In Ancient Times These Were the 185 Most Popular Dog Names

For thousands of years, dogs have remained our beloved companions, their names mirroring the shifts in culture and ways of life. In ancient times, their names often conveyed their looks, traits, or vocations, or were drawn from myth, religion, or literature. Join us as we explore the most popular dog names in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Europe!

Popular Dog Names in Ancient Egypt

Dogs in Ancient Egypt were revered and seen as having a connection to the dog-jackal god, Anubis, and for their companionship. When their furry friends passed away, Ancient Egyptians greatly mourned, and many laid them to rest with great pomp and ceremony in the sacred temple of Anubis at Saqqara. They also believed that their dogs, just like humans, would continue enjoying their lives after death, in the afterlife or the Field of Reeds.

1. Abuwtiyuw: Lead to rest during the Old Kingdom near the plateau of Giza, Abuwtiyuw is one of the most famous dogs from ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh at that time provided this royal guard dog with a very elaborate ceremonial burial, including a coffin straight from the royal treasury.
2. Phts: “Blacky”.
3. Ḥbni: “Ebony”.
4. Jḏm: “Red-one”.
5. ‘Ir(ii)-m-šsṯ: “One who is fashioned as an arrow”.
6. Ir(ii)-m-šṯ: Researchers translated this name as “One who is fashioned as a šṯ”, with “šṯ” possibly referring to a honey-badger.
7. Ꜥnḫw: “Lively”.
8. Sꜣq (or mniw)-nfr: “Good shepherd”.
9. Mꜣti: “Brave one”.
10. Tꜣ-n.t-niw.t: “Those of Thebes”.
11. Tp-nfr: “Nice” or “beautiful head”.

Popular Dog Names in Ancient Greece

Although many ancient Greeks held a disdain for dogs, utilizing them in sacrificial rituals and resorting to the word “dog” as an insult, there were also those who held deep affection and reverence for these creatures. Wealthier Greeks, in particular, paid tribute to their dogs by laying them to rest with utmost reverence and ceremony, complete with grand tombstones and literary epitaphs.

In certain religious sanctuaries and temples, dogs were not only welcomed but seen as divine animals of the gods, and even regarded as a source of healing. In fact, in the fourth century BCE, many people sought treatment from the dogs residing at the sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus. Here are some popular dog names from Ancient Greece:

12. Argos: One of the most famous dog names, Argos was Odysseus’ faithful canine companion in Homer’s Odyssey. Argos recognized Odysseus when he returned home, even after being away for 20 years!
13. Peritas: Peritas was the beloved canine companion of Alexander the Great. Alexander loved the dog so much that he founded and named a city after him!
14. Locris
15. Tauros
16. Lampon
17. Aura: The famous Greek huntress Atalanta named her dog Aura.
18. Theia: Theia was one of the Titanesses and a goddess of sight and radiance.
19. Philokynegos
20. Stephanos: “wreath, crown”.
21. Epiodis: “One who is hopeful”; “hope, expectation”.
22. Tyrannos: “Monarch, ruler of a polis”.
23. Lycas: Meaning “wolf”, Lycas was quite popular from the fourth century BCE to the first century AD.
24. Blackie
25. Whitey
26. Blue
27. Tawny
28. Blossom
29. Parthenope: Meaning “maiden-voiced”, Parthenope was a siren in Greek mythology.
30. Fencer
31. Keeper
32. Butcher
33. Hasty
34. Spoiler
35. Hurry
36. Stubborn
37. Tracker
38. Yelp
39. Happy
40. Dash
41. Jolly
42. Rockdove
43. Trooper
44. Growler
45. Riot
46. Fury
47. Lance
48. Plucky
49. Pell-Mell
50. Dagger
51. Killer
52. Swift
53. Crafty

Names for Hunting Dogs in Ancient Greece

The Greek historian Xenophon (a student of Socrates) also recorded his thoughts on how to name hunting dogs. His ideal names were short, easy to pronounce, and carried significant meaning to influence the psyche of the dog.

54. Ormi: Xenophon’s named his own dog Ormi, which translates to “momentum” or “rush”.
55. Psyche: Psyche is the Ancient Greek goddess of the soul.
56. Pluck
57. Buckler
58. Spigot
59. Lance
60. Lurcher
61. Watch
62. Keeper
63. Brigade
64. Fencer
65. Butcher
66. Blazer
67. Prowess
68. Craftsman
69. Forester
70. Counselor
71. Spoiler
72. Hurry
73. Fury
74. Growler
75. Riot
76. Bloomer
77. Rome
78. Blossom
79. Hebe
80. Hilary
81. Jolity
82. Gazer
83. Eyebright
84. Much
85. Force
86. Trooper
87. Bustle
88. Bubbler
89. Rockdove
90. Stubborn
91. Yelp
92. Killer
93. Pele-Mele
94. Strongboy
95. Sky
96. Sunbeam
97. Bodkin
98. Wistful
99. Gnome
100. Tracks
101. Dash

Popular Dog Names in Ancient Rome

The Ancient Romans had pets of all kinds, from cats and dogs to apes and birds. However, dogs were revered far above all other animal companions and are often depicted in the art and literature of Ancient Rome.

For example, Ovid, the popular Roman poet, listed many of Actaeon’s hunting dogs in his famous Metamorphoses, including:

102. Fido: In Latin, Fido means “faithful”.
103. Blackfoot
104. Tracer
105. Glutton
106. Quicksite
107. Surefoot
108. Killbuck
109. Tempest
110. Hunter
111. Wingfoot
112. Chaser
113. Woodranger
114. Wildwood
115. Harpy
116. Ladon
117. Barker
118. Spot
119. Tiger
120. Stout
121. Blanche
122. Lacon
123. Storm
124. Wolfet
125. Snap
126. Blackcoat
127. Bristle
128. Towser
129. Wildtooh
130. Dicte
131. Babbler

Other citizens of Rome chose to name their precious pups with many of these popular dog names:

132. Leukos: “White”.
133. Melanos: “Black”.
134. Anthos: “Flower”.
135. Thyella: “Storm”.
136. Thireutis: “Predator”.
137. Phylax: “Guardian”.
138. Margarita: “Pearl”.
139. Patrice
140. Myia
141. Helena
142. Aeolis

Popular Dog Names in England During the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, hunting was not just a hobby, it was also a highly esteemed sport. For example, The Names of All Manner of Hounds during the fifteenth century listed 1,065 names for hunting dogs. It included many of these popular English dog names:

143. Stalker
144. Birdismowthe
145. Holdefaste
146. Ercules: During the Middle Ages, many Europeans chose names from history and literature for their dogs, including “Ercules” or “Hercules”.
147. Arture: Named after King Arthur of Legend.
148. Charlemayne: Named after the king and emperor who united much of central and western Europe.
149. Plesaunce
150. Cherefull
151. Harmeles
152. Whitefoot
153. Jakke
154. Sturdy
155. Terri
156. Bo
157. Troy
158. Nameles
159. Bragge
160. Amiable
161. Nosewise
162. Clenche
163. Ringwood

Popular Dog Names in Europe During the Middle Ages

There were many other popular dog names throughout Europe during the Middle Ages as well, including:

164. Rubino: Ruler of Mantua in the 1400s, Ludovico III Gonzaga, had at least two dogs: Rubino and Bellina. Gonzaga was so devastated when Rubino died that he buried him in a casket and gave him an official gravestone.
165. Bellina: One of the dogs owned by Ludovico III Gonzaga.
166. Purkoy: King Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, named her dog Purkoy.
167. Turgk
168. Furst: Furst, which means “Prince”, was the most popular name in Switzerland in 1504.
169. Venus
170. Fortuna
171. Hemmerli: “Little Hammer”
172. Speichli: “Little Spoke”
173. Mon Ami: “My friend”
174. Douce: “Sweet”
175. Douce Ami: “My sweet”
176. Megastomo: “Big mouth”
177. Beamond
178. Richer or Richier
179. Baude or Baulde
180. Gerland: Gerland, Talbot, and Colle were the names of three dogs in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Nun’s Priest Tale, and subsequently became quite popular in England during the Middle Ages.
181. Souillard
182. Blonde or Blondeau
183. Rose or Roseau
184. Mirre or Mirau
185. Parceval

Pet Care in the Middle Ages

Although domesticated animals often were kept for a functional purpose (keeping pests away, hunting, etc.), people in the Middle Ages also kept animals for companionship. Dogs and cats in particular were popular in religious orders, with many monks and nuns caring for various types of animals. In addition, both hunting dogs and aristocratic lap dogs appear in many different Medieval texts and illuminated manuscripts. In fact, in the fifteenth century, the philosopher Albertus Magnus wrote an entire book called On Animals, wherein he included advice on how to care for our furry friends!