I believe it was Shakespeare who once asked, “What’s in a dog name?”
Well, maybe that wasn’t the exact quote…but it is a question most aspiring dog owners ask themselves while they’re looking to add a new member to their pack.
And, unlike the process of naming a human, you have way more freedom to get creative with what your new pup will be called — you can even make it a funny name, if you feel so inclined. In fact, a humorous name lets both you and your dog show off your funny bones.
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If you want your new dog to be a splash hit with his doggy day care or dog-walking crews, check out this list of funny names that are perfect for goofy, fun-loving puppies.
Names With Clever Wordplay
These dog names take a hilarious spin on familiar names:
- Winnie the Poodle
This name is for a poodle who’s cuddly as a bear.
- Doggy Howlser M.D.
Paging Doctor Dog!
- Santa Paws
For the jolly holiday pup.
- Spark Pug
Doesn’t this suit a pug with an electric personality?
- Chew Barka
Can you play fetch with a lightsaber?
- Kareem Abdul Ja-Bark
The dog, the legend.
- Ozzy Pawsborne
Give this one to a rockin’ cool pup.
- Prince of Barkness
Good for a yippee yelper.
- Orville Redenbarker
A poppin’ fun name.
- Mary Puppins
Yes, a spoonful of funny helps the medicine go down!
- Droolius Caesar
Et tu, doggy?
- The Notorious D.O.G.
How about this for a notoriously funny name?
- Fur-dinand
A regal name for a bullish fur ball.
- Woofgang Amadeus
Try this one for your classically trained pooch.
- Sarah Jessica Barker
This name is both stylish and hilarious.
- Bark Twain
A funny author plus a funny name equals a funny dog!
- Doc McDoggins
Laughter, and puppies, are the best medicine.
- Hairy Paw-ter
This magically funny name will charm everyone he meets.
- Sherlock Bones
No mystery here — it’s just silly!
- Salvador Dogi
For your arf-tistic pooch.
- Jimmy Chew
Though chewed shoes are never funny, the name is.
Traditional Names
Once commonplace, these too-familiar conventional dog names now seem funny and a little out-of-place:
- Spot
- Fido
- Socks
- Rusty
- Scooter
- Sparky
- Boo
- Squeakers
- Scrappy
- Rex
- Snuffles
Pop Culture Character Names
If you’re a fan of pop culture, some of your favourite characters could make for great and funny dog names, too:
- Frodo
Master Frodo could be the Lord of the Funny Dog Names.
- Yoda
A wise and witty dog, you will have.
- Elmo
Everyone loves a lovable, furry dog!
- Brutus
Just tell your pet sitter to watch her back.
- McGruff
This one takes a bite out of criminally funny names.
- Charlie Brown
Snoopy will be jealous of this clever spin.
- Mister Miyagi
Wag on. Wag off.
- Pumba
With this name, your dog becomes your comedic sidekick.
People Names
The funniest people names for dogs are either nerdy, old-fashioned or very “generic,” like these:
- Bob
- Rufus
- Bernadette
- Alfalfa
- Fergus
- Archie
- Oswald
- Pam
- Gary
- Harold
- Kevin
- Lloyd
- Barney
Big Names for Small Dogs
These names may not seem funny on their own, but when given to the right dog breed they are pure comedy.
- Cujo
His bark might be bigger than his bite, but he sure is cute.
- Thor
He wields the biggest hammer on four legs.
- Rambo
This time he’s fighting for his chew toy.
- Tank
Built for war, but made for cuddling.
- Shredder
Just hope he’s not shredding your shoes.
- Butterball
He may be little, but he’s no turkey.
- Terminator
He’ll be back — right after he fetches that tennis ball.
- T-Bone
This is the perfect name for the little bruiser who you just want to eat right up.
Small Names for Big Dogs
- Mittens
Even big paws get cold sometimes.
- Fluffy
Adding bows, ribbons, and a bejeweled collar really takes this name all the way home.
- Snowball
A name for all seasons, but it works especially well in winter.
- Tiny
It’s a funny nickname for tall people, and for tall dogs.
- Pee Wee
With this funny name you (and your dog) are headed for the big leagues.
- Slim
The bigger your dog, the funnier this is.
- Squirt
As long you’re not talking about a drool situation, this is hilarious.
- Peanut
It doesn’t get any nuttier than this.
- Twinkie
This is for a sweet dog (with or without the cream filling).
- Kitty
There is a picture of this dog next to the entry for “ironic” in the dictionary.
- Fuzzy
Try this one on a hairless breed for a double joke.
Food Names
Food names are funny. Plenty of dog owners, especially celebrities, like to name their pets after their favorite meals.
- Burrito
- Cheeseburger
- Meatball
- Beans
- Butters
- Waffles
- Chalupa
- Tater
- Cheeseball
- Noodles
- Oscar Mayer
- Nacho
Just Plain Silliness
Some pet owners like to get seriously silly coming up with names. These funny dog names are pretty out there, but they’re all hilarious because they are just wacky.
- Sir Waggington
- Woofer
- Doodle
- Sergeant Barkowitz
- Deputy Dawg
- Sir Barks-a-Lot
- Alfred von Wigglebottom
- Count Droolsbury
- Mister Fluffers
- Lucky Goodsniffer
- Otto Von Longdog
- Hotrod Woofington
- Putt Putt
- Professor Wagglesworth
- Miss Furbulous
- Barkley
- Captain Sniffer
No matter what name you pick, welcoming a new dog into your life is sure to bring you lots of joy and laughter for years to come.
Shahrzad Warkentin is a dog owner to a energetic and often hilarious rescue dog named Charlie. As a freelance writer, she has had several years of experience covering pet care and health.