This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.

Are you on the hunt for a one-of-a-kind name for your new furry friend? Look no further than this list of 345 unique dog names! From pawsitively adorable to quirky, cool to creative, we’ve got you covered. Choosing the perfect name for your pup can be an exciting but daunting task, but with our list of uncommon and stand-out names, you’re sure to start out on the right paw. Whether you’re looking for a famous Instagram name or simply want a memorable nickname for your new puppy, we’ve got plenty of ideas to inspire you.

A golden retriever puppy running outside.

Explore the world of unique dog names and help you find the perfect name for your four-legged companion. From Ace to Zuma, these creative dog names will make you smile.

A woman with a golden retriever puppy in her backpack.

Wow. The day is finally here. This is going to change your life, big time. Things will never be the way they once were before – easy, carefree, and changing at a moment’s notice. Structure and rules are about to run up onto your doorstep real fast. And you’re going to need it because that baby dog you’re adopting is going to test everything you’ve got within you. You are going to be a crazy dog mom or dad!

A couple with a brittany spaniel and a golden retriever puppy.

I know you’ve done your research on this, though. I know you don’t need a lecture on responsibility, caring for another life, or commitment. You already know this! You’re more interested in the companionship to come, the hilarious moments in the yard, and the sweet snuggles and kisses before bed. There are so many reasons why dogs make your life better.

Getting a new dog is a big decision, but there’s an even bigger one that comes along with it: he needs a name – and a unique dog name – stat! To be exact, you need unique puppy names!

A puppy being trained by a woman.
Photo: Natalia Bostan at Shutterstock

Unusual Dog Names

In a world full of Stella’s, Max’s, and Bailey’s, you want your baby to stand out. A more uncommon dog name will show how unique she is and how creative you are. Plus, there are a lot of situations where having a creative dog name will come in handy. With a unique pet name, you don’t have to worry about mix-ups and confusion.

So without further ado, we put together a list of the top unique dog names for your perfect, one-of-a-kind fur baby. Whether quirky dog names, weird dog names, special dog names or just interesting dog names – we have them all. There are many tips for new puppy parents, and naming is one of them!

A woman sitting on a rugged beach with her dog.

Where to Find Inspiration for Unique Dog Names

When you have a new pup, one of the most important decisions is naming them. It will be love at first sight and you will want to get this right! You can go with more common names, but unique names are maybe what your cute little pooch needs. There are many sources of inspiration for uncommon dog names, including:

  1. Your dog’s personality
  2. Your dog’s breed, type, colour, shape, or size
  3. Characters from your favourite books, movies, TV shows, or video games
  4. Famous historical figures or celebrities
  5. Locations, travel destinations or landmarks
  6. Food or drinks you enjoy
  7. Mythological or fantasy creatures
  8. Words or phrases from different languages
  9. Music, bands, or song lyrics
  10. Nature or natural phenomena
  11. Sports or hobbies you enjoy
  12. Famous artists or artwork
  13. Historical events or periods

The possibilities are endless for uncommon dog names, so take your time and find a name that fits your furry friend’s unique personality and spirit!

A child laying on a bed holding a puppy up in the air above their head.
Photo: Anna Hoychuk at Shutterstock

The Best Uncommon Dog Names from A to Z

  • Ace
  • Alba
  • Andro
  • Ansel
  • Apollo
  • Argos
  • Aria
  • Arlo
  • Arrow
  • Asher
  • Astra
  • Athena
  • Atlas
  • Bellamy
  • Blaze
  • Blue
  • Bodhi
  • Bolt
  • Bowie
  • Briar
  • Cairo
  • Calypso
  • Canyon
  • Casper
  • Chase
  • Chopper
  • Clio
  • Comet
  • Cosmo
  • Cypress
  • Dante
  • Darwin
  • Dash
  • Dax
  • Delta
  • Diesel
  • Django
  • Draco
  • Duke
  • Echo
  • Eden
  • Edison
  • Elara
  • Electron
  • Elvis
  • Enzo
  • Everest
  • Ferris
  • Finn
  • Finnegan
  • Finnley
  • Flash
  • Flint
  • Flora
  • Forest
  • Gage
  • Galaxy
  • Gatsby
  • Ghost
  • Gideon
  • Gryphon
  • Hagrid
  • Harley
  • Harper
  • Haze
  • Henna
  • Hera
  • Hudson
  • Hunter
  • Icarus
  • Indiana
  • Indie
  • Indigo
  • Indy
  • Jagger
  • Jasper
A woman on a beach with a brittany spaniel and a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy.
  • Jax
  • Jazz
  • Jinx
  • Juno
  • Kai
  • Kali
  • Karma
  • Kestrel
  • Kilo
  • Kipper
  • Koda
  • Laken
  • Lancelot
  • Lark
  • Legend
  • Leo
  • Loki
  • Lulu
  • Lumen
  • Luna
  • Magnolia
  • Magnus
  • Mako
  • Matteo
  • Maverick
  • Mika
  • Mojo
  • Nala
  • Nash
  • Navi
  • Nellie
  • Nemo
  • Neutron
  • Nikita
  • Nimbus
  • Nixon
  • Nova
  • Ocean
  • Odin
  • Ollie
  • Onyx
  • Orion
  • Otis
  • Oz
  • Ozzy
  • Perseus
  • Phoenix
  • Piper
  • Pippin
  • Quantum
  • Quark
  • Quest
  • Quicksilver
  • Quill
  • Qwerty
  • Racer
  • Ragnar
  • Rascal
  • Remy
  • Rhapsody
  • River
  • Rogue
  • Rufus
  • Salem
  • Scout
  • Sirius
  • Storm
  • Summit
  • Talon
  • Tesla
  • Thor
  • Tiberius
  • Titan
  • Tundra
  • Ugo
  • Ulysses
  • Umbra
  • Ursa
  • Valor
  • Vega
  • Vesper
  • Vienna
  • Whiskey
  • Whistler
  • Winter
  • Wolf
  • Wren
  • Wylie
  • Xander
  • Xena
  • Xerxes
  • Yale
  • Yara
  • York
  • Yuki
  • Zara
  • Zazu
  • Zephyr
  • Zeus
  • Zinnia
  • Zora
  • Zuma
A woman holding a golden retriever puppy.

Rare Dog Names for Big Dogs

  • Thorin
  • Tugboat
  • Ansel
  • Brutus
  • Titan
  • Conan
  • Magnus
  • Atlas
  • Helios
  • Apollo
  • Odin
  • Caesar
  • Achilles
  • Hannibal
  • Hercules
  • Maximus
  • Orion
  • Sampson
  • Tank
  • Typhoon
  • Fang
  • Bronx
  • Colossus
  • Diesel
  • Duke
A golden retriever puppy walking outside on a patio.

Creative Dog Names for Small Dogs

  • Ziggy
  • Mochi
  • Gizmo
  • Pixel
  • Noodle
  • Tilly
  • Boomer
  • Kiki
  • Sprout
  • Pebbles
  • Pippin
  • Widget
  • Cricket
  • Yoko
  • Pocket
  • Suki
  • Jazzy
  • Lolly
  • Peanut
  • Twix
  • Puck
  • Zara
  • Sprite
  • Kiwi
  • Muffin
A black lab puppy holding a  bunch of flowers.
Photo: Three Dogs Photography at Shutterstock

Stand Out Dog Names Inspired by Food

  • Cinnamon
  • Bagel
  • Pretzel
  • Biscotti
  • Soba
  • Caramel
  • Muffin
  • Nacho
  • Bruschetta
  • Toffee
  • Curry
  • Saffron
  • S’more
  • Twix
  • Truffle
  • Noodle
  • Gnocchi
  • Espresso
  • Brioche
  • Cheesecake
  • Ginger
  • Marshmallow
  • Olive
  • Macaron
  • Pesto
A close up of a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy.

Cool Dog Names Inspired by Places

  • Aspen
  • Sedona
  • Sydney
  • Rio
  • Havana
  • Vienna
  • Oslo
  • Dubai
  • Memphis
  • Kyoto
  • Bali
  • Dublin
  • Monaco
  • Florence
  • Casablanca
  • Havana
  • Phoenix
  • Denver
  • Oslo
  • Maui
  • Salem
  • Salem
  • Milan
  • Adelaide
  • Cairo
A happy brown puppy outside.
Photo: Blanscape at Shutterstock

One-of-a-Kind Dog Names Based on Colours

  • Raven
  • Coralie
  • Bluebell
  • Rusty
  • Indigo
  • Scarlett
  • Onyx
  • Fawn
  • Marigold
  • Lilac
  • Mauve
  • Tawny
  • Sienna
  • Ember
  • Jade
  • Saffron
  • Ash
  • Ebony
  • Goldie
  • Olive
  • Amber
  • Cinnamon
  • Turquoise
  • Ivory
  • Ruby
A woman on a rugged beach with a dog at sunset.

Rare Dog Names Based on Books

  • Arya (Game of Thrones)
  • Hermione (Harry Potter)
  • Frodo (The Lord of the Rings)
  • Katniss (The Hunger Games)
  • Daenerys (Game of Thrones)
  • Merlin (Arthurian Legends)
  • Hamlet (Hamlet)
  • Holden (The Catcher in the Rye)
  • Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)
  • Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
  • Ishmael (Moby-Dick)
  • Othello (Othello)
  • Viola (Twelfth Night)
  • Huck (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
  • Marley (Marley & Me)
  • Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)
  • Bilbo (The Hobbit)
  • Eowyn (The Lord of the Rings)
  • Dorian (The Picture of Dorian Gray)
  • Oberon (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
  • Rhett (Gone with the Wind)
  • Scarlett (Gone with the Wind)
  • Scout (To Kill a Mockingbird)
  • Arwen (The Lord of the Rings)
  • Grendel (Beowulf)
  • Sherlock (Sherlock Holmes)
  • Gollum (The Lord of the Rings)
  • Luna (Harry Potter)
A puppy running with a teenage girl.
Photo: manushot at Shutterstock

Clever Dog Names Based on TV and Movies

  • Anubis (from the movie “The Mummy”)
  • Aslan (from the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia”)
  • Balto (from the animated movie “Balto”)
  • Dobby (from the book series “Harry Potter”)
  • Falkor (from the book and movie “The NeverEnding Story”)
  • Hooch (from the movie “Turner & Hooch”)
  • Krypto (from the Superman comic book series)
  • Marley (from the book and movie “Marley & Me”)
  • Odie (from the comic strip “Garfield”)
  • Pongo (from the movie “The Hundred and One Dalmatians”)
  • Quigley (from the movie “Quigley Down Under”)
  • Rango (from the movie “Rango”)
  • Sirius (from the book and movie series “Harry Potter”)
  • Toto (from the movie “The Wizard of Oz”)
  • Ubu (from the play “Ubu Roi” by Alfred Jarry)
  • Verdell (from the movie “As Good as It Gets”)
  • Willow (from the movie “Willow”)
  • Xerxes (from the movie “300”)
  • Yoda (from the Star Wars movie franchise)
  • Zoltar (from the movie “Big”)

Unique Female Dog Names

  •     Luna
  •     Willow
  •     Freya
  •     Cleo
  •     Zara
  •     Koda
  •     Nala
  •     Piper
  •     Harper
  •     Juno
  •     Athena
  •     Phoenix
  •     Zelda
  •     Nova
  •     Dahlia
  •     Lyra
  •     Gia
  •     Vesper
  •     Calypso
  •     Xena

Non-Traditional Male Dog Names

  •     Odin
  •     Kai
  •     Maverick
  •     Atlas
  •     Thor
  •     Diesel
  •     Bandit
  •     Gatsby
  •     Flynn
  •     Phoenix
  •     Titan
  •     Jax
  •     Finn
  •     Onyx
  •     Neo
  •     Zeus
  •     Blaze
  •     Orion
  •     Bear
  •     Ace
A woman at the park with a brittany spaniel puppy and holding a golden retriever puppy.

Find Ideas at the AKC

A pedigree name is a designation for purebred dogs. You can look through the AKC’s site to see what names are in the registry for your dog’s breed. Even if you don’t have a purebred dog, this is a good way to find your unusual dog names.

You can name your dog whatever you want – and if he looks like a Max, he can be a Max. However, uncommon names are a little more fun. They add a little…spice, if you will. Unusual names also come in handy at the busy dog park! Happy naming!

You Might Also Like

Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

You Might Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 Comments

  1. My Shih Tzu’s name is Dulcinea (from Don Quixote) and I call her Dulce (Spanish for sweet).

  2. You missed a really good name for a dog. I named my Rottweiler Stryder.
    From The Lord of the Rings “Strider”. Everyone always comments that they love his name. 🙂