What to Name the Dog and How Do You Choose a Good Name for It?

Planning on getting a new dog? Well, then you just made the best decision of your life because you will be welcoming a new friend and member of your family into your life. But, just like any family member, your new dog needs a name of its own, especially because that will be your furry pal’s identity. Naming a dog isn’t as easy as you may think and you might be wondering what to name the dog and how do you choose a good name for it.

Choosing the name of the dog is actually a personal journey that you have to do mostly on your own by taking into account your dog’s personality and physical attributes as well as your own personality as well. There are plenty of different factors that go into naming a dog but it all boils down to you.

When you are choosing a name for your dog, it is actually a personal journey that you have to take in your life as a new pet parent. But, as personal as the choice may be, there are still plenty of different factors to look at and guidelines you may want to use if you are looking to find a good name for your dog.

What is a good English name for a dog?

In most cases, when it comes to naming a dog, people from all over the world usually go for English names instead of names that come from their own local languages. That’s why, when you want to look for a good name for a dog, you may want to think about a good English name for it. After all, the best English names for dogs tend to be quite easy to understand and remember, and even people who speak different languages can easily understand and remember your dog’s name.

What’s a male dog called

Names for dogs: which one suits your new friend best?

The choice of the name for your dog is certainly an important moment, he will become part of your family, of your life, will enliven your days, and will give you unique moments: why not choose a name that represents him and identifies him to the better? And what is the name that best suits the little dog that will love you for the rest of his life?

The unknown factor of dusting off overly conventional names lurks around the corner. And if the choice were left solely to your children, you will almost certainly have to deal with hypotheses limited only to the names of characters from films or cartoons.

When getting a dog, one of the hardest things to do in the beginning is to choose the name. Anyone, in fact, wants their 4-legged friend to stand out and have a name that reflects him, both from a physical and character point of view.

For male dogs, you need to choose a suitable, cute and at the same time original name to make them feel unique and make them different from all the others. Let’s look at some unique and original little male dog name suggestions!

WHAT IS A MALE DOG CALLED

Usually, when looking for names for male dogs, you choose options that have to do with being cute. But if you prefer a funny and ironic name, for example, you can give it a name that resembles something imposing like Argo or Attila. The important thing is that you like it and that it has to do with your four-legged friend!

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing the name of your 4-legged friend:

• It must be a short and clear name otherwise, the dog will take a long time to learn it. The longer it is, the harder it will be for him, so opt for a name that doesn’t exceed 3 syllables!
• Do not choose a commonly used word or similar to one of the basic commands you will teach him, otherwise he will risk getting confused. Also, discard names similar to those of people who live with you.
  

Let’s see below two lists of names for small male dogs with a nice temper or characterized by an irresistible tenderness!

Names for male dogs with strong personalities

• 1) Spicy: This is a perfect name for little dogs that are cute looking but who bring out all their rush as soon as someone approaches them.
• 2) Atom: by definition, an atom is a tiny quantity of something. It’s the perfect name for small dogs like Yorkies, but they hide an explosive personality.
• 3) Jordan: If you are a fan of former American basketball player Michael Jordan and your dog does nothing but jump here and there and remind you of this character, Jordan is the perfect name!
• 4) Dalí: for curious dogs with a particular physical appearance that seems straight out of a cartoon (like the Chinese naked dog), a special name like that of the Spanish painter is perfect. This name will highlight his personality and give him a truly original touch!
• 5) Clint: Clint is the perfect name for an elegant dog with a serious character, but not boring and above all very faithful to his human friend. Clint reminds us of director and actor Clint Eastwood … perfect for film buffs!
• 6) Thor: If you have a dog with a heart of gold and, Thor is a perfect choice.
• 7) Boss: does your dog rule at home? When he is with the likes of him is he the leader of the pack? So if he’s got this personality all over again, Boss is the name for him!
• 8) Messi: if your four-legged friend loves to run after the ball and bring it back, there is no doubt. The name of the Argentine champion is certainly the most suitable!
• 9) Apollo: for a very strong dog that is respected. Perfect for a four-legged friend who loves to keep the situation under control.

Names for small and cuddly male dogs

• 1) Biggie: it is an affectionate and nice name to give to a small dog, which for us is a big one! Great for playful and naughty dogs.
• 2) Bobby: Bobby is a classic, fun name that never goes out of style.
• 3) Max: if your little dog is more than cute and a brat and combines all the colors every 5 seconds … Max is a name that just hearing it gives an idea of ​​a rascal.
• 4) Pedro: he is a sparkling little dog that sparks energy from all pores. This Spanish name will take your mind to the Iberian Peninsula (or the islands!)!
• 5) Ringo: Do you love the Beatles and also cookies with this name? Also if your dog shares your musical tastes and loves listening to music with you, there is no doubt: Ringo is a tribute to the Beatles and a fantastic name for your little dog!
• 6) Bowie: Another tip for lovers of music and genius David Bowie. If your pooch also has one eye in one color and one in another, you’ve found the perfect name!
• 7) Bubba: name that recalls Forrest Gump. Bubba is the name for a faithful little dog who will never abandon you!
• 8) Fluffy: Is your little dog furry and looks like a stuffed animal? Fluffy, soft and fluffy in English, is a lovely name that undoubtedly mirrors that!

Exactly as it happens for ours, the name we will give to our dog will identify it and will accompany it forever. But not only that: the name represents for him a real call, which he must be able to recognize because it instantly captures his attention, therefore it is a fundamental element in the education of the puppy!

When he hears his name, the puppy must be able to understand that we are addressing him, that we ask for his attention to call him, give him an order, scold him or encourage him to do something or even just to offer him a caress or a reward. In short, to better educate your puppy, the first thing to teach him is his name so what are you waiting for? With the help of some tips, trust your imagination and instinct, you won’t regret it!

When it comes to the best English dog names for males, here are the top 100:

When it comes to the top English names for female dogs, you can pick from these:

In case you haven’t noticed, some of the most popular English dog names for both male and female dogs come from what’s popular at that time. In that sense, we are talking about what everyone has been talking about in terms of the trends in movies, series, books, video games, and even celebrities.

For example, Simba and Thor come out as popular dog names because of how movies such as The Lion King and the Avengers are trending. Meanwhile, the same could be said about the names you see in the list of female dog names as most owners really do tend to follow the trend when it comes to dog names for either male or female canine friends.

However, there are still names that tend to pass the test of time and are still as popular as they could ever be regardless of what is trending in the world today. That’s why English dog names such as Ace, Rex, Bonnie, and Sugar will always find a place in the minds of dog owners whenever they are thinking of good names for their new pets. 

But, most of the time, a lot of the names really depend on the current trends, and that is why you might want to look at what’s trending in today’s world if you want to name a dog after something or someone that’s popular. That would make your dog the life of a party because everyone loves a pet named after something that that’s trending worldwide, 

What are the most uncommon dog names?

While popular English dog names will always find a place in the minds of many different dog owners whenever they are thinking of a good name to call their new pets, there are still some owners that tend to be quite eccentric when naming their pets. That is why these dog owners don’t usually follow a trend and are more likely to try to think of the most uncommon dog names so that their pets will turn out to be unique in terms of their names and identities.

Here are some of the most popular dog names that will make your dog stand out because of the uniqueness of its name:

So, for those who haven’t noticed, some of these names actually are inspired by the size of the dog and things that remind them of how big or small the dog is. For instance, the name Kane is a reference to the big professional wrestler. On the other hand, the name Acorn is a reference to how small an acorn is. 

Meanwhile, there are also dog names that are referenced after food especially when the dog’s physical appearance and individual traits resemble food. If your dog is dark, the names Espresso and Hershey could be good for it. And if you have a fat dog, it would be nice to name it Bacon.

Finding a good name that’s unique is really up to how creative a dog owner is and how well he or she can use different factors and traits that could influence the way he or she could brainstorm the most uncommon name that truly fits the dog.

Still, if you are a bit too lazy to think of your own unique name for your dog, it still is great to choose an uncommon name from this list while also making sure that nobody else in the neighborhood has the same kind of idea or else you’d end up naming your dogs the same thing.

What to think about when you choose the dog’s name?

So, now that you have a good idea of the common and uncommon names that you could use to call your dog, it is now time for you to try to think of an actual name for your dog.

But, as always, you still need to follow certain guidelines and consider a lot of different factors when you are thinking of a good name for your dog. That’s why you may want to follow the guide we have prepared for you if you want to think of the best possible name for your furry pal.

How to name your dog

Choose a name that you actually like so that you would enjoy calling your dog’s name

First off, it is very important for you to choose a name that you really like. The reason is that you will be using that name to call your dog its entire life. You have to be able to love and enjoy calling your dog by its name by choosing a name that you actually like. 

If you chose a name that you don’t really enjoy or if it’s something that you thought of as a spur-of-the-moment idea that probably wasn’t the best choice, you might not be as enthusiastic whenever you are calling your dog’s name. Dogs are empathic creatures that can sense your emotions. If you don’t enjoy using your dog’s name, your dog will probably end up not liking it as well.

As such, it is very important that you carefully choose a dog’s name and it should be something that you enjoy saying.

Limit the dog’s name to two syllables

Too many people make the mistake of choosing long names that can be too much of a hassle for you and your dog. Not only will it be tough for your canine pal to remember but it will also take too much of your time and effort whenever you are calling your dog.

That’s why, when thinking of a name for your dog, it is best to choose a name that is only a maximum of two syllables long so that it will be easier for your dog to remember and so that you won’t have to think of calling your dog by its name such a drag. Something as simple as Rex or Fido or Mocha is a good short name that would be easy for you and your dog to remember.

But if you must insist, you can add an extra syllable to your dog’s name or you can give it a longer official name. If you insist on names that are too long, just make sure that you have a nickname to call your dog so that it will be easier for you and your canine pal to understand each other.

Use the name for a few days and see how your dog reacts to it

The science of naming a dog involves some sort of trial and error especially if you are unsure of the name you originally thought of. In some cases, most owners would want to use the name for only a few days to see how well their dogs react to it. If the dogs don’t seem to react well to the names or if they don’t respond favorably to them, then the owners tend to try out a different name again until the dogs respond well.

In that case, you might want to try the same trial and error tactics as well if you have two or three names you are choosing from. Use your top choice first and try it out for a few days to see if your dog likes it or responds well to it whenever you are calling it with that name. If not, it might be time for you to try out your second choice until you find a name that is suitably favorable to you and your new furry pal.

Don’t use commands or anything that sounds like a command

Whenever you are thinking of a good name for your dog, try as much as possible to not use command words as names or certain names that sound close to commands because that will end up confusing your dog later on when you are already letting it undergo basic command training.

For example, a name such as Kit sounds similar to “sit”. So, when you are teaching your dog how to sit, later on, it might confuse the command with its name and it might not respond well to the command. The same could be said about the name Kay and the command “stay”. Just make sure you are avoiding names that sound similar to common command words such as sit, stay, go, come, and down.

Avoid using sensitive words as names

It is a rule of thumb that you never use sensitive and offensive words as your dog’s name. While your dog won’t understand the meaning of those words, the people around you will. As such, it will stir up an issue whenever you are in public and you are calling your dog by a name that is quite offensive in terms of race, gender, and culture.

Truth be told, there are actually people who try to escape responsibility by naming their dogs with words that can be quite offensive to the people around them. They could just simply tell people that he is using the word to call the dog and not to insult others. Do you really want to call your black-coated Labrador retriever with a word that’s sensitive to African-Americans and then use the word in public where other people can hear you using the word?

Don’t change an adult dog’s name if you are adopting one

Adopting an adult dog is the best choice for a lot of people because it is much more affordable and because you are giving the dog a second chance at a forever family. But most of these dogs already have names of their own. As such, it is important that you don’t try to change the dog’s name if you don’t want to confuse it.

However, if you don’t like its current name, make it a point to use a name that still sounds like its original name. For example, if the adult dog’s name is Woody, you can change it to Goody if you want to.

The reason why this is so important is that dogs tend to stick to the names they were called when they were still young and they tie their individual identities to those names similar to how we feel unique with our own names. So, changing a dog’s name during adulthood may confuse it and may lead to an identity crisis because you are basically giving your pet an entirely new identity.

Choose a name that doesn’t sound like the names of your other pets

If this is not your first time getting a dog or if you already own other pets, it is important that you choose a name for your new dog that doesn’t sound like the names of your other pets. The reason is that similar-sounding names can end up confusing your pets such as when you call one pet but the other responds to the call as well.

For example, if you call your first dog “Leo”, it might not be a good idea to call your next dog “Neo”. This is true even if your pets are different animals. Similar names will still end up confusing them especially if the last syllables sound exactly the same.

Use your dog’s personality to your advantage

One of the best ways for you to think of a good name that fits your dog in a unique sense is by using its personality to its advantage. In most cases, dog owners often only use the dog’s physical traits such as its color and size when thinking of a good name. But the name will end up becoming more unique if you also factor in its personality if you are brainstorming a good name for it.

For example, if you have a dog that tends to sleep a lot even though it is actually pretty healthy, you might want to call it Lazy or Sloth. Also, if your dog tends to love cuddling up with you, calling it Cuddles is a good way of matching its name with its personality.

The key here is to first take time to observe your dog when you bring it home. Let it adjust to the environment and to the people around it and wait until it brings out its personality. When it is beginning to show signs of its unique personality, that is when you should try to think of a good name that fits its own individuality.

Factor in your personality as well

Your dog’s personality shouldn’t be the only consideration to think of when you are thinking of a good name for it. In fact, you can also use your own personality as well so that you can match your own unique individuality with that of your dog’s own personality.

For example, if you are a fun-loving and active person and you chose a golden retriever as your dog, try to match that lifestyle with your dog’s name by calling it Runner, Trekker, or Sprint. And if you are more likely to stay at home relaxing and you chose a dog that isn’t too outgoing, calling it Chilly might be a good idea.

So, in that regard, when choosing a dog name that matches your personality, you should also make sure that you are choosing a breed that fits your lifestyle as well. After all, if you are an active person and you chose a bulldog and named it Runner, you’re going to have an ironic situation on your hands.

Do dogs respond better to certain names?

Technically speaking, no. Dogs do not respond to certain fixed names because they don’t really understand what those words mean. But the truth is that dogs do respond better to names that are simpler and easier for them to remember because of how their brains are wired to remember simpler human words and sounds.

Take for example the names Boomer, Lassie, and Cupcake. These are common names that dogs will easily respond to because they are short in terms of their syllables and they are easier to remember for them.

You should also take into consideration how the dog’s name will affect the way you train it. Because basic obedience training involves using the dog’s name over and over again, you have to choose a name that is easier for it to remember so that it could respond to the name better. In fact, experts believe that dogs respond to their names not because they know that those are their names but because they hear those words over and over again and they begin to tie the words to their own unique individuality. 

As such, it is highly important for you to choose a name that dogs respond better to such as names that have shorter syllables and names that are easier to say for you and easier for your dog to remember. Otherwise, you and your furry pal will have a tough time when it comes to basic obedience training because of how calling its name won’t be easy for you and how reacting to its name won’t be simple for your dog.

Sources:

https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-name-advice/

https://www.thesprucepets.com/naming-your-dog-or-puppy-1117329