You’ve brought your new puppy home, and the first thing you may hear is “what a cute puppy!” The second thing will likely be the big question: “what’s your dog’s name”? Finding a cute puppy name can be tricky, sparking outrage and arguments among friends and family. But worry not – whether you’re looking for a female dog name, a male dog name, or even just a nickname for puppy, Rover is here to help. As the largest network of dog walkers and pet sitters we meet a lot of pups. Often the cutest of names are reserved for fluffy puppies and smaller breeds, but even the big boys and girls deserve names as cute as they are. We combed through our database of dog names to find the cutest Canadian puppy names around the country.
Cute Girl Dog Names
- Abby
- Allie
- Annie
- Angel
- Apple
- Bailey
- Bamm-Bamm
- Bella
- Bluebell
- Bonnie
- Callie
- Caramel
- Cherry
- Chloe
- Clover
- Coco
- Cricket
- Dixie
- Dolce
- Ellie
- Flower
- Frankie
- Gigi
- Goldie
- Grace / Gracie
- Harper
- Izzy
- Josie
- Katie
- Kiki
- Lily / Lillie
- Lottie
- Lucy
- Lulu
- Maggie
- Marley
- Molly
- Nala
- Nessie
- Pancakes
- Pansy
- Peaches
- Poppy
- Pumpkin
- Queenie
- Rhubarb
- Rosie
- Sadie
- Sophie
- Stella
- Sugar
- Tillie
- Violet
- Winnie
- Zoe / Zoey
- Zuzu
Cute Boy Dog Names
- Amos
- Archie
- Beau
- Biscuit
- Bolt
- Boots
- Buddy
- Charlie
- Colby
- Cooper
- Dash
- Eddie
- Finn
- Frankie
- Frodo
- Goose
- Gulliver
- Gus
- Henry
- Herbie
- Hershey
- Jack
- Jojo / Joey
- Kai
- Lennon
- Leo
- Marshmallow
- Moose
- Mowgli
- Oliver
- Otis
- Otto
- Oscar
- Pepe
- Pippin / Pip
- Pluto
- Quinn
- Riley
- River
- Sawyer
- Sprout
- Toby
- Tucker
- Waffles
- Winston
Puppy or Person?
Many of these names would sound as great on a baby as on a puppy. Our research shows that year after year, dog parents increasingly turn to human names for their fur babies. Cultural trends across the country show people embracing their pups as full-on family members, not “just” pets. For every Rex or Rover, there’s an Allie or Annie. Sure, you still come across a Duke or a Lady playing in the park, but it’s now anything goes when it comes to naming our dogs. While a precious Princess is indeed, pretty cute, a cuddly Teddy can certainly hold his – or her – own when it comes to overall adorability.
Advice for Cuteness
If you’re torn up about what to name your new puppy, you’re not alone. Some people just know their pup is a Bella or a Max from the get-go. Others need a little more time to settle into their dog’s new name. And then there are those who go through several names before deciding which is the perfect fit. Cute names for your pup can be inspired by anything from pop culture (we’re looking at you Schitt’s Creek) to music (good boy, Bieber) to sports (Kawhi may be gone, but his legacy lives on in our pets). There are even a handful of pups named Poutine!
Dog breed history can come into play when naming your dog. Think of a French poodle named Fifi, or a schnauzer named Fritz. To help you choose, imagine seeing your dog’s name on a cute customized collar or an adorable winter coat.
Training Day
Your pup’s moniker can make or break a successful training session. When teaching new commands like “come”, “stay” or “heel”, you want your words to be clear. Puppy names that sound like training cues can be confusing. You can call to “Brit” but your dog may hear “sit”. Additionally, many dog experts recommend choosing a name with at least two syllables, with a vowel or sing-song sound at the end.
Most importantly, no matter how cute the name is, make sure it rolls off your tongue. Whatever name you choose, you’d best feel comfortable saying it, as you’ll be using it – a lot! Try our “backdoor” test to see what works. Stand at the door and call out your puppy’s potential cute name. Hearing “Jojo, leave it” or “Bluebell, come!” will help you make your decision.
The Cuteness Factor – Takeaways
Puppies bring laughter and love into a home. Choosing an adorable name for your new family member should be fun. Check out our lists of Canada’s most popular male and female dog names to get started. If you’re looking for some weird and wacky names, our unique dog name list will provide some inspiration. Regardless of your puppy’s new name, once it sticks to that ball of cuteness, it too will be cute, no matter what!
