Browse All Dog Names A–Z
Every verified name in our curated collection, with its meaning at a glance. Open any name for pronunciation, popularity in our Auckland community, calling notes and similar names.
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About this list
Each of these 400 names has been checked by our editors. Click any name for its full page. You can also explore themed collections or let the Matchmaker pick for you.
Names starting with A
- Abby — A friendly form of Abigail, "father's joy".
- Ace — The number one — a winner's name.
- Acorn — Small now, mighty oak later.
- Alfie — A warm pet form of Alfred, "wise counsellor".
- Alpine — Of the high mountains.
- Amber — Golden fossilised tree resin — warm and glowing.
- Angel — A heavenly messenger — worn with varying accuracy.
- Angus — Means "one strength"; also a very good cow.
- Annie — A warm pet form of Anne, "grace".
- Apollo — God of the sun, music and light.
- Archie — A friendly form of Archibald, "genuinely bold".
- Arlo — A breezy modern favourite, possibly from "fortified hill".
- Aspen — The trembling-leafed alpine tree.
- Atlas — The Titan who carried the sky — strong and steady.
- August — Means "great, venerable"; the golden month.
- Aurora — The Roman goddess of dawn; the southern lights.
- Ava — Linked to avis, "bird" — sleek and simple.
- Axel — From Absalom, "father of peace" — with rock energy.
Names starting with B
- Bagel — Round, chewy and best in the morning.
- Bailey — An old word for a castle wall; also "bailiff".
- Barney — A jovial form of Barnaby, "son of comfort".
- Basil — The royal herb; from basileus, "king".
- Baxter — An old trade name meaning "baker".
- Bay — A sheltered curve of coast; also a reddish-brown coat.
- Bear — The big, huggable animal — great for gentle giants.
- Beau — Means "handsome".
- Bella — Means "beautiful" — a warm, timeless favourite.
- Benji — A soft form of Benjamin, "son of the right hand".
- Benny — A cheerful form of Benjamin.
- Berry — Small, sweet and easily lost in the garden.
- Billy — A friendly form of William, "resolute protector".
- Birch — The graceful silver-barked tree.
- Biscuit — Golden, warm and universally loved.
- Blaze — A burst of flame; also a white facial marking.
- Blossom — Spring flowers at their happiest.
- Blue — The colour of sky and heelers — a farm-dog classic.
- Blueberry — Small, round and improbably blue.
- Bodhi — Means "awakening, enlightenment".
- Bolt — Lightning fast — for the sprinter of the pack.
- Bonnie — Scots for "pretty, charming".
- Boss — Who really runs the household.
- Bowie — Means "fair-haired"; forever linked to David Bowie.
- Bramble — The wild blackberry thicket — scruffy and sweet.
- Brandy — The warming spirit — golden and mellow.
- Breeze — A light wind — easy by nature.
- Bronx — New York's toughest borough.
- Brook — A small, clear stream.
- Brooklyn — The famous New York borough.
- Brownie — Rich, sweet and chocolate-brown.
- Bruno — Means "brown" — a natural for brown coats.
- Buddy — Literally "friend" — the classic companion's name.
- Buster — Vintage tough-guy charm with a wagging tail.
- Butter — Golden, smooth and melts at attention.
- Butterscotch — Golden sugar and butter — a warm caramel coat.
- Byron — Means "at the byres"; the romantic poet who loved his dog.
Names starting with C
- Caesar — The great Roman general — a long-serving dog classic.
- Candy — Sweetness in a wrapper.
- Canyon — The great carved gorge.
- Caramel — Sweet, golden brown and a little bit sticky.
- Casey — Means "vigilant, watchful".
- Cash — For Johnny — the man in black.
- Cassie — A pet form of Cassandra, the prophetess of Troy.
- Cedar — The tall, fragrant evergreen.
- Chai — The spiced, milky tea — warm and comforting.
- Charlie — A friendly form of Charles, meaning "free man".
- Chase — Literally "the hunt" — honest advertising for many dogs.
- Chester — From castra, "fortress" — an old English city name.
- Chestnut — The glossy brown autumn nut — a rich coat colour too.
- Chico — Means "boy, small" in Spanish.
- Chief — The one in charge — self-evidently.
- Chilli — Small but seriously spicy.
- Chloe — Means "young green shoot" — fresh and springlike.
- Cinnamon — The warm, sweet spice — lovely for red coats.
- Clementine — Means "gentle, merciful"; also the sweet citrus.
- Cleo — Short for Cleopatra; from kleos, "glory".
- Cloud — Soft, white and drifting.
- Clover — The lucky meadow plant — four leaves if you're fortunate.
- Coco — A playful name with chocolate and Coco Chanel associations.
- Cocoa — The essence of chocolate — perfect for brown coats.
- Coconut — Hard shell, soft heart.
- Cody — From an Irish surname meaning "helpful".
- Colin — Means "pup, young creature" in Gaelic — genuinely.
- Comet — The long-tailed visitor streaking across the sky.
- Cookie — Sweet with the occasional crumb of chaos.
- Cooper — An old trade name for a barrel maker.
- Coral — The living jewel of the reef.
- Crumpet — Warm, holey and best with butter.
- Cruz — Means "cross" in Spanish — sharp and quick.
- Crystal — Means "ice" — clear and sparkling.
- Cupcake — Small, sweet and frosted with charm.
Names starting with D
- Dahlia — The showy late-summer flower, named for botanist Dahl.
- Daisy — The cheerful white-and-yellow flower; from Old English "day's eye".
- Dash — Quick, light and off like a shot.
- Dawn — First light of the day.
- Delta — Where the river meets the sea.
- Denver — The mile-high city.
- Dexter — Means "right-handed, skilled".
- Diesel — Engine power — for dogs with torque.
- Digby — An English place name, "farm by the ditch" — very good for diggers.
- Dixie — A bright, jazzy name from the American South.
- Dolly — A pet form of Dorothy; forever Parton's.
- Drake — A male duck; also an old word for dragon.
- Duchess — Aristocats royalty — for dogs who outrank you.
- Duke — A noble rank — dignified with a soft spot.
- Dumpling — Soft, round and comforting.
- Duncan — Means "dark warrior" — a sturdy Scottish classic.
- Dune — A hill of wind-blown sand.
- Dusk — The soft blue hour after sunset.
- Dylan — Means "son of the sea"; folk-rock royalty.
Names starting with E
- Earl Grey — The bergamot tea — distinguished for grey coats.
- Echo — The nymph whose voice repeats — for the vocal ones.
- Eddie — A friendly form of Edward; Frasier's famous terrier.
- Ella — Means "all, completely"; jazz royalty via Fitzgerald.
- Ellie — A friendly short form of Eleanor, "shining light".
- Elvis — The King — blue suede paws optional.
- Ember — A softly glowing coal — warm with a spark.
- Emma — Means "whole, universal" — a timeless classic.
- Ernie — A warm form of Ernest, "serious" (ironically, rarely).
- Espresso — Small, dark and extremely energising.
- Eva — A form of Eve, meaning "life".
- Everest — The world's highest peak.
Names starting with F
- Falcon — The fastest bird on earth.
- Felix — Means "happy, lucky".
- Fern — The lush green forest-floor plant.
- Finch — The small, bright songbird.
- Finn — Means "fair, bright"; a legendary Irish hero.
- Flint — The spark-making stone — sharp and quick.
- Flora — The Roman goddess of flowers.
- Fox — The clever red wild cousin.
- Frankie — A friendly form of Frank, "free one".
- Fred — A solid short form of Frederick, "peaceful ruler".
- Frost — Crisp winter mornings in a name.
- Fudge — Dense, sweet and slightly squishy.
Names starting with G
- Gale — A strong wind; also a form of Abigail.
- Gatsby — Fitzgerald's great romantic — old sport.
- Gemma — Means "gem, jewel".
- George — Means "farmer, earth-worker" — solid and kind.
- Gherkin — A small pickle with big personality.
- Gigi — A playful French pet name — petite and chic.
- Ginger — The zingy spice — a classic for red coats.
- Gracie — A warm pet form of Grace.
- Gus — Short for Augustus, "great, venerable".
Names starting with H
- Halo — The ring of light above the well-behaved (allegedly).
- Hank — A no-nonsense form of Henry, "home ruler".
- Harley — A hare's meadow; louder as a motorcycle.
- Harlow — An English place name with old-Hollywood glamour.
- Harry — A friendly form of Henry, "home ruler".
- Harvey — Means "battle worthy" — with gentle old-soul charm.
- Hawk — Sharp-eyed and swift.
- Hazel — The hazelnut tree, and the warm brown-green eye colour.
- Heather — The hardy purple moorland shrub.
- Heidi — A pet form of Adelheid, "noble kind".
- Hendrix — Means "son of Hendrik"; guitar genius forever.
- Henry — Means "home ruler" — a royal classic.
- Hero — What every dog already thinks they are. Correctly.
- Holly — The glossy evergreen with bright red berries.
- Honey — Sweet and golden — an affectionate classic.
- Huckleberry — The wild berry; Twain's barefoot adventurer.
- Hugo — Means "mind, spirit".
- Hunter — One who hunts — keen-nosed and focused.
Names starting with I
Names starting with J
- Jack — A sturdy classic, from John, "gracious".
- Jackson — Means "son of Jack".
- Jade — The precious green stone.
- Jagger — An old word for a carter; Rolling Stones swagger.
- Jake — A solid short form of Jacob.
- Jasmine — The sweetly scented white flower.
- Jasper — Means "treasurer"; also the speckled gemstone.
- Jax — A sharp modern spin on Jack.
- Jerry — A friendly form of Gerald; forever chased by Tom.
- Jessie — A friendly form of Jessica; also Toy Story's cowgirl.
- Jett — The glossy black stone, doubled down.
- Jimmy — A cheerful form of James.
- Joey — A friendly form of Joseph; also a baby kangaroo.
- Josie — A cheerful pet form of Josephine.
- Journey — The adventure itself.
- Juniper — The evergreen shrub with fragrant berries.
Names starting with K
- Karma — What goes around comes around — usually a ball.
- Katie — A warm form of Katherine, "pure".
- Kenzo — A Japanese name often meaning "wise and strong".
- Kiki — A bouncy French pet name — double the fun.
- King — The crown, claimed.
- Kirsch — The cherry brandy — short, crisp and continental.
- Kobe — The Japanese port city; basketball greatness.
Names starting with L
- Lacey — From the Norman place name Lassy — light as lace.
- Lady — The refined half of Lady and the Tramp.
- Lake — Calm water in one syllable.
- Latte — Milky coffee — creamy and comforting.
- Laurel — The victor's evergreen wreath.
- Layla — Means "night" — famous from the classic song.
- Leaf — Green, light and everywhere in autumn.
- Legend — A story worth telling — status: absolute.
- Lennon — Means "lover"; imagine that.
- Lenny — A relaxed form of Leonard, "brave lion".
- Leo — Means "lion".
- Lewis — Means "famous warrior"; a champion's name.
- Lexi — A sparky short form of Alexandra, "defender".
- Libby — A cheerful pet form of Elizabeth.
- Lily — The elegant flower, a symbol of purity.
- Loki — The Norse trickster god — for charming mischief-makers.
- Lola — A lively pet form of Dolores.
- Louie — A relaxed form of Louis, "famous warrior".
- Louis — Means "famous warrior" — kingly in French.
- Lucky — The dog every rescue hopes to be.
- Lucy — From Lucia, meaning "light".
- Lulu — Means "pearls" — bouncy and easy to call.
- Luna — The Latin word for the moon.
- Lux — Means "light".
- Lyric — The words of a song.
Names starting with M
- Mabel — From amabilis, meaning "lovable".
- Maddie — A friendly short form of Madeline.
- Maggie — A warm short form of Margaret, meaning "pearl".
- Magnolia — The grand, ancient flowering tree.
- Mango — The sunny tropical fruit.
- Maple — The tree of golden autumn leaves and sweet syrup.
- Marigold — The cheerful golden flower.
- Marina — Means "of the sea".
- Marley — A meadow place name; reggae royalty; also that labrador.
- Marty — A friendly form of Martin, from Mars.
- Matilda — Means "mighty in battle" — with a beloved literary namesake.
- Maverick — An independent who won't follow the herd.
- Max — Short for Maximilian, meaning "greatest".
- Meadow — A field of grass and wildflowers.
- Melon — Round, sweet and summery.
- Memphis — The ancient Egyptian capital and the home of the blues.
- Mia — Means "mine" in Italian — small and sweet.
- Mickey — A pet form of Michael; the world's most famous mouse.
- Millie — A friendly short form of Millicent or Amelia.
- Milo — An old name linked to mildness and soldierly calm.
- Minnie — A tiny-sounding pet form of Wilhelmina.
- Mint — Fresh, cool and in excellent condition.
- Missy — A playful take on "little miss".
- Misty — Soft as morning fog.
- Mocha — Coffee and chocolate together — rich brown perfection.
- Mochi — The soft, squishy rice sweet.
- Molly — A friendly pet form of Mary, long loved as a dog name.
- Monty — A cheerful short form of Montgomery.
- Moss — Soft, green and quietly persistent.
- Muffin — Soft, sweet and slightly round.
- Murphy — An Irish surname meaning "sea warrior".
Names starting with N
- Nacho — A crunchy snack; also a pet form of Ignacio.
- Nash — From "at the ash tree" — crisp and country.
- Navy — The deep blue — nautical and neat.
- Ned — A trusty old short form of Edward, "wealthy guardian".
- Nellie — A vintage pet form of Eleanor, "shining light".
- Nico — A sleek short form of Nicholas, "victory of the people".
- Nina — Means "little girl"; jazz greatness via Simone.
- Noah — Means "rest, comfort" — with an ark of animal friends.
- Noodle — Long, wiggly and full of nonsense.
- Norman — Means "northman" — sensibly vintage.
- Nova — Means "new"; a star that suddenly shines brighter.
- Nutmeg — The cosy baking spice; "Meg" for short.
Names starting with O
- Ocean — The vast sea itself.
- Olive — The Mediterranean tree and its fruit, a symbol of peace.
- Olivia — From the olive tree, symbol of peace.
- Ollie — A cheerful short form of Oliver, from the olive tree.
- Onyx — The glossy black gemstone — striking for dark coats.
- Opal — The gemstone that flashes every colour.
- Oreo — Black and white and loved all over.
- Orion — The great hunter of Greek myth and the famous constellation.
- Oscar — Means "deer friend" in old Irish legend.
- Otis — Means "wealthy" — with soul-music swagger.
- Otto — Means "wealth, fortune" — a palindrome with personality.
- Ozzy — A rock-and-roll form of Oswald, "divine power".
Names starting with P
- Pancake — Flat out in the sun, most afternoons.
- Paprika — The sweet-smoky red spice.
- Parker — An old trade name for a park keeper.
- Parsley — The cheerful garnish herb.
- Peaches — Sweet, fuzzy and golden.
- Peanut — Small, a bit nutty, completely adorable.
- Pearl — The lustrous gem of the sea.
- Pebble — A small, smooth stone — perfect for little dogs.
- Pekoe — The fine grade of tea leaf.
- Penny — A friendly short form of Penelope; also the copper coin.
- Pepper — The lively spice — great for a dog with a bit of zing.
- Percy — From the Norman place name Perci — polite but plucky.
- Petal — The softest part of the flower.
- Peter — Means "rock" — dependable to the bone.
- Phoebe — Means "bright, radiant"; a moon of Saturn too.
- Phoenix — The mythical firebird reborn from ashes.
- Pickle — A little bit sour, a lot of trouble — affectionately.
- Pineapple — Spiky outside, sweet inside — like some terriers.
- Pinecone — The forest's favourite fetch toy.
- Piper — Literally "pipe player" — musical and upbeat.
- Pippa — A bright pet form of Philippa, "lover of horses".
- Plum — Sweet, round and deep purple.
- Polly — A cheerful vintage form of Mary.
- Poppy — The bright red wildflower.
- Precious — Says exactly what you mean.
- Presley — The King's surname — blue suede paws optional.
- Pretzel — Twisty, salty and fun.
- Primrose — The first rose of spring — literally "first".
- Prince — Royal rank and purple-clad genius alike.
- Princess — Royalty, self-appointed.
- Priya — Means "beloved, dear one".
Names starting with Q
Names starting with R
- Rain — Fresh, clean and a little bit moody.
- Ralph — Means "wolf counsel" — vintage and sturdy.
- Raven — The clever, glossy-black bird.
- Rebel — For the one who reads the rules, then ignores them.
- Reed — The slender riverside plant — tall, thin dogs apply.
- Reese — From Rhys, meaning "enthusiasm, ardour".
- Remi — From Rémy, meaning "oarsman" — light and quick.
- Rex — Means "king" — the definitive classic dog name.
- Ridge — The high line of the hills.
- Riley — Means "valiant"; living the life of Riley suits dogs.
- River — Flowing, calm and always moving.
- Robin — The friendly garden songbird.
- Rocco — Means "rest"; a saint with a devoted dog, fittingly.
- Rocky — Solid as stone, with famous boxing spirit.
- Rogue — A charming scoundrel.
- Roman — A citizen of Rome — classical with a modern coat.
- Rosa — The rose; also carries Rosa Parks' quiet courage.
- Rosemary — The fragrant herb — "dew of the sea".
- Rosie — A cheerful pet form of Rose.
- Rowan — The mountain ash tree with bright red berries.
- Roxy — A sparky pet form of Roxana, meaning "dawn".
- Ruby — The deep-red gemstone; from ruber, "red".
- Rufus — Means "red-haired" — perfect for russet coats.
- Rusty — Red-coated and well loved — a backyard classic.
- Ryder — Literally "mounted warrior, rider".
Names starting with S
- Sadie — A pet form of Sarah, meaning "princess".
- Saffron — The world's most precious spice — golden and rare.
- Sage — The aromatic herb; also means "wise".
- Salem — Means "peace"; a touch of witchy history.
- Sally — A friendly form of Sarah, "princess".
- Sam — Short for Samuel, "heard by God" — honest and steady.
- Sammy — A softer, waggier form of Sam.
- Sandy — Beach-coloured and beach-loving.
- Sasha — A pet form of Alexandra, "defender of the people".
- Sawyer — One who saws wood; Tom's adventurous spirit.
- Scarlett — The rich red colour, with Gone with the Wind drama.
- Scout — One who explores ahead — brave and curious.
- Shadow — For the dog who is always one step behind you.
- Shelby — An English place name; also the famous Mustang.
- Shiloh — Often glossed as "tranquil"; a beloved book-dog too.
- Sierra — Means "mountain range".
- Sky — Wide open and endlessly blue.
- Slate — The smooth blue-grey stone — striking for grey coats.
- Snickers — The chocolate bar; also what your dog makes you do.
- Snow — Pure white — made for pale coats.
- Solar — Of the sun — bright and warm.
- Sonny — Warm, bright and affectionate.
- Sophie — From sophia, meaning "wisdom".
- Sparrow — Small, quick and cheerfully everywhere.
- Spencer — An old trade name for a steward of provisions.
- Stanley — An English place name, "stony meadow".
- Star — Bright, constant and impossible to miss.
- Stella — Means "star".
- Sterling — Means "of the highest quality" — like the silver.
- Stone — Solid, dependable and unbothered.
- Storm — Weather with attitude.
- Stormy — Weather with attitude, softened at the edges.
- Sugar — The sweetest thing in the house. Allegedly.
- Sullivan — Means "dark eyes" — Sully to friends.
- Summit — The very top — where every walk should end.
- Sunny — A name that smiles.
- Sushi — Small, neat and surprisingly precious.
- Sutton — An English place name, "southern settlement".
- Swift — The fastest bird in level flight — honest advertising.
- Sydney — The harbour city across the ditch.
- Syrup — Slow-moving and very sweet.
Names starting with T
- Taco — Crunchy outside, soft inside.
- Tate — Means "cheerful" — short and bright.
- Tatum — An English place name; jazz-piano brilliance via Art.
- Teddy — A cuddly form of Theodore, "gift of God".
- Tess — A crisp short form of Theresa — a great one-beat call.
- Thyme — The tiny-leafed herb; excellent for pun lovers.
- Tilly — A cheerful short form of Matilda.
- Titan — The giant elder gods of Greek myth.
- Toast — Warm, golden and universally adored.
- Toby — From Tobias, meaning "God is good".
- Toffee — Chewy caramel gold — great for golden coats.
- Trixie — A playful pet form of Beatrix, "she who brings happiness".
- Truman — Literally "true man" — loyal by name.
- Tucker — An old trade name for a cloth worker — tidy and keen.
- Tulip — The bright spring bloom; from the word for turban.
- Twilight — The magic light between day and night.
Names starting with V
Names starting with W
- Waffles — Golden, squishy and impossible not to love.
- Wilder — For the one who is just a little more wild.
- Willow — The graceful riverside tree, a symbol of flexibility.
- Winnie — A pet form of Winifred, "blessed peacemaking".
- Winston — An English place name with Churchillian gravitas.
- Winter — The cool, quiet season.
- Wren — The tiny, quick songbird.
Names starting with Z
- Zara — Means "blooming flower" or "radiance".
- Zelda — Means "grey warrior"; a gaming legend too.
- Zephyr — The gentle west wind.
- Zeus — King of the Greek gods — thunder included.
- Ziggy — Zigzagging energy, with Bowie's Stardust sparkle.
- Zion — A hill of Jerusalem; a name of promise and strength.
- Zoe — Means "life".
- Zoey — Means "life" — with an extra flourish.
Frequently asked questions
How many names are in the collection?
There are 400 verified names right now, and the collection grows as our editors review more. Each one has a checked meaning and pronunciation.
What does verified mean here?
A person on our team has confirmed the spelling, meaning, pronunciation and cultural background of the name before it was published.
Can I filter the list?
Yes. Jump to any letter, or search by name. Each name links to a full page with meaning, popularity and similar names.
How do I shortlist a name?
Tap the heart on any name card to save it. You can keep up to five and compare them side by side.
Key terms
Callability is defined as how easy a name is to call out loud across a busy park, based on its sound and length.
Share per 1,000 refers to how many dogs out of every 1,000 in the Pets In The City community carry that name.
A birth-year cohort is defined as a group of dogs born in the same year, used to compare how name popularity changes over time.
A verified dog name refers to a name our editors have checked for spelling, meaning, pronunciation and cultural accuracy before it is published.
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