Clever Dog Names

When it comes to naming dogs, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has their personal ideas about what is clever and what is lame. If you're trying to be clever about naming your dog, you have to think outside of the box. This might leave you feeling a bit stumped for inspiration, but look around you. Inspiration is everywhere, from the places you frequent to the attributes of your pet.

Places

One way to find a dog name that is slightly off the beaten path is to name your dog after a place you frequent.

Store Names

If you frequently shop or visit the mall, consider naming your dog after your favorite shopping spot. Some good choices can include:

Abercrombie
Fitch
Target
Sephora
Dillard
Macy
Sears

Restaurant Names

Are you a foodie or someone who dines out often? If so, consider naming your dog after a favorite dining spot, such as:

Spago
Mezzaluna
Dolce
Patina
Matsuhisa
Chinois
Formosa
Pink
Rocco

Food and Drink Names

Maybe you've noticed your new pet has a fondness for a certain snack food. Or, perhaps you have a favorite food or beverage you'd like to name your dog after. Many clever dog names can be found in this category.

Soda Names

Many soda and soft drink names can also make the perfect name for the family pet.

Pepsi
Dew
Shasta
Sprite
Fresca
Vernors
A&W
Hires
Faygo (Don't forget to explore individual flavor names!)

Beer Names

Do you see yourself unwinding at night with a cold brew and your dog at your side? If so, consider one of these names for your pet.

Budweiser
Michelobe
Corona
Pabst
Guinness
Busch
Brewski (Not a real brand, obviously, but still in the spirit)

Cereal Names

If you still harbor a soft spot for a favorite childhood cereal, consider naming your new dog after it.

Quaker
Captain Crunch
Cheerios
Trix
Chex
Wheaties
Lucky Charms
Kashi
Kellogg

Magazine Names

Are you a slave to fashion? Or do you have a subscription to a favorite rag, why not name your dog after this publication?

GQ
Maxim
Marie Claire
Ebony
Mademoiselle
Vogue

Famous People and Musical Acts

Does your dog remind you of some? Have you had a long standing interest in a singer, band or sport's team? If so, you have a wealth of names to choose from for your dog.

Musical Names

Some dogs just love to sing; often these dogs do not even bark and appear to be quiet in nature. Watch the look on your new neighbor's face when he realizes why your canine crooner is named after a famous musical act.

Queen
Fleetwood Mac
AC/DC
Van Halen
Evanescence
Aerosmith
Coltrain
Yo Yo Ma
Mozart or Amadeus
Chopin
Elvis
Sinatra
Aretha
Pavarotti

Sport Teams and Athlete Names

If you have a favorite team or sports hero, here's a great opportunity to give your dog a clever and meaningful name.

Laker
Piston
Shaq
Green Bay
Bronco
Steeler
Brady
Moreno
Yankee
A-Rod
Gretsky

Names Inspired By Your Dog

Sometimes the perfect humorous or clever name is nearly as clear as the nose on your dog's face.

Spotted Dogs Names

Depending on the color combinations and spot patterns, one of these names may be just perfect for your dog:

Moo
Rorschach
Polka

Three-Legged Dogs

If you happen to adopt a dog with only three legs, you can help people smile at him rather than pity him by giving him a light-hearted name:

Tripawd
Hopalong
Tres
Lucky

Big Dogs

If you have a very large dog, you may wish to point out his grandeur by giving him an amusing name to match his size:

Hummer
Tank
Jurassic
Marmaduke

Fluffy Dogs

Fuzzy dogs tend to make people smile with their cute appearance. They may also have a cute or funny name that makes them even more endearing:

Swiffer
Tumbleweed
Mopsy
Duster

Mover and Shakers

Like some people, there are dogs that create chaos wherever they go. Here are a few appropriate names for these good-natured, rough and tumble dogs:

Seismic
Boomer
Rugby
Tsunami

Ironic Names

Another way to give your dog an amusing or clever handle is to call him something that is the opposite of what he is. For example:

Naming a white dog "Spot".
Calling your Chihuahua "Sasquatch".
Giving the name "Fluffy" to a Rottweiler.
"Snowball" would be a funny name for a black dog.
Name your boxer or French bulldog Palomino or another horse-inpired name.

Your Choice

By now, your wheels are probably turning. Surely you can think of many other genres you could mine for terrifically clever dog names. Above all, be willing to explore territory you would never have considered before. Who knows, you might just pioneer a new dog naming trend among your friends and family.