Creative Pet Names: 250 Of The Most Creative Names For Dogs

When you get a new dog, deciding upon the name can be overwhelming. While there are many common pet names, it's easy to come up with a creative name for your dog that won't get lost among other dogs named Spot and Rex. But remember: Though it's fun to think of creative names for dogs, make sure it's a name you won't mind yelling loudly to call your dog in your neighborhood or at the local park! Otherwise, a fun, creative name is a great way to showcase your dog's personality.

According to a survey conducted by VPI Pet Insurance, Max and Molly are the most common male and female dog names. Consider a list like VPI's as a starting point; once you review — and eliminate — the most common male and female names, you're well on your way to finding a creative dog name. The same rule applies to popular dog characters. Names of movie characters like Lassie and Lady are extremely common. For creative ideas, troll animal shelter websites. Because they take in animals constantly, their pet names are often creative and uncommon and could spark inspiration for your new dog's name.

Rather than recycling common dog names, consider names from unexpected sources. Think about the characters from your favorite book or movie. For example, Huck and Frodo are far more creative than Spot and Buster. Remember, though, to stay away from names of dog characters because those tend to be frequently used. Another option is to consider adjectives and adverbs over proper nouns. For example, if you have a really rambunctious pup, consider an adjective like Rowdy. Jot down a few words to describe your pup's personality, and consult a thesaurus for options.

zhao hui/500px/GettyImages

When selecting a creative name for your dog, think like a dog trainer to avoid common pitfalls. You are probably going to teach your pup some basic commands like sit, come, and down, and you may want to teach him some fun tricks, too. Make sure that your name doesn't sound too much like a common command. For example, a dog named Joe might get a little confused when you tell him no, or Clown might get mixed up with the down command. Also, shorter names tend to be easier for the dog and easier for you. Imagine trying to call your dog Finnegan or Constance at the dog park; chances are all those syllables will get lost in the noise at the park. Focus on a shorter name with solid consonants (Trudy instead of Sis) to ensure an attention-getting name for your new pup.

Got a special girl in your life but just need that special name to really set her apart from the rest? This list of creative names for female dogs can definitely help get you started! It's filled with names of above-average female characters from art and literature, along with some distinct names that just sound a little feminine for your favorite canine pal. Remember, your dog's name should be just as creative as she is, so keep an eye out for her personal quirks for great name ideas of your own!

• Aja
• Alta
• Amaris
• Anise
• Beebee
• Bertha
• Bertie
• Brooklyn
• Bunny
• Busy

• Catia
• Cibola
• Cinder
• Coconut
• Denali
• Fabs
• Fern
• Glitter
• Godiva

Henna: A great name for a dog with reddish hair. Henna is a shrub whose leaves can be made into dye, which people use to color their hair, and create body art designs, and is used in many religious traditions, including Hinduism.

• Jezzy
• Kay
• Kees
• Keke
• Kelby
• Kindle
• Kisses
• Latka
• Lottie
• Mabel
• Magpie
• Mallory
• Maripol
• Marzipan
• Midge
• Nalla
• Nutella

travelism/E+/GettyImages

• Page
• Paget
• Prunella
• Rama

• Sable
• Sepia
• Sheena
• Shiva
• Sylph

• Taka
• Talfryn
• Tawny
• Vivi
• Umber
• Yuri

Coming up with a great name for your boy dog doesn't have to be hard when you've got a little help. This list of creative names for male dogs is filled with a little bit of everything, from cute names for playful boys to strong-sounding names that are just a little different than your everyday Buddy or Riley. Take a look at this list for the perfect name, or for just a bit of inspiration along your dog naming journey.

• Axel
• Banjo
• Bantam
• Bash
• Biden
• Bixby
• Bolo
• Bolts

Bono: A good name for a dog with musical characteristics. Popular musicians named Bono include Bono, the lead singer of U2, and the late Sonny Bono, of Sonny and Cher fame.

• Boots
• Brauts
• Brighton
• Chopper
• Cirrus
• Clooney

• Corky
• Czar
• Fenway
• Fjord
• Gravy
• Griffin

• Hans
• Harper
• Hobbs
• Hoss
• Hutch
• Huxley
• Indus
• Irving

AaronAmat/iStock/GettyImages

• Jax
• Jericho
• Jet
• Kai
• Kane
• Kutcher
• Lamont
• Landon
• Leopold
• Leviathan
• Lipton
• Merlin
• Oswald
• Pico
• Pip
• Polk
• Puck

• Quigley
• Randle
• Rayne
• Ree
• Reginald
• Revis
• Ridgewell
• Royston
• Rusky
• Ryder
• Saber

• Tank
• Taron
• Tycho
• Vortimer
• Zander
• Zee
• Zeek

Really, any of the names in this article can be considered gender-neutral. After all, you're looking to give your dog a creative name, so why subscribe to traditional male or female names (honestly, a lot of the names above are pretty borderline anyway.) Finding creative names for pets can be a fun process that's intended to honor that something special about them, so really, the sky's the limit! Have fun with it and see if any of these names inspire you!

• Acorn
• Almond
• Arrow
• Banana
• Biloxi
• Birch
• Blade
• Blimp
• Blink
• Bug
• Burbank

• Cannoli
• Cashew
• Chablis
• Chai
• Chalky
• Chinook
• Clue
• Codex
• Crackers
• Cramps

Crayon: A great way to honor a canine companion with a colorful personality. Crayons encompass every color of the rainbow, and are usually associated with childhood fun!

• Crumbs
• Crumpet
• Cry
• Cups
• Curby
• Flea
• Frex
• Gadget
• Giblet
• Hershey
• Hiccup
• Jagger
• Kodiak
• Kolpin
• Komet

• Krypto
• Kunlun
• Laces
• Legos
• Marble
• Mayo
• Noop or Noopers
• Notes
• Nutmeg
• Odyssey
• Onyx
• Parsnip

• Peaque
• Pepsi
• Pistachio
• Pizza
• Pockets
• Polaris
• Porb
• Potato
• Powder
• Pudge
• Queso
• Radar
• Ritz
• Rolo
• Roo
• Rooney

• Root Beer
• Salty
• Samus
• Shrub
• Soho
• Somerset
• Sorrel
• Soy
• Specs
• Spigs
• Spoons

• Stoli
• Suede
• Sumo
• Sutton
• Syrup
• Taco
• Tadpole
• Thermos
• Thimble
• Toast
• Tofu
• Tonks
• Truffle

• Tuba
• Turtle
• Utah
• Vertigo
• Weensy
• Wren
• Wriggles
• Wrinx
• Xabat
• Yack
• Yeats
• Yogurt
• Zinc
• Zippers