Boy Dog Names: 200 Names + Naming Tips

How To Name Your Boy Dog

Just about any name (or word!) can work as a dog’s name as long as it’s used consistently and positively with your pet. But here are some guidelines for picking something effective and easy to use.

• Stick to 1 or 2 syllables: Short name are easier for dogs to understand and more comfortable for us humans to use. You can still pick a longer, more complex name, but make sure you like a shortened nickname as well. Like Hamburger becoming Burger most of the time.
• Avoid command confusion: Steer clear of names that sound like sit, stay, heel, and other common dog commands. This can confusion your dog and make training less successful.
• Don’t repeat a household sound: Similarly, avoid names that rhyme with other pet or human names in your household. That way your dog is clear when they are being addressed, not your spouse or child.
• Take it for a test drive: Try out a name for a few days to see how you, your family, and your pet react to using it. If it doesn’t seem to fit, don’t stress about picking another. Dogs are very adaptable and can typically learn a new name in a few days.
• Don’t take it too seriously: Naming a pet should be fun and, unlike naming a baby, a dogs are a chance to be creative, personal, and even a little bit quirky.

Common Categories of Dog Names

25 Food Names for Male Dogs

This is probably our favorite category of pet name, hence dubbing our first chihuahua: Hamburger. Food names are fun and pack a surprising amount of meaning & personality. Plus, they are words you probably wouldn’t use for a human baby, so seize the opportunity to use one on your pet.

1. Avocado
2. Balongna
3. Banana
4. Barley
5. Basil
6. Biscotti
7. Cola
8. Donut
9. Drumstick
10. Garlic
11. Lasagna
12. Lentil
13. Porkchop
14. Potato
15. Pumpernickel
16. Oatmeal
17. Oregano
18. Orzo
19. Pretzel
20. Quesadilla (or Queso)
21. Scallop
22. S’more
23. Stir Fry
24. Tortellini
25. Waffle

25 Celebrity Names for Male Dogs

If you like human names but want a little something extra, naming your dog after a celebrity can make it more unique and personal. You can choose someone you admire… or a celeb that you just think sounds entertaining when attached to a furry face. You can use the first or last name alone around the house, but then break out the full name for fun at the vet or the dog park.

1. Adam Sandler
2. Arthur Conan Doyle
3. Benicio del Toro
4. Bob Ross
5. Chris Farley
6. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
7. Edgar Allen Poe
8. Freddie Prinze Jr
9. Ice Cube
10. James Earl Jones
11. Jelly Roll
12. Jerry Springer
13. Jonathan Taylor Thomas
14. Liam Neeson
15. Ludacris
16. Keifer Sutherland
17. Kevin Bacon
18. Mr. Rogers
19. Paul Rudd
20. Phil Donahue
21. Ricky Martin
22. Stephen Colbert
23. Tony Danza
24. Wayne Brady
25. Zach Galifinakis

25 Character Names for Boy Dogs

Just like with celebrity names, using a fictional character’s name is a chance to add extra quirk and/or meaning to your pet’s name. It’s also a chance to show off of a personal interest, favorite movie, or convey your pet’s personality.

1. Alf (Alf)
2. Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars)
3. Angel Batista (Dexter)
4. Atticus Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird)
5. Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
6. Chandler Bing (Friends)
7. Charlie Bucket (Willy Wonka)
8. Cleveland Brown (Family Guy)
9. Colonel Mustard (Clue)
10. Ender Wiggins (Enger’s Game)
11. Gomez Addams (The Addams Family)
12. Millhouse (The Simpsons)
13. Mr. Clean
14. Mr. Peanut
15. Mulder (The X-Files)
16. James Bond
17. Jughead Jones (Archie comics)
18. Jon Arbuckle (Garfield comics)
19. Peter Parker (Spider-Man)
20. Ralph S. Mouse (Beverly Cleary books)
21. Ron Swanson (Parks & Recreation)
22. Splinter (from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
23. Steve Rogers (Captain America alter ego)
24. Tobias Funke (Arrested Development)
25. Uncle Fester (The Addams Family)

25 Human Names for Boy Dogs

Nearly all of the most popular boy dog names are also names for people. But there are still plenty of human names that aren’t yet overused. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Alan
2. Brandon
3. Christopher (Chris)
4. Conrad
5. Derek
6. Dave
7. Eric
8. Herbert
9. Isaac
10. Jeff
11. Jeremy
12. Joel
13. Kenneth
14. Kyle
15. Linus
16. Matthew
17. Nathan
18. Patrick
19. Preston
20. Roy
21. Sullivan
22. Timothy
23. Vince
24. Victor
25. Warren

25 Object Names for Boy Dogs

25 Place & Outdoorsy Names for Male Dogs

You can also take inspo from maps or locations for a rugged, playful, or nature-inspired name for your canine. Choose the name of a city, fav place, or geological feature that means something to you, evokes an adventurous feeling, or just seems to “fit” your dog.

1. Arcade
2. Bayou
3. Boston
4. Boondock
5. Boulder
6. Canyon
7. Casino
8. Cliff
9. Coney
10. Denver
11. Dublin
12. Fiji
13. Geyser
14. Gobi
15. Houston
16. Jersey
17. Montana
18. Parthenon
19. Reef
20. Speedway
21. Silo
22. Switchback
23. Tex
24. Volcano
25. Yosemite

25 Animal Names for Male Dogs

Another fun approach is naming your puppy after a different creature entirely. Like object names, you can use them as cute (or cheeky) references to your dog’s coloring, size, or personality (like a big dog named Hummingbird).

1. Anchovy
2. Beaver
3. Buffalo
4. Chipmunk
5. Donkey
6. Duck
7. Ferret
8. Fox
9. Gator
10. Goose
11. Grizzly
12. Hippo
13. Lobster
14. Marlin
15. Otter
16. Oyster
17. Pelican
18. Porcupine
19. Rabbit
20. Rhino
21. Shrimp
22. Squirrel
23. T-Rex
24. Turtle
25. Worm