500 Tough Dog Names for Your Fierce Puppy

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Last Updated on April 20, 2023

Some of the strongest dog breeds include the Saint Bernard, Doberman, Great Dane, German Shepherd, Pitbull Terrier, and the Rottweiler.

These dogs may look intimidating on the outside, but they might not always act high and mighty like the Chihuahua.

a Doberman Pinscher laying on dried leaves
A portrait of a serious Doberman Pinscher

Regardless, the perfect name for your pooch may be on this list of tough dog names, whether it fits their personality or it’s ironic.

What are some tough dog names?

Whether you have a large breed that’s intimidating or a small dog breed that acts rough around the edges, a tough name might suit them perfectly.

All the names on this list have a few things in common: they all refer to being tough or symbolize being a guard dog.

When choosing the best tough name for your dog, take the time to get to know your pup and learn their personality. Also, try not to choose a name that sounds too similar to a command.

Inspiration is everywhere. Think of various Gods and Goddesses from Greek, Norse, or Roman mythology.

You can also think of heroes and heroines, villains and outlaws, fierce animals, and much more!

Choosing the perfect name for your dog matters so much because the name represents who they are.

Take a look at the list of tough dog names we compiled for you.

Famous tough dog names

a biker dog wearing a biker hat and protective glasses
A tough biker dog sitting on a motorcycle

First, some tough dog names inspired by pop culture and movies.

  1. Bond
  2. Chewie
  3. Chopper
  4. Darth Vader
  5. Falcor
  6. Ghost
  7. Hercules
  8. Krueger
  9. Lara Croft
  10. Potter
  11. Rambo
  12. Robin Hood
  13. Simba
  14. Xena
  15. Yoda
  16. Zelda

Here are some names for dogs inspired by villains in popular culture, including some Marvel characters.

  1. Bane
  2. Cruella
  3. Doom
  4. Draco
  5. Dracula
  6. Dredd
  7. Gollum
  8. Gothel
  9. Gruber
  10. Hannibal
  11. Loki
  12. Magneto
  13. Ra’s
  14. Ratched
  15. Stryker
  16. Ursula
  17. Vector
  18. Voldemort
  19. Zod
  20. Zoom

Now, let’s look at some tough dog names inspired by history, such as fighters.

  1. Anderson Silva
  2. Andre, the Giant
  3. Anthony Joshua
  4. Benson Henderson
  5. Bruce Lee
  6. Coner McGregor
  7. Cris Cyborg
  8. Deontay Wilder
  9. Dwayne Johnson
  10. Fedor Emelianenko
  11. Floyd Mayweather
  12. Georges St. Pierre
  13. Gina Carano
  14. Holly Holm
  15. Hulk Hogan
  16. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
  17. John Cena
  18. Josh Barnett
  19. Julia Budd
  20. Mike Tyson
  21. Neiman Gracie
  22. Rocky Marciano
  23. Ronda Rousey
  24. Rose Namajunas
  25. Ryan Bader
  26. Tyson Fury

If you have a girl pup, check out these tough female dog names from history.

  1. Amelia Earhart
  2. Boudicca
  3. Harriet Tubman
  4. Khutu
  5. Margaret Fuller
  6. Marie Curie
  7. Mary Seacole
  8. Maya Angelou
  9. Melita Norwood
  10. Rosa Parks

Here are a few tough male dog names from history.

  1. Alexander the Great
  2. Edmund Hillary
  3. Hugh Glass
  4. Jesse Owens
  5. Marco Polo
  6. Napoleon Bonaparte
  7. Neil Armstrong
  8. Nelson Mandela
  9. Robert Falcon Scott
  10. Winston Churchill

Here are some tough dog names from Instagram if you want more inspiration.

  1. LokitheKleeKai
  2. SengaandHercules
  3. Simba_052018
  4. Thor_evermore
  5. VenusDogShollie

The best tough dog names for your fearless canine

a chocolate and brown Cane Corso dogs outdoors
Two full-grown Cane Corso standing in the wilderness

Need more names? Here are the top tough dog names for your new puppy.

  1. Andra
  2. Arya
  3. Damia
  4. Dutch
  5. Fender
  6. Heath
  7. Marine
  8. Mauser
  9. Rowan
  10. Samson

Speaking of top names, these are the ten most popular dog names inspired by strength.

  1. Angel
  2. Apollo
  3. Athena
  4. Bear
  5. Moose
  6. Princess
  7. Ranger
  8. Tank
  9. Thor
  10. Zeus

Tough dog names based on breed

You can also choose a name for your new dog based on their breed.

a Labrador Retriever sitting on a grassfield
A happy Labrador Retriever sitting on the grass with yellow tiny flowers

Tough dog names for Labrador Retrievers

  1. Amaya
  2. Diesel
  3. Dorado
  4. Duke
  5. Hags
  6. Jett
  7. Max
  8. Onyx
  9. Raven
  10. Ravenna
  11. Sunna

Don’t miss: Best Labrador Retriever Names

Tough dog names that rock

Are you a music buff? Take a look at these puppy names based on musicians, singers, and bands.

  1. Akon
  2. Bono
  3. Bruno
  4. Busta
  5. CeeLo
  6. Cher
  7. Chrissie
  8. Courtney
  9. Debbie
  10. Dido
  11. Fergie
  12. Freddie
  13. Hayley
  14. Jayzee
  15. Kanye
  16. Ke$ha
  17. Kodak
  18. Linkin
  19. Neyo
  20. Outkast
  21. Ozzy
  22. Pitty
  23. Snoop
  24. Stevie
  25. Stormsie
  26. Tayo
  27. Tupac
  28. Waylon
  29. Wyclef

Tough dog names with meanings

Two Siberian Husky standing on snow
Two Siberian Husky looking fiercely while on snow

If you’d like your dog’s name to have a tough meaning to it, then here are a few options.

  1. Ajej (Moroccan Arabic for sandstorm)
  2. Amell (German for power of eagle)
  3. Amir (Hebrew for powerful)
  4. Barrett (German for bear strength)
  5. Brendon (Gaelic for brave)
  6. Denzell (Cornish for powerful)
  7. Elda (Italian for warrior)
  8. Garvan (Celtic for rough)
  9. Gesa (Dutch for strength of spear)
  10. Gunner (Swedish for strong in battle)
  11. Isla (German for strong-willed)
  12. Kawan (Korean for strong)
  13. Lenna (German for lion’s strength)
  14. Lex (Greek for defender of men)
  15. Mildred (English for gentle strength)
  16. Nina (Native American for strong)
  17. Oz (Hebrew for power and strength)
  18. Ozzie (Hebrew for strong)
  19. Stalin (Hindu for man of steel)
  20. Takio (Japanese for strong as bamboo)
  21. Trudy (German for universal strength)

Tough dog names inspired by mythology

Mythology names are some of the most unique names to try on for size.

  1. Achlys
  2. Ajax
  3. Area
  4. Artemis
  5. Atlas
  6. Caucus
  7. Ceto
  8. Erebus
  9. Eris
  10. Hades
  11. Hera
  12. Nyx
  13. Orion
  14. Shaitan
  15. Talos
  16. Titan

Tough guard dog names

You can choose an ironic name if you have a smaller dog with a big personality or choose a fitting tough name for your big dog breed.

Here are some of the top guard dog names to think about.

  1. Blitz
  2. Brutus
  3. Crusher
  4. Fang
  5. Magnum
  6. Major
  7. Remington
  8. Saber
  9. Sniper
  10. Spike
  11. Trigger
  12. Wolf

These names are tough-sounding guard dog names.

  1. Banshee
  2. Beast
  3. Bruiser
  4. Bruno
  5. Butch
  6. Devil
  7. Diablo
  8. Dragon
  9. Mammoth
  10. Talon
  11. Tiger
  12. Viper

Check out these military-inspired guard dog names.

  1. Admiral
  2. Ammo
  3. Bomber
  4. Captain
  5. General
  6. Kevlar
  7. Nitro
  8. Ranger
  9. Sarge
  10. Sergeant
  11. Soldier
  12. Striker
  13. Uzi

Don’t miss: Best Military Dog Names

Here are a few guard dog names based on mythology.

  1. Cerberus
  2. Chaos
  3. Fenrir
  4. Hydra
  5. Kratos
  6. Magnus
  7. Odin
  8. Sirius

Of course, for an ironic name, here are a couple of unexpected guard dog names.

  1. Baby
  2. Buddy
  3. Fifi
  4. Fluffy
  5. Peanut
  6. Peewee
  7. Shorty
  8. Shrimp
  9. Sugar
  10. Tiny

Police dog names

a German Shepherd sitting near a cop
A German Shepherd police dog with his handler

Police names and vocabulary are tough. Consider a police dog name for your K9.

  1. Beretta
  2. Blazer
  3. Blue
  4. Bruin
  5. Caesar
  6. Charger
  7. Colt
  8. Hawk
  9. Hooper
  10. Lobo
  11. Rex
  12. Rhodes
  13. Sable
  14. Scout
  15. Trooper
  16. Walther

Strong dog names

Here’s a quick list of strong names for female or male dogs.

  1. Cassidy
  2. Chavez
  3. Che
  4. Cleopatra
  5. Cobra
  6. Court
  7. Creed
  8. Dagger
  9. Dax
  10. Demon
  11. Digger
  12. Ditka
  13. Doc
  14. Dozer
  15. Duchess
  16. Dude
  17. East
  18. Ebony
  19. Felon
  20. Francis

If you want to be extra fancy, check out these dog names that mean strong in various languages.

  1. Abira (Hebrew for strong)
  2. Alcander (Greek for strong)
  3. Amari (African-Yoruba for strength)
  4. Andrei (Russian for strong, manly)
  5. Archard (German for strong)
  6. Audie (English for noble strength)
  7. Badu (African for one who is strong)
  8. Boris (Russian for fighter)
  9. Conall (Gaelic for strong wolf)
  10. Conley (Irish for strong-willed)
  11. Ekon (African for strong)
  12. Ethan (Hebrew for strong)
  13. Farris (English for iron strong)
  14. Filomena (Greek for friend of strength)
  15. Griffin (Welsh for strong lord)
  16. Hartman (English for strong, hardy)
  17. Jayce (Cherokee for strong)
  18. Jedrek (Polish for strong man)
  19. Kaori (Japanese for strong)
  20. Kari (French for strong)
  21. Karla (French for strong)
  22. Magnor (Norwegian for strong)
  23. Maiti (Irish for strong battle maiden)
  24. Makin (Arabic for strong)
  25. Maude (German for mighty battler)
  26. Neron (Spanish for strong)
  27. Oscar (Hebrew for divine strength)
  28. Remo (Greek for the strong one)
  29. Shylah (Irish for strong)
  30. Takeo (Japanese for warrior, strong bamboo)
  31. Valentina (Latin for strong, healthy)

Aggressive dog names

These names are perfect for aggressive girl and boy dogs.

  1. Lift
  2. Lincoln
  3. Lola
  4. Lonestar
  5. Lucier
  6. Mace
  7. Mack
  8. Malcolm
  9. Marley
  10. Maverick
  11. Medusa
  12. Mercy
  13. Missy
  14. Mob
  15. Nails
  16. North
  17. Notorious
  18. O.G.
  19. Olympia
  20. Pepper
  21. Pistol
  22. Pyro
  23. Queen

Fierce dog names

a Rhodesian Ridgeback and Boerboel sitting on a dirt field
Happy Rhodesian Ridgeback and Boerboel sitting on a farm

Do you have a feisty doggo? Check out these fierce names for girl and guy dogs.

  1. Acadia
  2. Alaska
  3. Augustus
  4. Axel
  5. Bale
  6. Bandit
  7. Bang
  8. Biggy
  9. Blaze
  10. Bogie
  11. Boss
  12. Brando
  13. Brick
  14. Bro
  15. Brock
  16. Brooklyn
  17. Bud
  18. Buffalo
  19. Bullet

Badass dog names

You can always go with a good ol’ badass dog name.

  1. Alcatraz
  2. Chino
  3. Hatfield
  4. Mo
  5. Parchman
  6. Petak
  7. Quentin
  8. Riker
  9. Sing-Sing
  10. Stanley
  11. Tadmor

Don’t miss: Best Badass Dog Names

Scary dog names

A scary dog name is a way to go, especially if you love Halloween.

  1. Evil
  2. Ghoul
  3. Goblin
  4. Gremlin
  5. Haunt
  6. Hellhound
  7. Hellion
  8. Jafar
  9. Jaws
  10. Jigsaw
  11. Lector
  12. Luther
  13. Maniac
  14. Mutant
  15. Ogre
  16. Orc
  17. Phantom
  18. Satan
  19. Sauron
  20. Scar
  21. Serpent
  22. Sneer
  23. Spectre
  24. Spook
  25. Thanos
  26. Troll
  27. Ultron
  28. Villain
  29. Wrath
  30. Zombie

Cool names for your tough dog

a close-up of an English Bulldog wearing glasses
An English Bulldog wearing a cool shade
  1. Teegan
  2. Tito
  3. Tombstone
  4. Tyson
  5. Ulysses
  6. Venus
  7. Vera
  8. Viking
  9. Vinnie
  10. Vitas
  11. Vlad
  12. Washington
  13. West
  14. Wrigley
  15. Xander
  16. Yukon
  17. Yuna

Funny yet tough dog names

Have fun with your dog’s name, too. Check out these awesome, funny names.

  1. Bark Ruffalo
  2. Barky Rogers
  3. Beowoof
  4. Chewbarka
  5. Clint Eastwoof
  6. Doger Watson
  7. Dogter Strange
  8. Hairy Pawter
  9. J.K. Growling
  10. Jabba the Mutt
  11. Kahl Dogo
  12. Luke Skywoofer
  13. Muttley Crew
  14. Ned Bark
  15. Pup Norris
  16. Sherlock Bones
  17. Tony Bark
  18. Uma Furman

Don’t miss: Best Funny Dog Names

Punny names for tough dogs

  1. Andy Warhowl
  2. Arf Vader
  3. Boba Fetch
  4. Darth Maul
  5. Ernest Corgnine
  6. Indiana Bones
  7. L.L. Drool J.
  8. Snarls Barkley

Tough names for boy and girl dogs

If you haven’t yet found a moniker for your doggo, here are general female and male names to think about.

Tough female dog names

  1. Alanis
  2. Amber
  3. Astra
  4. Avril
  5. Azealia
  6. Breanne
  7. Briana
  8. Bridget
  9. Cardi
  10. Carla
  11. Chaka
  12. Cyndi
  13. Etta
  14. Freya
  15. Granite (perfect for a dog with a brindle coat)
  16. Gwen
  17. Harley
  18. Iggy
  19. Ire
  20. Jade
  21. Janis
  22. Jenna
  23. Jordan
  24. Kahlan
  25. Kelsey
  26. Killa
  27. Kiln
  28. Kitana
  29. Leia
  30. Matilda
  31. Nicki
  32. Rogue
  33. Rowan
  34. Roxie
  35. Sheba
  36. Storm
  37. Tina
  38. Trixie
  39. Ursa
  40. Valkyrie
  41. Yolandi

Tough male dog names

  1. Archer
  2. Black
  3. Buck (great for a Husky)
  4. Buster
  5. Champ
  6. Creep
  7. Dane
  8. Frisco
  9. Gladiator
  10. Goliath
  11. Gonzo
  12. Grit
  13. Hale
  14. Heath
  15. Hitman
  16. Holt
  17. King
  18. Knox
  19. Kush
  20. Lefty
  21. Preston
  22. Rampage
  23. Razor
  24. Reaper
  25. Rhino
  26. Ryder
  27. Scrapper
  28. Stone
  29. Turbo
  30. Wayde
  31. Zane

What tough name should I call my dog?

Great Dane standing in the field
A huge Great Dane on a grass field with a tiny red ball

The perfect name may be hard to come by at first, but you’ll find it. Your pup will help decide what they want to be called as well.

Keep their breed and size in mind when choosing a name, and the right one will come along.

Which tough name is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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