160 Best Southern Dog Names For Our Loyal Companions

Dog Naming Tips

When Do Dogs Stop Growing? — Ron Levine/Getty Images

There's a common misconception that in the South, our dogs ride around in the backs of trucks and always have a dead duck in their mouths. In truth, we treat our dogs a lot like Ouiser treats Rhett in Steel Magnolias—we take them everywhere no matter their size or temperament. They've become best friends. They wait in the car while we run errands. We take them on walks to the park. They sleep beside us.

If you're going to spend this much time with any living being, then you best love the name that you choose for them and understand the method that goes into dog naming. It needs to be a dog name you like saying over and over and that is suitable for your dog's personality.

The dog's name combined with commands should be easy for it to understand. Short, clear names with one to two syllables also work better than lengthy names. For example, getting out a name like Genevieve in a hurry over and over will get old, but you can shorten Genevieve to Genny if you're dead set on the elaborate name. Names also shouldn’t sound similar to commands for your pet. Avoid names that rhyme with sit or stay, for example. If you're adopting a dog (good for you!) and want to rename the dog, you should try to keep the new name as similar to the old one as possible—e.g., you should rename an old Shelly into a Shelby.

Before you start naming your puppy, take a look at these most popular Southern dog names to see if any of them are a good fit.

02 of 12

A-C Dog Names

Jane Schwab porch with Beagle — Laurey W. Glenn

Addy: Noble
Amelia: Diligent, hardworking, industrious
Annabel: Lovable
Annie: Grace, favor, beautiful
Astro: Related to the stars
Atlanta: Fast-footed maiden
Bacon: Back; salted, smoked meat from the back and sides of a pig
Bailey: Governor; outermost wall of a castle
Bandit: An outlaw or robber
Barry: Spear
Basil: Kingly, royal
Beanie: Girl
Beaufort: Beautiful fort; city in South Carolina
Bennet: Blessed herb
Benny: Blessed; short for Benjamin
Birdie: Small bird
Biscuit: A roll-like quick-bread; cookie
Boomer: Loud, notable
Boudreaux: Farmer
Bourbon: Whiskey made in the U.S. mainly from corn
Bruiser: Strong, tough, husky
Buddy: Friend
Butter: Yellow, smooth fat from churned cream
Captain: Chief, leader, commander; important military officer
Charlie: Free man; army warrior
Charlotte: Petite; feminine
Chewie: A dog who chews; nickname for the Star Wars Wookiee
Clementine: Gentle; citrus fruit
Cocoa: Chocolate bean
Cody: Helpful
Colonel: Title of respect for distinguished, elderly man; honorary title; high-ranking military officer
Cookie: Cook
Cooper: Barrel maker
Cricket: Creak, rattle, cackle; staff, stick

03 of 12

D-H Dog Names

poodle in halloween costume — Robbie Caponetto

Daisy: Day's eye; a white and yellow wildflower
Dallas: Meadow, valley; house
Daphne: Laurel
Dawson: Form of David; beloved
Delta: Island; letter in Greek alphabet
Dolly: God's gift; sorrows; word for doll
Dottie: God’s gift
Eli: Ascension; my God
Elly: My God is an oath
Eloise: Healthy and wide
Elvis: All wise
Emma: Whole, universal
Faulkner: Falconer
Foxy: Crafty, sly, clever
Gabby: God is my strength; gymnast Gabby Douglas
Gatsby: Left-handed; God; character surname in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
George: Farmer; tiller of the soil
Georgia: Farmer; agriculture
Ginger: Ginger root; red-haired person; maid, virgin
Goofy: Silly; friend to Mickey Mouse
Gracie: Divine grace
Grady: Noble
Gravy: Sauce made from thickened pan drippings
Gumbo: A soup from Louisiana sometimes thickened with okra. The West African word for okra is ki ngombo.
Gunner: Warrior
Hannah: Favor, grace
Harley: Meadow in the woods
Harry: Home; form of Henry
Harper Lee: Harp player; Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Hazel: Hazelnut tree
Henry: Home ruler
Honey: Nectar, sweet
Hudson: Son of Hudde
Hugo: Mind, spirit
Hunter: One who hunts or pursues

04 of 12

J-P Dog Names

two golden retrievers in baby pool — Scott Suchman

Jackson: Son of Jack
Jagger: One who cuts; singer Mick Jagger
Johnny: God is gracious
Khaki: A strong fabric in a beige color, often used in military uniforms
Kiki: Nickname for many "K" names
Lady: Head of household; noble
Lassie: Little girl; loyal star of the TV show Lassie
Laverne: Of Spring; alder
Lela: Night
Leroy: The king
Lexie: Protector, defender
Lily: Lily flower; pure; innocence
Lola: Sorrows
Lucy: Of light
Luna: Moon
Madison: Son of Maude
Maggie: Pearl
Magnolia: White blooms from the flowering tree, named for French botanist Pierre Magnol
Maisie: Pearl
Major: Council spear
Maple: Maple tree
Marley: Seaside meadow
Milo: Dear, beloved
Missy: Bee; short for Melissa
Memphis: Enduring beauty
Millie: Gentle strength; strong in work
Mollie: Beloved; rebelliousness; wished for child
Moses: Son; draw out
Myrtle: Nickname from an evergreen, flowering shrub Myrtus
Nellie: Shining light
Nugget: Small
Olive: Green; olive tree
Opal: Gem; precious one
Oliver: Olive tree
Oscar: Friend of deer
Otis: Wealthy
Parker: Keeper of the park; park keeper
Peaches: Persian apple
Penny: Flower; bobbin; short for Penelope
Pepper: Spice made from peppercorns, dried berries from the black pepper plant
Percy: Hero; slayer of monsters
Pickles: Pickled cucumber
Piper: One who plays the flute or pipe
Poppy: Red flower
Princess: Royal daughter
Popcorn: Snack made from heated, popped corn kernels
Pumpkin: Large squash