The holiday season isn’t just a time for celebrations—it’s also the perfect inspiration for naming your dog! Whether you’re drawn to the festive magic of Christmas, the warm traditions of Hanukkah, or the cultural richness of Kwanzaa, there’s no shortage of creative and meaningful dog name ideas to choose from.
A holiday-inspired name can capture the spirit of the season and remind you of your favorite traditions year-round.
Read on to discover popular dog names that will bring a little extra joy to your home this season!
Top 50 Christmas Dog Names
We couldn’t believe how many spirited Christmas names were in our database! We particularly love Holly, Yuletide, and Garland.
- Angel
- Frosty
- Jingle
- Tinsel
- Snowball
- Merry
- Holly
- Joy
- Cocoa
- Christmas
- Tuxedo
- Yuletide
- Elfie
- Twinkle
- Cinnamon
- Buddy
- Star
- Cookie
- Garland
- Noelle
- Reindeer
- Blitz
- Winter
- Snowflake
- Yule
- Mistletoe
- Chilly
- Pudding
- Sugar
- Sled
- Frostbite
- Snowdrift
- Ember
- Frost
- Glimmer
- Wreath
- Sparky
- Jolly
- Poinsettia
- Nutmeg
- Peppermint
- Twas
- Sledder
- Sparkle
- Spirit
- Gifty
- Feliz
- Saint
- Nibbles
- Snickerdoodle
Male Christmas Dog Names
Grinch, Elf, and Eggnog are dashing names that work for so many holiday-loving good boys out there.
- Spark
- Jolly Roger
- Snickers
- Zippy
- S’mores
- Flicker
- Glisten
- Cheery
- Waffle
- Razzle
- Elf
- Taffy
- Cracker
- Merryweather
- Chestnut
- Truffle
- Santa
- Eggnog
- Fudge
- Grinch
- Fawn
- Lucky
- Popcorn
- Candy
- Pippin
Female Christmas Dog Names
Your female pup is as sweet as the cookies you put out for Santa, so why not go with a sugary name like Sprinkles, Cookie Dough, or Pudding Pop?
- Sprinkles
- Cider
- Fizzle
- Snowy
- Merry Paws
- Cuddles
- Tinsel Toes
- Cookie Dough
- Ginger
- Dandy
- Sweetie
- Sienna
- Flick
- Bella
- Gigi
- Doodle
- Joyful
- Ruby
- Bliss
- Starlight
- Pudding Pop
- Emberly
- Merrybell
- Flurry
- Ribbons
Hanukkah Dog Names
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, offers a wealth of inspiration for meaningful and festive dog names. From symbols of light and miracles to traditional foods and cultural references, these names beautifully capture the joy and significance of the holiday.
- Latke
- Menorah
- Gelt
- Dreidel
- Judah (for Judah Maccabee)
- Maccabee
- Chai (meaning “life” in Hebrew)
- Shamash (the “helper” candle)
- Nes (meaning “miracle”)
- Tzedek (meaning “justice”)
- Kislev (the Hebrew month when Hanukkah occurs)
- Lev (meaning “heart”)
- Tova (meaning “good”)
- Simcha (meaning “joy”)
- Lior (meaning “light for me”)
- Or (meaning “light”)
- Shalom (meaning “peace”)
- Nissim (meaning “miracles”)
- Hallel (for the prayers of thanksgiving during Hanukkah)
- Ziv (meaning “radiance”)
- Noam (meaning “pleasantness”)
- Ner (meaning “candle”)
- Hod (meaning “glory”)
- Eliana (meaning “my God has answered”)
- Baruch (meaning “blessed”)
Kwanzaa Dog Names
Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage and culture, is full of meaningful symbols and values that can inspire unique dog names. From the seven principles of Nguzo Saba to Swahili words symbolizing unity, creativity, and peace, these names honor the rich traditions of this special holiday.
- Umoja (meaning “unity”)
- Kujichagulia (meaning “self-determination”)
- Ujima (meaning “collective work and responsibility”)
- Ujamaa (meaning “cooperative economics”)
- Nia (meaning “purpose”)
- Kuumba (meaning “creativity”)
- Imani (meaning “faith”)
- Zawadi (meaning “gifts”)
- Harambee (meaning “let’s pull together”)
- Karenga (for Dr. Maulana Karenga, founder of Kwanzaa)
- Mkeka (meaning “mat,” a key Kwanzaa symbol)
- Kinara (the candle holder used during Kwanzaa)
- Mishumaa (meaning “candles”)
- Nguzo (from Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa)
- Habari (from the Swahili greeting, “Habari gani?”)
- Uhuru (meaning “freedom”)
- Moja (meaning “one”)
- Jina (meaning “name”)
- Asali (meaning “honey”)
- Nyota (meaning “star”)
- Tumaini (meaning “hope”)
- Baraka (meaning “blessing”)
- Jahari (meaning “youthful or strong”)
- Zuri (meaning “beautiful”)
- Amani (meaning “peace”)
Unique Holiday Dog Names
There are so many one-of-a-kind words that are associated with Christmas, and they can double as unique dog names! We’re particularly fond of Sugarplum and Icicle.
- Tinsel Tails
- Festivity
- Sugarplum
- Moxie
- Nibbler
- Lark
- Candy Cane
- Glitterbug
- Winterberry
- Wisp
- Snowdrop
- Fable
- Radiance
- Frostine
- Tizzy
- Zinnia
- Joyful Heart
- Jamboree
- Razzmatazz
- Angelica
- Cheerful
- Icicle
- Lollipop
- Dazzling
- Pippa
Cute Christmas Dog Names
The entire Christmas season is pretty darn adorable, in our opinion (look no further than family and dog Christmas pajamas as proof), and these cute names definitely fit that cuddly vibe.
- Snuggle
- Sweets
- Happy
- Pixie
- Twinkie
- Snugglebug
- Tinkerbell
- Ducky
- Gingerbread
- Tootsie
- Pipsqueak
- Tater Tot
- Pixie Dust
- Sassy
- Sprinkle
- Noodle
- Plum
- Cuddlebug
- Cuddly
- Buttercup
- Fluffy
- Twirly
- Gumdrop
- Wiggly
- Frosting
Winter Dog Names
Maybe it isn’t just Christmas for you—you adore the entire winter season! With one of these wintry names, you can brave a Blizzard or admire a chilly Moonlit night with your pup at your side.
- Arctic
- Zesty
- Blizzard
- Mellow
- Sprig
- Gales
- Glitz
- Haze
- Willow
- Biscuit
- Aurora
- Pebble
- Poppy
- Sable
- Churro
- Nimbus
- Nippy
- Cloudberry
- Skye
- Dazzle
- Shimmer
- Whisper
- Dusk
- Rime
- Moonlit
Dog Names Inspired by Holiday Characters
Whether they appear in cherished stories or pop up in your very favorite movies, Christmas characters and dog names definitely go hand in hand.
- Santa – Santa Claus
- Buddy – Elf
- Grinch – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Clarice – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Cindy Lou – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Hermey – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Sparky – A Christmas Story
- Merry – The Lord of the Rings
- Bumble – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Elmo – Sesame Street
- Feliz – Feliz Navidad
- Olaf – Frozen
- Tinsel – The Christmas Chronicles
- Rudolphina – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Nutcracker – The Nutcracker
- Chester – The Christmas Chronicles
- Coco – The Nutcracker
- Marley – A Christmas Carol
- Charlie – Charlie Brown Christmas
- Max – How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Tiny Tim – A Christmas Carol
- Dobby – Harry Potter
- Ned – The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Stitch – Lilo & Stitch
- Jovie – Elf
Dog Names Inspired by Holiday Songs & Singers
With the likes of Mariah and Frank crooning in the background, you can’t go wrong with one of these dog names inspired by the music of the holidays.
- Baby (Santa Baby)
- Bing
- Blue (Christmas by Elvis)
- Bublé
- Burl Ives
- Carey
- Carol
- Crosby
- Drummer
- Eartha
- Ella
- Frank
- Groban
- Evergreen
- Josh
- Mariah
- Michael
- Nat
- Navidad
- Partridge
- Ronette
- Vince
- Lyric
- Vera
- Sandy
Holiday Food Dog Names
S’mores! Kettle Corn! Biscotti! If these are just a few of your top holiday dishes, read on for even more food dog name ideas.
- Jelly
- Biscotti
- S’mores
- Fritter
- Bubbles
- Marshmallow
- Muffin
- Gingersnap
- Zucchini
- Fluffernutter
- Brownie
- Figgy
- Honey
- Kettle Corn
- Toffee
- Caramel
- Sprout
- Jellybean
- Sweet Pea
- Cherry
- Pecan
- Pumpkin
- Poppyseed
- Cocoa Puff
- Cupcake
International Holiday & Christmas Dog Names
You can feel the magic of Christmas all around the world, making names like Jule, Feliz, and Figgy spot-on for your festive pup.
- Jule (Norwegian for “Yule”)
- Nochebuena (Spanish for “Good Night”)
- Feliz (Spanish for “Happy”)
- Lumi (Finnish for “Snow”)
- Kwanza (Swahili for “First Fruits”)
- Árvore (Portuguese for “tree”)
- Sinterklaas (Dutch for “Saint Nicholas”)
- Glögg (Swedish mulled wine)
- Panettone (Italian Christmas bread)
- Dreidel (Yiddish spinning top)
- Weihnachtsmann (German for “Santa Claus”)
- Churros (Spanish pastry)
- Keks (German for “cookie”)
- Cazuela (Spanish for “casserole”)
- Figgy (Figgy pudding)
- Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian for “Merry Christmas”)
- Christkind (German for “Christ Child”)
- Réveillon (French for “wake” feast)
- Tannenbaum (German for “fir tree”)
- Gnocchi (Italian dumpling)
- Zimtstern (German for “cinnamon star”)
- Célébrer (French for “celebrate”)
- Mulled (as in mulled wine)
- Trine (Danish for “three,” representing the Magi)
- Olentzero (Basque Christmas figure)
Learn More About Dogs
- The Most Popular Dog Breeds in America
- Best Dog Breeds for Kids & Families
- What to Do With Your Dog in the First Week
- How to Read a Dog’s Body Language
Rover Knows Pet Names
As pet lovers through and through, Rover has the scoop on what people are naming their dogs. We have a passion for all things dog names and love helping pet parents pick their pup’s perfect name. For over a decade, we’ve gathered pet names from Rover’s database of millions of pets. The names you find here aren’t randomly generated. We keep our lists updated to match the trends within—and from—our own pet parent community.
