30 Unique Dog Names

Is there anything better than bringing home a new puppy? Probably picking a name for your new family member! Unique dog names are aplenty and choosing something offbeat and fun will serve your puppy and whole family well. Dogs bring us so much joy and companionship so it’s no wonder you would want to put a little effort into discovering the best unique names for dogs to consider. We’re here to help!

We compiled a list of unique dog names that stand out from the pack! These names are carefree and fun and any of them would definitely be a conversation starter at your local dog park. Sure, Fido, Pluto, and Max are great but we want names that go beyond convention and express your own puppy parenting style. Get ready for a whole lot of lovable names!

Check Out These Sweet & Unique Dog Names!

Unique Dog Names for Girl Dogs!

Cricket

Our favorite unique dog names are the most unexpected ones! Calling your baby after a cute green bug would be a blast.

Birdie

Once a popular name for women, Birdie has so much sweet energy to it. Plus, it’s an easy name to call. Just imagine yourself saying, “Birdie, sit” or “Good Birdie!”

Winnie

We chose the name Winnie for its whimsical sound and for the meaning behind the name. Winnie is a diminutive of Winifred and means “gentle friend.” How sweet is that for your puppy?

Bean

You can pretty much name a dog after any food and get away with it. Cashew? Fine! Turnip? Why not!? We like Bean as it’s also used as a nickname for people too.

Bernice

We love unique dog names that carry a big mantle or have an outsized reputation. Bernice means is an ancient Greek name that means “bringing victory.” We chose this name because it sounds nearly too serious for a dog. But, it does offer you a ton of cute nicknames to use. Berry, Benny, Bernie, Binny, Bern, Bee, and Bunny are all common ones associated with this appellation.

Ursa

Another name from Greek, Ursa means “little bear.” If you’re a lover of the stars, choosing this unique name will tip others off that you’re a stargazer.

Della

Della is a diminutive form of a German name that means “noble.” There are a lot of dogs out there named Bella and it might serve you to choose an alternative! Della has a sweet, vintage sound which should appeal to new puppy parents today.

Penny

Penny has been a longtime favorite nickname for Penelope, a name from Greek that means “weaver.” Penny sounds priceless and perfectly sweet.

Pepper

A mildly popular name for dogs, Pepper offers up some spice. The name ultimately comes from Latin and means “berry.” Of all the unique dog names on this list, Pepper offers the most pep!

Petunia

Petunia is one of the most ridiculous flower names which somehow makes it perfect as a name for a dog. Petunia comes from English and means “trumpet-shaped flower.” This is one of the sweetest unique dog names on the list!

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Unique Dog Names for Boy Dogs!

Link

Not just the name of your favorite character from The Legend of Zelda, Link was once a popular midcentury nickname for Lincoln. We think it make for a playful and energetic-sounding name for a dog.

Bear

Okay, so we know this is already a commonly chosen name for dogs, but it’s just so good we could not complete the list without recommending it. After all, your puppy is a little teddy bear.

Jacques

As we mentioned earlier, over-the-top appellations make for some of the best unique dog names. Jacques, a French name and form of James, has been considered too pretentious for babies today. Why not use this romantic name for your dog?

Pete

Pete is a diminutive form of Peter, a name from Greek that means “stone.” Why is Pete such a friendly-sounding name? We love the idea of the nickname Petie for a dog named Pete. You know, Petie the sweetie!

Elmo

Elmo is an Italian name from German that means “protector.” That could be reason enough for you to choose this name for your pup, but we also like the association with the lovable character from Sesame Street. We’re certain young fans of the program would be thrilled to call their puppy Elmo.

Tiger

Some of the most unique names for dogs come from other animals! We think that Tiger, a name for a big cat, proves an interesting choice for a puppy.

Taco

We are almost certain that Chihuahua parents have a monopoly on the cutest names for their dogs. We’ve heard Taco, Pinto, Chico, Tabasco, and so many other delightfully appropriate unique dog names for Chihuahuas. Who doesn’t love a taco? Taco is perfect!

Barnaby

Barnaby is a vintage and dusty by today’s standards. The name is English but it originated in Aramaic, meaning “son of consolation.”

Peanut

Pick a nut, any nut will do! We are particularly fond of Peanut as a name for a puppy. It’s a mildly popular name for dogs already, but we would love to encounter this endearing appellation even more.

Homer

Names from classics like Homer, a scribe of ancient Greek epics, add a touch of class and some gravity that seems funny for dogs. Apollo, Adonis, Jupiter, Hercules, etc. are all going to be fun choices. Homer means “pledge.”

Fabio

Fabio, a name fit for a romance novel hero, sounds stylish and fun when applied to a dog. It’s one of the unique dog names that we wish people would consider more earnestly. Fabio is Italian from a Roman clan name, meaning “bean grower.”

Pickle

Almost any food will do. But, we like Pickle and Peanut most for male dogs. Will you sound slightly unhinged while walking your dog and calling “Pickle” after him? Perhaps! We think its worth it.

Oz

Oz has been used as a nickname for such appellations as Ozias, Osgood, Oswald, and Osmond. However, Oz is a standalone name from Hebrew meaning “courageous.” Oz sounds modern and fun and Ozzie makes for a cute pet form!

Nino

A well-used Italian pet name for longer monikers like Giannino and Gianni, Nino is also similar to the Spanish niño, meaning “boy.” We think Nino could be one of the unique dog names on the horizon.

Fritz

Fritz was once a popular baby name in the US! It’s a diminutive form of Friedrich and means “peaceful ruler.” Fritz sounds distinguished but also zesty and energetic!

Wolfgang

It’s got “wolf” in it. Cased closed! Wolfgang is the perfect tongue-in-cheek name for a little boy dog. The name has German origins and means “traveling wolf.”

Baz

A cool nickname-name that’s generally applied to Basil or Sebastian, Baz proves a refreshing option for puppies. It’s one of the unique dog names on this list that we actually love for people too.

Butch

There’s something so silly about the vintage nickname Butch that seems appropriate among these unique dog names. Butch sounds so rugged and tough. We’d love to hear it for a tiny dog.

Pasha

A bit out of left field, but unique nevertheless, Pasha is a Russian name and diminutive form of Pavel, which means “small.” We think it’s a truly cute name that would fit well for a dog.

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Plato

Yes, Plato is a name that belonged to one of the greatest Western philosophers, but we think it gives some gravitas to a dog’s name. Aristotle and Socrates would also be nice, but Plato just rolls off the tongue easier.

There you go! We hope you loved these unique dog names and feel inspired to choose one for your new baby. The important thing is to have fun with it! Most of us are not bold enough to choose outlandish names for our children so take the opportunity to go all out with your dog’s moniker. We’re pretty sure they’ll be happy, no matter what you call them.