345+ Badass Boy Dog Names
- Tyger
Origin:
Variation of Tiger, animal nameDescription:
Tyger edges animal name Tiger, as in golfer Woods, closer to popular surname name Tyler. Which may not be a bad thing.
- Maui
Origin:
Hawaiian, Polynesian mythologyDescription:
The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)
- Jetson
Origin:
Variation of JudsonDescription:
The surname name Jetson may have originated as a variation on Judson, a patronymic related to Jordan, but it is more familiar to most Americans as the last name of the futuristic cartoon family. Jetson may appeal to parents as a proper form leading to the cool boy nickname Jet.
- Denali
Origin:
Place-name and Native AmericanMeaning:
"the great one"Description:
Alaska's Denali National Park is the home of the highest mountain in the US, officially renamed Denali in 2014, endowing the name with a lofty feel. There were 20 boys and 55 girls given the name in 2014.
- Urso
Origin:
Italian from LatinMeaning:
"bear"Description:
Cool bearlike option, though Orson might be easier to embrace.
- Paine
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"villager, country-dweller"Description:
While patriot Thomas Paine is a worthy honoree, the mere association with the word 'pain' knocks this name out of bounds.
- Ruger
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"renowned spear"Description:
Ruger is a German surname most famous as a gun name, which explains its popularity as a baby name in the US. If Cannon, Gunner, and Pistol are your type of name, you might like Ruger -- but we're not inviting him for a playdate.
- Raider
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"a marauder"Description:
Raider is one of the new genre of badass word names, which also includes Rogue, Rebel, Danger, Wilder, and so on. Choose it at your own peril.
- Bristol
Origin:
British place-nameMeaning:
"site of the bridge"Description:
This name of a busy British port city -- as well as of several places in America -- has a brisk and bustling air. It will now--and for years to come--be identified as a Sarah Palin name, chosen for her eldest daughter, who is now a TV personality herself.
- Sonic
- Ax
Origin:
Word name or short form of AxelDescription:
Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby boys named Axe in the US in 2015.
- Boomer
Origin:
DutchMeaning:
"gatekeeper"Description:
This upbeat, friendly surname name has appeared on television's Battlestar Galactica a handful of cartoons, and on a literary note, a character in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Sports fans might think of Boomer Esiason, the NFL quarterback turned color commentator. He's not the only athlete to answer to the upbeat nickname.
- Dagger
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Dagger is one of the new badass baby names, a sharp and scary choice that some parents may feel arm their child for battle in a cruel modern world.
- Odyssey
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"story of Odysseus"Description:
Odyssey is a rare and weighty word name — following the footsteps of Hero, Legend, and Story. Despite its literal connection to Odysseus, Homer's epic hero, Odyssey has always been slightly more common among baby girls. The word figuratively refers to a long and eventful journey.
- Sargent
Origin:
Spelling variation of Sergeant, LatinMeaning:
"to serve"Description:
One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative, artistic association with painter John Singer Sargent.
- Viper
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"snake"Description:
As cool as it is frightening.
- Tito
Origin:
Spanish variation of TitusDescription:
Has diverse associations: the long-term Communist head of Yugoslavia, one of Michael Jackson's older brothers, and an animated Disney character -- none of them a very strong recommendation.
- Diablo
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"devil"Description:
The Spanish word for "devil" makes for a very daring baby name, but in the era of babies names Hades, Azrael, Loki and even Lucifer, it feels like a plausible possibility. Indeed, 5 baby boys were named Diablo in 1975 – the only year the name has made the US extended list for either sex.
- Flash
Origin:
Word and comic book nameDescription:
Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
- Eagle
Origin:
Nature nameMeaning:
"eagle, a bird"Description:
Solemn but soaring name with patriotic symbolism.