Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

50 amazing boy dog names to consider for your new puppy

Find your puppy the perfect moniker with these aesthetic male names

By
An Australian cattle dog puppy wearing a blue harness sits in a grassy yard.
Nuseapp / Shutterstock

So, you’re bringing home a new puppy. Congratulations! Preparing to add four more paws to your family can be one of the most exciting and joyful things you’ll ever do, but there are also a lot of decisions to be made. What food will they eat? Where will they sleep? And perhaps most importantly — what will their name be?

While things like dog beds and collars can be replaced over time, your dog’s name will be around forever. Because of this, it’s perfectly understandable to feel overwhelmed by this decision. After all, the options are quite literally endless.

Recommended Videos

This list of 50 boy dog names is a great place to start if you’re unsure what your pup’s moniker will be. If there isn’t a name that stands out, you can at least get an idea of what type of name you like. Will it be something classic or something more unique?

The most popular boy dog names

A Yellow Lab puppy wearing a blue collar looks up
Taylor Kopel / Unsplash

Many people like to think of something unique to name their dog, but this isn’t always necessary. Sometimes, a classic name is all you need to represent your perfect puppy. Some of the most popular boy dog names from the American Kennel Club are as traditional as they come, but some are cuter and more modern. Here are a few examples:

  • Max
  • Teddy
  • Buddy
  • Oliver/Ollie
  • Rex
  • Scout
  • Milo
  • Jack
  • Cooper
  • Chance

Boy dog names based on mythology and folklore

A cute red and white puppy tilts their head
Mary Swift / Alamy

If you’re a fan of folklore and myths, you already have glossaries of dog name options at your disposal. Not all of these names fit just any dog, however, so you’ll have to consider your puppy’s breed and personality when choosing a name. These are some of the favorite dog names from Greek, Norse, Roman, and English tales.

  • Zeus
  • Apollo
  • Poseidon
  • Achilles
  • Loki
  • Odin
  • Thor
  • Merlin
  • Brutus
  • Cesar

Boy dog names from pop culture

A black and brown puppy lies in the grass and looks to the side
Laura Baker / Unsplash

If you want to give your puppy a name that’s a nod to the pop culture of the time they grew up in, these are some to consider. Luckily, many of these names are classic or cool, too.

Related

You might take inspiration from your favorite musicians, such as the Jonas Brothers (Jonas), Noah Kahan (Noah), or even Drake. If you’re more of a TV or movie buff, consider:

  • Pedro or Pascal (no explanation necessary)
  • Ken or Allen (from the Barbie franchise)
  • Anthony, Benedict, or Simon (from Bridgerton)

A few others to think about:

  • Travis (for Travis Kelce from the Kansas City Chiefs, aka “Taylor Swift’s boyfriend”)
  • Harry or William, as a nod to the Princes

Old-fashioned or vintage-inspired boy dog names

A husky puppy sits in the grass and looks up at their owner during training.
Christian Muller / Adobe Stock

If naming your new dog after one of the British Royal Family members makes you smile, you may want to try out an old-fashioned or vintage-inspired boy dog name for your new little prince.

  • Henry
  • Charles (bonus points if they’re a Cavalier King Charles spaniel)
  • Gatsby
  • Louie
  • Walter
  • Atticus
  • Barney

Boy dog names based on nature and animals

a Havanese dog sits in the grass with a leash on
Ryan B Photography / Shutterstock

If you’re an outdoorsy dog owner who will be taking your furry friend on lots of hikes and vacations, you may want to think about nature or animal-inspired male dog names for your pup. These are some of our favorites.

  • Rocky
  • Bear
  • Moose
  • Aspen
  • Storm
  • Forest
  • Shasta
  • Ranger
  • Oakley
  • Zion (or something from your favorite national park)

There’s no end to the names you can give your pup, but only you can tell which name is the perfect fit. It’s OK if it doesn’t come to you right away because you’re bound to find your new puppy the perfect moniker in no time.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Everything to know about the puggle
Thinking of getting a puggle? Here some facts about this beloved breed
Puggle on a moss log

Are you torn between a beagle and a pug? You might consider getting a puggle. Maybe you're three giant steps ahead of us, met a puggle at an adoption event, and have fallen head over heels (or perhaps that's nose over paws). As the mash-up name implies, a puggle is a mix of a beagle and a pug. The dogs can have physical and behavioral traits commonly found in these popular breeds, such as a pug's squishy face and friendliness and a beagle's powerful nose and curiosity.

Puggles can also inherit some health issues from these breeds. While no two dogs are alike, understanding common characteristics is an excellent early step in pet parenthood. Researching puggles is a bit complicated, though. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the breed, so there's no official standard. Still, decades of experience allow us to generalize about a puggle's appearance and behavior.
What is a puggle?

Read more
This is how you stop your dog from constantly begging at the table
If you give in, you're reinforcing this bad behavior
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel begs for food at the table.

Your dog is your best friend, and you've been through a lot together. From walks in the park to daily snuggles on the sofa, you share almost everything with your pooch. One thing you don't want to share? Your food. If you're noshing on chocolate or a full plate of spaghetti, you should know that many human foods are actually toxic to your pup and should never be shared.

But even if you're eating a pet-safe snack, like a turkey sandwich, you probably don't want your beastie begging for food every time you sit down to a meal. Have you ever wondered what prompts a dog begging for food when they get plenty to eat? We're here to dish out the scoop on why pooches beg and how you can get them to stop. 
Is dog begging a learned behavior?

Read more
Is your dog refusing to eat? There are a few possible causes
Loss of appetite in dogs might be a problem or it may be just fine. Here's how to find the cause
A puppy stares at a bowl of dry kibble

Just like people, dogs have their own distinctive personalities and preferences -- especially when it comes to food! Some pups are notorious chowhounds, while others are dainty eaters. However, any pet parent has a right to be concerned when their dog's appetite or eating behaviors change. Whether your pooch has been with you for years or you've recently adopted a new puppy, few things frighten a pet parent more than watching their beloved dog not eating his favorite meal.

Thankfully, your dog might refuse to eat for all sorts of reasons, not all emergencies. That being said, you should never assume your pet is just a finicky eater, as he may require veterinary care. Let's take a closer look at a few reasons your dog may not be eating and what you should do about his loss of appetite.
What if your dog isn't eating but is still drinking water?

Read more