The unique dog names list has names for dogs who deserve something different. While unique dogs are in the eye of the beholder, there are some dogs that are undeniably, well, unique.
Take the dog in the picture, for example. His name is Dash and he is owned by Mark Jones of Jersey City, NJ. Can anyone deny the uniqueness of Dash?
Do you have a unique Poodle? How about naming him Doodle. If your pup is the tiniest thing you have every seen, you could always name him Hulk. Or name your big dog Macro and your small dog Micro.
For those who love one syllable dog names, there are plenty on the unique dog names list like Zeke, Zip, Jade, Taz and Chan. You won’t find names like Max or Bailey on the list as they are two of the most popular dog names in use today. In fact, both of those names made the top 100 dog names list.
My Favorite Unique Dog names
Three of my favorite unique dog names are Taz, Noodles and Jazz. I also really like the name Zuri, which means “Beautiful” in the Swahili language.
If you have spent much time on this website, you probably know I have a thing for one syllable dog names. While some warn against using one syllable names because they could be confusing to the dog, I have always like them.
Just be careful not to use a name that rhymes with a training command. For example, Neal sounds like “heal” and Beau sounds like “No.” Hunting dog names, in my humble opinion, are a great use of the one syllable variety.
Below is a list of more than 100 of my favorite unique dog names, many with reasons why I included them on the list. Browse or study the list and have fun. For all boy dogs, check the unique male dog names list.
If you don’t find a name you like, visit our Dog Names by Breed page or one syllable dog names list to see more options. For even more names, search our list of more than 4,000 puppy names.
| Name | Meaning |
| Addison | Means “son of Adam” (their father do not have to be named Adam, though) |
| Adonis | In Greek mythology, the god of beauty and desire |
| Amore | Refers to “love” in Italian |
| Argyle | Argyle is back in fashion today. Are you the preppy type? Maybe your dog is too! |
| Avery | Means “elf council” |
| Bailey | Means “berry clearing”; also the name of an Irish whiskey |
| Bandit | Great name for an American Staffordshire Terrier, or a “Pit Bull” as some people call them. |
| Banzai | Do you own an Akita or a Japanese Chin dog? In Japanese, Banzai means “Ten Thousand Years.” While your dog name not live that long, I just think it belongs on the unique dog names list. |
| Blaize | Means “lisp” or “stutter” |
| Bluebell | A plant with a bell-shaped flower |
| Bogart | Do you remember the famous picture of dogs playing poker? There were several like this from the early 1900s and I imagine at least one of these dogs was named Bogart. |
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| Cabernet | Superior Bordeaux type of red wine |
| Cashmere | Fine soft wool from the Kashmere goat. Feeling your dog’s fur should feel like one |
| Casino | For the great lover of gambling |
| Chan | I think this also belongs on the Chihuahua names list. |
| Cheyenne | A pungent red powder made from ground dried chili peppers. Totally hot, hot, hot! |
| Cuddles | Perfect name for a dog that you can cuddle |
| Dakota | Great and unbeatable fighter |
| Dallas | A city in the northeatern part of USA |
| Dancer | If you have ever imagined your dog in a tutu, this might be the right name for your pup. Depending on your picture, this might also fit the funny dog names list. |
| Dash | Moves super fast. In no time, he has consumed his food and has stolen yours |
| Dharma | Name her partner Greg and relive the popular American television comedy |
| Diego | My brother-in-law’s dog is named Diego and he is one unique dog. The picture doesn’t do him justice. He runs like a deer and jumps like a kangaroo! |
| Digit | Refers to a finger or toe |
| Disco | For the dog owner who loves the disco ball and the boggie of the 60s |
| Diva | Just as Beyonce says: the version of a hustler |
| Doodle | Great name for a Poodle. |
| Drake | Means “dragon” |
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| Durango | A state in northern central Mexico |
| Ebony | Great name for a black dog. Perhaps a Labrador Retriever. |
| Elliott | Means “the Lord is my God” |
| Eloise | Old German for “famous warrior” |
| Espresso | Strong and black, just like the coffee |
| Fable | A fabricator or inventor |
| Fang | With a large, sharp tooth |
| Fantasia | Free and improvised musical composition |
| Figaro | Gepetto’s pet kitten in Disney’s 1940 film Pinocchio; later appeared in several shorts as Minnie Mouse’s pet |
| Flurry | A small swirling mass of something |
| Gipsy | A laborer |
| Gizmo | This name is also on the Chihuahua names list because it reminds me of the funny character from the Gremlins movie. |
| Goober | Refers to a peanut |
| Harley | An English male given name; also an American motocycle manufacturer |
| Hogan | American professional wrester Hulk Hogan |
| Hooligan | Violent troublemaker |
| Hope | Feeling of desire and expectation for a certain thing to happen |
| Hulk | Fictional character who turns green, big, and violent when agitated |
| Imagine | Believe to exist |
| Indigo | If you have an Australian Cattle Dog, also known as a Blue Heeler, this is a great name. |
| Jade | My wife had a cat name Jade and I really like this name. |
| Jagger | English rick star Mick Jagger |
| Jamaica | For the lovers of reggae and Bob Marley |
| Jazz | This is another of my favorite unique dog names. I picture a dog with black coloration. Maybe a Black Russian Terrier. That’s a very unique dog. |
| Jinx | A person or thing that brings bad luck |
| Kashmir | The northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent |
| Keno | For the lovers of gambling |
| Laramie | A city in and the county seat of Albany County, Wyoming, United States |
| Lark | A dog who seems to always be in great spirits, as in “happy as a lark” |
| Latte | A strong variant of espresso coffee |
| Lava | Another great name for the Black Lab Dog Names list. |
| Legend | Very well-known |
| Leo | Refers to “lion” |
| Limbaugh | No, this is not a reference to the radio commentator. This is a very common last name, but a unique name for your dog. |
| Lindy | Means “beautiful”, “pretty”, “sweet” |
| Lylah | Means “night” |
| Macro | Great name for large dog breeds. |
| Madden | Any football fans? Yes, this is definitely a reference to John Madden, the famous football TV man. |
| Mango | Fleshy and sweet yellowing fruit |
| Mantra | A word or phrase that is often repeated |
| Mercedes | A Spanish name for girls |
| Micro | Great name for small dog breeds. |
| Muscles | Strong and brawny |
| Nacho | Great name for a dog; actually a popular food of Mexican origin |
| Nemo | Does your dog like to hide? Use this name and you could tell people how much time you spend finding Nemo (OK, bad joke). |
| Nero | Roman emperor who was famous for his cruelty |
| Nikita | Greek for “unconquered” |
| Noodles | I love this for curly dogs. Great name for a Bichon Frise. |
| Nudge | A dog who always wants to get attention |
| Odessa | Means “angry man” (a rather unfitting meaning for a name of a girl) |
| Orbit | Loves to move around in dizzying circles, mostly because of wanting to catch his tail |
| Paris | Elegant, chic, and popular |
| Pebbles | If you have two dogs, you could name your other dog Bam Bam. |
| Pip | A small shape or symbol |
| Pluto | Yes, this is a very well-known Disney dog name, but I don’t hear it used much for “real dogs.” That’s why I put it on the unique dog names list. |
| Quimby | The sidekick of an outspoken and characteristic bully (that’s you) |
| Radar | As in Radar O’Reilly from the old M.A.S.H. TV show and movie. |
| Ransom | Refers to “redemption” |
| Rapunzel | The famous character whose long hair can be climbed on |
| Sable | Another good black dog name. |
| Samurai | A warrior in pre-industrial Japan |
| Sasha | Means “man’s defender”; perfect if you’re a man with a rather strong female dog |
| Sierra | Means “saw” |
| Sloan | Means “warrior” or “man of arms”; can be used both as a male or female name |
| Tamale | A yummy Mexican dish |
| Taz | When I think of the Looney Tunes cartoon featuring the Tazmanian Devil, I think of the Chow Chow dog. It looks nothing like the real carnivorous marsupial found in Australia, but more like the cartoon. Go figure. |
| Uno | Means “one” or “first” |
| Violet | A flower of purplish-blue color; popular name for a girl |
| Wrangler | Perfect name for a herder in a ranch or farm |
| Yoga | Relaxing and meditative, just like this Hindu discipline |
| Zeke | One of my favorite one syllable dog names. I also think this fits on the hunting dog names list so I included it there. |
| Zip | Moves fast and swift |
| Zuri | The name Zuri is Swahili for Beautiful. Love this name. |
Can’t find the name you like on the Unique Dog names list? Don’t give up. Try the unique male dog names list if yours is a male pup. You may also want to visit our Dog Names by Breed list or one syllable dog names list to do some more searching. 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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I’m getting a new multipoo puppy and I’m not sure what to call it! I was wondering if you could give me a name to call it? Thanks!