Welcoming a new pup into your family is a joyous and unforgettable occasion. Selecting a unique, unisex and gender neutral name for your furry friend can make the bond even more special. Choosing a distinctive name not only sets your dog apart but also sparks conversations and curiosity. A name like “Apple,” “Coco,” or “Snow” resonates with both male and female pups, ensuring their identity remains as one-of-a-kind as they are.
100+ Unisex & Gender-Neutral Dog Names With Meanings
If you’re on the hunt for a charming unisex name for your cherished furry companion, you’ve landed in the right spot. Here’s a curated list of distinctive names suitable for both male and female dogs. Choose a standout, captivating name for your delightful new pet.
- Alex – Short form of Alexander or Alexandra, meaning “defender of the people”.
- Angel – A celestial being or someone pure and innocent.
- Apple – A popular fruit.
- Ash – Residue from fire; also a type of tree.
- Aspen – A type of tree.
- Bailey – An outer wall of a castle; also a popular personal name.
- Bear – A large wild mammal; denotes strength.
- Berry – A small pulpy fruit.
- Blaze – A strong fire or flame.
- Blue – A color, often associated with the sky or ocean.
- Brook – A small stream.
- Brownie – A chocolate dessert; or small mythical creature.
- Bubbles – Spherical pockets of gas in liquid.
- Buddy – A friend.
- Caramel – A sweet chewy candy.
- Casey – Of Celtic origin, meaning “vigilant or watchful”.
- Charlie – Diminutive form of Charles.
- Cherry – A small, round, red fruit.
- Chip – A small piece broken off, or a thin slice of food.
- Coco – Often associated with chocolate or coconut.
- Cookie – A baked treat.
- Dakota – Native American tribe; means “friend” or “ally”.
- Daisy – A type of flower.
- Dobby – The house elf from “Harry Potter”.
- Echo – A sound reflection.
- Eden – A biblical paradise.
- Fern – A type of plant.
- Finn – Of Irish origin, meaning “white or fair”.
- Fluffy – Something light and soft.
- Frankie – Diminutive form of names like Frank or Frances.
- Ginger – A spicy root; or a reddish-brown color.
- Goldie – Related to the color gold or something precious.
- Harper – One who plays the harp.
- Hazel – A type of tree; or a color between green and brown.
- Honey – A sweet substance made by bees.
- Indie – Short for “independent”.
- Ivory – Material from tusks; denotes whiteness and purity.
- Jade – A green precious stone.
- Jamie – Diminutive form of James.
- Jasper – A type of gemstone.
- Jellybean – A sweet, bean-shaped candy.
- Jesse – Of Hebrew origin, meaning “gift”.
- Jet – A type of black stone; or short for “jet engine”.
- Joey – Baby kangaroo; or diminutive form of Joseph.
- Jordan – A river in the Middle East.
- Kelsey – Of Old English origin, meaning “ship’s victory”.
- Kimchi – A Korean fermented vegetable dish.
- Kit – Short for Christopher or Katherine.
- Leaf – Part of a plant.
- Lemon – A sour yellow fruit.
- Lucky – Fortunate.
- Luna – Latin for “moon”.
- Mango – A tropical fruit.
- Maple – A type of tree or its syrup.
- Marley – Could be inspired by Bob Marley or means “pleasant seaside meadow”.
- Marshmallow – A soft, sweet candy.
- Micky – Diminutive form of Michael.
- Mocha – A type of coffee; or chocolate-coffee flavor.
- Morgan – Of Old Welsh origin, meaning “sea circle”.
- Nala – The lioness from “The Lion King”.
- Nemo – The clownfish from “Finding Nemo”; Latin for “no one”.
- Olive – A type of fruit; symbol of peace.
- Oreo – A popular sandwich cookie.
- Parker – Occupational name for a park keeper.
- Peaches – A sweet fruit.
- Peanut – A type of legume.
- Pepper – A spicy condiment.
- Pippin – A type of apple; a character from “Lord of the Rings”.
- Poppy – A type of flower.
- Pumpkin – A round, orange vegetable.
- Rainbow – Multicolored arc in the sky.
- Raven – A large black bird.
- Reese – Could be inspired by Reese’s candy or of Welsh origin, meaning “ardor”.
- Riley – Of Old English origin, meaning “rye clearing”.
- Robin – A type of bird.
- Rocky – Having lots of rocks or a strong fighter.
- Rose – A type of flower.
- Rusty – Oxidized metal; reddish-brown color.
- Sage – A herb; or wise person.
- Sammy – Diminutive form of Samuel or Samantha.
- Sandy – Related to sand; or diminutive form of Sandra.
- Scooby – The dog from “Scooby-Doo”.
- Scout – To search or a young person in scouting organizations.
- Shadow – An area where light is blocked.
- Simba – The lion from “The Lion King”; means “lion” in Swahili.
- Sky – The expanse above us.
- Smokey – Filled with smoke or the bear mascot for forest fire prevention.
- Snickers – A candy bar.
- Snow – Frozen precipitation.
- Snowflake – An individual ice crystal.
- Sprout – A shoot from a seed.
- Star – A shining celestial body.
- Stormy – Related to a storm.
- Sunny – Bright and filled with sunlight.
- Taffy – A type of chewy candy.
- Taylor – Occupational name for a tailor.
- Teddy – Diminutive form of Edward or Theodore; or a stuffed toy bear.
- Terry – Diminutive form of Terence or Teresa.
- Tinker – To fiddle with something; or Tinker Bell, the fairy from Peter Pan.
- Toast – Bread browned by exposure to radiant heat.
- Tofu – A food made from soybeans.
- Tommy – Diminutive form of Thomas.
- Tulip – A type of flower.
- Twig – A small branch.
- Vanilla – A type of flavor derived from orchids.
- Willow – A type of tree.
- Winter – The coldest season of the year.
- Wren – A small, brown bird.
- Ziggy – Could be inspired by Ziggy Stardust, an alter ego of David Bowie.
- Zoey – A variation of Zoe, meaning “life” in Greek.
Why To Select A Unisex And Gender Neutral Dog Name For Your Pet Dog?
Focus On Personality
By choosing a unisex name, owners can concentrate more on selecting a name that matches the dog’s unique personality, characteristics, or appearance, rather than being influenced by gender norms or expectations.
Timelessness And Age Appropriateness
Gender-neutral names often possess a timeless quality. As your dog matures, the name remains fitting, avoiding potential mismatches that can arise when naming a pet based on their juvenile traits.
Avoid Stereotypes
Just as humans face gender stereotypes, pets too can be subjected to certain behaviors or traits based on their names. A neutral name eliminates potential biases and allows your dog to be perceived just as they are, without gendered expectations.
Conversation Starter
A unique, unisex name can spark interest and curiosity, making it a conversation starter with fellow dog lovers and in social settings. It can be a great way to share your pet’s unique story or the reason behind their name.
Inclusive Naming
Embracing unisex names reflects a more progressive and inclusive approach to naming, resonating with the broader societal shift towards breaking traditional gender norms and promoting equality.
Flexibility In Choosing
Often, determining a puppy’s gender might be unclear, especially if adopting at a very young age. A gender-neutral name removes the pressure to assign a strictly male or female name before being certain of the pet’s sex.