Whether you’re a fan of classic films from the Golden Age of Cinema, contemporary comedies, or spine-chilling thrillers, there’s a plethora of dog names inspired by movies that could be the ideal fit for your adorable pup. Your Netflix queue alone can provide endless inspiration for your new dog’s name, adding a touch of cultural flair. Not only are many of the world’s favorite films filled with perfect dog names, but a cinematic-inspired name will also give your dog a cultured vibe. Just be prepared for your canine companion to become a film theory enthusiast.
The Most Popular Dog Names from Films
To assist you in brainstorming ideas for your furry friend’s name, here’s a list of 165 names inspired by movies and their iconic characters.
Naming your dog after a character from a movie offers limitless inspiration. Regardless of your dog’s breed, size, appearance, or personality, you’re bound to discover a name that suits them perfectly. Here’s a list of some of the most popular dog names in the United States, as per a survey conducted by BarkBox, BARK, and Super Chewer, that also happen to appear in beloved films:
- Annie: From the comedy-drama film Annie. Perfect for a dog with a reddish coat!
- Apollo: A nod to the Rocky film series. Ideal for a Boxer, albeit a little on the nose.
- Bella: Featured in the Twilight series. Just hope your Bella isn’t too brooding.
- Charlie: Inspired by the classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Keep chocolate away from Charlie!
- Loki: A mischievous choice from the Avengers and Thor Marvel movie series.
- Luna: Magical, like the character from the Harry Potter film series.
- Max: A strong name from the Mad Max film series. Suitable for a post-apocalyptic world.
- Nala: A feisty choice from Disney’s The Lion King.
- Rhett: A sophisticated name from Gone With the Wind.
- Rocky: Iconic from the Rocky movie series. Your dog might start barking “Adrian!”
Tips for Naming Your New Dog
Bringing a new dog into your family involves a lengthy to-do list. Amidst shopping for a cozy bed, selecting nutritious kibble, and building up a toy collection, choosing the perfect name is crucial. Here are some tips to guide you in selecting the right dog name:
- Choose a name that holds meaning for your family and resonates with everyone.
- Opt for names with one or two syllables and hard consonants for easier comprehension.
- Avoid names that sound like common commands to prevent confusion.
- Select a name that is easy to pronounce and spell for the sake of friends, family, and the veterinarian.
- Ensure the chosen name isn’t potentially embarrassing or offensive.
Famous Dog Names from Movies
Since the first canine actor appeared on the silver screen in 1905, numerous dogs have become stars in some of the most iconic films. Gain inspiration from these legendary movie dogs:
- Buddy (Air Bud)
- Chance (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)
- Shadow (Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey)
- Fly (Babe)
- Marley (Marley and Me)
- Petey (The Little Rascals)
- Perdita (101 Dalmatians)
- Pongo (101 Dalmatians)
- Samantha (I Am Legend)
- Scooby (Scooby-Doo)
- Charlie (All Dogs Go to Heaven)
- Balto (Balto)
- Toto (The Wizard of Oz)
- Lassie (Lassie)
- Beethoven (Beethoven)
- Daisy (John Wick)
- Cujo (Cujo)
- Benji (Benji)
- Otis (The Adventures of Milo and Otis)
- Bolt (Bolt)
- Reggie (Strays)
- Snoopy (The Peanuts Movie)
- Lulu (Dog)
- Zero (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Female Dog Names from Movies
If you seek inspiration from the leading ladies of the silver screen, whether your dog is a refined southern belle or a spirited adventurer, here are some names for your consideration:
- Diana (Wonder Woman)
- Dottie (A League of Their Own)
- Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz)
- Elle (Legally Blonde)
- Elsa (Frozen)
- Jo (Little Women)
- Leia (Star Wars)
- Maya (Zero Dark Thirty)
- Ripley (Alien)
- Katniss (The Hunger Games)
- Holly (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
- Trinity (The Matrix)
- Allie (The Notebook)
- Wednesday (The Addams Family)
- Morticia (The Addams Family)
- Buttercup (The Princess Bride)
- Jovie (Elf)
- Lizzy (Pride and Prejudice)
- Arwen (The Lord of the Rings)
- Galadriel (The Lord of the Rings)
- Rose (Titanic)
- Jean Grey (X-Men)
- Tess (Ocean’s Eleven)
- Maleficent (Maleficent)
- Cady (Mean Girls)
- Regina (Mean Girls)
- Gretchen (Mean Girls)
- Thelma (Thelma & Louise)
- Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
- Baby (Dirty Dancing)
- Winifred (Hocus Pocus)
Male Dog Names from Movies
Are you in search of the perfect name for your debonair new canine companion? Look no further than the beloved male characters from Hollywood:
- Adonis (Creed)
- Bond (Spectre)
- Chuck (Cast Away)
- Indiana or Indy (Indiana Jones)
- Jack (The Pirates of the Caribbean)
- Luke (Star Wars)
- Marty (Back to the Future)
- Red (The Shawshank Redemption)
- Thor (Thor)
- Tyler (Fight Club)
- Peeta (The Hunger Games)
- Edward (Twilight)
- Jacob (Twilight)
- Yoda (Star Wars)
- Chewie (Star Wars)
- Kylo (Star Wars)
- Neo (The Matrix)
- Morpheus (The Matrix)
- Noah (The Notebook)
- Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
- Westley (The Princess Bride)
- Eric Draven (The Crow)
- Paddington (Paddington)
- Jenko (21 Jump Street)
- Otho (Beetlejuice)
- Kevin (Home Alone)
- Gomez (The Addams Family)
- Pugsley (The Addams Family)
- Forrest (Forrest Gump)
- Doc (Back to the Future)
- Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)
- Spock (Star Trek)
- Amadeus (Amadeus)
Magical Disney Dog Names
Disney movies and cartoons captivate audiences of all ages, and you might find inspiration for your dog’s name from your favorite character:
- Pluto
- Goofy
- Bongo
- Mickey
- Minnie
- Donald
- Trusty (Lady and the Tramp)
- Jock (Lady and the Tramp)
- Peg (Lady and the Tramp)
- Lady (Lady and the Tramp)
- Hercules (Hercules)
- Baloo (The Jungle Book)
- Mowgli (The Jungle Book)
- Ariel (The Little Mermaid)
- Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
- Peter (Peter Pan)
- Tinker Bell (Peter Pan)
- Nana (Peter Pan)
- Aladdin (Aladdin)
- Jasmine (Aladdin)
- Jafar (Aladdin)
- Gideon (Pinocchio)
- Cleo (Pinocchio)
- Figaro (Pinocchio)
- Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
- Belle (Beauty and the Beast)
- Mufasa (The Lion King)
- Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
- Lilo (Lilo & Stitch)
Comedy Movie Dog Names
If a particular comedy brings a smile to your face every time you watch it, why not name your dog after a character from that movie? Inject humor and fun into your pet’s name with these examples:
- Cher (Clueless)
- Ace (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective)
- Ron (Anchorman)
- Ferris (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
- Clifford (Clifford the Big Red Dog)
- Bridget (Bridget Jones’s Diary)
- Clark (National Lampoon’s Vacation)
- Axel (Beverly Hills Cop)
- Lydia (Beetlejuice)
- Delia (Beetlejuice)
- Homer (The Simpsons Movie)
- Bart (The Simpsons Movie)
- Mei Lee (Turning Red)
- Ted (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure)
- Rufus (Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure)
- Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Horror Movie Dog Names
For those who enjoy the edge-of-your-seat suspense of horror movies, here are some powerful and chilling names for your canine companion:
- Carrie (Carrie)
- Sidney (Scream)
- Randy (Scream)
- Gale (Scream)
- Dewey (Scream)
- Hannibal (The Silence of the Lambs)
- Clarice (The Silence of the Lambs)
- Norman (Psycho)
- Freddy (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
- Lestat (Interview with the Vampire)
- Louis (Interview with the Vampire)
- Armand (Interview with the Vampire)
- Pennywise (It)
- Jason (Friday the 13th)
- Chucky (Child’s Play)
- Jigsaw (Saw)
- Jekyll (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)
- Quint (Jaws)
- Dracula (Bram Stoker’s Dracula)
- Pearl (Pearl)
- Selene (Underworld)
- Akasha (Queen of the Damned)
