How to Pick A Name For Your New Puppy

May 26, 2021

There’s nothing more precious than meeting your new puppy for the first time. After you start to get to know your furry soulmate, you need to think about what to do next. For many new owners, it’s picking out a perfect name. Naming puppies can be a lot harder than you think—you’ll want something that really sticks. You may also want a name that summarizes your puppy’s personality, size, or breed as well. 

If you aren’t sure where to start or lack inspiration, here are a few ideas that can put you on the right track!

1. Consider your dog’s size.

Puppies come in all shapes and sizes so why not pick a name that matches their size? For example, you can name your large dog something strong or fierce-sounding like Thor, Athena, or Bear. For smaller dogs, you can choose names like Tiny, Tinkerbell, or Coco. You can also go the opposite way like give your large dog a name that’s typically for smaller dogs—and vice versa. Your puppy will catch a lot of attention either way!

2. Use a gender-based name.

If your puppy acts like a lady or a gentleman, it’s a good idea to give them a name that reflects their gender. There are countless gender-based names that are perfect for adorable fur-babies like yours! For female puppies, some great names to pick from include Angel, Lulu, and of course, Princess. You can also choose feminine names for girls like Rosie, Jasmine, or Addy. For male puppies, you don’t have to settle for tough dog names. You can opt for something simple like Buddy, Lucky, Peanut, or Benji. You can also check out AKC’s lists of top 100 dog names for males or females for more options. 

3. Get to know your puppy’s personality.

Every puppy has a distinct personality, regardless of its breed. When your puppy comes home, take some time to learn about them! What are their likes and dislikes? How do they normally act around you? Once you have an idea of your puppy’s personality, it can help you decide on a name that’s a perfect match. For example, if your puppy is very energetic and happy-go-lucky, names like Bubbles, Sunny, Buzz, or Scooter are great choices! 

4. Think outside the box.

When in doubt, think outside of the box! Your puppy’s name doesn’t have to be unoriginal—you can choose anything you want. Just make sure it’s appropriate and pronounceable. You can make up a name on your own or pick something unusual like Popcorn or Blizzard. Don’t be afraid to go too weird or unexpected when it comes to your puppy’s name. Some celebrities have named their dog after things like Meatball, Taco, and Wink.

5. Use a dog name generator.

If you still can’t decide on a good name for your puppy, don’t hesitate to use a dog name generator. There’s plenty of websites online that serve as name generators. Most of these sites may ask you to list your puppy’s gender, personality, breed, and other traits before giving you a list of potential puppy names. Some name generators will also allow you to choose certain themes or styles for your puppy’s name so that it’s more personalized. My Dog’s Name, PupBox, and PawClub are a few name generators that can help you get started. You can also use a name generator to combine different names and come up with something original for your pup!

Choosing a name for your puppy can be challenging but fun! Don’t stress too much over your puppy’s name. If you decide that your puppy’s name isn’t the right fit, you can always pick another name. Remember: you’ll need to teach your furry friend to learn their name so if you change it, it may be harder for your fur-baby to learn it again. Regardless of what you pick, your puppy will be sure to love it. 

Check out our other blog, 5 Weird Dog Habits You Should Know to learn about your puppy’s strange but natural habits!

✓ The information on this website is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.