Funny Dog Names

Ancient nickname that sounds cuter than its modern alternatives -- but be aware that in the days of the horse and buggy, it was most often used for the horse. 

Dobbin

Doctor is an honorific used as a name, somewhat like names such as Bishop, King, and Princess.  Banned in New Zealand, Doctor can lead to the kind of confusion you may feel would be only positive for your child -- a bona fide Doctor before he even gets to kindergarten.

At its zenith in 1884, Doctor was used for 12 boys, but last year it didn't even clear the five-baby minimum to make it onto the Social Security extended list.

Doctor

Dodo is one of the few names of the cute repeating-sounds genre that is not alas so cute, being a slang word for someone brainless as well as the name of the infamous extinct bird. Dot, Dottie, Dory, or Thea are all preferable.

Dodo

Doogie is a diminutive masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the 1989-1993 television series 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' featuring a teenage medical prodigy. Originally a Scottish nickname for Douglas (derived from the Gaelic 'dubhglas' meaning 'dark water'), Doogie has a distinctly informal, boyish quality. The name evokes a sense of youthfulness, intelligence, and precocious ability due to its TV association. While rarely used as a formal given name, it sometimes appears as a nickname or pet name. The name has a friendly, approachable sound that contrasts with its relative rarity in official use. For those familiar with the television reference, Doogie suggests exceptional intelligence and accomplishment at a young age.

Doogie

Doug is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Douglas, a Scottish surname meaning 'dark water' or 'dark stream,' derived from the Gaelic elements 'dubh' (dark) and 'glas' (water). While Douglas has been used as a given name since the late Middle Ages, Doug emerged as a standalone name in the mid-20th century. The name peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, conveying a friendly, approachable quality. Doug has a straightforward, unpretentious character that embodies mid-century American values. Though its usage has declined significantly since its peak, the name retains a certain classic appeal. Doug conveys a sense of reliability and straightforwardness, with many perceiving it as friendly and trustworthy.

Doug

This somewhat boisterous Celtic name would be at home in a noisy pub or out walking on the moors. In Scotland, it was originally a nickname for someone with dark hair or a swarthy complexion.
 Duff (born Michael) McKagan gained fame as a member of Guns 'N' Roses. Popular actress Hilary Duff is giving the surname a lot of attention.

Duff

One of the oft-mocked Zappa kid names; it supposedly was a nickname his father had for his wife's pinkie toe. 

Dweezil

Elfie is a charming feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'alf' or 'elf', which in Germanic mythology referred not to tiny creatures but to supernatural beings of great beauty and power. It can also be a nickname for names like Elfrieda or Elizabeth in some cultures. The name evokes qualities of whimsy, magic, and enchantment, with its fairy-tale associations giving it a playful, ethereal character. While never achieving mainstream popularity, Elfie has experienced periodic interest, particularly in European countries. Its brevity and sweet sound appeal to parents seeking something distinctive yet endearing. The name's magical connotations give it a sense of wonder and imagination.

Elfie

Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.)
 But Elmo also calls to mind the image of St. Elmo's fire--the light show sometimes visible around ships' masts during storms at sea, which is quite appropriate since Saint Elmo (another name for Erasmus) is the patron saint of sailors. St. Elmo's Fire was also the title of a classic Brat Pack film of the 1980s.
 There were a lot more Elmos around a century ago, when Elmo was in the top third of the popularity list.

Elmo

Actor Farley Granger set it in motion, now could be a gentler alternative to Harley. 

Farley

Fifi is a perfect name -- for a French poodle. But Fifi may seem more child-friendly as names like Coco and Lulu rise.  Fifi in its fluffiness also balances the seriousness of such full names as Josephine or Federica. 

Fifi

Fig was the unlikely name of a beautiful character in Curtis Sittenfeld's Man of My Dreams. It could make a playful middle name or a sparky nickname for the likes of Philippa, Fiona, Felicity, and Francis.
 
Culturally, figs have been associated with "mother earth" after the Babylonian goddess Ishtar took the form of a divine fig tree, with cultivation and refinement in Ancient Greece, with chastity and humility in the Bible, and with enlightenment in Buddhism.

Even if you're hoping for a fiery child, this seems like playing with fire. One celebrity--Steve Vai--was bold enough to use it for his son.

Fire

Fonso

Your teenager will either love you or hate you for choosing this name.  Better: Fox.

Foxy

Frisco is a frisky, roguish semi-place-name (San Francisco natives never call it that) that could make a lively, unusual o-ending choice. 
 Frisco is the kind of nickname name sometimes used for cowboy characters in Westerns.

Frisco

Like Mitzi, the bubbly Fritzi shows signs of rising again. Has a bit of a comic-strip feel.

Fritzi

An admirable meaning, with roots in a Germanic word meaning wisdom, but we fear it will never be detached from the hobbit hero of The Lord of the Rings.

Frodo

Hot name best used as a middle, as Paula Patton and Robin Thicke did for their son Julian in 2010.

Fuego

Gambit means ploy or trick, which makes it an appropriate name for a little player. Eight boys were named Gambit in the US in one recent year.

Gambit

Funny dog names may be used for a goofy-looking pup or just for fun. Naming babies is serious, but dogs won't be teased for having a silly name. In fact, everybody loves unexpected and playful names on pets!

 are popular among pet names, with Cookie, Moose, and Ziggy ranking among the top choices. Along with Cookie, other 

 include Zippy, Susan, and LaRue. In addition to Moose, other 

It's funny to name your dog after a silly character, like Kermit or Gru. 

Featured here is our expansive selection of funny dog names. Search below to find the perfect goofy name for your dog or puppy.

Funny dog names, including Dudley, Dweezil, Diva, and other funny names for dogs, with meaning, origin, and popularity (Page 12)