Unusual Dog Names: More than 200 Names for your Unusual Dog

The unusual dog names list has more than 200 names for dogs and owners who are unusual. Unusual could define many dogs and owners, but you know who you are. Names from our Top 100 Dog Names list like Max, Mollie, Buddy and Lucy are definitely not for you.

Look at the yellow Labrador Retriever in the picture. Would you believe this dog eats at the table with her owners for every meal? That certainly fits the unusual dogs category.

You could say the same about her owners! The name Britches is a great name for a yellow Lab.

Do you have an unusual Yorkshire Terrier? How about naming him Archie. If you love good literature, how about Atticus for Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird? Or you could name your black dog Anise for the herb that tastes like licorice.

For those who love one syllable dog names, there are plenty on the unique dog names list like Amp, Benz, Bert and Jet. You won’t find names like Jake or Sadie 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 Unusual Dog names

Unusual Dog NamesThree of my favorite unusual dog names are Rowlf, Quattro and Dog. In the movie Big Jake starring John Wayne, Wayne’s character was Jacob McCandles and his dog’s name was, simply, Dog. I love this movie.

Yes, I love one syllable dog names (like Dog) and you probably know that by now if you have snooped around this site very much. I also realize some pundits warn agains the use of one syllable names because your dog might be confused if their name sounds like a training command.

Be certain you don’t use a name like Neal (which sounds like “heal”) or Beau (which sounds like “No”). Truth be told, I had a Doberman Pinscher roommate in college and his name was Bo. I prefer one syllable names for hunting dog names.

Below is a list of more than 200 of my favorite unusual dog names as well as reasons why I included some of them on the list. Browse or study the list and have fun.

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.

NameMeaning
AbileneEverything is big in Texas, right? If you have a large dog breed, why not name him after this town in Texas.
AdzeTool used to smooth and carve rough wood
AjaMeans “a little goat” in Hebrew
AmbroseName of Greek origin that means “immortal” or “divine”
AmpGreat name for a perky pup.
AniseAnise is the spice that tastes a bit like licorice. This is a very good name for a black dog (if you like black licorice).
AnyaA feminine given name; may be short for “Anastacia”
Apex

If your dog has a very pointy tail or another pointy feature, Apex is a great name.

ApogeeThe climax or culmination of something
ArchieShort for “Archibalt”‘ also a popular character in a comic series of the same name
ArdorFull of enthusiasm or passion
ArizonaA state in south USA that borders Mexico
ArminShort for “Arminium”, a German war hero
ArrowA very precise hunying weapon
ArubaA beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea
AthenaI added this to the unusual dog names list for a good famale watchdog. Do you have a famale Rottweiler or German Shepherd? Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare.
AtticusGregory Peck played the character Atticus Finch in the 1962 movie, To Kill a Mockingbird.
AutmunThe third season of the year, between summer and winter
AvalonThe place to where King Arthur was conveyed after death
AzoreAn archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean
BachFor the classic music lover.
BadenSmall toen outside Pittsburgh
BadgeGreat name for a guard dog.
BaffleA dog that leaves anyone bewildered or perplexed
BananaA long and curved (mostly yellow) fruit, if you must know
Banjo A stringed musical instrument, smaller than a guitar
BaratzaFor coffee lovers, this is the brand name of a coffee grinder.
BaroqueAn artistic style that displays exaggerated drama, exuberance, and grandeur
BashfulVery shy to strangers
Beanera baseball deliberately thrown at the batter’s head
BeasleyThis made the unusual dog names list because it was one of my favorite restaurants as a kid. Actually, the restaurant was called Mrs. Beasley. Maybe you could name your female dog Mrs. Beasley?
Bee GeeHats off to Barry, Robin, Maurice and Andy.
BeigePerfect name for a dog with a pale sandy yellowish-brown
BenzFor Mercedes lovers (Mercedes should probably be on the unusual dog names list, too!)
BeowulfName of the legendary Scandinavian hero
BerkleyA variation of the city in California, Berkeley
BertA Sesame Street character, bestfriend of Ernie
BiancaMeans “white” in Italy
BikerA motorcyclist or a member of a motorcycle gang
BiloxiA city in southeastern Mississippi
BinkySomething that children feel is very warm to them; childish comfort
BixbyAs in Bill Bixby of Incredible Hulk fame. Great name for a horse, too.
BlazeDog with a white spot or stripe on the face
Blazer Someone who glows, burns, or flares — figuratively, of course
BlizzardI love this name for a Siberian Husky.
BloggerPurely a 21st Century name.
BooEither a term of endearment or something that a ghost says
BoogerEither a term of endearment or a piece of dried nasal mucus (I know, it’s gross, but it’s a cute name for a dog)
BootsySounds a little like a cat name, but that’s why I added it to the unusual dog names list. Why? Because it’s unusual for a dog, silly.
BoratThe popular fictional character from Kazakhstan
BossThe one in charge; the master, head, manager
BoxerSomeone who takes part in boxing
BransonA city in southwestern Missouri, noted as a resort based on country music
BrickleBrittle; easily cracked or snapped
BristlesHaving short and stiff hair, just like a toothbrush
BritchesSouthern slang for “jeans” or “pants”
BronsonAs in the great movie actor, Charles Bronson.
BronxGreat name for a Bulldog. Can’t you just see your Bulldog strutting through New York streets?
BulletThe projectile that comes from firearms
BumperExceptionally fine, large, or successful
BurleyTobacco of a light-colored variety primarily grown in Kentucky
BuzzA low and continuous humming sound, mostly made by a bee or mosquito
CadburyFor a very sweet and unusual dog.
CadenceThe rhythm of the beat
CadillacLarge, luxury vehicles; sometimes refered to as Caddys
CaiyaCute name for a female dog
CameoA lovely piece of jewelry, mostly shaped oval
CandySmall and sweet
CanyonA depp gorge
CaydenAmerican for “fighter”
CenturyEqual to 100 years; perfect name for an old dog, or a dog that you think (or hope) will live long
ChanceA possiblity of something happening
ChaosWith an unpredictable or even random behavior
CharlemagneOne of Europe’s most successful monarchs
CharmCharming; full of charm
ChickenA scaredy cat (or dog, rather); coward
ChiefThe leader, king, manager, boss, etc.
CipherA secret
ClaptonThis made the unusual dog names list because I love Eric Clapton music. Especially his “Unplugged” album.
ClippyNickname for Clippit, an animated character in Microsoft Office
CocoaWith smooth and brown fur
CorditeA smokeless explosive used in ammunition
CosetteMeans “a little thing”
CraveA dog that is asled or desired
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CricketThat little insect that makes a characteristic rhythmical chirping sound
Cupcake Small, colorful, and sweet cakes
CuspAn end where two curves meet
DahliaIf your pup has a flowery personality, this is a great name.
DakotaGreat and unbeatable fighter
DandelionA pesky weed of the daisy family
DandyStylish, neat, and fashionable in appearance
Dante’Latin for “enduring” or “obstinate”
DauntlessBrave, fearless, and bold
DazeA dog who gets people in a state of stunned confusion or bewilderment
DesertWorthiness or entitlement to reward or punishment
DinoShrot for “dinosaur”
DixieMy Uncle Don named his Hugarian Vizsla Dixie. It’s on my Hunting Dog Names list and Dixie is a very unusual dog.
DogOne of my favorite movies of all time is Big Jake with John Wayne. His dog was names Dog.
DonatellaThe first name of a very successful Italian fashion designer
DozerA dog who bulldozes everything (or anything)
DragonA fire-breathing mythical monster
DumpsterTrash receptacle
DuplexSomething made up of two parts
DylanA Welsh male name
EagleEagle – Possessing keen senses
EdenThe beautiful garden where Adam and Eve first lived in
EskimoInhabitants of the circumpolar region
ExodusMass departure
FargoDoes your dog love the snow? This is a great name for a snow dog.
FlintCold-hearted
FudgeySoft and sweet
FunkyThe 60s term for “cool”
GadgetGo Go Gadget.
GasperSlang for cigarette
GazelleSmall, slender, and dainty, like the antelope
GenevieveMeans “woman of the people” (rather, “woman of the dogs”)
GertrudeMeans “spear maiden”
GiaShort for “Giana”, “Giada”, “Gian”
GideonHebrew for “mighty warrior”
GiselleGerman for “hostage” or “pledge”
GraniteSomething very hard and impenetrable
GuinevereThe beautiful wife of King Arthur and mistress of Lancelot
HersheySweet and Brown, just like the chocolate
IrisAnother name for a dog with a flowery personality.
IshtarBabylonian and Assyrian goddess of love and war
IsisGreek goddess of fertility
IvoryAn off-white color that resembles the material of the same name
JadeBad-tempered or disreputable female
JaylaAmerican name for a girl
JelloJelly-like and sweet
JetQuick and swift, just like a jet
JewellVariation of “jewel”, a precious stone
JezebelOh, boy, this could be a naughty doggie.
JuniperAn evergreen shrub or tree
JunoThe most important goddess of the Roman state, wife of Jupiter
Kai Finnish for “rejoice”
KarmaDestiny or fate
KieshaMeans “aliv e and well”
KiraMale name that means “dark” in Gaelic
KoiThere is something fishy about this name, but I just can’t put my finger on it.
KometVariation of “comet”, celestial object
LilacA dainty flower of pale pinkish-violet color
LimeCan be a white caustic alkaline substance or a rounded citrus fruit
LokiA mischievous and sometimes evil god
MapleA popular tree; flavor of maple syrup or maple sugar
MarshmellowThe white puffy confection roasted over a campfire
MatthiasThis is the name of the Disciple who replaced Judas Iscariot.
MikoA female shaman or priestess
MillieGerman for “labor” or “strength”
MiracleA highly improbable or extraordinary event
MojoMagical charm or spell
MonsterOf extraordinary and daunting size
MyaGreek for “mother” or “great one”
NikeNot the shoe company, the Greek goddess of victory!
NikitaGreek for “unconquered”
OpalA gemstone of varying colors
OpheliaGreek for “help” or “aid”
PapayaA tropical fruit shaped like an elongated melon
ParableA simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson
PhoenixA dog that is uniquely remarkable in some respect
PinkA feminine color between red and white
PiqueStimulates interest or curiosity
ProphetSpeaker for God or a deity
Pudding I think of chocolate pudding and a chocolate colored dog.
PupYoung dog; short for “puppy”
QuarkA dog that is able to roll into a tiny ball
QuattroThis is one of my favorite unusual dog names because I never hear it. If you are an Audi fan or remember the now defunct spreadsheet software, this name might be for you.
RayneFemale name that means “queen” in French
RebaHebrew for “to tie”
ReikoFemale name that means “courteous child” in Japanese
RioSpanish for “river”
RowlfDo you remember the scruffy brown dog character from the Muppets? Rowlf made the unusual dog names list because the Muppets character is one unsual dog. He plays the piano for goodness sakes! This is one of my favorite names on this list.
SabineFemale name of Latin origin
SabreA very sharp blade
SharpieCunning and sly
ShellCan be short for “Shelly” or “Shelley”
ShilohThe historic site of a major Civil War battle in Tennessee
SkyeFemale name of Norse origin meaning “cloud”
SolomonVery wise
SpencerMeans “someone who gives out goods”
SpigsSomething that is very big
SpiritOtherwise known as the “soul”
SprinklesAnother sweet name for a sweet dog. Perhaps your pup has unusual spots.
SpriteAn elf or fairy
StarlightThe light that is emitted by stars
StavosName for an elegant male dog
SuedeFor a dog with unusual coloring.
SukiFemale name which means “to like” in Japanese
TaffyChewy candy that is similar to toffee
TassTo play with
TazAs in the Tazmanian Devil.
TeddyMeans “gift of God” amy also refer to anything soft and fluffy, like the Teddy Bear
TermiteAn insect that feeds on wood
TickA small parasite that sucks blood
TickerAnything or something that ticks, like a watch or the heart
TobiahHebrew for “God is good”
TopazFor a dog with dark yellow fur, just like the precious stone
TylerMeans “tile maker”
UhuraFor the Star Trek fans. If you don’t know, Lieutenant Uhura was the Chief Communications Officer in the Star Trek TV series and movies.
WickedMean and sly
WillowOur friends have a red-headed daughter named Willow. I put it on the unusual dog names list because I love the name, even if you don’t have a red headed dog like a Irish Setter.
XerxesPersian king; also known as Xerxes the Great
YonderRefers to the far distance
ZuluA member of a South African people
ZypherA soft or gentle breeze

 

Can’t find the name you like on the Unusual Dog names list? Don’t give up. 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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