Choosing your boy dog’s name is essential, as it’s a name you and your new puppy will be living with for a long time, so it deserves some thought. The right name can actually enhance your dog’s responsiveness and improve communication between you over a lifetime. We’ve compiled the top 100+ most popular boy dog names from the American Kennel Club’s purebred registration and mixed-breed enrollment data to help you get inspired.
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How to Choose the Right Male Dog Name
Dogs have an easier time hearing hard consonants and long vowels, so a name like “Lucky” or “Benny” will be easier for them to distinguish from other sounds. Most dog training experts recommend a one or two-syllable name that you can say quickly. It’s also commonly recommended that you avoid male dog names that sound like commands, for example, “Kit,” which sounds like “sit.”
Pick a name for your boy dog that you like to say (and that you won’t be embarrassed to yell across the park or put on a dog ID tag). You’ll be saying your boy puppy’s name a lot over time, as a quick attention grabber or just as part of their overall training and socialization.
Most Popular Boy Dog Names
| Max | Louie | Thor | Ozzy | Benji |
| Hank | Zeus | Benny | Whiskey | Blaze |
| Teddy | Loki | Henry | Walter | Otto |
| Cooper | Beau | Bentley | Otis | Ziggy |
| Gus | Leo | Jasper | Chief | Jake |
| Bear | Ollie | Apollo | Remy | Luke |
| Duke | Bruno | Copper | Sully | Mac |
| Maverick | Buddy | Scout | King | Simba |
| Charlie | Archie | Rip | Rusty | Dexter |
| Finn | Jax | Rex | Waylon | Buster |
| Rocky | Blue | Theo | Rocco | George |
| Milo | Toby | Tank | Chase | Huck |
| Moose | Gunner | Atlas | Frankie | Zeke |
| Winston | Diesel | Ruger | Oakley | Kobe |
| Ace | Oliver | Remi | Axel | Draco |
| Cash | Bo | River | Bruce | Chip |
| Murphy | Enzo | Odin | Oscar | Kash |
| Jack | Koda | Bandit | Sam | Lucky |
| Goose | Boone | Buck | Arlo | Onyx |
| Tucker | Ranger | Shadow | Doc | Red |
If you’re looking for a less popular boy dog name, try our list of unique dog names. We’ve got girl dog name suggestions, too!
Trending Male Dog Names
Just like baby boy names, boy dog names rise and fall in popularity. For example, the number of dogs named after Frozen characters rose 900% the year after the movie came out — so it’s likely you met more than one “Olaf” at dog daycare.
At least 20% of dogs have traditionally human names, which consistently rank high on name lists:
- Max
- Cooper
- Charlie
Pop Culture Dog Names
Names from streaming series, TV, movies, books, and current events are always popular. Top picks include:
- Ken (“Barbie”)
- Allen (“Barbie”)
- Loki (Marvel universe and Norse mythology)
- Thor (Marvel universe and Norse mythology)
- Simba (“The Lion King”)
- Bruno (“Encanto”)
- Rocket (“Guardians of the Galaxy”)
Music icons also inspire dog names:
- Bowie (David Bowie, legendary rock musician and cultural icon)
- Ziggy (Ziggy Stardust, Bowie’s famous alter ego)
- Ozzy (Osbourne, heavy metal singer and Black Sabbath frontman)
- Prince (iconic pop and funk musician known for hits like “Purple Rain”)
Nature Dog Names
Outdoor and nature-inspired names reflect a love of adventure and the environment. Popular choices include:
- Moose
- Harley
Food and drink-themed names also fall into this category:
- Whiskey
- Mochi
- Oreo
Sports-Inspired Dog Names
Sports figures are a perennial source of inspiration. For example, when Derek Jeter retired from the New York Yankees, “Jeter” became one of the top 10 male dog names.
Other sports-related names include:
- Kobe (Bryant, legendary NBA player)
- Travis (Kelce, of football and pop-superstar relationship fame)