Getting a dog is a positive change, but picking a name can be a mission. Do you go for cutesy? Elegant? Noble? Funny? What sounds good when you scream it across a park but also during a snuggle? A good dog name can help you define and capture their personality and reflect your interests. However, as their interests are squarely fixed in the world around them, a name that signposts essential aspects of their immediate surroundings could also reflect what they love.
Dogs are fantastic for helping you navigate your day, letting you know when to wake up, feed, and walk them and when to take a little time to enjoy the simple, beautiful things. They’re landmarks in their little way. Plenty of landmarks around the country offer similar respite, getting you outside, curious, and connected to nature, history, and geography. Why not let some of the country’s most notable landmarks, beauty spots, streets, and buildings inspire your dog’s name?
Landmark-Inspired Names for Girls
- Sandy
- Harlow
- Penny
- Abbey
- Victoria
- Mary Rose
- Livi
- Pemmy
- Skye
- Shetty
Landmark-Inspired Names for Boys
- Windsor
- Hadrian
- Roman
- Tay
- Ribble
- Clapper
- Glen
- Fingal
- Thrigby
- Russell
- Abercromby
- Jermyn
- Luffie
- Tatty
Historical Landmark Themed Dog Names
The UK has a deep and rich history, spanning industry, royalty, Roman conquest, and ancient pagan culture. From the regal to the tragic, historical structures offer grandiose, significant locations and names that can inspire your dog’s official title. And royalty is particularly popular — 19% more dogs had the name Windsor, after the castle/Royal Family, in 2024.
- Stonehenge
- Salisbury (Salisbury Plain)
- Windsor (Castle) (+19%)
- Hadrian (Hadrian’s Wall)
- Tower (of London)
- Roman (Baths)
- Yorkie (Duke of York’s Picturehouse)
- Chetham (Chetham’s Library)
- Wolly (Wollaton Hall)
- Morfa (Hafod Morfa Copperworks)
- Peter (Peterloo)
- Birdo (Birdoswald Roman Forts)
Dog Names Inspired by Famous Bridges
Particularly suitable for longer dogs like Dachshunds, the UK offers some monumental bridges with names that can be mystical-sounding (Infinity), timeless (Millenium), or even… weirdly dog-like already (Ribble and Clapper sound like cartoon dog names, somehow). Sturdy, functional, and strong names like Humber, Clifton, and Tower might also fit service dogs.
- London (Bridge)
- Millennium (Bridge)
- Tower (Bridge)
- Forth (Bridge in Scotland)
- Clifton (Suspension Bridge)
- Humber
- Tyne
- Infinity
- Tay (Tay Road Bridge)
- Ribble (Ribblehead Viaduct)
- Clapper (Postbridge Clapper Bridge)
- Pero (Pero’s Bridge)
Dog Names Taken from Royal Palaces
Just like your Sofa Prince or Princess makes their presence known, The Royal Family and nobility leave their mark across the country with ornate, opulent palaces. If your dog is more stately and regal, names like Balmoral and Kensington could suit them. More of an eccentric character? Give a nod to Brighton Pavilion.
- Bucky (Buckingham)
- Balmoral
- Kensington
- Hampton (Court Palace)
- Sandy (Sandringham)
- Blenny (Blenheim Palace)
- Clarence (Clarence House)
- Pavilion (Brighton Pavilion)
- Froggy (Frogmore Cottage)
Dog Names Inspired by Natural Wonders
We all know your dog is the peak of natural beauty. But the peaks of Snowdon, the rolling Sussex Downs, and the mysterious, expansive allure of the Scottish Lochs might give them a run for their money. The UK is packed full of beautiful mountains, rock features, cliffs, and countryside that can inspire your dog’s name, especially if you have a favourite or one with particular significance for you.
- Loch (Lomond/Ness)
- Ben (Nevis)
- Snowdon
- Arthur (Arthur’s Seat)
- Glen (Glencoe)
- Peaky (Peak District)
- Downy (Sussex Downs)
- Durdle (Durdle Door)
- Cheddar (Gorge)
- Winnat (Winnat’s Pass)
- Fingal (Fingal’s Cave)
- Giant (Giant’s Causeway)
Cathedrals and Abbey Inspired Dog Names
Your dog might not be the religious type. But if you live in a cathedral city, got married in one, or simply love a particular abbey or cathedral’s story or design, naming your dog after one of Britain’s beautiful, towering cathedrals can position your dog in history and geography. Plus, many, like St. Augustine’s Abbey or St. Paul’s Cathedral, already have names linked to people and saints, giving a wide range of dog name inspirations.
- Westminster
- Canterbury
- Durham
- Salisbury
- Bath (Abbey)
- Delapré (Abbey)
- Jed (Jedburgh Abbey)
- Augustine (St. Augustine’s Abbey)
- Paul (St. Paul’s Cathedral)
Dog Names Based on Parks and Gardens
iStock/Thai Liang Lim
See how a dog’s eyes light up when you say “Park”? Yours might appreciate being named after one of the UK’s epic green spaces. Take inspiration from more deliberately planted spaces like Kew Gardens, laden with bright blooms and floral scents, to huge spaces like Hyde Park that seem custom-built for running and running and running.
- Hyde (Park)
- Kew (Gardens)
- Regent (Park)
- Greenwich
- Richmond
- Harlow (Harlow Carr, RHS Garden)
- Haile (Hailes Abbey)
- Fonmon (Fonmon Castle)
- Thrigby (Thrigby Hall)
- Sunlight (Port Sunlight Village Trust)
- Okey (Okehampton Castle)
Dog Names Inspired by Iconic Streets and Squares
The Romans invented roads in the UK, but it’s taken many millennia for particular roads to become cultural icons. From dog names inspired by tourist hotspots (Trafalgar Square) and shopping epicentres (Carnaby Street) to streets or squares made popular by art (The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” and “Abbey Road” or Eastenders’ Albert Square), you can look to the cobblestones and pavements for ideas, just like your dog does.
The Beatles seem to have influenced dog name trends this year, as both Abbey and Penny are trending up for 2024. It might have something to do with the release of their single, Now and Then, towards the end of last year. However, Russell is trending up also 56%, which might simply be due to the human name rather than the square but is worth a mention here!
- Abbey (Road) (trending +13%)
- Penny (Lane) (+7%)
- Oxford (Street)
- Piccadilly (Circus)
- Trafalgar (Square)
- Portobello (Road)
- Bricky (Brick Lane)
- Carnaby (Street)
- Russell (Square) (+56%)
- Albert (Square)
- Grosvenor (Square)
- Sloane (Square)
- Argyle (Square)
- Abercromby (Square)
- Regent (Street)
- Elm (Hill)
- Old Compton (Street)
- Jermyn (Street)
- Bond (Street)
- Gold (Hill)
Dog Names from Museums and Cultural Institutions
While a lot of these places don’t offer a dog-friendly day out — meaning your pup likely won’t ever get to enjoy them — what better way is there to celebrate your fondness for the past than picking a name from one of Britain’s storied museums or galleries? Whether you’re into WW2 heroism (Duxford & Impy), paintings (Guggy),
You wouldn’t be alone. There are five times as many dogs called Victoria (inspired by the V&A Museum) this year than in 2023. (It might be a little unfair to call your dog Cadbury, given that they can’t eat chocolate. But who are we to stop you if you love it that much?)
- Tate
- Victoria (+491%)/Albert (V&A Museum)
- Ash (Ashmolean)
- Duxford
- Guggy (Guggenheim)
- Wallace (The Wallace Collection)
- Cadbury (Cadbury World)
- Madame Tussaud
- Fitzwilliam
- Kelvin (Kelvingrove Art Gallery)
- Impy (Imperial War Museum)
- Mary Rose (Mary Rose Museum)
- Soane (John Soane Museum)
- Tank (London Tank Museum)
University-Inspired Dog Names
For many people, university was a time of unabashed freedom, momentum, and joy, unlike your dog’s feelings every day. It can also create an affection for a particular location or city — who knows, you might still live there with your pup. Universities can often become the cultural centre of a town or city, offering a range of inspiring options for dog names, whether you keep the full name of the University, your particular campus, or your favourite building or shorten it to something much more dog-like. (We much prefer “Luffie” to “Loughborough.)
- Abby (Aberdeen)
- John (Liverpool John Moores University)
- Beckett (Leeds Beckett University)
- Imp (Imperial College London)
- Luffie (Loughborough University)
- Manny (University of Manchester
- Holloway (Royal Hollway University of London)
- Mary (Queen Mary University of London)
- Livi (University of Liverpool)
- Falmer (University of Sussex)
- Oxford
- Cammy (Cambridge)
- Durham
- Eddy (Edinburgh)
- Andrew (St. Andrews)
Names that Take Inspiration from Castles and Fortresses
Your dog likely sees themselves as the final vanguard standing between you, their King/Queen, and invading forces, like that cat staring at them through the front window. So, pick a name that gives an air of gallantry, banquets, and roaring fires. Whether you keep the full name (Conwy) or shorten it (Holyroodhouse converts gloriously to Holly), give your pup a sense of picturesque power.
- Arundel
- Boddy (Bodiam)
- Dover
- Stirling
- Cardiff
- Conwy
- Caernarfon
- Pemmy/Pembroke
- Holly (Holyroodhouse)
- Warwick
- Dennis (Pendennis Castle)
- Tatty (Tattershall Castle)
- Fergus (Carrickfergus Castle)
- Dudley (Dudley Zoo and Castle)
- Lindy (Lindisfarne)
Dog Names Inspired by UK Islands
Your dog might love swimming or simply always be in your orbit, but they might resemble little islands around your mainland life. The names of the islands around the UK transfer surprisingly easily to dogs, especially those with rugged or adventurous personalities. (Sheppey sounds like it was a dog first and an island second.)
In particular, the dog name Skye is trending up in 2024 (possibly more due to Paw Patrol than the Isle of Skye, but it still counts).
- Skye (+7%)
- Islay
- Orkney
- Anglesey
- Arran
- Lewis
- Harris
- Tresco
- Shetty (Shetland)
- Mersea
- Sheppey
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- Wight
Famous Statue and Monument Dog Name Inspiration
“Stillness” might not be an idea your dog cares much for. However, many statues and monuments commemorate outstanding achievements, inspiring figures, classic fictional creations, and country-shaping events around the UK. Naming your dog after one of them can connect them to particular virtues like the bravery of the Bomber Command, the politeness of Paddington, the intelligence of Alan Turing, or the uniqueness of Boadicea.
- Nelson (Nelson’s Column)
- Boadicea (Statue of Queen Boudica)
- Albert (Prince Albert Memorial)
- Wellington (Arch)
- Angel (Angel of the North)
- Bomber (Bomber Command Memorial)
- Verity (Verity Statue)
- Cleopatra (Cleopatra’s Needle)
- Poppins (Mary Poppins Statue)
- Fire (Monument to the Great Fire of London)
- Turing (Alan Turing Memorial)
- Paddington (Paddington Station)
If these landmarks don’t quite capture your furry resident goofball, we compile a vast Dog Name Database every year to offer a whole bunch of inspiration. You can also try out our Dog Name Generator for more ideas!
