TV Sitcom-Inspired Names for Your New Puppy: A Curated List
Rowan Foster
Choosing a name for your new puppy is an enjoyable task. Try out a few options and observe how your dog reacts. Never pick a name just to poke fun at your pet. The names provided here are all in good taste, free from anything like “Puddles” or “Tinkles.”
Below you'll find collections of amusing dog names taken from TV sitcoms, along with some other random funny names that aren't from TV.
Looking for a name for your new pup? Have you considered looking to your favorite TV sitcom for inspiration? Read on, and maybe you’ll have a little Kramer (or Cosmo) running around your house.
Dog Names from Sitcoms
Television has produced many humorous names. There are certainly others I haven't listed, but these are a few of my top picks for dog names from TV shows.
- Barney (after Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show. This name is widely recognized, even though the show is no longer on air)
- Bunker (Archie, from All in the Family)
- Chandler (does this Friends character really need an explanation?)
- Cosmo (Kramer from Seinfeld—your dog might not stand out with this name, but it will certainly be familiar)
- Fonzie (Heyyyy…what dog wouldn't be happy with this name?)
- Fran (from The Nanny—a fitting name for a fussy little female Poodle)
- Ginsu (any insomniac will smile at this one—sitcoms are packed with commercial breaks, and reruns are even worse)
- Gomer (do puppies come in khaki?)
- Jethro (from The Beverly Hillbillies)
- Hawkeye (from M*A*S*H)
- Herman (from The Munsters)
- Hogan (the WWII comedy, not the wrestler)
- Homer (from The Simpsons)
- Horshak (many characters from Welcome Back, Kotter were great, but this one makes the best dog name)
- Kramden (One of these days, Alice…)
- Kramer (I prefer his first name, but this one works well too as a dog name)
- Latka (not everyone will recognize this Kaufman character from Taxi, so you might have to explain your dog's name often)
- Lucy (no 'splainin' needed for this one)
- Mork (if your little puppy looks like an alien)
- Niles (if your Coton is pretentious from the start, this Frasier character has the perfect snooty name)
- Rhoda (a great name for a little puppy that's always underfoot)
- Squiggy (this character from Laverne and Shirley wasn't the funniest, but his name certainly is)
- Woody (one of the best bartenders from Cheers)
Malshi puppies all look like Cosmo.
Funny Dog Names Inspired by Household Items
Plenty of funny names can be found around the house.
- Beans
- Bugspray
- Buttons
- Café
- Dishpan
- Flip-flop
- Java
- Laptop
- Mailbox
- Notebook
- Plunger
- Skillet
- Sneaker
- Teaspoon
Take a look around. There are surely many things I haven't considered.
Funny Dog Names From Other Countries
| France | Germany | Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| Armand |
|
Audi
|
Feijão (pronounced fey-jown)
| |
Balzac
|
Beemer
|
(Feijão means “beans”)
| |
Chablis
|
Benz
|
Mingau (pronounced mean-gow)
| |
Merlot
|
Blitz
|
(Mingau means “oatmeal”)
| |
Nanette
|
Schnapps
|
Pedra
| |
Paris
|
Schultz
|
(Pedra means “The Rock”, a great name for a tough Coton de Tulear)
|
Odd Dog Names
Some names are simply odd, but they can be great for a puppy.
- Blubber
- Bungie
- Catfish
- Chewy
- Chiclet
- Chunky
- Digger
- Doodle
- Freeway
- Goober
- Jughead
- Muppet
- Noogie
- Peanut
- Skittles
- Snickers
- Sputnik
- Twinkie
- Weezer
- Zippo
New puppies tend to sleep most of the day.
Tips for Naming Your Dog
You're in for a lot of fun over the next few months, and picking that name is just the start. Get things off on the right foot by taking your new puppy to the vet right away.
Also keep in mind that your new puppy will grow into a smart dog and should be enrolled in obedience classes without delay. Don't wait until your puppy is six months old—regardless of what you might have heard!
Make sure to take plenty of photos of your new puppy and savor the puppyhood phase while it lasts.
And when you choose her new name, remember these points:
- Dogs generally learn better with a two-syllable name. You could give your puppy a silly name like Cottonball, but don't expect her to come when called. Many dog name lists online include poor choices, so for best results, use the names from this list.
- Funny names are okay, but even if you think your puppy is silly, don't saddle her with a stupid name for life.
- Don't pick a name that sounds similar to a dog you already have.
- Steer clear of names that sound like training commands. Short, one-syllable names can be confusing, so you'll notice most names here are two syllables and none resemble common commands.
- Avoid overused dog names at all costs. All dogs are special, and your dog is an individual. Treat her that way from the start by giving her a unique name.
- Even if you don't like my choices here, do not use Fifi or Pierre!
More Good Names
- White Dog Names If your new puppy is all white, don't you think she needs a cute and unique name? Here are some great suggestions.
- Macho Dog Names If your dog is too small to intimidate the neighborhood bullies, he's counting on you to find him a good macho name. Choose from this list to keep your dog from being humiliated at the dog park!
- Best Dog Names From Brazil Does your new puppy lounge around the house most of the day? Does she seem more interested in her pedicure than her new toy? If your dog jumps into the hammock at every opportunity, maybe she should have a Brazilian name.
