Picking a name for your new dog can be overwhelming, because it's what they'll be taught to respond to for their entire life—and you don't want your pup to have the same moniker that so many dogs already have. Just imagine heading out to the park or for a walk, yelling out for Fido, and having three dogs come running back. (Okay, sure, you probably wouldn't complain, but you get where we're going!)
Much like name trends for babies, dog names go through their own phases of popularity. According to Rover.com, Max, Charlie, Cooper, Daisy, Bella, and Luna fill the top spots that Benji, Fido, and Spot once filled—but that doesn't mean you need to choose one of those for your pet.
A great option is to get inspired by pop culture, but beware: If you go with something trendy, like Barbie, Ken, Swift, or Kelce, it's likely going to skyrocket to the top of the list real fast. On the other hand, a funny canine pun could be a good fit, like Ozzy Pawsbourne or Gretchen Wieners (for a dachshund).
Not sold yet? You might instead want to opt for something related to your favorite food, or something more esoteric or old-fashioned. Whatever you do, make sure you pick a name that suits your good little boy or girl—and one that you're also comfortable saying aloud at the vet's office. We're pawsitive you'll find something you like on our list of 100 unique dog names.
Unique Male Dog Names
Sure, you can go with first names of famous people, but you know what's even more unique than that? Surnames of famous people!
- (David) Beckham
- (Kobe) Bryant
- (Jeff) Buckley
- (Eric) Clapton
- (James) Darwin
- (Robert) Downey
- (Thomas) Edison
- (Albert) Einstein
- (Keith) Haring
- (Post) Malone
- (Jason) Mamoa
- (Peyton or Eli) Manning
- (Dan) Mathers
- (Lionel) Messi
- (Gordon) Ramsay
- (Norman) Rockwell
- (Channing) Tatum
- (Nikola) Tesla
- (Dwyane) Wade
- (Morgan) Wallen
Unique Female Dog Names
No matter if she's a tough cookie or your pretty princess, we've found names inspired by pop culture and beyond that will help your little girl stand out.
- Ashoka
- Bronwyn
- Cirie
- Dorinda
- Eugenie
- Gauff
- Hetty
- Inez
- Jolene
- Kelsea
- Maisel
- Maren
- Margot
- Miranda
- Miss Minutes
- Nebula
- Stassi
- Teeter
- Valentine
- Zendaya
Unique Names for Big Dogs
Big dogs usually get big names, like Bear, Hagrid, or Chewbacca (or maybe even Chewbarka), but here are some other (less frequently used) oversized options that may befit your stately pup.
- Brienne
- Clifford
- Dutton
- Drax
- Everest
- Gandalf
- Geralt
- Hodor
- Kang
- Letty
- Mammoth
- Moose
- Phoenix
- Sequoia
- Snorlax
- Thorfinn
- Triton
- Wheeler
- Yeti
- Zeppelin
Unique Names for Small Dogs
Giving a tiny dog a big name can be funny—in which case, you can snag a name off the big dog list above—but if you want to go the cute route, we have plenty of perfectly petite ideas too. (Yes, a lot of them are food-inspired, because is there anything more adorable, really?)
- Beans
- Blueberry
- Cupcake
- Dumpling
- Gulliver
- Gummy Bear
- Lego
- Miley
- Monaco
- Munchkin
- Pascal
- Peanut
- Pip
- Sabrina
- Samwise
- Shrimp
- Sprout
- Squirtle
- Tater Tot
- Wicket
Unique Funny Dog Names
If you meet your pup and they're a total goofball, you'll want a silly name to reflect their personality—and we think you'll be barking up the right tree with these.
- Bark Simpson
- Bone Iver
- Boujee
- Chili Pupper
- Doja Dog
- Eggo
- Fluffernutter
- Gnomeo
- Gumbo
- Howley Quinn
- Indiana Bones
- McRib
- Monkey D. Luffy
- Mr. Beast
- Ms. Chanandler Bong
- Paul Anka
- Puppenheimer
- Skittles
- Toast
- YoYo
Bonus: If you're rescuing a senior dog, please consider calling him Gerry in honor of the "Golden Bachelor."
Angel Madison is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines with over 25 years of editorial experience. She writes about parenting, toys, plus-size fashion, sneakers, and more for brands like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Prevention, and Esquire. Before her time at Hearst, Angel worked as a parenting editor for New Jersey Family and covered entertainment for NBC Universal, AOL, and TV Guide. When she’s not testing the latest footwear trends, adding to her collection of over 100 LEGO sets, or scouting for the hottest new toys, you can find Angel walking long distances (either in the woods or in New York City) and spending time with her daughter.
