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170+ Dog Names From Movies: Famous, Unique & Classic Ideas

Beth Crane

By Beth Crane

Dog Names From Movies

Picking out a name for a new dog can seem daunting, and there’s always a worry that the name you pick won’t suit them. Finding inspiration for names can come from an assortment of places, and the world of film is one of the richest sources of canine-naming inspiration. We’ve gathered 170 names for your dog inspired by movies, from cult classics to Disney treasures. There’s sure to be a name on this list for everyone!

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How To Choose the Best Movie Name for Your Dog

The best sources of inspiration when choosing a name from a movie are your favorite films. Think of movies you like; what are the lead actors’ names? What are the characters called? Is there a particular character you love? You can combine these factors with how your dog looks or acts; even movie titles (such as Donnie from Donnie Darko) can be helpful when figuring out a name.

You can also watch your pup and see how they behave for inspiration, such as if they are brave and self-important (Balto) or sweet and loyal (Hachi). The possibilities are endless, so list your favorite films (or get ideas here) and see which one suits your dog best.

akita dog standing outdoor
Photo Credit: FunFamilyRu, Shutterstock

Divider 2Best Dog Names From Movies

These 10 names are our picks of the best of the best. They’re classic dog names from major movie roles and are usually played by the best canine actors in the world.

  • Cujo (Cujo)
  • Hachi (Hachi: A Dog’s Tale)
  • Marley (Marley and Me)
  • Hooch (Turner and Hooch)
  • Lassie (Lassie)
  • Gromit (Wallace and Gromit)
  • Balto (Balto)
  • Beethoven (Beethoven)
  • Copper (Fox and the Hound)
  • Toto (Wizard of Oz)

Divider 2Classic Dog Names From Movies

There is no shortage of dogs in films these days, and there are plenty of canine names to choose from. This group of names pays homage to the most famous and classic dog names from the movies.

  • Pluto (Mickey Mouse)
  • Tramp (Lady and the Tramp)
  • Scooby-Doo (Scooby Doo)
  • Milo (The Mask)
  • Snowy (TinTin)
  • Shadow (Homeward Bound)
  • Petey (Little Rascals)
  • Rin Tin Tin (Adventures of Rin Tin Tin)
  • Zero (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
  • The Beast (The Sandlot)
  • Baxter (Anchorman)
  • Clifford (Big Red Dog)
  • Dug (Up)
  • Jip (Dr. Doolittle)
  • Bolt (Bolt)
  • Bruiser (Legally Blonde)
  • Fang (Harry Potter)
  • Perdita (101 Dalmatians)
  • Skip (My Dog Skip)
  • Slinky (Toy Story)
  • Pongo (101 Dalmatians)
  • Old Yeller (Old Yeller)
  • Wishbone (Wishbone)
  • Snoopy (Peanuts)
  • Fly (Babe)
  • Lady (Lady and the Tramp)
  • Nana (Peter Pan)
  • Max (The Grinch)
  • Samantha (I Am Legend)
  • Buddy (Air Bud)
  • Goofy (Mickey Mouse House)
  • Comet (Full house)
  • Benji (Benji)
  • Zero (Night Before Christmas)
  • Sirius (Harry Potter)
pug standing outside
Photo Credit: Katrinbechtel, Pixabay

Divider 2Male Dog Names From Movies

Finding a special name is key if you have a dog that’s the leading man in your life. Male characters in movies are often portrayed as strong, courageous, and daring (but some are the opposite), along with many character traits to choose from. With the amazing variety of male leads in films, finding a name for your boy dog based on movies is a walk in the park.

  • Ace (Ace Ventura)
  • Darth/Vader (Star Wars)
  • Yoda (Star Wars)
  • Ferris (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)
  • Neo (The Matrix)
  • Jack (Pirates of the Caribbean)
  • Optimus (Transformers)
  • Hannibal (Silence of the Lambs)
  • Inigo (The Princess Bride)
  • Groot (Avengers)
  • Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird)
  • Marty (Back to the Future)
  • Loki (Marvel Movies)
  • Han Solo (Star Wars)
  • Maximus (Gladiator)
  • Bane (Batman)
  • Rocky (Rocky)
  • Frodo (Lord of the Rings)
  • Axel (Beverly Hills Cops)
  • Jones (Indiana Jones)
  • Maximus (Gladiator)
  • Blade (Blade)
  • Casper (Casper the Friendly Ghost)
  • Bishop (Aliens)
  • Jacob (Twilight: New Moon)

Divider 2Female Dog Names From Movies

Like with male names, finding a female name from a film for your leading lady can all come down to who your pup resembles. Iconic female characters are often strong and determined, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many classic feminine names to choose from.

  • Juliette (Romeo and Juliette)
  • Dorothy (Wizard of Oz)
  • Rose (Titanic)
  • Elle (Legally Blonde)
  • Hermoine (Harry Potter)
  • Katniss (Hunger Games)
  • Regina (Mean Girls)
  • Buffy (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
  • Cher (Clueless)
  • Lois Lane (Superman)
  • Carrie (Carrie)
  • Trinity (The Matrix)
  • Thelma (Thelma and Louise)
  • Beatrix (Kill Bill)
  • Baby (Dirty Dancing)
  • Leia (Star Wars)
  • Juno (Juno)
  • Luna (Harry Potter)
  • Anastasia (Anastasia)
  • Neytiri (Avatar)
  • Chihiro (Spirited Away)
  • Bella (Twilight)
  • Mia (Pulp Fiction)
  • Ripley (Alien)
  • Wednesday (Wednesday)
  • Mary/Poppins (Mary Poppins)
  • Lyra (The Golden Compass)
  • Lara (Tomb Raider)
  • Tiffany (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
  • Rey (Star Wars)
male and female maltese dogs
Photo Credit: Madeeva_11, Shutterstock

Divider 2Unique Dog Names Based on Movies

If you’re looking for something outside the box, but you’re set on naming your dog after movies, a unique name from this list might fit. Names that are not often heard but that suit quirky dogs perfectly can be based on characters in the films or the names of the movies themselves. Look and see if any of these strange but oddly charming names catch your eye.

  • Strangelove (Dr. Strangelove)
  • Paris (From Paris With Love)
  • Forrest (Forest Gump)
  • Kane (Citizen Kane)
  • Chucky (Childs Play)
  • Hannibal (Hannibal)
  • Paddington (Paddington)
  • Amelie (Amelie)
  • Donnie (Donnie Darko)
  • Ramona (Scott Pilgrim vs The World)
  • Logan (Logan)
  • Bateman (American Psycho)
  • Babydoll (Sucker Punch)
  • Peeta (Hunger Games)
  • Sherlock (Sherlock Holmes)
  • Truman (Tuman Show)
  • Django (Django Unchained)
  • Pan (Pan’s Labyrinth)
  • Haku (Spirited Away)
  • Frodo (Lord of the Rings)

Divider 2Dog Names Based on Disney Movies

This is the longest part of our list, and we’re sure we don’t have to tell you why! Disney has created so many marvelous characters that it’s difficult to sift through them. We’ve brought you the best Disney movie names for dogs that can be paired with any type of pup; from the tiny Chihuahua to the Great Dane, Disney has a stellar name for everyone.

  • Hercules (Hercules)
  • Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)
  • Ramone (Cars)
  • Anna (Frozen)
  • Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
  • Nala (The Lion King)
  • Maui (Moana)
  • Lightning (Cars)
  • Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)
  • Baloo (The Jungle Book)
  • Winnie (Winnie the Pooh)
  • Doc (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  • Mushu (Mulan)
  • Tigger (Winnie the Pooh)
  • Fergus (Brave)
  • Roo (Winne the Pooh)
  • Sully (Monsters Inc)
  • Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
  • Anna (Frozen)
  • Baymax (Big Hero 6)
  • Jasmine (Aladdin)
  • Flower (Bambi)
  • Timon (The Lion King)
  • Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
  • Flynn (Tangled)
  • Meg (Hercules)
  • Bambi (Bambi)
  • Jack (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
  • Pumbaa (The Lion King)
  • Merida (Brave)
  • Nemo (Finding Nemo)
  • Geppetto (Pinocchio)
  • Tinkerbell (Peter Pan)
  • Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)
  • Wall-E/Wally (Wall-E)
  • Ralph/Ralf (Wreck-It Ralph)
  • Mowgli (The Jungle Book)
  • Simba (The Lion King)
  • Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)
  • Remy (Ratatouille)

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Final Thoughts

We hope you had just as much fun shortlisting names from this list as we had writing it! Names can seem more complex than they truly are, so make a note of the ones you like and take a breather to watch your dog. Look at how they interact with the world, their individual quirks, and any physical features you love. These points will guide you to finding a name that you and your dog will love and hopefully serve them well throughout their life.

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Featured Image Credit: Javier Brosch, Shutterstock

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