220+ Best Male Dog Names for Your One-of-a-Kind Guy

Looking for some of the top, most popular male dog names around? We sniffed up the best names for your new boy.

Updated June 1, 2023
Male Dachshund running with his ears up.

Move over Rover, the trend in male dog names is becoming more sophisticated. People are searching for unique and clever options, or even naming their boy dogs after famous male characters. You'll find plenty of suggestions for your furry fella right here.

Popular Male Dog Names

You never know where you'll find great inspiration for boy dog names, but the following examples might turn up a name for your pet that you can gladly live with. Just make sure you pick something that rolls easily off the tongue. You're going to call this name for years, so make it easy on yourself - and your pup.

Border Collie chasing after ball.
  • Bear
  • Bentley
  • Brody
  • Buddy
  • Charlie
  • Cooper
  • Diesel
  • Duke
  • Finn
  • Jack
  • Jasper
  • Louie
  • Marley
  • Max
  • Milo
  • Murphy
  • Oliver
  • Oreo
  • Otis
  • Rocco
  • Rocky
  • Romeo
  • Rufus
  • Simba
  • Thor
  • Toby
  • Zeus

Unique Names for Male Dogs

Sure, you'll still hear calls for Scruffy and Spike at the dog park, but names like those are quickly fading out in favor of unique monikers. See if any of these choices tickle your fancy.

Corgi getting petted.
  • Aries
  • Atlas
  • Cobalt
  • Cosmo
  • Drago
  • Eros
  • Gatsby
  • Huxley
  • Indigo
  • Kodiak
  • Leif
  • Maverick
  • Mercer
  • Nimbus
  • Orion
  • Quill
  • Rigel
  • Saxon
  • Stellan
  • Sterling
  • Talon
  • Thane
  • Ulysses
  • Zephyr
  • Ziggy

Cute Male Dog Names

Is your new little boy just as cute as a button? Of course he is! Give him a name that's equally adorable.

Cute dog smiling for the camera.
  • Biscuit
  • Buttons
  • Chewie
  • Cuddles
  • Cupcake
  • Dobby
  • Fudge
  • Gizmo
  • Jingles
  • Mochi
  • Noodle
  • Nugget
  • Peanut
  • Pickles
  • Pippin
  • Pixel
  • Pogo
  • Rolo
  • Skittles
  • Snickers
  • Sprout
  • Squirt
  • Tater
  • Waffles
  • Zigzag

Cool Male Dog Names

Your dog's name expresses both his personality and yours. If you're a smooth operator, a cool name might be the perfect choice for you. Actually, we're pawsitive it is.

  • Ace
  • Archer
  • Astro
  • Blaze
  • Cobalt
  • Crimson
  • Dagger
  • Drax
  • Echo
  • Exodus
  • Falcon
  • Flint
  • Ghost
  • Jett
  • Knight
  • Koda
  • Loki
  • Maverick
  • Phoenix
  • Riptide
  • Sabotage
  • Storm
  • Stryker
  • Titan
  • Viper

Manly Names for Male Dogs

Do you have a strong, tough breed like a Mastiff? A manly name for your boy could be the perfect fit. It's also a fun choice for a petite dog, too! No one would dare mess with a dog named Raptor (well, we wouldn't).

Man doing pushups with dog on his back.
  • Bane
  • Bruiser
  • Brutus
  • Butch
  • Colt
  • Diesel
  • Dozer
  • Goliath
  • Grizzly
  • Gunner
  • Hammer
  • Hercules
  • Kodiak
  • Lumberjack
  • Mace
  • Magnum
  • Ranger
  • Raptor
  • Sarge
  • Spartan
  • Stone
  • T-Bone
  • Tank
  • Thor
  • Trooper

Famous Male Dog Names

Choosing the name of a famous dog for your new pet might actually be a clever or funny idea. Here are a few to inspire you, but you'll surely be able to think of more.

  • Astro (The Jetsons)
  • Balto (Balto)
  • Beethoven (Beethoven)
  • Benji (Benji)
  • Bolt (Bolt)
  • Brian (Family Guy)
  • Buddy (Air Bud)
  • Chance (Homeward Bound)
  • Clifford (Clifford the Big Red Dog)
  • Cujo (Cujo)
  • Hooch (Turner & Hooch)
  • Marley (Marley and Me)
  • Marmaduke (Marmaduke)
  • Perrito (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish)
  • Rin Tin Tin (The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin)
  • Scooby (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!)
  • Shadow (Homeward Bound)
  • Snoopy (Peanuts)
  • Toto (The Wizard of Oz)

Short Dog Names

Maybe you're not interested in uttering a long name with several syllables every time you want to get your dog's attention. Totally understandable. Pick a short dog name that's easy to say, instead. You can even pick one of these as a nickname for your pooch in addition to their "proper" name (you know, the one you use when he's in trouble...)

Cocker Spaniel shaking water off.
  • Ace
  • Bo
  • Cy
  • Gus
  • Ike
  • Jax
  • Jeb
  • Kai
  • Kip
  • Kit
  • Leo
  • Lou
  • Mac
  • Moe
  • Nix
  • Ollie
  • Pip
  • Puck
  • Ray
  • Remy
  • Rex
  • Sam
  • Taz
  • Zed
  • Zeke

Sports Hero Names for Dogs

Why not borrow your favorite sports hero's name for your dog? Think of great names from the past as well as the present.

  • Ali (Boxing)
  • Agassi (Tennis)
  • Beckham (Soccer)
  • Bolt (Running)
  • Earnhardt (Nascar)
  • Gretzky (Hockey)
  • Jordon (Basketball)
  • LeBron (Basketball)
  • McGregor (UFC)
  • Montana (Football)
  • Namath (Football)
  • Pele (Soccer)
  • Phelps (Swimming)
  • Tyson (Boxing)

Clever Male Dog Names

If you've spent a ton of money on a pedigreed pooch, you probably want to give him a name with a bit of class. Try some of these famous philosopher's or artists' names and see how well they trip off your tongue.

  • Archimedes
  • Aristotle
  • Bob Ross
  • Copernicus
  • Da Vinci
  • Dali
  • Darwin
  • Descartes
  • Edison
  • Einstein
  • Euclid
  • Fibonacci
  • Galileo
  • Giotto
  • Hawking
  • Hubble
  • Kepler
  • Kinkade
  • Matisse
  • Michelangelo
  • Monet
  • Newton
  • Pascal
  • Picasso
  • Plato
  • Pollock
  • Pythagoras
  • Rembrandt
  • Renoir
  • Sherlock
  • Socrates
  • Tesla
  • Turing
  • Van Gogh
  • Warhol
  • Watson

Male Dog Names for Your Special Fella

As you can see, there really is an endless supply of male dog names. You just have to figure out which one best suits your dog's personality, and then try it out for a day or two. If it sticks, it's his; if it doesn't, try again. Sooner or later, you're going to find the right one.

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220+ Best Male Dog Names for Your One-of-a-Kind Guy