Nimmy › Dog names: ideas for puppies and rescue dogs
Dog names: ideas for puppies and rescue dogs
A dog name gets shouted more than most. Pick one that carries across a field, sounds friendly and will suit both the puppy and the old dog.
Start with how you will use it
Dogs hear their name dozens of times a day, often in a loud, excited voice. The best names are one or two syllables with a clear first sound, such as Bella, Finn, Mabel or Rufus. Names with a hard consonant at the start, such as K, B, D or T, carry well outdoors. Avoid anything that sounds like a command you use often: Beau can be mistaken for "no", and Kit or Fitz sound like "sit".
Names for big dogs
Big dogs suit sturdy names, or ironic small ones.
- Strong: Bear, Tank, Titan, Moose, Atlas, Ox, Bruno, Hercules, Duke.
- Gentle giants: Teddy, Biscuit, Barney, Marley, Percy, Winston, Gruff.
- Ironic: Tiny, Pip, Mouse, Peanut, Wee Man, Thumbelina.
Names for small dogs
- Pixie, Poppy, Bonnie, Ziggy, Peanut, Mabel, Nibbles, Bisto, Tilly, Button, Dot, Pickle, Olive, Fudge, Hobnob.
Names for working and sporting breeds
Collies, spaniels, retrievers and pointers are quick, keen and often trained to hand signals and whistles. Short names with a sharp sound, such as Meg, Moss, Fly, Tess, Gus, Jess, Kip, Roy, Ben and Skye, are common among working dogs for good reason: they carry well and are quick to say. For gundogs, softer picks include Hazel, Bramble, Ruby, Archie, Finn and Tweed.
Names by coat colour
| Coat | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Black | Bramble, Coal, Pepper, Jet, Ink, Domino, Badger, Liquorice |
| Brown or chocolate | Cocoa, Conker, Mocha, Hazel, Truffle, Toffee, Brownie, Bear |
| Golden or red | Honey, Amber, Marmalade, Copper, Ruby, Rusty, Sunny, Biscuit |
| White or cream | Snowy, Daisy, Pearl, Cloud, Oatie, Marshmallow, Dumpling |
| Grey or merle | Storm, Smoky, Slate, Misty, Willow, Silver, Ash, Moonshine |
| Patched or spotted | Domino, Patch, Pickle, Dotty, Freckles, Speckle, Mosaic |
Names with a story
Footballers and grounds: Anfield, Wembley, Stanley, Bobby, Mo, Gazza. Pub and drink names: Guinness, Bitter, Porter, Pimm, Shandy, Ale. Books and TV: Gromit, Paddington, Dahl, Poirot, Sherlock, Watson, Hagrid, Gandalf. Mountains and places: Skye, Ben, Snowdon, Dart, Tyne, Malvern, Whitby.
Naming a rescue dog
If your dog arrives with a name, you can keep it. That can be reassuring for a dog starting a new life. If the old name carries a bad association, or the dog does not seem to respond to it, a new name is fine. Choose something that sounds a little like the old one if you can, and use it every time the dog looks at you, followed by something good.
Rescue dogs often take a while to settle, so do not worry if the name does not stick in the first week. Pair it with treats, fuss and games, and never use it in a telling-off voice, or the dog will learn that the name means trouble. Our guide to choosing and teaching a name explains the steps.
Names to think twice about
- Names that sound like commands: Kit, Fitz, Beau, Moe (no), Stay-like sounds such as Stacy.
- Names that sound like another pet or family member's name.
- Names that are rude, offensive or that you will not want to shout in a public park.
- Names that are very long. If you will shorten it, make the short version the real name.
Looking for something different? Try unusual and British-themed names, or if you also have cats, see our cat name ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How many syllables should a dog name have?
One or two is easiest. They are quick to say and clear for a dog to recognise in a noisy environment.
Can I rename an adult rescue dog?
Yes. Use the new name consistently with treats and praise. Many dogs learn it within days or weeks.
What dog names should I avoid?
Avoid names that sound like commands, such as Kit or Fitz, and names that sound like other pets or people in the house.