How to Name your Dog

What is a good name for your dog?

We think it is a blend of dog psychology, to understand how your dog comprehends the name, and selecting a name that fits your dog’s personality, breed, ancestry, or other factors to fit within your unique family.

Save it on Pinterest

Each product has been paw-selected by the DogSwagery team.

If you make a purchase using the links in this post, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. (Disclosures)

More Dog Names

How to name your dog?

We’ve created a checklist of dog psychology insights, items to consider and inspiration based on different dog characteristics to help you find the best dog name for your new family member.

Dog Psychology

Dogs do not associate that they have a “Name”. Studies have shown that dogs associate a specific sound you are making with your desire for their attention. Therefore, dogs require conditioning to learn how to respond to names.

Dogs’ brains can also easily confuse their names with words that share a similar sound.

Therefore, to insure a successful connection and ability to recall your dog, you will need to choose a name that is distinct from any other words you frequently use.

Following are some guidelines about dog psychology that will help you pick your dogs name.

Ends with a Vowel

Names that end in vowels ie “a” and “e” change tone. This make the sound more distinctive and easier for your dog to notice the frequency changes.

Starts with a hard sound

Names that start with “hard” consonants or letters that are articulated with considerable muscular tension or force of breath are easier for the dog to hear than “soft” consonants. The hard consonant make a more sharp & distinct sound.

Hard Consonants: D, T or K
Soft Consonants: S or F

Two Syllables

Keep the name short and simple.

Most commands are one or two syllables and this is easier for your dog to hear and understand.

Pick a name that is easy to pronounce and remember, as it will make it easier for your pup to recognize and respond to it.

Nickname Test

So, you love a long name for your dog. As a rule of thumb, long names will just get shortened. Even short names, get shortened.

Think about nicknames and make sure they will work and are appropriate.

Not Similar to Family Member or Other Pets

Don’t pick a name that is similar to other family members.

This will help your not yell the wrong name AND help your dog differentiate when he/she is being called and not your 10-year old son or daughter.

Not Similar to Commands

Avoid any names that sound similar or rhyme with the most common dog commands. Names that sound like “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” “no,” and “come” could be easily confused by your pup.

Sit – Kit
Stay – Ray
Heel – Teal, Beale
No – Beau, Bo, Monroe
Come – Rum, Mum, Gum

Backdoor Test

Repeat the name a dozen times. Yell it out the back door. Does it work and something you can live with?

Consider your lifestyle. If you’re an active person, you may want to choose a name that is easy to yell or call out in the park.

Stick With It

Your dog’s brain does not associate that it is called a name. The dog simply knows that when a word ie “Max” is said by its owner, the owner wants its attention.

Therefore, when you pick a name, stick with it and your dog will learn the association with time.

Dog Traits for Inspiration

Inspiration can come from many different sources, such as your favorite foods, books, movies, celebrities, your heritage, or even dog breed history.

Remember to do your research. Before settling on a name, take some time to research the meaning behind it and how it has been used in the past.

Dog Personality

Choose a name that reflects your dog’s personality. Is your dog happy, playful, rascally, strong, protective, feisty, or sassy?

The name you choose should be something that you both like and that suits your pup’s individual traits.

Dog Color

Your dog’s chocolate brown, fiery red, snow white, or luscious black fur can provide a source for names for your dog.

Dog Breed Characteristics

Different breeds are renowned for certain characteristics.

Herding Group (Collies, Corgis & German Shepherds) are smart and energetic and can stay in control of a group.
Working Dogs (Danes & Huskies) are both great watchdogs and very loyal.
Hound Dogs (Basset hounds & Beagles) have a powerful sense of smell.
Sporting Dogs (Labs & Cocker Spaniels) are high-energy dogs that retain a love for the outdoors.
Toy Dogs (Chihuahuas & Pugs) are small in stature but big on brains.
Terrier Dogs are known as great watchdogs & protective.

Dog Country of Origin

Your dog’s country of origin can provide a source of inspiration.

China: The Pug has deep roots in Chinese history and royalty.
England: English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs (English immigrants introduced the bulldog to France).
Wales: Corgis
Japan: Shiba Inua – the oldest breed in Japan
Germany: German Shepherd and Weimaraner
Mexico: Chihuahua

Favorite Book or Movie Character

Characters from popular books and movies that inspire your can stay with you in your daily life with your dogs name. Games of Thrones, Star Wars and Disney movies provide many names for inspiration.

Themes

Themes can be a great source of inspiration.

Look to history for names from Norse, Roman or Greek Mythology inspiring names of Vikings and Goddesses.

Country, Nature, Hunting and Western themes are great for dog and owners with outdoor lifestyles

Commonly asked questions about how to name your dog?

What is the most common boy dog name?

Max
Charlie
Cooper
Milo
Bear
Buddy
Rocky
Jack
Teddy
Duke

What is the most common girl dog name?

Bella
Luna
Daisy
Lucy
Lily
Zoe
Lola
Sadie
Bailey
Stella

Does my dog know his name is his name?

Not really. Studies show that your dog does not know it has a name like humans do.

They do know that the sound of its name associates with the owners wanting the dogs attention. This is why its important to find an easy name for your dog to hear that it can associate with getting their attention.

How to teach your dog its name?

Teaching your dog its name requires patience and time.

Start as soon as possible.
Practice several times a day
Say the dog’s name (from 2 to 6 feet away) and as soon as the dog looks at you, mark this positive behavior with a reward.
The reward systems including verbal reward “good boy” or “yes”, a clicker, treats, and physical rewards ie patting your dogs head) to associate

How long does it take for a dog learn its name?

Puppies can learn their name quickly in as little as 1-3 days.

It will really depend upon your time invested in teaching the dog to associate the name with requesting the dogs attention.

What are the best names for dogs to understand?

See our tips above.

Short, distinct two syllable words that start with a hard consonant and end with a vowel.

When do dogs know their name?

Dogs can start to understand their name in as little as 1-3 days.

It depends on the time you invest in helping your dog learning its name.

Why do dogs know their names?

Studies have shown that dogs do not know that they have a “name”. Rather dogs associate a specific sound with requiring their attention.

How long does it take for your dog to know it’s name?

Dogs can start to understand their name in as little as 1-3 days.

It depends on the time you invest in helping your dog learning its name.

Should I rename my dog?

Dogs can learn a new name but it is not advised to rename dog often.

One example of an appropriate time is dog adoption. Many dog owners who adopt a dog may not like the dog’s name or it does not fit their household. This is a good time to give the dog a new name.

How to change your dog’s name?

Introduce the new name in a positive format

Start the relationship: Say your dog’s original name in a happy tone of voice. When they look at you, give them a reward (verbal or a treat). Repeat five to ten times.
Bridge the Name: Now start introducing their new name. Say the new name first then follow it with their old name. Pause briefly between the two words so the dog can distinguish two distinct sounds. Again give them a reward when they look at you.
Transition: Drop their original name. Say your dog’s new name and reward when they look at you.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Can my dog’s name be one syllable?

Yes! One syllable names are great for dogs. These brief names for pup are easy to call out and can hold a lot of meaning despite their brevity.

Do dog’s names have to be two syllables?

No, dogs names can be anything. Studies have shown that one to two syllable words are easier for your dogs to learn and understand.

However, this is about your relationship with your dog. A name is how you get your dogs attention either for recall or another command. Find a name that works for your relationship.

Can a dog’s name be too long?

Perhaps! Ask yourself, at what point do you stop listening to a ramble of words?

Someone named their dog after you. Is this an insult or compliment?

It might be either. In most cases, we would assume it to be a compliment. Remember that person will be saying that name multiple times a day for ten to fifteen years… and likely think of you.

Where did the hot dog name come from?

In the mid-1800s, German immigrant butchers in the United States began selling variations of sausages, some of which were thin and long, like the dog breed dachshund. They called these dachshund sausages.

Over time, the phrase may have been shortened to hot dog.