What should I name my dog? Finding your tailmate’s name

Dog names are funny things. Sometimes, we’ll know what to name our pup straight away. At other times, it’s difficult to pin a name down.

Much like humans, names are very personal for our dogs, and when you care for your tailmate, you want to choose one that’s just the right fit. Thankfully, if you’re stuck, we’re here to help!

Here, we discuss how to name your dog, the science behind “good” dog names, and calm some of your naming concerns.

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Quick start: How to choose a dog name today

If you’re in a rush, here’s how to find a name quickly for your pup:

• Avoid crossover with common commands: You don’t typically want a name that crosses over with commands like “sit” or “stay,” especially when you’re training your pup.

• Crispness beats complexity: Crisp, clear names with sharp consonants and vowel endings beat long, complex ones, especially as your dog is developing.

• Find a “personality match”: Spend a few days observing your puppy’s (or your dog’s if you’ve adopted an older one) personality. You’ll typically find a better fit if you do that.

• Shout it out loud: If you’re unsure if a name fits, try shouting it out loud and putting it out there. You’ll be surprised at the findings, as a name that “fits” in your head can sound off out loud. It allows you to test how easy the name is to say, too.

• Think long-term: Don’t pick a name that only suits a dog as a puppy. You need to think long-term with it. Will this name match them when they’re older?

• Use the two-syllable rule: Dogs are very intelligent creatures, but even then, keeping names to one or two syllables is best for training and recall.

The science of canine cognition: why names matter

While there is a lot of good naming advice out there based on experience, we actually have science-backed research that gives us pet parents expert tips.

To condense the advice, researchers say:

• A distinct name is essential for dogs as it acts like a “verbal beacon” that cuts through all the noise.

• Dogs are very good at detecting vowel sounds, but struggle with differences in consonants - for example, they’ll struggle to find the difference between “Hog” and Dog”. It’s why ending a name in vowel sounds is better.

• Canines are very sensitive to dog-directed speech (DDS), which, in reality, is that high-pitched “baby talk” some pet parents use. Dogs typically pay more attention to this, especially if you use it consistently. It’s also why ending in an upward inflection gets more attention.

• Sharp consonants work best, like P, K, T, B, D, Ch. These act like a “clicker” and guarantee clarity, so names with a sharp start and a vowel ending, like “Koda”, work really well. Soft names can still work, but harder consonants work faster.

What the studies actually say

1. The "Cocktail Party Effect" (University of Maryland)

The findings: This 2019 study, which was replicated in 2024, proved that dogs possess what’s known as a “Cocktail Party Effect”. Basically, picture yourself at a loud party. Despite all the noise, you’re able to filter it out to focus on a specific conversation. Or, amongst the noise, you can hear somebody mention your name. Dogs have this same neurological ability.

The science: Researchers found that dogs can identify their name even when it is played at the same volume as distracting background noise.

Why it matters: Dogs don’t just “hear” noise. They can identify their name even amongst background noise, and they’re wired to take their names seriously.

2. The Phonetic Detail Gap (Eötvös Loránd University)

The findings: This 2020 study found that dogs have limited mental readiness for recognising the details in language. The study looked at dogs and had them listen to familiar instruction words and phonetically similar and dissimilar nonsense words to see if they knew the difference.

The science: The study showed that a dog’s brain reacted identically to their actual name and "nonsense" words that sound similar to the dog’s name. For example, if a dog’s name is “Blue”, they may react to a word like “Shoe”.

Why it matters: It also proved that dogs knew the difference between words, but things got muddy when looking at words that sounded similiar. It’s why it’s important to pick a distinct name and one that doesn’t sound too similar to a common command.

3. Dog-Directed Speech & Neural Sensitivity

The findings: These 2025 studies found that dogs pay more attention when said in a higher pitch.

The science: During the study, researchers used brain scans to show that auditory regions of a dog’s brain were specifically tuned to notice higher pitches, like a pet parent’s “baby talk”.

Why it matters: Assuming your dog’s name ends with a strong vowel sound (like “EE”), exaggerating it a little can grab more attention.

How to name your dog: a step-by-step process

So, you’re parenting a new dog or puppy, and you need to know how to name them. Here’s how:

Wait for their personality to show

Early on, it’s very hard to pick a name as we aren’t sure who our tailmates really are yet. It’s completely fine to wait a few days and see what your dog’s about. Usually, the right name just “pops up” with time.

Ask family and friends

If you’re really struggling, ask family and friends what name they think your dog should have. It’ll help you whittle down the names you like and dislike.

Try the sound test

Say or shout the name out loud. Sometimes, a name sounds good or wrong in our head, but then saying it out loud has the opposite effect.

Personality beats sound

When in doubt, pick a name that matches your pet’s personality moreso than one you like the sound of.

Use visual cues

There’s nothing wrong with using visual cues to name your dog. For example, if your dog has a spotted coat, then “Spot” can work, while a ginger dog suits a name like “Red” or “Ginger”.

When in doubt, keep it simple

If you’re honestly stuck, just keep it simple. One or two syllables and something that doesn’t sound like a common command. Your relationship with your tailmate is more important than their name anyway, and with time, any name will feel like home for your dog.

How to filter out dog names that match your pet’s personality

Now, we’ve mentioned using your dog’s personality to find a name a few times in this article. But how do you find names that “fit” that personality type once you know it?

Here’s a quick comparison table for different pet personality types, some names which match them, why they work and some examples:

Need name inspiration? We’ve got you

• The Best Goldendoodle Names

• Top Dog Names for Chihuahuas

• Best Autumn-Inspired Dog Names

• Most Popular Pet Names

What to avoid when naming your dog

Typically, good dog names aren’t:

• Similar-sounding to common commands, like “sit” or “stay”.

• Like other names in your household, which causes confusion.

• Overly long or complex.

• Impersonal or generic.

But your tailmate’s name is, well, their name, and it’s up to you to find one that fits. So, if you really want to give them a long name, or choose something outside-of-the-box, that’s up to you - we’re not here to tell you it’s “wrong”.

This is just some general advice that works for most dogs, but don’t let it limit you. We're sure whatever you choose, it'll fit your tailmate well.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I rename an adult rescue dog?

Yes. It takes some time, but you can change a dog’s name. Our article on changing a dog’s name can help here.

Should my two dogs have similar-sounding names?

No. As mentioned, dogs struggle to differentiate between similar-sounding words, so this would just cause confusion.

How do I pick a unique name that isn't a 'top 10' name?

Like humans, pet names can grow in popularity, leading to “name exhaustion”. If you want your dog to have a unique name, you can try slightly modifying a popular name or just waiting longer to come up with something different. We wouldn’t worry too much about having a common name if it fits your dog, though.

Is it okay to give my dog a 'human' name like Dave or Gary?

Of course. We happen to think giving a pet a “middle-aged man name” is hilarious. If it fits, it fits!

What if my partner and I can't agree on a name?

It’s about compromise here. You can try shortlisting a few names each, and trial saying those names out loud to see which “fits” best.

How long does it take for a dog to learn its new name?

It takes a few weeks for your puppy or dog to learn their name with positive reinforcement training. Don’t panic too much if they aren’t responding early on.