Discover 200 unique dog names that aren’t overdone

So, you’re bringing home a new dog. Congratulations! There are a lot of fun and memorable times ahead of you, but first, you’ll need to make a few decisions. Some choices, such as what to feed your dog and where your friend will sleep, can take some trial and error, but there are some fun decisions you’ll need to make, too. Of course, this includes giving your new BFF a name!

Unique dog names can be tricky to come up with, but it’s worth the extra time and thought to give your pup a name that no one else will have. And if you do hear the same name over the internet or in your local dog park, you’ll immediately have a new friend! To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 200 unique dog names, including monikers for girl dogs, boy dogs, and even pairs of pups. Will you find your new dog’s name?

How to choose a unique dog name

With limitless name options available to you and your newly adopted dog, choosing a name can feel overwhelming. To help you narrow it down, start by looking for names that stand out to you. Whether it’s the name of your favorite cartoon character, homage to your hometown, or just a silly word that makes you smile, selecting a name you truly love can make a world of difference. Remember, your dog will learn to recognize their name, but they won’t know what it means or represents — that part is just for you to enjoy.

To select a name that your dog will also enjoy, make sure to pick one that isn’t too long. One or two-syllable names are the easiest for your dog to recognize and learn, so consider calling them by a nickname if your heart is set on a long, formal name. For example, if you name your dog something complicated like Sir Remington Bartholemew, be sure to use “Remy” when training and calling them.

Similarly, be sure not to use a name that sounds similar to another word or obedience training command you’ll use with your pup. This could lead to lots of confusion! A moniker like Kit may be adorable for a female dog, but it will make learning “sit” that much trickier.

40 unique dog names for female dogs

If your new puppy or rescue dog is a girl, you’ll want to think of a name that’s just as pretty, majestic, or mystical as they are. No matter what their vibe is, though, there are plenty of unique dog names to choose from. These are just a few of our favorites.

1. Aggie
2. Alaska
3. Arya
4. Beatrix
5. Bertha
6. BonBon
7. Champagne
8. Dahlia
9. DJ
10. Dulce
11. Effie
12. Fable
13. Freya
14. Gaia
15. Hattie
16. Hermione
17. Jewel
18. Jules
19. Lolly
20. London
21. Mairi
22. Maude
23. Maxie
24. Meeka
25. Nessie
26. Noel
27. Paloma
28. Pansy
29. Queenie
30. Reina
31. Ray
32. Riesling
33. Sable
34. Sequoia
35. Seraphina
36. Sookie
37. Tiabeanie
38. Tinsley
39. Uma
40. Zara

40 unique dog names for male dogs

Male dogs deserve unique names that match their personalities, too. Whether you take inspiration from sports, pop culture, or even food, your options are literally endless. Try out these rare names to get the ball rolling, but feel free to brainstorm dog names yourself, too.

1. Ajax
2. Argo
3. Bartleby
4. Bauer
5. Beckham
6. Blitz
7. Boudin
8. Canyon
9. Chex
10. Chorizo
11. Conan
12. Corduroy
13. Fenrir
14. Fettuccini
15. Epic
16. Galileo
17. Gator
18. Hemingway
19. Hobbes
20. Jeff
21. Jethro
22. Kobi
23. Lore
24. Luigi
25. Lumiere
26. Magnus
27. Naveen
28. Poncho
29. Prentice
30. Ruckus
31. Ryker
32. Stash
33. Tahoe
34. Tonka
35. Tuck
36. Tugboat
37. Valiant
38. Wizard
39. Yonder
40. Ziggy

40 unique dog names for girls or boys

Perhaps you’d like to have a name selected before you pick your perfect pup, or maybe your newly adopted dog doesn’t give masculine or feminine vibes. There are tons of reasons to choose a gender-neutral name for dogs, whether or not it’s one of the monikers from this list.

1. Acorn
2. Bagel
3. Bijou
4. Bug
5. Cannoli
6. Churro
7. Cricket
8. Donut
9. Eclair
10. French Fry
11. Georgie
12. Happy
13. Hurricane
14. Indie
15. Jupiter
16. Kiba
17. Klondike
18. Kodiak
19. Marvel
20. Memphis
21. Milkshake
22. Moonpie
23. Monkey
24. Navy
25. Nimbus
26. Nyx
27. Ocean
28. Pip
29. Polaris
30. Pym
31. Reeses
32. Royal
33. Sage
34. Sorrel
35. Sterling
36. Tate
37. Toast
38. Valentine
39. Waffle
40. Zaire

80 unique names for pairs of dogs

Sometimes, two is better than one! Whether you’re adopting littermate puppies or a bonded pair of shelter dogs, selecting two names can be twice as tricky. There are many occasions when a pair of dogs go home together, so it’s only fitting that their names go together, too.

1. Apple & Cider
2. Bart & Lisa
3. Bumble & Bee
4. Bud & Weiser
5. Chili & Pepper
6. Colby & Jack
7. Coco & Chanel
8. Cosmo & Wanda
9. Delta & Dawn
10. Dippin & Dot
11. Dolce & Gabbana
12. Franklin (Roosevelt) & Winston (Churchill)
13. Harry & Potter
14. Hershey & Kisses
15. Homer & Marge
16. King & Queen
17. Kit & Kat
18. Jack & Daniel
19. Jetsam & Flotsam
20. Lightning & Mater
21. Lilo & Stitch
22. Lois & Lane
23. Mac & Cheese
24. Mary & Jane
25. Mike & Ike
26. Miss Piggy & Kermit
27. Napoleon & Dynamite
28. Olive & Pimento
29. Phineas & Ferb
30. Pork & Beans
31. Pooh & Piglet
32. Rhyme & Reason
33. Rock & Roll
34. Spongebob & Patrick
35. Sugar & Spice
36. Tequila & Sunrise
37. Wallace & Gromit
38. Woody & Buzz
39. Yogi & Boo Boo
40. Yzma & Kronk

We hope this list reminds you that inspiration for your dog’s name can come from literally anywhere. Even glancing around the room and saying random words can get the ball rolling, so don’t overthink it. Once you find the most fitting name for your new dog, you can start their training (and your bonding) by teaching it to them.