With a seemingly limitless number of male dog names to choose from, it can feel pretty overwhelming to name your new pup. From human names to pop culture names and beyond, there are so many sources of inspiration.
Whether this is your first puppy or a new addition to your growing family, you’re probably itching for cuddles, playtime, and all the fun that comes with getting a new dog.
But first – you have to find the best dog name for your new best friend. Let’s do it!
Unique male dog names
Your new pup’s name should be as special as they are. Here are a few unique dog names you don’t hear at the dog park every day:
- Albus
- Arlo
- Banjo
- Beavis
- Bubbles
- Caesar
- Darwin
- Donut
- Draco
- Enzo
- Fettuccine
- Flapjack
- Gin
- Gizmo
- Harry Potter
- Ollie
- Oreo
- Spam
- Ziggy
Strong male dog names
Here are some names that might fit the mutt with muscles in your life:
- Blaze
- Bruce
- Chronos
- Copernicus
- Fang
- Flash
- Hardy
- Inferno
- King
- Maverick
- Nike
- Panther
- Riptide
- Slash
- Stark
- Stud
- Talon
- Titan
- Tyson
- Zeus
Cute boy dog names
For a classically cute dog name, try these:
- Archie
- Bailey
- Beau
- Benji
- Bucky
- Charlie
- Coco
- Doodle
- Dumpling
- Finn
- Gumbo
- Marley
- Nugget
- Ozzy
- Pumpkin
- Roscoe
- Rover
- Rufus
- Sammy
- Snoopy
- Toby
- Turbo
Badass male dog names
For the good boy who gets into mischief from time to time, here are some badass dog names:
- Ace
- Beethoven
- Bruiser
- Brutus
- Capone
- Comet
- Duke
- Elvis
- Gandalf
- Guinness
- Harley
- Jagger
- Luther
- Motley
- Onyx
- Prince
- Rambo
- Rockefeller
- Scar
- Thor
- Sabbath
- Hendrix
Big male dog names
Whether your dog is big in size or personality, one of these big male dog names might be the perfect fit:
- Apollo
- Bruiser
- Bull
- Colossus
- Dutch
- Goliath
- Hercules
- Hulk
- Jasper
- Jericho
- Jumbo
- Lightning
- Magnum
- Moose
- Percy
- Ranger
- Rex
- Rocky
- Tex
Small male dog names
For your tiny canine companion, check out our favorite small dog names:
- Alfie
- Bean
- Biggie Smalls
- Buddy
- Button
- Cosmo
- Dash
- Echo
- Hobbit
- Junior
- Louie
- Micro
- Morsel
- Nemo
- Peanut
- Pebbles
- Peewee
- Pippen
- Pipsqueak
- Pooch
- Shorty
- Sprout
- Tot
Funny male dog names
From inanimate objects to generic human names, you’ll get a kick out of these boy puppy names:
- Alphonso
- Bob
- Cheeto
- Clyde
- Dave
- Einstein
- Fido
- Frank
- Gary
- Houdini
- Jenga
- Kevin
- Kramer
- Lego
- Pickle
- Porkchop
- Pup Tart
- Shakespeare
- Snoop Dog
- Stewie
- Zipper
White male dog names
- Arctic
- Birch
- Biscuit
- Bones
- Casper
- Chalk
- Chip
- Coconut
- Cotton
- Domino
- Eskimo
- Ice
- Nimbus
- Polar
- Salt
- Siberia
- Spot
- Tofu
- Yeti
Black male dog names
- Ash
- Batman
- Boots
- Bourbon
- Butler
- Charcoal
- Coal
- Fudge
- Ink
- Kettle
- Pepper
- Phantom
- Roast
- Rum
- Shadow
- Slate
- Smudge
- Tuxedo
- Whiskey
Celebrity male dog names
For a name as iconic as your new pup, here are our favorite celebrity dog names:
- Brando
- Bruce Lee
- Charlie Chaplin
- David Beckham
- David Bowie
- De Niro
- Dean
- Elton
- Freddie Mercury
- Heath Ledger
- Hugh Jackman
- Kobe
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Messi
- Paul Rudd
- Ronaldo
- Stallone
- The Rock
- Hanks
- Usher
- Will Smith
Disney-theme male dog names
From Star Wars to Toy Story, here are some popular disney dog name ideas:
- Beast
- Bolt
- Bruno
- Buzz
- Chip
- Dug
- Dumbo
- Goofy
- Gus
- Gus
- Max
- Mowgli
- Mufasa
- Olaf
- Pongo
- Pumbaa
- Remy
- Scuttle
- Simba
- Stitch
- Sven
- Thumper
- Timon
- Vader
Human male dog names
- Cedric
- Conrad
- Dexter
- Dwight
- Hugo
- Humphrey
- Jack
- Mario
- Mike
- Milo
- Murphy
- Nate
- Oscar
- Otis
- Reese
- Sheldon
- Simon
- Theo
- Tony
- Vinny
- Winston
Popular male dog names inspired by historic dogs
Let these historic doggos serve as inspiration for your new dog’s name:
Balto
The infamous Siberian Husky, Balto, was the lead sled dog on a mission to deliver life-saving serum from Anchorage, Alaska to doctors in Nome, Alaska whose patients started showing symptoms of diphtheria. Due to the brutal winter conditions, no plane or train could make the trip. Balto was able to lead his pack through the treacherous conditions in a miraculous 5-day span, delivering the serum that would prevent the spread of the deadly infection to thousands of people.
Sergeant Stubby
Sergeant Stubby was a short and stout Staffordshire Terrier mix – but don’t let his size fool you – this patriotic pup served in 17 battles in WWI. He was originally brought on as a pet and a mascot, but when times got tough, he stepped up as a war dog. Stubby even survived serious injuries like shrapnel in his chest and leg. For his bravery and devotion, Sgt. Stubby was the first dog to be given rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Petey
Perhaps one of the most recognizable TV dogs of all time is Petey or “Pete the Pup” from the TV show The Little Rascals. The iconic pup with the ring drawn around his eye won the hearts of many. Petey was a Standard Scott American bulldog who lived until he was 16 years old.
Sinbad
Endearingly known as “Chief Canine Sinbad”, this historic pup was found in the streets of Staten Island, NY and smuggled aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell in 1937. He served as the mascot for the U.S Coast Guard during WWII, providing loyal companionship throughout battles at sea. After 11 years at sea, he retired and spent his remaining days on Long Beach Island, NJ in the Barnegat Lighthouse.
Owney
In 1888, a scruffy fox terrier named Owney “The Post Office Dog” wandered into the post office in Albany, New York and never looked back. Owney traveled with post office workers on their deliveries for 11 years, expanding beyond the borders of New York, gaining national notoriety and earning a plethora of medals and tokens along the way!
Tips for naming your male dog
With so many options to choose from, naming your dog is no small feat. You want to capture his personality and spunk, but also give him a name that’s creative, clever, and feels right!
Here are our top tips that can help you pick the perfect name for your new pup:
Avoid names that sound like commands
When picking a name for your new best friend, steer clear of names that sound similar to cues or commands you might use, as this can cause confusion for your new puppy. For example, “Bo” and “No” sound familiar, just like “Ray” sounds like “Stay.” The most popular words to avoid include sit, stay, down, and fetch.
Stick to one- or two-syllable names
A lot of new dog owners want to give their pup a unique name that’s different from all the others they’ll hear at the dog park. However, it’s important to consider whether or not he’ll be able to understand it when you call him. Long and complex names may make it harder for your dog to learn his identity. A good way to test a name is by repeating it a bunch of times to see if your dog can understand it (and if you’re comfortable saying it).
Choose a name that’s unlike your other pets’ or family members’ names
If you have more than one pet in your home, their names shouldn’t be too similar. For example, Jack and Jill are okay, but Dean and Bean might be too difficult for your dog to tell apart.
Consider your dog’s personality
Before making your final decision on your pup’s name, get to know him! For example, Chihuahuas may be pint-sized dogs, but they usually have king-sized personalities!
Choose a name and stick with it
Once you decide on a name, you shouldn’t change it. Within the first two months of adopting your dog, you should have a name for them. One or two changes is okay, but make sure to positively reinforce your new pup’s name as soon as you decide on it. Also, be sure to choose a name for the right reason. You should give your pup a name that you genuinely like – not one that’s simply trending or will please a family member.
Bringing a new dog home is incredibly exciting, and naming them is the first step in welcoming them into the family. Just remember the best dog names are those that truly feel aligned with your dog’s breed, personality, and style. We hope one of these boy names ends up being the winner or at the very least, sparks some new ideas.
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