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Looking for cute dog names? Try these incredible ideas

This list of adorable names will help you pick a moniker

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A mastiff puppy wearing a harness
Crystal Weed / Unsplash

There are a lot of decisions to make when you bring home a new pet, but one of the first things to decide is their name. Some shelter dogs may come to you with a name already, but many dog owners choose to start life anew with a whole new moniker to call their new puppy pal. But how in the world can you decide what to name them?
You simply have to read over these cute dog names! Whether your new companion is big or small, old or young, one of these sweet, classic names is bound to fit them. Of course, take your time while in the throes of this process and do what feels right to you. You truly can’t go wrong!

30 cute dog names for females

A Chow Chow dog wearing white sunglasses
alan King / Unsplash

These are some of the most popular girl dog names in recent years. They may have been used before, but there’s no doubt that they’re classic and cute.

  1. Bella
  2. Luna
  3. Lucy
  4. Daisy
  5. Zoe
  6. Lilly
  7. Lola
  8. Bailey
  9. Stella
  10. Molly
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If none of these tickle your fancy, the dog experts at Rover compiled a list of over 200 cute puppy names for you to browse. These are some of our favorites:

  1. Piper
  2. Skye
  3. Autumn
  4. Brooklyn
  5. Star
  6. Karma
  7. Georgia
  8. Nina
  9. Libby
  10. Pippa
  11. Harper
  12. Addie
  13. Cassie
  14. Kaya
  15. Nellie
  16. Maisie
  17. Rue
  18. Winter
  19. Bambi
  20. Trixie

30 cute dog names for males

Weimaraner puppy with blue eyes sits and looks up
Cedric Clth / Pixabay

If you like popular, even iconic, dog names, try browsing through the AKC’s list of the most popular boy dog names of recent years. You might even know a dog with one of these names already!

  1. Charlie
  2. Max
  3. Cooper
  4. Milo
  5. Buddy
  6. Teddy
  7. Rocky
  8. Bear
  9. Leo
  10. Duke

If you’re looking for something that’s still classic but not so popular, consider one of these from Rover’s long list of boy dog names:

  1. Arlo
  2. Ranger
  3. Enzo
  4. King
  5. Odin
  6. Luka
  7. Storm
  8. Yoshi
  9. Niko
  10. Bodie
  11. Archer
  12. Barley
  13. Elvis
  14. Remy
  15. Simon
  16. Rudy
  17. Wrigley
  18. Cash
  19. Appa
  20. Boone

30 cute nature-inspired puppy names

Three young puppies on grass
Mateja Lemic / Pexels

Whether you’re feeling inspired by springtime blooms or a national park vacation, it’s easy to see why a nature-inspired dog name might fit both your puppy and yourself. Try thinking of anything in nature, from trees to waterfalls and everything in between, to find the perfect moniker for your adventurous new puppy.

  1. Willow
  2. Cedar
  3. Canyon
  4. Oakley
  5. River
  6. Forest
  7. Maple
  8. Aspen
  9. Smokey
  10. Magnolia
  11. Sage
  12. Ash
  13. Rio
  14. Ivy
  15. Huckleberry

For a female puppy, a flowery name may be a better fit. Plus, how cute would it be to pose your new pup with their floral namesake for pictures as they grow?

  1. Cosmo
  2. Petunia
  3. Petal
  4. Daisy
  5. Blossom
  6. Tulip
  7. Hyacinth
  8. Violet
  9. Posie
  10. Lily
  11. Iris
  12. Poppy
  13. Dahlia
  14. Rosie
  15. Marigold

Animal-inspired names for dogs

A brown and white puppy wearing a red collar lies patiently in the grass
David Clark / Unsplash

If you’re an animal lover through and through, you might want to name your new BFF after one of your favorite wild critters. Perhaps your pup has traits that remind you of their namesake, or maybe you just think these names sound cute. There’s no wrong reason to try an animal-inspired name for your pet.

  1. Moose
  2. Teddy
  3. Birdie
  4. Ladybug
  5. Bear
  6. Buck
  7. Foxy
  8. Bunny
  9. Goose
  10. Otter

These 100 names are just starting points for your important journey. You should take your time when choosing your new puppy’s name, as this is what you’ll call them for the next 10 years — at least! Think it over, but be sure to choose a moniker for your pup that you can easily write on a collar ID tag and microchip’s online database.

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Some canine experts also recommend choosing a dog name that isn’t too long, as learning a long name could delay necessary training. At the same time, no two puppies are the same, so don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn’t get the hang of their new name for a while. It’ll happen!

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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…
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