275+ Unique Boy Dog Names

It’s so exciting to bring a new pup home for the first time — for both of you. Whether you have a new puppy or a rescue dog that’s finally found its forever home, choosing a dog’s name can be tricky when there are so many good options. How to decide? 

Picking the right name for your new puppy is a chance to honor their personality and build a connection. It sets the tone for your journey together from the get-go. So, you know, no pressure.

Whether it’s your first puppy or a welcome addition to the pack, this complete resource of boy dog names will inspire you.

From pop culture characters to nature-inspired names to mythical monikers, check out hundreds of names for male dogs below.

Popular male dog names

Looking for the best boy dog names to keep your pooch on trend? Or maybe you’re hoping to avoid some cliche dog names? Here’s a list of the most popular names that were top favorites last year, according to the American Kennel Club.

• Tucker
• Bear
• Bentley
• Cooper
• Teddy
• Jackson
• Leo
• Oliver
• Jax
• Scout
• Atlas
• Bentley
• Luca
• Zeke

Unique male dog names 

Your new pup’s name should be as special as they are. Here are a few unique boy dog names you don’t hear at the dog park every day.

• Arlo
• Banjo
• Beavis
• Beowulf (or “Beowoof” if you’re feeling punny)
• Caesar
• Chomp
• Darwin
• Dodger
• Draper
• Enzo
• Fettuccine
• Gin
• Gizmo
• Kirby
• Krong
• Potter
• Ollie
• Seamus
• Spam
• Theo
• Titus
• Wolfgang
• Ziggy

Strong male dog names

Big, powerful pups deserve strong names that represent their character. Here’s a list of names that suit well-built dogs.

• Bruce
• Chronos
• Fang
• Forest
• Flash
• Hank
• Hardy
• Inferno
• King
• Kong
• Maverick
• Panther
• Rock
• Slash
• Stark
• Stud
• Tank
• Titan
• Tyson

Cute boy dog names

Got a fluffy little pooch with an adorable head turn and a lovable look in its eye? Then you might be looking for cute dog names for boys. (Hint: food names work well if you’re going for cute.) However, don’t be afraid to give your big boy an adorable name, too. No matter his size, for a cute dog name, try these:

• Archie
• Bailey
• Beau
• Benji
• Charlie
• Coco
• Doobie (or Doobie Doo)
• Doodle
• Dumpling
• Gumbo
• Meatball
• Nugget
• Ozzy
• Pancakes
• Pumpkin
• Sammy
• Snoopy

Badass male dog names 

Got a mischievous doggo with a zest for life and a big personality? Here are some badass dog names to try.

• Ace
• Brutus
• Capone
• Comet
• Duke
• Guinness
• Harley
• Jagger
• Luther
• King
• Motley
• Onyx
• Prince
• Scar
• Thor
• Sabbath
• Hendrix

Big male dog names 

Got a big boy who deserves a substantial name to complement his stature?

Maybe you’ve got a little pup with a personality that’s larger than life and you’re looking for a name ideas that matches his big dog energy. Try these on for size.

• Apollo
• Boulder
• Bruiser
• Bull
• Colossus
• Dutch
• Goliath
• Hercules
• Jericho
• Jumbo
• Lightning
• Magnum
• Moose
• Remus
• Rex
• Rocky
• Sergeant
• Tex

Small male dog names

For your teeny canine companion, why not pick a name that encapsulates their small stature? Check out our favorite small dog names:

• Bean
• Button (or “Mr. Buttons” if you’re feeling formal)
• Dash
• Dobby
• Echo
• Frodo
• Hobbit
• Junior
• Morsel
• Nemo
• Peanut
• Pebbles
• Peewee
• Pippen
• Sprout
• Teddy (short for “Theodore”)
• Tot

Male dog names inspired by myth and legend

Pull from the world of gods and heroes with a name that’s steeped in legend. From ancient myths to epic tales, choose a moniker that’s as legendary as your furry friend. Here’s a list of mythical monikers:

• Arthur
• Cerberus 
• Griffin
• Hades
• Hermes
• Loki 
• Merlin
• Odin
• Orion 
• Osiris 
• Phoenix 
• Samson
• Zephyr 
• Zeus

Funny boy dog names

From doggy puns to generic human names, dog parents love to inject a little humor into naming our dogs. We don’t know why, but there’s just something hilarious about a dog named “Todd.”

Here are a few funny dog names to give you a little laugh every time you call his name.

• Alphonso
• Chewbarka (or the more traditional “Chewbacca”)
• Curtis
• Dave
• Droolius Caser
• Einstein
• Gary
• Hairy Pawter
• Harold
• Indiana Bones
• Kevin
• Leonard
• Neville
• Pawtrick Swayze
• Pickle
• Porkchop
• Pup Tart
• Sir Fetch-A-Lot
• Sweater Vest
• Snoop
• Todd
• Tom
• Waffles

Names for white male dogs

From Westies to Maltese, there’s an avalanche of dog breeds that boast glistening white coats. If you’ve got a snowy pup, why not try one of these names for white dogs.

• Albie (or “Albus”)
• Arctic
• Birch
• Boo
• Casper
• Chalk
• Cotton
• Nimbus
• Polaris
• Siberia
• Shiro
• Yeti

Names for male black dogs

From Dobermans to Newfoundlands, dark doggies have a strong presence that demands a powerful name. Try these.

• Bourbon
• Coal
• Darth
• Eclipse
• Ink
• Fudge
• Midnight
• Nero
• Onyx
• Pepper
• Phantom
• Shadow
• Slate
• Smudge
• Vader

Pop culture-inspired male dog names 

Why not draw inspiration from popular icons that inspire you? Think of your favorite artist, book character, or actor. Or check out this list of pop culture and celebrity dog names:

• Albus
• Astley
• Bilbo
• Bowie
• Django
• Dobby
• Elton
• Elvis
• Forrest
• Garth
• Groot
• Hamilton
• Hanks
• Homer
• Mercury
• Neville
• Kobe
• Messi
• Pepe
• Pippin
• Ron (or Ronald)
• Ronaldo
• Shaq
• Sheldon
• Sherlock
• Sonic
• Spock
• Tom Bombadil
• Weasley

Male dog names inspired by nature

Bring a little of the wild home with you by picking an earthy name for your new pup. These names are perfect for those who like hiking in nature, swimming in lakes and rivers, and embracing everything the outdoors has to offer. 

Try these names as a nod to the natural world:

• Alder
• Aspen
• Bramble
• Cypress
• Comet
• Ember
• Fern
• Flint
• Hurricane
• Jasper
• Reed
• Storm
• Tempest
• Timber
• Twister

Disney-themed male dog names 

Add a sprinkle of Disney magic to your life every time you call your pup. 

Whether they’re as brave as a Jedi or as loyal as a Toy Story friend, there are lots of Disney-themed names for all types of pooches. Try these Disney dog names:

• Bolt
• Buzz
• Chip
• Doug
• Gus
• Max
• Mowgli
• Mufasa
• Olaf
• Pumbaa
• Remy
• Scuttle
• Simba
• Stitch
• Sven
• Thumper
• Timon
• Tramp
• Vader (or “Bark Vader” if you’re feeling punny)
• Woody

Human male dog names 

There’s something very comical about calling a dog by a human name. So why not pick a name that sounds like you’re calling your best pal? Here are some funny human names to try out.

• Carlos
• Cedric
• Charlie
• Conrad
• Cornelius
• Dexter
• Dion
• Dwight
• Earl
• Elliot
• Hugo
• Humphrey
• Jack
• Kevin
• Keith
• Mario
• Mike
• Milo
• Murphy
• Nate
• Oscar
• Otis
• Pablo
• Reese
• Simon
• Theo
• Tony
• Vinny
• Winston

Dog names inspired by places

Does your pup’s origin story involve a particular place? Many rescue dogs come from Texas originally, for instance. However, you don’t need a special connection to these places to like the sound of a place name.

• Aspen
• Boston
• Buffalo
• Dallas
• Denver
• Jackson
• Kansas
• Memphis
• Nashville (or “Nash” for short)
• Texas
• Vegas
• Washington

Popular male dog names inspired by historic dogs

Let these historic doggos serve as inspiration for your new dog’s name.

Balto

Balto, the infamous Siberian Husky, was the lead sled dog on a mission to deliver life-saving diphtheria medication all the way across Alaska when no plane or train could make the trip. 

Sergeant Stubby

Sergeant Stubby was a short and stout Staffordshire Terrier mix that served in 17 battles in World War I. Stubby survived serious injuries like shrapnel in his chest and leg. He was awarded the rank of Sergeant for his bravery and devotion.

Petey

Perhaps one of the most recognizable TV dogs of all time, Petey, or “Pete the Pup,” from the TV show The Little Rascals, is an iconic household name.

Sinbad

Endearingly known as “Chief Canine Sinbad”, this historic pup served as the mascot for the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He provided loyal companionship throughout 11 years of battles at sea.

Tips for naming your male dog

When naming your dog, you want to choose something imaginative that captures his unique personality and zest. 

These tips will help you pick out a name that suits your furry friend.

1. Avoid names that sound like commands

Don’t pick a name that doubles as a command or sounds similar. 

Dogs don’t distinguish between consonants well, so names like “Bo” and “Kit” echo cues like “No” and “Sit.” Steer clear of names that mimic terms like “stay,” “down,” “fetch,” “here,” “heel,” and “leave.”

2. Keep it short and sweet

Keep your dog’s name snappy. Choose one- or two-syllable names that you can call quickly and your dog will learn easily. 

If it’s too complicated, you’ll trip over saying it when you’re trying to get their attention.

It’s also harder to say a long name with authority, so your dog might struggle to recognize it as their name. After all, in dog speak, simplicity is key. If you do pick a longer name, pick one that lends itself easily to a nickname (so your new dog “Tyrannosaurus Rex” can simply become “Rex”).

3. Choose a name that’s unlike your other pets’ or family members’ names

Are you a multi-pet home? If so, avoid names that sound similar to your other pets, or they’ll get confused about who you’re calling.

So if you’ve already got a cat called Jill, don’t call your dog Bill. 

4. Use a name that ends in a vowel sound

Dogs tune into vowel sounds best. When you pick a name that ends with a clear vowel sound, they recognize it better.

Think Milo, Lucky, and Louie.

5. Research the breed

Before you nail down a name, think about your pup’s future. Consider its breed and appearance over time and how that might change.

While you might have a small Great Dane puppy, it would be silly to call it “Tiny” when it’s about to grow huge.

Get a feel for your breed’s unique traits. This can help steer you toward a fitting name that truly matches their personality and looks.

6. Call it out loud

Give your name the “call test.” Is this a name you’d be proud to shout in the dog park? Is it a name that rolls off the tongue?

If it sounds silly when you call it out privately, you’re going to be even more embarrassed in public.

7. Choose something with a personal meaning

Find a name with personal resonance. Do you have a favorite movie hero, literary character, or pop artist? Maybe there’s a cherished memory that sparks an idea for a name.

With a meaningful name, you add an extra layer of connection between you and your pup.

8. Get input from family and friends

If you’re still unsure which name to pick, turn to your inner circle and crowdsource some fun ideas.

Your friends and family know your lifestyle and interests. Either give them your shortlist or ask them for suggestions. They might have ideas you hadn’t even considered. 

Finding the perfect dog name

Bringing a new dog home is incredibly exciting, and naming them is the first step in welcoming them into the family. Often, the best dog names are those that are truly aligned with your dog’s breed, personality, and style. Other times, you just know the right name when you hear it.

There are a lot of firsts that come with getting a new pup, and coming up with a good name is right up there with your pup’s first vet visits. As your pup grows up, a dog insurance plan can help you pay for the best care possible when future accidents and illnesses arise. That way you can worry less about cost and more about care.

FAQs

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