Naming your dog is a deeply personal act. While many people like to name their dogs after things they’ve seen or read, some people are more interested in naming their dogs after things that reflect their own heritage. Whether or not you are Indian, there is something to this culture for pet names. While those from Indian backgrounds might want to find something that honors their own backgrounds, others who appreciate the culture of India may also find ways to make use of names from one of India’s many languages. If you’re looking for an Indian name for your dog, there are plenty of ways to find inspiration.
The names we’ve chosen are near the top of various categories, but they all have their roots either in India or in Indian culture. Some of these names might be very familiar to you even if you didn’t grow up speaking one of India’s languages, while others might be rare even among those who are native to the subcontinent. If you’re wondering what you should name your dog, you’ll find what you need here.
The Most Popular Indian Dog Names
It’s always important to remember that the name that you choose for your dog is more than just a series of sounds. This name is going to reflect a great deal of how you feel about your dog and your dog’s personality, so don’t be afraid to look a little deeper into the meaning of various Indian names and words in order to find something that works for your pet.
Rather than just looking at things alphabetically, this list divides up the names based on a number of concepts. If you’re looking for a specific sort of name, you should be able to find it under the relevant heading.
Indian Dog Names Based on Concepts, Feelings, and Descriptors
Sometimes the best way to name your dog is to think about how he or she makes you feel. Another good way, though, is to think about the kind of personality that he or she might have. The names in this section are all descriptors of various sorts, which can help you to let others know a little bit about your dog every time that you decide to call him or her.
If your dog is guileless and friendly, you might want to think about naming him or her Adil or Hardik, both of which means sincere. A dog that seems perpetually ready for a dog treat, though, might better be named Asha (hope). A dog that seems to always be happy might be best named Amiya (delight), while one that’s big might be named Bari (great).
Looking for a good name for a diva of a dog? Devi (goddess) might be a good fit for you. Your good-looking show dog might be named Lalit (handsome) or even Mohan (attractive), but one that you think is going to win all of the contests might better be named Dakshi (“The Glorious”). Lamba is a fantastic name for a longer dog, while thinner dogs might go by Yasti. You can even call your beautiful girl Sakari (lovely) or Mohan (attractive), though her happy face might make you want to call her Smita (happy face).
Need a good name for a dog that’s one of the most expensive dog breeds? Try Amir (rich). A calm dog, though, could be called Nirav (still or calm). A great name for a golden retriever or a yellow lab, by the way, is definitely Sona (golden) while a Husky or Poodle might be named Arjun (white or clear – based on a legendary heroic archer).
Indian Dog Names Based On Places, Colors, and Other Nouns
Are you the kind of person who would rather give your dog a noun for a name? Luckily, there are quite a few Indian nouns that can help you out in the naming process.
Akash, meaning sky, is a great dog name. Bala and Batuk (girl and boy) are fantastic for new puppies, while Beta (son) might be a great name for your very first male dog. Another great name for a pretty female dog is Champak, which means flower, along with Chandra (shining moon).
A dog who loves the water could be named Goa (beautiful beach), while one born in the spring could be Holi or Falgun (Spring). A male dog who is going to be spoiled could be your little Kumar (prince) or Raja (king), while Ladki (girl) might be your favorite little lady.
Need a new best friend? Meet Sumit. Have a tough guard dog? He or she might be a perfect Parth (warrior prince). Indra (rainbow) is great for pretty dogs, while Jihan (cosmos) might be a good choice for a black and white dog. Mani could be your little jewel, while your treat-loving dog could be Hadi (bone).
Indian Dog Names Inspired By Animals
Some people really love to name their pets after other animals. The wide range of wildlife of the subcontinent will give you many names, some of which you might be more familiar with others. If you need an Indian animal name to put on your pet’s dog harness, though, you’ll find it below.
A great place to start is with a bear – or, in this case, Baloo. Prefer a monkey? That means you’ll be looking for Bandar. Kutta is the general word for a dog, but it can be a great name if you don’t live in an area that speaks the language. If you’re looking for one of the most popular animal names to come out of India, though, you might want to look at Tiger.
More Common Names in English
English has taken an awful lot of loan words from India. In fact, some of them are so common that you might not realize that they’re not native to the language. These names can be great if you’re looking for something that might be easier to remember but that still has some Indian flair.
Bangle is a great name for any dog, but those who are looking for luxury might like Cashmere. Cardamom, Chai, and Chutney are all great food-based names for a dog, as are Cinnamon and Dosa. Keeping with the food theme is Masala, Clove, and Coconut, along with Naan, Pakora, and Saffron. Samosa and Spice can also be great names for dogs, as can Toddy, Turmeric, and Vindaloo.
Looking for something that’s a little more floral? Why not try out Palm, Jasmine, or Marigold? If you’re looking for something more conceptual, you might want to look at Karma. Paneer and Pashmina are also very common names, as is Silk. Typhoon is a particularly stormy name for your dog, while Namaste, Yoga, and Yogi are all a bit more on the spiritual side of things. The great news is that if there’s a word with meaning for you, you can make it work for a dog’s name.
The Most Popular Indian Names for Female Dogs
Looking for a great name to go with your female pet’s dog sweater? You’ll want to try out these names that have all managed to crack the Top 1000 List of most popular dog names.
So, which names make the list for Indian dog names? The most popular is Jasmine by far, followed closely by Karma and Cinnamon. Coconut is another name that tends to be very popular, with Tara pulling up last in the top five.
Top 5 Most Popular Indian Names for Male Dogs
Need a name for a male dog? The good news is that there are plenty of great names. Even better, though, is that you can depend on the following five names as the most popular names for male dogs.
At the very top of this list is Raja, which definitely makes sense. After that is Yogi (which may have more to do with the bear), then Tiger, Baloo, and Mowgli round out the end of the top five.
How to Choose the Perfect Indian Dog Name for Your Pet
While there are definitely a lot of names on this list, these aren’t close to all of the Indian names that you could give your dog. There are millions of other names, ranging from those of people and places to those that come from common words, foods, and activities. There are honestly more choices than any one person could ever need. What’s more important than having the names available, though, is making sure that you actually pick the right name for your dog.
Choosing a name for your dog isn’t nearly as easy as choosing a treat for him or her. You need to use your imagination to find something that not only fits your personality, but that fits the personality of your dog. You have more time than you might think to settle on a name for your pet, so make sure that you give the whole process some real thought. If you’re willing to give it your all, you’ll definitely find a name that you will come to love almost as much as your dog loves you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the number 1 dog name?
At the moment, the most popular name in the United States for a dog is Bella. Bella has been at the top, or near the top, of the list for female dogs for some time but it has also climbed to be the top name overall. The most popular name for a male dog, by the way, is Charlie.
2. What are some unique dog names?
Virtually any word that you can think of can be a unique dog name. Choosing a word in a foreign language can be a great way to call your dog something unique, even if it ends up being something that is very common in that language. A great example is how an Indian name like Batuk could seem very unique in a country that doesn’t have a large Indian population, but the name itself just means boy.
3. What is a good name for a boy dog?
Any name that seems like a good name for a boy dog is probably a good name. If you’re looking for the most popular one, though, that’s going to be Charlie. Most people tend to look at human names for their dogs, but there are also plenty of people who name their dogs after places, things, or even other animals. There’s a reason, after all, that Tiger has been such an enduringly popular name for male dogs over the last several decades.
4. What are the top 10 male dog names?
The top ten names for male dogs do change every year, but the 2021 list is remarkably similar to those lists that came before. Charlie is currently the highest-ranked dog name, but it’s neck and neck with Max. After that are Charlie, Cooper, Buddy, Milo, Bear, Rocky, and Duke.
