If we ask you about the hardest thing in the world to do and your answer isn’t “to find a dog name” then you may need to reevaluate. Jokes aside, finding a dog name is one of those simple things that make you scratch your head. And the more you think about it, the harder it becomes.
So, what makes finding dog names so hard? First up, nobody likes to name their dog the same name as a billion other dogs. Then there is the problem of staying away from clichés. After you have crossed these two puddles, you find yourself stuck in a swamp of name confusion. Fret not friends, we are here to help you name your dog something cool. Ready? Let’s go!
6 Tips for Finding the Right Dog Name
Dog names are tricky things and we could write a whole book on “how to find a name for your dog?”. Well, we can’t exactly write a whole book on the subject, but we can sure give you some tips about it. How about 6 ways to choose a dog name that you will happily say ‘I do’ to?
1. Gather Options
The first step of any task that includes the word ‘choose’ is to gather some options to choose from. So, you need to gather as many as you can. Some awesome ways of gathering options include:
- Pay a visit to a website dedicated to dog names. There are plenty of websites that maintain lists of dog names. You will find a ton of possible names. For instance, try a Dog Name Generator. List the ones that appeal to you the most
- List any quirky words you like. This is a fun way to make a list of cool names. Words like ‘Bingle’ and ‘Bumbo’ are quirky but fun. These are the kinds of words that you never hear. Truth be told, we only heard them a few days ago
- Look at food. Why not? Food is one of the things we love and do remember. It makes so much sense to name your dog after a dish. How about something you once ate in your travels and still haven’t forgotten? A strange Japanese dish? A delicious French pastry? A type of cheese that is so rare no one knows about it?
In short, make a comprehensive list. If you think something sounds cool, then add it to your list. You can always tweak the list later.
2. Name Your Dog After Your Favorite Celebrity
If we were to get a new dog today, we would name it ‘Keanu’ or ‘Chappelle’. Keanu Reeves is one of our favorite actors and Dave Chapelle is among the best comedians to grace the stage. We chose a name that is instantly recognizable and is also close to our hearts. You can do that as well.
So, look at your movie collection, run through your Netflix favorites, or hit the internet. Choose a celebrity name for your dog that is evergreen. More importantly, choose something that is YOU. At the end of the day, it is your dog and it needs a name that represents this.
Oh, did you know that you can also mix and match? We don’t know about you but ‘Keappelle’ sounds so cool to us.
3. Avoid Clichés
If we could say it a million times, we would: Please don’t use any clichés when naming your dog. There is a reason that people are so averse to clichés. They have been used too many times. Nobody likes to eat the same food over and over again. The same applies to everything else including dog names.
Stay away from names such as ‘Bailey’, ‘Bella’, ‘Max’, ‘Rocky’, and a billion others. The easiest way to do this is to go to a park, get a piece of paper, and write down every dog name you hear. There is your list of clichés to avoid.
Once again, please don’t use clichés. You owe it to yourself and your dog. No dog likes to be the 20th Max on the block.
4. Try it Out
After you have landed on a handful of options, try them out. Say a possible name out loud and ask yourself:
- Does it sound good?
- Is it easy to pronounce?
Next up, try calling your dog by his name. Do his eyes light up? Are his ears turning? Does he perform a backflip? If he does perform a backflip, then patent that name and call yourself a ‘Dog Whisperer’. No, seriously do try the name in front of your dog. It will give you a much better idea of what to choose.
5. Let the Dog Choose
Often, we can’t decide. No matter how much we tried or prepared, we just get stuck in the end. If you are facing such a situation, how about asking your dog for help? Here is a simple way to do this:
Take the names you are confused about. Write them on separate pieces of paper. Place them on the floor with dog treats on top of them. Now, let the dog in. Whichever piece the dog eats the treat from, choose that as its name. Using this method is like killing two birds with one stone. One, your dog ends up with a name. Two, if any problem occurs regarding the name just blame your dog. After all, it was his doing.
On second thoughts, blaming a dog never works in a human’s favor. You blame a dog, he makes ‘Puppy eyes’ and you end up blaming yourself. Dogs are evil.
6. Keep Them Short
Lastly, keep your dog’s name short. Short names are practical and easy to remember. Plus, they also help your dog. We know, we know ‘Wolfenstein’ sounds way cooler than ‘Wolf’ but it is also way more difficult to pronounce. And because it is difficult to pronounce it will become a hassle over time. In addition to this, dogs prefer shorter names. Longer names are as much a pain for your dog to understand as they are a pain for us to say. Therefore, keep it short.
Here is another thing you need to pay attention to:
A two-syllable name is better than a one especially if you want to teach your dog some tricks down the line. For instance, commands, like sit and fetch, can confuse your dog if his name is also a single syllable like Pip. In short, your dog deserves a unique name, keep it short, and make sure you find a dog name that you and your dog loves.
If you also own a kennel affix, make sure you pick puppy name ideas that match the same style or universe and are valid AKC dog names.
How to Find a Dog Name That You Love – FAQs
Honestly, we can’t get enough of dogs. If dogs were a company, we would buy a million shares. Every day. And if you are like me, you can’t get enough of dogs either. Every bit of new information is a treat for people like us. So, here are some Frequently Asked Questions about finding dog names.
How do I Find the Perfect Dog Name?
You can find a perfect dog name by adopting the following strategy:
- Keep it short
- Make it unique
- Tailor the name to reflect your personality or your dog’s
- Ensure that it has at least two syllables
That’s it. We hate to break it you but there is no perfect dog name. If there was something like “A quiz to find the perfect dog name”, we would have suggested to you that already. Alas, there isn’t, so you’ll have to come up with one.
Just follow these points and you will have a pretty cool name in no time.
What is a Unique Name for a Dog?
Any name can be a unique name if it is not a cliché. Finding a unique name for your dog is as easy as following your heart. For example, ask yourself about your favorite movie. Any memorable scene in that movie will include memorable names. Now, you have got a good starting point.
You can also mix and match. Take two names that sound cool, combine them, and make one. Get creative.
Should Dog Names be 2 Syllables?
Ideally, a dog name should have two syllables. There are plenty of reasons as to why. The chief reason is that dogs respond well to names words that have two syllables.
Now, the question becomes: Why do dogs respond well to two-syllable words?
Well, because they are easy to understand. Plus, dogs won’t confuse two-syllable words with single-syllable commands like sit and fetch.
What are the Top 10 Male Dog Names?
The top 10 male dog names according to popularity are:
- Max
- Charlie
- Buddy
- Cooper
- Rocky
- Jack
- Jake
- Toby
- Bailey
- Oliver
Now that you know about the most popular dog names, here is a little piece of advice: Avoid them! Trust us you don’t want to be one of the 10 guys that stand up when the vet calls for a dog named ‘Max’. Come up with something unique. Your dog is unlike any dog out there, so why shouldn’t his name be?