The Cutest Boy Dog Names for Every Kind of Pet Owner

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At Country Living, we really love our pets. (Fun fact: We're a pet-friendly office!) On any given day, you'll see assorted staffers' dogs running around, including Otis, Buck, Hank, and Charlie. (Otis is a mischief-maker; Buck is an aspiring model.) If you've found your way here, then you, too, have also likely made the (brilliant!) decision to bring home a four-legged friend of the male variety, and the next natural step is pondering boy dog names for the lucky pup who just found his furever home. (Lucky, perhaps?)

Naming a dog can be fun because the stakes are lower than, say, naming a human. For example, you don't have to worry about whether the moniker will make a good impression on a job interviewer, or how it could affect his presidential prospects. Still, it can be daunting if you're not quite sure where to start. After all, you may still be getting to know your pet's overall demeanor—is he shy? raucous? dry-witted?—and you want your furry little fella to wear his name with pride when he strolls into doggie day care for the first time. (Not every dog can confidently pull off a name like Tater Tot.)

You can never go wrong with something classic—and we've got plenty of ideas on that front—but if you don't want a pack of dogs running toward you at the dog park when you yell out a name, you may want to reconsider Max or Charlie and opt for something less common, like Whiskey. (On the flip side those names are classic for a reason—you do you!) Just like with baby names, there's no right answer, as long as you pick something you love—and something you won't mind saying repeatedly in front of the neighbors. (Worth noting: Some experts do say a one- or two-syllable name with sharp consonants is best for training purposes.)

To get you inspired, we've compiled our favorite male dog names across a variety of categories. Some names take inspiration from pop culture (Yellowstone!) and country music icons (Hank! Willie!) while others pay tribute to favorite foods, fictional characters, and the great outdoors. Once you've picked out a winning name, you can start researching other new pet essentials, like best dog beds, indestructible dog toys, and even the best dog Instagram captions for your future flood of canine content. And if you need female name ideas instead, we've got your covered on that front, too. Check out our list of best girl dog names. (If you're curious, we're especially feeling Sadie, Clover, and Tillie.)

Popular Boy Dog Names

Yes, you've likely already heard of some of these options. (According to the American Kennel Club, Max was the post popular boy dog name in 2023, with Charlie and Cooper coming in second and third.) Going with something that's widely beloved isn't a bad thing—it's just a sign that a lot of other people agree that it's a great choice.

• Max

• Charlie

• Cooper

• Bailey

• Buddy

• Teddy

• Scout

• Milo

• Oliver

• Rocky

• Tucker

• Toby

• Jack

• Winston

• Murphy

• Louie

• Zeus

• Boomer

• Smokey

• Chance

• Lucky

• Rex

• Spot

• Scooter

• Bandit

• Duke

• Jake

• Benji

• Buster

• Riley

• Jasper

• Rover

• Finn

• Leo

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Country Artists

This may in fact be our favorite dog name category at Country Living—especially if your pup is prone to howling. Dog microphone optional.

• Cash

• Waylon

• Willie

• Hank

• Bocephus

• Merle

• Charley

• Conway

• McGraw

• Aldean

• Buck

• Paisley

• Rucker

• Garth

• Strait

• Trace

• Denver

• Kane

Boy Dog Names with Country Charm

These picks will ensure your pooch feels right at home in a more pastoral setting, frolicking among the tire swings and gravel drives.

• John Deere

• Moonshine

• Hunter

• Maverick

• Austin

• Cody

• Wyatt

• Butch

• Cassidy

• Sundance

• Gentry

• Levi

• Holler

• Stetson

• Cash

• Dutton

• Huck

• Ranger

• Jimmy Dean

• Bronco

• Tex

• Skeeter

• Cowboy

• Lasso

• Davis

• Tony Lama

• Durango

• Ford

• Chevy

• Mud

• Clay

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Drinks

This list is for the dog that sits at your feet while you sip something refreshing in your rocking chair.

• Whiskey

• Rye

• Bud

• Pappy (after Pappy van Winkle)

• Espresso

• Coffee

• Cortado

• Cappy (short for Cappuccino)

• Brew

• Earl Gray

• Boozer

• Guinness

• Pabst

• Bushwhacker

• Growler

• Keg

• Nehi

• RC

• Arnold Palmer
  
  

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Food

Take your pick but we'll admit we're kinda partial to Moon Pie and Tater Tot.

• Biscuit

• Bacon

• Toast

• Moon Pie

• Bagel

• Cookie

• Peanut

• Grit

• Cheerio

• Butter

• Cashew

• Burger

• Tater Tot

• Pork Chop

• Drumstick

• Taco

• Nacho

• Sushi

• Caesar

• Meatball

• Meatloaf

• Hoagie

• Oreo

• Cannoli

• Miso

• Waffles

• Noodle

• Nugget

• Crackerjack

• Popcorn
  
  

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Sports

Can your dog jump high? Is he lightning-fast? Then consider one of the athletically inclined options below.

• Champ

• Victor

• Bolt

• Puck

• Slugger

• Rugby

• Blitz

• Dunk

• Baller

• Bomber

• Dodger

• Homer

• Rawlings

• Scout

• Ump

• Chip

• Links

• Callaway

• Wrigley

• Yank

• Maverick

• Goalie

• Penn (like the Tennis brand)

• Ref (When he acts up you can say, "Ref, you gotta be kidding me!")

• Yogi (Berra)

• Ali

• Kelce (named for Travis Kelce)

• Kobe (Bryant)

• Mamba (named for late basketball legend Kobe Bryant)

• Neymar (named for soccer player Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior)

• Novak (named for tennis star Novak Djokovic)

• Babe (Ruth)

• Gronk

• (Charles) Barkley

• (Tom) Brady

• (Lionel) Messi

• (David) Beckham

• (Peyton) Manning

• (Michael) Jordan

• Mookie (Wilson)

• (Arthur) Ashe

• Shaq (O'Neal)

• Satchel (Paige)

• Rafa (Nadal)

• (Mike) Tyson

• Yogi (Berra)

• (Cal) Ripken

• (Michael) Phelps

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Nature

Dog parents who appreciate the tranquility of a day spent in nature will love these outdoorsy options.

• Summit

• Ranch

• Everest

• Canyon

• Wolf

• Wilder

• Brooks

• Sky

• Bear

• Geo

• Alder

• Ash

• Spruce

• Flint

• River

• Rocky

• Oakley

• Cliff

• Moose

• Tiger

• Indigo

• Barley

• Ocean

• Storm

• Cedar

• Camp

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Fictional Characters

Looking to a favorite film, TV show, or video game for inspiration is a fun way to find a name. It also gives you an excuse to settle in on the sofa in the name of 'research.'

• Dutton (Yellowstone)

• Rip (Yellowstone)

• Kayce (Yellowstone)

• Cletus (Resident Alien)

• Inigo (Princess Bride)

• Toto (Wizard of Oz)

• Huck (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

• Finn (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

• Sawyer (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)

• Harold (Harold and the Purple Crayon)

• Bond (James Bond)

• Bodhi (Point Break)

• Ferris (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

• Gandalf (Lord of the Rings)

• Riggins (Friday Night Lights)

• Solo or Lando (Star Wars)

• Doc (Back to the Future)

• Falkor (The NeverEnding Story)

• Hopper (Stranger Things)

• Barney (Barney the Dinosaur)

• Vader (Star Wars)

• Luke (Star Wars)

• Chewbacca or "Chewy" (Star Wars)

• Simba (The Lion King)

• Thor (Avengers)

• Scooby (Scooby-Doo)

• Dug (Up)

• Pongo (101 Dalmatians)

• Snoopy (Peanuts)

• Blue (Blue's Clues)

• Comet (Full House)

• Archie (Riverdale)

• Bruiser (Legally Blonde)

• Cheddar (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

• Marley (Marley and Me)

• Remy (Ratatouille)

• Jax (Mortal Kombat)

• Luigi (Super Mario Brothers)

• Yoshi (Super Mario Brothers)

• Buzz (Toy Story)

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Books, Authors, and Literature

Look no further than the local library for a name that has some gravitas. While we're here we should also probably let you know that you could also get a smoking jacket for your pup while you're at it.

• Atticus

• Finch

• Boo

• Radley

• Kerouac

• Gatsby

• Heathcliff

• Faulkner

• Ernest

• Hemingway

• Beckett

• Bingley

• Darcy

• Sherlock

• Watson

• Dante

• Gulliver

• Harry

• Rowling

• Holden

• Keats

• Homer

• Poe

• Truman

• Capote

• Melville

• Yeats

• Silas

• Hugo

• Whitman

• Thornton

• Wilder

• Cormac

• McMurtry

• Dewey (as in the Dewey Decimal System)

Boy Dog Names Inspired by Celebrities/Hollywood

Go ahead and roll out the red carpet for your favorite rescue pet. (Just don't blame us if he provides you with a three-page rider of ridiculous demands.)

• Harry (Styles)

• (Al) Pacino

• Gaines (after Fixer Upper's Gaines family)

• Chip (after Chip Gaines)

• (Marlon) Brando

• Clint Eastwood

• Bono

• (Mick) Jagger

• Elton (John)

• (Tom) Cruise

• Denzel (Washington)

• Leo (DiCaprio)

• Ringo (Starr)

• Bruce (Springsteen)

• Prince

• (James) Dean

• Elvis (Presley)

• Bruno (Mars)

• Drake

• (Kevin) Costner

• Sidney (Poitier)

• Miles (Teller)

• Orlando (Bloom)

• Zayn (Malik)

• Fabio

• Penn (Badgley)

• Ashton (Kutcher)

• Hollywood

• Oscar

• Scorsese

Share your favorites in the comments below!

More Picks for Pet Lovers! Check out these heartwarming quotes about dogs, read a charming essay about the companionship of animals, or take a look at some of our favorite dogs in film.

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