by Mel Mcintyre

Created on: February 20, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2009

Choosing the right name for your dog is important. You're likely to use that name some 35,000 times in the course of your dog's lifetime, so it makes sense to choose one that works.

Of course, your dog doesn't care what you call it. Dogs respond to tone of voice, repetition and rewards. They're creatures of habit and like to be part of a pack. Choose a name that you're comfortable with, and use it every time you interact with your pet.

It can take some thought to get it just right. Puppy names might be cute when your dog is young, but may seem a bit silly when the dog gets older. Male dog names tend to be more macho like "Butch" or "Digger", while female names are often delicate, such as "Tia" or "Princess."

Names can be chosen according to breed, appearance, or personality. Owners can choose from a list of popular dog names which might be found in books at pet suppliers or book stores. Or they can use on-line search engines to find suitable boy or girl dog names. More creative names might come from the title of a book, a sports personality, a celebrity or a favorite film.

Popular Male and Female Dog Names
Some names are naturally more popular with dog owners than others. The top five most popular male dog names are:
1. Max
2. Jake
3. Buddy
4. Bailey
5. Sam

While the most fashionable female names include:
1. Maggie
2. Molly
3. Lady
4. Sadie
5. Lucy

To find the right name for your dog, follow some of these suggestions:
- Choose short names, one or two syllables at most, such as "Charlie" or "Pinky."
- Try to ensure the name doesn't sound like a command. "Wretch" might suit you, but to your dog it'll sound a lot like "fetch."
- Look for names that suit your dog's breed, nature or color. A Great Dane might be called "Dino", or "Tiny" if you want to be humorous. Likewise, the name "Daisy" might make a suitable name for a female golden Labrador retriever.
- Pick a name you're not ashamed of. You might not want to be heard calling out "Poopsy Woopsy" every time you need to get your dog back into the house.
- Match the name with the dog. Lots of Jack Russell's are called "Jack" or "J.R.", while you wouldn't expect a poodle to be called "Killer."
- If you're adopting an older dog and you want to rename it, make sure the new name is different from the old one. Get the dog used to his or her new name with plenty of treats and affection. But be consistent and stick to the new name you've chosen. Otherwise the dog will get confused and won't respond in the way you'd hoped it would.

Generate Ideas for Unique Dog Names
If you're searching for a unique dog name, you might try exploring the lyrics of a song, unusual street names, or a favorite holiday destination. Other ideas include combining parts of names to make a brand new name, such as "Mike" and "Karen" to make "Mika."

Some people choose to name their dog after a favorite food, such as "Muffin" or "Apple", or after a common household object, like "Teacup." Or you could search through the annals of history and mythology for names. "Atlas" or "Hero" would make excellent names for male dogs, while their female counterparts might suit monikers like "Leda" or "Hera."

It's also important to pick a name that represents your own personality. If you're a car mechanic, you might settle for the name "Spanner" or "Ratchet." An avid reader might choose a favorite character from Dickens, like "Dodger" or "Fanny", while a musician might name his dog after his guitar, possibly "Taylor" or "Gibson."

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