Unique dog names are for the pup parents who refuse to name their pooches Max or Bella or Rover. Our pets are beyond the ordinary, so they deserve names unique as they are. However, it can be tough to find a name that is as special as your dog.
If you’re looking for a dog name that stands out from the pack, consider unusual names that describe your dog’s personality, size, or background. When you call out, "Here, Zigzag!" or "Sit, Pixel!" you can be sure that yours is the only dog at the dog park that will respond.
We've created a list of over 200 uncommon dog names to choose from, so you can look through and choose the one that stands out from the rest, just like your new dog.
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Top Unique Dog Names
To get you started, here are 21 top unique dog names for the new canine in your life.
- Atlas
- Barkus
- Beef
- Bixby
- Busy
- Cat
- Cinder
- Gimbal
- Hey Dog
- Hopper
- Kaboom
- Neo
- Nimrod
- Qwerty
- Renegade
- Repo
- Ritz
- Sativa
- Tails
- Toaster
- Tugs
Unique Names for Big Dogs
Like your big dog who never escapes notice, these uncommon names will make a statement.
- Bertha
- Boombox
- Brick
- Burly
- Canyon
- Chopper
- Cletus
- Crush
- Dino
- Dozer
- Hefty
- Hilltop
- Jumbo
- Kane
- Kodiak
- Mojo
- Mondo
- Moose
- Sequoia
- Stack
- Sumo
- Titanic
- Tonka
- Thunder
- Tundra
- Ursa
- Vast
- Whopper
- Yeti
- Zoro
Unique Names for Little Dogs
As cute and cuddly as your little pooch, these names are totally adorable for any small pet.
- Acorn
- Atom
- Bantam
- Blink
- Button
- Butters
- Dibby
- Doodle
- Gadget
- Glitter
- Halfpint
- Iota
- Jax
- Jellybean
- Micro
- Minor
- Mixie
- Neutron
- Pip
- Pixel
- Puck
- Rolo
- Roo
- Speck
- Sprocket
- Sweet Pea
- Teacup
- Teeny
- Thimble
- Waffle
Unique Unisex Dog Names
Unique unisex dog names are perfect for any dog, male or female, big or small, white or brown.
- Animal
- Arnie
- Brewer
- Bark
- Bug
- Cannonball
- Catapult
- Crater
- Cosmo
- Danger
- Darkness
- Doobie
- Dork
- Excellency
- Flier
- Guinness
- Gyro
- Honk
- Juke
- Lefty
- Magnificent
- Mooch
- Noggin
- Ox
- Pong
- Rummy
- Snazzy
- Strut
- Truck
- Tussle
- Zipper
- Zippy
Unique Male Dog Names
Give your male dog a name that will stand out with these uncommon options.
- Axel
- Banjo
- Bono
- Bosch
- Brother
- Edison
- Hieronymus
- Galileo
- Holmes
- Hutch
- Irving
- Jagger
- Jobie
- Kai
- Lars
- Lupin
- Macon
- Orion
- Oswald
- Peeta
- Radar
- Ryder
- Schmidt
- Severus
- Sirius
- Tesla
- Wren
- Xander
- Yates
- Yogi
- Zoltran
Unique Female Dog Names
Unique names for female dogs could be drawn from nature, literature, theater, film, or even history.
- Alta
- Althea
- Artemis
- Beebee
- Bellatrix
- Birdie
- Boudicca
- Breeze
- Briar
- Cleopatra
- Effie
- Fern
- Flora
- Freya
- Gelta
- Katniss
- Keke
- Kit
- LBD
- Lilith
- Lottie
- Midge
- Norah
- Nova
- Prim
- Priya
- Rayne
- Sheena
- Sojourner
- Tonks
- Tuesday
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Unique Dog Names Inspired by Food
Foodie fans far and wide will gobble up these unique dog names inspired by everyone’s favorite snacks and treats.
- Bacon
- Borscht
- Cap'n Crunch
- Chowder
- Espresso
- Fondue
- Garbanzo
- Gravy
- Hamburger
- Hershey
- Hoagie
- MacCheese
- Matzo
- Mayo
- Meatball
- Mr. Peanut Butter
- Nabisco
- Nutella
- Noodle
- Pancake
- Pepsi
- Pickles
- Queso
- Quinoa
- Sausage
- Spaghetti
- Taco
- Tater Tot
- Toast
- Twix
- Whiskey
- Wonton
Unique Names for Cute Dogs
Even the cutest dogs still need a one-of-a-kind name to make them stand out even more.
- Alfie
- Bubs
- Cabana
- Cookie
- Dusty
- Fiddle
- Giddy
- Gio
- Hoppy
- Hotsy
- Jazzy
- Jiffy
- Knobby
- Kiwi
- Mortimer
- Nelli
- Nestle
- Oval
- Opie
- Quacky
- Rufus
- Schmoopie
- Tortellini
- Whoopsy
- Wiggly
- Zoomy
Unique Dog Names Based on Personality
Your dog has their own personality, so why not celebrate that with a name that reflects your canine's strongest trait?
- Bashful
- Bliss
- Bouncy
- Busy
- Buzzer
- Caper
- Clever
- Fierce
- Fiesty
- Frolic
- Genius
- Giver
- Glee
- Goofy
- Gritty
- Grumpy
- Happy
- Hero
- Keen
- Logic
- Mensch
- Noble
- Perky
- Savvy
- Smarty
- Thinker
- Trouble
- Whimsy
- Witty
- Zany
Tips for Naming Your Dog
When it comes to naming your dog, there are really no rules to follow. This means the options for a unique dog name are nearly endless—which is also part of the challenge of finding the right name. It may help if you start by thinking about your dog’s breed, type, color, shape, or size. If you don’t have your new furry friend picked out yet, think about favorite hobbies or interests that you have—or even your favorite food. Believe it or not, naming your pooch after a popular snack is a popular way to find an uncommon dog name.
Just remember that whatever name you choose should be recognizable for you and your dog. This can be especially important when choosing an uncommon dog name since you may be tempted to stray outside the box. It’s perfectly acceptable to pick a unique name, just be prepared to pronounce and maybe even spell it for family, friends, the veterinarian, groomer, etc. Also, try to avoid names that sound too much like cues you'll give your dog—sit or stay, for example—or that are very long or complicated. As a general rule, names that are one or two syllables are best, as these are easy for dogs to learn.
Picking a name for your dog may not happen overnight. You might spend a lot of time doing research or spend a few days getting to know your new furry friend before finding a name that has the right ring.Be patient and don't be afraid to think outside the box to find a rare and special name for your dog.
Other Dog Name Ideas
Did you find that special, rare, or unique name for your dog? There's no shortage of inspiration for uncommon dog names, so if you're still looking for the perfect option, be sure to check out these lists:
- 60 Unusual Male Dog Names
- 65 Space-Inspired Names for Dogs
- 66 Best Punny Dog Names
