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35 Funny, Quarantine-Inspired Dog Names That Will Crack You Up

What are you going to name your new pandemic puppy?

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Curious dog on bed looking at camera
Viorel Kurnosov/Getty Images

Is there a doggo in the house?

Animal shelters are hopping with much more activity than usual lately. Animal shelters report unprecedented pet adoptions since stay-at-home orders went into place due to the coronavirus; in fact, some shelter programs reported a 70 percent increase in foster care compared to the same time last year, according to NBC News. Pet adoptions are one upside to social distancing, and the new normal makes great inspiration for pet names. Read on for funny and punny dog names inspired by the times.

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Goldendoodle Puppy at Home
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Pandemic names for your puppy

The world has shifted in ways that are anything but funny, so take it easy on super crazy pandemic names even if they make you chuckle. Your adorable pooch may deserve better than you calling, “Virus!” at the dog park, try one of these pandemic-influenced names instead:

  • Cyrus
  • Panda
  • Rona
  • Hoarder
  • Hugger
  • Vax or Vaxine

Pandemic dog names may also be why these are some of the trendiest dog names of 2024. Check out these 50 unique dog names for your pets for even more ideas.

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Portrait of golden retriever with eyes closed and dog chew
Zoom Pet Photography/Getty Images

Quarantine drinking doggo names

What time is it in quarantine? It’s perpetually wine o’clock, people. According to reporting by Forbes, engagement with alcohol brands on social media is up over 300 percent recently. Wine and beer appear to be the stay-at-home go-to choices for imbibing, and sales of both up are significantly. Sadly, Corona beer, usually served with a lime wedge, had to stop production due to its name association with the pandemic virus. Keep that in mind as you choose your dog’s name, but feel free to take inspiration from your favorite wine, or from brands of beer and whiskey.

  • Merlot
  • Zin or Zinfandel
  • Fireball
  • Guinness
  • Buddy or Budweiser

These are the most popular dog names for the most popular breeds in America.

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A Bernese Mountain Dog Lounges at Home in the Kitchen
Jill Lehmann Photography/Getty Images

Pooch names for the new normal

It seems like we would’ve had this keepin’-things-clean thing down to an art. However, this pandemic has proven we had much, much more to learn about disinfecting. If you’re looking for a pet name that captures the zeitgeist just look to the surge in toilet paper as a hot item.

  • Fauci
  • Charmin
  • Soapy
  • Stimmy (short for stimulus check)
  • Roxy (short for Clorox)

Find out how “Fido” became the default dog name in the first place.

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Boston Terrier dog with head cocked
Rebecca Nelson/Getty Images

Homeschool-related names for the teacher’s pet

Can you use the excuse “my dog ate my homework” during homeschool? That might be an acceptable defense if you have a new pet at home. With so many school children doing distance learning from home, quarantine will be remembered as the period when school shifted to the homefront. This could be a great theme for your new dog’s name.

  • Chalky
  • Audible
  • Classy
  • Stud (short for study)
  • Eddie or Cate (nicknames for education)
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Dog Playing Fetch
SolStock/Getty Images

Baking names for your lil’ barker

Baking has become one of the most popular quarantine pastimes, after all, there’s plenty of time for experimenting with (and failing at) new techniques. Not all bread baking is difficult—there are simple, non-scary recipes out there. The most popular process to try lately has been baking that elusive perfect sourdough loaf. You can also take name inspiration from hard-to-find ingredients, comfort food, crazy quarantine food trends (talking to you, Totwaffles!), and the fact that when all else fails, you can just order delivery.

  • Sourdough
  • Flour or Flower
  • Cookie
  • Totwaffle
  • Grubhub

Don’t miss the best cute pet names for 2020.

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Portrait of dog sitting on stool
Grace Chon/Getty Images

Apps and video game names for pups

Gamers have long known that playing online is a great way to socialize while isolated at home, and predictably, video gaming has become an even bigger pastime during the quarantine. Nintendo Switch consoles are quickly selling out, the TikTok app has become more mainstream (your grandpa may even be on there) and Zoom took over as the local office, bar, meeting room, classroom, and town square. You might take name inspiration from the apps and games that are keeping everyone connected during the quarantine. Can you imagine yourself saying “Hey Snapchat!” or “Fetch, little Instagram?”

  • TikTok
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Zoom
  • Xbox
  • Facetime

These are the best puppy names for boy and girl dogs.

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USA, Utah, Salt Lake, Portrait of German Shepard
Jessica Peterson/Getty Images

TV show watchaholic names

Are you watching a lot of Petflix—whoops—we meant Netflix! People are watching way more TV than they used to during quarantine. It’s a binge-watchers paradise out there. Tiger King, the documentary about the pretty insane world of private tiger ownership, became a popular obsession in the early weeks of quarantine. What have you binged lately? Actually, your pop culture passions and favorite characters are a great inspiration for dog names.

  • Bingey
  • Hulu
  • Tiger King
  • Ozark
  • Disney Plus

OK, it’s time to pull yourself away from whatever show you’re binging and check out these 30 hilarious dog pics.

Molly Pennington, PhD
Molly is a writer and collage artist with a PhD in film and cultural studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her professional astrology services and artwork are available at Baroque Moon Astrology. She covers the zodiac, books, movies, TV and culture for Reader’s Digest, and loves to talk about all the ways we make meaning.