The Best Names for Dogs

The time has finally come to adopt your dog, and on top of that, it's going to need a nice name to call it. Choosing a name can sometimes be tricky, since there are thousands of dog names out there and most of them are lovely. The first thing we need to know is whether our dog is male or female, to pick the most suitable name.

We'll go over some of the most commonly used names, as well as several of the most original names you can imagine. Many people already know what name they'll give their little furry friend, but if you're still unsure, this information should be a big help.

Remember, once you give your dog a name, it's best not to change it, so it doesn't get confused or go a bit crazy... Imagine if your name got changed every week!! It'd be madness. Even before you start training your dog, you should give it a name so it knows when we're talking to it. Take your time, read through all the names, and jot down the ones you like best on paper so you can narrow it down later.

The Best Dog Names: Original

If you're someone who loves what's new and original in music or movies, choosing a nice, original name surely won't be a problem for you. But in case you're still not sure, maybe these options can help:

As you can see, all it takes is a bit of imagination to come up with a truly nice, original name, especially if it's the name of a famous cartoon, singer, actor, or movie character. You'll have the dog with the funniest name among all your friends, and it'll be the happiest dog of all, seeing it's the center of attention.

The Best Dog Names: Classic

Although original names are a lot of fun, some people prefer timeless, classic dog names, which are also very lovely and widely used. Obviously, depending on the dog's character, size, or build, some names will suit it better than others.

The Best Dog Names: Popular

According to various surveys, these are the most popular dog names today. Some are actually very well known, and others are new — you'll see there are even some quite funny ones. These are names for male dogs, female dogs, and there are even unisex names.

You can choose whichever name you like best and imagine how it'd suit your new four-legged companion. You can even ask it if it likes the name and see how it reacts when you use it to call it — many dogs pick their own name, ha! These aren't in any particular order — just the most popular dog names right now:

• Duke, a curious name that seems to bring nobility to both large dogs and small champions. Maybe someday I'll have a Duke keeping me company too...
• Neymar, every soccer fan knows this great player — a very curious and original name for a dog, without a doubt.
• Casper, only today's youngest kids don't know this funny little ghost who made us all laugh — a classic, original name that's apparently also very popular.
• Lolo, I'd guess it's the male version of Lola... though honestly, we don't know its real origin, but it's a very cool name.
• Rufo, personally, I find this a super funny name, very original and cute for a dog of any size. Though it seems mainly geared toward male dogs...
• Blas, this one's more unisex — it can work for both a male and a female, original, funny, and cute.
• Simba, undoubtedly very popular lately... it's no exaggeration to say I know at least nine dogs with this name. A lovely, cheerful name.
• Lulu, I can't quite picture a Saint Bernard named Lulu, since it makes me laugh, though it'd be super original. But any medium or small breed dog suits such a fun name well.
• Bonnie, a name for a female dog that reminds me of heist movies, ha! A very cool, original name — no wonder it's popular.
• Leia, incredibly popular among both fans and non-fans of the "Star Wars" saga. Very original and lovely, we have to admit.
• Popeye, a classic that doesn't seem to lose steam. Very popular and original at once, ideal for large dogs, or, quite the opposite, also quite fitting for a Bulldog-type dog.
• Iru, a short name that's become very widespread lately. In its original language, Basque, it means "three."
• Cloud, a lovely, original name, very fitting for female dogs looking for something sweet.
• Paco, although this is a name used for humans... the truth is it's also gaining a lot of popularity among dogs. We have to admit it's a very funny, original name to call our dog: Paco!!

How to Properly Choose a Name for My Dog?

We have to admit almost all of us have doubts when choosing a name for our new furry companion, that dog who's just joined the family. Choosing its name shouldn't be a forced or stressful task — we can take all the time we need and think it over calmly, there's no rush at all.

We can choose a name that identifies it based on its appearance or character, like calling it "Rascal" if it's very mischievous, "Popeye" if it's very strong, or "Rufo" if it's a goofball... Sometimes there are names that seem custom-made for these special dogs.

Letting our dog choose the name is also a great option — we can look for the five or six names we like most and ask it which one it likes best. It'll surely show more excitement for one of them than the rest, so now you know how to choose it :)

It's not a good idea (even if we pretend it is) to let our young kids choose a name, since they might come up with "Cookie" or "Socks," and these are names that might not suit them well once they're grown up. Imagine a 60 kg, 7-year-old, muscular, imposing Great Dane named "Cookie"... it just feels off. Obviously, we can let them take part by choosing among names we've already pre-selected.

Remember, puppies grow up, and the name we choose needs to stick with them throughout their life. We shouldn't change our dog's name, or we'll drive it a little crazy...

The Best Names for Male or Female Dogs

Since you can't please everyone, maybe you haven't found the name you were hoping for and you're still unsure. So, we've put together a huge list of names for you to choose from among all the existing ones.

• You can view online or download (right-click and "save as") the list from here: Names for Male Dogs
• And if your dog is female, from here: Names for Female Dogs

We hope that after the hundreds of names we've offered for both male and female dogs, you've managed to settle on a lovely name.