If you’re searching for a creative name for your new dog, Rover is here to help. With the nation’s largest database of dog names on hand, we combed through thousands of names from top to bottom to find the most interesting choices. These creative dog names are clever, artistic, funny, delightful, or just purely surprising—and sure to turn heads at the dog park.
We handpicked these great name ideas for your pet by going way beyond the top 100 dog names to find creative monikers, and then we added others we’ve encountered through our research, social media travels, and personal acquaintances.
Whether you’re drawn to witty choices like Artoo Dogtoo or an artistic namesake like Frida or Rembrandt, you’re sure to find a creative dog name that fits the bill.
Best Creative Dog Names: Artists and Art-Inspired
| ARTIST DOG NAMES | ART WORDS |
| Ansel (Adams) | Alabaster |
| Bacon (Francis) | Aqua(marine) |
| Banksy (cool points) | Blue |
| Basquiat | Brushy (maybe?) |
| Dorothea (Lange) | Canvas |
| Diego (Rivera) | Chiffon |
| Frida (Kahlo) | Crayola |
| Georgia (O’Keefe) | Fresco |
| Goya (Francisco) | Fuchsia |
| Judd (Donald) | Graffiti |
| Leonardo (Leo) | Indigo |
| Lucian (Freud) | Mona (Lisa) |
| Matisse | Muse |
| Michaelangelo | Ochre |
| Pablo (Pawblo?) Picasso | Onyx |
| Raphael | Paris |
| Rembrandt | Sienna |
| Rockwell (Norman) | Slate |
| Salvador (Dali also works) | Smokey |
| Vincent (Van Gogh) | Tapestry |
| Walker (painter Kara) | Teal |
| Weiwei (Ai) | Topaz |
| Yazzie (sculptor Melanie) | Ultra |
Best Creative Dog Names: Fashion-Inspired
| FEMALE | MALE |
| Coco / Chanel | Armani |
| Dior | Bravo |
| Dolce | Gucci |
| Juicy | Louis |
| Prada | Valentino |
| Tiffany | Versace |
| Vera Wa(n)g | Yves |
Best Creative Dog Names: Food Choices
| SWEET | SAVOURY |
| Butterscotch | Apple |
| Coconut | Bean(s) |
| Fondue | Butter |
| Fudge | Dumpling |
| Huckleberry | Falafel |
| Jelly | Kale |
| Macaron | Lemon |
| Marshmallow | Meatball |
| Meringue | Nacho |
| Milkshake | Oatmeal |
| Mochi | Oregano |
| Pancake(s) | Quinoa |
| Peaches | Raisin |
| Pudding | Rhubarb |
| Snickerdoodle | Sage |
| Soda | Spaghetti |
| Strawberry | Tofu |
| Toffee | Wonton |
Best Creative Dog Names: Music-Inspired
| FEMALE | MALE |
| Aria | Ballad |
| Cadence | Bebop |
| Harmony | Chord |
| Lyric | Jazz |
| Song | Rhythm |
Top 10 Creative Dog Names
Ranked from Rover’s dog name database in order of popularity
- Coco
- Blue
- Apollo
- Mocha
- Georgia
- Onyx
- Jazz
- Diego
- Frida
- Harmony
Top 20 Fun Dog Names
We found these funny dog names by searching through our database. There are plenty more, but this is a great start to get your creative juices flowing.
- Stompy
- Beau Dacious
- Ratty
- Mr. Beagletons
- Muffin Chops
- Princess Pork Chop
- Artoo Dogtoo
- Pup Tart
- Nugget
- Pasty
- Buzz Pawldrin
- Toast
- Hairy Pawter
- Barkley
- Captain Fluffy
- Woofer
- Muttley Crue
- Terror
- Zippy
- Betty Twiglet
Human Names for Dogs
You’ll notice that many of the names on this list are people names as well, and would sound equally at home on a baby as they do on a puppy. Why is that? Our data shows that each year, dog lovers increasingly turn to human names for their pets. This reflects the larger cultural trend that embraces dogs as full-fledged family members rather than “just” pets.
In the past, male dog names and female dog names alike were less likely to be personalised to the dog. For instance, a boy dog might have been named Rex, Duke, or Rover, while a girl dog might have been called Lady or Princess. Nowadays, however, you’re more likely to hear Oscar, Zoey, or Emma called out in the vet’s waiting room.
Dog Naming Advice
Are you still uncertain about which moniker to choose? You’re not alone. Some dog owners just know their pet is a Bailey or Peaches as soon as they make eye contact, but many other pet parents need time to try out various options. If you’re having trouble deciding, keep in mind that a creative 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, a Chihuahua mix puppy might sport a Latin-inspired name like Jose, while a German dog breed could carry a name like Heidi.
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.” Many dog experts recommend choosing a name with at least two syllables and a sing-song or vowel sound at the end.
Of course, what matters most is that the dog name you choose rolls off your tongue with ease. You’ll want to select a name that you feel comfortable repeating because you’ll be saying it…a lot. Your dog’s name should 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 “Chanel, it’s time for dinner!” or “Rembrandt, leave it!” helps take the name out of your imagination and into reality.
The Bottom Line
Good luck, have fun and make sure to check out our other dog name coverage. As dog lovers through and through here at Rover, 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 Alfie or a Captain Merrylegs.
Good luck and have fun choosing the perfect name for your new wee friend.
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Featured image: http://www.pawblopicasso.com/
