200+ Best Big Dog Names For Your Large Pup

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Last Updated on April 20, 2023

So you are adding a new pup to your family, and now you need to pick the perfect pet name. A big dog needs a larger than life name, but just where do you start deciding what to call your pet? 

We’ve compiled a list of the best big dog names to help you choose, inspired by your dog’s size, color, breed, and personality.

Five big dogs sitting on a wooden plank
A portrait of five purebred big dogs

How do you pick the right name for your big dog?

Large breed dogs weigh anything from 60 to 90 pounds (27 to 41 kg) and come in many breeds, from the lovable Labrador to the rambunctious Rotweiller.

You also get giant dogs that can weigh over 100 pounds (45 kg) and include breeds such as the Great Pyrenees, St. Bernard, Mastiff, and Newfoundland. 

These big dogs need a name that suits not only their large size but also their prominent personalities. A good name should be one that easily rolls off the tongue.

It should be short, without too many syllables, and easy to pronounce. You should also be able to call your dog’s name quickly and proudly across the dog park. 

You’ll also want to avoid any name that sounds like a command, as this can confuse your dog. You’ll be using this name every day, multiple times a day, so making the right decision is essential.

Who is the most famous big dog?

Several dogs have graced the silver screen over the decades. These loveable pups can serve as inspiration when choosing a name for your big dog. Here are some of our favorites:

  1. Beethoven
  2. Hooch
  3. Marley
  4. Lassie
  5. Shiloh
  6. Clifford
  7. Marmaduke
  8. Boomer

You might also pick a name inspired by larger than life characters from your favorite films or TV shows. These can include the following:

  1. Hulk
  2. Gandalf
  3. Katniss (the heroine from The Hunger Games)
  4. The Hound (a large character from Game of Thrones)
  5. Darth or Vader
  6. Hannibal
  7. Hercules
  8. Wolverine
  9. Rocky
  10. Rambo
  11. Stallone

You can also find some big adorable dogs that have made a name for themselves on Instagram. Perhaps you could steal a name from one of these famous pups. These include:

  1. Happy Ranger and Lady Bentley, known as @newfoundlandtales
  2. Great Gatsby, a Saint Bernard, who can be found on @gatsby_thesaintbernard
  3. Mahler, a Doberman Pinscher, who can be followed on @mahler_the_doberman
  4. Thor, a uniquely colored Great Dane, who can be found on @thor_theblueharlequin
  5. Maisy, a tan and black Arizona Mastiff, who is available on @maisytheenglishmastiff

What are good names for big dogs?

Big dog names can simply reflect your pet’s giant size with names like Colossus, Mammoth, Jumbo, or Godzilla. However, a great name can be inspired by not only your dog’s size but also its breed or color.

You can choose a firm or tough name if your dog is the ultimate watchdog or opt for a funny big dog name if they are more of a goofball. 

A big St. Bernard sitting on the grass
A big purebred St. Bernard enjoying the sun

You may even choose to be inspired by other large animals, such as Shamu, the giant killer whale at Seaworld, Biblical characters like the giant Goliath, or mythical symbols like Atlas.

Big dog names inspired by color

You may choose to pick a name inspired by your dog’s color.

Although often overlooked at rescue shelters, big black dogs are just as loveable as any other, while a fluffy giant white dog can look like a polar bear or abominable snowman.

Here are some names that will help reflect your dog’s unique coat coloring:

  1. Ash
  2. Hawk
  3. Blackbeard
  4. Charcoal
  5. Cinder
  6. Cocoa
  7. Coffee
  8. Darkness
  9. Dusk
  10. Ebony
  11. Galaxy
  12. Goth
  13. Hershey
  14. Inky
  15. Jett
  16. Licorice
  17. Midnight
  18. Onyx
  19. Smokey
  20. Stormy
  21. Sasquatch
  22. Snowy
  23. Yeti

Big dog names based on breed

Its breed can inspire your dog’s name. A loving Labrador could get a friendly name such as Rover, Barney, or Belle, while an agile and capable German Shepherd might be better suited to a name like Zeus or Rocket. 

A buff Bullmastiff standing on the grass
Source: @bullmastiff.gram / IG

Firm fighters like Bullmastiffs or Pitbulls might benefit from a name taken from a famous fighter or MMA personalities like Rousey, Mayweather, Ali, Tyson, or McGregor, or be named something like Sumo or Boxer.

A food-orientated dog breed like the Rottweiler could be named Gula, which means glutton in Spanish, or something cute like Bubba, Meatball, or Fatty.

Big dog names inspired by different languages

Looking at languages other than English opens up a whole new world for naming your pet.

You can use the word for huge or big in another language to name your dog, giving your dog an impressive-sounding them that suits their size.

This is especially relevant for naming foreign breeds such as a German Shepherd, French Poodle or Japanese Mastiff.

Here are some names that mean huge, big, or large in different languages to get you started:

  1. Enorme (Catalan)
  2. Valtava (Finnish)
  3. Didelis (Lithuanian)
  4. Ookii (Japanese)
  5. Groot (Afrikaans and Dutch)
  6. Stor (Swedish)
  7. Grand (French)
  8. Mawr (Welsh)
  9. Magnum (Latin)
  10. Grande (Spanish and Italian)
  11. Suuri (Finnish)

Strong big dog names

A big Rottweiler wearing a dog harness

Big dogs can look intimidating, and many dog owners will choose a name that matches the brave and robust nature of their giant pooch.

Even if your pet is just an oversized lapdog, a strong name can help deter potential threats and make your guard dog seem even scarier. Strong names are often inspired by the military, artillery, famous people, or rank.

Here are some strong names for your big dog:

  1. Attila
  2. Adonis
  3. Baroness
  4. Rebel
  5. Bouncer
  6. Bruiser
  7. Butch
  8. Panther
  9. Duchess
  10. Courage
  11. Shadow
  12. General
  13. Rocko
  14. Gunner
  15. Hunter
  16. Trigger
  17. Trooper
  18. Cleopatra

Tough big dog names

For large dogs, a formidable name is a good match. Whether your dog is male or female, a tough name shows that your dog is the biggest and baddest around. Here are some of the best names for tough dogs:

  1. Avalanche
  2. Bandit
  3. Blaze
  4. Brando
  5. Brutus
  6. Butch
  7. Caesar
  8. Chief
  9. Crash
  10. Diesel
  11. Duke
  12. Macho
  13. Spartacus
  14. T-Bone
  15. Titan
  16. Amazon
  17. Athena
  18. Beastie
  19. Elektra
  20. Justice
  21. Liberty
  22. Medusa
  23. Raven
  24. Xena
  25. Vixen
  26. T-Rex
  27. Banshee

Cute big dog names

A brown big Newfie standing on the grass
A fluffy big Newfoundland dog on the grass

Just because your dog is big, strong and bulky, doesn’t mean you have to give them a name that scares people away. You may instead opt for a cute name that showcases their cuddly, friendly nature. 

Here are some of the best cute names for big dogs:

  1. Boots
  2. Bubbles
  3. Button
  4. Cuddles
  5. Dimples
  6. Dumpling
  7. Fluffy
  8. Jellybean
  9. Waffles
  10. Diva
  11. Disney

Cool big dog names

Is your big dog cool, calm, and collected? Then choose a name that best suits their extraordinary personality. Here are some of the best cool names for large dogs:

  1. Catnip
  2. Deadpool
  3. Eleven
  4. Hellboy
  5. Holden
  6. Montana
  7. Notorious D.O.G.
  8. Penny Lane
  9. Trinity
  10. Weezer
  11. Winter

Funny big dog names

Big dogs often have a goofball personality and a sense of humor that can make them clumsy and so much fun to be around.

These dogs can make you laugh out loud, and choosing a name that brings a smile to your face is an excellent choice for your big dog. Funny big dog names can also use irony when referring to your dog’s size and personality.

Here are some funny names for your big dog:

  1. Andre, The Giant
  2. Big Boi
  3. Big Mac
  4. Bigfoot
  5. Biggie Smalls
  6. Spud
  7. Teeny
  8. Tiny
  9. Dogzilla
  10. Mister Big
  11. Peewee
  12. Squirt
  13. Biggie
  14. Smalley
  15. Baby
  16. Nugget
  17. Porky
  18. Pudge

Unique big dog names 

Does your dog have a uniquely colored coat or two different colored eyes? Then you’ll want to pick a unique name that suits their ability to stand out from the crowd. 

Here are some ideas for unique big dog names:

  1. Acadia
  2. Achilles
  3. Afro
  4. Archer
  5. Baloo
  6. Cargo
  7. Fyfe
  8. Glacier
  9. Haiku
  10. Ibis
  11. Loki
  12. Lupo
  13. Milo
  14. Moses
  15. Olaf
  16. Pegasus
  17. Razza
  18. Stitch
  19. Strike
  20. Tiger
  21. Tramp
  22. Xylo
  23. Zorro
  24. Aero
  25. Barnabas
  26. Beowulf
  27. Ringo
  28. Rookie
  29. Zipper
  30. Cujo
  31. Yukon
  32. Gemini
  33. Jupiter
  34. Nyx
  35. Zeppelin

Best male, female, and unisex big dog names

Still haven’t come across a name that tickles your fancy? As your poet is a member of the family, why don’t you consider a human name?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the best male, female and unisex names for big dogs.

Female big dog names 

A smiling big Labrador with a flower band
A beautiful big female Labrador smiling and wearing a flower band

Choose a female name that shows your girl dog is not a fragile, cutesy toy but a large, loving family member. Here are some top choices of names for female dogs:

  1. Amber
  2. Asia
  3. Dora
  4. Gabby
  5. Gemma
  6. Ivy
  7. Jade
  8. Juno
  9. Sierra
  10. Tess
  11. Luna

Male big dog names 

Male dog names can be big-sounding, masculine men’s names. Here are some of the best human names for your boy dog:

  1. Ace
  2. Jack
  3. Kaine
  4. Leo
  5. Mac
  6. Maximillian
  7. Ozzie
  8. Sampson
  9. Theodore
  10. Winston
  11. Zack
  12. Zander
  13. Moby

Unisex big dog names

Some human names can be easily interchanged between males and females. Here are some excellent unisex names for your big dog:

  1. Axel
  2. Denali
  3. Morgan
  4. Blake
  5. Charlie
  6. Jordan
  7. Phoenix
  8. River
  9. Quinn

What should I name my big dog puppy?

A cute Great Pyrenees puppy
Source: @greatpyreneespuppie / IG

Use your imagination and have fun when choosing a name for your new dog. This process is one of the best parts of dog ownership.

Your name doesn’t have to reflect the size of your new puppy but should suit their personality. You may have to first spend some time with your puppy before making a final decision on their name.

Let us know the name of your big dog below.

Further reading: Other awesome dog name ideas

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