Having a pet dog is truly one of life’s most rewarding experiences. They can learn fun tricks, guard your home, and are a source of unconditional love and unending affection.
But before the unique bond between you and your pupper can grow, you need to name your new fur-baby. And if it so happens that your pup is a girl (or heck, even if it’s a boy and you’re simply looking for a feminine name) you’re in luck! Here’s the ultimate guide to naming your female dog – including tips, celebrity-inspired names, and the top twenty best female puppy names.
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Tips for choosing a dog name
Choosing a name for your new companion can be trickier than it seems. Do you want a cute name than inspires cuddles? Or a classic name that elegant and dignified? You can also go the funny and unique route, making your pup’s name stand out at the dog park! While going for any of these categories is completely up to you, here are a few tips to help you pick from the countless girl dog names out there – regardless if they’re classy, cutesy, or downright silly!
1. Make sure it’s a name your kids can say
You can bet that your new furry addition to the family will be loved by every member of the household. More often than not though, it’s the little tykes that will be bonding with them the most. So whether your pet is a boy or a girl, puppy names should be easy to pronounce.
2. Keep it short – but not too short!
Even with humans, people tend to be drawn to using shorter names. It’s just easier! So while you can go ahead and give your dog a “full” name like Madame Jellybeans, do yourself a favour and let her go by “Jelly” on a day-to-day basis. However, while short names are good, try to also avoid one syllable names that dogs who are being trained can confuse for your standard commands such as “shake”, “sit”, or “fetch.”
3. Stay family friendly
Let’s say that you’re planning on a bit of a silly vibe for your new dog’s name. Perhaps you even found a name that you find hilarious, if only just a bit inappropriate. Our advice? Tread lightly. These names might be funny at first, but think of how it’ll pan out in the long run. Giving your dog an off-colour name isn’t just an inside joke – your family and friends will be using it, you’ll have to use it when taking your dog out in public, and children might hear it as well!
4. Explore all your options
Gone are the days of dogs named Spot, Brownie, and Spike – think of human names, food names, favourite celebrities, we can go on and on. The fun thing about naming a dog is that unlike naming humans, you can really think outside of the box!
5. Let your dog’s personality inspire you
While it’s tempting to name your new pup right away, there’s no harm in taking your time and waiting for your dog’s personality to shine! You’ll be amazed by how your new pet’s charm and attitude can truly inspire your decision.
Famous dog names
If humans can be named after famous humans, what’s stopping dogs from being named after other famous dogs? If you want your fur baby to be in good company, consider getting inspired by these celebrity pooches.
1. Norman and Bambi (Kylie Jenner)
Kylie Jenner’s two dapper Italian Greyhounds are a beloved part of the huge Jenner clan. In fact, they’re just two of ten pets!
2. Miss Asia (Lady Gaga)
Mother Monster’s black Frenchie is just as photogenic as her! Miss Asia has joined Lady Gaga on the red carpet as well as a number of photoshoots, including the cover of a magazine.
3. Esmeralda (Anne Hathaway)
Even A-list celebrities like Anne can’t resist wet doggy kisses! And looks like Anne followed our advice about dog names as well – she lovingly calls her chocolate Labrador by the nickname ‘Esme’ instead!
4. Bert and Bernice (Chelsea Handler)
One look at these two Chow mixes and our hearts melted. Chelsea’s adopted rescues are clearly the love of her life, often making appearances on her Instagram and other social media photos.
5. Puddy and Pippa (Chrissy Teigen and John Legend)
The Legends’ late Bulldog Puddy was actually John’s gift to Chrissy when they first started dating. While the passing of the beloved pet was heartbreaking, Puddy is survived by his wife, Pippa.
Top 20 best female dog names
There are a lot of good girl dog names out there and the choices can get overwhelming! The good news is that we’ve whittled it down to our top twenty female names for your new pup:
20. Ellie
19. Chloe
18. Maggie
17. Charlie
16. Macy
15. Ruby
14. Harley
13. Penny
12. Sydney
11. Stella
10. Lily
9. Luna
8. Sadie
7. Lola
6. Angel
5. Molly
4. Bailey
3. Daisy
2. Lucy
1. Bella
Naming your new pooch can be a big decision to make. But thankfully it’s hard to go wrong as long as you’re coming from a place of love for your dog. No matter what you name your new pup, we hope you have the greatest time with your goodest of girls!
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