400+ Common Dog Names
Choosing the perfect name for your new furry friend is an exciting part of pet ownership. Whether you’re looking for something classic, unique, or inspired by a particular culture, there’s a vast array of dog names to explore. Below, we’ve compiled lists of the most common dog names across various categories, including gender-specific names, as well as names inspired by Spanish, Japanese, Mexican, German, French, Italian, and Filipino cultures. Each name comes with a brief note to give you a bit of background or the meaning behind it.
Most Common Female Dog Names
- Bella – Italian for “beautiful.”
- Luna – Means “moon” in Latin and Spanish.
- Lucy – Derived from the Latin word for “light.”
- Daisy – Named after the cheerful and simple flower.
- Molly – Means “wished-for child” in English.
- Maggie – Short for Margaret, meaning “pearl.”
- Sadie – Hebrew origin, meaning “princess.”
- Sophie – Greek for “wisdom.”
- Bailey – An English name meaning “steward” or “public official.”
- Stella – Latin for “star.”
- Zoe – Greek for “life.”
- Lily – Named after the pure and beautiful flower.
- Ruby – Named after the precious red gemstone.
- Penny – English for “weaver.”
- Rosie – Represents the beautiful and fragrant flower.
- Ellie – Short for Eleanor, meaning “bright, shining one.”
- Chloe – Greek for “blooming” or “fertility.”
- Mia – Italian for “mine.”
- Roxy – Persian for “dawn.”
- Gracie – Derived from the Latin word for “grace.”
- Sasha – Russian diminutive of Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind.”
- Lola – Spanish for “sorrows.”
- Abby – Short for Abigail, meaning “father’s joy.”
- Ginger – Named after the spicy and flavorful root.
- Pepper – For the spicy and spirited personality.
- Nala – Means “gift” in Swahili; also a character in “The Lion King.”
- Izzy – Short for Isabel or Isadora, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Annie – Means “grace.”
- Ruby – After the precious red gem.
- Willow – Named after the graceful willow tree.
- Coco – French pet name, possibly inspired by Coco Chanel.
- Piper – English for “pipe player.”
- Harley – English for “hare’s meadow.”
- Sandy – Named for its golden, sandy color.
- Lexi – Short for Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind.”
- Jasmine – Named after the sweet-smelling flower.
- Dakota – Means “friend” in the Sioux language.
- Holly – Named after the festive holly tree.
- Phoebe – Greek for “bright and shining.”
- Maddie – Short for Madeline, meaning “woman from Magdala.”
Read Also: Nature Dog Names
Most Common Male Dog Names
- Max – Short for Maximilian, meaning “greatest.”
- Charlie – English for “free man.”
- Buddy – English for “friend.”
- Rocky – English, often associated with strength and resilience.
- Bear – Named for the animal, symbolizing strength and bravery.
- Duke – English for “leader.”
- Toby – Hebrew for “God is good.”
- Jack – English for “God is gracious.”
- Oliver – Latin for “olive tree,” symbolizing peace.
- Teddy – Diminutive of Theodore, meaning “gift of God.”
- Cooper – English for “barrel maker.”
- Milo – Germanic origin, meaning “merciful.”
- Leo – Latin for “lion.”
- Zeus – Greek god of the sky and thunder.
- Baxter – Old English for “baker.”
- Oscar – Old English for “spear of the gods.”
- Louie – French for “famous warrior.”
- Winston – Old English for “joy stone.”
- Murphy – Irish for “sea warrior.”
- Gus – Short for Augustus, meaning “great” or “venerable.”
- Sam – Short for Samuel, meaning “God has heard.”
- Rex – Latin for “king.”
- Jake – Diminutive of Jacob, meaning “supplanter.”
- Thor – Norse god of thunder.
- Finn – Irish for “fair” or “white.”
- George – Greek for “farmer.”
- Henry – German for “ruler of the household.”
- Scout – Means “to listen” in French; also a great explorer.
- Diesel – After the diesel engine, for strong dogs.
- Bruce – French for “woods.”
- Hank – Short for Henry, meaning “ruler of the household.”
- Shadow – For a dog that follows you like a shadow.
- Simba – Swahili for “lion.”
- Benny – Short for Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand.”
- Rusty – Named for the reddish-brown color.
- Moose – Named after the large, majestic animal.
- Luke – Greek for “light-giving.”
- Riley – Irish for “valiant.”
Read Also: Dog Names from Movies
Common Spanish Dog Names
- Lola – Means “sorrows,” but often associated with charm and beauty.
- Carlos – Spanish for “free man.”
- Dante – Means “enduring” in Latin; popular in Spanish-speaking cultures.
- Bianca – Italian for “white,” popular in Spanish as well.
- Diego – Spanish form of James, meaning “supplanter.”
- Eva – Means “life” in Spanish.
- Fernando – Spanish form of Ferdinand, meaning “bold voyager.”
- Garcia – Spanish surname meaning “bear.”
- Hugo – Germanic origin, meaning “mind” or “spirit.”
- Inez – Spanish form of Agnes, meaning “pure.”
- Javier – Spanish form of Xavier, meaning “new house.”
- Kiara – Italian for “clear,” popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
- Leon – Spanish for “lion.”
- Mateo – Spanish form of Matthew, meaning “gift of God.”
- Nina – Spanish for “girl.”
- Oscar – Possibly derived from Old English, popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
- Pablo – Spanish for “small.”
- Quinta – Spanish for “fifth.”
- Rafael – Spanish form of Raphael, meaning “God has healed.”
- Sergio – Italian and Spanish for “servant.”
- Teresa – Spanish form of Theresa, meaning “to harvest.”
- Ulises – Spanish form of Ulysses, the Latinized name of Odysseus.
- Valentina – Latin for “strong and healthy.”
- Waldo – Germanic origin, meaning “to rule.”
- Ximena – Spanish form of Simone, meaning “he has heard.”
- Yolanda – Greek for “violet flower,” popular in Spanish.
- Zara – Arabic for “princess,” popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
- Alejandro – Spanish form of Alexander, meaning “defender of the people.”
- Beatriz – Spanish form of Beatrice, meaning “she who brings happiness.”
- Carmen – Hebrew for “garden,” popular in Spanish-speaking cultures.
- Domingo – Spanish for “Sunday.”
- Esteban – Spanish form of Stephen, meaning “crown.”
- Felipe – Spanish form of Philip, meaning “lover of horses.”
- Gloria – Latin for “glory.”
- Horacio – Latin origin, meaning “timekeeper.”
- Isabel – Spanish form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Joaquin – Hebrew origin, meaning “lifted by Yahweh.”
Read Also: Spanish Dog Names
Common Japanese Dog Names
- Akira – Means “bright” or “clear.”
- Botan – Means “peony,” the flower.
- Chiyo – Means “thousand generations.”
- Daiki – Means “great glory.”
- Emiko – Means “smiling child.”
- Fumi – Short for “fumiko,” meaning “child of abundant beauty.”
- Goro – Means “fifth son.”
- Hana – Means “flower.”
- Ichiro – Means “first son.”
- Jun – Means “pure.”
- Kaito – Means “sea, ocean” or “soar, fly.”
- Lina – Means “delicate.”
- Mako – Means “sincerity.”
- Nori – Means “to rule” or “ceremony.”
- Osamu
- Means “discipline, study.”
- Peko – Cute, unusual name with no specific meaning.
- Quon – Bright, shining.
- Riku – Means “land.”
- Sora – Means “sky.”
- Taro – Means “big boy.”
- Umi – Means “ocean.”
- Vega – After the star, not traditionally Japanese but used occasionally.
- Wakana – Means “harmonious music.”
- Xia – “Glow of the sunrise,” not traditionally Japanese but adopted.
- Yoshi – Means “good luck.”
- Zumi – Imaginative name, sounds Japanese but with no specific meaning.
- Haruki – Means “shining sun.”
- Itsuki – Means “tree.”
- Jiro – Means “second son.”
- Kenji – Means “strong, healthy second son.”
- Loki – Not traditionally Japanese, but popular for pets.
- Masato – Means “righteous person.”
- Naoki – Means “honest tree.”
- Oki – Means “ocean centered.”
- Piko – Cute, made-up name.
- Rin – Means “dignified.”
Read Also: Japanese Dog Names
Common Mexican Dog Names
- Carlos – Popular male name meaning “free man.”
- Dulce – Means “sweet” in Spanish.
- Eduardo – Means “wealthy guardian.”
- Fernanda – Female form of Fernando, meaning “adventurous.”
- Guadalupe – Named after the Virgin of Guadalupe, a symbol of peace.
- Hector – Means “to hold” or “to possess.”
- Isabela – Spanish form of Elizabeth, meaning “pledged to God.”
- Javier – Means “new house.”
- Karla – Female form of Carlos, meaning “free man.”
- Lorenzo – Italian origin, popular in Mexico, meaning “from Laurentum.”
- Margarita – Spanish for “daisy.”
- Natalia – Means “Christmas day” in Latin.
- Octavio – Latin for “eighth.”
- Patricia – Latin for “noble.”
- Querida – Means “beloved” in Spanish.
- Rafael – Means “God has healed.”
- Sofia – Means “wisdom” in Greek.
- Tadeo – Spanish form of Thaddeus, meaning “heart.”
- Ursula – Latin for “little bear.”
- Vicente – Means “conquering.”
- Wilfredo – Germanic origin, meaning “desiring peace.”
- Ximena – Means “he has heard.”
- Yolanda – Greek for “violet flower.”
- Zacarias – Spanish form of Zechariah, meaning “God remembers.”
- Alejandra – Female form of Alejandro, meaning “defender of mankind.”
- Benito – Blessed.
- Cristina – Follower of Christ.
- Diego – Spanish form of James.
- Esmeralda – Spanish for “emerald.”
- Felipe – Lover of horses.
- Gloria – Glory.
- Horacio – Timekeeper.
- Ignacio – Fiery.
- Jose – God will increase.
- Katia – Pure.
- Luis – Famous warrior.
- Manuel – God is with us.
- Nora – Light.
- Olivia – Olive tree.
- Pablo – Small.
- Rosa – Rose.
- Santiago – Saint James.
- Teresa – To harvest.
- Ulises – Walker.
- Valeria – Strong.
- Wendy – Friend.
- Xavier – New house.
- Yvette – Yew.
- Zoe – Life.
Read Also: Mexican Dog Names
Common German Dog Names
- Bertha – Bright, famous.
- Claus – People’s victory.
- Dietrich – Ruler of the people.
- Elsa – Pledged to God.
- Fritz – Peaceful ruler.
- Gretchen – Little pearl.
- Heinrich – Home ruler.
- Ingrid – Beautiful.
- Johann – God is gracious.
- Karl – Free man.
- Liesel – God is my oath.
- Maximilian – Greatest.
- Norbert – North bright.
- Otto – Wealth, prosperity.
- Petra – Rock.
- Quintus – Fifth.
- Rudolf – Famous wolf.
- Sigfried – Victory peace.
- Theodor – Gift of God.
- Ulrich – Noble ruler.
- Vera – Faith.
- Walter – Army ruler.
- Xander – Defender of the people, short for Alexander.
- Yvonne – Yew wood.
- Zelda – Gray fighting maid.
- Ansel – Follower of a nobleman.
- Bruno – Brown.
- Conrad – Bold advisor.
- Detlef – Heritage of the people.
- Ernst – Serious.
- Frieda – Peaceful.
- Gerhard – Strong spear.
- Hans – God is gracious.
- Ilse – Pledged to God.
- Jurgen – Farmer.
- Klaus – Victory of the people.
- Ludwig – Famous warrior.
- Matilda – Mighty in battle.
- Niklas – Victory of the people.
- Olga – Holy.
- Paula – Small.
- Rainer – Wise warrior.
- Stefan – Crown.
- Trudi – Spear strength.
- Udo – Wealthy.
- Volker – People’s guard.
- Wilhelm – Will helmet, protector.
- Xenia – Hospitality.
- York – From the yew estate.
- Zita – Little girl.
Read Also: German Dog Names
Common French Dog Names
- Amelie – Hardworking.
- Bernard – Brave as a bear.
- Claude – Lame, but often associated with strength in character.
- Denise – Dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine.
- Etienne – French form of Stephen, meaning crown.
- Fleur – Flower.
- Gaston – Guest or stranger.
- Henri – Home ruler.
- Isabelle – Pledged to God.
- Jacques – Supplanter.
- Karine – Pure.
- Louis – Famous warrior.
- Marcel – Little warrior.
- Noelle – Christmas.
- Olivier – Olive tree.
- Pierre – Rock.
- Quentin – Fifth.
- Rene – Reborn.
- Sophie – Wisdom.
- Thierry – Ruler of the people.
- Ursule – Little bear.
- Valentine – Strong, healthy.
- William – Will helmet or protector.
- Xavier – New house or bright.
- Yvette – Yew tree.
- Zoe – Life.
- Antoine – Priceless.
- Brigitte – Strength or exalted one.
- Christophe – Bearer of Christ.
- Dominique – Belonging to the Lord.
- Emile – To strive or excel.
- Francois – Free man.
- Genevieve – Tribe woman.
- Hugo – Mind, intellect.
- Irene – Peace.
- Jean – God is gracious.
- Kevin – Handsome birth.
- Luc – Light.
- Mireille – To admire.
- Nathalie – Born on Christmas day.
- Oceane – Ocean.
- Patrice – Nobleman.
- Roland – Famous throughout the land.
- Sylvie – Forest.
- Tristan – Sorrowful or sad.
- Ugo – Mind, spirit.
- Victor – Conqueror.
- Yolande – Violet flower.
- Zacharie – The Lord has remembered.
Read Also: French Dog Names
Common Italian Dog Names
- Alessandro – Defender of mankind.
- Bianca – White, shining.
- Carlo – Man.
- Dante – Enduring.
- Elena – Shining light.
- Fabio – Bean grower.
- Giorgia – Farmer.
- Hugo – Mind, intellect.
- Isabella – Pledged to God.
- Luca – Bringer of light.
- Mario – Warlike.
- Nico – People of victory.
- Olivia – Olive tree.
- Paolo – Small.
- Quintino – Fifth.
- Raffaello – God has healed.
- Sofia – Wisdom.
- Tiziano – Giant.
- Umberto – Warrior or bear cub.
- Valentino – Strong, healthy.
- Wilma – Will, desire + helmet, protection.
- Xavier – New house.
- Ylenia – Torch or light.
- Zeno – Gift of Zeus.
- Adriano – Dark.
- Beatrice – She who brings happiness.
- Cesare – Hairy.
- Donatella – Gift.
- Enzo – Home ruler.
- Federica – Peaceful ruler.
- Giovanni – God is gracious.
- Helena – Light.
- Ignazio – Fiery.
- Julia – Youthful.
- Kristina – Follower of Christ.
- Leonardo – Brave as a lion.
- Michela – Who is like God.
- Nadia – Hope.
- Orlando – Famous land.
- Pietro – Rock.
- Quirino – War god.
- Rosa – Rose.
- Stefano – Crown.
- Teresa – To harvest.
- Ugo – Heart, mind, spirit.
- Vincenzo – Conquering.
- Wilfredo – Desiring peace.
- Xiomara – Ready for battle.
- Yuri – Farmer.
- Zara – Princess.
Read Also: Italian Dog Names
Common Filipino Dog Names
- Adobo – Named after the popular Filipino dish.
- Bayani – Means “hero.”
- Carmela – Garden.
- Dalisay – Pure.
- Eduardo – Wealthy guardian.
- Felisa – Lucky.
- Ginoo – Gentleman.
- Harana – Serenade.
- Isko – Scholar.
- Jomalig – A beautiful island in the Philippines.
- Kalayaan – Freedom.
- Ligaya – Joy.
- Mayumi – Modest.
- Nenita – Little girl.
- Osias – Salvation.
- Pilar – Pillar.
- Querubin – Cherub.
- Rizal – Named after the national hero, José Rizal.
- Santos – Saints.
- Tala – Star.
- Ulap – Cloud.
- Vida – Life.
- Wika – Language.
- Xevera – New house.
- Ysabel – Pledged to God.
- Zambo – Named after Zamboanga city.
- Alon – Wave.
- Bituin – Star.
- Corazon – Heart.
- Diwa – Spirit.
- Estrella – Star.
- Felipe – Lover of horses.
- Ginto – Gold.
- Hiraya – Fruit of one’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
- Inigo – Fiery.
- Jade – Precious stone.
- Kapitan – Captain.
- Lakan – Nobleman.
- Maganda – Beautiful.
- Narra – National tree of the Philippines.
- Oscar – Spear of the gods.
- Perla – Pearl.
- Quinto – Fifth.
- Rosalinda – Beautiful rose.
- Sampaguita – National flower of the Philippines.
- Tibay – Strength.
- Ulan – Rain.
- Vito – Conqueror.
- Wasto – Right or correct.
- Xylo – A creative twist, representing music.
- Yumi – Bow (as in archery, symbolizing strength and precision).
- Zoren – Derived from a Filipino word meaning “strong.”