You’re thinking of bringing a new puppy (or already have brought one) into your home – the question is, “what should I name my dog?”
It’s a question a low of owners ask, and it can be difficult to think up the perfect name for your pup. We’re getting you jumpstarted on dog name ideas with lists of the most popular dog names, plus ideas for dog names from TV shows, movies, sports teams, and video games!
Dog Names Ideas: Where to Start
- Favorite pop-culture characters from movies or TV shows. Many owners go to their favorite TV shows and movies for ideal dog names, such as Indy (from Indiana Jones).
- Characters from favorite pieces of literature. This is why names like Atticus (from To Kill A Mockingbird) and Holden (from Catcher In The Rye) continue to endure.
- Favorite brands. Owners also tend to name their dogs after favorite brands, from food and drink (like Fanta and Tootsie – of Tootsie Roll) to consumer goods (like Oakley, Cisco, or Gucci).
- Most popular dog names. You can also always consider what dog names are popular with other owners at the time. See our list of the top male and female dog names for some started ideas!
Top 10 Most Popular Male Dog Names 2016
- Max
- Charlie
- Buddy
- Cooper
- Jack
- Rocky
- Toby
- Duke
- Bear
- Tucker
10 Most Popular Female Dog Names 2016
- Bella
- Lucy
- Daisy
- Molly
- Lola
- Sadie
- Maggie
- Sophie
- Chloe
- Bailey
Pop Culture Dog Names
- Effie [Hunger Games]
- Prim [Hunger Games]
- Katniss [Hunger Games]
- Cinna [Hunger Games]
- Luna [Harry Potter]
- Harry [Harry Potter]
- Dobby [Harry Potter]
- Sirius [Harry Potter]
- Remus [Harry Potter]
- Tonks [Harry Potter]
- Padfoot [Harry Potter]
- Prongs [Harry Potter]
- Maggie [Walking Dead]
- Daryl [Walking Dead]
- Michonne [Walking Dead]
- Chewie / Chewbacca [Star Wars]
- Boba Fett [Star Wars]
- Luke [Star Wars]
- Leia [Star Wars]
- Yoda [Star Wars]
- Rey [Star Wars]
- Finn [Star Wars]
- Kylo Ren [Star Wars]
- Mulder [X-Files]
- Scully [X-Files]
- Cookie [Empire]
- Sherlock Holmes [Sherlock]
- Watson [Sherlock]
- Lestrade [Sherlock]
- Moriarty [Sherlock]
Disney Characters
- Elsa [Frozen]
- Anna [Frozen]
- Olaf [Frozen]
- Sven [Frozen]
- Pascal [Tangled]
- Flynn [Tangled]
- Maximus [Tangled]
- Simba [The Lion King]
- Mufasa [The Lion King]
- Mush [Mulan]
- Mowgli [The Jungle Book]
- Baloo [The Jungle Book]
- Bagheera [The Jungle Book]
- Jasmine [Aladdin]
- Rajah [Aladdin]
- Kenai [Brother Bear]
- Sitka [Brother Bear]
- Koda [Brother Bear]
- Bambi [Bambi]
- Faline [Bambi]
- Ronno [Bambi]
- Thumper [Bambi]
- Bluebelle [Bambi]
- Pongo [101 Dalmatians]
- Perdita [101 Dalmatians]
- Copper [101 Dalmatians]
- Lucky [101 Dalmatians]
- Rolly [101 Dalmatians]
- Patch [101 Dalmatians]
- Tripod [101 Dalmatians]
- Penny [101 Dalmatians]
- Jewel [101 Dalmatians]
- Fidget [101 Dalmatians]
- Freckles [101 Dalmatians]
- Pepper [101 Dalmatians]
- Stitch [Lili And Stitch]
Video Game Characters
- Sonic [Sonic The Hedgehog]
- Knuckles [Sonic The Hedgehog]
- Tails [Sonic The Hedgehog]
- Cloud [Final Fantasy VII]
- Sephiroth [Final Fantasy VII]
- Yuffie [Final Fantasy VII]
- Aeris [Final Fantasy VII]
- Tifa [Final Fantasy VII]
- Nathan Drake [Uncharted]
- Marcus Fenix [Gears Of War]
- Lara Croft [Tomb Raider]
- Scorpion [Mortal Kombat]
- Crash [Crash Bandicoot]
- Dante [Devil May Cry]
- Samus [Metroid]
- Yoshi [Super Mario]
- Rayman [Rayman]
- Bowser [Super Mario]
- Snake [Metal Gear Solid]
- Kong [Donkey Kong]
- Diddy [Donkey Kong]
- Link [Legend of Zelda]
- Zelda [Legend of Zelda]
- Master Chief [Halo]
- Leon [Resident Evil]
- Alucard [Castlevania]
- Garrett [Thief]
- Ryu [Street Fighter]
- Arthas [Warcraft]
- Illidan [Warcraft]
- Gordon Freeman [Half-Life]
Sports Team Names
- Chase
- Wrigley
- Champ
- Bruiser
- Dodger
- Sherman
- Astro
- Polo
- Payton
- Jeter
3 Comments
December 21, 2016
I used to want to choose an unique name for my dogs, not in the most popular list, but after reading your post, I’, thinking about choose a name from my favorite anime/manga/comic 😀
Should I have an Avengers squad :p
Thank you for sharing the post!
January 27, 2018
This is like two years old but eh I’ll reply.
I named my dog Dante and yes after the game Dmc. 7years now looking for a Vergil or Nero.
January 29, 2018
Haha nice, I love that idea. We’re working on a post on “best video game dog names.” Dante is a good choice for sure!