Sled Dog Names
More than 100 Names for your Sled Dog
The Sled Dog names list is filled with names suitable for these unique, hard-working dogs. Sled dogs are not one particular breed, but some are more popular than others.
Names for sled dogs are often tied with the terrain or the environment where they spend much of their time. Examples include Tundra, Everest, Juneau and Shasta.
Sled dogs are certainly some of the most revered among notable canines, and one significant reason is the 1150 mile Alaskan Iditarod race. The sled dog names list includes the names of every lead dog involved in the Iditarod race since its inception in 1973, the most famous of which is Andy, Rick Swenson’s lead dog for 4 of Rick’s record 5 Iditarod wins.
The most famous sled dog in history is undoubtably Balto, whose name you will also find on the famous dog names list. Most kids know Balto as the star in an animated Disney film of the same name, but Balto actually became famous as the lead dog in the 1025 “serum run to Nome.”
The serum run transported diphtheria antitoxin from Anchorage to Nenana, Alaska, to fight the deadly disease from spreading. Today’s Iditarod race commemorates the serum run. If you want to learn more about the serum run, there is a great Wikipedia article on Balto that tells the details.
If you want to see a great movie about sled dogs, one of my favorites is Eight Below. I won’t spoil it for you, but be prepared to cheer for a pack of ingenious dogs with the will to survive in difficult circumstances.
My best advice for naming your Sled Dog, or any dog for that matter, is to match your dog’s personality to their name. As an alternative, you could tie their name with their environment, such as snow, things associated with Alaska, winter, etc. For more great name ideas, visit our list of famous dog names or one syllable dog names.
If you have a name to share with the rest of us, please use the form at the bottom of this page. You just might make someone’s day!
To learn more about the two most popular purebred sled dog breeds, visit our breed profiles for the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. You will learn about their temperament, trainability, and even a little of the breed’s history before deciding on these or other dog breeds.
Below is a list of my favorite 101 Sled Dog names. If you don’t find a name you like after browsing the list, 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 |
| Aisha | One of Muhammad’s wives |
| Ajax | Means “of the earth” |
| Akiak | A city in Alaska |
| Akyla | From “Akila” which means “eagle” |
| Alaska | One of the 50 states in America |
| Aleu | Balto’s stubborn daughter |
| Alpine | Means “from the Alps” |
| Anchorage | A city in Alaska |
| Angel | Heavenly Host |
| Antarctica | One of the seven continents |
| Apollo | A very important Olympic god in Greek and Roman theology |
| Aspen | A city in Alaska |
| Astro | Greek for “of the stars”; can also be a tribute to “Astroboy” |
| Aurora | Like Aurora Borealis |
| Avalanche | A sudden and extremely fast flow of slow down a mountain |
| Babar | A French children’s fictional character who is an elephant |
| Balto | A Siberian Husky sled dog who led his team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome. Most famous of sled dog names. |
| Bear | Big and cuddly like a bear |
| Bella | Italian for “beautiful” |
| Blaze | Means “flame” |
| Blizzard | A severe snowstorm with strong winds |
| Casper | The friendly ghost |
| Cessna | A type of plane |
| Chilly | Distant and cool; unfriendly |
| Chinook | Winds often called Chinooks, commonly referred to as foehn winds |
| Cobalt | A hard silvery-white magnetic metal |
| Coconut | Come from palm trees |
| Comet | A small, icy Solar System body |
| Crystal | There is a place called “The Crystal Ballroom” in Portland |
| Cuddles | For that dog that loves to cuddle |
| Cupid | A main icon of Valentine’s day |
| Damini | Hindi name for a girl |
| Dandy | A man who puts importance in physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies |
| Dasher | One of Santa’s reindeer |
| Denali | Another name for Mount McKinley |
| Desna | A river in Russia and Ukraine |
| Destiny | A predetermined course of events |
| Diggy | For the dog who lvoes to dog |
| Domanique | A variation of “Dominique” which means “of God” |
| Echo | In Greek mythology, a nymph who sorrowed from unrequited love until the only thing that remained was her voice |
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|---|---|
| Elissa | Means “God is my oath” |
| Eska | A variation of “Eko” that means “first child” |
| Everest | The world’s highest mountain above sea level |
| Fire | Fire is hot and orange |
| Flake | Like a snow flake |
| Flurry | A small swirling mass of something |
| Freeze | Be turned into ice or another solid as a result of extreme cold |
| Frosty | The popular snowman with a “jolly, happy soul” |
| Genen | Means “son of the fair-haired one” |
| Gigi | A nickname for practically any name that starts with G |
| Granite | Many people use granite for counertops in their homes |
| Hendrix | Like Jimi Hendrix. I don’t have a sled dog names for rockers, but this would be on it if I did! |
| Hotfoot | Lead dog in the 1973 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race |
| Hunter | The one who hunts |
| Icicle | A spike of ice formed from fronzen water |
| Indigo | Another name for blue |
| Isis | A goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs |
| Ivory | An off-white color |
| Jasper | Means “treasurer” |
| Jazz | Music style that started in the 20th century |
| Juneau | The capital of Alaska |
| Juniper | Latin for “Juniper Berry” |
| Juno | Goddess of pregnancy and childbirth |
| Kaya | Scandinavian for “pure” |
| Keiko | Japanese for “blessing” |
| Kiana | Means “living with Grace” |
| Klondike | Like the ice cream bar |
| Koda | A tree from China, Japan, New Guinea and Australia |
| Kodiak | A city in Alaska |
| Kona | Short for “Konala” which means “world ruler” |
| Kronos | A Titan, the father of Zeus |
| Krypton | A colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas |
| Kye | Means “ocean” |
| Lady | A girl, woman, she, female, etc. |
| Laska | Short for “Alaska” |
| Lon | A nickname for practically any name that starts with “Lon” |
| Lucca | A city and commune in Tuscany, Italy |
| Luka | Female version of “Luke.” One of my favorite sled dog names (and it’s not just be cause I’m a Star Wars fan). |
| Mala | Means “necklace, garland” |
| Malakai | Means “My messenger” |
| Maya | A diminutive form of May or Maia |
| Michelo | Male version of “Michelle” |
| Midnight | The transition time period from one day to the next |
| Mikki | A variation of “Mickey” |
| Mischa | A variation of the name “Misha” |
| Misha | Means “Who is like God?” |
| Mishka | A reggae singer from Bermuda |
| Moonbeam | May refer to Moonlight |
| Mozart | A classical musician |
| Musher | The dog who turns everything to mush |
| Nala | Simba’s best friend in “The Lion King” |
| Nanook | The master of the bears in Inuit mythology |
| Nikita | Means “unconquerable” |
| Nikko | Means “vistory of the people” |
| Nilak | Means “a piece of fresh water ice” |
| Nilla | Like Nilla Wafers. I love Nilla Wafers. Sled dog names and cookies – mmmmm! |
| Nina | Spanish for “little girl” |
| Nini | A nickname for practically any name that starts (or ends) with “Ni” |
| Nome | A city in Alaska |
| Nova | Latin for “new” |
| Nugget | As in, Alaskan Gold Nuggets. Lead dog in the 1974 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race |
Can’t find the name you like on the Sled 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!
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Aspen: a city in Alaska. That’s like saying Moscow: A city in Missouri.