Big Dog Names: More than 160 Big Names and Meanings for Big Dogs

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Big Dog Names
More than 160 Names for a Big Dog

Got a Big dog? Here are more than 160 Big dog names to consider.

Leave the overly pampered Pomeranians and Chihuahuas to the socialites and celebrities. If you want an exercise companion, a playmate, a guard, or a big and lovable fur ball that you will give you slobbery kisses, big dogs are your best bet. But before you experience and enjoy any of this, you need to give your big dog an equally big name first.

One way to go is to pick a name that sounds like something big. It should still fit the personality and characteristic of your dog.

Examples of big dog names on the list include “Boomer,” “Bigfoot,” “Maxwell,” “Primo” or “Alpha.” You can also name him after another big animal like “Bear,” “Oso,” “Walrus,” or “Whale.”

Use names of your favorite hero and gods. You can even get inspiration from places and geography.

You can also go the literal way and name your dog after “big” or after giant people. You can name him “Sumo,” “Goliath,” or “Wrestler.” Cartoon characters are also favorites.

Big Dog NamesGreat suggestions include “Hulk,” “Tarzan” or “Jumbo.” Soap and movie characters would also be great inspirations. How about “Megamind,” “Dumbo,” “Bubba” or “Godzilla?”

Sure, when they are still puppies, they are small and cute. But do not be deceived with how they look today. Before you know it, your puppy will grow big and heavy as it becomes an adult. That’s when big dog names will make more sense.

Don’t you think it would be weird to name your 90 pound Bernese Mountain Dog “Twinkle” or your Rottweiler “Pixie?” It would seem rather off, don’t you think? Here are links to other popular dog namzes pages if you can’t find what you like on the big dog names list.

Below is a list of more than 160 big dog names. Browse or study the list and have fun. If you don’t find a name you like, return to the main puppy names page for more than 4,000 fun and interesting options.

NameMeaning
AbuMeans “nobility” in Africa
AlamoThe Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas revolution
AlaskaOne of the 50 states in the United States
AlphaThe first letter of the Greek alphabet
AmnestyGeneral pardon for offenses
AndesThe Andes is the world’s longest continental mountain range in South America
AnubisThe Greek name for a jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife in Egyptian mythology
ApolloThe son of Zeus and Leto, and the twin brother of Artemis
ArgosA city in Greece in the Peloponnese
AspenA city in Colorado
AtlantisA legendary island first mentioned in Plato’s dialogues
AttilaAttila the Hun was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in 453
AxelThe Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take-off
AztecThe Aztec people were certain ethnic groups of central Mexico
BarbarianBarbarian and Savage are words used to refer to a person who is perceived to be uncivilized
BarnumIs a musical with a book by Mark Bramble
BashfulSocially shy or timid. This may not sound like it belongs on the big dog names list, but some people use “opposites” when naming their dogs.
BaxterMeans “a baker.” Perfect name for a the dog owner who owns a bakery
BearMammals of the family Ursidae. You know, the big, growly animals!
BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist
BeirutThe capital and largest city of Lebanon
BenjiBenji is the name of a fictional dog who has been the focus of several movies from 1974 through the 2000’s
BerthaA female Germanic name. This name is often mated with “big,” as in “Big Bertha.” That’s why it’s on the big dog names list.
BiancaIs a feminine name from the Italian family name meaning “white”
BismarkThe capital of North Dakota
BlizzardTorrential snow
BogartA very long inhalation of smoke, particularly marijuana
BoomerA large or notable dog, in whatever aspect
BooneDaniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman
BootsA suave cat in the movie “Shrek” but this should also work well for suave dogs. Or dogs who wear boots
BoydThere is a coffee company called Boyd
BranLike rice bran
BrutusBrutus was a politician of the late Roman Republic
BuckAn adult male of some animals
BullseyeA fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe
CabalA number of people greater than two
CadillacA luxury vehicle marquw owned by General Motors
CaperA playful leap or hop
CassiusGaius Cassius Longinus was a Roman senator and a leading instigator of the plot to kill Julius Caesar
CastleA fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages
ChaosIn Greek mythology and cosmology, chaos refers to a gap or abyss at the beginning of the world, or more generally the formless state of the universe
CherokeeThe Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States
ChesterChester is a city in Cheshire, England
CluadeClaude Monet was a founder of French impressonist painting
ClydeA Scottish river name
ColtA colt is a young male horse
CooperA mini cooper is a small four door car
CopernicusWas a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology
CujoA psychological horror novel by Stephen King
DaggerA double-edged blade used for hitting, stabbing or thrusting
DagmarWas an American actress, model and television personality of the 1950’s
DeluxeLuxurious or sumptuous; of a superior kind
DenaliAnother name for Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America.
DinoAn Italian restaurant/enoteca in Cleveland Park, Washington DC
DuchessThe wife or widow of a duke
DukeA member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch
EarthquakeThe result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves
EiffelOne of the most famous towers in the world, in Paris France
ElectraIn Greek mythology, Electra was an Argive princess and daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra
EuphratesThe longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia-It is right next to the Tigris
EzraA book in the Old Testament of the Bible
FangSnakes teeth are called fangs
FelipeA Spanish variant of the name Philip
FenrisFenris are two fictional characters from the Marvel Comics universe, namely German twins Andrea and Andreas von Strucker
FergusFergus of Galloway was King, or Lord, of Galloway from an unknown date, until his death in 1161
FlashA named shared by several fictional comic book superheros from the DC Comic universe
FlickaA 2006 movie adapted from the 1941 children’s novl “My Friend Flicka” by Mary O’Hara
FriedaA character in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz
GertrudeIn William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Gertrude is Hamlet’s mother and Queen of Denmark
GiantA person or thing of great size. An obvious choice among big dog names.
GibsonA high quality brand of guitar
GladiatorA gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire
HankHank Williams was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the greatest country music stars of all times
HarrietHarriet Tubman was an African-American abolotionist, humanitarian, and Union spy during the Aerican Civil War
HarveyA 1950 film based on Mary Chase’s play of the same name
HastyRapid and action or movement
HossA southern colloquial nickname for partner, a term of friendship. Also, the biggest brother on the old TV show “Bonanza.”
HowieHowie Mandel is the host of the show “Deal or No Deal”
IdaLike Tropical Storm Ida
IvanIvan is a Slavic derivative of the Latin name Johannes
JacksonJackson is the capital of Mississippi
JasperAn opaque cryptocrystalline variety of quartz that may be red, yellow, or brown
JavelinA light spear designed primarily for casting as a ranged weapon
JavierThe Spanish spelling of the masculine name Xabier
JerichoJericho is a city located near the Jordan River in the West Bank in Israel
JimboA nickname for “James”
KahunaA Hawaiian word, defined in Pukui & Elbert
KaliIn Hinduism, Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and nemesis of Kalki, the 10th and final avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu
KodiakOne of the 7 communities and the main city on Kodiak Island
KongChinese for “bright.” Think of Kong Kong . . . that’s why fits with big dog names.
LanceLike Lance Armstrong
LaramieA city in Wyoming
LaserA laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons
LesterFrom Leicester, England
LicoriceBlack yet sweet
LondonMeans “the great river”
LysticA great name for a male dog
MabelMeans “lovable”
MafiaA party game; A criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid 19th century in Sicily
MagicLike magic spells
MajesticOne of the first alternate reality games created
MajorA rank of commissioned officer
ManleyThe very definition of a man; like manly
MarbleCommonly used for sculpture and as a building marterial
MaxineFrench for “greatest”
MaxwellAn American R&B artist
MercedesMercedes-Benz is a German manufacterer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks
MercuryUsed in thermometers, barometers, manometers, etc.
MerlinA legendary figure best known as the wizard featured in the Arthurian legend
MichelangeloWas an Italian Renaissance painter, sculpter, architect, poet, and engineer
MiloA chocolate and malt powder which is mixed with hot or cold milk to produce a beverage which is popular in many parts of the world
MonsterAny fictional creature, usually found in legends or horror fiction thatlittle children are scared will be in their closets when they go to bed
MorphiusLike “Morpheus”, the god of sleep and dreams; for the dog who loves to sleep all day. Also a character from the Matrix
MoscowThe capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia
MosesOne of the major patriarchs in the Old Testament
NeroWas a Roman Emperor from 54 to 68. He was the last emperor of the Julio-Caludian dynasty.
NevadaOne of the 50 states in the United States
OlafWas king of Norway from 1015 to 1028
OnyxA form of quartz
Opal97% of opal is produced in Australia
OtisMeans “wealth”; for the rich dog
OttoA given name of a Germanic origin meaning wealthy
OutlawIn historical legal systems, and outlaw is a person declared as outside the protection of the law
OxfordA major univeristy in England
PegasusOne of the best known fantastical creatures in Greek mythology
PeteA shortened version of the name Peter
PrimoThe first or leading part (as in a duet or trio)
RalphRalph Lauren is a very popular line of clothing, home fashions, etc. Also like the animated movie, “Wreck-It Ralph.” After watching that movie, Ralph had to be on the big dog names list.
RegalRegal Cinemas is the largest movie theater circuit
RexLike a T-Rex
RockyIs a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, and written by and starting Sylvester Stallone
RolandCount Roland was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne
RolexA luxury watch
RomeoRomeo and Juliet
RowdyTending to create noisy disturbances
RufusWas an American funk band from Chicago Illinois
SammyNickname of “Samuel” or “Samantha”
SamuraiIs the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan
SanjayAn Indian male name
ScampMay refer to a mischieveous perhaps roguish person, especially a playful, impish youngster
SelmaA city in the county seat of Dallas County, Alabama, United States
SergeantIs a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world
SharkTough and visious, like the shark
SheldonMeans “steep valley”
ShepShort for “Shepherd”; for the herding dog
SiriusLike Sirius Satellite Radio
SparkyA common nickname for people and animals
SparrowA small type of wild bird
SpartacusThe most notable leader of the slaves in the Third Servil War against the Roman Republic
SpotSpot the dog is a series of children’s books adapted for animation
StallionA stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded
StalloneSylvester Stallone is an American actor, filmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Think “Rambo,” or “Rocky Balboa.”
StriderA Japanese arcade game
SundanceThere is a Sundance Film Festival each January in Park City, Utah
TazThe Tasmanian Devil, Taz, is an animated character featured in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes series of cartoons
TexasOne of the 50 states in the United States. Everything is big in Texas!
TigerThe largest of the four “big cats”
VelocityThe measurement of the rate and direction of change in the position of an object
VoyagerOne of NASA’s spacecraft’s
WadeLike wading into the water
WaldorfLike a waldorf chicken salad
WalrusA large flippered marine mammal
WarlockThe male equivalent of witches
WellingtonThe capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand
WileyMeans “from the tricky river”
WillardA 1971 horror film starring Bruce Davidson and Ernest Borgnine
WindsorWindsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is in Southwestern Ontario
WyattLike Wyatt Earp
YukonThe westernmost and smallest of Canada’s three federal territories

Can’t find the name you like on the Big dog names list? Don’t give up. Return to main Puppy Names page here with more than 4000 options. And, if you have a great name, tell us about it!