Atticus Finch & Boo Radley
These characters from Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird were dog-lover Jake Gyllenhaal’s choice for his two pups. Atticus is a German Shepherd and Boo is a Puggle (Pug/Beagle mix). In the novel, Boo is a recluse, so the name would fit well with a shy dog. Atticus, on the other hand, is wise and eloquent, and would make a good name for a pup who is more chatty and outgoing.
Esmeralda
Esmeralda was Anne Hathaway’s choice of name for her Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Esmeralda is also a great choice for Disney fans fond of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, in which Esmeralda was a kind and clever character with a bit of a stubborn streak – and we all know a dog like that! Hathaway also has a mixed-breed dog she adopted with husband Adam Shulman, and like true Star Wars nerds, they renamed their rescue pup Kenobi (he was originally named Edward).
Foxy
Matthew McConaughey chose the name Foxy for his adopted Red Heeler (which is a type of Australian Cattle Dog). With the reddish coat and pointy ears typical of Red Heelers, Foxy does look pretty fox-like. This would be a great choice for a vulpine breed like a Shiba Inu, Akita, or Corgi!
Isaboo
Celebrity chef and Pitbull fanatic Rachael Ray named her beloved rescue Pitty Isaboo. Isaboo was Ray’s second of three rescue Pitbulls. Ray’s passion for Pitbulls is so important, since the stigma attached to Pitbulls can put potential dog parents off adopting them (and they need loving forever homes just as much as any other shelter pups). Kudos to Ray for using her celeb status to lead by example and show the naysayers that Pitties are just as loveable and adoptable as any other dog breeds.
Lucky
Britney Spears named one of her dogs Lucky (and she just so happens to have a hit song of the same name). While Lucky holds a special significance for Spears, it would make a great name for a rescue pup lucky enough to find loving parents and a brand new forever home.
Meatball
Adam Sandler’s English bulldog Meatball served as the ring bearer in the actor’s wedding. Meatball is a great name for a thick, wrinkly breed like the English Bulldog, French Bulldog, or Pug – but there is a difference between looking like a chonk and actually being overweight. Dog parents should keep an eye on their pup’s weight as obesity can lead to serious health problems.
Ophelia
Ariana Grande is one of the celebrity world’s biggest dog lovers. She has TEN rescue dogs of various breeds and sizes. Grande named her Labradoodle Ophelia, which is a pretty name for a girl with the added bonus of being a fun reference for literature nerds and theater kids who are fans of the William Shakespeare classic Hamlet. Ophelia, who was Hamlet’s love interest, is a perfect name for a girl pup who is the true object of your affection (sorry, spouses!).
Oprah
Oprah Winfrey is one of the world’s richest and most influential media moguls, and several celebrities have chosen her name for their pups. Eva Longoria’s Pug and 50 Cents’s Schnauzer both share the name Oprah, and 50 even named his cat Gayle after Oprah’s best friend, Gayle King. Oprah is one of the most hardworking women in the world, so this would make a great choice for a hardworking pup like a herding dog, service dog, or therapy dog.
Penny
Penny is a pretty popular name among the celebrity crowd, with both Blake Lively and Chrissy Teigen having pups with that name. Lively’s Maltipoo often accompanied her on set while she was filming Gossip Girl. Teigen and husband John Legend adopted their Penny, a three-legged French bulldog who Teigen calls her “little tripod lovebug.” Penny would also be a fitting choice for a copper-colored breed like an Irish Setter, Dachshund, or Vizsla.
