The 100+ Best Dog Names on the Planet

Click the text below each dog name to reveal its unique story — and which personalities it’s most suited to …

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Dogs named Annie
Dog Name: Annie

Meaning: “Prayer,” “favor,” “grace”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: There are many famous Annies in cultural history: Annie Lennox (singer), Annie Oakley (pioneer) and Annie Jump Cannon (astronomer) are just a few. A dog rescued from the humane society just before being euthanized was named Sandy and played himself in the classic movie Annie. Famous fictional Annies include Annie James (The Parent Trap), Annie Hall (Annie Hall) and, of course, Annie Wilkes (Misery).

Dogs named Ava
Dog Name: Ava

Meaning: “Living one”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: Ava Gardner remains one of the most recognizable and popular actresses of her era. Gardner’s popularity was likely a factor in the sharp rise in popularity of the name, particularly among celebrities when naming their babies. Some celebs who have named their children Ava are Kevin Dillon, Hugh Jackman and Reese Witherspoon. Soap operas All My ChildrenGuiding Light and General Hospital all have had characters named Ava, and the TV series Nip/Tuck had an Ava as well.

Dogs named Bandit
Dog Name: Bandit

Meaning: “Robber,” “outlaw”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: A Border Collie named Bandit is added to the Ingalls family in the second season of Little House on the PrairieWe3, an anti–animal exploitation comic book series, features a dog named Bandit, as well as a cat and a rabbit, all of whom were kidnapped and wrapped in robotic armor. A Chihuahua named Bandit won first place in a celebrity look-alike competition for his resemblance to Donald Trump. Actor George Way is the proud father of a daughter who was given this name. In The New Adventures of Johnny Quest, Johnny has a dog named Bandit.

Dogs named Beau
Dog Name: Beau

Meaning: “Handsome,” “admirer”

Personality: Shy

About This Name: In the movie Iron Will, a Siberian Husky named Beau led a team on a cross-country marathon to help his young caretaker deal with financial woes. It’s a Wonderful Life star Jimmy Stewart wrote a poem in loving memory of his dog named Beau — the legendary actor’s poem made Johnny Carson cry. Among human celebrities with this name are actors Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys) and Beau Mirchoff (Scary Movie 4).

Dogs named Bo
Dog Name: Bo

Meaning: “Living”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: The most popular dog named Bo is former “first dog” Bo Obama, a Portuguese Water Dog belonging to former U.S. President Barack Obama and his family. A German Shepherd who had never barked in his life was cast as Bo, the beloved pooch of actor Tim Conway’s character in the 1970 film The Billion Dollar Hobo. Notable people with this name include actress Bo Derek, comedian Bo Burnham and star athlete Bo Jackson. Some fictional characters have had this name as well, such as Little Bo Peep (Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes), Bo Duke (Dukes of Hazzard) and Bo Monkey (Fresh Beat Band of Spies).

Dogs named Bruno
Dog Name: Bruno

Meaning: “Shield of cement,” “armor”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Although Cinderella was the star of Disney’s Cinderella, fans will recall that one of her companions was a dog named Bruno. In Longville, Minnesota, a dog named Bruno earned local fame and a had a statue dedicated to him because he took long, solo walks into and out of town. Other famed Brunos include American musician Bruno Mars, fictional character Bruno Gianelli (The West Wing) and DC Comics’ Bruno Mannheim. Meanwhile, Brüno Gehard is a flamboyant fashionista portrayed by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Dogs named Callie
Dog Name: Callie

Meaning: “Most beautiful,” “lark,” “from the forest”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: Notable people named Callie include journalist and presenter Callie Crossley, U.S. District Judge Callie Granade and rugby footballer Callie Visagie. In the world of fiction, there’s Callie Shaw (The Hardy Boys series), Calliope “Callie” Torres (Grey’s Anatomy), Callie Jacob (The Fosters) and Callie Maggotbone (Ugly Americans). There is a novel by Wendy Howell Mills called Callie and the Dealer and a Dog Named Jake, a mystery set in North Carolina.

Dogs named Cody
Dog Name: Cody

Meaning: “Heavenly God,” “reassuring,” “cushion”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: A small dog named Cody achieved YouTube stardom after a clip was posted that showed him “screaming” in response to his name. An Alaskan Malamute named Cody starred as Nanook in the cult movie classic The Lost Boys. Actor Robin Williams had a son named Cody, and actor Cody Christian is best known for his role in television’s Pretty Little Liars.

Dogs named Dakota
Dog Name: Dakota

Meaning: “Friend”

Personality: Eager to Please

About This Name: Dakota was the name of a Native American tribe whose descendants still live in the Dakotas and surrounding states. Some well-known Dakotas include American actress Dakota Fanning, jazz singer Dakota Staton and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dakota Prescott. A movie called Dakota released in 1988 featured actor Lou Diamond Phillips.

Dogs named Ella
Dog Name: Ella

Meaning: “Beautiful fairy,” “all”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Queen of jazz Ella Fitzgerald is one of the most popular Ellas in cultural history. Other notable Ellas include Ella Baker (activist) and Ella Thomas (actress and producer). Ella has been a popular fictional name as well, with characters such as Ella Montgomery (Pretty Little Liars), Ella of Frell (Ella Enchanted) and Ella Brashear (Men of Honor). If your puppy is a “beautiful fairy,” then Ella would be the perfect name for her.

Dogs named Gigi
Dog Name: Gigi

Meaning: “Earth worker,” or “trustworthy farmhand”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Gigi is most often used as a nickname for someone named Georgina, Virginia or Virginie. Some grandparents are called by the nickname Gigi as well. Famous Gigis include Australian actress Gigi Edgley, Swedish singer Gigi Hamilton, and actresses Gigi Lai and Gigi Leung, both from Hong Kong. Ethiopian singer Ejigayehu Shibabaw uses Gigi as her stage name, and so does actress Ghislaine Elizabeth Marie Perreau-Saussine — better known as Gigi Perreau. French writer Colette wrote a 1944 novel titled Gigi. The soap opera One Life to Live has a character named Gigi Morasco. In Disney’s Lilo and Stitch: The Series, an illegal genetic experiment created a dog named Gigi, who was engineered to annoy people with her barking.

Dogs named Hank
Dog Name: Hank

Meaning: “God is gracious”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: Hank the Cowdog is the star of a long-running children’s book series by John R. Erickson. In 2014, a stray dog appeared on the fields of the Milwaukee Brewers’ spring training facility and the team promptly adopted him as their unofficial mascot, naming him Hank. Tom Hanks is one of the most prolific and recognizable actors in the world. Other famous Hanks include Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams III, all 3 of them music stars, and baseball’s legendary Henry “Hank” Aaron.

Dogs named Hazel
Dog Name: Hazel

Meaning: “Commander”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: Hurricane Hazel was a powerful storm from the 1950s that left devastation in its wake. There are many famous Hazels scattered throughout cultural history, such as bluegrass singer Hazel Dickens, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel R. O’Leary and jazz musician Hazel Scott. Author John Green’s popular book The Fault in Our Stars followed a young girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster. Other famous fictional Hazels include the rabbit Hazel in Watership Down, Hazel Frost (a character in the X-Men universe) and Hazel Aden (Degrassi: The Next Generation).

Dogs named Honey
Dog Name: Honey

Meaning: “Sweet”

Personality: Shy, Independent

About This Name: Honey is a relatively rare name for a person — it is more often used as a nickname, a stage name or an endearment. However, there was a famous dog named Honey – Spuds Mackenzie. This English Bull Terrier was the “spokesdog” for Anheuser-Busch in the 1980s and was portrayed in commercials as a male. In reality, “he” was a girl dog named Honey Tree Evil Eye. There are few fictional human Honeys, but one that comes to mind is Honey Daniels in the movie Honey.

Dogs named Jack
Dog Name: Jack

Meaning: “God’s gift”

Personality: Eager to Please, Independent

About This Name: Early TV helped the name Jack become popular. Little House on the Prairie featured a mixed-breed dog named Jack, a beloved family pet. The name, now a longtime favorite, is shared by a number of human celebrities, such as actors Jack Lemmon and Jack Nicholson, comedian Jack Benny, and boxing legend Jack Dempsey. Jack, played by a young Leonardo DiCaprio, was Rose’s lower-class love interest in the blockbuster movie Titanic. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is the top-selling American whiskey in the world; the distillery’s founder, Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel, was born around 1850.

Dogs named Jasmine
Dog Name: Jasmine

Meaning: “Gift from God”

Meaning:

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Jasmine is originally a Persian name that refers to the jasmine flower. It has become popular as a name in America as well, particularly after the release of Disney’s Aladdin. Popular people with this name include Jasmine Armfield (actress), Jasmine You (singer) and Jasmine Twitty, who at 25 was the youngest person ever to be sworn in as a judge in the town of Easley, South Carolina. There is a record label called Jasmine Records and a Woody Allen film titled Blue Jasmine. A 2011 revolution in China is referred to as the “Jasmine Revolution.” In Aladdin, Jasmine is the heroine and the princess of Agrabah, and in the movie Pretty Little Liars there is a police officer named Agent Jasmine Fuji.

Dogs named Joey
Dog Name: Joey

Meaning: “Life will enlarge”

Personality: Eager to Please

About This Name: In the 1971 comedy/drama movie Fools’ Parade, there was a Bloodhound named Joey. Television character Joey Tribbiani (played by Matt LeBlanc) starred in the hit sitcom Friends. Other television shows with characters named Joey are Full House, The West Wing and Degrassi: The Next Generation. Several baseball players also share this name — Joey Wagman, Joey Gathright and Joey Cora. Young kangaroos are known as joeys, so Joey would be a good name for a cute little dog with bouncy energy.

Dogs named Kona
Dog Name: Kona

Meaning: “Lady”

Personality: Independent, Tough

About This Name: In the heartbreaking movie I Am Legend, the role of Sam was played by a German Shepherd named Kona. This is still an unusual name for humans, but one notable person is Kona Venkat, a screenwriter.

Dogs named Lily
Dog Name: Lily

Meaning: “Pure,” “beautiful”

Personality: Shy

About This Name: Celebrities named Lily include singer, songwriter, actress and presenter Lily Allen, comedian Lily Tomlin and operatic soprano Lily Pons. In the Harry Potter series, Harry’s mother’s name is Lily and, although deceased, plays a pivotal role in Harry’s journey. Actress Kristen Stewart has a wolf-hybrid dog named Lily. Well-known characters named Lily include Lily Aldrin (How I Met Your Mother).

Dogs named Lulu
Dog Name: Lulu

Meaning: “Pearl,” “famous in war,” “light,” “rabbit”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: A famous Scottish pop singer named Lulu is known for the song “To Sir, With Love,” the title song to the classic James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun. Other famous Lulus include Chinese-Dutch novelist Lulu Wang and the notorious Lulu White, an American madam. Lulu the Dog made an appearance on Mythbusters, playing herself in the episode “Chinese Invasion Alarm.” And one of TV dog Lassie’s descendants, an exceptionally intelligent and well-trained collie named Lulu, served as a service dog and therapy dog and brought joy to all who knew her.

Dogs named Maggie
Dog Name: Maggie

Meaning: “Pearl”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: Famous Maggies include actresses Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maggie Shiu and Maggie Smith. There are also famous authors, singer-songwriters, athletes and journalists named Maggie. Actress Scarlett Johansson has a dog named Maggie, and so does popular country star Luke Bryan. Favorite fictional Maggies include Maggie Greene (The Walking Dead), Maggie Beckett (Sliders) and Maggie Simpson (The Simpsons).

Dogs named Maya
Dog Name: Maya

Meaning: “Illusion,” “generous,” “courage”

Personality: Shy, Independent

About This Name: Author and poet Maya Angelou was a well-known cultural figure. Other famous Mayas include Maya Thompson (a songwriter), Maya Ying Lin (an architect) and Maya Khabira Rudolph (an actress). In the movie Eight Below, there was a Siberian Husky named Maya. Recognizable fictional Mayas include Maya Fisher (Six Feet Under), Maya Herrera (Heroes) and Maya Hart (Girl Meets World).

Dogs named Minnie
Dog Name: Minnie

Meaning: “Wished-for child,” “loving memory”

Personality: Shy, Independent

About This Name: The most famous cultural Minnie has to be Walt Disney’s Minnie Mouse, counterpart to Mickey Mouse. Other famous Minnies include folk artist Minnie Evans, actress Minnie Driver, and stage and film actress Minnie Dupree. The only female chimpanzee in the U.S. Mercury space program was named Minnie. In Dean Koontz’s novel Watchers, there is a Golden Retriever named Minnie.

Dogs named Moose
Dog Name: Moose

Meaning: “Big,” “strong man”

Personality: Tough

About This Name: Several people, such as Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina and actor Jared Padalecki, have the nickname Moose. A Parson Russell Terrier with this name became famous when he starred as Eddie Crane in the television show Frazier. Before retiring, that dog named Moose went on to snag another role, this time in the movie My Dog Skip. The name Moose is also popular with human companions, particularly those who have large-breed dogs.

Dogs named Olive
Dog Name: Olive

Meaning: “Peace”

Personality: Shy

About This Name: Cultural leaders with the name Olive include Olive Hazlett (a mathematician), Olive May Osmond (a singer) and Olive Ann Burns (a novelist). In the realm of fiction, who could forget Olive Oyl, Popeye’s love interest? A canine cartoon character named Olive starred in the Christmas TV special Olive, the Other Reindeer, and Olives in the movies include Olive Penderghast (Easy A) and Olive Hoover (Little Miss Sunshine).

Dogs named Oscar
Dog Name: Oscar

Meaning: “Divine spear,” “fighter for God”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: Golfer Joanne Lefson traveled the world with her beloved mutt, Oscar, visiting many sites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China. After Oscar died, Lefson wrote a book in 2010 detailing their adventures. One famous fictional Oscar was Oscar Madison (portrayed by Jack Klugman) on the TV sitcom The Odd Couple. Famous sports figures with this name include Oscar de la Hoya, the “Golden Boy” of boxing who won 10 world titles over his 16-year professional career. Oscar Wilde, famous author and poet, is still one of the most well-known people in literature, although he died long ago, in 1900. Long-running children’s show Sesame Street has a character named Oscar the Grouch, who lives in a trash can.

Dogs named Penelope
Dog Name: Penelope

Meaning: “Weaver”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: When thinking of famous Penelopes, you might think first of actress Penelope Cruz. In addition, Penelope Fitzgerald was an award-winning English novelist. Other notables include actress Penelope Ann Miller, director Penelope Spheeris and singer Penelope Houston. In fiction, there is Penelope Garcia (Criminal Minds) and Penelope Clearwater (the Harry Potter novels), and in Greek mythology the mother of the god Pan was a dryad named Penelope.

Dogs named Phoebe
Dog Name: Phoebe

Meaning: “The shining one”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Phoebe Carrari is a famous and accomplished cellist of worldwide renown. There is also actress Phoebe Cates, cartoonist Phoebe Gloeckner and Phoebe Couzins, the first American marshal. On the long-running television show Friends, one of the main characters (the “weird one”) was Phoebe Buffay. Phoebe was also one of the weird sisters on the popular animated series Gargoyles.

Dogs named Rex
Dog Name: Rex

Meaning: “King”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: Television drama Inspector Rex, which ran from 1994 to 2004, starred a police dog named Rex. A sheep dog with the name Rex appeared in the 1995 movie Babe. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan once had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex. Famous people with the name Rex include football player Rex Grossman, Canadian singer Rex Goudie and baseball player Rex Brothers. Fictional characters include the toy dinosaur from Toy Story, Captain Rex from Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Desperate Housewives character Rex Van de Kamp. Lastly, we can’t forget the king of dinosaurs: the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Dogs named Rocky
Dog Name: Rocky

Meaning: “Masculine,” “of the rock”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: Although some celebrities, like Kim Kardashian, name their dogs Rocky (she had a Boxer named Rocky), this is also a popular name for people. The name Rocky was made famous by Sylvester Stallone in his movie portrayal of boxer Rocky Balboa. Other boxers with this name include Rocky Graziano and Rocky Marciano.

Dogs named Roxy
Dog Name: Roxy

Meaning: “Dawn,” “bright”

Personality: Independent, Eager to Please

About This Name: Roxy, also spelled Roxie or Roxey, isn’t as popular as some other dog names, but some of the human celebs with this moniker are artist Roxy Paine, British writer and inventor Roxey Ann Caplin and Samuel “Roxy” Rothapfel, who built the famous Roxy Theatre in New York. Actor Kevin Hart has a Doberman Pinscher named Roxy, and actress, designer and singer Jennifer Lopez has a Boxer named Roxy. Famous fictional Roxys include Roxie Marie (Sesame Street), Roxy Leech (a character in the DC Comics universe) and Roxy Harvey (Dead Like Me).

Dogs named Sam
Dog Name: Sam

Meaning: “Heard by God”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: A Cocker Spaniel named Sam was featured in the comic book series Sam and Me and in the animated TV series The Adventures of Sam. A blind purebred Chinese Crested named Sam won the title of “World’s Ugliest Dog” 3 times in a row, making him an international celebrity — he had a face you will never forget. Although not a dog, a cat dubbed “Unsinkable Sam” managed to survive 3 sinkings of military ships during World War II. And finally, many famous people are named Sam, including actor Sam Elliott (The Big Lebowski), Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and Sam Waterston (Law & Order). Because Sam can be a shortened version of Samantha, we think it works for both male and female dogs.

Dogs named Sasha
Dog Name: Sasha

Meaning: “Defender of humans”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: There have been several notable people named Sasha, including actress Sasha Barrese, musician Sasha Kolpakov and athlete Sasha Pavlović. Sasha was also the code name for an alleged Soviet mole in the CIA during the cold war. One of the most famous Sashas today is former President Barack Obama’s younger daughter. Sasha was also the name of a 4-legged war hero: a British bomb-detection dog who was killed in action along with her handler in 2008. In the fictional world, famous Sashas include Sasha La Fleur (a dog from All Dogs Go to Heaven 2) and Sasha Williams (a tough, much-loved character in earlier seasons of The Walking Dead), and there is even a Bratz doll named Sasha.

Dogs named Shelby
Dog Name: Shelby

Meaning: “From the manor house,” “willow farm”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Record label producer Shelby Singleton had a hand in several notable artists’ careers, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Brook Benton and Dave Dudley. Other well-known Shelbys include Shelby Lynne (singer), Shelby Lyons (athlete) and Shelby Steele (author). In Smallville, Clark Kent’s Golden Retriever was named Shelby. The most memorable Shelby is a fictional character played by Julia Roberts in the movie Steel Magnolias. Her character, Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, struggles to overcome diabetes.

Dogs named Tank
Dog Name: Tank

Meaning: “Large container”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: In 2015, a Bulldog named Tank won the annual Beautiful Bulldog competition at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, beating others who had traveled from as far away as New Jersey. In November 2017, a Great Dane named Tank helped his human fend off a home invasion in Louisville, Kentucky. People named Tank are rare, but some use it as a nickname, such as football players Tank Daniels, Tank Tyler and Tank Williams. There was a character named Tank in the Matrix trilogy.

Dogs named Trixie
Dog Name: Trixie

Meaning: “Bringer of joy,” “happiness”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Trixie is often used as a nickname for people named Patricia, Beatrice and Beatrix. Famous Trixies include blues singer, vaudeville entertainer and actress Trixie Smith, transgender actress Trixie Maristela, and silent film actress Trixie Friganza. A movie titled Trixie, released in 2000, revolved around a protagonist of the same name. The animated TV cartoon The Fairly Oddparents has a character named Trixie Tang. And, incidentally, during the scene in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp where Lady is berating the scoundrel, she shouts a list of female names at him — and one of them is Trixie.

Dogs named Willow
Dog Name: Willow

Meaning: “Slender,” “graceful”

Personality: Shy, Independent

About This Name: Well-known Willows include Willow Smith, actress and daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and Willow Palin, daughter of Sarah Palin. Some fictional Willows are the pigeon from Angry Birds, Grandmother Willow in Disney’s Pocahontas and the mutant Willow from the Marvel comic universe.

Dogs named Zeus
Dog Name: Zeus

Meaning: “Father of the gods”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: The 1997 comedy Zeus and Roxanne was about the friendship between a dog and a dolphin. The 2009 made-for-TV movie The Dog Who Saved Christmas showcased a family’s Labrador Retriever, Zeus, who nabbed some robbers while he was home alone on Christmas Eve. A Great Dane named Zeus from Michigan became famous when he was named the world’s tallest dog in 2011. He measured 7 feet, 5 inches standing on his hind legs.

Dogs named ApolloDog Name: Apollo

Meaning: “God of the sun”

Personality: Tough

About This Name: A New York Police Department K-9 hero named Appollo (a variant spelling) was awarded the Dickin Medal for his work after 9/11. Actress/TV host and professional wrestler Marie Menounos is devoted to her many pets, including a white German Shepherd named Apollo. Captain Apollo of Battlestar Galactica (originally played by actor Richard Hatch) was a Viper Space Fighter pilot. And it was NASA’s Apollo program that landed men on the moon.

Dogs named Baby
Dog Name: Baby

Meaning: “Infant,” “small child”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: Some notable people with the name Baby are writer Baby Halder, Indonesian actress Baby Huwae and an Indian film director simply known as “Baby.” One classic fictional Baby is the character Frances “Baby” Houseman in the movie Dirty Dancing. The line “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” spoken by Patrick Swayze, was the American Film Industry’s No. 98 on its list of Top 100 movie quotes. In the 1972 movie The Doberman Gang there was a dog named Baby-Face Nelson.

Dogs named BaxterDog Name: Baxter

Meaning: “Baker”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: A Border Collie and a terrier each starred with Will Ferrell in the Anchorman movies portraying Baxter, a lovable dog who wore pajamas and head gear. A white Bull Terrier played an aggressive dog named Baxter in the 1989 comedy Baxter. While visiting a shelter to pick out a dog for a friend, actor Ryan Reynolds (Dead Pool) became attached to a retriever mix and ended up adopting the dog for himself, naming him Baxter. The name of Maine’s former “first dog” was Baxter LePage.

Dogs named Belle
Dog Name: Belle

Meaning: “Intelligent,” “lovely one,” “beautiful”

Personality: Eager to Please

About This Name: Belle Brezing, who died in 1940, is believed to have been the model for the character Belle Watling in Gone With the Wind. Other Belles are actress Belle Baker and singer Belle Cole. In the animated movie Belle and Sebastian there is a white dog named Belle. The most famous fictional Belle is the Disney princess named Belle, star of Beauty and the Beast.

Dogs named Boomer
Dog Name: Boomer

Meaning: “Full-grown kangaroo”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: Boomer was the title character in the movie Boomer, about a stray dog who was always helping people in trouble. A Labrador Retriever named Boomer was a family pet in the movie Independence Day. In the late 1970s and early ’80s, a man named Gary Matthews roamed around Pittsburgh, eating dog biscuits and wearing a collar around his neck. He believed he was a dog named Boomer. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has a son with this name, born in 2016. Finally, a woodpecker in Disney’s The Fox and the Hound was named Boomer.

Dogs named Buddy
Dog Name: Buddy

Meaning: “Messenger,” “friend”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Dogs named Buddy love their humans! Many Buddys are mixed breeds and rescues. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton had a dog named Buddy, who became well-known for his feud with that other Clinton presidential pet, Socks the Cat. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, Buddy “was gregarious and playful,” accompanying the president “in the Oval Office, on walks on the White House grounds and on trips to Camp David.” Movies featuring dogs named Buddy or Bud include Air Bud, in which a talented puppy plays basketball, and Bring Him Home, about a dog named Buddy who goes missing but is found at just the right time. Several singers, too, have the name: think Buddy Holly and Buddy Guy.

Dogs named CharlieDog Name: Charlie

Meaning: “Free”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: The name Charlie works for just about every dog breed, shape and size. Dogs with this name like to play, fetch and chew. Many famous dogs share the name, such as the German Shepherd/Collie mix in All Dogs Go to Heaven. A German Shepherd named Charlie co-starred alongside actor Dean Cain in the 2008 film Ace of Hearts as the officer’s best friend and loyal co-worker. Charlie Brown is the lovable protagonist in the classic American comic strip Peanuts. Among celebrities with this name are actor Charlie Sheen and country music singers Charlie Daniels, Charlie Rich and Charlie Pride.

Dogs named Cooper
Dog Name: Cooper

Meaning: “Barrel maker”

Personality: Eager to Please, Independent

About This Name: In the movie Angel Dog, after a man named Jake loses his family in an automobile accident, his dog, Cooper, helps him learn to live again. Also, featured throughout the movie Daylight was a dog named Cooper. That movie came out in 1996, long before Cooper became a popular name for a dog. The dog appears throughout the entire movie and is ultimately saved from drowning by Sylvester Stallone’s character. In addition, a young actor named Cooper Rowe had a starring role in the TV series Glee, and another child star, Cooper Timberline, starred in the movie Falsify. There are many celebrities from across the decades whose last name is Cooper, including Jackie Cooper, Gary Cooper and Anderson Cooper.

Dogs named Delilah
Dog Name: Delilah

Meaning: “Small,” “delight,” “temptress”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Some famous Delilahs are Israeli foil fencer Delilah Hatuel, radio personality Delilah Rene and the British musician known simply as Delilah. Several notable artists have recorded songs titled “Delilah,” including Queen, Florence and the Machine, Tom Jones and The Cranberries. There is a character named Delilah in the Marvel Comics universe. In 1949, the movie Sampson and Delilah, which details the biblical tale of the pair, was released.

Dogs named Fiona
Dog Name: Fiona

Meaning: “White,” “fair”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: Fiona is a relatively popular name for girl dogs and people. Notable people with the name include Fiona Ritchie (broadcaster), Fiona Staples (artist), Fiona Flanagan (singer) and Fiona Mackenzie (singer). The ogress Princess Fiona from the Shrek movie series, Shameless’s Fiona Gallagher and Fiona of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events novels are all popular fictional characters. In 2011, a Poodle mix named Fiona who had been abandoned was named the ASPCA’s Dog of the Year.

Dogs named Gizmo
Dog Name: Gizmo

Meaning: “Mechanical device or gadget”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Fans will first think of the adorable creature in the Gremlins movie franchise, who monstrously transformed when fed after midnight. Teen Titans has a character named Gizmo, as does the cartoon Duck Tales. Jep and Jessica Robertson of Duck Dynasty have a fluffy brown and white Shih Tzu with this name. Gizmo is a great name for a playful puppy.

Dogs named Harley
Dog Name: Harley

Meaning: “Wild-spirited”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: Dogs named Harley are loyal companions who love to play. Bikers often choose to name their dogs Harley. Producer, instrumentalist and DJ Harley Streten (a.k.a. “Flume”) won 5 awards at the ARIA Music Awards in 2017. Finally, Harley Quinn is a fictional comic book character who made her live-action debut in the 2016 film Suicide Squad (portrayed by actress Margot Robbie).

Dogs named HenryDog Name: Henry

Meaning: “Home ruler”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Actress Debra Messing (Will & Grace) has a mixed-breed terrier named Henry. Famous people with the name include Henry Winkler, who played Fonzie on Happy Days, and England’s Prince Harry, whose formal title is His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales. Famous fictional Henrys include Henry Gupta (Tomorrow Never Dies), Henry Pym (a Marvel character) and Henry Bowers from Stephen King’s It.

Dogs named HunterDog Name: Hunter

Meaning: “One who searches for something”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: The animated Road Rovers features a Golden Retriever named Hunter. Famous people who are known by the name Hunter include journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson. His works include Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Rum Diary. Other notables are golfer Hunter Mahan, actor Hunter Gomez and singer Hunter Hayes. Hunter Renfrow, a walk-on receiver on Clemson University’s football team, caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 1 second to play in the 2016 National Championship Game. Some fictional characters with this name are Hunter Clarington (Glee) and Hunter Van Pelt (Jumanji).

Dogs named JacksonDog Name: Jackson

Meaning: “Son of Jack”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Dogs named Jackson rarely meet a stranger. Singer Mariah Carey has a Russell Terrier named Jackson, and Kylie and Kendall Jenner had an Australian Shepherd with this name. Actor Jackson Raine starred in Beastmaster, and actor Jackson Bostwick played Captain Marvel in the TV series Shazam!

Dogs named Jasper
Dog Name: Jasper

Meaning: “Bringer of treasure”

Personality: Shy, Independent

About This Name: A mixed-breed dog named Jasper was a main character in the book I Want to Kill the Dog. In the literary classic Rebecca there was a Cocker Spaniel named Jasper. A Labrador Retriever named Jasper had a role in the animated TV series Family Guy. Singer Brad Paisley gave this name to his son, and so did Matt Jones, who portrays a special agent on the TV series NCIS. Jasper Beardly is a recurring character on The Simpsons.

Dogs named Josie
Dog Name: Josie

Meaning: “God will add”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Some famous Josies include actress Josie Bissett, producer Josie Davis and comedian Josie Lawrence. Legendary lawman Wyatt Earp’s wife’s name was Josephine, but he called her Josie. Kerry Washington has a small dog named Josie. The lead singer of the band Josie and the Pussycats uses Josie as a stage name — the group’s name was inspired by Josie DeCarlo. In the beloved book Anne of Green Gables, there is a character named Josie Pye.

Dogs named Layla
Dog Name: Layla

Meaning: “Wine,” “intoxication,” “night,” “dark beauty”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Eric Clapton’s famous song “Layla” brought the name into the spotlight, and this song is still widely played, even though it was released in 1970. However, the name itself hasn’t gained nearly as much popularity as the song, and there are only a few notable Laylas out there. Fictionally, there is Layla Miller, a Marvel character also known as Butterfly, and a character named Layla in Disney’s sitcom Dog With a Blog.

Dogs named LouieDog Name: Louie

Meaning: “Fame,” “war”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Many famous people have dogs with this name. Singer Adele lavishes her Dachshund, Louie, with attention. Kylie and Kendall Jenner shared a chocolate Labrador Retriever named Louis, named after Louis Vuitton, one of their favorite designers. Famous people with the name include singer/jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong and actor Louie Anderson.

Dogs named Luna
Dog Name: Luna

Meaning: “Moon”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Since the publication of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, which features the slightly “loony” Luna Lovegood, the name Luna has become popular all over the world. Besides a famous YouTuber named Luna, there are actresses named Luna Schweiger and Luna Blaise and several celebrity babies named Luna or given the nickname Luna.

Dogs named Marley
Dog Name: Marley

Meaning: “Pleasant seaside meadow”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: The dog name Marley exploded in popularity after the famous book and movie Marley and Me, in which a Labrador Retriever’s life with his humans was chronicled. Other famous Marleys include iconic musician Bob Marley and actress Marley Shelton. One famous fictional Marley is Jacob Marley, the main character in Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. A well-known DJ and producer, Marley Marl (also known as Marion Williams), was one of the most influential producers in the history of hip-hop.

Dogs named Millie
Dog Name: Millie

Meaning: “Free born,” “noble,” “strength or determination”

Personality: Eager to Please

About This Name: Standout cultural Millies include Mildred Millie Deegan, who was a baseball player in the All-American Girls Baseball League, as well as singer Millie Scott and Millie Hughes-Fulford, a medical investigator, biologist and astronaut. Former First Lady Barbara Bush had a dog named Millie when the Bushes were in the White House. The iconic cartoon character Minnie Mouse had a little-known niece named Millie Mouse.

Dogs named Missy
Dog Name: Missy

Meaning: “Bee”

Personality: Independent, Tough

About This Name: Missy can be either a stand-alone name or a nickname for Melissa or Michele. Missy Elliot is a well-known pop singer. Other notable Missys include Missy Franklin (athlete), Missy Mazzoli (composer) and Missy Raines (musician). In the Doctor Who franchise, the nickname of a villainess is Missy, short for “the Mistress.” Incidentally, the most expensive cow in the world was also named Missy. And in 1988, a Texas couple felt so strongly that their dog named Missy was perfect that they paid Texas A&M University to clone her. This experiment was dubbed the “Missyplicity” project. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful — the first successful cloning of a dog didn’t take place until 2005.

Dogs named MurphyDog Name: Murphy

Meaning: “Sea fighter”

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: A dog named Murphy would have a lot of company in the world of entertainment: There was a Doberman Pinscher named Murphy in the 1972 mystery movie They Only Kill Their Masters, rapper Murphy Lee won a Grammy for his part in the song “Shake Ya Tailfeather” and Murphy Karges was a founding member of the rock band Sugar Ray. In the mind-bending movie Interstellar, Murphy Cooper was Matthew McConaughey’s science-loving daughter, named after Murphy’s law. Of course, TV’s most famous Murphy is probably Murphy Brown, a strong female character, so Murphy is a great name for tough dogs regardless of gender.

Dogs named OliverDog Name: Oliver

Meaning: “Elf army,” “ornery”

Personality: Eager to please

About This Name: Singer Rihanna loves to pamper her Maltese/Poodle mix, a dog named Oliver. Actress Nicolette Sheridan shares her home with an affection-loving Golden Retriever with this name. People who have the name include actor Oliver Hudson (NashvilleRules of Engagement), political commentator Oliver North and film director Oliver Stone.

Dogs named OtisDog Name: Otis

Meaning: “One who hears well”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: An adventurous young Pug played the part of Otis in the 1989 movie Milo and Otis. In the 2005 film Son of the Mask, a mixed-breed dog named Otis stumbles upon Loki’s mask. Inspirational icon and musician Otis Redding is considered one of the greatest singers in American history. A Texas inventor, Otis Boykin, was responsible for devising a control unit for the pacemaker. In the Superman franchise, supervillain Lex Luthor had an associate named Otis.

Dogs named Penny
Dog Name: Penny

Meaning: “Flower,” “bobbin”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Several celebrities are named Penny, including athlete and actor Penny Hardaway, broadcaster Penny Smith, and writer Penny Jordan. Singer Carrie Underwood has a dog named Penny, and actor Adam Brody named his dog Penny Lane. In the fictional world, famous Pennys include the cartoon character Penny from the animated Inspector Gadget series; sitcom character Penny from The Big Bang Theory; and Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the title character in Stephen King’s horror novel It. Penny could also be a nickname for a dog named Penelope.

Dogs named Piper
Dog Name: Piper

Meaning: “Whistler”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: Piper has not been a traditionally popular name, but there are a few famous Pipers, including American diplomat Piper Campbell and actress Piper Reese. Another famous Piper is Piper Kerman, whose memoir was adapted into Netflix’s popular series Orange Is the New Black. Famous fictional Pipers are scarce, but there are at least 2 Pipers in the Marvel Universe.

Dogs named RileyDog Name: Riley

Meaning: “Symbol of peace”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: Riley is becoming more popular as a dog’s name. The name got a boost when the video game Call of Duty: Ghosts was released — a German Shepherd portrays Riley, who does some hard-core sniffing for explosives. In 2010, Zak Anderegg was hiking in an Arizona desert when he happened upon a scared black puppy who was starving at the bottom of a canyon. He nursed the dog back to health and named him Riley. Musicians who share the name include Riley McDonough, lead vocalist for the pop group Before You Exit, and Riley Baugus, a musician and instrument builder from North Carolina.

Dogs named RomeoDog Name: Romeo

Meaning: “Pilgrim to Rome”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet features a pair of young star-crossed lovers who come to a tragic end. Actress Katherine Heigl chose the name Romeo for one of her many dogs, a lovable Schnauzer. Sharing this name are singer Romeo Santos and American rapper Romeo Miller. Romeo was also the name given to a wolf living in Mendenhall, Alaska, who successfully interacted with humans until he was killed by out-of-state hunters in 2009.

Dogs named Ruby
Dog Name: Ruby

Meaning: “Precious jewel”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: Ruby has been a powerful name in and out of Hollywood. Famous Rubys include Australian model Ruby Rose, radiophysics pioneer Ruby Payne-Scott (also the world’s first female radio astronomer) and singer Ruby Turner, who is well-known on both sides of the Atlantic. Actress Kaley Cuoco adopted a shelter dog named Ruby. Fictional characters named Ruby include the hilarious Ruby Rhod (The Fifth Element), Ruby Jean Reynolds (True Blood) and demon Ruby (Supernatural).

Dogs named SammyDog Name: Sammy

Meaning: “Heard by God”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Singer/songwriter Justin Bieber named his Papillon Sammy, and actress Victoria Justice (Zoey) has a Bichon Frise/Schnauzer mix who also shares this name. One of the most famous people named Sammy was actor and singer Sammy Davis Jr., and in the book Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer, the female lead had a guide dog named Sammy. The TY Company created a beanie baby named Sammy to honor baseball player Sammy Sosa. If you grew up reading the comic Family Circus, you’ll recall that one of their dogs was named Sammy.

Dogs named Scout
Dog Name: Scout

Meaning: “Observer”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: In the perpetually hotly debated novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout is the narrator and protagonist. Other notable Scouts include Scout Willis, actress and daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, and actress Scout Taylor-Compton. In the old western The Lone Ranger, the name of the ranger’s horse was Scout. A pit bull named Scout who was rescued from abuse took to the internet (with the help of his human friends) to help rebrand pit bulls, and even wrote a book. And in the 2001 children’s cartoon series Finley the Fire Engine, a detective proudly bore the name Scout.

Dogs named Sugar
Dog Name: Sugar

Meaning: “Sweet,” “kind”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Ray Charles Leonard was a famous boxer best known as “Sugar Ray.” Survivor contestant Jessica Kiper’s peers gave her the nickname “Sugar.” American blues harmonica player James Whiting was known as “Sugar Blue.” There have been 3 films titled Sugar, released in 2004, 2008 and 2013. Several artists have released albums titled Sugar, including Etta Jones and Robin Schulz. Def Leppard’s classic hit song was “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” and several other notable artists and groups, such as Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5, recorded songs titled “Sugar.”

Dogs named Teddy
Dog Name: Teddy

Meaning: “Gift from God,” “prosperous guardian”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Teddy Hilton is Perez Hilton’s beloved Goldendoodle. A Great Dane named Teddy the Wonder Dog became a favorite of viewers in the early 1900s when he appeared in The Nick of Time Baby (1916) and Teddy at the Throttle (1917). Quite a few people have had this name, too — some of them are actors Teddy Dunn (The Gilmore Girls), Teddy Sears (Raising the Bar), Teddy Bridgewater (quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings) and, of course, Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States.

Dogs named TuckerDog Name: Tucker

Meaning: “Cloth thickener”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Tucker is a popular name for dogs in movies, TV shows, books and celebrity homes. In the 2013 Hallmark movie Christmas With Tucker, a teen from Alaska forms a strong bond with a 3-legged collie/husky mix named Tucker. Tucker Albrizzi is a young actor who has played roles in movies and television series, including Good Luck Charlie and Big Time Rush. Other notables include the son of former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle and Tucker Gates, who directed several episodes of the TV series Alias and Lost.

Dogs named Winnie
Dog Name: Winnie

Meaning: “From wine’s town,” “from a friend’s town”

Personality: Shy

About This Name: Winnie is another name made famous by Disney — in this case, by the beloved bear Winnie the Pooh. Other, lesser-known Winnies include actress Winnie Lightner, dramatist Winnie Holzman and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela. In the Disney movie Tuck Everlasting, the main character’s name is Winnie Foster. Classic cartoon character Woody Woodpecker had a girlfriend named Winnie.

Dogs named Ziggy
Dog Name: Ziggy

Meaning: “Protector”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: Most often the dog name Ziggy is chosen in honor of the comic strip character. Actress Mischa Barton (The Sixth Sense) adores her Pomeranian/Shih Tzu mix dog named Ziggy. The oldest son of musician Bob Marley was given the name Ziggy. The Detroit Lions football team includes defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, known to his friends as Ziggy. Iconic singer David Bowie had a persona named Ziggy Stardust in the 1970s. On HBO’s series The Wire, there was a character named Ziggy Sobotka, and Ziggy is the name of a boy in Big Little Lies.

Dogs named Athena
Dog Name: Athena

Meaning: “Goddess of wisdom,” “goddess of war”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Although there are relatively few people named Athena, some famous ones include Athena Cage, American singer and songwriter, and actress Athena Massey, who had roles in The Young and the Restless and Doogie Howser, M.D., as well as a role in the movie The Nutty Professor. There is a Princess Athena in Denmark’s royal family. Classic rock band The Who released a song in 1982 titled “Athena.” Fictional characters named Athena include Lt. Athena (Battlestar Galactica) and Marvel character Athena, one of the Olympian gods.

Dogs named Bailey
Dog Name: Bailey

Meaning: “Trusted guardian”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: Dogs named Bailey are smart and obedient. The 2010 movie Adventures of Bailey: The Lost Puppy stars a Golden Retriever who is accidentally left behind when his family moves away. Many people have been named Bailey over the years. The 8th mayor of Seattle was Bailey Gatzert. Col. Bailey K. Ashford was an American physician who died in 1834. Actor Bailey Chase appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Saving Grace, among other shows.

Dogs named Bear
Dog Name: Bear

Meaning: “Large head,” “bulky body”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: In the movie Crimson Tide, a Russell Terrier named Bear is the constant companion of Capt. Ramsey (Gene Hackman). The TV show Person of Interest features a Belgian Shepherd named Bear who won viewers’ hearts as the pet of John Reese (Jim Caviezel). Among famous people with the name is football coach Bear Bryant, who retired with 323 wins.

Dogs named Blue
Dog Name: Blue

Meaning: “Color between green and indigo”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: “You’re my boy, Blue!” If you’ve watched the cult-classic comedy Old School, then you probably had a good laugh when Will Ferrell’s character yelled that line to note the passing of a dear friend named Blue. The most popular name for American Pit Bull Terriers, Blue is also the chosen name for many Australian Cattle Dogs (Blue Heelers). A Bloodhound named Blue played a role in the long-running Andy Griffith Show. And lest we forget, the kids' show Blue’s Clues featured an animated blue puppy who tried to communicate by leaving paw prints on three clues. Actor Blue Deckert starred in the 2009 film The Stepfather. And singers Beyoncé and Jay-Z chose this name for their first-born daughter.

Dogs named Brody
Dog Name: Brody

Meaning: “Muddy place,” “the wise one”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Actress Jenelle Evans (Teen Mom 2) had a pit bull with this name. Actor Brody Nicholas Lee gained fame in the 2012 movie Cloud Atlas. American television personality and model Brody James appeared in the reality TV show The Princes of Malibu. The series Roswell has a character named Brody Davis, and in the classic quartet of Indiana Jones movies there is a character named Marcus Brody.

Dogs named Cali
Dog Name: Cali

Meaning: “Most beautiful”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Cali was originally a Greek name, although it has become more common in America. Actor and stuntman Cali Nelle worked on the film Guardians of the Galaxy, and singer-actress Cali Blake landed a role in Pitch Perfect 2. The word Cali is often used as a nickname for the state of California. Fictional Calis include Cali Mills (Taken) and Cali Goodwin (Raven).

Dogs named Cleo
Dog Name: Cleo

Meaning: “Pride,” “fame,” “glory”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: Cleo can be short for Cleopatra or Cleophus, but is also used as a stand-alone name. Notable figures with the name Cleo are actress Cleo Moore, baseball player Cleo Smith, silent film actress Cleo Madison and musician Cleo Patra Brown. In the television show The People’s Choice there was a Basset Hound named Cleo, and in the children’s show Clifford the Big Red Dog, Clifford had a friend who was a purple Poodle named Cleo. In Disney’s Pinocchio, Geppetto’s fish was named Cleo.

Dogs named Daisy
Dog Name: Daisy

Meaning: “Day’s eye”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Famous Daisys can be found in several career fields, from modeling to bronze medal–winning Olympic competitors. A Labrador Retriever named Daisy co-starred alongside Clint Eastwood in the movie Gran Torino. According to IMDb, Daisy was Eastwood’s beloved real-life dog, but she was actually named Holly. And of course, although she isn’t a dog, we all know Daisy the famous Disney duck. Finally, if you have ever read The Great Gatsby, you will no doubt remember the beautiful former debutante Daisy Buchanan, a particular obsession of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby.

Dogs named Dexter
Dog Name: Dexter

Meaning: “Skilled,” “fortunate”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: This name has risen in popularity over the years, partly thanks to the popular TV show about a serial killer named Dexter that aired from 2006 to 2013. Singer Dexter Roberts was a contestant on American Idol. Actor Dexter Dardan is best known for his roles in Maze Runner and Joyful Noise. Jazz musician Dexter Gordon’s bebop style helped him become famous in the 1940s. Finally, another famous Dexter is singer/songwriter Dexter Holland of the punk band The Offspring, who in 2017 earned his PhD in molecular biology, an advanced education he had put on hold for nearly 25 years in order to focus on rock 'n’ roll starting in the early ’90s.

Dogs named George
Dog Name: George

Meaning: “Earth worker”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: George is a classic, timeless name for a male dog. Actor Jim Carrey had a Great Dane named George. In New Zealand, a courageous Russell Terrier was posthumously awarded a PDSA gold medal for defending 5 children who were under attack by 2 large, aggressive dogs and subsequently died from his injuries. Many notable people have been named George, including filmmaker George Lucas, novelist George R.R. Martin and actor George Clooney. America’s first president was George Washington. Baseball legend Babe Ruth’s real name was George. And let’s not forget Curious George, the cute animated monkey who can’t help getting into trouble. There are so many more famous people named George — your dog would be in fine company if you gave him this classic name.

Dogs named Gunner
Dog Name: Gunner

Meaning: “Bold warrior”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: A stray Kelpie who had been rescued and given this name by soldiers accurately alerted air force personnel when Japanese aircraft were approaching during World War II. Many wrestlers also use the name, including Gunner Scott, the “Undertaker” of pro-wrestling fame, whose son was given the moniker as well. Football quarterback Gunner Kiel played for the University of Notre Dame.

Dogs named Harper
Dog Name: Harper

Meaning: “Harpist,” “minstrel”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Author Harper Lee was one of the most influential novelists of her era. Her novel To Kill a Mockingbird has become a literary classic. Other notable Harpers include basketball player Harper Williams, singer-songwriter Harper Simon, artist and musician Harper Goff and football player Harper LeBel. Recognizable fictional characters with this name are Harper Dearing (NCIS) and Harper Stanhope (Lost).

Dogs named Holly
Dog Name: Holly

Meaning: “Holy,” “shrub”

Personality: Outgoing, Eager to Please

About This Name: Famous Hollys include Holly Marie Combs (actress), Holly Black (author of The Spiderwick Chronicles) and Holly Mangold (athlete). In the world of fiction, some recognizable Hollys are Holly Flax (The Office), Holly White (Breaking Bad) and Holly Hills (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). And in September 2017, a clever Labrador Retriever named Holly learned to “find” money (usually from her humans’ purse or pockets) and used that money to “buy” treats from them.

Dogs named Izzy
Dog Name: Izzy

Meaning: “Will laugh”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: Izzy is often used as a nickname for lot of other names, such as Israel, Isadore, Isabel and even Elizabeth. Notable Izzys include athletes Israel “Izzy” Alcántara and Isidore “Izzy” Goldstein and Izzy Meikle-Small, an actress. An animated character named Izzy was the mascot of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Recognizable Izzys from the entertainment industry include Izzy Mandelbaum (Seinfeld), Izzie Stevens (Grey’s Anatomy) and Izzy Moreno (Miami Vice).

Dogs named Jake
Dog Name: Jake

Meaning: “Fun-loving,” “happy”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: In the 2010 cartoon Adventure Time, a dog named Jake had magical powers that enabled him to change sizes and shapes at will. In the 2012 made-for-TV movie Puppy Love, a mixed-breed puppy named Jake played a big part in bringing together an unlikely couple. Champion Boxer Jake LaMotta is among the well-known humans who have this name, and another is actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

Dogs named Jax
Dog Name: Jax

Meaning: “Strong,” “protective”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: Comedian Chelsea Handler is accompanied by her Boxer, Jax, almost everywhere, including onstage during her standup routines. Jax Malcolm is known for his many talents, including movies (Love Is All You Need), music and competitive swimming. Another Jax in the movie world is Jax Austin (The Healer’s Son). Jax Copeland Arnold is the son of actor Tom Arnold.

Dogs named Koda
Dog Name: Koda

Meaning: “Friend,” “my little bear”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: The movies Snow DogsEight Below and Husky all featured dogs named Koda. Disney’s Brother Bear had a character named Koda. Koda Shigeyuki, a Japanese author, wrote many books, including The Icon of Liberty. South Carolina native Jordan Sudak is an acclaimed rhythm and blues–style musician. In baseball, there is a pitcher named Koda James Glover whose fastball can consistently exceed 90 mph, and whose slider can reach “ridiculous” speeds of 96 mph. According to his Wikipedia page, he is descended from Cherokees, and Koda means “bear” in the Cherokee language.

Dogs named Leia
Dog Name: Leia

Meaning: “Child of heaven,” “heavenly flowers”   

Personality: Independent, Tough

About This Name: Actress Carrie Fisher is known for playing the most iconic Leia of all time: Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan from the Star Wars universe. (Before her death, Fisher had a French Bulldog named Gary.) In 2015, likely thanks to the recurring popularity of the Star Wars movies, the name Leia found its way onto the list of 1,000 most popular baby names for the first time.

Dogs named Luke
Dog Name: Luke

Meaning: “From Lucania”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: “Luke, I’m your father …” No character is more popular or well-known than Luke Skywalker, protagonist in the Star Wars franchise. Many famous people have the name Luke, such as singer-songwriter Luke Bryan, actor Luke Edwards and American football player Luke Collis. Fictional Lukes include Luke Dunphy (Modern Family), Luke Ward (The O.C.) and Luke Cage (Marvel Universe).

Dogs named Maddie
Dog Name: Maddie

Meaning: “Woman of Magdala,” “great”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: This name is usually short for “Madeline,” “Madison” or “Magdala.” Maddison Michelle “Maddie” Bowman, an American Olympic skier, is one notable Maddie. Another notable Maddie is actress Maddie Corman. Fictional Maddies include Maddie Rooney (Liv and Maddie), Maddie Fitzpatrick (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) and Maddie Hayes (Moonlighting).

Dogs named Max
Dog Name: Max

Meaning: “Greatest,” short for Maximillian or Maxwell

Personality: Tough, Outgoing

About This Name: One of the most popular names in the United States, Max also happens to be a strong name for a pet. One of the most standout humans to have this name is Max von Sydow, a Swedish actor with over 100 television shows and movies to his credit, including Dune (1984), Minority Report (2002) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). In the animated classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch had a dog named Max. Fictional characters named Max include Max Goof (Goofy’s son) and Max Detweiler (The Sound of Music).

Dogs named Milo
Dog Name: Milo

Meaning: “Merciful”

Personality: Eager to Please, Shy

About This Name: A Russell Terrier named Milo (real name Max) made his acting debut in the blockbuster movie The Mask, playing the loyal sidekick of Jim Carrey. The character also showed up in a sequel, Son of the Mask. Actress Diane Lane named her pampered Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix Milo. People with the name include Milo Cawthorne (Ziggy in Power Rangers), Milo Aukerman (singer) and Milo Hamilton, the sportscaster who became famous for saying, “Holy Toledo! What a play!”

Dogs named Mocha
Dog Name: Mocha

Meaning: “Sweet as chocolate”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: Not many people are named Mocha. Philippine performer and blogger Margaux Justiniano Uson uses it as a stage name, and Australian footballer Maurie Dunstan used it as a nickname. Actor Hugh Jackman has a French Bulldog named Mocha. This would be the perfect name for a lovable brown dog.

Dogs named Nala
Dog Name: Nala

Meaning: “First drink of water,” “successful”

Personality: Outgoing

About This Name: The name Nala is best known as a character in Disney’s The Lion King. But some celebrities, including Laurel Holloman and Keenan Ivory Wayans, have named their daughters Nala. After the release of The Lion King, however, dogs named Nala suddenly got popular. Recently, Nala has been in the top 25 on Rover.com’s list of top 100 female dog names. One more thing … if you’re a fan of New Orleans, you might consider a unique twist on this name: Nola.

Dogs named Ollie
Dog Name: Ollie

Meaning: “Elf warrior,” “olive tree”

Personality: Eager to Please, Outgoing

About This Name: While certainly fine as a stand-alone name for a dog, Ollie is often used as a nickname for Oliver. One noted human Ollie was the accomplished athlete Ollie Matson. Other famous Ollies include record producer Ollie E. Brown and English actor and singer Olly Murs. Some fictional characters with this name are Ollie the Bunny (Wonder Pets) and Ollie Williams (Family Guy).

Dogs named Peanut
Dog Name: Peanut

Meaning: “Small”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: Several people have been called Peanut as a nickname, including baseball coach Jim Davenport, jazz trumpeter Herbert Lee Holland and football player Charles Tillman. The iconic comic strip Peanuts stars a black and white Beagle named Snoopy. The Planters company uses a dancing peanut — aptly named “Mr. Peanut” — as its mascot, and popular ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has a puppet named Peanut. In 2017, a former shelter dog named Peanut was hailed as a hero for rescuing a 3-year-old girl from a ditch. “Peanut suddenly started barking uncontrollably, reported CBS News, adding that “the behavior was certainly unusual for the ordinarily shy pup.” She led her human to an open field where an unclothed girl lay in a ditch, shivering in the freezing temperatures. (The girl and a sibling were later taken into custody of Child Protective Services.) “Thanks to Peanut, the little girl’s life was saved,” CBS stated.

Dogs named Pepper
Dog Name: Pepper

Meaning: “Hot-tempered”

Personality: Tough, Eager to Please

About This Name: There are only a few people with the first name Pepper in cultural history. Two of them are saxophonist Pepper Adams and baseball player Pepper Martin. In the realm of fiction we have Marvel’s famous character Pepper Potts and Suzy Pepper, a character in Glee. There is also a soda called Dr. Pepper, which has been around since the 1880s. And the movie The Adventures of Pepper and Paula featured a dog named Pepper.

Dogs named Princess
Dog Name: Princess

Meaning: “Royal daughter”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: Although we are not aware of any famous people whose actual name is Princess, it has long been a favorite nickname. There have been several influential actual princesses, including Princess Diana. The movie The Princess Bride has enjoyed a huge following and has become a cult classic. A little-known movie called Dancer and the Dame stars a German Shepherd named Princess — and of course there are numerous beloved Disney cartoon princesses, known all over the globe.

Dogs named Rocco
Dog Name: Rocco

Meaning: “Battle cry”

Personality: Tough, Independent

About This Name: In the 2014 film The Drop, Rocco was an abused pit bull who was taken in by a loving bartender (played by Tom Hardy). Madonna has a son named Rocco. Other famous people with the name include celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, Tampa Bay Rays coach Rocco Baldelli and filmmaker Rocco Botte. Earth’s moon has a small lunar crater named Rocco. The 2017 accidental death in the United Kingdom of a 5-month-old Border Terrier named Rocco spurred a social media movement encouraging people to remove their dogs’ collars while they are at home.

Dogs named Roscoe
Dog Name: Roscoe

Meaning: “From the deer forest”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: In the comic strip Pickles, a dog named Roscoe lived with a retired couple. Actor James Best made Rosco P. Coltrane a household name with his portrayal of the bumbling sheriff in the TV series The Dukes of Hazzard. Other notable Roscoes are Roscoe Parrish (NFL football player), composer and educator Roscoe Mitchell, and biochemist Roscoe Brady, whose research paved the way for critical enzyme replacement therapies.

Dogs named Rusty
Dog Name: Rusty

Meaning: “Reddish-brown color”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: In the 1998 movie Rusty: The Great Rescue, Rusty was a lovable Beagle who came to help some newborn puppies who had been kidnapped. There was also a dog named Rusty in Disney’s Home on the Range. Famous people with the name Rusty include figure skater Rusty Fein, baseball player Rusty Kuntz and director Rusty Cundieff. Rusty the Diesel was a supporting character in the Thomas the Tank Engine franchise. King of the Hill’s character Dale Gribble often used the name Rusty Shackleford as an alias. In the National Lampoon’s movies, Rusty is Clark Griswold’s son.

Dogs named Sandy
Dog Name: Sandy

Meaning: “Protector of mankind”

Personality: Tough, Eager to Please

About This Name: The most famous dog named Sandy was the shaggy pup from the musical and movie Annie. Famous humans with this name include Sandy Koufax (baseball pitcher), Sandy Duncan (actress) and Sandy Rothman (musician). Sandy Cheeks is the name of the animated underwater squirrel in SpongeBob SquarePants. The classic musical Grease follows the high school adventures of Sandy Olsson.

Dogs named Shadow
Dog Name: Shadow

Meaning: “Image cast by an object blocking the sun’s range”

Personality: Independent, Shy

About This Name: The movies Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco featured a loyal and obedient Golden Retriever named Shadow. He could hold his own through many tough challenges. In the book The Sorcerers in the North (by John Flanagan), an injured dog named Shadow is found by a man who eventually captures the person responsible for the dog’s misfortune. Actress Vanessa Hudgens has a Toy Poodle with this name, and Japanese writer Satoru Shiga uses the stage name Shadow WX. The Dungeons & Dragons franchise has a long-running character named Shadow. We think Shadow could work well as a name for either a male dog or a female dog.

Dogs named Sydney
Dog Name: Sydney

Meaning: “Wide island,” “south of the water,” “from Sidon”

Personality: Independent

About This Name: American actress Sydney Tamiia Poitier (daughter of famed actor Sidney Poitier) has starred in several movies and TV shows, including the rebooted Knight Rider, which aired in 2008. The TV series Melrose PlaceAlias and Relic Hunter all have characters named Sydney. In addition, Sydney is the name of an Australian city — and it would make an elegant name for your girl dog. According to SheKnows, those with this name “have a deep inner desire for travel and adventure, and want to set their own pace in life without being governed by tradition.”

Dogs named Thor
Dog Name: Thor

Meaning: “Thunder”

Personality: Tough

About This Name: The name Thor saw a rise in popularity after Marvel’s hit movie Thor and its sequels in the Avengers franchise were released. In the 1996 horror movie Bad Moon, there is a German Shepherd named Thor. There is also a character named Thor in the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In Norse mythology, the god Thor was associated with thunder, lightning and strength.

Dogs named Tyson
Dog Name: Tyson

Meaning: “Son of German”

Personality: Outgoing, Tough

About This Name: A self-taught skateboarding dog named Tyson appeared in 2 movies: Lords of Dogtown and Undiscovered. On working days, he was said to command a salary of over $1,000 per day. Notable people named Tyson (or with the last name Tyson) include boxer Mike Tyson, American soccer player Tyson Wahl and musician Tyson Meade. In the Pokemon franchise, trainer Ash Ketchum had a rival named Tyson. Rick Riordan’s popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series features a cyclops named Tyson.

Dogs named Winston
Dog Name: Winston

Meaning: “Joy stone”

Personality: Independent, Outgoing

About This Name: Dogs named Winston wear their names with dignity. Singer Gwen Stefani adores her Pomeranian, Winston. The animated Disney film Feast stars a Boston Terrier by that name. Famous people named Winston have included British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Winston Marshall of the band Mumford & Sons.