Totem — Dog Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
Totem (TOH-tem), 2 syllables — A symbol representing a group or clan.. Verified by the Pets In The City editorial team, with real popularity data from our Auckland community.
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What does Totem mean?
English: A symbol representing a group or clan.. The term 'totem' originates from the Ojibwe language, meaning 'his kin' or 'his family'. It refers to a natural object or animal that serves as a symbol for a group of people.
Our editors checked this meaning before publishing. Names with several genuine origins are shown as separate senses rather than a single claim.
Is Totem a good dog name?
Totem has not been formally rated for calling yet. As a rule of thumb, one or two clear syllables work best for recall. With 2 syllables, it is quick to say — a practical length for recall.
Before you commit, say it out loud a few times and check it does not clash with a household name or a training cue like "sit" or "no".
Totem popularity in the Pets In The City community
We don't have publishable popularity figures for Totem in our Auckland community. This does not tell us how common the name is.
Popularity comes from anonymised, aggregated records of dogs at our 5 Auckland centres. It reflects our community, not a national census.
What kind of dog does Totem suit?
It suits any dog — it is used across the board in our community. Owners often pick Totem for its wonderfully unusual, nature feel. Treat these as suggestions — plenty of dogs happily wear names that break every rule.
Totem’s Dog Hotel Reputation
Our entirely unscientific pack opinion.
When Totem arrived at the Dog Hotel, we all gathered around, wondering if he’d bring treats from his clan or just an unusual trick we’d never seen before!
Names similar to Totem
- Adelie — Of French origin, referring to a type of penguin.
- Agave — A genus of succulent plants, often found in arid regions.
- Akash — Means 'sky' or 'ether' in Sanskrit.
- Arber — Means 'tree' in Albanian.
- Arctic — Refers to the polar region around the North Pole.
- Arrow — A word meaning 'a projectile shot from a bow'.
- Azalee — A flowering shrub, also known as azalea.
- Baiji — A name for the Yangtze River dolphin, now critically endangered.
Collections featuring Totem
See all curated collections.
Like Totem? Find names that fit your dog
The Dog Name Matchmaker learns your taste and picks eight names that suit your dog's character — each with a reason it fits.
Naming a new puppy?
A great name is step one. Step two is a great start: our force-free puppy training classes build confidence and recall (that new name gets a workout). New to Pets In The City? Register your dog for a temperament assessment and meet the pack.
By the numbers
- 2 syllables — quick to call
- Meaning and pronunciation verified by our editors
- Data from 5 Auckland Pets In The City centres
Find names like Totem Browse all names A–Z
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