at names that end in a vowel like Rocky or Sadie.
• Don’t choose a name that’s too long; you’ll confuse your dog.
• Don’t pick a name that sounds like a command. They point out that “Joe” sounds like “No.” We once knew a dog owner with a dog named “Noel” who had the same problem.
• If you name your dog after a friend or relative, ask their permission first. (They may or may not be honored!)

More tips:

• 8 tips for choosing the perfect dog name
• Tips for renaming your newly-adopted dog
• Choosing your dog’s nickname

Dog names by Category

Dog names inspired by literary works

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Harry Potter | Game of Thrones | Sherlock Holmes