Cute Names for Adorable Dogs

While longer names can be clever, they may not be practical. Find one that flows easily and is already the shorter version of a name you were thinking of going with. If you're leaning toward a long name like Captain Fluffypants, maybe just stick with Fluffy from the start to keep things simple for your dog to learn.

Try some cute names easily roll off your tongue and are easy to repeat:

• Piper
• Winnie
• Puff
• Bubbles
• Izzy

If your dog's cuteness transcends reality, then maybe their name should, too. Myths, legends, and fairytales can serve as inspiration for the perfect pet name. Consider some of these fantastical ideas for your furry friend:

• Pixie
• Fae
• Aura
• Frodo
• Delphi

Choosing a pet name can start with family names. But before you decide to name your dog after grandpa or your favorite aunt, consider if that might be an honor or an insult to the person. Strangely, not everyone is a big animal lover.

If a pattern is your goal and you have multiple pets, try going with fun combinations.

• Sally and Sam
• Jack and Jill
• Sonny and Cher
• Pippa and Poppy
• PB and Jay
• Chip and Guacamole

Sometimes a great name has been chosen, but it doesn't quite suit the dog. Its too serious, or too long, and not particularly cute. Brainstorm a list of similar names, words, or sounds that come from the original one. Try these change-ups:

• Ambercrombie to Amber
• Jeremiah to Jerry
• Roosevelt to Rosie
• Benjamin to Benji or Benny

Some foods certainly lend themselves to becoming pet names. After all, some celebrities will even choose to name their human children after culinary items. A brown dog is well suited to cocoa. The name chili is a good fit for a feisty pup with loads of personality. Increasingly common are pets named after an alcoholic beverage or favorite snack.

• Basil
• Cookie
• Pecan
• Cupcake
• Pepper
• Sprinkle

All around us in our natural environment are words that could make for adorable puppy names. There are flower names that transfer well to a female dog and have traditionally been used for women, like Rose or Daisy. If you live in an area that is renowned for a certain type of tree or cactus, look for words to describe these items and see if any are well suited to your adorable dog.

Try taking the names a little further to add a bit of cute to them. Rose changed to Rosie is adorable.

• Pebble
• Maple
• Cedar
• Twig
• Sprout

Perhaps traditional human names aren't the first choice, but dig through a baby name book for some inspiration. It is surprising what might jump out as a well-suited choice. Keep in mind who you know with these names as it might be embarrassing to realize your dog and boss have the same moniker.

• Hank
• Tommy
• Ava
• Lily
• Jamie

Does your new dog or puppy have a particular attribute that first drew you to them? Do they behave in a funny or peculiar way sometimes? These personality quirks and physical traits could be the perfect inspiration for a name. A dog that runs like he's skipping might make a good Skippy. A puppy who seems more dominant could be dubbed Beast or Charger.

Other quirky names include:

• Boots
• Freckles
• Minnie
• Spaz
• Grump

A popular method of brainstorming names is to opt for one that represents a favorite celebrity. Fans of superheroes may go with their favorite villain or hero. Perhaps a favorite singer or boy band member will prompt some inspiration. In these cases, you could go with a first or last name or even a well-known nickname, or adjust a name to make it sound a little cuter.

• Drake
• Sia
• Thor
• Zayn
• Oprah
• Sting

Many dog owners opt to search for names that match the known heritage of the animal. For example, a French poodle might be extra adorable with a name like Pierre.

Be wary of any names that could imply negative stereotypes or be hurtful racially charged terminology. If you are not sure or think it sounds wrong, go with something else more suited to your cute dog.

• Charlie is a great name for a King Charles spaniel.
• Hans or Heidi for a schnauzer.
• Fancisco could be a fitting name for a Spanish pointer.
• Saoirse for an Irish wolfhound.