200+ Best Small Dog Names For Your Tiny Pup

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Last Updated on April 20, 2023

Small dogs are bundles of joy and energy. These tiny packages often have personalities that are much larger than their small frames.

Picking out the perfect puppy name is one of the best experiences of new pet ownership, although it can be challenging to make the right choice. 

Four different small dogs laying down
Portrait of small Pomeranian and Chihuahua dogs

Sweet, cute, funny, or ironic, there are plenty of names to pick. Let’s have a look at some of the best:

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

Small dogs are popular with dog lovers because they can adapt well to various environments, are easy to travel with, make good cuddle buddies, and, of course, are super cute!

Some of our favorite small dog breeds include the Chihuahua, Maltese, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, and Dachshund. 

Naming your dog is just one of the many decisions you will make as a dog owner, but it will set the tone for your pup for the rest of his or her life. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right name. 

You want to choose a name that is easy to say and to teach your dog. The name shouldn’t sound like any common commands like sit or stay, so as not to confuse your dog when you’re trying to train them.

You’ll also want to avoid anything offensive that you don’t want to call across the dog park or say in front of your Granny or children.

What’s in a name? Who is the most famous small dog?

Small dogs are beloved by celebrities the world over, with many movie stars, singers, and influencers sharing their fame with their favorite pets.

Some small dogs are so well-known that they are even stars in their own right. These dogs could inspire you when choosing a name for your pet.

Here are some famous small dogs on Instagram:

  1. Jiffpom @jiffpom, a cute Pomeranian with over 10 million followers, two Guinness World Records for running on his front and back paws, and starred in Katy Perry’s music video for Dark Horse.
  2. Doug The Pug @itsdougthepug, an adorable Pug who, along with being famous on social media, also has his own website, book, and merchandise.
  3. Maru Taro @marutaro, a Japanese Shiba Inu, posts adorable pictures and has a shop filled with Japanese doggie goodies.
  4. Tuna Melts My Heart @tunameltsmyheart, a rescue Chiweenie named Tuna, is famous for his adorable overbite and uses his fame to raise awareness for rescue dogs everywhere.
  5. Ppteamkler @ppteamkler, an adventurous sausage dog named Kler that loves to show what she and her pet pals are up to.
  6. Tecuaniventura @tecuaniventura, a Russian Bulldog blogger with over 2 million followers known for dressing up in elaborate outfits.

Check out the Dark Horse music video and keep a close eye out for the small Jiffpom:

Best names for small dogs 

Small dogs seem to have an abundance of personality, energy, and stamina, with every different breed offering something unique.

Today, they make fantastic companions, but for years small dogs have also been used as working dogs in circuses, on farms, and by hunters.

There is never a dull moment to be had when you own a small dog, and the name you chose for your new dog needs to be well thought out. Keep reading to discover some of our favorite monikers for tiny pups:

Small dog names based on color

Your dog’s coat color can inspire its name. Choose a word that reflects their snow-white or jet black hair or that is relevant to their coat’s markings. Here are some ideas:

  1. Snowy
  2. Patches
  3. Dot
  4. Spot
  5. Jett
  6. Oreo
  7. Amber
  8. Apricot
  9. Blondie
  10. Blue
  11. Brownie
  12. Cherry
  13. Cocoa
  14. Coffee
  15. Cotton
  16. Cinnamon
  17. Dusty
  18. Ebony
  19. Fawn
  20. Ginger
  21. Goldie
  22. Honey
  23. Ink
  24. Mocha
  25. Onyx
  26. Peach
  27. Pearl
  28. Raven
  29. Shadow
  30. Tawny

Small dog names inspired by size 

A brown small Dachshund with blue eyes sitting on the grass
Source: @bean.thedachshund / IG

One of the most obvious things to do when choosing a name for your small dog is to pick something inspired by their tiny size. Here are some popular dog names that speak to the diminutive size of your little dog:

  1. Tiny
  2. Little
  3. Peewee
  4. Squirt
  5. Baby
  6. Bitty
  7. Pippin
  8. Shorty
  9. Munchkin
  10. Runt
  11. Mini
  12. Minnie
  13. Teensy
  14. Button
  15. Smalley
  16. Morsel
  17. Puny
  18. Bean
  19. Nugget
  20. Shrimpy
  21. Half Pint
  22. Titchy

Small dog names inspired by other languages

Another way to refer to your dog’s size in their name is by choosing a word in a different language.

Look for the foreign terms for small, tiny, little, or petite and sound fancy among your friends when you start calling your dog by a Spanish, French, or even Finnish word!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Klein (German and Dutch)
  2. Petit (French)
  3. Piccolo (Italian)
  4. Pequeña (Spanish)
  5. Liten (Swedish and Norwegian)
  6. Lille (Danish)
  7. Pieni (Finnish)
  8. Pico (Spanish)
  9. Pequena (Portuguese)
  10. Kecil (Indonesian)

Little/tiny/miniature dog names

Little names for your little dog also don’t literally need to mean small. Names can be inspired by small objects, characters, food, or things you see in the world around you.

With this in mind, here are some of the best small dog names:

  1. Beetle
  2. Blossom
  3. Bug
  4. Bunny
  5. Matches
  6. Perriwinkle
  7. Petal
  8. Pocket
  9. Sausage
  10. Spider
  11. Tadpole
  12. Twig
  13. Atom
  14. Dice
  15. Elf
  16. Gnat
  17. Jellybean
  18. Peanut
  19. Diamond
  20. Gnome

Big names for small dogs

A charming small Maltese on a stroller
Source: @herculesthemaltese / IG

Want to add a smile to your face and the face of anyone who hears your dog’s name? Why not be ironic and give your tiny dog a name that might be better suited to a big dog, like a Rottweiler or Golden Retriever?

Here are some macho dog names that would be pretty hilarious on a small puppy:

  1. Killer
  2. Hulk
  3. Rocky
  4. Butch
  5. Biggie
  6. Hercules
  7. Xena
  8. Zeus
  9. Boss
  10. Goliath
  11. Spike
  12. Thor
  13. Rebel
  14. Tank
  15. Loki

Small dog names inspired by books and mythology

From princesses in Disney stories to ancient Greek mythological figures, the world of books and literature gives us a wealth of inspiration when it comes to naming our pets.

You could go for an ironic name stolen from a prominent strong character or chose to name your pet after an underdog hero. 

Here are some names for your small dog:

  1. Hercules
  2. Colossus
  3. Atlas
  4. Zeus
  5. Hagrid
  6. Huckleberry, or Huck for short
  7. Apollo
  8. Bella
  9. Dobby
  10. Athena

Names for sweet and cute small dog 

Small dogs are some of the most adorable around. They also often have super loving personalities and long for a good cuddle. A sweet and cute name like the ones on this list can help show off their incredible nature.

Here are some cute dog names for boys:

  1. Bear
  2. Buddy
  3. Button
  4. Pip
  5. Teddy
  6. Toto
  7. Nacho
  8. Roo
  9. Scrappy

Here are some lovely little dog names for your cutest girl dog: 

  1. Babe
  2. Chicklet 
  3. Coco
  4. Chi Chi
  5. Cookie
  6. Cupcake
  7. Daisy
  8. Fifi
  9. Marshmallow
  10. Gigi
  11. Honey
  12. Mimi
  13. Pearl
  14. Petunia 
  15. Pixie
  16. Poppy
  17. Sweet Pea
  18. Sassy
  19. Sugar
  20. Thumbelina 
  21. Trixie

Cool names for small dogs

A small Yorkshire Terrier wearing a blue harness and jeweled collar
Source: @ozzytheyorkshire / IG

Does your dog ooze a stylish, classy atmosphere? Then you’ll want to pick a cool name that matches their sophisticated style. Cool names can be inspired by fashion, motorbikes, cars, celebrities, or sports. 

Here are some of our favorite cool names for small dogs:

  1. Axel
  2. Bowie
  3. Dolly
  4. Electra
  5. Gears
  6. Hendrix
  7. Iggy
  8. Jed
  9. Ozzy
  10. Racer
  11. Ringo
  12. Shades
  13. Stevie

Funny small dog names

Small dogs can have silly, clown-like personalities that they love to show off to entertain their owner. A funny name can help to bring out this hilarious side of your dog’s nature. 

  1. Blip
  2. Bonkers
  3. Cheeks
  4. Clown
  5. Crumpet
  6. Cuckoo
  7. Gadget
  8. Jazz
  9. Jelly
  10. Jingles
  11. Rascal
  12. Rowdy
  13. Whammy
  14. Wiggles
  15. Ziggy

Unique names for small dogs

Your small dog can struggle to stand out from a crowd due to its tiny size, so why not give them a unique name that helps them do so? Look to the natural world or even the heavens when choosing a great name for your pup.

Here are some unique dog names for inspiration:

  1. Autumn
  2. Apple
  3. Echo
  4. Forest
  5. Mars
  6. Meadow
  7. North
  8. Ocean
  9. Pluto
  10. Rainbow
  11. River
  12. Venus
  13. Sunflower
  14. Yap

Best male and female small dog names

The perfect name for your small dog need not say anything about size. Instead, you could simply opt for a lovely human name for your new family member. 

Small female dog names 

A charismatic Toy Poodle sitting on a wooden floor
Source: @louthepoodle / IG

The best little girl dog names should roll off the tongue and be fun to say. Think about the human names you might give a doll or a baby girl. 

Here are some female dog names for inspiration:

  1. Amy
  2. Ana
  3. Belle
  4. Beth
  5. Elle
  6. Eve
  7. Fern
  8. Grace
  9. Hope
  10. Ivy
  11. Jess
  12. Joy
  13. Lou
  14. May
  15. Rose
  16. Tess
  17. Zoe

Small male dog names 

When looking for an excellent male name for your boy dog, consider something as snappy and short as your little dog. Names with one syllable are easy to say and call and even more comfortable for your dog to learn. 

These mini boy dog names will suit your miniature dog well:

  1. Ace
  2. Alf
  3. Benji
  4. Blake
  5. Bob
  6. Bud
  7. Cal
  8. Dax
  9. Jay
  10. Nemo
  11. Kip
  12. Leo
  13. Max
  14. Marley
  15. Otis
  16. Pat
  17. Roy
  18. Russ
  19. Tate
  20. Tim
  21. Zac
  22. Rex

What should I name my small dog?

Two adorable small dogs laying on the sofa
A white Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier, small dogs on a sofa

While your little dog’s name can be inspired by its small size, it doesn’t have to be. You need to choose something you love as you’ll be saying the name often over the next ten to fifteen years!

Do you have some name ideas of your own? Let us know your thoughts or your own pet names in the comments below.

Further reading: Other awesome dog names

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