The 120 Best Scary Dog Names for Males and Females

Written by Lisa Bohler
Published: December 1, 2023
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Blue nose Pit bull dog

Blue-nosed Pitt bulls have a reputation for being fierce; however, they are loving and loyal pets.

©Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock.com

Naming your new dog is an important decision. Some people choose names based on the personality of the animal, and some people choose names based on the animal’s appearance. However, when you want your dog to sound intimidating, look for the best scary dog names.

Using the best scary dog name does not mean that your animal will be aggressive, and often, people choose a fierce name that makes people who hear it envision a huge snarling beast, and the dog with the name is a tiny Yorkshire terrier.

Have fun choosing your name, but remember that you might have to stand in the middle of your neighborhood and call that name out several times. Therefore, choosing a name that is easy to say and meaningful to you is important. Also, go outside and holler that name at the top of your lungs ten to fifteen times. If you still love the name after that, then you have a winner.

Things To Remember When Naming a Pet

Before you name your pet, there are a few things that experts advise you to consider.

Choose Short Names

To choose the best scary names for dogs, you have to choose a name that the dog can recognize and respond to. One- or two-syllable words should be used for dog names. These shorter words are easier to say and easier for the dog to comprehend.

Think About How The Name Sounds

To avoid confusing the animal, pay attention to how the name sounds when you pronounce it. Choose names that do not sound or rhyme with the words you plan to use as commands. For example, the words “Joe,” “Flo,” and “Mo” have the same sound as the command “no.” It is possible that the similar-sounding words would confuse the animal, making it difficult for it to follow your instructions.

Negative Or Offensive Words

Do not choose negative, degrading, or insulting names when naming a pet. You will have to call the name out, and if you have chosen a derogatory word as their name, this will eventually lead to an embarrassing situation.

The dog will not understand that their name is offensive; however, your family, friends, and strangers will react to the name. A dog will live ten to 30 years, depending on the breed. After they learn their name changing it will confuse them. Pick a name that is good today, and that you will still think is good 20 years from today.

Take Your Time

Your new pet does not have to have a name before they get to your home. Take a day or two and watch the animal and how it behaves. This period of observation will be valuable in helping you choose the best name.

The Best Scary Dog Names For Females

German shepherds are also called police dogs because so many of them have been used as canine officers.

German Shepherds make excellent guard dogs, and they have a fierce reputation.

©BIGANDT.COM/Shutterstock.com

Research shows that female dog names have more syllables than male dog names. Interestingly, human females are named with words that generally have more syllables than boys. People assume that females are sweet-natured, kind, and loving. However, it is possible to choose scary names for females and make your pet sound more intimidating when you call them.

A-CD-MM-SS-Z
1Annabelle11Drusilla21Medusa31Sheba
2Anubis12Freya22Michonne32Suso
3Artemis13Freya23Morticia33Tawanda
4Banshee14Hecate24Nalda34Tempest
5Baretta15Jinx25Nyx35Pandora
6Berna16Kali26Remington36Ursula
7Bonnie17Kaschperi27Remy37Vesper
8Buffy18Loki28Ripley38Vixen
9Carrie19Maia29Sabre39Wednesday
10Cruella20Maleficent30Salem40Zelda

The Best Scary Dog Names for Males

Doberman Pinchers are alert animals that was once primarily used as guard or protection dogs.

Doberman Pinschers have an intimidating appearance.

©SasaStock/Shutterstock.com

Naming a male dog with a scary or intimidating name is easier than naming a female. More villains, weapons, and warriors have predominantly male names. People who own breeds like the Doberman Pinchers often give animals names that are scary and tough-sounding, and warrior names like Thor and Zeus are both tough and scary.

A-BC-EF-JJ-R
1Achilles11Conan21Fang31Jaws
2Ajax12Dagger22Gaston32Killer
3Ammo13Danger23Goliath33Lucifer
4Angus14Darth Vader24Grizzly34Magnum
5Axe15Demon25Hades35Satan
6Bane16Diablo26Hammer36Scar
7Bear17Diesel27Hercules37Spike
8Beast18Doom28Hook38Thor
9Bonecrusher19Dozer29Hulk39Rambo
10Bond20Excalibur30Jafar40Razor

Name Ideas That Are Gender Neutral

Several names are gender-neutral in the list of the best scary names for dogs. Your dog doesn’t need to have a name that fits within society’s vision of a particular gender or breed. You can name your Great Dane Tiny and your Chihuahua Goliath. It is also okay to name your male dog Xena and your female dog Thor. The dog does not know about gender associations. Choose a name you like and stick with it.

The Cane Corso is considered to be one of the scariest dog breeds because of their size.

Cane Corso

dogs are loving and gentle; however, strangers will avoid them because of their size.

©Sbolotova/Shutterstock.com

A-CC-FG-SS-Z
1Akita11Crunch21Ghoul31Striker
2Apache12Crusher22Justice32Thing
3Blaze13Cujo23Incubus33Ursa
4Bolas14Danger24Menace34Vetala
5Bullet14Desdemona25Neptune35Vex
6Butcher16Destroyer26Panther36Voodoo
7Comanche17Dog27Poison37Whip
8Chaos18Felon28Reaper38Whiskey
9Clovis19Fiend29Savage39Xena
10Crash20Fury30Storm40Zane

The Top 10 Scary Dog Names For Males And Females

The most commonly used scary names for dogs are:

Top 10 Male Names

  • Rambo: After John Rambo in the movie
  • Killer
  • Beast: although in the movie “The Sandlot,” the dog named Beast was just misunderstood.
  • Demon
  • Cujo: From the Stephen King horror book and film
  • Darth or Darth Vader
  • Hercules
  • Savage
  • Grizzly
  • Fang

Top 10 Female Names

  • Xena Warrior Princess
  • Cruella
  • Annabelle
  • Tawanda
  • Drusilla
  • Medusa
  • Michonne
  • Maleficent
  • Ursula
  • Zelda

The Most Unique Scary Dog Names For Males And Females

If you are looking for the scariest dog name, but you want something unique that is not overused, consider the following names from our list:

Scary And Unique Male Dog Names

  • Bolas: In Spanish slang, this means testicles.
  • Whip: A weapon used for brutal beatings.
  • Fiend: a term for the devil.
  • Ghoul
  • Fury

Scary And Unique Female Dog Names

  • Nyx is the Greek goddess of darkness.
  • Hera was the queen of the Greek gods.
  • Kali means she who is death in Hinduism.
  • Justice
  • Pandora carried the wedding jar filled with evil spirits.

Summary of the Best Scary Dog Names For Males And Females

The best scary dog names can be found in a lot of places. To choose a name that is powerful and able to invoke fear or apprehension in people who hear it, consider words from the following categories:

  • Names of weapons like the axe or shotgun.
  • Movie villain names like Scar and Jafar
  • Real-life villains like Dohmer, Gacy, or Adolf.
  • Ammunition like a bullet
  • Words that mean Satan or Demon
  • Frightening elements of nature, like thunder, lightning, or storms.

Pets are an extension of who we are and how we think, and the name we give them is a reflection of our personality and favorite things.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/gsagi

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About the Author

Lisa Bohler is a writer for A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Lisa has been writing and researching animals for over 12 years and holds a Bachelor's Degree in English and Creative Writing from Liberty University, which she earned in 2021. A resident of Texas, Lisa enjoys fishing, gardening, and caring for the animals on her small hobby farm.

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