The Pug dog names list was a fun one to create for such a unique little dog. When you look at a Pug’s face, your mind starts racing with so many possibilities.
Some of the names are obvious picks, like Pugsly, Pugster or Ralph (OK, maybe not so much with Ralph). Some just seemed like a good fit, like Jester, Petunia and Winston (can’t you just see Winston Churchill?).
Many of the Pug names are there just because I like them. Buddy, Wrinkles and Gizmo, for example. Some are there because they have to be. Buster, for example. How could you leave Buster off the list. It means “extraordinary one.”
If you remember the 1984 Gremlins movie, you might associate the Pug with a gremlin, too. Or, maybe not. I just thought it was cute.
The big thing to remember when naming your Pug dog is to match your dog’s personality and purpose with their name. Some people like one syllable dog names and others just want something fun.
If you haven’t yet decided on this breed but want to learn more, visit our Pug dog breed information page. You might be surprised at what you learn.
Below is a list of more than 101 of my favorite Pug dog names. Take a look and have fun.
If you don’t find a name you like, return to our Dog Names by Breed page to see more categories, or expand your search to our list of more than 4,000 puppy names.
| Name | Meaning |
| Amber | A hard brownish-yellow fossil resin. |
| Famous Name: Amber Patrice Riley is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist. She is known for her role as Mercedes Jones on Glee. Before she became famous, she auditioned for American Idol but the producers turned her down. | |
| Annie | From Anne – Full of grace. |
| Baby | A young animal. An object or personal concern or indulgence. |
| Bailey | Trusted guardian of others’ property. |
| Bandit | An outlaw or robber. |
| Bear | Large mammal with large head, bulky body and coarse thick fur. |
| Bella | Beautiful |
| Famous Name: Annabella Avery “Bella” Thorne is an American teen actress, dancer, singer, and model. She’s known when she starred in the Disney Channel TV show “Shake It Up!”. She was born in Pembroke Pines, Florida on October 8, 1997. | |
| Bogart | Bowstrong |
| Brandy | An alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. |
| Brody | Means “muddy place”; great for a mud-loving pug |
| Bruno | Brown haired man. |
| Buddha | Perfect for a pug looking like Buddha, the founder of Buddhism |
| Buddy | From Budd – The welcome messenger. |
| Busta | Cute name used by ‘N Sync band member Chris Kirkpatrick. His second pug (yes, he is a two-pug family) is Korea. |
| Buster | Extraordinary one. |
| Charlie | From Charles – Strong and manly. |
| Famous Name: Charles Spencer Chaplin also known as Charlie Chaplin was born in London, England on April 16, 1889. Because of his inherited natural talents from his parents who also was a performers, Chaplin became one of the most famous actors in his era. When he was 12, he got his first role as a page boy named “Billy” in support of William Gillette in “Sherlock Holmes”. | |
| Chester | Fortified camp. |
| Churchill | Dweller by the church on the hill. |
| Cleo | From Cleopatra – Her father’s glory. |
| Coco | A drink. |
| Cooper | Barrel maker. |
| Cosmo | A prefix meaning universe. |
| Dakota | Friends |
| Famous Name: Hannah Dakota Fanning is an American actress best known for her work in the Twilight films, Coraline, and War of the Worlds. Dakota was born on February 23, 1994, in Conyers, Georgia. She made her breakthrough performance when she was seven in the film “I Am Sam”. | |
| Dexter | The right handed man. |
| Dixie | Female from the Southern States of America. |
| Duke | Highest ranking nobleman – Leader. |
| Emma | One who heals the universe. |
| Famous Name: Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson or popularly known as Emma Watson is one of the lead stars of the film Harry Potter, a movie adaptation of British author J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novel. She was born on April 15, 1990, in Paris, France. | |
| Gizmo | Fluffy; named after a caracter in the 1984 movie Gremlins. |
| Gordie | Means “large fortification”; could be a nickname for Gordon |
| Gracie | From Grace – The graceful one. |
| Gus | Fat |
| Hamlet | Its origin is German and it means Hero. |
| Hannah | From Anne – Full of grace. |
| Famous Name: Hannah Simone is a Canadian television hostess, actress, and former fashion model. She was born on August 3, 1980, in London. She is currently one of the stars on FOX’s hit series, “New Girl”. | |
| Harley | From the hare meadow. |
| Holly | A plant with berries that are red. |
| Honey | Sweet syrup produced by bees. |
| Hugo | Solid as a rock. |
| Jaigermeister | A thick, brown, and tasty German liquor |
| Jasmine | Playful and Happy. |
| Famous Name: Jasmine Jessica Anthony is an American child actress. She was born on October 28, 1996, in Tarzana, California. She played a role in the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can and also one of the casts of a 2005 film Little Athens. | |
| Jester | Jokester, silly, life of the party (I really like this one). |
| Kirby | From the church village. |
| Korea | As in the country. Also the name of one of Chris Kirkpatrick’s pugs. FYI, Chris is a founding member of the band ‘N Sync. |
| Lady | A female title of nobility. |
| Famous Name: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta or famously known as Lady Gaga is an American singer and songwriter. She was born on March 28, 1986 in New York City. When she was little, she already has the strong passion in music. Her debut album titled “The Fame” (2008) was her stepping stone for becoming one of the famous artist in this generation. | |
| Leo | Zodiac sign represented by a Lion. |
| Lexus | A luxury car manufacturer under Toyota |
| Lilo | Means “generous one”; the little girl in the movie “Lilo and Stitch” |
| Lily | A lovely and delicate flower thriving in ponds |
| Linus | One with flax-colored hair. |
| Lolita | Means “Sorrows.” This is the name of Gerard Butler’s pug. |
| Louie | Famous battle warrior. |
| Luke | Light |
| Mabel | Means “lovable” |
| Mack | Means “son of”; can be a nickname for Mackenzie, Mackinley, Mackey, etc. |
| Maximus | Means “the greatest”; the greatest pet, that is |
| Mia | Mine |
| Mickey | From Michael – Like unto the. |
| Molly | Irish for Mary. |
| Famous Name: Molly Caitlyn Quinn is an American actress in theatre, film, and television. She was born on October 8, 1993 in Texarkana, Texas, USA. She’s also known as a producer for Castle (2009), We’re the Millers (2013) and Winx Club: Enchantix (2011). | |
| Moogi | Very dominant and powerful |
| Myles | German for “undertain” or “peaceful”; also Latin for “soldier” |
| Nancy | Means “grace” or “favour.” Nancy is the name of one of Jessica Alba’s pugs. The other is Sid. Very cute names! |
| Famous Name: Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer who has a no. 1 hit single in 1966, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’. She is the daughter of the famous crooner Frank Sinatra. She was born on June 8, 1940, in Jersey City, New Jersey. | |
| Neo | “The One”. No more explanations necessary |
| Nikko | Short for Nicholas or variant of Nick. |
| Oliver | Symbol of peace. The olive branch. |
| Oscar | Divine spearman – a fighter for God. |
| Patches | With patches all over their body. |
| Pedro | Equivalent of Peter – The rock. |
| Penny | From Penelope – The weaver and wife of Ulysses. |
| Pepper | A spice or condiment. |
| Petunia | Summer flower. |
| Pig tail | Having a thin tail, just like a pig’s |
| Pixel | An individual light in the computer screen. |
| Precious | One who is beloved, a darling. |
| Prince | Male member of a royal family. |
| Famous Name: Prince is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor. He’s real name is Prince Rogers Nelson. He was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prince released the albums 1999 and Purple Rain. | |
| Princess | Female member of a royal family. |
| Prudence | Means “cautious” or “intellicent.” Also the name of Kelly Osbourne’s pug. |
| Pudgy | A very fitting name for a pug, small and pudgy. |
| Puggy Sue | A very cute name used by Paula Abdul for her Pug. |
| Pugsly | One of my favorite Pug dog names. |
| Pugster | Perfect for the pug dog names list. Cute name, too! |
| Quincy | From the fifth son’s estate. |
| Ralph | Counsel wolf, fast wolf. |
| Famous Name: Ralph Waite was an American actor, voice artist, and political activist. He’s known for playing John Walton Sr. on the 1970s television series The Waltons. He was born in White Plains, New York on June 22, 1928 and died on February 13, 2014, at the age of 85.. | |
| Ramond | German for “advice” |
| Reuben | Behold a son. |
| Rico | Means “hard power” or “strong power” |
| Ringo | Ring. Also good for Beattles fans! |
| Ripley | From the valley of the echo. |
| Rocky | An underdog who made it big. |
| Sadie | From Sarah – Princess, one of royal status. |
| Sam | From Samuel – Heard by God. |
| Famous Name: Samuel Frederick “Sam” Smith is a British singer-songwriter born on May 19, 1992, in London, England. He became popular when he was featured on Disclosure’s single “Latch” who made it into rank #11 on the UK chart. In 2013, he released his debut single “Lay Me Down”. | |
| Samson | From Sampson – Sun’s man. |
| Sandy | The helper of mankind (Greek). |
| Shadow | A rough, dark image cast by an object blocking the sun’s rays. |
| Sheba | Male name that means “an oath” |
| Sid | Means “wide meadow.” Also Sydney. Sid is the name of one of Jessica Alba’s pugs. The other is Nancy. If you need two Pug dog names, Sid and Nancy make a cute couple! |
| Simba | Swahili – Lion. |
| Skipper | Master of a ship. |
| Sparky | Animated, lively (appropriate among Pug dog names). |
| Spike | A long, thick sharp-pointed piece of wood or metal. |
| Sugar | A sweet powder from sugar cane. Slang for sweetheart. |
| Teddy | From Edward – Prosperous guardian. |
| Toby | From Tobias – God is good. |
| Famous Name: Toby Finn Regbo is an actor, known for Mr. Nobody (2009), Treasure Island (2012), and One Day (2011). He wa born on October 18, 1991, October. His acting debut in Tusk, Tusk where he received praise from a broad spectrum of theatre critics. | |
| Winston | From a friend’s estate. |
| Wrinkles | Line or creases in the skin. |
| Yogi | Means “master of oneself” |
| Zeke | From Ezekiel – Strength of God. |
| Zeus | Father of the Gods. |
| Zoe | Life |
Can’t find the name you like on the Pug Dog Names list? Don’t give up. Return to our Dog Names by Breed page to do some more exploring. If you have a great name, tell us about it!
Share your favorite Dog Names!
Share your favorite dog names and a personal story if you have one. If you do have a story, tell us why you chose the name you did or let us know why the name is special to you.
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