Red dogs are a stunning bunch, from the elegant Rhodesian Ridgeback to the striking Irish setter, the Basenji, the Vizsla, the red golden retriever, or any lovable mixed-breed dog that landed the red coat genes.
So how do you find a great name for your new red dog? Consider size, look, and personality. This list has options to fit any dog, from a regal Carmine to a radiant Phoenix or a feisty Lolo. We handpicked these choices by consulting dog name trends and our huge Rover.com database of dog names. Many of these names rank among the top 100 dog names of the year.
Best Red Dog Names
Many of these are gender-neutral. A female red dog can easily go by Rowan, for example, while a male red dog could sport Sundance or Cinnamon. However, we’ve divided these into girl dog names and boy dog names for easier skimming and according to the most common usage.
Female Red Dog Names
- Alani (Hawaiian for “orange tree”)
- Amber
- Anne (of Green Gables)
- Annie
- Apple
- Ariel
- Autumn
- Bandit
- Berry
- Blaze
- Bloom
- Blush
- Brandy
- Bridget
- Cabernet
- Carmine
- Cayenne
- Cherry (or Cherry Pie)
- Cinnamon
- Coral
- Cranberry
- Dahlia
- Eclipse
- Ember
- Flannery
- Foxy
- Fuchsia
- Garnet
- Ginger
- Gloss
- Goldie
- Hazel
- Henna
- Hibiscus
- Honey
- Jelly
- Jessica Rabbit
- Ladybug
- Lolo (“red” in Romani)
- Lucille Ball
- Magenta
- Maraschino (Mara for short)
- Miss Frizzle (nickname: “the Frizz”)
- Molly (Ringwald)
- Oakley
- Paprika
- Peaches
- Pebbles (Flintstone)
- Penny
- Peony
- Pepper
- Peppermint
- Pippi Longstocking
- Poppy
- Raspberry
- Rhubarb
- Robin
- Rose/Rosie
- Rosebud
- Rouge (French for red)
- Ruby
- Salsa
- Sangria
- Scarlet(t)
- Scully (X-Files)
- Shiraz
- Sienna
- Strawberry
- Sundance
- Sunny
- Sunrise
- Sunset
- Terra
- Tulip
- Valentina
- Wilma (Flintstone)
- Zinnia
Male Red Dog Names
- Apollo
- Archie
- Arizona
- Auburn
- Bandit
- Beets
- Big Red
- Bordeaux
- Brick
- Brighton
- Burgundy
- Carrot Top
- Chestnut
- Chester
- Cider
- Clifford
- Comet
- Conan (O’Brien)
- Copper
- Crimson
- Currant
- Curry
- Dynamite
- Elmo
- Fennec (type of fox)
- Finch
- Firecracker
- Flame
- Flynn (Gaelic for “son of the red-haired one”)
- Fox
- Fuego (“fire” in Spanish)
- Fuji
- Freckles
- Harvest
- Heinz
- Hunter
- Jam
- Jasper
- Keegan (Irish for “fiery”)
- Ketchup
- Laser
- Lava
- Leif
- Lobster
- Loki
- Mahogany
- Malbec
- Maroon
- Mars
- Merlot
- Pepperoni
- Phoenix
- Pinot
- Prince Harry
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Redford
- Reed
- Rogue (not to be confused with Rouge)
- Rojo (Spanish for red)
- Rooibos
- Rooney
- Rory (Irish for “red king”)
- Rosso or Rossi
- Rowan (Gaelic for “little red one”)
- Rudy
- Rufus
- Russet
- Rusty
- Sol
- Sorrell
- Spark/Sparky
- Tomato
- Topaz
- Tree
- Terror
- Valentine
- Vermillion
- Vulcan (Roman god of fire)
Do Red Dogs Need a Themed Name?
Sure, a red dog named Copper, Auburn, or Big Red is pretty cute. But you don’t have to go that route. Some of the names on Rover’s list are inspired by your dog’s colour, but not all! You don’t have to give your new puppy a name that has anything to do with their coat if you don’t want to.
Here are some other considerations when choosing your new red dog’s name.
People Names for Dogs
Do you like the sound of a human baby name on a puppy? If so, you’re not alone. It used to be that most of us agreed on a good name for a dog. Fido, Rex, Lady: we expected generic choices. Now, however, you’re more likely to hear human names on dogs.
Our data shows that each year, dog owners increasingly turn to human names for their pets. This reflects the larger cultural trend that embraces dogs as full-on family members who deserve their own special place in our homes and hearts. Our dog love runs deep.
Dog Naming Advice
If you’re having trouble deciding, keep in mind that a great red dog name can come from many different sources of inspiration, such as your favourite foods, books, celebrities, your heritage, or even dog breed history. For example, an Irish setter puppy might sport a name like Keegan (Gaelic for “fiery”), while a dachshund could carry a cute name like Pepperoni.
Another consideration when choosing your dog’s name? Dog training. This is of particular importance for puppies. When you’re teaching your new dog to respond to commands like sit, stay, or come, you’ll want to be sure their name isn’t a source of confusion. In other words, avoid puppy names that sound like a common dog training cue, such as “Bit,” which could easily be misheard as “sit.”
Of course, what matters most is that the dog name you choose rolls off your tongue. The best names will make you happy. We’re fans of the “backdoor test” for dog name selection. It’s pretty much what it sounds like: stand at the back door and call out your new dog‘s potential name. Saying “Strawberry, it’s time for dinner!” or “Rogue, leave it!” helps take the name out of your imagination and into reality.
More Dog Names
We find dog names absolutely fascinating, and we love searching through 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 dog name data each year. You can also check out our list of unique dog names or take a look at our list of celebrity-inspired dog names!
The Dog Name Generator
If you need some more name inspiration, check out our Dog Name Generator! We’ll delve into our huge Rover database of dog names and based on the information you provide, we’ll give you some dog-name-related intel. We’ll tell you the two most popular dog names for your dog’s breed and gender, and if you’re looking for a name that stands out from the pack, you’re in luck! We’re throwing in a third, decidedly random option that’s just for fun. That’s right, we won’t just give you one result, we’ll give you three whole dog names to choose from! Then we’ll leave it up to you to decide if your new addition is more of an Audrey or a Princess Porkchop.
Good luck and have fun choosing the perfect name for your new wee friend.
