How to Choose a Good Dog Name: 9 Simple Rules

A good dog name is one your dog recognizes instantly and you're happy to shout across a park for the next 12 years. These nine rules will help you get there.

1. Keep it to one or two syllables

Short names are faster to say and easier for a dog to pick out of a sentence. Almost every name in the top 100 dog names is one or two syllables. See our list of short dog names.

2. End on a vowel sound

Names like Milo, Lucy and Coco end on an open sound you can stretch out ("Lu-cyyy!"), which helps when you're calling from far away.

3. Don't rhyme with a command

Kit sounds like "sit", Bo sounds like "no", and Ray sounds like "stay". Pick something that won't blur into the words you'll use in training.

4. Avoid names of people in the house

If your partner is Max, the dog shouldn't be Maxine. The same goes for other pets.

5. Say it in a happy voice and a cross voice

You'll use both. A name that sounds great when you're cooing might feel silly when you're calling them off a squirrel.

6. Think about the grown-up dog

Tiny puppies grow. Browse dog names by breed to see what real dogs of your breed are called.

7. Consider the nickname

Most dogs end up with a nickname. If you name a dog Penelope, you'll call her Penny. Make sure you like both.

8. Try it for a few days

Shortlist three names and use each for a day. The one your dog reacts to, and that comes naturally to you, is the winner. Our Fetch a Name game is a fun way to find candidates.

9. Make it yours

Popular names are popular for a reason, but a unique dog name or a funny dog name can say a lot about your family.

Good dog names to start with

Short, friendly, easy to call: these are good dog names that tick almost every box.