The 130 Best Gangster (and Gangsta) Dog Names

Maybe you’re tough and want to name your dog to match your aesthetic. Or maybe you and your dog are absolute wimps, but you want to give the little ankle-biter an ironic name. Either way, a “gangster,” or a “gangsta” dog name might be just what you’re looking for. And no, those don’t mean the same thing. Nick Spicher, a January 2018 Jeopardy! contestant, found out the hard way: he lost $3,200 for mispronouncing the title of Coolio’s 1995 song “Gangsta’s Paradise!” Read on to find out the difference and discover some “bad dog” names for good dogs!

Gangster vs. Gangsta

Gangster

The Oxford English Dictionary says a gangster is “a member of a criminal gang, esp. one involved in organized crime.” Think of 1920s Chicago mafia bosses like Al “Scarface” Capone. Or Bonnie and Clyde, the notorious couple who went on a robbery and murder crime spree during the Great Depression. Think of the kinds of traditional mafia families fictionalized in The Godfather. Think of “Keep the change, you filthy animal!” – the movie line made famous by Home Alone.

But mafia families are not just a thing of the past. The FBI reports 24 mafia families are still active in the United States. In addition to the traditional Italian mafia, crime families and organizations from Russia, Albania, Japan, and other countries continue to work in the shadows. The bottom line is that these are sophisticated, multinational organizations that have long-established traditions and may even operate legitimate businesses as fronts for criminal activity.

Gangsta

Back to the Oxford English Dictionary: a gangsta is “a member of an urban territorial gang.” So, we’re thinking now along the lines of Crips and Bloods, the Latin Kings, the Asian Boyz, or MS-13. These street gangs are especially associated with the drug trade, prostitution, and violent territorial battles in decaying urban areas.

But “gangsta” can also refer to “gangsta rap” artists who present a dangerous, larger-than-life image without necessarily being affiliated with an actual gang. Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Eminem, and Lil’ Kim are gangsta rappers with wide popular appeal.

In urban culture, calling someone “gangsta” is most often a compliment. It means they’re tough, fearless, cool, or awesome. And if you do something truly incredible, you could be called the “OG” (“original gangsta.”)

Cultural Icons

As you can see, “gangster” and “gangsta” refer to different types of criminals, of different eras. Of course, we don’t want to glorify violent criminals who have caused suffering for many people. But the images of both terms have risen above criminals. These cultural icons are associated with certain ways of dressing, confident swagger, extravagant wealth, and musical styles. Names from either of these cultures can give your dog an “alpha” image, even if their bark is humorously bigger than their bite.

Gangster Names

If you want your dog to be really OG, name them for a notorious mobster. Google your favorites to find out what they did before saddling your little criminal with a reputation.

Real Gangster Names for Male Dogs

Real Gangster Names for Female Dogs

Gangsta Names

For edgy gangsta names, we’ve drawn upon well-known rappers. We chose these just because their names sounded cool, but of course, there are hundreds more, and these may not all currently be the most popular in the fast-changing music scene. If you like a name, look up the artist’s bio and listen to some of their work to see if it’s a good fit for your little boo! Many rapper names are single word and letter combinations that sound good together.

Gangsta Names for Male Dogs

Gangsta Names for Female Dogs

“Ruff” and Tough Names

If the names of real gangsters and gangstas aren’t what you’re looking for, maybe you want a more generic intimidating name. Here are some suggestions to give your dog the street cred they deserve.

“Tough Guy” Names for Any Dog

All Dogs Are the OG!

It’s no wonder dogs are man’s (and woman’s) best friend. Their personalities and lifestyles are as diverse as ours, and they are our “perfect” little babies. But you have to admit, they all have an inner criminal streak. If you doubt it, try leaving your steak near the edge of the table for 10 minutes and see what happens.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kashaeva Irina/Shutterstock.com