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Famous Dog Names – 290+ Amazing Dogs from TV, Movies & Real Life

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Famous dog names are a great way to pay tribute to the most acclaimed canines. Get ready for 290+ awesome ideas!

These dogs are famous for their achievements in real life or are known from movies, TV, literature and more. If you’re looking to name your own pup, these famous dog names might be a perfect fit.

famous dog names - balto
Balto

Famous Dog Names from History

Let’s kick off our list of famous dog names with pups who’ve made history. These dogs boast accomplishments on the battlefield or are known for other amazing feats.

If you give your dog one of these names, you can feel proud knowing that you’ve paid tribute to an amazing animal.

  • Balto – Husky that helped deliver medicine to Nome, Alaska, that prevented an outbreak of disease (read story)
  • Bobbie the Wonder Dog – courageous canine who traveled 2,800 miles in 1924 (read story)
  • Chaser – Border Collie with largest tested memory of any non-human animal (read story)
  • Chips – most decorated dog of WWII
  • Cloe – record holder for biggest dog at 365 lbs and 8’5″ long
  • Jofi – Sigmund Freud’s pet Chow Chow
  • Gibson – Great Dane and former world record holder for tallest living dog
  • Hachikō – Japanese Akita Inu famed for meeting his owner at the train station every day after work
  • Laika – Soviet space dog
  • Lex – military dog who served in the Iraq War and earned a Purple Heart (read story)
  • Nemo – German Shepherd who served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War (read story)
  • Peritas – Alexander the Great’s favorite dog
  • Pickles – discovered the stolen FIFA World Cup in 1966
  • Rags – U.S. 1st Infantry Division’s dog-mascot in World War I
  • Sinbad – mascot of U.S. Coast Guard
  • Smoky – famous war dog who served in World War II (read story)
  • Snuppy – Afghan Hound that was the first dog ever cloned
  • Strongheart – German Shepherd that was one of the first canine actors
  • Trakr – German Shepherd that rescued the last survivor of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks
  • Zeus – Great Dane and tallest dog in the world at 7′ 4″
  • Zorba – former world record holder for longest and heaviest dog at 343 lbs and 8’3″ long
Bullseye from Oliver Twist & Jip from David Copperfield
Bullseye from Oliver Twist & Jip from David Copperfield

Famous Dog Names from Literature and Comics

Up next: famous dog names from pups in literature and comics. These awesome animals have graced the pages of the world’s most popular written works and provided hours of entertainment.

Check out these ideas and see if any are right for your new four-legged friend.

  • AndyMark Trail comic strip
  • Argos – the Odyssey
  • BaileyA Dog’s Purpose
  • Baleia – Vidas secas
  • BanditLittle House on the Prairie
  • Bear A Dog’s Purpose
  • BlueThe Sound and the Fury
  • BobA Distinguished Member of the Humane Society
  • BuckCall of the Wild
  • BuddyA Dog’s Purpose
  • Bull’s EyeOliver Twist
  • Carl – Good Dog, Carl
  • Charkie – Curious George
  • CliffordClifford the Big Red Dog
  • Cujo – Stephen King’s Cujo
  • DogbertDilbert comic strip
  • Einstein – Watchers by Dean Koontz
  • ElectraCathy comic strip
  • ElleyaA Dog’s Purpose
  • Fang – Hagrid’s Mastiff in Harry Potter
  • Fella A Dog’s Purpose
  • FluffyHarry Potter
  • GhostGame of Thrones
  • Grey WindGame of Thrones
  • HotdogArchie
  • JipDavid Copperfield
  • Kiche White Fang
  • Krypto – Superman comics
  • LadLad, A Dog
  • LadyGame of Thrones
  • Laska – Anna Karenina
  • Little Ann Where the Red Fern Grows
  • Marmaduke – Marmaduke
  • Maurice – Andy Warhol’s Portrait of Maurice
  • Mr. Bones – Timbuktu
  • NymeriaGame of Thrones
  • OdieGarfield
  • Old Dan Where the Red Fern Grows
  • PadfootHarry Potter
  • PilotJane Eyre
  • Randolph – A Dog About Town
  • Ribsy – Henry Huggins
  • RipperHarry Potter
  • SandyLittle Orphan Annie
  • Shaggydog Game of Thrones
  • Sharik – Heart of a Dog
  • SiriusHarry Potter
  • SnoopyPeanuts
  • SnufflesHarry Potter
  • SummerGame of Thrones
  • Toby A Dog’s Purpose
  • TockThe Phantom Tollbooth
  • White Fang White Fang
  • Winn DixieBecause of Winn Dixie
  • YellerOld Yeller

Check out even more literary dog names.

Toto from the Wizard of Oz
Toto in the Wizard of Oz

Famous Dogs from Movies

A guide to famous dog names must mention acclaimed canine characters from feature films.

After all, pups have been featured prominently ever since the movie industry began and still grace the big screen regularly. These dogs have entertained us throughout the years and provide excellent inspiration for dog names.

To help your search, we’ve broken down the names between classic and modern movies.

Classic Movies

  • BeethovenBeethoven
  • BenjiBenji
  • BrinkleyYou’ve Got Mail
  • BruiserLegally Blonde
  • BuddyAir Bud
  • Buster Toy Story
  • ChopperStand By Me
  • Chance Homeward Bound
  • Charlie B. Barkin All Dogs Go to Heaven
  • Chief Isle of Dogs
  • CopperThe Fox and the Hound
  • EinsteinBack to the Future
  • FloAll Dogs Go to Heaven
  • FlukeFluke
  • Fly Babe
  • Frank the pugMen In Black
  • GromitWallace And Gromit
  • HerculesThe Sandlot
  • HoochTurner & Hooch
  • HoseheadStrange Brew
  • Itchy ItchifordAll Dogs Go to Heaven
  • Jerry LeeK-9
  • Jock Lady and The Tramp
  • LadyLady and The Tramp
  • Lucky101 Dalmatians
  • MarleyMarley And Me
  • Max The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day
  • MaxHow The Grinch Stole Christmas!
  • Milo The Mask and also Milo and Otis
  • Miss AgnesBest In Show
  • NanaPeter Pan
  • NanookThe Lost Boys
  • Oliver – Oliver & Company
  • OtisThe Adventures of Milo and Otis
  • Patch101 Dalmatians
  • Penny101 Dalmatians
  • Perdita101 Dalmatians
  • Pongo101 Dalmatians
  • PuffyThere’s Something About Mary
  • QuarkHoney, I Shrunk The Kids
  • Rex Babe
  • Rin Tin TinRin Tin Tin
  • Rolly101 Dalmatians
  • Rufus Legally Blonde
  • ShadowHomeward Bound
  • ShilohShiloh
  • SkipMy Dog Skip
  • SlinkToy Story
  • SparkyFrankenweenie
  • SpeckPee-wee’s Big Adventure
  • SnotsNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
  • SnowyThe Adventures of TinTin
  • Toto The Wizard Of Oz
  • Trusty Lady and The Tramp
  • WolfieThe Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day
  • VerdellAs Good As It Gets
  • YellowFar From Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog
  • ZeroThe Nightmare Before Christmas

Modern Movies

  • Bailey A Dog’s Purpose
  • BaxterAnchorman
  • BellaA Dog’s Way Home
  • Big Dog A Dog’s Purpose
  • BoltBolt
  • Boss Isle of Dogs
  • BrandyHotel for Dogs
  • BuckEight Below
  • BuddyA Dog’s Purpose
  • ButchCats & Dogs
  • Charlie Dog Days
  • DaisyJohn Wick
  • DanteCoco
  • Demon Snow Dogs
  • Dewey Eight Below
  • Diesel Snow Dogs
  • Duchess Snow Dogs
  • DugUp
  • DukeThe Secret Lives of Pets and also Isle of Dogs
  • Ellie A Dog’s Purpose
  • EnzoThe Art of Racing in the Rain
  • FridayHotel for Dogs
  • Gertrude Dog Days
  • Hachi Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
  • Ivy Cats & Dogs
  • JackThe Artist
  • King Isle of Dogs
  • LouCats & Dogs
  • LuizRio
  • Mabel Dog Days
  • Mack Snow Dogs
  • MaxEight Below
  • MayaEight Below
  • MollyA Dog’s Journey
  • Mother TeresaMust Love Dogs
  • Nana Snow Dogs
  • Old Jack Eight Below
  • Peek Cats & Dogs
  • Rex Isle of Dogs
  • Sam Cats & Dogs, Dog Days and I Am Legend
  • Scooper Snow Dogs
  • ShadowEight Below
  • Shorty Eight Below
  • Sniff Snow Dogs
  • Spots Isle of Dogs
  • StitchLilo & Stitch
  • TinoA Dog’s Purpose
  • TogoTogo
  • Truman Eight Below
  • Waffles A Dog’s Purpose
  • Yodel Snow Dogs
Lassie
Lassie

Famous Dog Names from TV

The silver screen is also home to fictional four-legged friends. These adorable animals have won legions of fans throughout the years, and some are even household names.

Perhaps you want to recognize the pup from your favorite TV show. Or maybe you simply like a name and want to use it for your new pet.

Whatever the reason, these lists are full of the very best famous dog names.

Classic TV Shows

  • ApolloMagnum P.I.
  • ArnoldLife Goes On
  • AstroThe Jetsons
  • BarkleySesame Street
  • BlacktoeStar Trek: The Next Generation
  • BlueBlue’s Clues
  • Buck Married… with Children
  • BulletThe Roy Rogers Show
  • ClaudeThe Beverly Hillbillies
  • CometFull House
  • DreyfussEmpty Nest
  • EddieFrazer
  • Flash The Dukes of Hazzard
  • Foo-Foo The Muppet Show
  • FreewayHart to Hart
  • Happy7th Heaven
  • K9Doctor Who
  • LassieLassie
  • MaximillionThe Bionic Woman
  • Mister PeabodyThe Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle And Friends
  • PeteyLittle Rascals
  • Pluto – Disney character
  • PoochieThe Simpsons
  • Porthos Star Trek: Enterprise
  • Ren HöekThe Ren & Stimpy Show
  • RowlfThe Muppets
  • Santa’s Little HelperThe Simpsons
  • Scooby-Doo & Scrappy-DooScooby-Doo
  • SnoopyPeanuts
  • SpeedyThe Drew Carey Show
  • SpikeRugrats
  • SpunkyHappy Days
  • Tiger The Brady Bunch
  • TrampMy Three Sons
  • WishboneWishbone
  • ZeusMagnum P.I.

Modern TV Shows

  • AllenThe King of Queens
  • ArnoldEntourage
  • BackupVeronica Mars
  • BanditBluey
  • BingoBluey
  • BlueyBluey
  • Bouton Outlander
  • BrianFamily Guy
  • Chase Paw Patrol
  • CheddarBrooklyn 99
  • Chilli Bluey
  • CinnamonThe Big Bang Theory
  • EverestPaw Patrol
  • IvannaThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody
  • LadybirdKing of the Hill
  • MarshallPaw Patrol
  • Mr. PeanutbutterBoJack Horseman
  • NunzioDharma and Greg
  • OscarCurb Your Enthusiasm
  • Paul AnkaGilmore Girls
  • Rocky Paw Patrol
  • Rubble Paw Patrol
  • ShelbySmallville
  • Skye Paw Patrol
  • StellaModern Family
  • StinkyDharma and Greg
  • Vincent Lost
  • WilfredWilfred
  • ZumaPaw Patrol
obama with his dog
President Barack Obama and his dog Bo

Presidential Dogs

American presidents seem to love their canine companions. In fact, nearly three-quarters of all U.S. presidents in history have owned dogs while in the White House.

Because this is such a highly visible role, people recognize not just the president but also their family members and even their pets.

Let’s explore the names of presidential dogs in recent history as well as those belonging to noteworthy leaders from the past.

Joe Biden

  • Champ
  • Major

Barack Obama

  • Bo
  • Sunny

George W. Bush

  • Spot “Spotty” Fetcher
  • Barney
  • Miss Beazley

Bill Clinton 

  • Buddy

George H.W. Bush

  • Millie
  • Ranger

Ronald Reagan 

  • Lucky
  • Rex
  • Victory
  • Peggy
  • Taca
  • Fuzzy

Jimmy Carter

  • Grits
  • Lewis Brown

John F. Kennedy

  • Pushinka
  • Shannon
  • Wolf
  • Clipper

Abraham Lincoln

  • Fido

George Washington

  • Sweet Lips
  • Scentwell
  • Vulcan
  • Drunkard
  • Taster
  • Tipler
  • Tipsy

This is just a sampling of the dogs who’ve lived in the White House. Here’s an article with a complete list of all the Presidential Dogs.

Other Famous Dog Names

And last but not least, let’s look at other famous dogs and see if they help you find a great name for your pup.

These dogs have appeared as brand mascots, commercial stars and much more.

  • Bingo – Cracker Jack brand mascot
  • Bullseye – Target’s official mascot
  • Gidget – Chihuahua from Taco Bell ads
  • Hank – adopted stray that became the unofficial mascot for the Milwaukee Brewers
  • McGruff – anti-crime mascot
  • Lady Greyhound – Greyhound bus’ mascot dog
  • Nipper – RCA logo dog
  • Spuds MacKenzie – 80s spokesdog
  • Tinkerbell – Paris Hilton’s chihuahua and favorite fashion accessory
  • Ubu Roi – Ubu Productions “Sit, Ubu, sit” mascot

There are many famous dogs in the world – from television, movies, literature and real life.

Some dogs are real and others are fictional characters.

You may have heard of some of these dogs already while others may be completely new.

There’s one thing they have in common, however: They provide plenty of inspiration for famous dog names!

If you’re bringing home a new dog and choose one of these names, you’ll know your pup is following in the footsteps of an awesome animal that came before them.

More Name Ideas

Looking for more name ideas? Try our online generator!

It offers thousands of ideas and generates custom names catered to your canine.

To start, pick your favorite name styles and/or themes and the gender of your dog. From there, it’ll generate a list of cool dog names.

Teach Your Dog Its Name!

View Your Saved Names
Check out more articles about: Dog Names

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