Sled Dog Names: More than 100 Names and Meanings for Sled Dogs

Sled Dog Names
More than 100 Names for your Sled Dog

The Sled Dog names list is filled with names suitable for these unique, hard-working dogs. Sled dogs are not one particular breed, but some are more popular than others.

Names for sled dogs are often tied with the terrain or the environment where they spend much of their time. Examples include Tundra, Everest, Juneau and Shasta.

Sled dogs are certainly some of the most revered among notable canines, and one significant reason is the 1150 mile Alaskan Iditarod race. The sled dog names list includes the names of every lead dog involved in the Iditarod race since its inception in 1973, the most famous of which is Andy, Rick Swenson’s lead dog for 4 of Rick’s record 5 Iditarod wins.

The most famous sled dog in history is undoubtably Balto, whose name you will also find on the famous dog names list. Most kids know Balto as the star in an animated Disney film of the same name, but Balto actually became famous as the lead dog in the 1025 “serum run to Nome.”

The serum run transported diphtheria antitoxin from Anchorage to Nenana, Alaska, to fight the deadly disease from spreading. Today’s Iditarod race commemorates the serum run. If you want to learn more about the serum run, there is a great Wikipedia article on Balto that tells the details.

If you want to see a great movie about sled dogs, one of my favorites is Eight Below. I won’t spoil it for you, but be prepared to cheer for a pack of ingenious dogs with the will to survive in difficult circumstances.

Sled Dog NamesMy best advice for naming your Sled Dog, or any dog for that matter, is to match your dog’s personality to their name. As an alternative, you could tie their name with their environment, such as snow, things associated with Alaska, winter, etc. For more great name ideas, visit our list of famous dog names or one syllable dog names.

If you have a name to share with the rest of us, please use the form at the bottom of this page. You just might make someone’s day!

To learn more about the two most popular purebred sled dog breeds, visit our breed profiles for the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Malamute. You will learn about their temperament, trainability, and even a little of the breed’s history before deciding on these or other dog breeds.

Below is a list of my favorite 101 Sled Dog names. If you don’t find a name you like after browsing the list, return to our Dog Names by Breed page to see more categories, or expand your search to our list of more than 4,000 puppy names.

NameMeaning
AishaOne of Muhammad’s wives
AjaxMeans “of the earth”
AkiakA city in Alaska
AkylaFrom “Akila” which means “eagle”
AlaskaOne of the 50 states in America
AleuBalto’s stubborn daughter
AlpineMeans “from the Alps”
AnchorageA city in Alaska
AngelHeavenly Host

AntarcticaOne of the seven continents
ApolloA very important Olympic god in Greek and Roman theology
AspenA city in Alaska
AstroGreek for “of the stars”; can also be a tribute to “Astroboy”
AuroraLike Aurora Borealis
AvalancheA sudden and extremely fast flow of slow down a mountain
BabarA French children’s fictional character who is an elephant
BaltoA Siberian Husky sled dog who led his team on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome. Most famous of sled dog names.
BearBig and cuddly like a bear
BellaItalian for “beautiful”
BlazeMeans “flame”
BlizzardA severe snowstorm with strong winds
CasperThe friendly ghost
CessnaA type of plane
ChillyDistant and cool; unfriendly
ChinookWinds often called Chinooks, commonly referred to as foehn winds
CobaltA hard silvery-white magnetic metal
CoconutCome from palm trees
CometA small, icy Solar System body
CrystalThere is a place called “The Crystal Ballroom” in Portland
CuddlesFor that dog that loves to cuddle
CupidA main icon of Valentine’s day
DaminiHindi name for a girl
DandyA man who puts importance in physical appearance, refined language, and leisurely hobbies
DasherOne of Santa’s reindeer
DenaliAnother name for Mount McKinley
DesnaA river in Russia and Ukraine
DestinyA predetermined course of events
DiggyFor the dog who lvoes to dog
DomaniqueA variation of “Dominique” which means “of God”
EchoIn Greek mythology, a nymph who sorrowed from unrequited love until the only thing that remained was her voice
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ElissaMeans “God is my oath”
EskaA variation of “Eko” that means “first child”
EverestThe world’s highest mountain above sea level
FireFire is hot and orange
FlakeLike a snow flake
FlurryA small swirling mass of something
FreezeBe turned into ice or another solid as a result of extreme cold
FrostyThe popular snowman with a “jolly, happy soul”
GenenMeans “son of the fair-haired one”
GigiA nickname for practically any name that starts with G
GraniteMany people use granite for counertops in their homes
HendrixLike Jimi Hendrix. I don’t have a sled dog names for rockers, but this would be on it if I did!
HotfootLead dog in the 1973 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
HunterThe one who hunts
IcicleA spike of ice formed from fronzen water
IndigoAnother name for blue
IsisA goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs
IvoryAn off-white color
JasperMeans “treasurer”
JazzMusic style that started in the 20th century
JuneauThe capital of Alaska
JuniperLatin for “Juniper Berry”
JunoGoddess of pregnancy and childbirth
KayaScandinavian for “pure”
KeikoJapanese for “blessing”
KianaMeans “living with Grace”
KlondikeLike the ice cream bar
KodaA tree from China, Japan, New Guinea and Australia
KodiakA city in Alaska
KonaShort for “Konala” which means “world ruler”
KronosA Titan, the father of Zeus
KryptonA colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas
KyeMeans “ocean”
LadyA girl, woman, she, female, etc.
LaskaShort for “Alaska”
LonA nickname for practically any name that starts with “Lon”
LuccaA city and commune in Tuscany, Italy
LukaFemale version of “Luke.” One of my favorite sled dog names (and it’s not just be cause I’m a Star Wars fan).
MalaMeans “necklace, garland”
MalakaiMeans “My messenger”
MayaA diminutive form of May or Maia
MicheloMale version of “Michelle”
MidnightThe transition time period from one day to the next
MikkiA variation of “Mickey”
MischaA variation of the name “Misha”
MishaMeans “Who is like God?”
MishkaA reggae singer from Bermuda
MoonbeamMay refer to Moonlight
MozartA classical musician
MusherThe dog who turns everything to mush
NalaSimba’s best friend in “The Lion King”
NanookThe master of the bears in Inuit mythology
NikitaMeans “unconquerable”
NikkoMeans “vistory of the people”
NilakMeans “a piece of fresh water ice”
NillaLike Nilla Wafers. I love Nilla Wafers. Sled dog names and cookies – mmmmm!
NinaSpanish for “little girl”
NiniA nickname for practically any name that starts (or ends) with “Ni”
NomeA city in Alaska
NovaLatin for “new”
NuggetAs in, Alaskan Gold Nuggets. Lead dog in the 1974 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Can’t find the name you like on the Sled Dog names list? Don’t give up. Return to our Dog Names by Breed page to do some more exploring. If you have a great name, tell us about it!