By Daniela Lopez
YouraPechkin / AdobeStock
Are you considering adopting a large breed dog? Breeds such as the Great Dane, the Mastiff, and the Great Pyrenees are big boys that can quite literally fill a home, so it makes sense to give them a name to match. These pups are not only physically impressive but also wonderful companions who provide loyalty and affection to their pet parents.
Considering all their remarkable qualities, selecting a name for your big friend can be a bit of a challenge. You could name your pup after your favorite action movie character, Rambo, choose a classic name such as Max, or focus on their coat color with Onyx. The possibilities are endless. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve gathered 150+ names for big dogs, making it easy to choose the perfect one for your pup.
Popular male big dog names
- Maximus
- Duke
- Bear
- Zeus
- Thor
- Rocky
- Odin
- Titan
- Diesel
- Atlas
Popular female big dog names
- Athena
- Xena
- Brienne
- Thora
- Queen
- Stella
- Bear
- Harley
- Morgana
- Maxine
Big names for big dogs
If you’re looking for a name that carries that larger-than-life vibe for your big, lovable companion, try one of these:
- Magnus
- Maximo
- Grande (Spanish)
- Megas
- Mac
- Jumbo
- Groot (Dutch, also a reference to Guardians of the Galaxy)
- Sumo
- Magni (Icelandic)
- Biggie
- Goliath
- Titan
- Hercules
- Maha (Sanskrit)
- Marea (Romanian)
Big dog names inspired by big dogs in movies
Not all large dogs are scary (though some might be a bit mischievous), and these adorable big dogs on the big screen prove it.
- Hooch (Turner & Hooch)
- Beethoven (Beethoven)
- Clifford (Clifford the Big Red Dog)
- Rocco (The Drop)
- Ghost (Game of Thrones)
- Marley (Marley & Me)
- Fang (Harry Potter)
- Chance (Homeward Bound)
- Pluto (Mickey Mouse)
- Shadow (Homeward Bound)
Names for big black dogs
If your big pup has a rich dark coat, another option is to consider a black dog name inspired by their hue.
- Shade
- Onyx
- Midnight
- Panther
- Guinness
- Coal
- Sable
- Jet
- Raven
- Phantom
- Ember
- Nero
- Domino
- Zorro
- Thunder
Names for big white dogs
- Blizzard – For fast-moving or light-colored pups.
- Cloud – Perfect for that classic floofy white coat.
- Yukon – Ideal for larger Arctic breeds.
- Luna – Bright and serene like the moon.
- Yeti – For pups who seem like an unstoppable force.
- Casper – Ideal for big white dogs with a lovable gentle disposition.
- Ivory – Another good choice for gentle big white dogs.
- Everest – Is your pup ready to reach great heights?
- Nimbus – Large dogs that have a soft and cloud-like appearance.
- Marshmallow – Soft, squishy, sweet-natured dogs.
Pretty big dog names
- Dahlia
- Jasmine
- Sophie
- Marigold
- Paloma
- Juliet
- Orchid
- Rose
- Jewel
- Charlie
- Lily
- Ivy
- Maggie
- Alma
- Aurora
- Grace
- Cooper
- Pearl
- Sterling
- Finn
- Jasper
- Evan
- Winston
Small names for big dogs
Are you considering something a bit more pint-sized for your big dog? These ironic names for big dogs might fit the bill:
- Mini
- Tiny
- Peewee
- Bitty
- Pebbles
- Micro
- Teddy
- Pippin
- Munchkin
- Slim
- Nano
- Peanut
Big dog names inspired by food
For the foodies, here are a few wholesome names inspired by the kitchen.
- Cupcake
- Biscuit
- Pancake
- Meatball
- Nacho
- T-Bone
- Waffles
- Muffin
- Tater Tot
- Pickles
- Blueberry
- Chia
- Spinach
- Mango
- Brownie
- Macaroni
- Carrot
- Coconut
- Nugget
Bad@ss big dog names
These strong names will help channel the toughness and heroics of action movies and are perfect for any dog from Greyhounds to Pit Bulls.
- Mountain
- Barbarian
- Rambo
- Wolf
- Bulldozer
- Wrecker
- Beast
- Colossus
- Mason
- Goliath
- Juggernaut
- Hulk
- Crusher
- Tank
- Powerhouse
- Conan
- Maverick
- Rocky
- Monster
- Neo
- Blade
- Terminator
- Wolverine
- Spartacus
Rare big dog names
These rare big dog names are inspired by traditional names of yore, and they have cute modern nicknames too.
- Thaddeus (Thad)
- Cornelius (Corny)
- Prudence (Pru)
- Winifred (Wini)
- Ignatius (Iggy)
- Bartholomew (Bart)
- Eugenia (Nia)
- Humphrey (Hummer)
- Wilhelmina (Wil)
- Archibald (Archie)
- Percival (Percy)
- Millicent (Millie)
What are good names for big dogs?
When looking for a good name for a big dog, you should consider a few things to help you pick the best name for your pup.
- Avoid training confusion: When picking a name for your dog, don’t pick one that rhymes with common obedience cues such as “Beau” and “No.”
- Keep it short: While long names like “Juggernaut” are cool, try yelling it across the house in a panic to stop your doggo from scarfing down your kid’s toy. Tough right? Be sure to choose a nickname to go along with their more formal long name.
- Be positive: Try to keep the names positive. Names that are offensive to others, use curse words or are overly scary are not a good choice.
- Think ahead: Do you like the name Fluffy now? Well, how about in two years when your pup is a 200-pound couch-stealing teenager? Try to imagine your BFF’s size and personality in the future.
Considering adopting a big dog?
When you’re ready to adopt, visit Adopt A Pet to find available dogs in your area. You can browse through the dogs available for adoption, filter by sex, fur color, and breed and learn more about their personalities and any special needs.
