Male dog names might be powerful, playful, or entirely unique—it all depends on your dog's nature. Popular characters include Max, Buddy, Charlie, Rocky, and Cooper. These names are simple to say and appropriate for dogs of all breeds.
Looking for something different? Consider names such as Milo, Bear, Zeus, Finn, or Axel. You can also be inspired by movies, the environment, or even food—such as Simba, River, or Biscuit. When choosing a male dog name, keep it short and simple—this will help with training and bonding. Whether your dog is a giant goofball or a devoted guardian, the correct name will fit like a collar. Choose one you adore, and he will grow into it in no time!
Popular Male Dog Names
Akumal
Meaning: place of the turtle
Origin: Mexican
Nicknames:
Akura or Akumira
Akupara
Meaning: the sea, without boundaries, limitless
Origin: Sanskrit
Nicknames:
Akuprae or Akuriel
Alden
Meaning: old friend
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Aldric or Aldenzo
Alderman
Meaning: chief, elder man
Origin: English, Anglo Saxon
Nicknames:
Aldero or Aldemar
Alfie
Meaning: elf counsel, ready, noble
Origin: British, Spanish, German
Nicknames:
Alfira or Alfenzo
Ariel
Meaning: lion of God
Origin: Hebrew
Nicknames:
Ari or Riel
Aspen
Meaning: shaking tree, aspen tree
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Aspira or Asphira
Axel
Meaning: my father is peace, father of peace
Origin: Scandinavian, German, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Axira or Axion
Barney
Meaning: defender, strong as a bear
Origin: British, German, Slavic
Nicknames:
Barno or Barnix
Barry
Meaning: striped, spear, plunderer, white head, fair-haired
Origin: Irish, British, French
Nicknames:
Barroth or Barvian
Basil
Meaning: king
Origin: Greek
Nicknames:
Basira or Basilen
Batman
Meaning: military
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Batzo or Bano
Baxter
Meaning: baker
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Baxo or Baxen
Bear
Meaning: to carry, the brown one, brown, bear
Origin: British, German
Nicknames:
Bearyx or Bazo
Beau
Meaning: handsome, beautiful
Origin: French
Nicknames:
Beazo or Bearyx
Ben
Meaning: son of my right hand, son
Origin: Hebrew
Nicknames:
Beno or Benjiro
Bertie
Meaning: bright
Origin: German
Nicknames:
Bertira or Bertilo
Bowie
Meaning: fair-haired, blond, yellow-haired
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
Nicknames:
Bowen or Bowix
Briar
Meaning: brambles, thorny bush of wild roses
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Briaro or Briari
Bryce
Meaning: freckled, speckled
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Brycon or Brycus
Carson
Meaning: son of Carr
Origin: Scottish, Irish
Nicknames:
Carsen or Carzo
Caspian
Meaning: from qazvin
Origin: Latin, Greek
Nicknames:
Casira or Casion
Cecil
Meaning: sixth, blind
Origin: Welsh
Nicknames:
Cess or Cece
Celadon
Meaning: grayish green
Origin: French
Nicknames:
Celaeon or Celaric
Conrad
Meaning: brave counsel
Origin: German
Nicknames:
Conric or Conren
Craig
Meaning: rock
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Craigo or Craigor
Dante
Meaning: everlasting, enduring, steadfast
Origin: Latin
Nicknames:
Dantira or Dantiel
Denver
Meaning: from Anvers, green valley
Origin: French
Nicknames:
Denvik or Denvion
Dillon
Meaning: lion, sea, faithful, loyal
Origin: Irish, Welsh, French
Nicknames:
Dillaro or Dillorin
Donovan
Meaning: brown-haired chieftain, dark
Origin: Irish
Nicknames:
Donavric or Donavonel
Duncan
Meaning: brown or dark-haired chief, brown or dark warrior
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Dunric or Duncaro
Dylan
Meaning: great flow, great tide, son of the sea
Origin: Welsh
Nicknames:
Dylric or Dylven
Emmett
Meaning: truth, universal
Origin: Irish, British, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Emmetron or Emmario
Evan
Meaning: youth, born of yew, god is gracious
Origin: Welsh, Irish, Celtic, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Evanric or Evanor
Fastitocalon
Meaning: shield-turtle, round-shielded turtle
Origin: Greek
Nicknames:
Fastira or Calonar
Filburt
Meaning: clear, bright
Origin: English
Nicknames:
Filzor or Filrick
Fillmore
Meaning: from the field near the fir, full lake, very famous
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Fillen or Fillorik
Finnegan
Meaning: fair-haired, fair, white
Origin: Irish
Nicknames:
Finnaro or Finnegaric
Frederick
Meaning: peaceful ruler
Origin: German
Nicknames:
Fredrican or Fredoro
Grant
Meaning: big, tall
Origin: Scottish, French, British
Nicknames:
Granto or Granton
Honu
Meaning: tortoise, turtle
Origin: Hawaiian
Nicknames:
Honira or Honulo
Hunter
Meaning: pursuer, one who hunts
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Huntaro or Huntira
Irving
Meaning: fresh water, green water
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Irvalo or Irvian
Jade
Meaning: precious stone
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Jadia or Jadyn
Jasmin
Meaning: jasmine flower, gift from God
Origin: Persian
Nicknames:
Jasmira or Jasmina
Jonah
Meaning: dove
Origin: Hebrew
Nicknames:
Jonira or Jonaro
Kai
Meaning: earth, keeper of the keys
Origin: Welsh, Japanese
Nicknames:
Kaizo or Kaiven
Karson
Meaning: son of the marsh-dwellers
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Karsen or Karzo
Keanu
Meaning: enduring, ancient, cool breexe over the mountains, cool breeze
Origin: Hawaiian, Irish
Nicknames:
Keanix or Keanaro
Kelly
Meaning: one who frequents churches, strife, war, bright-headed, descendant of Ceallach
Origin: Irish
Nicknames:
Kelzo or Kelric
Kurma
Meaning: turtle, tortoise
Origin: Sanskrit
Nicknames:
Kurilo or Kurmira
Leo
Meaning: lion
Origin: Latin
Nicknames:
Leito or Leonz
Lev
Meaning: heart, lion
Origin: Russian, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Levik or Levian
Marlin
Meaning: wished-for child, rebelliousness, beloved, bitterness, sea rampart, sea fort
Origin: Welsh, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Marlio or Marvyn
Maturin
Meaning: a dark one
Origin: French, Latin
Nicknames:
Maturae or Maturiel
Meredith
Meaning: protector of the sea, great ruler
Origin: Welsh
Nicknames:
Meridra or Merithan
Mikey
Meaning: who resembles God
Origin: Hebrew
Nicknames:
Mikzo or Mikster
Milan
Meaning: dear, gracious
Origin: Slavic
Nicknames:
Milano or Milanor
Misha
Meaning: who resembles God?
Origin: Russian, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Mishira or Mishika
Monroe
Meaning: Mouth of the River Roe
Origin: Scottish
Nicknames:
Monroix or Monric
Moray
Meaning: master, lord
Origin: Irish, Scottish
Nicknames:
Morric or Morenzo
Morgan
Meaning: white sea dweller, circling sea
Origin: Welsh
Nicknames:
Morgaric or Morganor
Morla
Meaning: modulanus, soft-spoken, gentle, lenient
Origin: Spanish, Latin
Nicknames:
Morlin or Morzia
Murphy
Meaning: sea warrior
Origin: Irish, Gaelic
Nicknames:
Murzen or Murvyn
Mylo
Meaning: gracious, merciful, soldier
Origin: Slavic, German
Nicknames:
Mylon or Mylorik
Oliver
Meaning: elf army, olive tree planter, olive tree
Origin: Latin, German, French
Nicknames:
Olivan or Olixor
Oran
Meaning: greyish brown, tan, sallow, dark-haired, little pale green one
Origin: Irish
Nicknames:
Oranik or Orenzo
Orwell
Meaning: branch, spring, river
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Orvyn or Orwelric
Oscar
Meaning: champion warrior, deer-lover, god spear
Origin: Irish, Gaelic, British, Norse
Nicknames:
Oscaro or Oscian
Paxton
Meaning: calm, peace
Origin: British
Nicknames:
Paxtiel or Paxric
Paz
Meaning: gold, peace
Origin: Spanish, Hebrew
Nicknames:
Pazia or Pazira
Picasso
Meaning: talkative, magpie
Origin: Spanish
Nicknames:
Picara or Picassoen
Reef
Meaning: below the surface of the sea, and coral above, sand, Jagged rocks