Latin American-Inspired Names for Your New Dog
Drew Bailey
If you're searching for a genuine Latin American name for your new dog, consider the Fila Brasileiro. This large breed originated in Brazil, where it was bred to guard livestock, protect property, and track down escapees. These dogs were highly skilled at all three tasks.
Today, Filas primarily serve as family guard dogs and excel in that role. They are not aggressive toward their family but are known to be wary of strangers. A name for a Fila should reflect its unique heritage. Some Brazilian names derive from the breed's work and distinctive appearance:
Names with Latin American, Colombian, Peruvian, Brazilian, Spanish, or Portuguese Roots
- ‘Beção (pronounced bay-sawn) comes from cabeção, meaning “big head.” Fila breeders take great pride in a dog with a big head, so this name carries no offense.
- Caça (pronounced ca-sa): “hunt,” similar to “hunter.”
- Guarda (pronounced gwar-da): “guard.”
- Manso (pronounced man-so): “gentle.”
- Nariz (pronounced na-reez): “nose”—a reminder that this dog relies on its nose.
- Rajão (pronounced ra-jown): “tracker.”
Dog names from Latin America
sergio souza
Dog Names from Latin America
| Brazilian Portuguese | Spanish | Latin |
|---|---|---|
| Bobo-“silly” |
|
Castillo-“castle”
|
Albus-“white” If your puppy has a white blaze on the chest
| |
Boi (pronounced boy)-“ox” A good name for a powerful dog
|
Cobra-“snake”
|
Bacchus-“noisy” Most puppies earn this name!
| |
Caro-“expensive”
|
Gato-“cat”
|
Cato-“all knowing”
| |
Chave (pronounced sha-vee)-“key”
|
Ines-“gentle” (Always female)
|
Dexter-“clever” A good name for a puppy who learns quickly
| |
Docil (pronounced daw-seel)-“tame”
|
León-“lion”
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Felix-“happy”
| |
Fiel (pronounced fee-yal)-“faithful” As in the Brazilian saying “faithful as a Fila”
|
Linda-“pretty” (Always female)
|
Magnus-“great one”
| |
Forté (pronounced for-chay)-“strong”
|
Lobo-“wolf”
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Linus-“fair haired” This is good for a Fila with a fawn coat
| |
Raça (pronounced ra-sa)-“race” This word is used when a dog is purebred
|
Paco-“a free man”
|
Orson-“bear-like courage”
| |
Tigrão (pronounced tchi-grawn)-“tiger-striped” A brindle dog
|
Vidal-“alive”
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Urban-“city dweller”
| |
Travão (pronounced tra-vown)-“thunder”
|
Zorro-“fox”
|
Victor-“conquerer”
|
When a Fila Brasileiro is older, she will be ready to guard.
Pleple2000,CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikipedia
Additional Latin American Name Suggestions
- Alma (f)
- Alta “tall” (f)
- Alto “tall” (m)
- Carla (f)
- Carlos (m)
- Charo (f)
- Cortez (m)
- Faisca “sparky” (f)
- Flor “flower” (f)
- Franco (m)
- Gaucha “cowgirl” (f)
- Gaucho “cowboy” (m)
- Luna “moon” (f)
- Nuno (m)
- Paulo (m)
- Pedro (m)
- Ramon “guardian” (m)
- Rita (f)
- Sancho (m)
- Toro “bull” (m)
Non-Standard Names from Latin America
I compiled this list for those seeking an authentic name for their new dog. However, if none of these names appeal to you, you might consider giving your puppy one of these popular “gringo” names:
- Bruno
- Brutus
- Crusher
- Kaiser
- King
- Ripper
- Satan
- Sentry
- Shogun
- Stormy
- Thunder
- Tiger
- Tracker
- Viper
- Watcher
A Note About the Word Gringo
By the way, “gringo” is not an offensive term and has nothing to do with white skin. Where I live, Antonio Banderas and Mohamed Ali are both considered gringos, or foreigners.
More Tips for Choosing a Name
Do you have some good ideas? Take a few minutes to learn the rules to follow when naming a new puppy:
- The majority of good words in Portuguese and Castilian Spanish are three or more syllables and do not make good dog names. All of the choices I have listed above are easy to use without making up a nickname. If you want to choose another name (Bonita, for example), you really need to use a nickname. (Call her Nita.)
- Do not use any name that sounds like a dog you already have. If you are lucky enough to have a new Fila and an older dog, using names that sound alike will confuse the old dog and make training the new dog that much harder.
- Don’t give your new dog a name that sounds like one of his training commands—if you are going to train in English, for example, the name “Grit” sounds too much like “sit”! If you give him a name that sounds like one of his basic commands, he is going to get confused and not perform when he should. None of the dog names I have suggested in this list sound like any commands in English, Portuguese, Arabic, or German. In other languages? I have no idea.
- Give your dog a name that commands some respect, and stay away from the dog names I would not use.
- Do not name your dog “Xixi” after an accident on the carpet.
- Give your Latin American dog a Latino name, and do not use one of the overused dog names. Your dog is an individual, and the last thing he needs is to be just another Charlie or Jake.
- A Fila will grow up to be a big dog. Once you decide on a new name, you need to start taking your puppy to obedience classes and make sure she is adequately socialized. Do not wait until your puppy is too big to handle.
- Enjoy your new puppy, and give her the best life you can!
Other Fun Dog Name Ideas
If none of these names are what you are looking for, go to one of the links below and check out boxer names and all of the tough dog names for outlaws and gangstas.
Sources
- Latin American-Inspired Names for Your New Dog — pethelpful
