5 Great Tips For Naming Your New Puppy

March 12, 2021

Choosing a name for your new puppy can be challenging, especially if you’re a new puppy parent. What name best fits your adorable four-legged friend? Is it memorable enough? Does it match your puppy’s personality? Can you make a nickname out of it? Even for puppies, a name can mean a lot so it’s important to take some time to think about it. With the right name, you’ll be able to continue developing a close bond with your fur-baby.

We know how tricky it can be to pick a good name. That’s why we’ve come up with 5 great tips that can help you pick out a name that best fits your puppy. Let’s take a quick look at each!

1. Start with a sound.

Every name consists of sounds and syllables. As such, start brainstorming a name for your puppy by thinking of how you want it to sound like. For example, do you want your puppy’s name to sound tough? Then pick a name that starts with a sharp sound. Names that begin with K, D, T, J, or R usually have that distinct trait. 

If you want your puppy to have a softer-sounding name, you should search for names that start with the letter S, F, M, or A. You should also consider whether your puppy will be able to hear their name. A name that ends with an ‘a” or “e” produces a sound that’s easier for your puppy’s ears to pick up. Some names that fit these criteria include “Bella”, “ Rocky”, “Buddy”, or “Maya”. 

2. Keep it short.

While it may sound like a good idea at first, giving your puppy a long name can cause problems. For example, longer names are a lot harder to remember. Your puppy may not catch on to their name quickly. You may need more time to train your puppy to learn its name. With a short name, your puppy and other people will be able to learn it faster. A short name should be kept simple—either one or two syllables like “Bella” or “Max”. 

If you would rather give your puppy a long name, make sure to think about possible nicknames you can use. For example, names like “Lady Barksalot” can be shortened to “Lady” or “Barks” so that it’s easy and faster to say than the full name. Make sure to test out the name a few times. You may end up picking a shorter version of your favorite long name.

3. Make sure to avoid commands.

At some point, you will need to give some commands to your new puppy. Avoid confusion by giving your fur-baby a name that doesn’t sound like a basic command. For example, names like “Downey” may sound like a cute homage to your favorite Hollywood actor but it can easily be confused with the commands “down” or “stay down”. 

Other commands you’ll likely give your puppy include “no”, “sit”, “come”, and “fetch.” Make sure your puppy’s name doesn’t share similarities with these commands. The last thing you want is for your puppy to mistake their name for a command (or vice versa). Remember dogs cannot tell the difference between rhyming words. With a name that sounds like a command, your puppy may have a harder time during training. Prevent these headaches by choosing another cute name!

4. Look back at your puppy’s breed heritage. 

If you’re looking for inspiration from your puppy, try looking at their breed’s roots. Many popular dog breeds originated in Europe. The Welsh Corgi, for example, is originally from Wales so you can use a popular Welsh name like “Cai” or “Eres” to honor their heritage. Other dog breeds like the Dachshund, Weimaraner, and German Shepherd originated in Germany. Why not use a cute German name to reflect their background?

Of course, make sure to research popular names in these countries thoroughly. You can even search for popular names for your puppy’s specific breed in each country. Create a list and consider each name carefully. Avoid picking a name that would be difficult to pronounce in English. 

5. Try out the name.

Once you’ve chosen a name for your puppy, you’re ready to test it out. Just try out the name with your puppy for a couple of days. Watch how your fur-baby reacts to it. Are they confused or excited when they hear their name? Does your puppy’s name “feel” right? Is it easy to say out loud? If your puppy does not react to the name, don’t be discouraged. Try using a nickname or a shortened version of the name. For more tips on teaching your puppy how to learn their name, read our blog, How To Teach Your Dog to Recognize Their Name.

Don’t stress out too much over the name of your puppy. The tips we listed above are just suggestions to help you. Be sure to use your creativity and imagination to pick a beautiful name that your puppy will love. Once you pick a name, make sure to teach your puppy to learn it as quickly as you can.