75 Unusual Boy Dog Names To Consider

Congratulations if you’ve reached the naming stage! That probably means you have a new furry friend! Choosing the right dog name is not always easy, but that’s why we are here—to give you unique ideas so you can choose the perfect name for your canine companion.

Boy dog names can be challenging to choose. You want him to have a unique, memorable name that represents his personality while also being cute. Whether it’s a boyish handsome moniker you want, something tough, or something that stands out, it has to be perfect!

Choosing the best dog name can be a fun, tension-filled, and essential task for every pet parent. And no matter how you go about it, someone will want to know the idea behind your dog’s particular moniker.

Luckily, Rocky Kanaka has rounded up some great ideas for you that will best reflect your pup’s unique look and personality.

Unusual boy dog names

Table of contents

Independent Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Not all dogs cling to their owners. Some tend to be independent. This doesn’t mean they don’t love you, but they just aren’t the type to hang around you all the time.

Generally, independent breeds show signs of being self-reliant and highly intelligent. These dogs tend to decide for themselves. It can be advantageous to possess a dog like this, since such a characteristic makes them stand out from the crowd.

  • Balto: A self-reliant sled dog
  • Rebel: Of rebellious nature
  • Abram: Father of nations
  • Moses: A leader
  • Bear: Large creatures with big bodies and thick hair
  • Bruno: Means armor
  • Gunner: A bold warrior
  • King: One who has power
  • Alec: Defending men
  • Bandit: A fugitive

Independent dogs may fit your busier life, and these names will showcase their free-thinking personality.

Happy Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Happy dogs have a certain bounce in their step that reveals they don’t give a darn about anything.

They’re constantly whirling their tails, life is a never-ending adventure for them, and they’re always happy to see everyone.

Smiling dog
Source: flickr.com

Our happy dog names are meant for such lively pups, as they’re inspired by happy things or things that bring happiness.

  • Hari: Arabic origin – joy
  • Oshe: Hebrew name that means happy
  • Said: Arabic name meaning happy
  • Cupcake: Means little and sweet
  • Felix: Latin name meaning happy
  • Felice: Italian word meaning happy
  • Fiesta: Means party
  • Happy: What a cute name for a dog than the name itself!
  • Joker: A fictional character
  • Onni: Finish origin meaning happy

If you’ve just adopted a cute, playful, and extroverted boy dog, these are the best happy-go-lucky dog names for your pup.

Playful Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

There’s nothing quite as fun as having a dog who’s always ready for play. Playful dogs don’t have resting time on their calendar.

If you’ve got an enthusiastic dog who’s constantly whirling its tail and running all over your home and your neighborhood, these names are a perfect fit for him.

  • Scooby: The name of a cartoon dog
  • Ozzie: Hebrew word meaning strong
  • Chaos: Greek word meaning emptiness
  • Jolly: Means happy and joyful
  • Frisky: Means lively and playful
  • Havoc: Means trouble
  • Mischief: Means playful troublemaking
  • Bubbles: Means hyper and happy
  • Fox: Means wild animal

Each of these names denotes energy. Could you imagine a quiet dog named Chipper or a sleepy dog named Havoc?

Funny, playful dog running in the fields
Source: pxfuel.com

Happy Go Lucky Boy Dog Names

A dog who just always seems to be happy is the best kind of dog to come home to! Happy-go-lucky dogs are go-with-the-flow, affectionate, and playful, and they’re always happy to welcome a guest. 

See also  80 Popular Dog Names For Your New Furbaby

If you’ve got a pup who won’t let anyone rain on their parade, check out one of these happy-go-lucky boy dog names. 

  • Airy: unconcerned and soft
  • Butterbean: a legume or a lazy sort of pup
  • Butterball: a fancy way of serving butter or a rotund and happy dog
  • Dozer: nickname for a bulldozer or a sleepy personality
  • Decaf: coffee without the kick of energy
  • Marley: like Bob!
  • Ike: meaning “one who brings joy”
  • Yukio: “happy hero” in Japanese

Chocolate Bar Boy Dog Names

Naming your dog after a candy they absolutely can’t eat is a fun, ironic way to give your pooch a silly name. If you’re a chocolate or food lover, these names are also a fun way to include one of your favorite things in the naming process.

Lots of chocolate bars have super fun names, which makes it easy to find one that would work for your pup’s personality. 

  • Hershey: like the chocolate bar
  • Snickers: nutty and sweet!
  • Musketeer: adopt four more dogs and you’ll have 5 Musketeers!
  • Whopper: a delightful nugget of sweetness
  • Milk Dud: perfect for a little bitty dog
  • Reese: for a dog who loves peanut butter!

Intelligent Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Do you feel that if your pup were human, he would easily be admitted to Oxford or Stanford University and get A’s in all areas?

Intelligent dogs are easily trained, learn commands and new words quickly—just like children do—are empathetic, and understand hand gestures.

Knowing your intelligent pooch deserves brilliant names, the monikers that suggest intelligence come from great and renowned scientists, and in honor of scientific advances and discoveries. Other names can directly denote wisdom and intelligence.

  • Raymond: Means wise protector
  • Coeus: Greek word meaning intelligence
  • Frode: Means wise and learned
  • Olander: Swedish name meaning quick
  • Tark: An Estonian word meaning clever
  • Cato: A Roman name meaning wise
  • Conrad: Means wise counsel
  • Hugo: Means intelligence
  • Vivek: Means wisdom and distinction
names for intelligent and smart boy dogs

If you’re looking to brag to the world about how brilliant your furry friend is, these names are just perfect for that!

“Everything I know I learned from dogs.”
— Norah Roberts

Loyal Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Dogs are said to be a man’s best friend. Choosing dog names that evoke loyalty is essential for your boy dog. Your new friend will not only get a personality of his own, but you will feel more confident about his loyalty to you.

There’s nothing quite as loyal as having your furry-four-legged friend wait at your front door for you to arrive or curling up next to your feet while you watch your favorite movie series every night.

A friendly-looking dog
Source: maxpixel.net

As your biggest canine companion, you ought to celebrate that special bond and give him a name that denotes the beautiful friendship you share.

  • Alvin: An old English word meaning friend
  • Alvy: A name of Latin origin meaning friend
  • Buddy: Means friend
  • Darwin: An old English name meaning dear friend
  • Edwin: Means wealthy friend
  • Levin: Means dear friend
  • Pal: Means friend
  • Sadik: Means honest
  • Samir: Means an evening friend to talk to

If you agree that your furry companion is your all-time friend, why not choose a name that evokes your friendship?

Meaningful Names for Male Dogs

If your dog is your best friend and you want to give them a name to honor just how important they are to you, this section is for you! Each of these cool male dog names with meaning holds deep significance while still being a cute name to give your dog. 

See also  113 Unusual Female Dog Names To Consider

Every name in this section has something to do with love, friendship, or family.

  • Aziz: “beloved” in Arabic
  • Arvin: “friend of the people” in German
  • Angel: a heavenly friend and protector
  • Dakota: “friend” in the language of the Indigenous Dakota people
  • Kokoro: “heart, mind, soul” in Japanese
  • Apple: the apple of your eye!
  • Rafiki: “friend” in Swahili

Energetic Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Energetic is usually a great description when discussing our canine companions, whether you’re talking about his physical strength, strong personality or nature, or how devoted he is to your family.

However, don’t get confused between energetic and playful. Energetic dogs love physical activity, enjoy having a job to do, have strong herding instincts, and are tireless and long-distance runners.

We have options for you when it comes to naming your furry friend something “energetic/strength-inspired.”

  • Amp: An energy drink
  • Atom: Powerful
  • Boost: Power added to a rocket
  • Bolt: Ability to move quickly
  • Burn: Rocket combustion
  • Crave: An urgent desire
  • Bullet: Used to express speed
  • Scooter: Going suddenly and speedily
  • Brio: Means energy

All of these names denote an energetic canine friend. Imagine naming your energetic dog “sloth” or “lazy.”

A small dog jumping up, expressing his energetic body
Source: pxfuel.com

Farm Dog Names for Males

If your dog lives on a farm, they need a proper farm-dog name! These names are inspired by agriculture, classic American names, and classic American media. Some goofy, some sweet, these names are sure to tickle anyone who grew up in the countryside.

  • Judd: an ode to Judd from the popular musical Oklahoma
  • Banjo: a classic country music instrument
  • Duke: a classic western dog name
  • John: like John Deere
  • Rodeo: a traditional American pastime
  • Cowboy: a guaranteed working dog!
  • Boots: the perfect name to go with Cowboy

Lazy Personality Boy Dog Names & Their Meanings

Is your canine friend a laid-back type? Maybe he’s a bit of a slacker, a little heavier, or prefers to spend his time in luxury rather than working out.

If your pooch is the lazy type, then you might consider picking a name that indicates their laid-back personality.

  • Sloth: Slow-moving animal
  • Sleepy: A tired person
  • Lazy: Unwilling to work, wants to just lay around
  • Nappy: Always taking naps
  • Snooze: Loves sleep
  • Apnea: Sleeps always and snores
  • Beavis: A lazy cartoon character
  • Bill: Adapted from Shaun of the Dead
  • Bubby: Nickname for Bubba

These names are ideal for your adorable lazy puppy. Naming him “Scooter” or “Bullet” can’t be a perfect match for him.

Related: Want to meet a dog with a lazy personality? Come and meet Bosco.

Strong boy dog names help your dog's name stand out

Tough Personality Dog Names & Their Meanings

Are you looking for a perfect boy dog name to give to your new friend that will make any unwanted invaders run for the hills? Naming a guard dog “Fluffy” is just not appropriate.

Giving your dog tough and strong monikers will give him an energetic personality. A tough name can make a huge difference when you call out to your pooch in the park or at home.

Strong boy dog names make your huge and tough dogs stand out. These names are perfect for bigger dog breeds like the English Mastiff, Great Dane, and Irish Wolfhound.

You could also be adopting a little chihuahua who looks stronger than his small size, or you’re adding a mighty Leonberger to your crew, and you want your robust new friend’s name to denote his unstoppable strength.

  • Beast: A creature feared by humans
  • Frank: Means free
  • Ace: Means number one
  • Duke: Means leader of the herd
  • Tyson: Means son of the fiery
  • Bruno: Means armor
  • Bruce: Means from the brushwood thicket
  • Jack: Means God’s gracious gift
  • Hardy: Means strong, tough, able to survive
See also  80 Popular Dog Names For Your New Furbaby

These names are appropriate for your tough dog friend. Giving them a tough name will make them stand out from the crowd.

A tough dog showing his scary canines and eyes
Source: flickr.com

Hawaiian Boy Names for Dogs

Feeling inspired by the beautiful Hawaiian islands? Give your dog a name worthy of the Aloha spirit. These names come from the traditional Hawaiian language and are inspired by the culture, food, and landscape of Hawaii. 

  • Kai: ocean
  • Koa: fearless and brave
  • Lupo: wolf
  • Mano: shark
  • Musubi: like Spam musubi, a popular Hawaiian snack
  • Polo: large and plump
  • Pika: rock, and the Hawaiian version of the English name “Peter”

Boy Dog Names in Spanish

Whether you speak Spanish or are just inspired by the beauty of the language, these boy dog names in Spanish are undeniably cute! 

  • Diego: a super popular Spanish name
  • Enrique: head of household
  • Pequeño: little one
  • Feliz: happy
  • Hermoso: handsome
  • Uno: because your dog is your #1
  • Inigo: fiery, and the name of the master swordsman from The Princess Bride
  • Zorro: fox

What to Look for When Choosing an Unusual Boy Dog Name

Choosing your canine companion’s name can be fun and tricky and may take some time. Your dog’s name should be unique and special and a name you’d want to say aloud.

You also don’t want to give your furry friend a name that your friends already use for their pets. Here’s what to consider when choosing a name for your dog:

  • Name should denote your pet’s character. Give it some time and observe your pet’s personality and see if it hints at a name. Is he tough? Does he always want to cuddle next to you? If so, why don’t you settle on “Beast” or “Buddy?”
  • Choose a sweet, short, and easily remembered name that your dog will quickly understand and reduce the hassle of you calling over and over. Choose names with one or two syllables, such as “Bennie” or “Hugo.”
  • Don’t use names that sound like commands. It can be challenging to teach “Joe” about the “No” command and “Shae” about the “stay” command.
  • Choose a name that will be a perfect fit for your furry friend at any age. “Baby” may not fit him when he’s an adult.
  • Don’t offend others with your dog’s name. Potential racial or cultural slurs, general insults, crude slang phrases, and anything containing a curse word cannot be a good fit.
  • Try not to change your adult dog’s name if he understands it already. If you must change it, however, consider similar words.
  • You can also let puppies pick out their names by providing dog treats with names on them. They can also pick their names by spinning a wheel, jumping in dog beds, and picking out their first dog treat with a name on it. Take a look at this video by Rocky Kanaka for inspiration.

Giving your dog a name shouldn’t be hard. The most important thing to remember when choosing your dog’s moniker is choosing one that fits your dog’s personality. Some dogs are shy and reserved, and others are outgoing and full of energy.

Whether this is your first male dog or your third, you now have so many options. You can’t go wrong with these names, so take your time and find the perfect one for you.

You’ve now learned all there is to know about naming your boy dog; what’s next? How about you get ready for their first Christmas?

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