Unusual Names for Dogs

by Charlie Jay

Overview

If you have an as-of-yet unnamed dog or are thinking of adding a dog to your household, you needn't go with one of a handful of standard dog names. Names like Spot and Fido suggest you have a generic dog, while names like Snoopy and Lassie suggest that your dog is a copycat of other dogs. Fortunately, you have thousands of other dog names to choose from that are a bit more creative.
Human Names

Perennial favorites for dog names are human names. While many people might think to name their dogs something diminutive like Charlie, Maggie or Jessie, giving a happy-go-lucky dog a more "proper" human name can add a touch of irony. Naming your dog Norman, Truman, Gertrude or Isabel might help reclaim a stern-sounding name through your lovable pet.

Character Names

Sure Clifford's already taken, but there's no reason you can't choose a name from a non-canine character to use for your dog. Why not give your dog the name of a hobbit (From "Lord of the Rings") --from the protagonists Frodo and Bilbo to the peripheral characters Samwise, Merry and Pippin. You can also opt to name your dog after a famous sea creature (Nemo or Flipper) or a fellow land dweller (Simba, Piglet, Eeyore, Baloo or Mr. Ed). Choosing a non-canine animal name provides another twist to make your dog's name just a little more unusual. Characters don't have to be from films or television shows to make good names for your dog. Why not flash back to the classical era with a name from "The Odyssey", be it Odysseus himself or the dreaded Cyclops? Or, for a more modern literary name, who wouldn't love to be greeted at the door by a tail-wagging Gatsby?
Famous People Names

Presidents provide a host of great names, whether they're recent commanders-in-chief such as Dubya or Obama or presidents from an earlier era such as Eisenhower, Nixon, Jefferson or Taft. Pop culture icons can make for good names as well. Sinatra, Beyoncé, Elvis and Madonna are all possibilities in this category. If you have more than one dog, the fun increases. With pairings like Sonny and Cher, Abbot and Costello, and (if you have a foursome of pets) John, Paul, George and Ringo, you can celebrate years gone by or pay tribute to your idols.