Are you looking for the perfect name for a Rhodesian ridgeback puppy? We’ve got hundreds of beautiful names to help you find your true inspiration. African names and powerful names pulled from mythology are high in demand for this noble hunting dog from the former Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Along with their signature ridge of hair along the spine, the Rhodie is prized for their prey drive, guardianship, and independent spirit. At home with their family, a ridgeback is sweet and devoted to the core. To be loved by a ridgeback is like no other love.
We’ve rounded up the most popular Rhodesian ridgeback names of the year from our enormous Rover.com database of dog names nationwide. Find them below, listed in order of popularity. Yes, these are real names given by Rhodesian ridgeback owners. Did your dog’s name make the list?
Top 120 Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
- Nala
- Bella
- Lucy
- Cooper
- Charlie
- Max
- Penny
- Sadie
- Daisy
- Leo
- Luna
- Buddy
- Duke
- Riley
- Rocky
- Ruby
- Stella
- Zeus
- Roxy
- Moose
- Ellie
- Ginger
- Bailey
- Harley
- Copper
- Jax
- Lily
- Maggie
- Bear
- Lola
- Tucker
- Kona
- Gracie
- Gunnar
- Molly
- Remi
- Simba
- Beau
- Finn
- Scout
- Thor
- Brody
- Hank
- Indy
- Louie
- Zoe
- Jackson
- Piper
- Scooby
- Blu
- Coco
- Koda
- Sam
- Callie
- Rhodie
- Bodhi
- Bruno
- Jack
- Marley
- Milo
- Apollo
- Dixie
- Rosie
- Honey
- Abby
- Emma
- Annie
- Dexter
- Jake
- Zeke
- Bentley
- Frank
- Georgia
- Lexi
- Olive
- Red
- Toby
- Diesel
- Gus
- Izzy
- Rex
- Sophie
- Loki
- Oliver
- Zuri
- Hunter
- Maya
- Rusty
- Sammy
- Willow
- Layla
- Athena
- Odin
- Samson
- Lucky
- Luke
- Ollie
- Otis
- Tyson
- Winston
- Buster
- Chase
- Hazel
- Koa
- Lady
- Oscar
- Ruger
- Ryder
- Sunny
- Tank
- Atlas
- Boone
- Bruce
- Brutus
- Chloe
- Dakota
- Leia
- Mia
- Rocco
- Timber
Top 10 Male Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
- Buddy
- Charlie
- Cooper
- Duke
- Leo
- Max
- Moose
- Riley
- Rocky
- Zeus
Top 10 Female Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
- Bella
- Daisy
- Lucy
- Luna
- Nala
- Penny
- Roxy
- Ruby
- Sadie
- Stella
Rhodesian Ridgeback Name Trends
African names from the Swahili are hugely popular with Rhodesian ridgeback lovers. Names from myth and legend are strongly represented for these noble hunters, but on the flip side, scroll down to the names inspired by food and animals! While in the warm comfort of home with her favorite people, a Rhodie lets down her hair a bit and lets her sense of fun shine through! Beware the mighty hunter, Chicken Nugget. See also: the fearsome Ladybug. We love you, Chicken Nugget and Ladybug. Tough on the outside, gooey soft interior.
20 Swahili Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
Thanks in part to The Lion King, Swahili names are hugely popular with Rhodesian ridgeback lovers. While Swahili is not one of the major languages of Zimbabwe, these gorgeous Swahili words and names are popular with Rhodie lovers who want a beautiful name that will reflect their dog’s African origins.
- Aaliyah (Swahili for noble)
- Asha (Swahili for life)
- Bahati (Lucky in Swahili)
- Djembe (a West African drum)
- Imani (Swahili for faithful)
- Jabu (Swahili for rejoice)
- Jambo (Swahili greeting)
- Jelani (Swahili for powerful)
- Jengo (Swahili for building)
- Jhabali (Swahili for strong)
- Koa (Swahili for slug)
- Kumbuka (Swahili for remember)
- Mchumba (Swhahili for sweetheart)
- Mosi (Swahili for firstborn)
- Nala (Swahili for beloved)
- Nani (Swahili for who)
- Nia (Swahili for purpose)
- Obi (Swahili for soul)
- Simba (Swahili for lion)
- Zula (Swahili for brilliant)
- Zuri (Swahili for lovely)
Top 20 Rhodesian Ridgeback Names from Myth and Legend
Strong names for strong dogs. Rhodie lovers take inspiration for the noble warriors from mythic stories around the world.
- Apollo
- Ares
- Argo
- Artemis
- Athena
- Atlas
- Dante
- Echo
- Fenris
- Freya
- Gaia
- Hera
- Hercules
- Juno
- Jupiter
- Mars
- Odin
- Samson
- Titan
- Zeus
10 Title-Inspired Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
Serious names for serious dogs! These names connote the respect and authority these dignified dogs deserve.
- Baron
- Bosun
- Captain
- Chief
- Duchess
- Earl
- Honcho
- Major
- Prince
- Sarge
20 Animal-Inspired Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
Animal names for ridgebacks range from mighty mythological beasts to silly and sweet and everything in between, just like the dogs themselves.
- Badger
- Bass
- Bear
- Bug
- Bunny
- Cricket
- Dino
- Dragon
- Duck
- Fawn
- Fish
- Foxy
- Gator
- Goose
- Griffin
- Grizzly
- King Kong
- Kuma
- Ladybug
- Moose
30 Food-Inspired Rhodesian Ridgeback Names
Get a load of these sweet names for Rhodies. You just know a dog named cupcake is an excellent snuggler.
- Apple
- Bacon
- Bagel
- Biscuit
- Brie
- Butterscotch
- Cake
- Candy
- Cheddar
- Chestnut
- Chicken Nugget
- Chili
- Chip
- Chowder
- Churro
- Coco Puff
- Cookie
- Cupcake
- Curry
- Fudge
- Gingerbread
- Hershey
- Honey
- Huckleberry
- Katsu
- Kimchee
- Kitkat
- Kiwi
- Lilikoi
- Peanut
More Dog Name Ideas
As dog lovers through and through here at Rover, we find dog names absolutely fascinating, and we love searching our data on the topic to discover hot trends, quirky choices, and unique twists on classics. Over the years, we’ve compiled plenty of names for you to peruse—and we keep our lists updated with new data each year. Check out some of them below.
