Good Boy Dog Names: 50+ Ideas for Naming a Male Dog

There are dog names that never get old. However, most owners want to underline the uniqueness of their pets, and thus, choose something unusual instead of another Lucky or Rex. It’s completely OK to stick with the good boy dog names that everyone knows – they’re usually resonant and convenient to use. But if you’re searching for some different ideas, we’ve got you covered!

Classic Boy Dog Names

Let’s start with the most classic examples for those that would like to keep it simple. These good boy dog names never get old and fit any dog breed, from Labradors and German Shepherds to little Yorkies and Chihuahuas. They feel familiar, and they’re easy to pronounce!

• Chance
• Pepper
• Bingo
• Cookie
• Sparky
• Cooper
• Harvey
• Rusty
• Chase
• Hunter
• Max
• Prince
• Shadow
• Spot

Editor’s Note

One of my friends has a dog whose name is… Good Boy. It’s caused some funny situations when people came to visit and asked the pup „hi, Good Boy, are you a good boy?”. Praising him is also tricky if saying „you’re such a good boy” sounds (to the dog) as if you’re calling him. So his owners praise him by saying „you’re such a sweetie puppy” instead!

Good Boy Puppy Names – Isle of Dogs

Any movie by Wes Anderson is a real feast for cinemaphiles, but from the perspective of dog lovers, there is one film that deserves particular attention – Isle of Dogs. Its narrative focuses on the dog gang stuck on an island created by Japanese authorities to solve the stray dog issue. Without getting into the details, the movie is a source of inspiration for those searching for classic dog names. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s worth watching and choosing a name based on your favorite character.

• Chief
• Rex
• Spots
• King
• Duke
• Boss

Names for Male Dogs Inspired by Other Movies

The movie industry loves our furry friends. Sometimes they just play the side roles, being the best companions of the protagonists. However, many of them become the main protagonists themselves! We’ve gathered examples of the most famous dogs and their stories. They’re sure to inspire good boy dog names.

• Einstein – Can you remember Back to the Future? It’s hard to imagine how would the efforts of Marty McFly and Doc end up if not for the support of Einstein! 
• Beethoven – Contrary to most films, in Beethoven, the dog is the main protagonist. Just like the Newton family, the world fell in love with this ST. Bernard dog. 
• Hachiko – Most dog lovers know the heart-breaking real-life story of Hachiko, pictured in the film with the same title starring Richard Gere. The real Hachiko, an Akita breed dog, would show up on Tokyo’s Shibuya train station for 10 years to greet his owner that has passed away.
• Marley – The real-life story of Marley written down by John Grogan has become a bestseller and was adapted for film starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. It’s a perfect name for a great furry friend that may not be the most obedient but has tons of love to give!
• Bolt – If you’re getting a puppy for your child, Bolt may be a great fit! Kids love this animated film picturing the adventures of the superhero White Shepherd dog and his friend Penny.
• Scooby-Doo – Who didn’t love this cartoon as a child? The clumsy Scooby-Doo has conquered the heart of the audience worldwide. You can have one at your home, too! The name has more than two syllables, but you can always shorten it to Scooby.

Popular Male Dog Names Inspired by Anime

The Japanese culture is a gold mine for good boy dog name ideas! The most popular come from anime. We’ve gathered some beautiful name ideas drawn from anime.

• Naruto (Naruto)
• Shachi (One Piece)
• Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)
• Tetsuro (Araki, a Japanese animator)
• Bulma (Dragon Ball)
• Katsuki (My Hero Academia)
• Goku (Dragon Ball)
• Izuku (My Hero Academia)
• Gohan (Dragon Ball)
• Giru (Dragon Ball)
• Itachi (Naruto)
• Kaonashi, a.k.a. No-Face (Spirited Away)
• Yagami (Death Note)

If you’d prefer to name your pup after a dog from anime, this video may give you an idea.

Boy Dog Name Ideas for Foodies

For some inspiration, you can also check your fridge and pantry! Names taken from dishes and products are usually simple and attention-grabbing. If you want your dog’s name to sound mouthwatering, here are some ideas that may resonate with you.

• Tofu
• Nacho
• Bean (or Mr. Bean)
• Ramen
• Udon
• Pickles
• Taco
• Munchie
• Jalapeño

Actually, most of them have a perfect construction since they’re two-syllable and filled with vowels. That makes them easy to repeat over and over again (which may be necessary with puppies and adolescent dogs, as well as older pets with behavioral problems). The vowels reinforce a different tone which catches the dog’s attention.

Build-a-Name

Do you have a favorite snack? Combine it with a dog-related word (e.g., paw, chew, bark, wag, nose, lick) to create a good boy dog name. I chose chip and chew, and got the name Chipchew!

Cool Dog Names Inspired by Music and Musicians

The music world is very inspiring in terms of names, particularly female ones. It’s hard to count the beautiful ballads that were written for women and became a part of pop culture. Let’s just take Angie, Simon, and Garfunkle’s Mrs. Robinson, or Little Richard’s Lucille. But can you find some inspiration for male dog names in music? Of course – we’ve gathered the most popular ones!

Before we head to names inspired by musicians, here are some ideas for the song-inspired male dog names.

• Ace (Motorhead)
• Crowley (Ozzy Osbourne)
• Ripper (Judas Priest)
• Desperado (The Eagles)
• Jude (The Beatles)

Do you want your furry friend to be a rock star? Many names of famous musicians serve perfectly as a name for your pup.

• Elton (John, the legendary British singer and pianist)
• Axl (Rose, the lead singer and lyricist of Guns N’ Roses)
• Bowie (David, the English singer-songwriter and actor)
• Ozzy (Osbourne, the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath)
• Jagger (Mick, the lead singer and founder of the Rolling Stones)
• Zappa (Frank, the insanely talented composer belonging to the Mothers of Invention)
• Lennon (John, the founder of the Beatles and peace activist)
• Bono (an Irish philanthropist and the lead singer and songwriter of U2)
• Hendrix (Jimi, one of the best electrical guitarists in history)
• Elvis (Presley, known as the King of Rock and Roll)
• Ramone (from the Ramones, an American punk rock band)
• Iggy (Azalea, an Australian rapper; although she’s a woman, we believe Iggy makes a good boy dog name!)
• Siouxsie (Sioux, the former lead singer of Siouxsie and the Banshees)
• Crosby (David, an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who founded the Byrds)
• Dylan (Bob, one of the greatest songwriters of all time)
• Morrison (Jim, the lead vocalist of the Doors)

What to Remember When Choosing a Dog Name?

Cuteness is definitely an important criterion, but let’s not forget about usability. A complicated name with a lot of syllables is usually a bad choice. You’ll most likely end up shortening it and getting frustrated. In everyday life, using a complicated name can be infuriating. Make sure the dog’s name doesn’t resemble any command to avoid issues with behavioral training. The more vowels the name has, the easier it’ll be to get the dog’s attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Name My Male Puppy?

There are lots of good boy dog names to choose from. You can go for a simple name like Max, Buddy or Cody. Or, you could name him Bear, Teddy or Plushie if he’s extra cuddly!

What Are the Top 10 Male Dog Names?

The most popular boy dog names at the moment are Max, Charlie, Cooper, Milo, Buddy, Rocky, Bear, Teddy, Duke, and Leo. But trends change all the time, so by next year, the ranking may be completely different!

What Is the Coolest Male Dog Name?

One of the best dog names I can think of is Maverick. It has a cool, edgy sound to it and is associated with independence and adventure. But perhaps even cooler would be the name of a role model or hero that you look up to!

Lucas Taylor

Lucas Taylor is a veterinary assistant, freelance journalist and single dad who lives in the suburbs with his three pups: Ruby, Nala, and Woody. He has one cat named Pepper. When he’s not writing articles or working at the vet clinic, Lucas loves cooking French cuisine for himself and friends at home. One of Lucas’ favorite things to do is paddleboard with his son Noah and their canine companions. Pepper is the homebody of the bunch – she loves chilling on the couch.