Chew on these funny dog names to find the best moniker for your playful pup
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Funny dog names inspired by movies
Is your new pup ready for her close-up? Movie-star names offer a cute absurdity, and you can add a funny twist on them with a good pun. You can also name your pooch after your favorite director. (“Sit, Scorsese!”) And of course, the canine characters in your favorite dog movies provide plenty of fodder for fun dog names.
- Mary Puppins
- Al Pup-cino
- Moneypuppy
- Wookie
- Chewbarka
- Jabba the Mutt
- Boba Fetch
- Indiana Bones
- Sandra Bulldog
- Groucho Barks
- Alfred Hitchdog
- Greta Garbo
- Fluffy
- Fang
- Hufflepup
- Charlie B. Barkin
- Hooch
- Godzilla
- Dr. Evil
- Clarice
- Donkey
- Harry Pawter
- Goofy
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Funny dog names inspired by TV shows
Whether you love bingeing the classics or streaming the latest series, your favorite TV shows are filled with ideas for funny girl dog names and boy dog names. Can’t settle on one favorite character? Name your dog after a show you love. Go for irony or the unexpected, and while your dog may not smile every time you call their name, you certainly will!
- Simon Basset Hound
- Pupperton
- Kermit the Dog
- Squiggy
- Kramer
- Ubu
- Woofgang Puck
- Sarah Jessica Barker
- Mrs. Maisel
- Fonzie
- Urkel
- Fresh Prints
- Pee-Wee
- Baby Yoda
- Pikachu
- Liz Lemon
- Dwight
- Conan
- Stewie
- MacGruff
- Deputy Dawg
- Binky Barnes
- Ted Lasso
- George Costanza
- Beef
- Thing
- Wednesday
- Enid
- Snuffleupagus
- Lamb Chop
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Funny dog names inspired by books
Bookworms can take a page out of their favorite author’s book, naming their pooch after characters, places, literary devices or even authors and comic book titles. The members of your book club will be super impressed.
- Bark Twain
- Hairy Maclary
- Fyodor Dogstoevsky
- Winnie the Poodle
- Winnie the Pooch
- Archibald MacLeash
- Sherlock Bones
- Frodo
- Precious
- Virginia Woof
- Furdinand
- Clifford (for a big red dog, of course)
- Bluey
- Dr. Seuss
- J.K. Growling
- George Bernard Paw
- Jane Pawston
- David Pawster Wallace
- Fezziwig
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Funny dog names inspired by food
When your pooch is a foodie like you, funny food-inspired dog names are a foolproof method for choosing a delicious moniker. Bone appétit!
- Taco
- Meatball
- Pickles
- Pierogi
- Pup-ernickel
- Chickpea
- Artichoke
- Tater Tot
- Skittles
- Sprinkles
- Sloppy Joe
- Cap’n Crunch
- Tofu
- Oscar Mayer (perfect for a dachshund!)
- Chalupa
- Barkwurst
- Pup Tart
- Ginger Snap
- Twinkie
- Pork Chop
- Cocoa Puff
- Pringles
- Tic Tac
- Snickerdoodle
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Funny small dog names
Size matters … when it comes to choosing a funny dog name that matches your adorable small dog breed. Go with a cute name that plays up their pint-size stature—or switch it up and call your Chihuahua Godzilla. The right name captures your pooch’s essence, and while your dog may be tiny, its personality might not be.
- Mini
- Weensy
- Pipsqueak
- Lilliput
- Buttercup
- Micro
- Winkle
- Smidge
- Freckle
- Polly Pocket
- Hiccup
- Sprite
- Bitsy
- Peanut
- Twiglet
- Thumbelina
- Pipsqueak
- Nibblets
- Wonton
- King Kong
- Godzilla
- Bruiser
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Funny big dog names
You don’t mind that your lovable giant dog breed is large and in charge—of your life and your heart. You can choose from funny dog names befitting their humongous size, or play up the irony and call them Micro.
- Whopper
- Mr. Big / Ms. Biggy
- Brutus
- Dogzilla
- Mighty Mutt
- Bertha
- Bubba
- Biggie Smalls
- Supersize
- Moose
- Squirrel
- Sasquatch
- Bigfoot
- Jaws
- Hefty
- Sumo
- T. rex
- Humongo
- Tiny
- Smalls
- Snack
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Funny fluffy dog names
Fluffy dogs are like mini stuffed animals, so they’re practically begging for a cute name. It’s impossible to resist—don’t even try!
- Admiral Fluff
- Fluffmeister
- Flava Fluff
- Poofster
- Puffy Puffins
- Mopsy
- Fleecey
- Bouffant
- Jigglypuff
- Charmin
- Swiffer
- Fluffateer
- Jennifur
- Scruffy
- Shaggy
- Fluffernutter
- Woolly Mammoth
- Captain Floof
- Fuzz
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Funny dog names inspired by music
Your dog may not care whether you rock out to ’80s hair bands or hip-hop, but that’s no reason to overlook musical puns when deciding on a dog name. Consider your favorite musical genre, your favorite song or any of your favorite albums or idols when choosing a funny name for a dog. The reference will go over your pooch’s head, but you’ll get a good chuckle each time you say, “Do you have to go potty, Buddy Collie?”
- Billie Howliday
- Buddy Collie
- Elvis Pawsley
- 50 Scent
- Jingles
- Disco
- The Notorious D.O.G.
- Linkin Bark
- Snoop Dog
- Meatloaf
- Ozzy Pawsbourne
- Prince of Barkness
- Dolly Pupton
- Paws McCartney
- Barky Bark
- Bone Jovi
- Dr. Dog
- Franz Furdinand
- Mutley Crew
- Little Bow Wow
- Sir Barks-a-lot
- Subwoofer
- Woofgang Amadeus Mozart
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Funny dog names inspired by hobbies
When you adopt a dog or puppy, you might be too busy to work on your favorite pastimes or engage with your hobbies. Then again, your dog might become a partner in your favorite hobby, like hiking. Or perhaps your pupster is a calm and easygoing dog that doesn’t mind spending time at your feet while you play Super Mario Bros. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Bogey
- Gamer
- Luigi
- Mario
- Qwirkle
- Yahtzee
- King Pin
- Mr. Monopoly
- Spinner
- Puzzle
- Fender
- Poker
- Kerplunk
- Yoshi
- Checkers
- Shutterbug
- Sharkie
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Funny dog names based on your pup’s personality
Within just a few weeks of birth, puppies already have unique and lovable personalities that provide loads of inspiration to christen them with. But what if you adopt a dog and their name doesn’t jive with their personality? Can you change it? Yep! “When you break it all the way down to the basics, a dog’s name is really just a cue,” says Cumbie. “But when switching their name, start by pairing it with their original name before fading it out. And make sure you reinforce with praise and treats when your pup responds.”
- Digger
- Dozer
- Howler
- Zippy
- Zoomer
- Gogo
- Farty Artie
- Crash
- Nibbler
- Ninja
- Jolly Good
- Chipper
- Angry Joe
- Firecracker
- Winky
- Captain Side-Eye
- Lazy Susan
- Scooter
- Sassy
- Boogie
- Yip Yip
- Jiffy
- Jimmy Chew
- Pokey
- Barky McBarkster
FAQs
What should you keep in mind when choosing a funny dog name?
Even if you go with a long name for your dog’s official moniker, keep the name you use on a daily basis short and sweet. This is what show-dog owners do, and there’s a logical reason for it. “It is thought that dogs do not parse language, which means they probably hear the first syllable or so and respond off that,” says Siegfried. “Ideally, the name is a way to get their attention and orient toward the person.”
Not only is this easier for training, but it’s also less of a mouthful for you every time you want your pup to come to you or drop something. Translation: “It is totally fine to name your dog Bubba Louis Chubby Muffin, but it is best to use a shorter name, Bubba or Chubby, in training and everyday life,” says Cumbie.
And the process for training your dog to learn a funny name is the same as the process for a traditional one: It involves a lot of praise, treats and other positive reinforcement.
How long does it take for dogs to recognize their name?
While there’s no set duration by which all dogs fully learn their names, most can start to recognize their names surprisingly quickly (as little as a few days) if it’s used consistently and paired with positive rewards like treats or affection. With steady practice, many pups will reliably respond to their name within about a week, according to PetMD.
That said, just like people, every dog learns at a different pace, and distractions or inconsistent training can stretch out the time it takes them to learn their name (regardless of whether you’ve given them a funny dog name or a super unique one).
About the experts
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Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on funny dog names, Lisa Marie Conklin tapped her experience as a freelance writer and animal lover specializing in cat and dog content for Reader’s Digest. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Leigh Siegfried, founder and dog training director at Opportunity Barks
- Corina Cumbie, puppy advisor at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
- PetMD: “Do Dogs Know Their Name?”
