Choosing a pet name

Poochles list of top pet names to inspire you.

best names for dogs

Choosing the perfect name for your pet

best names for dogs

Choosing a perfect name for your pet can be one of the most important steps you take in bonding with your pet. If your heart feels a "shadow" but you actually name your pet "fluffy", errr.. it just doesn't sit right.  


At the same time, just because your heart feels the perfect name for your black labrador is "Skeletor", you don want to name your dog something like that, only to find your grandma and grandpa think your dog is the devil incarnate from Cujo. 


Choosing the right name for your pet is an art, and it has a little bit of science in it too 😃

How to choose the right name for your pet

Take time to feel out your pet. Most people spend a day or two with their puppy to get a feel for his characteristics before naming them. Of course, then there are others that just instantly know if their puppy is a "Cookie" or a "Raja".  

The art and science of naming your pet


Many pet parents regret their pet names because they didn't think their name through. And trust us, changing a pets name midway is not ideal! Some jump to the "IN" thing of naming their pet ( wink wink, maybe after a certain show on HBO with dragons and wolves, which is one of the most common dog names by the way) and realize later that it was a mistake. Others sometimes feel the pressure to conform to a family tradition and end up with a name they don't like too much.

You don’t want to be any of those pet parents. To make sure you name your pet appropriately here is a simple process to follow. So either girl or boy puppy, you'll know you chose the right name for your furbaby.

  • Get everyone who has a say involved in choosing the pet name. Your nanni is important? Get her in. Your brother not so much? Chuck him out.
  • Write down chits of 5 name preferences from everyone.
  • Break down 3-5 random categories like "Coolness Factor", "Personality Match", "Gut Feeling" etc.
  • Now after you get the chits in, pick each chit as a group, and assign each name a 10 point score on the 3 categories above.
  • For example, Ninja gets a 5 from you on coolness, 7 on personality, and 9 on gut feeling. And your dad rates the same name 5,8, and 10.
  • In the end, tally all points and just go with the one with the highest points. You'll find that this activity involves everyone, and at the end you will choose a name, that somehow seems to satisfy everyone.
  • Art and science people! You'll find that the bonding you create for the pet with your family through this exercise is invaluable. 👍

Lists of top pet names

Pet names based on appearance

  • Brownie, great for brown coloured dogs, especially labs.
  • Fluffy, for the soft furred ones. And no this is not just a cat name.
  • Truffle, for the dark brown and black furred pets.
  • Cocoa/Coco, this isn't too hard to guess right?
  • Snowy, Classic and popular pet name for white fur.
  • Raja/Rani, for those regal pets
  • Dusty, Another favorite for light brown colored pets.
  • Devil, strange as it may seem, a very popular name for black fur pets.
  • Snowflake, again for the light coloured pets.
  • Honey, because all pets are sweet, no?
  • Oreo, cant go wrong for brown and white fur
  • Allegra, This name means upbeat, so it may be a good pick if you’ve got a happy-go-lucky dog

Pet names based on character

  • Maximus/Max, after the movie 300. Very popular name for brave pets
  • Leo/Simba, lion king fans just love naming their pets this.
  • Happy, for the pets that bring happiness into our lives.
  • Buddy, for someone thats always by your side
  • Snowy, Classic and popular pet name for white fur.
  • Raja/Rani, for those regal pups
  • Dusty, Another favorite for light brown colored dogs.
  • Devil, strange as it may seem, a very popular name for black fur dogs.
  • Snowflake, again for the light coloured pups.
  • Diesel, a very popular dog and cat name, and can be unisex too.
  • Diesel, a very popular dog and cat name, and can be unisex too.

Pet names based on movies

  • Leo, lion king fans just love naming their pets this.
  • Bailey, I'm guessing this is not after the drink... 
  • Bella/Ella, Snow white fans anyone? 
  • Lucy, half a dozen movie dog names.
  • Marley, you have got to watch the movie, you will love this name!
  • Ghost, after John Snow named his wolf, 1 in 3 huskies are called ghost.
  • Hachiko, after the world famous movie of the brave dog. 
  • Hugo, another very popular name for both dogs and cats. 
  • Cassie, great for dogs and cats that have free spirit. 
  • Loki/Thor, because can you get better than these two brothers?
  • Yoda, this pet knows all. 
  • Mickey, nope this pet is no mouse. Just adorable thats all. 

Pet names based on mythology

  • Zeus, the greek lord of lightning is it? 
  • Odin: the most noble and important god.
  • Valkyrie: beautiful, strong and warrior women, they brought heroes fallen in battle to Vallhala.
  • Vidar: melancholic and sad, this god solves any conflict.
  • Váli: god of archer soldiers.
  • Artemis: virgin goddess of hunting, giving birth and animals.
  • Athena: virgin goddess of wisdom.
  • Chanakya, one that symbolizes wisdom.
  • Apollo: god of light, the sun, poetry and archery.
  • Hercules: strong and powerful demi-god.
  • Echo: nymph who was banished by Zeus.
  • Pluto: god of hell and wealth.

Top pet names in random

Ace
Apollo
Bailey
Bandit
Baxter
Bear
Beau
Benji
Benny
Bentley
Blue
Bo
Boomer
Brady
Brody
Bruno
Brutus
Bubba
Buddy
Buster
Cash
Champ
Chance
Charlie
Chase
Chester
Chico
Coco
Cody
Cooper
Copper
Dexter
Diesel
Duke



Elvis
Finn
Frankie
George
Gizmo
Gunner
Gus
Hank
Harley
Henry
Hunter
Jack
Jackson
Jake
Jasper
Jax
Joey
Kobe
Leo
Loki
Louie
Lucky
Luke
Mac
Marley
Max
Mickey
Milo
Moose
Murphy
Oliver
Ollie
Oreo
Oscar


Otis
Peanut
Prince
Rex
Riley
Rocco
Rocky
Romeo
Roscoe
Rudy
Rufus
Rusty
Sam
Sammy
Samson
Scooter
Scout
Shadow
Simba
Sparky
Spike
Tank
Teddy
Thor
Toby
Tucker
Tyson
Vader
Winston
Yoda
Zeus
Ziggy

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