Captivating and Creative Names for Male Dogs

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male lab puppy

The best boy dog names have that feel good factor. But it can be challenging to come up with original ideas for your new puppy. And to get your family members to agree!  

Why not get everyone in  your household to write their favorite names down on a piece of paper, and stick it to your refrigerator.

Each day, you can take it in turns to strike out the least popular puppy name. You will quickly narrow your shortlist down to a boy dog name you all adore!

Contents

Good guy dog names don’t have to be traditionally masculine. We’ll show you how to find inspiration for awesome and unique male dog names in some unlikely places. 

There’s something in our themed name lists for everyone. Got your pen and paper ready? Let’s choose the perfect male puppy name for your new friend.

yellow labrador boy

Top Male Dog Names

These are the boy animal names that are trending right now and include some great American boy names too!

  • Max (greatest)
  • Bear
  • Toby (God is good)
  • Lucky
  • Cooper (barrel maker)
  • Teddy
  • Loki (God of mischief)
  • Rocky
  • Finn (fair)
  • Wagner (wagon driver)
  • Bruno (brown)
  • Buddy (friend)
  • Duke (leader)
  • Zeus (God of sky)
  • Jasper (treasurer)
  • Ziggy
  • Milo (soldier)
  • Ollie
  • Bailey (steward)
  • Jack (god is gracious)
  • Oscar (champion warrior)
  • Gizmo
  • Thor (god of thunder)
  • Ozzy
  • Harley
  • Winston (joyful stone)
  • Ace (leader)
  • Murphy (warrior of the sea)
  • Blu
  • Blue
  • Arlo (fortified hill)
  • Brody (protector)
  • Leo (lion)
  • Henry (house ruler)
  • Tank
  • Griffin (mythical beast)
  • Buster (tough guy)
  • Comet
  • Bruiser
  • Bruce (woods)
  • Cash
  • Baxter (baker)
  • Cosmo
  • Diesel
  • Banjo
  • Gunner
  • Jax

The right dog name for your gorgeous boy puppy is out there. Names are so much more than a way to get your boy dog to come when you call. Dog names establish identities, and help your dog to find a special place in your family.

Popular Male Dog Names

Do you like to capture the zeitgeist , or would you prefer your puppy name to have stood the test of time? These dog names for boys have topped male pet names lists for years:

  • Max
  • Charlie
  • Cooper
  • Jack
  • Rocky
  • Bear
  • Duke
  • Toby
  • Tucker
  • Jake
  • Oliver
  • Teddy
  • Harley
  • Riley
  • Cody
  • Lucky

Boy Names for Dogs

Your perfect dog name could come from a classic boys’ names . 

There’s a trend towards giving our dogs human names.  It’s a logical progression from thinking of your pet as part of your family. 

You are saying that in your heart, your dog has the same status as other people. So here are more names for boy dogs that are human names too: 

  • Thomas (twin)
  • Caleb (bold, brave)
  • Lucas (bringer of light)
  • Jackson (son of Jack)
  • Wyatt (brave warrior)
  • Gabriel (God is my strength)
  • Carter
  • Asher (happy)
  • Dylan (son of the sea)
  • Cliff
  • Ron (mountain of strength)
  • Monty

Uncommon Boy Names for Male Dogs

Your hobbies and your interests can provide a flash of inspiration, or check this off-the-wall list to find creative boy dog names for your new puppy.

  • Turner (woodworker)
  • Cedric (kindly)
  • Seamus (supplanter)
  • Gilbert (bright promise)
  • Harris (son of Harry)
  • Lyle (the island)
  • Reuben (behold a son)
  • Heath
  • Alistair (defender of the people)
  • Douglas (black river)

We had some nice human male dog names in our Dog Name Survey, too. Here were some of our favorites:

  • Keanu (cool breeze)
  • Benedict (blessed)
  • Jonah (dove)
  • Clive (slope)
  • Victor (winner)

Unique Male Dog Names

These one of a kind dog names won’t be found anywhere else on your street!

  • Zyron
  • Hurricane
  • Odin
  • Corvus
  • Inchyra
  • Stirling
  • Lulworth
  • Hobbs
  • Auster
  • Fisher
  • Moss
  • Ash

Place Names for Male Dogs

One way to find cute boy puppy names is to pick a theme you like and see where it leads you. I’ve come up with this list by thinking of American places and landmarks:

  • Smoky
  • Rio
  • Elias
  • Sanford
  • Huron
  • Tahoe
  • Kennedy
  • Rockefeller
  • Bryce
  • Cimarron (This could be reckless, since cimarrón is Spanish for “wild” or “untamed”!)
  • Cartwright
  • Zoar (Cartwright and Zoar are both small settlements in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada)

Cute Boy Dog Names

Will your dog be the baby of the family even when he’s fully grown? Here are some cute boy dog names for your eternally adorable puppy.

  • Angel
  • Beau
  • Prince
  • Babe
  • Jesse
  • Bodhi
  • Blue
  • Zebedee
  • Neo (Neo means both “new” in Greek and “gift” in Tswana – how perfect?)
  • Fuzz
  • Cupid

Cool Dog Names Male Dogs Will Love

Is your dog going to be a legend in his own time? Obviously what’s cool is a matter of taste and perception, and I’m not saying that I’m an authority on what definitely is cool. But I might be.

  • Ace
  • Maverick
  • Ryker
  • Bix
  • Frank
  • Cash
  • Toro
  • Bogart
  • Dylan
  • Jet
  • Orion
  • Loki

There were some seriously ice cold names in our Dog Name Survey, as well. Try these on for size:

  • Astro
  • Yeti
  • Nitro
  • Bohdi
  • Cowboy
  • Knight

Cute Dog Names for Boys

There seems to be a trend at the moment for naming animals after other animals. Have you read the A Cat Called Mouse story books, and Rhino the hamster in the Disney film Bolt? Whether you rate it or hate it, here are some more suggestions that might work for your new male dog:

  • Wolf
  • Tiger
  • Raven
  • Bear
  • Lynx
  • Puma
  • Fox
  • Sparrow
  • Buffalo (or just Buff!)
  • Gopher

Good Boy Dog Names

Do you have a hunch that your dog will be a loyal, reliable and upstanding member of the canine community? Honor his noble side with one of these good male pet names:

  • Noah
  • Lincoln
  • Theodore
  • Sam
  • Joe
  • Captain
  • Norman
  • Benjamin
  • Seth
  • George
  • Pops

Unusual Male Dog Names

An unusual name will help your pup stand out in the park, and be a great ice-breaker when you’re doing that all-important socializing:

  • Beckett
  • Bayer
  • Darwin
  • Huxley
  • Logan
  • Falstaff
  • Womble
  • Sunny
  • Tanner

Here are some great male dog names that only came up once in our names survey.

  • Farmer
  • Mojo
  • Bullseye
  • Cheeto
  • Bungee
  • Biggie
  • Rocket

Big Dog Names for Male Dogs

Was your pup the biggest in the litter? Or are you renaming a rescue dog who’s already head and shoulders above his friends? These names all call great size to mind:

  • Titus
  • Groot (as well as a Marvel hero, groot is the Dutch word for “large” although the Dutch pronunciation is tricky! )
  • Hercules
  • Jupiter
  • Montaro (Japanese name meaning “big boy”)
  • Orson (Latin name meaning “bear”)
  • Odin
  • Berg (berg means “mountain” in several Germanic languages)
  • Tan
  • Redwood
  • Everest
  • Elbrus (Mount Elbrus is the tallest mountain in Russia and Europe)

That’s just a taster of course! We have three hundred and fifty more big dog name ideas just waiting for you!

Your Little Puppy

Is your puppy more mini than max? 

These boy dog names celebrate the smaller end of the scale. After all, the best things come in little parcels. 

  • Pebble
  • Bean
  • Peagreen (from The Borrowers)
  • Frodo (from The Lord of the Rings)
  • Atom
  • Kerwin (Gaelic name meaning ‘little black one’)
  • Beetle
  • Nugget
  • Acorn

Great Dog Names Male

Some dogs are born great, and others have greatness thrust upon them. Recognize their nobility with one of these strong male dog names:

Male Dog Names
  • William (I can hardly paraphrase his words without including Shakespeare’s name!)
  • Armstrong
  • Endeavor
  • Sirius
  • Nelson
  • Majesty
  • Augustus
  • Maximus
  • Hero
  • Arkin
  • Zeus

Dog Names From Nature

  • Storm
  • Willow
  • Tarragon
  • Rocky
  • River
  • Buck
  • Pebble
  • Ranger
  • Bramble
  • Bracken
  • Star

Naming Your Dog After A Celebrity?

Some of our favorite famous dogs and male dog characters include:

The Labrador Handbook by Pippa Mattinson(paid link)
  • Marley (From Marley and Me, Marley was a yellow Labrador Retriever)
  • Brian (From Family Guy, Brian Griffin is a white Labrador Retriever)
  • Vincent (the Labrador Retriever in the TV series Lost)
  • Pal (Did you know that Lassie was almost invariably played by male dogs, because they were a better scale next to children? Pal was the first)
  • Ghost
  • Grey Wind
  • Shaggydog (Ghost, Grey Wind and Shaggydog are direwolves in Game of Thrones)
  • Zuma (A chocolate Labrador, and grossly underused member of kids’ favorite, PAW Patrol)
  • Bolt (Of the eponymous Disney film)

Our Dog Name Survey through up some other famous names, too. Although these weren’t originally used on dogs….

  • Chewbacca
  • Yoda
  • Wicket
  • Bagheera
  • Baloo
  • Starsky

Alphabetical Boy Dog Names

A quick scan of the alphabet can help you to find the name of your dreams. Retro male names and popular modern names for boys both have their benefits. You want to choose one that is short and easy to say. Remember, good names don’t sound like your dog’s commands.

A.

  • Alfie (wise)
  • Archie (brave)
  • Albie (noble)
  • Arthur (bear)
  • Atlas (enduring)
  • Austin (majestic)
  • Alyus (noble)
  • Allan (handsome)
  • Axel (father of peace)
  • Anton (priceless)
  • Anders (manly)
  • Adam (earth)

B.

  • Bernie (strong)
  • Boris (battle)
  • Brad (broad)
  • Barney (defender)
  • Brandon (prince)
  • Benny (blessed)
  • Bryn (hill)
  • Bobby (bright)
  • Byron (barn)
  • Bentley (meadow)

C.

  • Charlie (free man)
  • Chester (camp of soldiers)
  • Casper (treasurer)
  • Clyde (friedly)
  • Callum (dove)
  • Chad (protector)
  • Carlo (free man)
  • Colt (young horse)
  • Clayton (settler on clay soil)
  • Claude (lame)

D.

  • Derek(gifted ruler)
  • Dave (beloved)
  • Danny (god is my judge)
  • Donny (mighty)
  • Dexter (right handed)
  • Declan (man of prayer)
  • Damian (subdue)
  • Dom (lord)
  • Drake (dragon)
  • Dustin (Thor’s stone)
  • Dante (enduring)

E.

  • Ezra (helper)
  • Ellias (lord is my god)
  • Elliot (lord is my god)
  • Every (all)
  • Emmett (universal)
  • Eamon (wealthy protector)
  • Euan (born of the yew)
  • Evan (god is good)
  • Ethan (strong)
  • Eric (ruler)
  • Elon (oak tree)
  • Edgar (spear)

F.

  • Freddy (ruler)
  • Faron (handsome servant)
  • Flint (hard stone)
  • Finn (fair)
  • Flynn (red haired)
  • Forde (river crossing)
  • Fanon (scarf)
  • Forrest (of the woods)
  • Finnick (marshland farm)
  • Farley (fern clearing)
  • Frankie (free)

G.

  • Garrick (kingly spear)
  • Greg (vigilant)
  • Gil (joyful)
  • Griff (prince)
  • Garret (strong spear)
  • Gabe (hero of god)
  • Greyson (son of steward)
  • George (farmer)
  • Gordon (great hill)
  • Gildroy (son of a red-head)
  • Gerald (spear ruler)
  • Guy (guide)

H.

  • Harry (home ruler)
  • Henry (home ruler)
  • Hank (home ruler)
  • Hovis (strength of man)
  • Hamish (supplanter)
  • Higgins (viking)
  • Howie (noble watchman)
  • Horace (timekeeper)
  • Hugh (soul)
  • Hudson (son of Hudd)
  • Herb (army)

I.

  • Izak (laughter)
  • Idris (lord)
  • Idriz (to learn)
  • Ian (god is gracious)
  • Io (princess)
  • Ivan (god is gracious)
  • Irwin (boar friend)
  • Isco (pioneer)

J.

  • Jules (youthful)
  • Jerry (spear)
  • Jordon (descend)
  • Jed (beloved of god)
  • Junior (younger)
  • Jake (supplanter)
  • Jeb (beloved friend)
  • Jimmy (supplanter)
  • Jeff (pledge)
  • Jarod (descent)
  • Justin (righteous)

K.

  • Kerry (dark)
  • Kamil (perfect)
  • Kaden (battle)
  • Kevin (handsome)
  • Keith (woodland)
  • Kane (warrior)
  • Kit (pure)
  • Kyle (narrow)
  • Karl (free man)
  • Kory (hollow)

L.

  • Leroy (king)
  • Lemmie (belonging to god)
  • Lenon (lover)
  • Lawrence (laurel)
  • Larry (crowned with laurel)
  • Lee (pasture)
  • Les (holly garden)
  • Levi (joined)
  • Lincoln (lake or pool)
  • Lenny (brave as lion)
  • Lex (defender of men)

M.

  • Manny (god is with us)
  • Mickey (like god)
  • Morris (of the marsh)
  • Milton (town with a mill)
  • Matt (gift of god)
  • Mateo (gift of god)
  • Marshal (steward)
  • Marcus (warlike)
  • Miles (soldier)
  • Mica (who is like god)
  • Maddox (fortunate)

N.

  • Norris (northerner)
  • Norm (northerner)
  • Ned (wealthy guardian)
  • Nicky (victory)
  • Niels (victory)
  • Nate (gift of god)
  • Norbet (bright north)
  • Noah (rest)
  • Newt (small salamander)
  • Niles (champion)
  • November (month)
  • Nathan (gift from god)

O.

  • Otto (wealth)
  • Oakley (oak tree meadow)
  • Owen (noble)
  • Obie (servant of god)
  • Orion (heaven’s light)
  • Ozwell (reserved)
  • Oberon (royal bear)
  • Orson (bear cub)
  • Ovi (sheep)

P.

  • Petey (rock)
  • Prince (royalty)
  • Patrick (nobleman)
  • Predrag (very beloved)
  • Pauley (humble)
  • Patton (fighter’s town)
  • Paddy (nobleman)
  • Parker (park keeper)
  • Paxton (peaceful town)
  • Perry (pear tree)
  • Pat (nobleman)

Q.

  • Quentin (fifth)
  • Quirrell (spear)
  • Quince (applelike fruit)
  • Quin (counsel)
  • Quill (scribe)

R.

  • Robby (bright fame)
  • Rich (strong)
  • Reggie (king)
  • Ralph (wolf counsel)
  • Ricky (powerful)
  • Randell (wolf’s sheild)
  • Renn (reborn)
  • Ryker (ruler)
  • Rowan (red-head)
  • Riggs (from the ridge)
  • Roger (warrior)
  • Romeo (Roman)

S.

  • Sammy (god has heard)
  • Sandy (protector)
  • Seth (placed)
  • Simba (lion)
  • Sage (wisdom)
  • Scotty (from Scotland)
  • Stewie (steward)
  • Stevie (crown)
  • Silus (of the forest)
  • Sirius (burning)
  • Sherlock (fair)
  • Shaun (god is gracious)

T.

  • Teddy (gift from god)
  • Terry (power of the tribe)
  • Tanner (leather maker)
  • Timmy (god’s honor)
  • Tommy (twin)
  • Trevor (homestead)
  • Tate (cheerful)
  • Tristin (sorrowful)
  • Theo (gift from god)

U.

  • Ulrick (noble)
  • Uno (free)
  • Ulysses (wrathful)
  • Urwin (sea)
  • Uzziah (the lord is mighty)

V.

  • Vin (conquer)
  • Vinny (conquer)
  • Vincent (conquer)
  • Vernon (alder grove)
  • Vern (alder grove)
  • Vic (champion)
  • Vaughn (little)
  • Vito (life)

W.

  • Will (resolute protector)
  • Whisky (water of life)
  • Winchester (English town)
  • Wade (ford)
  • Wes (western meadow)
  • Wesley (western meadow)
  • Wilbur (brilliant)
  • Wilf (desiring peace)
  • Warde (guard)
  • Wendell (wanderer)

Z.

  • Zeke (god stengthens)
  • Zach (lord remembers)
  • Zeno (gift of zeus)
  • Zeo (fervent)
  • Zachary (lord remembers)
  • Zaden (divinity)

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program 

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

217 COMMENTS

  1. Got a new Jack Russell, pure white with 3 black perfectly round spots. One spot on the left ear and two near his tail. So the obvious name that spring to mind was DOMINO. 😉

  2. I have a female chocolate lab and her name is Bella, and I am getting a male mini golden-doodle and I have no idea what to name him! Can you please recommend names?

  3. Thinking about Chance for my adopted dog……we saved him from being euthanized therefore giving him another “Chance”, as well as us a “Chance”.

  4. My black lab’s name is King. He’s a big baby that for some reason always looks sad so I think we should have named him Eeyore. I also have a red pit named Trouble. She fits her name and wants nothing but love. Growing up I had a Dalmatian named Queen who suited her name. I also had a Rottweiler named Ciara as a baby, she was a sweety.

  5. I have a pure white boy Lab who we adopted, he was named Ralph but after a couple of weeks he responded to the name Alfie and it’s stuck.

  6. Anyone have a good name for a mostly white small male dog with a black spot on top of head and a black “mask” other than bandit?

  7. When I turned 5 my mother gifted me a crested Chinese terrier mixed with airman pincher collie. Cutest bugger ever. We named her Ellen degeneres (I swear on my life this is before I knew who Ellen degeneres was. Turns out she was lesbian too

  8. I have a chocolate lab/boarder collie mix and her name is Smoochi, and my shepherd is Fauzzy. This new one I got I am thinking Beetle since he is so much smaller than the other two.

  9. My dogs name is Myles, like the jazz singer Miles Davis. Then my very first dog name was MoeMoe. I’m in the process of getting another dog and I’m thinking of calling him Bijan or Milan

  10. My beloved Golden (RIP) was named Scuppers after Scuppers the Sailor Dog in the children’s book by Margaret Wise Brown.
    And he was a great sailor too. Miss him.

    • My dogs names are Toby,Nikki,Hailey and Lucas.I now have a black toy poodle but I dont know what to name him!Any name suggestions!?!?

      • I had a small toy black poodle over 50 years ago – Mine was named “Nuisance” But, “Herbie” (for the Love Bug) is cute too!

      • The name Myles will fit your newest family member because I have a A big Bischon Shih Tzu mix and it fits him perfectly

  11. Hi I am buying a border collie he is brown and white paws can’t think of a name can you recommend any names for collies

  12. I have a chocolate lab/pit mix he looks more like a chocolate lab he does have a pitbulls mouth he kinda reminds me of simba from the lion king except he is not the same color. Can anyone help with name ideas for a puppy that looks like simba, I would like a different name than naming him simba bc he will be big and I’m not sure simba is the name.

  13. We have 7 dogs names are rosebud…kodie….benjimia….lassie…..willy wonka….chicoman…sadie…2 rabbits jack…and rex….kittens are shamrock….clover…sacketta…sasorry….

  14. I had a beautiful pit mix named Ludo, from The Labyrinth movie, my female lab/retrivers name is Okley and my female pug is Daisy. Now i just got a tiny white male mix and I’m naming him Loki.

  15. Ok, here’s our list over the years.
    Niah – Black Lab (f). it’s the first 2 letters of one son and the last 2 letters of the other. My FIL won the naming contest on that one. ?
    Mojo – Chocolate Lab (f) She was so big and had a fierce bark she needed a strong name to match her color. She was Coco but when we rescued her we changed it to Mojo.
    Spike – A 4lb Chihuahua (m) Lol! He fit every bit of that name! He’d take your hand off if you got near me. Lol!
    We also have/had Izzi, Lulu, Phoebe, Layla, Bella, Ellie, Zoe, Allie, Abby. And I swear, the girl theme was not intentional! Spike was my only boy. BUT, all of our cats are/have been boys except one! Exact opposite! Lol! Those names are Thor, Otis, Bob, Dash, Hobo, Ollie, Jack then our only girl, Lucy. 😉 Im here looking for a strong, menacing name for a German Shepherd puppy. We like Lex, Bodie, Kaiser, Tobias, Koda, Blu, (Misde)”meanor”, Jax, Titan & Magnum or Magnús. Any suggestions?

  16. We have had some great golden retrievers. 1st one was Barris, 2nd was Molson, 3rd was Midas. All great names for great dogs.

  17. My favorite dog was a Golden Retriever named Gunther and I now have a Golden named Carson ! Everyone loved the name Gunther and chuckled when they first heard that’s was his name ! You can tell by my email that I’ve had a few dogs .

  18. My 11 year old Yellow Lab is named Sailor. He was a gift from my husband, a Navy vet, at the beginning of my 2 year battle with cancer. He has been a wonderful companion and is great around other people! After spending most of his life in a country setting, he transitioned beautifully to apartment living last year.

  19. Our boy, a cavilear King Charles Spaniel, needed a bit of royalty … and some isle flavor, so we named him after our favorite whiskey: Jameson. Fits still!

  20. I have a dog named Loki. He is a 2 year old yellow lab mix. Not pure, but he is a rescue dog, so we don’t know what else. If I had to name another, Circe (female)

  21. I named my yellow labrador Blaise. Fits him perfectly. He is unique. One of 10 pups. He was born first. The others came the next day after midnight. He is strong. Loveable and handsome.

  22. My black lab is called Merlin. I have always had an interest in World War 2 aircraft,so he is named after the engines on a Lancaster Bomber.

  23. I have 4 female dogs. All but 1 have boy names..
    I prefer female dogs but boy names…weird right?
    Ok. Yellow lab…..Shooter
    Chocolate lab…..Nicko (pronounced Neeko)
    Black lab/pit……Hanley
    Jack Russell/dachshund……Rosie…(daughter named her)

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