Black dogs are some of the most extraordinary and spectacular dogs. You can find that striking coat color in almost any breed, whether Chihuahua, Portuguese Water Dog, or Great Dane. Here at Rover, we love names that fit our pup’s stunning color and personalities, and we want to make sure you feel the same too.
We’ve compiled our best black dog names from our database — and looked into inspirations from around the world — into one staggering list. It’s sure to get your brain churning with possibilities as you welcome your new shadow home!
Top 15 Black Dog Names
Want to know the most popular dog names for black dogs? We’ve combed the database for the cream of the crop (or is that the shadow of the crop?) just for you!
- Bear
- Stella
- Pepper
- Scout
- Nova
- Olive
- Dakota
- Poppy
- Skye
- Bean
- Arya
- Hershey
- Guinness
- Midnight
- Opal
- Darcy
iStock/Ksenia Raykova
Best Girl Names for Black Dogs
You may also want to check out our complete list of female dog names, from cute to unique.
- Amaya
- Anise
- Artemis
- Astra
- Bren
- Calla
- Dahlia
- Denali
- Eclipse
- Elvira
- Espresso
- Indigo
- Jetta
- Leila
- Luna
- Lyra
- Nyx
- Ophelia
- Orion
- Rain
Best Boy Names for Black Dogs
- Adrian
- Angus
- Ash
- Blackjack
- Boomer
- Bran (raven)
- Cosmos
- Darth
- Domino
- Flint
- Indigo
- Jett
- Kodiak
- Kylo
- Maverisk
- Noir
- Orpheus
- Oso
- Stormy
- Thunder
Want to explore more options for your dog? Here are our top male dog names, sorted by food and fame.
10 Badass Black Dog Names
Playing up that sooty coat is popular with black dogs. But how to really make that darkness stand out in a way a main character in a novel would? We pulled names that associate well with vast, deep greatness — like your future dog!
- Angst
- Cole
- Dusk
- Enigma
- Fog
- Forest
- Nero
- Obscurio
- Obsidian
- Nero
Take a look at our most popular unique dog names for more inspiration on how to make heads turn when you’re at the park!
iStock/LordHenriVoton
15 Dog Names Inspired by Black Food
Have you ever stopped to consider the number of edible things are black in color? If you’re a foodie or have a sense of humor, these black food-based dog names are sure to please.
- Blackberry
- Caviar
- Cake
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Fig / Figgy
- Goji
- Licorice
- Mars (bars)
- Nori
- Pepper
- Sapote
- Sesame
- Soy
- Vanilla
15 Names Inspired by Black Flowers
- Calla (Lily)
- Colo(casia)
- Gera(nium)
- Helle(bores)
- Holly(hock)
- Iris
- Karma
- Mondo (grass)
- Mrytle
- Pansy
- Petunia
- Poppy
- Rose
- Tulip
- Viola
15 Names Inspired by Black Animals
- Ani
- Bat
- Bear
- Black Beauty
- Bonobo
- Crow
- Fox
- Mamba
- Panther
- Willy (whale)
- Wolfy
- Selkie
- Starling
- Turtle
- Vole
iStock/amriphoto
15 Puppy Names Based on Black Things
That sable color gets people thinking in terms of themes. And there’s nothing wrong with that! So we plumbed the database for our favorite sooty-colored things to name your black dog after.
- Cinder
- Dice
- Ebony
- Ink
- Knight
- Magic
- Nyx
- Oreo
- Pearl
- Phantom
- Rain
- Sable
- Shadow
- Smokey
- Velvet
10 Names that Mean Black Other Languages
Black dogs have served as inspiration in literature and mythology around the world. So why not pull your black dog name from other languages? Then you can share those stories with everyone who asks where you came up with the idea!
- Noir (French)
- Musta (Finnish)
- Schwarz (German)
- Nero (Italian)
- Preto (Portuguese)
- Hei (Chinese)
- Kuro (Japanese)
- Geom-jeong (Korean)
- Svart (Swedish)
- Mávros (Greek)
15 Black Dog Names Inspired by Famous Characters
We couldn’t end this list without paying tribute to our favorite characters in film and literature. After all, that shadowy gaze probably makes you think of one or two famous people!
- Buck (The Call of the Wild)
- Chess (A Queen’s Gambit)
- Cola (the soda brand)
- Deva (Hindu moon goddess)
- Grim (Reaper)
- Hades (Greek god)
- Joker (Batman)
- Morpheus (The Matrix)
- Morticia (The Addams Family)
- Myer (Michael)
- Orpheus (Greek mythology)
- Poe (Edgar Allen)
- Sirius (Harry Potter)
- Toto (Wizard of Oz)
- Wednesday (The Addams Family)
iStock/CBCK-Christine
Considerations for Naming Your Dog
Black dog names can come from anywhere—as you’ve seen. You can look at your dog’s breed, your family history, or their personality. But there are a few key reminders you want to keep in mind as you work through the process:
- Try to avoid “relativity:” You love the name, Ash. But you have an Aunt Ash. That could cause confusion (or hurt feelings if your Aunt doesn’t appreciate being a namesake). Think of what would happen if your dog became sick or injured. Better to avoid using human names of anyone you know.
- Keep things clear: You’re going to train your dog. So you don’t want to cause confusion with a name that sounds like a command. For instance, while Poe is a perfect black dog name, it’s close to “No” and may present problems.
- Practice makes perfect: Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential black dog names, try calling them off the back porch. Do they roll off your tongue? Or do you stumble? If you’re having trouble saying the names, your dog will have trouble understanding them.
Pro-tip: When you choose a name, consider picking up a reflective or bright collar, leash, and harness. Black coats are hard to see in low light, and you want something that will stand out.
Unique Facts About Black Dogs
Would you believe black is a dominant hair color for dogs? Eumelanin is one of two primary pigments in dogs that control hair color. But a dog needs two copies in his or her genes to have black hair, brown eyes, and a black nose. If they only have one copy, you get different variations of fur, eye, and nose color, like:
- Grey
- Lilac (a soft bluish-purple)
- Liver (a rusty shade with brown undertones)
- Red (like an English Setter)
All still with those chocolate eyes and black nose, though!
“Black dog syndrome” and mythology
Black dogs have become symbols of good and evil throughout history—just like black cats. Something about those dark faces appeals to the imagination.
- The good: In Somerset (England) and Connecticut, black dogs are guardians. They keep travelers from getting lost and protect children.
- The bad: Unhappily, black dogs with red eyes are usually considered bad omens. J.K. Rowling popularized this myth when she wrote of the Grim in the Harry Potter series. (Though Padfoot turned out to be a hero!)
In real life, reports show that black dogs stay in shelters up to four times longer than dogs with other color coats. And that dark coat—which we love so much—may be the problem:
- Black hair blends into the shadows, making it hard for potential adopters to see the dogs.
- Black dogs are difficult to photograph, making their profile pictures less interesting to viewers.
- Dark hair shows up easier on furniture, which makes some people are reluctant to cope with the extra work of cleaning.
- It’s tricky to read facial expressions on black dog faces. So potential adopters skip over them.
These mysterious qualities definitely make names like Spook, Myst, Mysterio and Enigma great black dog names though!
Still Hunt for the Perfect Black Dog Name?
Don’t fret. We’re dog lovers here at Rover and fascinated by dog names. So check out these additional lists for even more possibilities!
