Puppy Names
You’ve got the crate, the chew toys and a tiny furball asleep on your feet. Now comes the fun part: a name. The best puppy names are easy to learn in the first few weeks and still sound right when that fluffball is a grown dog with a gray muzzle.
We’ve pulled together 100 puppy names in themes that work for every breed and size, with a note on what each name means. If you already know you’re naming a girl, head to our girl dog names; boys get their own list of boy dog names. Bringing home a kitten too? Our kitten names page has you covered.
Trending puppy names
These names show up again and again among new puppy registrations and at vet clinics. They’re trendy for good reason: short, cheerful and easy to shout.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Luna | Latin, “moon” | Girl |
| Milo | Germanic, possibly “merciful” | Boy |
| Bella | Italian, “beautiful” | Girl |
| Max | Latin, “greatest” | Boy |
| Daisy | Old English, “day’s eye” | Girl |
| Charlie | English, “free man” | Unisex |
| Nova | Latin, “new” | Girl |
| Cooper | English, “barrel maker” | Boy |
| Ollie | Pet form of Oliver | Boy |
| Willow | The willow tree | Girl |
| Teddy | Pet form of Theodore, “gift of God” | Boy |
| Lucy | Latin, “light” | Girl |
| Winnie | Pet form of Winifred | Girl |
| Finn | Irish, “fair” | Boy |
| Koda | Popularly “friend,” from Dakota | Boy |
| Ivy | Evergreen vine | Girl |
Puppy names they’ll grow into
A name that’s cute at eight weeks and dignified at eight years is the sweet spot.
| Name | Meaning / origin | Why it ages well |
|---|---|---|
| Theo | Greek, “god” | Soft for a puppy, classy for an adult |
| Hazel | Hazel tree | Warm at any age |
| Atlas | Greek titan who held the sky | Perfect for big-breed puppies |
| Juniper | Evergreen shrub | “June” for short |
| Arlo | English, “fortified hill” | Easygoing and timeless |
| Margot | French form of Margaret, “pearl” | Chic and grown-up |
| Wilson | “Son of Will” | Friendly gentleman |
| Olive | The olive tree | Sweet and sophisticated |
| Rufus | Latin, “red-haired” | Great for red dogs |
| Sage | Wise; the herb | Calm and mature |
| Otis | Germanic, “wealth” | Lovably old-fashioned |
| Maeve | Irish, “she who intoxicates” | Queenly |
| Jasper | Persian, “treasurer” | Handsome |
| Penelope | Greek; Odysseus’s loyal wife | “Penny” for short |
Tiny names for little puppies
For toy breeds, runts of the litter and puppies you can hold in one hand. See our small dog names.
| Name | What it means | Why it’s cute |
|---|---|---|
| Pip | A small seed | Tiny and bright |
| Peanut | Small legume | Classic pocket-puppy name |
| Bean | A little bean | Short and funny |
| Pebble | Small stone | Grey or speckled pups |
| Squirt | Small, lively kid | Energetic minis |
| Button | Cute as a button | Button noses |
| Tiny | Very small | Hilarious on a Great Dane |
| Kiwi | Small fuzzy fruit or bird | Brown puppies |
| Pipsqueak | A tiny, noisy person | Yappers |
| Mini | Small | Toy breeds |
| Thumbelina | Thumb-sized fairy-tale heroine | Teacup girls |
| Minnow | A tiny fish | Water puppies |
Food names for puppies
Food names are having a moment, and they often match a puppy’s color. More on our food dog names page.
| Name | Color it suits | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mochi | White or cream | Soft Japanese rice cake |
| Waffles | Golden | Breakfast-table favorite |
| Oreo | Black and white | The cookie |
| Biscuit | Tan | Homey and warm |
| Nacho | Orange-yellow | Fun to shout |
| Pickles | Any | Silly and sassy |
| Tater | Brown | Short for tater tot |
| Dumpling | Round and fluffy | Adorable for chubby pups |
| Sushi | Mixed coats | Short and cute |
| Churro | Cinnamon-brown | Spanish fried pastry |
| Pretzel | Tan | For twisty, wiggly pups |
| Gnocchi | Cream | Italian potato dumplings (say “NYOH-kee”) |
| Pancake | Flat-faced breeds | Pugs and Frenchies |
| Bagel | Tan and round | Curled-up sleepers |
Puppy names from TV, film and books
Famous dogs make instantly recognizable names.
| Name | Where from | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bluey | <em>Bluey</em>, the Australian cartoon heeler | Blue heelers |
| Bingo | Bluey’s little sister | Red heelers |
| Snoopy | <em>Peanuts</em> beagle | Beagles |
| Scooby | <em>Scooby-Doo</em> Great Dane | Big goofy dogs |
| Pongo | <em>101 Dalmatians</em> | Dalmatians |
| Lady | <em>Lady and the Tramp</em> | Cocker spaniels |
| Tramp | <em>Lady and the Tramp</em> | Scruffy mutts |
| Clifford | The big red dog | Red dogs |
| Toto | <em>The Wizard of Oz</em> | Cairn terriers |
| Lassie | Famous heroic collie | Collies |
| Hachi | <em>Hachiko</em>, the loyal Akita | Akitas and Shibas |
| Dug | Pixar’s <em>Up</em> | Goldens |
| Bolt | Disney’s superdog | White dogs |
| Marmaduke | The comic-strip Great Dane | Giant breeds |
| Goofy | Disney’s lovable dog | Clumsy pups |
| Slinky | <em>Toy Story</em> dachshund | Dachshunds |
Outdoorsy puppy names
For hiking buddies, farm dogs and puppies born to be muddy. See our nature names.
| Name | What it is | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| River | Flowing water | Unisex |
| Aspen | Mountain tree | Unisex |
| Ranger | Park guardian | Boy |
| Birch | White-barked tree | Unisex |
| Fern | Woodland plant | Girl |
| Rocky | Rocky ground | Boy |
| Canyon | Deep valley | Boy |
| Clover | Lucky plant | Girl |
| Timber | Wood | Boy |
| Wren | Small songbird | Girl |
| Bramble | Blackberry bush | Unisex |
| Moss | Soft green plant | Unisex |
| Storm | Stormy weather | Unisex |
| Poppy | Red wildflower | Girl |
Names that describe puppy personality
Watch your puppy for a few days, then pick a name that fits.
| Name | Personality | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Ziggy | Zigzagging zoomies | Boy |
| Scout | Curious explorer | Unisex |
| Chaos | Absolute mayhem | Unisex |
| Snooze | Always napping | Unisex |
| Bandit | Steals socks | Boy |
| Sassy | Full of attitude | Girl |
| Wiggles | Can’t stop wiggling | Unisex |
| Chewie | Chews everything (and a <em>Star Wars</em> nod) | Boy |
| Dash | Fastest pup in the litter | Boy |
| Cuddles | Lap puppy | Unisex |
| Bossy | Leader of the litter | Girl |
| Echo | Barks back at everything | Girl |
| Rascal | Mischief maker | Boy |
| Zippy | Always running | Girl |
How to choose and teach your puppy’s name
- Pick one or two syllables. Short names are easiest for puppies to learn. Long names are fine as long as there’s a short call name.
- Wait a few days. Personality shows up fast. The puppy you thought was a Duchess might turn out to be a Chaos.
- Avoid command sound-alikes. Names like “Kit” (sit), “Bo” (no) or “Stay-cee” (stay) muddle training.
- Teach it with treats. Say the name in a happy voice, and reward the moment your puppy looks at you. Repeat in short sessions several times a day.
- Never use the name for scolding. Keep the name linked to good things so your puppy always wants to come when called.
- Think about the adult size. Check our big dog names if your puppy has giant paws.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular puppy name?
Luna, Bella, Max, Charlie, Milo and Daisy are consistently among the most popular dog names in the US.
How long does it take a puppy to learn its name?
Most puppies start responding to their name within a few days to two weeks with consistent, positive practice.
Can I rename a puppy from a breeder or shelter?
Yes. Puppies learn new names quickly, and even adult dogs adapt within a couple of weeks when you pair the new name with treats and praise.
Should a puppy name have two syllables?
Two syllables are ideal for most dogs: long enough to stand out from everyday speech, short enough to say quickly.
What are cute unisex puppy names?
Charlie, River, Scout, Aspen, Sage, Mochi and Biscuit all work for either a boy or a girl.