Updated 03/19/2024 – If you’re on the quest for the best name for your new black dog or puppy, you’ve come to the right place. Our comprehensive guide, brimming with over 390 black dog names, is the ultimate resource for naming your shiny black beauty.
Tips to Choosing the Perfect Dog Name
Choosing the best name for your new pet can be an enjoyable yet challenging experience. To simplify your decision, here are some handy tips:
- Consider Your Dog’s Personality: Think about your dog’s personality traits, such as whether they are playful, loyal, or independent. Then pick a name that reflects that trait.
- Avoid Confusing Sounds: Pick a name that doesn’t sound like common commands like sit, stay, or no. This helps prevent confusion during training.
- Keep It Short and Simple: Short names, typically one or two syllables, are easier for your dog to recognize and respond to.
- Test It Out: Say the name out loud to see how it sounds and whether it feels natural when calling your dog.
- Check for Popularity: Make sure the name isn’t common in your area or among your friends’ dogs to avoid mix-ups.
- Family Agreement: Make sure all family members are involved in the naming process. This ensures that everyone feels connected to the pet and likes the name chosen.
- Keep it clean: Pick a name that you are comfortable saying in public. What might seem funny in private might not go over well in a public place.
- Names have influence: Your dog’s name will influence what people think of your dog.
- Wait a bit: Spend some time with your new dog before finalizing the name.
- Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, go with a name that feels right and resonates with you and your furry friend.
- 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.
Table of Contents
Classical Names for Black Dogs
These names have been consistently popular among black dog owners for their ability to capture the essence of their pet’s sleek and striking black coats. They offer a blend of elegance, mystery, and depth, ideal for your black-furred friend.
Male Black Dogs:
- Shadow
- Midnight
- Onyx
- Coal
- Jet
- Raven
- Eclipse
- Storm
- Knight
- Nero
Female Black Dogs:
- Luna
- Stella
- Ebony
- Belle (short for “Noirbelle”)
- Velvet
- Opal
- Pepper
- Mystique
- Zara
- Sapphire
Elegant and Sophisticated Names for any Dogs
Choosing a name for your black dog can extend beyond their coat color. These selected names, radiating luxury and elegance, are ideal for black dogs who carry themselves with dignity and a regal aura. Many of these names can be shorten for everyday use.
Male Dogs:
- Sterling – Sterl
- Duke
- Baron – Barry
- Winston – Win
- Hamilton – Ham
- Kingsley – King
- Bentley – Ben
- Maximilian – Max
- Fitzgerald – Fitz
- Augustus – Gus
Female Dogs:
- Duchess – Duchy
- Velvet – Vee
- Victoria – Tori
- Genevieve – Gen
- Anastasia – Ana
- Isabella – Bella
- Sapphire – Saph
- Vivienne – Vivi
- Seraphina – Sera
- Arabella – Bella
Playful and Whimsical Names for Black Dogs
These names are chosen for their light-hearted and fun nature, perfectly complementing the playful personality often found in black dogs. They add a touch of whimsy and joy to your pet’s identity.
Male Dogs:
- Spooky
- Inky
- Smudge
- Jester
- Blinky
- Puddles
- Gadget
Female Dogs:
- Pixie
- Bubbles
- Sooty
- Peppy
- Dotty
- Twinkle
- Ziggy
- Muffin
Nature Inspired Names for Black Dogs
Finding a cool name for your black-coated dog can be a creative journey, drawing inspiration from the abundance of black hues in nature. Our lists include names inspired by various black-colored birds and animals, perfect for your dark-furred companion. For those with a black and white dog, “Magpie” emerges as a charming and distinctive option, reflecting the unique coloring of your pet.
Animal Inspired Names
- Bat
- Bear
- Beetle (like the black beetle)
- Cheetah
- Cobra
- Crow
- Jaguar
- Momba
- Orca
- Panda
- Panther
- Sable
- Seal
- Shamu
- Snake
- Stallion
- Starling
- Whale
- Wolf
- Zebra (for a black and white dog, inspired by the zebra’s stripes)
Bird Inspired Names
- Ani
- Coot
- Crow
- Falcon
- Grackle
- Kite
- Magpie
- Myna
- Noddy
- Rooster
- Swan
- Swift
- Vulture
- Rook
Dog Names From Nature
Our next list, perfect for naming your new black puppy, also taps into the allure of the natural world, focusing on non-living elements. Among my favorite names are ‘Pearl,’ reminiscent of the mystical Black Pearl, and ‘Pitch,’ capturing the essence of ‘Pitch Black.’ These names offer a unique twist, ideal for your black-coated companion.
- Agate
- Ash
- Cast (as in cast iron)
- Char
- Cinder
- Dark
- Dusk
- Echo
- Ember
- Flash
- Flint
- Fog
- Foggy
- Hole
- Indigo
- Ink
- Inky
- Iron
- Lava
- Lead
- Magma
- Mica
- Miner
- Mink
- Mist (Misty)
- Mud
- Muddy
- Night
- Nova
- Oil
- Ore
- Orion
- Pearl
- Pit
- Pitch
- Puma
- Satin
- Shade
- Shady
- Skye
- Slag
- Slate
- Soil
- Soot
- Sooty
- Steam
- Stone
- Stormy
- Tar
- Thunder
- Twilight
- Witch
For more nature inspired dog names check out our full list of Flower Names For Dogs: Plus Nature Inspired Dog Names
Dog Names Inspired by Cultures
Some of the best names, rich with symbolic meaning, are rooted in our cultures. These are the traits and knowledge that not only unite us but also set us apart.
Food Related Dog Names
Injecting a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour, our list of cultural names begins with delightful food-related monikers. Names such as Cocoa and Truffles not only carry a whimsical charm but also make for cute and unique options, especially suited for small dogs.
- Anise
- Berry
- Bosco
- Bourbon
- Butler
- Caviar
- Chow
- Forge
- Godiva
- Grit
- Guinness
- Kettle
- Oreo
- Poppy (as in poppy seeds)
- Roast
- Rum
- Smelt
- Smoke
- Truffles
- Whiskey
Black Dog Names Based on Culture
Our next carefully curated list features words and names from diverse cultures, each symbolizing black or darkness, tailored for your new furry friend. For your convenience, we’ve included the meanings of these words. To add an intriguing twist, we’ve also interspersed a few names of ancient gods known for their association with darkness.
- 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
- 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 or Best Badass Black Dog Names for a Confident Pup
Pop Culture
For pet parents exploring black dog name options, drawing inspiration from pop culture can lead to unique and fun choices. A personal favorite is “Chaplin,” inspired by the iconic Charlie Chaplin, the beloved figure from the era of black and white films. This name not only pays homage to a cinematic legend but also subtly nods to the classic black and white theme, making it a fitting and charming choice for your dog.
Pop Culture Names for Black Male Dogs:
- Addams – From the Addams Family
- Bagheera (from “The Jungle Book”)
- Batman (from DC Comics)
- Black Beauty
- Black Magic (nickname Magic)
- Bolt
- Chaplin (as in Charlie Chaplin, king of the black and white movies)
- Dark Night
- Dracula (from Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”)
- Godzilla
- King Kong
- Kylo (from “Star Wars”, inspired by Kylo Ren)
- Mickey (Mouse)
- Nemesis
- Neo (from “The Matrix”)
- Poisedon
- Sauron (from “The Lord of the Rings”)
- Sirius (from “Harry Potter”, as Sirius Black)
- Vader (from “Star Wars”)
- Zorro (from “The Legend of Zorro”)
Pop Culture Names for Black Female Dogs:
- Sable (general reference to sleek, black fur)
- Elvira (from “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark”)
- Maleficent (from “Sleeping Beauty”)
- Wednesday (from “The Addams Family”)
- Nyx (Greek goddess of the night, often depicted in dark or black)
- Mystique (from “X-Men”)
- Selene (from “Underworld”)
- Raven (from DC Comics)
- Hela (from “Thor: Ragnarok”)
- Bellatrix (from “Harry Potter”, as Bellatrix Lestrange)
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 inspire fun names for your dog. Consider the following names, which are playful and unique, drawing from the world of popular games. These choices not only reflect a sense of fun and entertainment but also add a distinctive twist to your pet’s identity.
- Blackjack
- Checker
- Chess
- Dice
- Domino
- Pawn
- Spade
Unique Dog Names for Black Dogs
For those seeking something a bit more distinctive for their canine companion, explore these cool dog names. Each one offers a unique flair, perfect for setting your dog apart with a memorable and stylish moniker.
- Angst
- Arrow
- Atticus
- Boots
- Coven
- Dane
- Demon
- Dash
- Ego
- Fefe
- Gizmo
- Goth
- Grim
- Groucho
- Hex
- Ink Spot (nickname Spot)
- Magic
- Murk
- Nike
- Nyx
- Rebel
- Yeezy
- Yeti
- 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
Even More Black Dog Names
If you’re still on the hunt for the ideal name, here are some additional suggestions tailored for female dogs. These names could be the perfect match for your black female dog, offering a range of stylish and fitting options to choose from.
Girl Dog Names for Black Dogs
- Alva
- Ashley
- Astra
- Astral
- Aubrey
- Ava
- Beanie or Bean
- Bebe
- Betty Boop
- Beyonce
- Chanel
- Ciara
- Cruella
- Dot
- Electra
- Elvira
- Fawn
- Gypsy
- Lylah
- Mi Mi
- Mila
- Mily
- Missy
- Misty
- Mittens
- Morticia
- Nessie
- Nila
- Pearl ( as in Black Pearl)
- Piper
- Queenie
- Raisin
- Sasha
- Serena
- Sky
- Skylar
- Tika
- Toto
- Ursula
- Vixen
- Witchy
- Yasmin
- Yuri
- Za Za
- Zulu
Black Dog Names for Boys
Of course, we can’t forget about the boys. Here are some name choices specifically curated for black male dogs, ensuring your furry male companion gets a name as striking as he is.
- Ace
- Angus
- Apollo
- Asher
- Axle
- Bandit
- Beau
- Binx
- Blackie
- Bond
- Bronson
- Bruno
- Brutus
- Bullet
- Chase
- Chief
- Colton
- Cosmo
- Cub
- Damien
- Delano
- Diesel
- Django
- Dusky
- Felix
- Gabe
- Goliath
- Grease
- Grizzly
- Gunnar
- Haze
- Hunter
- Jasper
- Jessie
- Jethro
- Judas
- King
- Kingston
- Kol
- Kolby
- Leo
- Lucifer
- Mack
- Merlin
- Milo
- Morris
- Ninja
- Oden
- Odie
- Olive
- Oscar
- Ozzie
- Phantom
- Pluto
- Poe
- Polo
- Pongo
- Prince
- Quill
- Racer
- Razor
- Rex
- Rick
- Rocky
- Sarge
- Scar
- Slater
- Smokey
- Soldier
- Spot
- Styx
- Sullivan (or Sully!)
- Sylvester
- Taz
- T-Bone
- Ted
- Teddy
- Tint
- Toby
- Toots
- Tootsie
- Trooper
- Tux
- Uno
- Vanish
We hope our post on Black Dog Names has provided you with a wealth of inspiration. Whether you’re looking for a name that’s unique, or something more common and endearing, the right name for your new canine companion is out there.
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