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. They 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

Ancient Egyptian dogs were associated with Anubis, the dog-jackal god of the Underworld and Afterlife.
©TanitaKo/Shutterstock.com
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.
- 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.
- Phts: “Blacky”.
- Ḥbni: “Ebony”.
- Jḏm: “Red-one”.
- ‘Ir(ii)-m-šsṯ: “One who is fashioned as an arrow”.
- Ir(ii)-m-šṯ: Researchers translated this name as “One who is fashioned as a šṯ”, with “šṯ” possibly referring to a honey-badger.
- Ꜥnḫw: “Lively”.
- Sꜣq (or mniw)-nfr: “Good shepherd”.
- Mꜣti: “Brave one”.
- Tꜣ-n.t-niw.t: “Those of Thebes”.
- Tp-nfr: “Nice” or “beautiful head”.
Popular Dog Names in Ancient Greece

Many Greeks chose to include their dogs in the epitaphs of their tombstones and grave markers.
©Konstantinos Livadas/iStock via Getty Images
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:
- 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!
- 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!
- Locris
- Tauros
- Lampon
- Aura: The famous Greek huntress Atalanta named her dog Aura.
- Theia: Theia was one of the Titanesses and a goddess of sight and radiance.
- Philokynegos
- Stephanos: “wreath, crown”.
- Epiodis: “One who is hopeful”; “hope, expectation”.
- Tyrannos: “Monarch, ruler of a polis”.
- Lycas: Meaning “wolf”, Lycas was quite popular from the fourth century BCE to the first century AD.
- Blackie
- Whitey
- Blue
- Tawny
- Blossom
- Parthenope: Meaning “maiden-voiced”, Parthenope was a siren in Greek mythology.
- Fencer
- Keeper
- Butcher
- Hasty
- Spoiler
- Hurry
- Stubborn
- Tracker
- Yelp
- Happy
- Dash
- Jolly
- Rockdove
- Trooper
- Growler
- Riot
- Fury
- Lance
- Plucky
- Pell-Mell
- Dagger
- Killer
- Swift
- Crafty
Names for Hunting Dogs in Ancient Greece

Cretan hounds from Ancient Greece are one of the oldest breeds of hunting dogs and are around today.
©Wirestock/iStock via Getty Images
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.
- Ormi: Xenophon’s named his own dog Ormi, which translates to “momentum” or “rush”.
- Psyche: Psyche is the Ancient Greek goddess of the soul.
- Pluck
- Buckler
- Spigot
- Lance
- Lurcher
- Watch
- Keeper
- Brigade
- Fencer
- Butcher
- Blazer
- Prowess
- Craftsman
- Forester
- Counselor
- Spoiler
- Hurry
- Fury
- Growler
- Riot
- Bloomer
- Rome
- Blossom
- Hebe
- Hilary
- Jolity
- Gazer
- Eyebright
- Much
- Force
- Trooper
- Bustle
- Bubbler
- Rockdove
- Stubborn
- Yelp
- Killer
- Pele-Mele
- Strongboy
- Sky
- Sunbeam
- Bodkin
- Wistful
- Gnome
- Tracks
- Dash
Popular Dog Names in Ancient Rome

“
Cave Canem“, or “Beware of the Dog” mosaic pieces have been discovered in ancient Roman ruins.
©giannimarchetti/iStock via Getty Images
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:
- Fido: In Latin, Fido means “faithful”.
- Blackfoot
- Tracer
- Glutton
- Quicksite
- Surefoot
- Killbuck
- Tempest
- Hunter
- Wingfoot
- Chaser
- Woodranger
- Wildwood
- Harpy
- Ladon
- Barker
- Spot
- Tiger
- Stout
- Blanche
- Lacon
- Storm
- Wolfet
- Snap
- Blackcoat
- Bristle
- Towser
- Wildtooh
- Dicte
- Babbler
Other citizens of Rome chose to name their precious pups with many of these popular dog names:
- Leukos: “White”.
- Melanos: “Black”.
- Anthos: “Flower”.
- Thyella: “Storm”.
- Thireutis: “Predator”.
- Phylax: “Guardian”.
- Margarita: “Pearl”.
- Patrice
- Myia
- Helena
- Aeolis
Popular Dog Names in England During the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, dogs were often kept for companionship, pest control, and hunting.
©© Getty Images/PHOTOS.com>> via Getty Images
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:
- Stalker
- Birdismowthe
- Holdefaste
- Ercules: During the Middle Ages, many Europeans chose names from history and literature for their dogs, including “Ercules” or “Hercules”.
- Arture: Named after King Arthur of Legend.
- Charlemayne: Named after the king and emperor who united much of central and western Europe.
- Plesaunce
- Cherefull
- Harmeles
- Whitefoot
- Jakke
- Sturdy
- Terri
- Bo
- Troy
- Nameles
- Bragge
- Amiable
- Nosewise
- Clenche
- Ringwood
Popular Dog Names in Europe During the Middle Ages

One of the frescoes in the Castel San Giorgio depicts Gonzaga’s favorite dog, Rubino, beneath his chair.
©Andrea Mantegna / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons – Original / License
There were many other popular dog names throughout Europe during the Middle Ages as well, including:
- 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.
- Bellina: One of the dogs owned by Ludovico III Gonzaga.
- Purkoy: King Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, named her dog Purkoy.
- Turgk
- Furst: Furst, which means “Prince”, was the most popular name in Switzerland in 1504.
- Venus
- Fortuna
- Hemmerli: “Little Hammer”
- Speichli: “Little Spoke”
- Mon Ami: “My friend”
- Douce: “Sweet”
- Douce Ami: “My sweet”
- Megastomo: “Big mouth”
- Beamond
- Richer or Richier
- Baude or Baulde
- 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.
- Souillard
- Blonde or Blondeau
- Rose or Roseau
- Mirre or Mirau
- Parceval
Pet Care in the Middle Ages

The French poet, Christine de Pizan, had a dog who often sat with her while she wrote.
©Kelson at French Wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons – Original / License
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 15th century, the philosopher Albertus Magnus wrote an entire book called On Animals, wherein he included advice on how to care for our furry friends!
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