250+ Animal-Inspired Names for Dogs
Growl, Hiss, Chirp, Croak, and Roar! It’s time to go on a wild adventure through the animal kingdom to find the perfect animal-inspired dog name for your pooch. From the majestic roar of a lion to the graceful flutter of a butterfly to the mischievous antics of a cheeky monkey, animals have fascinated us for centuries.
Whether your heart skips a beat for the cute, fluffy mammals, or you’re excited by the graceful slither of a snake, or even if you prefer to explore the depths of the ocean, we have got you covered on this comprehensive list. All these creatures embody a sense of wonder, strength, and charm that can truly reflect the spirit and personality of your canine companion.
There are a menagerie of possibilities to explore when choosing to honor your love of wildlife in your dog’s name. So grab your binoculars, fasten your adventurer’s hat and join us on an inspiration safari to explore some unforgettable dog names.
🎖️ Dog Names Inspired by the Incredible Achievements of Animals in Real Life
As an animal lover, you are no doubt familiar with the phrase “we don’t deserve them”, and never is this more apparent than when you look at some of the brave, heroic and downright unbelievable things the animals on this list have done. From a cat who survived 3 shipwrecks, to a gorilla who learned to communicate via sign language, to the pigeon who got shot, yet kept flying to save soldiers in WW1 – these animals are the epitome of incredible.
Over the past few years, we have curated more than 20,000 dog names.
In just a few easy steps, you can discover a wide array of wonderful names, each selected to match your dog’s size, color, gender, personality, and beyond. Plus, there's the option to save your top picks and share them with friends or family.
It will only take two minutes and it's completely free!
| Alex | African Gray Parrot who could count, identify colors, things and actions and even solve math problems | Male |
| April | April the giraffe gave birth via livestream for millions of viewers | Female |
| Balto | Siberian Husky who saved the town of Nome, Alaska from diptheria in 1925 | Male |
| Cher Ami | pigeon who flew 25 miles in 25 minutes to save an American battalion of soldiers in France in WW1 | Female |
| Congo | a chimp who was also a talented painter | Male |
| Dolly | Dolly the sheep – first animal to be cloned | Female |
| Elsa | Lioness from Born Free | Female |
| Gambit | Patriarch of uShaka Marine World – one of the oldest documented dolphins, he lived to be 48 | Male |
| Gustav | pigeon who carried the first news of the D-Day landings in Normandy, flying more than 150 miles in 5 hours to deliver the message | Male |
| Ham | first monkey in space in 1961 | Male |
| Henry | the oldest captive Nile crocodile – will be 123 in December – lives at Croc World in KwaZulu Natal | Male |
| Huberta | a hippo who went on a 1600km walk from the St. Lucia estuary to the Eastern Cape (South Africa) | Female |
| Jet | Alsation trained as a search and rescue dog during WW2 – he recovered 150 people from buildings destroyed in the German raids | Male |
| Jim | a horse who learned to read, write and do math | Male |
| Jonathan | a tortoise that is at least 179 years old (the worlds oldest living animal) | Male |
| Koko | A gorilla who learned to communicate via sign language | Female |
| Laika | Soviet Space Dog | Female |
| Leki | Endangered Okapi calf born at Dublin Zoo | Male |
| Phil | Punxsutawney Phil – groundhog who predicts the weather | Male |
| Pickles | A Collie who thwarted a robbery of the Jules Rimet trophy | Male |
| Sam | Unsinkable Sam – a cat who survived 3 shipwrecks in WW2 | Male |
| Seabiscuit | most famous horse of all time | Male |
| Shamu | Seaworld Orca | Female |
| Tirpitz | a pig that was the mascot of the HMS Glasgow during WW1 | Female |
| Wojtek | a bear adopted by Polish troops during WW2, becoming their companion and helper | Male |
📺 Dog Names Inspired by the Most Famous Animal Characters in Pop Culture
We all have our favorite movie animals – from the happy-go-lucky dancing bear, Baloo, to the brave lion, Simba to the hilarious antics of the world’s most loved cat, Garfield. There are some of the most iconic characters in pop culture history on this list and they make for some great dog names. We love the name “Thumper” for a pup who is always wagging his tail.
| Baloo | Mowgli's sidekick – The Jungle Book – movie and book | Male |
| Bambi | The most famous deer – movie | Male |
| Bugs | Bugs Bunny – cartoons | Male |
| Garfield | Jon's lazy ginger cat – comics and movies | Male |
| Hedwig | Harry Potter's snowy owl – Books and movies | Female |
| Jaws | a terrifying shark (his name was actually Bruce) | Male |
| Lassie | heroic Rough Collie – depicted in almost every kind of media | Female |
| Marmaduke | A Great Dane who is always causing unwitting trouble – movie | Male |
| Nemo | a clownfish – Finding Nemo – movie | Male |
| Paddington | England's famous bear – books and movies | Male |
| Pascal | Rapunzel's pet chameleon – Tangled – movie | Male |
| Peppa | Peppa Pig – TV Show and Books | Female |
| Scooby Doo | Great Dane who solves mysteries – TV Show | Male |
| Simba | The Lion King – movie | Male |
| Snoopy | Charlie Browns Dog | Male |
| Sonic | Sonic the Hedgehog – Video game and movie | Male |
| Thumper | Bambi's rabbit friend – Bambi – movie | Male |
| Tweety | Sylvester the cats nemesis – Tweety and Sylvester cartoons | Male |
🐹 Dog Names Derived From Adorable Domestic Mammals
If you are anything like us, you love a touch of quirky and this list delivers that ten-fold. We adore the name “Munchkin” for any small breed (extra quirky points if you give your Great Dane this name!) But our top pick would have to be “Meatmaster” for all those chicken-guzzling hounds out there (wait – that’s all dogs!)
| Clyde | for the Clydesdale horse breed |
| Colt | a young male horse |
| Dwarf | a breed of rabbit and hamster |
| Goat | if you think your dog is the Greatest. Of. All. Time |
| Goose | A great name for a noisy pup |
| Hamster | lots of cute nicknames “Hamlet”, “Hammy”, “Ham” etc.. |
| Havana | a breed of rabbit |
| Meatmaster | breed of sheep native to South Africa |
| Munchkin | sausage cat breed |
| Pup | A baby dog |
| Pygmy | a breed of goat |
| Ragamuffin | cat breed |
| Rex | a breed of rabbit |
| Silkie | a breed of fluffy chicken |
| Stallion | a male horse |
🐻 Fierce Dog Names Inspired by Wild Mammals
Take a walk on the wild side with any one of these fun wild animal names. We don’t know about you, but any animal that smells like buttered popcorn is a winner in our books!
We absolutely love the names “Grizzly” and “Bongo”.
| Bilby | desert-dwelling marsupial omnivores native to Australia |
| Binturong | “Binty” for short – these tree-dwelling creatures are said to smell like buttered popcorn |
| Bongo | biggest species of forest antelope |
| Grizzly | for the grizzly bear |
| Koala | Marsupial native to Australia |
| Leo | for lions |
| Loris | the slow loris is a nocturnal primate with big eyes |
| Monkey | a tailed primate |
| Okapi | forest dwelling creature with zebra stripes on its rear end |
| Panda | both the black and white kind and the red kind |
| Pika | related to rabbits and hares |
| Quokka | known as the happiest animal in the world – native to Australia |
| Squirrel | arboreal woodland creatures |
| Wolfie | for all the breeds of wolf |
| Zebra | “Zeb” for short |
🐬 Adventurous Dog Names Inspired by the Wonderous Deep-Sea Marine Mammals
The ocean is mysterious and fascinating, full of big and small creatures that are both awe-inspiring and a little terrifying. We think the name “Baiji” is the best one on this list.
| Baiji | freshwater dolphin (possibly extinct) |
| Blue | type of whale |
| Cuvier | type of whale |
| Dusky | type of dolphin |
| Harp | type of seal |
| Lion | sea lions |
| Narwhal | type of whale |
| Orca | type of whale |
| Otter | sea otters |
| Spinner | type of dolphin |
| Vaquita | most endangered marine animal – it is a small porpoise |
| Walrus | large marine mammal |
🐦 Beautiful Dog Names Inspired by Common Birds
Birds have some truly beautiful names to draw inspiration from when naming your furry friend. We love the name “Raven” for a pitch black Newfie girl and “Warbler” is the perfect name for a vocal “Husky.
| Crow |
| Dove |
| Jay |
| Magpie |
| Pigeon |
| Raven |
| Robin |
| Sparrow |
| Starling |
| Stork |
| Swan |
| Swift |
| Wagtail |
| Warbler |
| Weaver |
| Wren |
🦅 Dog Names Inspired by Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are elegant and fierce and have a commanding presence, and incidentally they offer up a great selection of dog names to choose from. We love the name “Raptor” for a loyal and protective Rottweiler.
| Barny (for the barn owl) |
| Buzzard (“Buzz” for short) |
| Cooper (Cooper’s Hawk) |
| Eagle |
| Falcon |
| Harpy (an eagle) |
| Hawk |
| Kestrel |
| King (King Vulture) |
| Merlin (small species of falcon) |
| Milvus (medium sized bird of prey) |
| Osprey |
| Owl |
| Raptor (birds with hooked beaks and sharp talons) |
| Tawny (an owl) |
🦜 Dazzling Dog Names Inspired by Vibrant and Colorful Exotic Birds
Exotic birds are rare and have exquisite and striking plumage. They are melodious in their songs and have playful natures – does this sound like your pup? Whether you have a rare breed like the Lagotto Romagnolo or a colorful breed like the Australian Shepherd, you are sure to find a suitable name on this list. We love the name “Puffin”.
| Aracari (the Green Acari is a member of the Toucan family) |
| Cassowary (“Cass” for short – found in New Guinea and Australia) |
| Cockatoo |
| Crane |
| Flamingo |
| Hoopoe (colorful birds known for their crown of feathers) |
| Hummingbird |
| Kingfisher |
| Lorikeet (“Lori” for short) |
| Macaw |
| Parrot |
| Peacock |
| Puffin |
| Quetzal (lives in tropical rainforests) |
| Toucan |
Tongue Flicking Dog Names Inspired by Lurking Lizards
Calling all reptile lovers – this list is for you! There are some great names here to choose from, but our top pick has to be “Chameleon” simply for its unisex adaptability.
| Basilisk (“Basil” for short) |
| Beardy (bearded dragon) |
| Chameleon (“Cami” for a girl – “Leon” for a boy) |
| Gecko |
| Gila (Gila monster) |
| Iguana (“Iggy” for short) |
| Komodo (Komodo dragon) |
| Panther (Panther Chameleon) |
| Savannah (Savannah Monitor Lizard) |
| Thorny (Thorny Devil) |
| Tokay (a nocturnal arboreal gecko) |
| Whiptail (New Mexico Whiptail) |
🐝 Dog Names Inspired by All the Creepy-Crawly Insects
Are you a bug-lover? Then why not give your little mini-beast an insect-inspired name. We love the name “Bee” for a black and tan Airedale Terrier, or how about “Cricket” for your Whippet who loves to jump?
| Aphid |
| Bee |
| Beetle |
| Bug |
| Butterfly |
| Cricket |
| Grasshopper |
| Ladybug |
| Moth |
| Roach (for cockroach) |
| Spider (an arachnid, not technically an insect) |
| Wasp |
🐟 Dog Names Inspired by Common Fish
It is one of the most peaceful and tranquil activities to relax in front of a fish tank – completely mesmerizing. And if you have a furry companion to relax alongside you? Well, you couldn’t ask for more. We love the name “Angel” for a calm Bichon Frise who would love nothing more than cuddling up next to you to watch the fishies.
| Angel | angelfish |
| Arrowtooth | type of eel |
| Bluegill | “Gill” for short |
| Flounder | a type of flatfish – also the name of Little Mermaid's friend |
| Goblin | Goblin Shark |
| Goldfish | “Goldie” for short |
| Guppy | popular tropical fish |
| Jackson | Port Jackson shark |
| Mako | Shortfin Mako shark |
| Pike | freshwater fish |
| Rainbow | Rainbow trout |
| Swordfish | predatory fish |
| Tiger | tiger shark |
Dog Names Inspired by Breath-Taking Exotic Fish
The coral reef is an underwater paradise teeming with a diverse ecosystem of incredible fish. These colorful creatures have some truly exotic names for your special pooch. It seems a shame not to name your Dalmation “Dottyback” – yes, yes, we are suckers for terrible puns! Or what about “Pupfish” for your Portuguese Water Dog?
| Cardinal | Cardinal Fish |
| Dottyback | small, brightly colored aggressive fish |
| Dragonet | coral reef fish |
| Fairy | Fairy Basslet |
| Fangtooth | Fangtooth fish – rarely sighted deep sea fish |
| Flowerhorn | flowerhorn cichlid |
| Goby | carnivorous fish |
| Molly | Molly fish |
| Pupfish | The Devil's Hole Pupfish – rarest fish in the world |
| Siamese | Siamese fighting fish (Betta fish) – “Sia” for short |
| Snapper | marine fish |
| Tequila | The Tequila Splitfin – Mexican freshwater fish |
🦑 Dog Names Inspired by Other Sea Creatures for Pet Parents with a Sense of Humor
The ocean is an aquatic wonderland that goes way deeper than fish. There are so many wonderful creatures that provide inspiration for dog names. We love “Lobster” for a red Irish Setter and its a missed opportunity not to name your Tibetan Mastiff, “Shrimp”!
| Anemone |
| Coral |
| Crab |
| Jellyfish |
| Lobster |
| Octopus |
| Oyster |
| Prawn |
| Ray |
| Shrimp |
| Squid |
| Starfish (“Star” for short) |
🐸 Dog Names Inspired by Frogs, Toads, and Amphibians
While not the most mainstream animals to love, no animal kingdom list would be complete without including amphibians – and just look at the awesome names they have – it doesn’t get better than “Hellbender” for a mischievous Labrador Retriever (move over Marley!).
We also quite like the idea of a Chihuahua named “Goliath” – you are guaranteed some chuckles at the dog park.
| Archey | Archey's frog |
| Axolotl | “Axo” for short |
| Baw Baw | frog |
| Fowler | Fowler's toad |
| Goliath | frog |
| Hellbender | species of giant aquatic salamander |
| Natterjack | toad |
| Newt | amphibian |
| Olm | aquatic salamander |
| Peeper | Spring Peeper frog |
| Salamander | “Sal” for boys – “Sally” for girls |
| Tinker | Kroombit and Northern Tinker frogs |
Slitheringly Special Snake Inspired Names for Dogs
These forked-tongued wonders are graceful and elegant and are fascinating to watch as they move. We love the name “Copperhead” for a red Afghan Hound who is regal and graceful. But there couldn’t be a better name for a Samoyed, than “Puff”.
| Anaconda (“Ana” for short) |
| Boa (Boa constrictor) |
| Cobra |
| Copperhead |
| Indigo (Eastern Indigo Snake) |
| Mamba (green and black) |
| Puff (Puff Adder) |
| Python |
| Rattles (for the Rattlesnake) |
| Rosy (Rosy Boa) |
| Taipan |
| Viper |
😁 Funny Animal-Inspired Dog Names for your Comical Canine
If you’re looking for some natural conversation starters at the dog park, this is the list for you. A great way to showcase your unique sense of humor is to choose a dog name that shows it off. We love the name “Pom Pom” for a sweet little Pomeranian.
| Fang |
| Flipper |
| Floppy |
| Fluffy |
| Flutter |
| Hooty |
| Hop |
| Pom Pom |
| Talon |
| Tusk |
| Whiskers |
🌐 Animal-Inspired Dog Names from Around the Globe for all the Worldly Woofers Out There
Go around the world in 80 barks with this incredible list of international dog names for all the globe trotting pet parents out there. We love the name “Tembo” for a strong and mighty African Boerboel.
| Adler | eagle in German |
| Chui | leopard in Swahili |
| Fuchs | fox in German |
| Gato | cat in Portuguese (masculine) |
| Inja | dog in Zulu |
| Inu | dog in Japanese |
| Lobo | wolf in Spanish (masculine) |
| Neko | cat in Japanese |
| Oiseau | bird in French |
| Orso | bear in Italian (masculine) |
| Perro | dog in Spanish (masculine) |
| Renard | fox in French (masculine) |
| Shika | deer in Japanese |
| Tembo | elephant in Swahili |
| Toro | Bull in Spanish (masculine) |
| Tumbili | monkey in Swahili |
| Twiga | giraffe in Swahili |
🔮 Mystical and Enchanting Dog Names Based on Mythical Animals
No dog name list would be complete without delving into the wonderful world of mythology. We love the name “Vixen” for a Shiba Inu and the name “Bigfoot” is perfect for a Great Pyrenees.
| Amarok | gigantic Inuit wolf believed to devour anyone who hunts alone at night |
| Bigfoot | the Yeti |
| Chimaera | Lions head, goats body and a dragon tail |
| Griffin | half lion, half eagle |
| Hippogriff | half eagle, half horse |
| Hydra | serpentine monster with many heads |
| Jackalope | half jackrabbit, half antelope |
| Kelpie | water horse |
| Kraken | sea monster |
| Nessie | Loch Ness Monster |
| Pegasus | “Peggy” for short – winged horse |
| Phoenix | fire bird |
| Selkie | half seal, half human |
| Unicorn | horse with a horn on its head |
| Vixen | Cadmean Vixen – enormous fox that was destined to never be caught |
Final Thoughts
Whether you seek a name that reflects your dog’s wild nature or one that showcases their elegance and grace, the animal kingdom offers a treasure trove of inspiration which we have only begun to scratch the surface of on this list. So go wild, choose adventurously, and let us know your favorite name in the comments below.
I’m Shelley, a content creator and copywriter from Wicklow in the Irish countryside. I am a big animal lover, so writing about dogs is a dream come true! I’m the crazy lady who will stop you in the street while you’re out walking your dog to give it cuddles. I adore all dogs, but I would have to say the big slobbery ones are my favorite.
