Did you know that out of the 197 dog breeds that are recognized by the American Kennel Association, 69 breeds come in either all black or partial black coats?
Also at the time of this writing there were 11,000 dogs with black coats looking for a home on Petfinder.com?
That is a lot of black dogs
As you can image black dogs are fairly common.
Chances are if you are here you have a puppy with a black coat too.
But even though black dogs are common that does not mean you need to give your puppy a common name.
Here we have 450 black dog names to help you find the perfect name for your puppy.
Dog Breeds With a Full or Partial Black Coat
In case you are wondering what those black dog breeds are here is a list.
| Dog Breed | Dog Breed |
| Affenpinscher | Labrador Retriever |
| Afghan Hound | Lancashire Heeler |
| Appenzeller Sennenhund | Lhasa Apso |
| Bearded Collie | Manchester Terrier |
| Beauceron | Mountain Cur |
| Belgian Sheepdog | Mudi |
| Black and Tan Coonhound | Newfoundland |
| Black Russian Terrier | Norwich Terriers |
| Bohemian Sheperd | Otterhound |
| Borzoi | Plott Hound |
| Border Collie | The Pointer |
| Boston Terrier | Polish Lowland Sheepdog |
| Bouvier des Flandres | Poodle |
| Briard | Portuguese Sheepdog |
| Brussels Griffon | Portuguese Water Dog |
| Cane Corso | Puli |
| Cesky Terrier | Pumi |
| Cocker Spaniel | Rat Terrier |
| Croatian Sheepdog | Rottweiler |
| Curly-Coated Retriever | Schipperke |
| Dachshund | Scottish Terrier |
| Doberman Pinscher | Shikoku |
| Dutch Shepherd | Siberian Husky |
| English Springer Spaniel | Skye Terrier |
| Entlebucher Mountain Dog | Slovensky Kopov |
| Finnish Lapphund | Stabyhouns |
| Flated Costed Retriever | Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| Giant Schnauzer | Swedish Lapphund |
| Gordon Setter | Taiwan Dog |
| Great Dane | Thai Ridgeback |
| Greater Swiss Mountain Dog | Tibetan Mastiff |
| Hoawart | Tibetan Terrier |
| Jagdterrier | Transylvanian Hound |
| Karelian Bear Dog | Wetterhoun |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | Working Kelpie |
Why are so many dogs black?
You may be wondering why there so many black dogs. It has to do with genetics of course. According to Dog Genetics UK, black is the default eumelanin color in dogs. In other words, black is the dominant color if the dog doesn’t have the genes for liver or dilution.
Since this is a post about names not genetics I won’t go any further but you can learn more at Dog Genetics UK.
Deciding On a Name
When deciding on a name for your new pup, there are 7 guidelines you should follow. We already mentioned the first one:
- Try to choose a unique name. You don’t want to be 1 of the three or four other dogs named Blacky in the dog park.
- Pick a name that you are comfortable saying in public. What might seem funny in private might not go over well in public.
- Beware of the Black Dog Syndrome. This is when people view black dogs as being more aggressive. Because of this you want to carefully pick a name for your dog that will not further influence people to think that your dog is dangerous. Unless that is what you want to do.
- Choose a name that is easy to say. You will be saying it a lot over the next 10 to 15 years.
- Don’t choose a name that can be mistaken for another word. (Example: Jo that sounds like no)
- Choose a name with one or two syllables. Dogs can recognize shorter words easier. If you do choose a longer name consider using a nick name for everyday use.
- Plan for the future. Not all black coated puppies will stay black. Poodles and some other breeds are known to fade to gray or silver as they mature.
Names for Black Dogs
Animal Names for Black Dogs
Black is a common color in nature which makes it a great place to start looking for names for your pup. The below list consists of names of both black colored birds and animals. If you have a black and white dog, magpie can be a fun and unusual name.
| Ani | Bird |
| Bat | Animal |
| Bear | Animal |
| Cheetah | Animal |
| Coot | Bird |
| Crow | Bird |
| Grackle | Bird |
| Falcon | Bird |
| Jaguar | Animal |
| Kite | Bird |
| Magpie | Bird |
| Momba | Animal |
| Myna | Bird |
| Noddy | Bird |
| Orka | Animal |
| Panda | Animal |
| Panther | Animal |
| Raven | Animal |
| Rook | Bird |
| Rooster | Bird |
| Seal | Animal |
| Shamu | Animal |
| Snake | Animal |
| Stallion | Animal |
| Starling | Animal |
| Swan | Bird |
| Swift | Bird |
| Vulture | Bird |
| Whale | Animal |
| Zebra | Animal |
Nature Inspired Dog Names
Our next list is also inspired by nature. But the items on this list are not living. My favorites from this list are Pearl (as in the Black Pearl) and Pitch (as in Pitch black.) If you have a black and white dog
| Agate |
| Ash |
| Asphalt |
| Carbon |
| Castiron |
| Char |
| Cinder |
| Coal |
| Dark |
| Diamond |
| Dirt |
| Dusk |
| Dust |
| Ebony |
| Echo |
| Eclipse |
| Electric |
| Ember |
| Flash |
| Flint |
| Fog |
| Foggy |
| Graphite |
| Hole |
| Indigo |
| Ink |
| Inky |
| Iron |
| Jet |
| Lava |
| Lead |
| Lightning |
| Luna |
| Magma |
| Metal |
| Metallica |
| Mica |
| Midnight |
| Mildew |
| Miner |
| Mink |
| Mist (Misty) |
| Mountain |
| Mud |
| Muddy |
| Night |
| Nightfall |
| Nightshade |
| Nocturne |
| Nova |
| Obsidian |
| Oil |
| Onyx |
| Ore |
| Orion |
| Pearl |
| Pit |
| Pitch |
| Puma |
| Satin |
| Shade |
| Shadow |
| Shady |
| Skye |
| Slag |
| Slate |
| Soil |
| Soot |
| Sooty |
| Steam |
| Stone |
| Storm |
| Stormy |
| Tar |
| Thunder |
| Twilight |
| Velvet |
| Witch |
For more nature inspired dog names check out our full list of Flower Names For Dogs: Plus Nature Inspired Dog Names
Dog Names From Our Cultures
Our cultures are what define us. It’s the characteristics and knowledge that brings us together but also helps up stand apart. It is also a great way to find unique names for our dog.
The list below is a start, but I suggest that you look deep into your own culture to look for a name that will stand out.
Food Related Dog Names
We first start our list of cultural names with common foods and food related words. Names like Cocoa and Truffles make cute unique names for small dogs.
| Anise |
| Berry |
| Bosco |
| Bourbon |
| Butler |
| Cadbury |
| Caviar |
| Chocolate |
| Chow |
| Coca |
| Coco |
| Cocoa |
| Coke |
| Cola |
| Espresso |
| Forge |
| Fudge (ie) |
| Godiva |
| Grit |
| Guinness |
| Hershey |
| Kettle |
| Licorice |
| Liquorice |
| Meatball |
| Oreo |
| Pepper |
| Pepsi |
| Roast |
| Rum |
| Smelt |
| Smoke |
| Truffles |
| Whiskey |
Black Dog Names Based on Culture
This list consists of words and names from other cultures that mean black or darkness. To make it easier for you to choose we have included the words meaning. We also threw in a couple of ancient gods into the mix.
| Adrian | Black in Latin |
| Adrien | French for Dark |
| Aka | Black in Uzbek |
| Azur | Meaning black in Egyptian |
| Bellinar | French for Beautiful and dark person |
| Bisman | Indian Black; Dark Blue |
| Choccy | Australian for Chocolate |
| Corbin | Meaning Raven in French |
| Dee | Dark in Welsh |
| Donelle | Elfin Girl who has Dark haired |
| Duff | Gaelic for dark |
| Fia | Dark in Gaelic |
| Hera | Goddess |
| Hercules | |
| Jetta | Jet Black in Latin |
| Keira | Celtic meaning Little Dark-haired Woman |
| Kuro | Japanese |
| Marli | Black Swan (Noongar) – Name |
| Melanie | Greek French for blackness |
| Musta | Black in Finnish |
| Nisha | Night in Sanskrit |
| Noche | Night in Spanish |
| Noir | Black in French |
| Noire | Black in French |
| Nuit | The Egyptian goddess of the Night Sky |
| Oso | Meaning Bear in Spanish |
| Preta | Black in Portuguese (F) |
| Preto | Black in Portuguese (M) |
| Revna | Norse – Raven |
| Schwarz | Black in German |
| Sheba | African Queen |
| Svart | Norwegian |
| Swart | Black in Afrikaans |
| Teina | Black in Maori |
| Thor | |
| Titan | |
| Xena | Warrior princess |
| Zeus |
Looking for a name for your large dog? Check out our list of Big Dog Names: 300+ Names From the Classic to the Unique
Pop Culture
Naming your dog based on pop culture can be a fun way to find a unique name. My favorite is Chaplin, as in Charlie Chaplin. Who was the lovable character from the days of black and white films.
| Batman |
| Black Beauty |
| Black Magic (nickname Magic) |
| Bolt |
| Chaplin (as in Charlie Chaplin, king of the black and white movies) |
| Darth Vader |
| Godzilla |
| Hulk |
| King Kong |
| Micky |
| Nana |
| Nemesis |
| Night Rider |
| Pango |
| Poisedon |
For more culturally inspired dog names check out our posts on; Norse Dog Names: Viking Names for Your Dog; Australian Dog Names: 200 Dog Names to Choose From; French Dog Names; 550 British Dog Names: You Will Want to Use and Scottish Dog Names: 500 Names to Choose From
Black Dog Names From Games
Common games can also make a fun name for your dog.
| Blackjack | Games |
| Checker | Games |
| Chess | Games |
| Dice | Games |
| Domino | Games |
| Eight Ball | Games |
| Pawn | Games |
| Spade | Games |
Unique Dog Names for Black Dogs
If you are looking for something a bit more unique for your dog, try one of these names.
| Angst |
| Arrow |
| Atticus |
| Black Widow |
| Blackfoot |
| Blackout |
| Bootleg |
| Boots |
| Chi Chi |
| Coven |
| Dane |
| Demon |
| Dash |
| Ego |
| Enigma |
| Fefe |
| Galaxy |
| Gizmo |
| Goth |
| Grim |
| Groucho |
| Gucci |
| Hex |
| Ink Spot (nickname Spot) |
| Magic |
| Murk |
| Mystery |
| Nebula |
| Nike |
| Nyx |
| Reaper |
| Rebel |
| Sealy |
| Sharpie |
| Silhouette |
| Voodoo |
| Yeezy |
| Yeti |
| York |
| Yorkie |
| Zeek |
If none of these unique names fit what you are looking for check out our full list of Unique Dog Names: Plus How to Pick One
Black Dog Names for Girls
Still can’t find a name that you like. Here are some more names that could be perfect for your female black dog.
| Abby |
| Alva |
| Ashley |
| Astra |
| Astral |
| Aubrey |
| Ava |
| Bailey |
| Beanie or Bean |
| Bebe |
| Betty |
| Betty Boop |
| Beyonce |
| Black Diamond |
| Black pearl |
| Cecilia |
| Chanel |
| Ciara |
| Cruella |
| Darla |
| Doris |
| Dot |
| Electra |
| Elvira |
| Estella |
| Fawn |
| Gypsy |
| Harlequin |
| Iris |
| Kat |
| Lamya |
| Lana |
| Lena |
| Leyla |
| Lil |
| Lily |
| Lylah |
| Mi Mi |
| Mila |
| Mily |
| Missy |
| Misty |
| Mittens |
| Monkey |
| Morticia |
| Nessie |
| Nila |
| Phoebe |
| Pipa |
| Piper |
| Pippin |
| Pipsy |
| Pita |
| Queenie |
| Raisin |
| Sandy |
| Sasha |
| Saskia |
| Serena |
| Sileni |
| Sky |
| Skylar |
| Sonya |
| Stella |
| Tabatha |
| Tika |
| Tilly |
| Tina |
| Toto |
| Ursula |
| Vixen |
| Witchy |
| Yasmin |
| Yaz |
| Yuri |
| Za Za |
| Zara |
| Zulu |
Black Dog Names for Boys
We can’t forget about the boys.
| Ace |
| Angus |
| Apollo |
| Ares |
| Asher |
| Ashton |
| Axle |
| Bandit |
| Beau |
| Beetle |
| Binx |
| Black |
| Blackie |
| Bond |
| Bronson |
| Bruno |
| Brutus |
| Bullet |
| Chase |
| Chief |
| Coffee |
| Coley |
| Colton |
| Cosmo |
| Cub |
| Dade |
| Damien |
| Danger |
| Darcy |
| Dark Angel |
| Delano |
| Diesel |
| Django |
| Duke |
| Duncan |
| Dusky |
| Felix |
| Gabe |
| Goliath |
| Grease |
| Grizzly |
| Gunnar |
| Haze |
| Hunter |
| Jackal (Jack for short) |
| Jasper |
| Jessie |
| Jethro |
| Judas |
| Ken |
| Kev |
| King |
| Kingston |
| Knight |
| Kol |
| Kolby |
| Latte |
| Leo |
| Louis |
| Lucifer |
| Mack |
| Max |
| Merlin |
| Miguel |
| Mike |
| Milo |
| Minnie (Minnie Mouse) |
| Morris |
| Mustang |
| Nero |
| Ninja |
| Oden |
| Odie |
| Olive |
| Opal |
| Opie |
| Oscar |
| Oz |
| Ozlo |
| Panda Bear |
| Pengu |
| Penguin |
| Phantom |
| Pluto |
| Poe |
| Polo |
| Pongo |
| Poppy |
| Prince |
| Quill |
| Racer |
| Razor |
| Renegade |
| Rex |
| Rick |
| Roadster |
| Rocky |
| Sable |
| Salem |
| Sarge |
| Scar |
| Slater |
| Smokey |
| Soldier |
| Spot |
| Spy |
| Styx |
| Sullivan (or Sully!) |
| Sylvester |
| Tank |
| Taz |
| T-Bone |
| Ted |
| Teddy |
| Terminator |
| Tint |
| Toby |
| Toots |
| Tootsie |
| Trooper |
| Tundra |
| Tux |
| Tuxedo |
| Uno |
| Vanish |
| Vlad |
| Zorro |
Not what you are looking for?
Check out more dog name posts:
- Big Dog Names: 300+ From the Classic to the Unique
- Unique Dog Names: Plus How to Pick One
- Flower Names For Dogs: Plus Nature Inspired Dog Names
- Norse Dog Names: Viking Names for Your Dog
- Australian Dog Names: 200 Dog Names to Choose From
- French Dog Names
- 550 British Dog Names: You Will Want to Use
- Scottish Dog Names: 500 Names to Choose From
- White Dog Names: 375+ Names for White Dogs