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. 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

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 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!