The ultimate female small dog names guide

Girl Dog Names: Cute, Unique, Pretty & Unforgettable Names for Female Dogs

Looking for the perfect name for a girl puppy or female small dog? This is the fun part. Whether she is sweet and cuddly, bossy and brilliant, elegant and dignified, or currently dragging one of your slippers under the sofa, the right name should feel like it belongs to her.

We have gathered girl dog names that are cute, pretty, unusual, funny, vintage, elegant, sassy, strong and wonderfully unexpected. You will also find names inspired by flowers, food, gemstones, books, history, mythology, personality, coat color and breed heritage.

Our guiding rule is simple: the best dog name is the one that makes you smile every time you say it.

Quick naming tip: Try saying a favorite name in three different ways: happily, calmly and as though your puppy has just stolen a sock. If it still sounds right, it may be a keeper.

Our Favorite Girl Dog Names

These are the names that feel cheerful, charming and just a little bit special.

Ada
Birdie
Bonnie
Cleo
Clover
Daphne
Dottie
Edie
Elsie
Evie
Flora
Gigi
Goldie
Hattie
Hazel
Ivy
Josie
Junie
Lottie
Mabel
Maisie
Margot
Millie
Nellie
Olive
Opal
Pearl
Penny
Pippa
Poppy
Posie
Queenie
Rosie
Ruby
Sadie
Tilly
Violet
Winnie
Zelda
Zuzu

Popular Female Dog Names

Popular names are popular for a reason. They are easy to say, easy to remember and often suit a wide range of dogs.

Bella
Daisy
Lola
Lucy
Luna
Molly
Rosie
Ruby
Sadie
Sophie
Stella
Willow
Chloe
Penny
Millie
Zoey
Maggie
Bailey
Roxy
Winnie
Ellie
Gracie
Piper
Hazel
Nala

If you are hoping for something less common, keep going. We have plenty of odd little gems ahead.

Cute Girl Dog Names

Bambi
Beanie
Bibi
Bitsy
Bluebell
Bubbles
Bunny
Button
Cookie
Cupcake
Dolly
Doodle
Dumpling
Fifi
Flossie
Honey
Jellybean
Kiki
Lulu
Mimi
Mochi
Muffin
Peaches
Peanut
Peep
Pixie
Pookie
Pudding
Roo
Sprinkles
Sweetpea
Taffy
Tinker
Toffee
Waffles

Unique & Unusual Female Dog Names

For the little girl who deserves something less predictable than the neighborhood’s fifth Bella.

Alouette
Amaryllis
Bijou
Bramble
Calliope
Chutney
Cricket
Dovey
Fable
Fennel
Figgy
Flicker
Hiccup
Jinx
Juniper
Kismet
Locket
Mallow
Midge
Miso
Nimbus
Orbit
Peapod
Piccolo
Quirk
Roux
Saffron
Scribble
Sprig
Thimble
Trinket
Vesper
Whimsy
Widget
Yuzu
Zuzu

Pretty & Feminine Dog Names

Adeline
Amelia
Arabella
Aurora
Camille
Celeste
Clara
Colette
Dahlia
Delilah
Elodie
Eloise
Esme
Genevieve
Giselle
Isla
Juliette
Layla
Liliana
Lucia
Magnolia
Maribel
Penelope
Rosalie
Seraphina
Sophia
Valentina
Vivienne
Willow
Wren

Sassy Girl Dog Names

For dogs who weigh eight pounds and run the household anyway.

Bossy
Brassy
Chaos
Chili
Diva
Drama
Fifi
Fury
Jinx
Kiki
Mayhem
Moxie
Queenie
Rebel
Riot
Roxy
Sassy
Snap
Spicy
Stormy
Vixen
Zippy

Strong Female Dog Names

Athena
Blaze
Brave
Clio
Echo
Ember
Freya
Harley
Hero
Indie
Joan
Kali
Leia
Liberty
Moxie
Nova
Rebel
Rogue
Scout
Storm
Tempest
Valkyrie
Valor
Xena
Zelda

Funny Girl Dog Names

Auntie
Beefcake
Big Mama
Bonk
Captain Crumb
Chonk
Doodlebug
Dr. Biscuit
Gary
Grandma
Gravy
Lady Wigglebottom
Meatball
Nacho
Nugget
Professor Pickles
Potato
Princess Pants
Snack
Spud
Steve
Taco
Toast
Toe Bean
Wiggles

Vintage & Old-Lady Dog Names

A tiny puppy called Doris is objectively delightful.

Agatha
Agnes
Beatrice
Betty
Blanche
Clara
Doris
Dorothy
Edith
Edna
Elsie
Esther
Ethel
Florence
Gladys
Harriet
Hilda
Irene
Joan
Mabel
Maude
Mildred
Minnie
Myrtle
Nellie
Olive
Pearl
Phyllis
Ruth
Sybil
Vera
Winifred

Elegant & Sophisticated Girl Dog Names

Amélie
Anastasia
Arabella
Bianca
Camille
Celeste
Chanel
Clarissa
Colette
Cosette
Daphne
Delphine
Eloise
Esme
Genevieve
Giselle
Juliette
Margot
Odette
Penelope
Sophia
Valentina
Vivienne

Royal & Regal Girl Dog Names

Alexandra
Anne
Beatrice
Camilla
Catherine
Charlotte
Diana
Duchess
Eleanor
Elizabeth
Grace
Lady
Margaret
Mary
Princess
Queenie
Regina
Royal
Victoria

Tiny Names for Tiny Girl Dogs

Bitty
Button
Dot
Dottie
Flea
Midge
Mini
Minnie
Morsel
Nib
Peanut
Peep
Pebble
Pip
Pixie
Smidge
Speck
Sprout
Tiny
Trinket

Big Names for Little Girl Dogs

Amazon
Athena
Bear
Beast
Buffalo
Colossus
Duchess
Empress
Goliath
Hera
Jumbo
Mammoth
Moose
Queenie
Rambo
Titan
Valkyrie
Xena
Zeusette

Flower & Garden Names for Girl Dogs

Azalea
Begonia
Blossom
Bluebell
Buttercup
Camellia
Clover
Dahlia
Daisy
Fern
Flora
Freesia
Gardenia
Heather
Holly
Iris
Ivy
Jasmine
Lavender
Lilac
Lily
Magnolia
Marigold
Petal
Petunia
Poppy
Posie
Primrose
Rose
Violet
Zinnia

Nature-Inspired Girl Dog Names

Autumn
Breeze
Brook
Cloud
Coral
Dawn
Ember
Fern
Hazel
Juniper
Maple
Meadow
Misty
Moon
Ocean
Rain
River
Sage
Sky
Snow
Star
Storm
Sunny
Willow
Wren

Food & Sweet Treat Names for Girl Dogs

Bagel
Basil
Biscuit
Bonbon
Brie
Brownie
Butterscotch
Cannoli
Caramel
Chai
Churro
Cinnamon
Cookie
Cupcake
Dumpling
Fudge
Honey
Jellybean
Latte
Macaron
Miso
Mochi
Olive
Peaches
Pickles
Praline
Pudding
Saffron
Sprinkles
Sundae
Taffy
Toffee
Truffle
Waffles

Gemstone & Jewel Names for Female Dogs

Amber
Amethyst
Bijou
Crystal
Diamond
Emerald
Garnet
Gem
Jade
Jewel
Opal
Pearl
Ruby
Sapphire
Topaz

Girl Dog Names by Coat Color

White Girl Dog Names

Alba
Blanche
Coconut
Dove
Ivory
Marshmallow
Moon
Pearl
Snowdrop
Snowy
Sugar
Vanilla

Black Girl Dog Names

Ash
Ebony
Inky
Jet
Licorice
Midnight
Onyx
Raven
Shadow
Smudge
Sooty
Velvet

Brown & Chocolate Girl Dog Names

Brownie
Cocoa
Espresso
Fudge
Hazel
Mocha
Nutmeg
Rolo
Truffle

Red, Apricot & Golden Girl Dog Names

Amber
Apricot
Autumn
Caramel
Copper
Ginger
Goldie
Honey
Mango
Maple
Peaches
Pumpkin
Sunny
Toffee

Girl Dog Names Inspired by Personality

For Sweet, Affectionate Girls

Baby
Honey
Lovebug
Sweetie
Sweetpea
Teddy
Velcro

For Mischievous Girls

Bandit
Chaos
Imp
Jinx
Loki
Rascal
Scamp
Trouble

For Brave Little Girls

Athena
Hero
Moxie
Scout
Storm
Trooper
Valor
Xena

For Calm, Gentle Girls

Dove
Grace
Peace
Serena
Sunday
Willow
Zen

Girl Dog Names Inspired by Books, Movies & Pop Culture

Alice
Arya
Belle
Coraline
Dorothy
Elle
Hermione
Leia
Lucy
Matilda
Merida
Minnie
Moana
Phoebe
Poppins
Ripley
Scout
Stella
Wednesday
Winnie
Zelda

Mythology & Legendary Girl Dog Names

Athena
Aurora
Calliope
Circe
Clio
Diana
Freya
Gaia
Hera
Iris
Juno
Luna
Minerva
Muse
Nyx
Phoebe
Selene
Vesta
Xena

International Girl Dog Names

French-Inspired Girl Dog Names

Amélie
Bijou
Camille
Chérie
Colette
Delphine
Gigi
Margot
Odette
Vivi

Italian-Inspired Girl Dog Names

Bella
Bianca
Gia
Giulia
Lucia
Roma
Siena
Sofia
Stella
Vita

Spanish-Inspired Girl Dog Names

Alma
Bonita
Carmen
Lola
Lucía
Luna
Marisol
Paloma
Rosa
Sol

Japanese-Inspired Girl Dog Names

Aki
Hana
Haru
Kiko
Mika
Momo
Sora
Yuki
Yumi

Female Dog Names With Lovely Meanings

Alba — “dawn” or “white” in several Romance-language traditions
Amara — often associated with grace or enduring beauty in different naming traditions
Aurora — dawn
Clara — bright or clear
Esme — beloved or esteemed
Felice — happy or fortunate
Flora — flower
Grace — elegance, kindness or favor
Hazel — associated with the hazel tree and warm brown-green color
Iris — rainbow
Jade — precious green stone
Lucy — light
Luna — moon
Mabel — lovable
Nadia — hope
Ruby — precious red gemstone
Serena — serene or calm
Sofia — wisdom
Stella — star
Valentina — strong or healthy
Vita — life

Short & One-Syllable Girl Dog Names

Short names can be especially handy during training because they are quick and distinct.

Ash
Bee
Belle
Blair
Blue
Bree
Dove
Dot
Flo
Grace
Hope
Jade
Joy
June
Kit
Liv
Mae
Moon
Neve
Pearl
Rain
Rose
Rue
Sage
Sky
Snow
Star
Wren

Girl Dog Names A–Z

Want to browse alphabetically? Here is a playful starter list from A to Z. As this guide grows, we can expand each letter with many more names.

A

Ada, Addie, Aggie, Alba, Alma, Amara, Amelia, Amélie, Angel, Annie, Apricot, Arabella, Ariel, Aspen, Athena, Aubrey, Aurora, Ava, Azalea

B

Baby, Bambi, Bea, Beatrice, Bee, Bella, Belle, Bessie, Betty, Bianca, Bijou, Birdie, Bitsy, Blossom, Bluebell, Bonnie, Bramble, Brie, Brownie, Bubbles, Bunny, Buttercup, Button

C

Callie, Calliope, Camellia, Camille, Candy, Caramel, Carmen, Cece, Celeste, Chanel, Chérie, Chloe, Cinnamon, Clara, Cleo, Clover, Coco, Colette, Coral, Cosette, Cricket, Cupcake

D

Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Daphne, Dawn, Delilah, Delphine, Diana, Diva, Dolly, Doris, Dorothy, Dot, Dottie, Dove, Dumpling

E

Ebony, Eden, Edie, Edith, Edna, Effie, Eleanor, Ellie, Eloise, Elsa, Elsie, Ember, Emerald, Emma, Esme, Esther, Ethel, Eva, Evie

F

Fable, Fawn, Fennel, Fern, Fifi, Figgy, Flora, Florence, Flossie, Freesia, Freya, Fudge

G

Gem, Genevieve, Gia, Gigi, Ginger, Giselle, Gladys, Goldie, Grace, Gracie, Greta

H

Hana, Harriet, Hattie, Hazel, Heather, Hera, Hilda, Holly, Honey, Hope

I

Indie, Inky, Irene, Iris, Isla, Ivy

J

Jade, Jasmine, Jellybean, Jinx, Joan, Josie, Joy, Juno, Junie, Juniper

K

Kali, Kiki, Kismet, Kiwi, Koko

L

Lady, Lavender, Layla, Leia, Lilac, Lily, Locket, Lola, Lottie, Lovebug, Lucia, Lucy, Lulu, Luna

M

Mabel, Macaron, Maggie, Magnolia, Maisie, Maple, Margot, Marigold, Marshmallow, Matilda, Maude, Meadow, Midge, Mildred, Millie, Mimi, Minnie, Miso, Misty, Mocha, Mochi, Molly, Moon, Moxie, Myrtle

N

Nadia, Nala, Nellie, Nibbles, Nimbus, Noodle, Nova, Nutmeg, Nyx

O

Ocean, Odette, Olive, Onyx, Opal, Oreo

P

Paloma, Peaches, Peanut, Pearl, Pebble, Penny, Pepper, Petal, Petunia, Phoebe, Pickles, Pip, Piper, Pippa, Pixie, Poppy, Posie, Primrose, Princess, Pudding, Pumpkin

Q

Queenie, Quill, Quinn, Quirk

R

Rain, Raven, Rebel, Regina, River, Roma, Rosa, Rose, Rosie, Roux, Roxy, Ruby, Rue

S

Sadie, Saffron, Sage, Sassy, Scout, Selene, Seraphina, Serena, Shadow, Siena, Sky, Snow, Snowdrop, Sofia, Sol, Sophia, Sprinkles, Star, Stella, Storm, Stormy, Sugar, Sunny, Sweetpea

T

Taffy, Tallulah, Tempest, Thimble, Tilly, Tinker, Toffee, Topaz, Truffle, Tulip

U

Uma, Una, Unity

V

Valentina, Valor, Vanilla, Vera, Vesper, Vesta, Victoria, Violet, Vita, Vivi, Vivienne, Vixen

W

Waffles, Whimsy, Widget, Willow, Winnie, Winifred, Wren

X

Xena, Xia, Xyla

Y

Yara, Yuki, Yumi, Yuzu

Z

Zara, Zelda, Zia, Zinnia, Zippy, Zoey, Zola, Zuzu

Girl Dog Names by Breed

Breed-specific naming guides let us be much more creative. Instead of recycling the same female dog names again and again, we can use each breed’s homeland, history, coat, personality and appearance for inspiration.

Popular Purebred Name Guides

Popular Designer Breed Name Guides

How to Choose the Right Name for Your Girl Dog

Start with a shortlist of names you actually enjoy. Then look at the dog in front of you.

Does she seem dainty, bold, silly, elegant, mischievous or calm?
Is there something distinctive about her color, markings or coat?
Does her breed have a history or homeland that inspires you?
Do you prefer human names, food names, funny names or something unusual?
Can everyone in the household say the name comfortably?

Do not rush simply because a puppy “needs” a name. Plenty of excellent names reveal themselves after a few days of living together.

How to Teach Your Puppy Her Name

Start in a quiet room.
Say her name once in a cheerful voice.
When she looks toward you, immediately praise and reward her.
Repeat a few times, then stop before she loses interest.
Practice in different rooms and gradually around mild distractions.
Avoid repeating the name endlessly when she is ignoring you.

Try to make her name predict good things. You want “Poppy!” to mean “look at me,” not “oh dear, what have you done now?”

Frequently Asked Questions About Girl Dog Names

What are some cute girl dog names?

Birdie, Dottie, Gigi, Maisie, Millie, Olive, Pippa, Poppy, Rosie, Tilly and Winnie are cheerful choices for many small female dogs.

What are some unique female dog names?

Alouette, Bijou, Fable, Juniper, Kismet, Locket, Mallow, Quirk, Saffron, Thimble, Vesper, Whimsy and Yuzu are more unusual possibilities.

What are pretty names for a female puppy?

Amélie, Arabella, Aurora, Camille, Celeste, Eloise, Genevieve, Giselle, Juliette, Penelope, Valentina and Vivienne all have a graceful feel.

What are strong female dog names?

Athena, Freya, Hero, Leia, Moxie, Nova, Rogue, Scout, Storm, Valkyrie, Valor and Xena suit confident little dogs with big personalities.

What is a funny name for a tiny female dog?

Big Mama, Beefcake, Captain Crumb, Grandma, Lady Wigglebottom, Potato, Princess Pants, Taco and Toe Bean are all gloriously ridiculous choices.

Are human names good for dogs?

Absolutely. Human names can be charming, especially vintage ones such as Mabel, Doris, Ethel, Betty, Olive and Winifred.

Should I choose a short female dog name?

Short names can be convenient during training, but dogs can learn longer names too. Consistency matters more than syllable count.

Can I change an adopted female dog’s name?

Yes. Dogs can learn new names. Pair the new name with positive attention and rewards, and make the transition gradual if she already responds strongly to the old one.

About Our Girl Dog Names Guide

Dogs Central is rebuilding its dog-name library with the same spirit that made our earlier names section popular: useful lists, but with enough originality and humor to help people discover something they have not already seen fifty times.

This guide will keep growing, and our breed-specific naming pages will make the collection even more useful by connecting names with the history, personality and appearance of individual small dog breeds.

If a name here makes you laugh, reminds you immediately of your puppy, or causes the whole family to say, “That’s her,” we have accomplished exactly what we hoped to do.

Happy naming!