Top boy puppy and dog names

Choosing the perfect name for your new little fellow can be a tough decision. There are so many boy dog names to choose from … classical dog names, human names, famous male dog names, themed names (cars, food, nationality, etc)… the options are practically endless.

According to the Pet Survey Report 2019, the most popular names for pets are human names, reflecting the fact that pets today are often viewed as members of the family. Other common naming conventions include copying from popular culture, literature, and even ancient mythologies.

Whichever name you decide on, you and your new puppy will be living with it for a long time, so it deserves some careful deliberation. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve collected the very best male dog names — from the most popular to themed to unusual and unique. Read on to find out the do’s and don’ts of choosing a name and our top 10 lists of male puppy names.

Male dog names – How to choose the right one

A good dog name can enhance your dog’s responsiveness and improve communication between you. Consider the following when choosing:

• Dogs have an easier time hearing hard consonants and long vowels, so a name like “Bucky” (hard consonants) or “Tiny” (long vowels) will be easier for him to distinguish from other sounds.
• Most dog training experts recommend a one or two-syllable name that you can say quickly.
• Avoid names that sound like commands, for example, “Kit,” which sounds like “sit,” or “Bo,” which sounds like “no.”

• You’ll be saying your puppy’s name a lot for the foreseeable future, so pick a name you like to say out loud (and that you won’t be embarrassed to yell across the park or put on a dog tag).
• You don’t have to decide on a name right away, so if you prefer, take your time and get to know your new puppy before deciding what to call him – in time, his personality, behaviour or appearance might point you to the perfect name for him.
• Read more pet naming tips to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.

Most popular male puppy names

Just like baby names, dog names rise and fall in popularity. For the past few years there has been an unwavering trend to choose human names for our canine family members and at least 20 percent of dogs currently have human names, according to Rover.com. In line with this trend, human names consistently make up the most popular male puppy names that we at Bow Wow Meow process each year:

Our current top 10 boy dog names in Australia

1. 1. Charlie
   2. Max
   3. Buddy
   4. Milo
   5. Archie
   6. Ollie
   7. Oscar
   8. Teddy
   9. Leo
   10. Alfie

Use our pet name search tool to find the perfect male dog name from the thousands in our database!

Popular-culture themed boy puppy names

Does your boy dog remind you of a film or TV character, either human? Do you, your partner or your kids have a favourite famous male that you would love to name your new pup after? Never fear, many dogs are named after their owner’s (or their owner’s kids’) favourite celebrity, villain, or hero. Apparently, the number of dogs named after “Frozen” characters rose 900 percent the year after the movie came out!

Disney boy dog names

Traditionally and more recently, many names from the Disney universe of characters have helped inspire boy dog names such as:

1. 1. Pluto (Mickey Mouse)
   2. Pongo (101 Dalmatians)
   3. Simba (The Lion King)
   4. Grogu (The Mandalorian)
   5. Mando (The Mandalorian)
   6. Thor (Thor)
   7. Loki (Thor)
   8. Yoda (Star Wars)
   9. Kylo (Kylo Ren, Star Wars)
   10. Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Pop culture inspired cool male dog names

In fact, a third of pet owners have named their dog after a character or dog from a TV show, video game, movie, or book, Rover.com found. Here are some more popular famous names to consider for your male pup:

1. 1. Dexter (Dexter)
   2. Kobe (Kobe Bryant)
   3. Kanye (Kanye West)
   4. Rocky (Rocky)
   5. Snoop (rapper Snoop Dogg)
   6. Spock (Star Trek)
   7. Johnny Cash
   8. Forrest (Forrest Gump)
   9. Frodo (Lord of the Rings)
   10. Neo (The Matrix)

Canine pop culture boy dog names

1. 1. Beethoven (Beethoven)
   2. Benji (Benji)
   3. Einstein (Back to the Future)
   4. Comet (Full House)
   5. Marley (Marley & Me)
   6. Bruiser (Legally Blonde)
   7. Hooch (Turner & Hooch)
   8. Shiloh (Saving Shiloh)
   9. Fang (Harry Potter)
   10. Toto (The Wizard of Oz)

Animated canine male puppy names

1. 1. Bolt (Bolt)
   2. Brian (Family Guy)
   3. Santa’s Little Helper (The Simpsons)
   4. Dogbert (Dilbert)
   5. Marmaduke (Marmaduke)
   6. Odie (Garfield)
   7. Porkchop (Doug)
   8. Scooby-Doo (Scooby-Doo)
   9. Slinky (Toy Story)
   10. Spike (Rugrats)

Famous male historical figures for male dog names with meaning

Pop-culture names – whether dog or human – not tempting to you? Boy puppy names with meaning and gravitas can be found throughout human history, whether Caesar or Spartacus from Roman times, Samson or Goliath from the Bible, or a host of authors, musicians, scientists and world leaders. Here are some more of our favourites to choose from:

1. 1. Amadeus (Mozart)
   2. Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird character)
   3. Brutus (Roman politician, Julius Caesar)
   4. Byron (Poet Lord Byron)
   5. Churchill (Winston, British Prime Minister)
   6. Copernicus (Nicolaus, mathematician)
   7. Lincoln (Abraham, US president)
   8. Darwin (Charles, naturalist)
   9. Hemingway (Ernest, author)
   10. Jefferson (Thomas, US president)

Cute boy dog names by theme

Food-themed cute boy puppy names

Pop-culture and famous names don’t appeal to you? You might want to turn to your favourite food or drink for inspiration – apparently, twelve percent of pet owners do so, according to Rover.com. Here are some of the cutest we’ve come across recently:

1. 1. Whiskey
   2. Chestnut
   3. Huckleberry
   4. Meatball
   5. Noodle
   6. Oreo
   7. Peanut
   8. Sausage
   9. Waffles
   10. Walnut

Car themed cute boy puppy names

Another source of inspiration for boy puppy names is all things car related. If this theme is up your alley, look for a name with personal significance, such as your dream ride or the name of your first rattletrap. Other like-minded car-loving dog owners have chosen the following car-themed boy puppy names:

1. 1. Tesla
   2. Beemer
   3. Bentley
   4. Bugatti
   5. Chevy
   6. Diesel
   7. Dodge
   8. Ferrari
   9. Mack
   10. Sparkplug

Popular small dog names boy

You’ve got a tiny chap and are looking for a cute and cuddly name to suit? Without a doubt, many names are more suited to small dogs than their much larger relatives, even though some diminutive fellas act like they are big deals! Here are the current top 10 names for small boy dogs:

1. 1. Charlie
   2. Paws
   3. Max
   4. Buddy
   5. Oscar
   6. Louie
   7. Winston
   8. Teddy
   9. Cooper
   10. Jack

Maltese puppy names boy

These top 10 male puppy names for Maltese’s are sure to be popular with all small dog breed owners:

1. 1. Teddy
   2. Charlie
   3. Max
   4. Milo
   5. Toby
   6. Bentley
   7. Buddy
   8. Oliver
   9. Cooper
   10. Leo

Adorable male puppy names for small dogs

Don’t want to follow the masses but still looking for something that cries out “cute and adorable” for your little boy? These cute male dog names will be sure to fit the bill and attract attention:

1. 1. Louie
   2. Ziggy
   3. Rollo
   4. Sonny
   5. Teddy
   6. Banjo
   7. Goose
   8. Petey
   9. Percival (or Percy)
   10. Arlo

Large breed tough boy dog names

You’ve got a big, strong dog, and want a big, strong name to match? Big dogs often have big personalities, but some can be softies at heart, so you may want to consider the breed and your dog’s personality before deciding whether he’s a Hercules or a Hobbit, a Tyson or a Toffee. Here are some more popular power names to think about for your big boy:

1. 1. Brutus
   2. King
   3. Spike
   4. Thanos
   5. Hulk
   6. Wolf
   7. Goliath
   8. T-Rex
   9. Major
   10. Napoleon

Unusual male dog names

The name you choose is not always about size but also breed and personality. Generally, you are more likely to find a Pomeranian called Pickle than a Rottweiler, or a Poodle called Snuggles than a German Shepherd. To make your boy dog stand out from the crowd, how about switching things up? Here are some ideas for coming up with some unusual girl boy names that may be perfect for your pooch:

• Give your little boy a big boy name from the large breed tough boy dog names list; or,
• Give your big boy one of the cute boy dog names above that is more common among the tiny tots.
• Choose one of the classic boy dog names that is rarely heard in dog parks and puppy school anymore; or,
• Choose a traditional human male name that has gone out of fashion among both humans and canines.
• Combine two names or words or make a minor change to an existing name, concept or word to create a new name.

Unique male dog names

Somewhat ironically, there are hundreds of internet searches each day for unique bou dog names. To come up with a truly unique male dog name, you’ll need to get your creative juices flowing and think outside of the box, rather than pick one from a list. To get you started, here are some of the more unique male dog names we’ve come across lately:

1. 1. Gummy Bear
   2. Queen Bee
   3. Cherub
   4. Sparkplug
   5. Hera
   6. Zanzibar
   7. Rapunzel
   8. Valkyrie
   9. Sashimi
   10. Zelda

Unusual boy dog names – less common human names

You’re a fan of a human name but don’t want to follow the masses with another Charlie, Max or Teddy? Here are some human names you won’t find on the “best boy dog names 2021” list:

1. 1. Elliot
   2. Albert
   3. Hamlet
   4. Gerald
   5. Lancelot
   6. Wyatt
   7. Finnegan
   8. Karl
   9. Elwood
   10. Herman

Unusual male dog names  – non-human names

Still not inspired? Don’t fancy a human name for your new little boy? Here are a few more non-human names that definitely don’t feature on the “most popular male dog names 2021” list:

1. 1. Noodle
   2. Sting
   3. Zero
   4. Tsar
   5. Camo
   6. Jingle
   7. Spiffy
   8. Rococo
   9. Charmer
   10. Xerox

Funny boy dog names

Looking for a name that draws attention and puts a smile on faces? These are genuine dog names that other quirky and pun-loving dog owners have selected (or invented). If you think of an even funnier one, please let us know!

1. 1. Brad Pitt-bull
   2. Karl Barx
   3. Mutt Damon
   4. Ozzy Pawsborn
   5. Winston Furchill
   6. Phileas Dogg
   7. Jimmy Chew
   8. Jimmy Kibble
   9. Jabba the Mutt
   10. Woofgang Puck

More themed lists of best boy dog names

Names for male puppy by breed

When it comes to naming our dogs, it’s apparent that there are some good male dog names that are just more common among certain breeds. Choosing the name Jack for your Jack Russell might seem a no-brainer, but it appears that so too is Zeus for your Doberman Pinscher. If you want to follow the trend, here are some more to think about:

1. 1. Charlie – Beagle, Basset Hound, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Greyhound, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Labradoodle and Goldendoodle
   2. Max – German Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Miniature Pinscher, Schnauzer
   3. Cooper – Australian Shepherd, Yorkshire Terrier and Pug
   4. Rocky – Boxer and Boston Terrier
   5. Zeus – Doberman, Pit Bull Terrier and Rottweiler
   6. Duke – Weimaraner
   7. Geralt – Husky
   8. Peanut – Chihuahua
   9. Jack – Jack Russell
   10. Bailey – Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier

Australian dog names for male puppies

Looking for a good old Aussie name for your new best mate? Consider the following:

1. 1. Digger
   2. Joey
   3. Bruce
   4. Boomer or Boomerang
   5. Dingo
   6. Bitzer
   7. Grommet
   8. Crikey
   9. Tim Tam
   10. Wombat

Country dog names male puppies

Whether you live in the country or just wish you did, here are some good ol’ country names to consider for your free-ranging fellow:

1. 1. Hunter
   2. Chase
   3. Hank
   4. Butch
   5. Bluey
   6. Biscuit
   7. Blaze
   8. Ned
   9. Buck
   10. Bear

Japanese puppy names male

Perhaps you have a Japanese breed or just like all things Japanese? These names may appeal:

1. 1. Yoshi (good luck)
   2. Hoshi (star)
   3. Akira (intelligent)
   4. Pochi (the Japanese equivalent of ‘Spot’)
   5. Tsuki (moon)
   6. Taeko (brave)
   7. Taro (eldest son or boy)
   8. Fuji (unique)
   9. Kimi (noble)
   10. Kenzo (wise one)

Final word…

In the end, there are no rules for naming your male dog. Whether a human name, a classical dog name or something completely unique, whatever name you choose will most likely soon become a good fit. Choose a name, try it out, and see how you like it—as well as how your dog responds (although he may not initially respond, he certainly won’t have any complaints about it!). Remember, if the name seems not quite right, you can always come back to our lists and pick another one.