Find the perfect dog name for your new puppy

Approximately 50% of pets have names or nicknames that are commonly used for humans. This reflects their significance as valued family members.

Pet parents 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 a few dog owners opt for irony — one of my former neighbors had a miniature gray 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 get too complicated. Keep it simple. A one- or two-syllable name is best.

I also recommend saying it aloud a few times to see how it sounds. Does it roll off your tongue? Would you be embarrassed to have your friends or neighbors hear it?

When I adopted my first dog — Browning, a Labrador mix puppy — I briefly considered naming him Pulitzer.

As a journalist, I thought it was a fun name. But it had too many syllables and didn’t sound that great when I shouted it off the deck.

My sister, Amy, suggested a literary name because all my siblings studied English in college.

I considered various names, such as Shakespeare and Hemingway. However, I ultimately decided on Browning, named after the poet Robert Browning. I made this choice when I saw the adorable beagle/Labrador puppy I adopted from the animal shelter.

A few months later, Finley, a mixed-breed dog, came to join our home. Friends had found him abandoned near the Finley River in southwest Missouri.

Although I briefly considered changing Finley’s name to a literary one, ultimately, I decided against it. Finley suited him, and I worried he’d be confused by a name change.

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 collar she wore only had the number 5 on it when I adopted her).

I finally settled on Sydney because she’s an Australian Shepherd-Corgi mix.

The name suited her, and I’m glad I decided against Bella, my second choice.

Three of the eight dogs in her puppy kindergarten class were named Bella. If I’d 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 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 collar she wore only had the number 5 on it when I adopted her).

I finally settled on Sydney because she’s an Australian Shepherd-Corgi mix.

The name suited her, and I’m glad I decided against Bella, my second choice.

Three of the eight dogs in her puppy kindergarten class were named Bella.

If I’d 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 has a unique name.

Boy dog names

If you have a male puppy or a male dog, you might want to consider:

• King
• Duke
• Max
• Charlie
• Cooper
• Buddy
• Milo
• Rocky
• Jack
• Oliver
• Teddy
• Leo
• Toby
• Louie

Girl dog names

If you have a female puppy or female dog, choose among popular female dog names, including: 

• Bella
• Luna
• Lucy
• Daisy
• Lily
• Zoe
• Lola
• Sadie
• Molly
• Bailey
• Stella
• Maggie
• Roxy
• Sophie
• Chloe
• Penny
• Nala
• Rosie
• Ruby

Cute dog names

Nutmeg, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, joined the Hansen pack in July 2020.

Other dog owners opt for cute names or gender-neutral names for their furry friends.

When I got my Corgi puppy Nutmeg, I discovered that Corgi owners usually choose clever or cute names. 

Some names are playful:

• Scooter
• Butters
• Thor
• Storm
• Sunflower
• Baxter

Others choose to name their dogs after spices: 

• Nutmeg
• Cinnamon
• Chai
• Clove
• Thyme 
• Vanilla 
• Wasabi

Some choose flower names: 

• Rose
• Lily
• Daisy
• Ivy
• Rosemary

And some get creative and give their dogs titles, most likely in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s long fondness for corgis. Options include: 

• Sir Winston Wigglebottom
• Lady Summer Wigglebutt
• Sir Darcy
• Lady Penny Peachbottom
• Sir Shrimpy
• Lady Peaches of Liliput
• Sir Remington Von Barkwaffle 
• Lady Summer Corgdashian
• Sir Lancelot
• Lady Coconut

Popular options

According to a survey by Veterinary Pet Insurance, the most popular pet names are Max, Molly, Buddy, Bella, and Lucy. The survey included over 450,000 policyholders.

You can search online and find lists that offer options ranging from wacky names to holiday-related names and Star Wars names.

If you need more help choosing a great dog name for your pup, visit dognameguide.com. 

Still, need inspiration? Check out BlogofTom for more great name ideas. 

Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s 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 family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and 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 reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.