Big Dog Names
More than 160 Names for a Big Dog
Got a Big dog? Here are more than 160 Big dog names to consider.
Leave the overly pampered Pomeranians and Chihuahuas to the socialites and celebrities. If you want an exercise companion, a playmate, a guard, or a big and lovable fur ball that you will give you slobbery kisses, big dogs are your best bet. But before you experience and enjoy any of this, you need to give your big dog an equally big name first.
One way to go is to pick a name that sounds like something big. It should still fit the personality and characteristic of your dog.
Examples of big dog names on the list include “Boomer,” “Bigfoot,” “Maxwell,” “Primo” or “Alpha.” You can also name him after another big animal like “Bear,” “Oso,” “Walrus,” or “Whale.”
Use names of your favorite hero and gods. You can even get inspiration from places and geography.
You can also go the literal way and name your dog after “big” or after giant people. You can name him “Sumo,” “Goliath,” or “Wrestler.” Cartoon characters are also favorites.
Great suggestions include “Hulk,” “Tarzan” or “Jumbo.” Soap and movie characters would also be great inspirations. How about “Megamind,” “Dumbo,” “Bubba” or “Godzilla?”
Sure, when they are still puppies, they are small and cute. But do not be deceived with how they look today. Before you know it, your puppy will grow big and heavy as it becomes an adult. That’s when big dog names will make more sense.
Don’t you think it would be weird to name your 90 pound Bernese Mountain Dog “Twinkle” or your Rottweiler “Pixie?” It would seem rather off, don’t you think? Here are links to other popular dog namzes pages if you can’t find what you like on the big dog names list.
Below is a list of more than 160 big dog names. Browse or study the list and have fun. If you don’t find a name you like, return to the main puppy names page for more than 4,000 fun and interesting options.
Name | Meaning |
Abu | Means “nobility” in Africa |
Alamo | The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas revolution |
Alaska | One of the 50 states in the United States |
Alpha | The first letter of the Greek alphabet |
Amnesty | General pardon for offenses |
Andes | The Andes is the world’s longest continental mountain range in South America |
Anubis | The Greek name for a jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife in Egyptian mythology |
Apollo | The son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis |
Argos | A city in Greece in the Peloponnese |
Aspen | A city in Colorado |
Atlantis | A legendary island first mentioned in Plato’s dialogues |
Attila | Attila the Hun was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in 453 |
Axel | The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take-off |
Aztec | The Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico |
Barbarian | Barbarian and Savage are words used to refer to a person who is perceived to be uncivilized |
Barnum | Is a musical with a book by Mark Bramble |
Bashful | Socially shy or timid. This may not sound like it belongs on the big dog names list, but some people use “opposites” when naming their dogs. |
Baxter | Means “a baker.” Perfect name for a the dog owner who owns a bakery |
Bear | Mammals of the family Ursidae. You know, the big, growly animals! |
Beethoven | Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist |
Beirut | The capital and largest city of Lebanon |
Benji | Benji is the name of a fictional dog who has been the focus of several movies from 1974 through the 2000’s |
Bertha | A female Germanic name. This name is often mated with “big,” as in “Big Bertha.” That’s why it’s on the big dog names list. |
Bianca | Is a feminine name from the Italian family name meaning “white” |
Bismark | The capital of North Dakota |
Blizzard | Torrential snow |
Bogart | A very long inhalation of smoke, particularly marijuana |
Boomer | A large or notable dog, in whatever aspect |
Boone | Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman |
Boots | A suave cat in the movie “Shrek” but this should also work well for suave dogs. Or dogs who wear boots |
Boyd | There is a coffee company called Boyd |
Bran | Like rice bran |
Brutus | Brutus was a politician of the late Roman Republic |
Buck | An adult male of some animals |
Bullseye | A fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe |
Cabal | A number of people greater than two |
Cadillac | A luxury vehicle marquw owned by General Motors |
Caper | A playful leap or hop |
Cassius | Gaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman senator and a leading instigator of the plot to kill Julius Caesar |
Castle | A fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages |
Chaos | In Greek mythology and cosmology, chaos refers to a gap or abyss at the beginning of the world, or more generally the formless state of the universe |
Cherokee | The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States |
Chester | Chester is a city in Cheshire, England |
Cluade | Claude Monet was a founder of French impressonist painting |
Clyde | A Scottish river name |
Colt | A colt is a young male horse |
Cooper | A mini cooper is a small four door car |
Copernicus | Was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology |
Cujo | A psychological horror novel by Stephen King |
Dagger | A double-edged blade used for hitting, stabbing or thrusting |
Dagmar | Was an American actress, model and television personality of the 1950’s |
Deluxe | Luxurious or sumptuous; of a superior kind |
Denali | Another name for Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. |
Dino | An Italian restaurant/enoteca in Cleveland Park, Washington DC |
Duchess | The wife or widow of a duke |
Duke | A member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch |
Earthquake | The result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves |
Eiffel | One of the most famous towers in the world, in Paris France |
Electra | In Greek mythology, Electra was an Argive princess and daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra |
Euphrates | The longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia-It is right next to the Tigris |
Ezra | A book in the Old Testament of the Bible |
Fang | Snakes teeth are called fangs |
Felipe | A Spanish variant of the name Philip |
Fenris | Fenris are two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe, namely German twins Andrea and Andreas von Strucker |
Fergus | Fergus of Galloway was King, or Lord, of Galloway from an unknown date, until his death in 1161 |
Flash | A named shared by several fictional comic book superheros from the DC Comic universe |
Flicka | A 2006 movie adapted from the 1941 children’s novl “My Friend Flicka” by Mary O’Hara |
Frieda | A character in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz |
Gertrude | In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark |
Giant | A person or thing of great size. An obvious choice among big dog names. |
Gibson | A high quality brand of guitar |
Gladiator | A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire |
Hank | Hank Williams was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the greatest country music stars of all times |
Harriet | Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolotionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the Aerican Civil War |
Harvey | A 1950 film based on Mary Chase’s play of the same name |
Hasty | Rapid and action or movement |
Hoss | A southern colloquial nickname for partner, a term of friendship. Also, the biggest brother on the old TV show “Bonanza.” |
Howie | Howie Mandel is the host of the show “Deal or No Deal” |
Ida | Like Tropical Storm Ida |
Ivan | Ivan is a Slavic derivative of the Latin name Johannes |
Jackson | Jackson is the capital of Mississippi |
Jasper | An opaque cryptocrystalline variety of quartz that may be red, yellow, or brown |
Javelin | A light spear designed primarily for casting as a ranged weapon |
Javier | The Spanish spelling of the masculine name Xabier |
Jericho | Jericho is a city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank in Israel |
Jimbo | A nickname for “James” |
Kahuna | A Hawaiian word, defined in Pukui & Elbert |
Kali | In Hinduism, Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and nemesis of Kalki, the 10th and final avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu |
Kodiak | One of the 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island |
Kong | Chinese for “bright.” Think of Kong Kong . . . that’s why fits with big dog names. |
Lance | Like Lance Armstrong |
Laramie | A city in Wyoming |
Laser | A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons |
Lester | From Leicester, England |
Licorice | Black yet sweet |
London | Means “the great river” |
Lystic | A great name for a male dog |
Mabel | Means “lovable” |
Mafia | A party game; A criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid 19th century in Sicily |
Magic | Like magic spells |
Majestic | One of the first alternate reality games created |
Major | A rank of commissioned officer |
Manley | The very definition of a man; like manly |
Marble | Commonly used for sculpture and as a building marterial |
Maxine | French for “greatest” |
Maxwell | An American R&B artist |
Mercedes | Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacterer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks |
Mercury | Used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, etc. |
Merlin | A legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend |
Michelangelo | Was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculpter, architect, poet, and engineer |
Milo | A chocolate and malt powder which is mixed with hot or cold milk to produce a beverage which is popular in many parts of the world |
Monster | Any fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction thatlittle children are scared will be in their closets when they go to bed |
Morphius | Like “Morpheus”, the god of sleep and dreams; for the dog who loves to sleep all day. Also a character from the Matrix |
Moscow | The capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia |
Moses | One of the major patriarchs in the Old Testament |
Nero | Was a Roman Emperor from 54 to 68. He was the last emperor of the Julio-Caludian dynasty. |
Nevada | One of the 50 states in the United States |
Olaf | Was king of Norway from 1015 to 1028 |
Onyx | A form of quartz |
Opal | 97% of opal is produced in Australia |
Otis | Means “wealth”; for the rich dog |
Otto | A given name of a Germanic origin meaning wealthy |
Outlaw | In historical legal systems, and outlaw is a person declared as outside the protection of the law |
Oxford | A major univeristy in England |
Pegasus | One of the best known fantastical creatures in Greek mythology |
Pete | A shortened version of the name Peter |
Primo | The first or leading part (as in a duet or trio) |
Ralph | Ralph Lauren is a very popular line of clothing, home fashions, etc. Also like the animated movie, “Wreck-It Ralph.” After watching that movie, Ralph had to be on the big dog names list. |
Regal | Regal Cinemas is the largest movie theater circuit |
Rex | Like a T-Rex |
Rocky | Is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, and written by and starting Sylvester Stallone |
Roland | Count Roland was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne |
Rolex | A luxury watch |
Romeo | Romeo and Juliet |
Rowdy | Tending to create noisy disturbances |
Rufus | Was an American funk band from Chicago Illinois |
Sammy | Nickname of “Samuel” or “Samantha” |
Samurai | Is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan |
Sanjay | An Indian male name |
Scamp | May refer to a mischieveous perhaps roguish person, especially a playful, impish youngster |
Selma | A city in the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States |
Sergeant | Is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world |
Shark | Tough and visious, like the shark |
Sheldon | Means “steep valley” |
Shep | Short for “Shepherd”; for the herding dog |
Sirius | Like Sirius Satellite Radio |
Sparky | A common nickname for people and animals |
Sparrow | A small type of wild bird |
Spartacus | The most notable leader of the slaves in the Third Servil War against the Roman Republic |
Spot | Spot the dog is a series of children’s books adapted for animation |
Stallion | A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded |
Stallone | Sylvester Stallone is an American actor, filmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Think “Rambo,” or “Rocky Balboa.” |
Strider | A Japanese arcade game |
Sundance | There is a Sundance Film Festival each January in Park City, Utah |
Taz | The Tasmanian Devil, Taz, is an animated character featured in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes series of cartoons |
Texas | One of the 50 states in the United States. Everything is big in Texas! |
Tiger | The largest of the four “big cats” |
Velocity | The measurement of the rate and direction of change in the position of an object |
Voyager | One of NASA’s spacecraft’s |
Wade | Like wading into the water |
Waldorf | Like a waldorf chicken salad |
Walrus | A large flippered marine mammal |
Warlock | The male equivalent of witches |
Wellington | The capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand |
Wiley | Means “from the tricky river” |
Willard | A 1971 horror film starring Bruce Davidson and Ernest Borgnine |
Windsor | Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is in Southwestern Ontario |
Wyatt | Like Wyatt Earp |
Yukon | The westernmost and smallest of Canada’s three federal territories |
Can’t find the name you like on the Big dog names list? Don’t give up. Return to main Puppy Names page here with more than 4000 options. And, if you have a great name, tell us about it!
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