Small Dog Names – 375+ Adorable Ideas

If you’re in the market for small dog names, look no further. Our comprehensive list includes 375+ ideas you’ll love!

Small dogs bring so much joy and love to a home. They’re easy to snuggle, easy to exercise and easy to bring places. Oh, and did we mention they have the cutest little faces imaginable?

For reference, the American Kennel Club (AKC) compiled a list of the 25 smallest dog breeds that’s a helpful guide to finding the right small dog for you.

If you’re welcoming a tiny dog into your life, picking out the right name is an important step. After all, you’ll say this name day in and day out for many years.

Our large list of small dog names includes lots of inspiration, from itty bitty to cute to funny and ironic.

Small Dog Names Inspired By Size 

There are so many adorable names for pint-sized pups. Why not recognize their small stature and give them a fun name that plays on their diminutive size?

Here are ideas that clearly speak to the smallness of your pup while packing in lots of charm and character.

• Baby
• Bantam
• Bean
• Bitty
• Button
• Dainty
• Elf
• Half Pint
• Hobbit
• Jellybean 
• Junior
• Little
• Micro
• Mini
• Minnie
• Morsel
• Munchkin
• Nugget
• Peanut
• Pebbles
• Peewee
• Pipsqueak
• Pixie
• Puny
• Runt
• Runty
• Scant
• Shortstack
• Shorty
• Shrimpy
• Smalley
• Smalls
• Sprite
• Sprout
• Squirt
• Teensy
• Teensy
• Teensy Weensy
• Teeny
• Tiny

Cute Male Small Dog Names 

Small dogs are so darn adorable and cute. What better way to recognize this than to give them a sweet name?

For small male dogs, the following names are as cute as a button.

• Alfie
• Archie
• Augie
• Barkley
• Bear
• Bernie
• Buddy
• Charlie
• Chase
• Chewie
• Corky
• Ernie
• Fido
• Finn
• Hank
• Louie
• Lucky
• Max
• Mickey
• Milo
• Murphy
• Odie
• Oliver
• Oscar
• Opie
• Percy
• Pip
• Porkchop
• Rascal
• Rudy
• Scout
• Scrappy
• Shiloh
• Skip
• Spot
• Spud
• Tad
• Teddy
• Toto
• Webster 
• Yoshi
• Ziggy

Check out more cute names for both males and females to find the best small dog names.

Cute Female Small Dog Names 

A lovely little dog deserves a lovely little name. While you could go with any dog name for your girl pup, these names are particularly delicate and delightful.

To help you in your search, here are adorable girl dog names you just might like.

• Angel
• Babe
• Bella
• Chicklet 
• Clementine 
• Cleo
• Coco
• Cookie
• Cricket
• Cupcake
• Daisy
• Dixie
• Dory
• Dottie
• Gracie
• Gizmo
• Happy
• Hazel
• Honey
• Izzy
• Lola
• Lucy
• Luna
• Mabel
• Maisie
• Millie
• Mimi
• Olive
• Pearl
• Penny
• Petunia 
• Pippa
• Pixie
• Poppy
• Pumpkin
• Rosie
• Sweet Pea
• Sugar
• Thumbelina 
• Trixie
• Trudy
• Willow
• Winnie

Elegant Male Small Dog Names

Another idea for small dog names is to explore elegant ideas that are regal and refined.

After all, small dogs have been seen as status symbols for hundreds of years.

• Asher
• Ashton
• Augustus
• Baron
• Berkeley
• Bernard
• Charleston
• Clancy
• Cooper
• Duke
• Edwin
• Francois
• Gatsby
• Hamilton
• Jacques
• King
• Kingsley
• Kingston
• Lord
• Prince
• Redmond
• Wesley
• Winston

Check out more elegant male dog names.

Elegant Female Small Dog Names

If you’re bringing home a female dog, these elegant monikers might just be the right fit.

They’re sophisticated and stylish, just like your dog.

• Amelie
• Aspen
• Aurora
• Buffy
• Camilla
• Chanel
• Diamond
• Duchess
• Effie
• Fifi
• Gigi
• Harper
• Jewel
• Jules
• Lady
• Lux
• Paris
• Portia
• Princess
• Queen
• Ruby

Check out more elegant female dog names.

Small Dog Names Inspired By Other Languages

Continuing the look at small dog names, another option is to translate small and little into other languages.

These names are cute and creative, and it’s likely you won’t meet another dog with one off these monikers.

• Gering – little in German
• Kidogo – little in Swahili
• Klein – small in German and Dutch
• Lille – small in Danish
• Liten – small in Norwegian
• Mali – small in Croatian
• Me Me – small in Hmong
• Pequeña/Pequeño – small in Spanish
• Petit/Petite – small in French
• Peu – little in French
• Piccola/Piccolo – small in Italian
• Pieni – small in Finnish

Ironic Small Dog Names 

There’s a certain humor in giving your small dog a large, ferocious name. How funny is a 10-lb dog named Hulk?

This will certainly provide a few laughs with the wonderful irony. So if you’re in the mood for giving your small dog a funny, ironic name, these ideas are pretty great.

• Biggie
• Boss
• Butch
• Caesar
• Chief
• Cujo
• Diesel
• Fang
• Goliath
• Harley
• Hercules
• Hulk
• Hunter
• Jumbo
• Killa
• Macho
• Mack
• Mammoth
• Maximus
• Moose
• Rambo
• Rebel
• Rex
• Rocky
• Rogue
• Sable
• Sarge
• Spike
• Tank
• Tankerbell
• Thor
• Tiger
• Xena
• Whopper
• Zeus

Tiny Dog Names Inspired by Color

As you hunt for small dog names, another place of inspiration is your pup’s coloring.

Their unique coat color can provide name ideas that are perfectly suited to your pup.

A tiny dog would be lucky to have one of these cool names!

White Dog Names

• Boo
• Casper
• Marshmallow
• Bianco/Bianca – white in Italian
• Pearl
• Powder
• Polar
• Ghost
• Bones
• January
• Frosty
• Dove
• Ivory
• Gardenia
• Cotton
• Snowy
• Sugar
• Snowball
• Blizzard
• Winter
• Ice

Discover more white dog names.

Black Dog Names

• Cinder
• Inky
• Zorro
• Ember
• Smokey
• Midnight
• Nero – black in Italian
• Olive
• Preta/Preto – black in Portuguese
• Shadow
• Black Jack
• Coal
• Raven
• Onyx
• Pepper
• Espresso
• Poe – Edgar Allen Poe
• Stormy
• Shady
• Ash
• Jet
• Ebony
• Noir – black in French

Discover more black dog names.

Black and White Dog Names

• Checkers
• Perdita
• Pongo
• Ying Yang
• Snoopy
• Dice
• Pepe Le Pew
• Cruella
• Puffin
• Cookie
• Jeeves
• Peppermint Patty
• Tux
• Chess
• Domino
• Charlie Chaplin
• Oreo
• Spade

Discover more black and white dog names.

Brown and Tan Dog Names

• Fawn
• Blondie
• Reese
• Heath
• Butterscotch
• Rolo
• Godiva
• Nutella
• Mocha
• Terra
• Brownie
• Sandy
• Hershey
• Tanner
• Bambi
• Chip
• Ginger
• Guiness
• Cashew
• Porter
• Bean
• Marron
• Sahara
• Cadbury
• Charlie Brown
• Tootsie
• Almond
• Sesame
• Peanut Butter
• Maple
• Woody
• Coco
• Prairie
• Moose
• Raisin
• Chewbacca
• Teddy
• Sienna

Discover more brown dog names.

Red and Golden Dog Names

• Penny
• Sepia
• Tiger
• Scarlet
• Clementine
• Autumn
• Tabasco
• Fox
• Summer
• Valentine
• Sunny
• Poppy
• Sienna
• Ambrosia
• Rose
• Hazel
• Rusty
• Saffron
• Peaches
• Goldy
• Ruby
• Terra
• Red
• Cayenne
• Honey
• Amber
• Cheddar
• Copper
• Brandy

Discover more red dog names.

Fluffy Dog Names

Many small dogs sport fluffy coats, and this provides excellent inspiration for small dog names.

These names reflect the soft and silky nature of your four-legged friend’s fur and are perfect for a tiny dog.

• Furball
• Yeti
• Fluffy
• Cozy
• Cloud
• Nimbus
• Feathers
• Fuzzy
• Whiskers
• Ringlet
• Woolly
• Snuggles
• Lus
• Scruffy
• Cashmere
• Puffy
• Furbaby
• Shaggy
• Pom
• Hairy / Harry
• Furby
• Ruffles
• Fuzz
• Flo
• Fleecy
• Fuzzy Wuzzy
• Cotton
• Fozzie
• Cirrus
• Curly
• Silky

Discover more fluffy dog names for your tiny dog.

Final Thoughts: Names for Small Dogs

Choosing the perfect name for your pup is a process. For some, the right name comes instantly. But for most others, it’s a matter of rounding up lots of ideas and narrowing it down to the right one.

What do you do with so many names for small dogs?

To start, write down any name that sparks your interest for your tiny dog. Don’t think too hard about it.

With over 375+ ideas on this list, you’re sure to find at least a few you like!

Next, narrow it down to just the names you really like.

And finally, try it out with your new dog. When you’ve found the right name, you’ll know it in your gut!

More Small Dog Names

Looking for even more awesome name ideas? Head over to our online generator and find lots of additional options.

The handy tool lets you select your favorite styles and then generates options tailored to you. For example, are you looking for a cute and classic name? Or a sporty and tough name that’s also elegant?

The options are endless!

You can even pick your favorite themes, like dog names inspired by music, movies, TV shows, history and so much more.

Also, we have naming guides tailored to small dog breeds that may be helpful:

• French Bulldog names
• Shih Tzu names
• Dachshund names
• Poodle names
• Boston Terrier names
• Pomeranian names
• Corgi names
• Yorkie names
• Chihuahua names
• Maltese names
• Pug names

How Do You Pick the Right Name?

Finding the right name for your dog can seem like a daunting process. By following this three-step checklist, however, you’ll narrow down your options in no time.

Step 1: Create a List

To start, look for inspiration. When you see name you like, add it to a list. Don’t overthink it – just write down anything that sounds interesting.

After you do this, it’s time to evaluate the ideas. Read through the list name-by-name and take off the ones that you’re iffy about.

Step 2: Evaluate

The next step is to evaluate each name. Say the name out loud and see if it’s easy to pronounce. Also, can you imagine calling loudly for your dog with this name?

Additionally, see if the name is right for your individual dog. Does it fit both their appearance and personality?

Step 3: Finalize

At this stage, you’ll likely have 3-5 names you like. Take note of your gut reaction to each name. Do any stand out?

It’s also good to run the ideas by others in the household and make sure everyone is on board with the name.

5 Easy Steps to Teach a Dog Their Name

After you’ve found the right name, you’re going to need to teach it to your dog. Follow these five steps and they’ll know their name in no time!

1. Grab a handful of small treats and go to an area that’s quiet and calm.
2. Say your dog’s name. Use a clear voice that’s positive and encouraging.
3. When they look at you, say “yes” and dole out a treat. This signals that they’re taking the right action.
4. Wait until they look away, then do this over again. Repeat the process 3-5 times.
5. Repeat this activity several times a day until your dog fully understands their name.

Got Ideas for Small Dog Names? 

If you have ideas for small dog names, we’d love to hear them. Maybe it’s your own small dog or one that belongs to a family member or friend. Or it could just be a creative idea you’ve come across or just thought of now for a pint-sized pup.

We love hearing from our readers and use your ideas to keep our website fresh, informative and helpful. Sound off below with your ideas!

Jessi Larson

Jessi is a marketing strategist for Fortune 50 companies who loves to research and write about all things dog. She is the proud mom to Toby, a giant Labrador Retriever who thinks he’s a lapdog. He inspires her to be a better pet parent and to share advice with other dog owners.