“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
Choosing a name for the new dog in your life can be tricky – it seems like fun, but there are so many great options to choose from, and with a little imagination, the options are quite literally endless!
Trying to find a name that strikes a perfect balance between your personality and theirs is where the solution seems to lie for most. It can help to break up some options under categories that may pique your interest and inspiration, and help to find some more unique ideas than Scrappy or Fido!
To help you along here are 200 of the most unique dog names that we love. If you still haven’t landed on the one that feels right for your new furry friend, follow this link for thousands more to choose from!
Famous personalities
The first stop on the famous-names-theme is that of famous personalities in general, past or present. These can obviously be inspired by figures you admire, or you can even choose one with a sense of irony to make it more entertaining.
Either way, some famous people are well known for particular characteristics and unique personality traits, and these can be interestingly interpreted in a dog with the same name. If music is your passion, then perhaps a music icon would make a great namesake.
Often only one name is predominantly used, such as Elvis for Elvis Presley. Some fun examples include:
- Springsteen (or The Boss)
- Willie Nelson
- Johnny Cash
- Eddie Vedder
- Elvis Presley
- Bono
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Biggie Smalls
- Snoop Dog
- Joni Mitchell
- Tony Romano
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Beyonce
- Otis
- Coco Chanel
- Marlon Brando
- James Dean
- Marilyn Monroe
- Einstein
- Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson
- Hendrix
- Ludwig
- Tom Cruise
- Eminem
- Kanye
- Ernest Hemingway
- (Tom) Hanks
- Pavarotti
- Al Pacino
- Robert De Niro
Movie characters
Whether serious, humorous, or fantasy, favorite movie characters can be a great place to get some inspiration. Examples include:
- Princess Lea
- Chewbacca
- Harry Potter
- Willy Wonka
- Doc
- Luke Skywalker
- Harley Quinn
- Joker
- Bruce Wayne
- Batman
- Superman/woman
- Hermione
- Dumbledore
- Dobby
- Gandalf
- Frodo / Bilbo Baggins
- Captain Jack Sparrow
- Norman Bates (a little dark humor needed for this one!)
- Maximus
- Wednesday Adams
- Groot
- Donnie Darko
- Captain Kirk
- Star Lord
- Gollum
- Wolverine
- Vito Corleone
- Indiana Jones
- Captain America
- Ferris Bueller
- Yoda
- Rocky Balboa
- Forrest Gump
- Thor / Loki
- Ron Burgundy
- James Bond (or rather, Bond, James Bond!)
Famous writers and literary figures
Aspiring or professional writers, or simply those who love to read, may be moved to name their furry friend after a famous writer or literary figure. Some examples are:
- Voltaire
- Beatrix
- Capote
- Agatha
- Clancy
- Emma
- Bronte
- Faulkner
- Gatsby
- Chekhov
- Heathcliff (and Catherine for two dogs)
- Sawyer
- Kafka
- Guinevere
- Romeo (and Juliet)
- Hemingway
- Yeats
- Tolkein
Famous painters
If you’re artistically inclined, you may feel inspired to name your pooch after one of history’s most famous painters, such as:
- Dali
- Frida
- Monet
- Henri
- Van Gogh
- Leonardo
- Gauguin
- Matisse
- Michelangelo
- Rembrandt
- Pablo
- Picasso
- Pollock
- Frida
- Renoir
- Salvador
- Warhol
Food-themed names
For all the foodies, there is a new-ish trend in naming pets after a favorite food – or perhaps just an amusing one! Examples include:
- Milkshake
- Biscuit
- Cookie
- Lambchop
- Waffles
- Soda
- Marshmallow
- BonBon
- Burger
- Beefcake
- Snickers
- Poptart
- Jack Daniels
- Champagne
- Pickles
- Plum
- Pudding (or Pud for short)
- Slider
- Dumpling
- Chicken (perhaps if they are timid!)
- Onion
- Cupcake
- Chorizo
Old-fashioned names
There’s something endearing about a modern-day dog having a lovely, old-fashioned name, and it’s quite a common trend. Some classic examples include:
- Augustus
- Marigold
- Lucille
- Oscar
- Virginia
- Clayton
- Agatha
- Clifford
- Maurice
- Cedric
- Doris
- Emerson
- Percy
- Aida
- Virgil
- Norris
- Emmett
- Dorothy
- Alvin
- Dolores
- Lois
- Franklin
- Ethel
- Gertrude
- Hector
- Gladys
- Ernest
- Victor
- Iris
- Nelson
- Margaret
Size and stature
For some, it makes sense to give a large, big breed dog a grandiose name, for others, there is a humorous irony in giving a tiny pooch a name fit for a gladiator! Either way, here are some great ideas:
- Amadeus
- Gladiator
- Pipsqueek
- Bruiser
- Goliath
- Peanut
- Amazon
- Fairy
- Hercules
- Bubbles
- Nostradamus
- Caesar
- Shorty
- Monster
- Tank
- Sweetpea
- Zeus
- Butch
Destination names
Perhaps you are inspired to name your pooch after a favorite destination – whether you have already visited it or hope to do so one day. Destination names can be quite unique, especially more obscure options. It can be a great way to keep the memories of a special trip or bucket-list destination alive! Here are some examples:
- Sydney
- Montana
- Ireland
- Kingston
- Jamaica
- Denver
- Venice
- Israel
- Monaco
- London
- India
- Dallas
- Santiago
- Egypt
Fashion names
Lastly, here’s some inspiration if you fancy a fashion-related name, perhaps with a bit of a diva twist!
- Chanel
- Mercedes
- Princess
- Gucci
- Manolo
- Lagerfeld
- Dolce (and Gabbana for a pair)
- Cartier
- Tiffany
- Stella
- Prada
- Jimmy Choo
- Louis Vuitton
Final Thoughts
Whatever you choose to call your pooch, chances are they will fit into their name as they will make it their own and bring a whole new meaning to the word with their own unique personality! That said, it’s fun to think up something that feels unique to you and them, so enjoy!
