The Top 100 Female Dog Names: A Pup-Parent-to-Be’s #1 Guide

For some people, especially first-time pup-parents, perfectionists and commitment-phobes, choosing among female dog names for their new puppy is a pretty big deal.

The name needs to tick so many boxes. It needs to be perfect.

But where does one begin the search for the perfect female puppy names? Once you think you’ve found a name, how do you know for sure that you have chosen is the perfect name for your perfect pup?

Fear not fellow puppy parents!

Below you will find various lists of female dog names. We’ve covered everything from “unique” dog names to the most popular dog names of yesteryear. From the favorite female dog names of the fandoms, and for luxury pups who are Fabulous and Fur-Free!

The process of naming your female puppy can be loads of fun, and it truly is one of the best perks of being a puppy parent. You get to choose a name, any name, that you love, for any reason.

The name you give your dog might be determined by any number of factors. Perhaps you are looking for names that suit specific dog breeds, or mixed-breed dogs.

Maybe you’re on a quest to find the most unique female dog names for your pug who is a male dog that identifies as female?

It can all get quite confusing, but that’s the beauty of it. The sky is the limit when choosing a name, and you are not bound by anything other than perhaps tact when it comes to naming your new fur child!

In this modern day and age, traditional male dog names can be female dog names too! Puppy names are puppy names, and not just girl dog names or boy dog names.

A good place to start is by thinking in categories, like characters in your favorite TV shows or books. Think authors, Autobots, or famous feminists. Heck, anything goes. It’s each to his (or her) own here!

Don’t get too caught up in the “meaning” tunnel! Before you off on a “Greek meaning”, “Latin meaning”, “Hebrew meaning”, “French meaning”, “English meaning” tangent, just ask yourself: “Do I like the name? Or not?” It really can be that simple.

So, before you start mixing up your Greek mythology with your Roman mythology, and your Canis Lupis with your Canis Familiaris, and before you have a meltdown because you can’t find a reliable source to tell you for sure whether the name you like is “origin English” or “origin Latin”, or perhaps, erm…Gaelic?… just browse the lists below to get you started!

That which we call a pupper by any other name would…know you’re speaking to her?

There is a marvelous trend of giving two to three-word names to dogs.

How else would anyone know that Billie was actually named after Billie Jean King, the tennis superstar who fought for gender equality in the realm of the male-dominated sports world back in the day?

Or that, Phoebe, was named after the Great Phoebe Buffay?

There is a catch though, with these multi-word names!

The important thing when choosing longer doggy names is that you are consistent in addressing them with any version of the name.

A domestic dog needs to know their name. So, if you’re going with something like Nymphadora Tonks, call her that, or Nymphadora or Tonks. You want your puppy to know her name and respond to it instantaneously!

Giving your girl a long name has a massive bonus: You’re less likely to “poison” her name.

When you call your dog by their name, they need to want to come to you or obey your commands on the spot. However, when you shout their name in anger (which is bound to happen a lot considering their capacity for causing chaos), they begin to associate their name with something scary and not so good.

When someone is shouting my name in anger, I would be a few measures beyond hesitant to respond to that name.

If you have just caught Sally in the act of stealing an entire steak off the kitchen counter, you’re hardly going to calmly reprimand her with a soft “Sally!”. No no, the more likely scenario is that you will belt out a loud, growly and terrifying SALLY!!!

Luckily, with longer names, such as Nymphadora Tonks, or example, Tonks can be her every day, “good girl” name, but when she’s being naughty, there’s a very satisfying NYMPHADORA!!! you can throw her way.

Naming your pet after a well known strong female, like a freedom fighter, an abolitionist or a suffragette is a beautiful way of paying tribute to these fierce females and their memory.

Not only will the name continuously remind you and the people around you of that person, of their humanity, and of the sacrifices they made to make the world a better place, but it may just inspire people to do better.

A good, strong name can make a big statement. One reminds us of how respect and tolerance are more than just ideals.

Here is a list of a few strong, fierce females:

Should you be unfortunate enough to come across someone who is offended by the fact that you, from a place of respect, have named your fur child after a most revered, loved person or character, it’s best to simply shake it off.

As the great Taylor Swift said: “Haters gonna hate”. It’s best to pay them no heed.

Will your girl be a couture girl? The It Girl? Will she be wearing bedazzled collars and drink from gold-rimmed bowls? Will she be served daily cooked meals of filet mignon and roast lamb? Will she be adorned with bling and don designer outfits to better show off her feminine form?

Famous. Fabulous. Designer? A great idea for finding cool female dog names is looking to the world of Fashion.

If your little lady is going to be a cool kid, designer is the way to go. Just be sure to only consider designers and brands that are Fur-Free. This a great way to make a statement. Couture can (and should) be Fur-Free.

Because we love animals.

Examples of the cool couture kids out there who are Fur-Free are:

Puppies.

Oh, the things that those cutie-patooties can get away with!

Their ability to take us from fuming to drooling with adoration and submission within seconds is awe-inspiring. Those eyes. That nose. Those paws and that puppy breath. Some puppies (and you will know immediately if yours is one of them) need cute names that suit their particular level of cuteness.

The list of cute doggy names (for female dogs and male dogs) is infinite, but here are a few favorites:

Even if there are a myriad of options for Disney inspired male dog names, there is little more satisfying than naming our girls after our favorite Disney ladies.

All of the ladies, and not just the popular princesses. Yes, you absolutely could name your daughter Aurora, but that does not necessarily mean that you should.

So, let’s talk Disney names for your fur child.

There can be no denying that the likes of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Aurora are the go-to names when it comes to Disney Princesses, but what about the others?

Let it be known, that good Disney names are not exclusive to “The Seven [Human] Princesses of Heart”.

Therefore, and without further ado, here are a few names from the Disney realms of animals and mystical creatures:

So many fandoms. So many names.

You probably belong to at least one fandom, so it shouldn’t be difficult to do a mental browse of your favorite characters from those books, series or movies. Some of the best people in life are not, strictly speaking, real.

But what better way to bring them to life than by naming your pet after them.

There is something incredibly satisfying when someone makes the connection to your dog’s namesake without an explanation. When you introduce your dog as “Senna”, and the other person responds with “like the F1 driver?” you know that your tribute to the legend has been acknowledged.

Many people won’t get it, but they’re clearly not your people!

Here are a few suggestions of names (of amazing female characters) from various fandoms:

A hunting dog needs a strong name. Their name should encompass all the attributes and characteristics common to a good hunting dog. They need to be loyal, disciplined and incredibly obedient.

Sure, you could call your four-legged hunting partner Mitsie, but “Mitsie” is not exactly a name that demands respect (in most crowds). Let’s be honest, when you hear “Mitsie”, you see a fluffy little yapper in your mind’s eye, and not an impressive and lean Pointer that would take on a bear without skipping a beat.

If you are looking for a name that invokes respect, confidence, loyalty and more, why not try one of these out and see whether you find a good fit:

There is a reason why many countries train their K9 units to respond to German commands: the German language can be terrifying. A firm “down” hasn’t got nearly as strong a dose of authority as the German “PLATZ!”.

Apart from the useful aspects of the German words for training, you might want to consider giving your pup a German name for any number of reasons.

Whether you have German ancestors, love German beer or cars, or if your puppy is of a German dog breed, you can’t go wrong with any of these:

Not only are German names tons of fun to say, but giving her a German name will make your pup feel super special.

Wouldn’t you want her to be a Hildegard in a park full of Mollys?

Did you feel it the first time you laid eyes on her? Did you simply know at that moment that you were in the presence of greatness? Does her very being exude star quality? Well, then it seems pretty clear that you are dealing with a leading lady!

Start polishing that Oscar replica your friend bought you on their trip to Hollywood, and browse these names of famous pooches who pawed their way right to the top of the ladder of fame:

It is so easy to get caught up with finding the freshest or trendiest of female dog names, but it is worth going through a couple of beautiful, timeless, classic names, just in case one jumps out at you!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Possibly, just possibly, there may be a name on the list of popular male dog names which could work for your girl. Sam, Bailey, Luca, there are so many beautiful classic dog names that would work for both genders.

Sadly, we live in a time when people are incredibly easily offended by almost anything, and during which, one small faux pas can escalate into a global outrage.

When trying to come up with a “unique” name for your dog, try going for “unique” in the whacky, weird, ditsy and somewhat strange sense of the word, and not in the “I am showing my individuality and freedom of self by naming my dog after a sadistic megalomaniac dictator who I think was actually possessed by aliens” sense of the word.

Examples of relatively safe “unique” female dog names which will at worst have you labeled a “hippie” are:

You do you! Unless “you” get a kick out of being inappropriate and pushing people’s buttons!

“Unique” done wrong can get ugly. It’s rather unlikely that you are going to come up with an incredibly offensive name unknowingly, but if you are even vaguely prone to the occasional embarrassing and very awkward blunder, try to avoid anything in the realms of politics, religion, mental or health conditions and feminine hygiene products.

Also, please do not name your dog Dog. Unless your dog is actually a cat, and you are naming said cat Cat, after the cat in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, do not call your dog Dog.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of options for girl dog names. Choosing a name is one of the really fun parts of being a pup parent-to-be, and you really will know exactly when you have found the perfect name. It will come to you and you will know that it’s the one.