Cutest Boy Dog Names for Every Kind of Pet Owner

February 9, 2023

So you’ve made the (great!) decision to get a dog. Congrats! Giving a pup his forever home is a feeling unlike any other and the start to an incredible long-lasting bond. One of the best parts about bringing a new dog home is picking out a name that suits him perfectly. Not only should it fit his personality (is he energetic or more of a lap dog?), but it should also fit his adorable face.

While you can never go wrong with the classic, more popular monikers, unique ones can help your pup stand out in a crowd—or even just at doggy daycare! It all depends on your personal preference. Just like with baby names, there’s no right answer, as long as you pick something you love.

If you’re a new pet parent, take a look at our list of best boy dog names below, inspired by everything from pop culture and nature to your favorite foods and fictional characters. Once you’ve picked out a winning name, you can start researching other canine essentials, like best dog beds, dog gifts, and even the best dog Instagram captions for the inevitable flood of adorable puppy content. And if you need female name ideas instead, check out our list of best girl dog names.
Popular Names
If the names Charlie and Max are too cute to resist, you’re not alone! In fact, you might have already heard of some (or all) of these options. Going with something that’s well-known and used often isn’t a bad thing—it’s just a sign that other people think the name is as cute as you do!

Charlie
Max
Bailey
Cooper
Buddy
Teddy
Milo
Oliver
Tucker
Toby
Jack
Winston
Murphy
Louie
Zeus
Boomer
Smokey
Chance
Lucky
Rex
Spot
Scooter
Bandit
Duke
Jake
Benji
Buster
Riley
Jasper

Names Inspired by Video Games

Pet parents who do a lot of gaming will get a kick out of naming their four-legged friend after their favorite character.

Midas (Fortnite)
Hanzo (Overwatch)
Shep (Animal Crossing)
Griggs (Call of Duty)
Gaz (Call of Duty)
Spyro (Spyro Reignited Trilogy)
Jax (Mortal Kombat)
Luigi (Super Mario Brothers)
Yoshi (Super Mario Brothers)
Crash (Crash Bandicoot)

Names Inspired by Foods or Drinks

Foodies can always name their dog after their favorite snack or beverage. A huge plus? A lot of these just sound super cute!

Cortado
Whiskey
Espresso
Coffee
Brew
Cheerio
Tofu
Biscuit
Taco
Nacho
Sushi
Toast
Meatball
Hoagie
Oreo
Cannoli
Peanut
Miso
Waffles
Biscuit
Bagel
Noodle
Nugget

Names Inspired by Sports

Naming pets after a favorite team or player has always been a popular way to go, especially if you have a sporty dog who never stops playing.

Mamba (named for late basketball legend Kobe Bryant)
Neymar (named for soccer player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior)
Novak (named for tennis star Novak Djokovic)
Babe (Ruth)
(Usain) Bolt
Mookie (Wilson)
Shaq (O’Neal)
Satchel (Paige)
Rafa (Nadal)
(Mike) Tyson
Yogi (Berra)
(Cal) Ripken
(Lewis) Hamilton
Puck
Champ
Rugby
Slugger
Chip
Blitz
Dunk
Eagle

Names Inspired by Nature

Dog parents who appreciate the tranquility of a day spent in nature will love these nature-inspired names. As it turns out, the great outdoors can serve as a source for really unique ideas.