Is there anything cuter than a puppy under the Christmas tree? Why, sure there is: A dog of any age who comes into your life to brighten the holiday season! That special pet deserves a merry moniker that will remind you of their arrival. And when it comes to Christmas dog names, you’ve got a wide selection to choose from. Get into the spirit of the season with these Christmas dog names.
| Christmas Names for Girl Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Ailsa | Of Scottish origin, this girl’s name means “elf victory.” |
| Amaryllis | A popular Christmas flower, the amaryllis blooms during December. |
| Angelica | Derived from Latin and Greek, Angelica means “angel” or “messenger from God.” |
| Belle | This festive name jingles all the way. |
| Bianca | Dreaming of a white Christmas pup? This pretty Italian name means “white.” |
| Carol | As in Christmas carols, of course! |
| Celeste | This angelic name means “heavenly.” |
| Clara | Clara is the young heroine in “The Nutcracker.” |
| Epiphany | Also known as Little Christmas or Three Kings Day, the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in early January. |
| Eve | A nod to Christmas Eve and its joyful traditions. |
| Faith | This theological virtue also makes for a pretty name. |
| Gloria | If your go-to Christmas carol is “Angels We Have Heard on High,” look no further. |
| Grace | Another virtue-inspired name, Grace is a lovely choice year-round. |
| Hollis | An English name meaning “dweller at the holly trees.” |
| Holly | Holly berries are toxic to people and pets, but the plant makes for a fresh choice with evergreen appeal. |
| Hope | Hope will always be hoping for a treat! |
| Ivy | If Holly is a bit too prickly for you, consider Ivy. |
| Joy | Joy to the world, a new pup has come home! |
| Juniper | The evergreen shrub is also an on-trend girl’s name. |
| Lucia | In Scandinavia, St. Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13, marking the beginning of the holiday season. |
| Mariah | Mariah Carey is sometimes called the Queen of Christmas, and who are we to argue? |
| Merry | Is there any other way to feel when you bring home a four-legged friend? |
| Miracle | ‘Tis the season for Christmas miracles. |
| Mistletoe | This name comes with plenty of puppy kisses. |
| Mrs. Claus | We all know Santa’s better half keeps the North Pole running smoothly. |
| Natala | A Latin name meaning “the Lord’s birthday.” |
| Noël | This name is also the French word for Christmas. |
| North | Which way to Santa’s house?! |
| Paloma | Spanish for “dove,” a symbol of peace. |
| Partridge | Add a pear tree to your yard, and your first day of Christmas is complete. |
| Poinsettia | The iconic Christmas flower is toxic to pets but makes for a festive name. |
| Robin | With their red coloring and spiritual significance, robins are traditionally associated with Christmas. |
| Ruby | This gem of a name winks to the color of the season. |
| Scarlett | Another shade of red, Scarlett is also a vintage girl’s name. |
| Star | In honor of the tree topper and your furry friend’s out-of-this-world personality. |
| Stella | Of Latin origin, this celestial girl’s name means “star.” |
| Tinsel | Perfect for the pet who can’t help but shine. |
| Twinkle | If your lights don’t twinkle, is it even Christmas? |
| Virginia | Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Paws. |
| Vixen | Santa’s reindeer shares its name with the word for a female fox. |
| Christmas Names for Boy Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Alfredo | Of Spanish and Italian origin, this variation of Alfred means “elf counsel.” |
| Alvie | Of British origin, this unisex name means “elf friend.” |
| Angelo | Meaning “angel” or “messenger from God,” this name is thought to have both Greek and Latin origins. |
| Aster | Of Greek origin, this boy’s name means “star.” |
| Axel | This name with Icelandic, Scandinavian and German origins means “father of peace.” |
| Baba | In Turkey, Father Christmas is known as Noel Baba. |
| Balsam | The balsam fir is a popular variety of Christmas tree. |
| Blitzen | Giddy up! This reindeer name means “flash” or “lightning” in German. |
| Calum | A peaceful Scottish name meaning “dove.” |
| Cane | Like a candy cane, of course! |
| Celyn | A lovely name derived from the Welsh word for “holly.” |
| Christian | This classic boy’s name has a faithful following. |
| Christmas | For 11 months of the year, you can simply call your dog “Chris.” |
| Claus | Santa’s surname sounds like “claws,” which might be a fitting name for your Christmas pup. |
| Clement | In honor of Clement Clarke Moore, who wrote the poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” |
| Coal | No good boy would find coal in their stocking, but it is a great name for black-coated pets! |
| Comet | Santa’s reindeer is the perfect namesake for speedy pets. |
| Crimson | This color-inspired name winks to Christmastime reds. |
| Crosby | Last name of famous crooner Bing Crosby, whose “White Christmas” and other songs are often heard during the holidays. |
| Cullen | Before it was made famous by the “Twilight” saga, Cullen was simply an Irish surname derived from the word cuileann, meaning “holly tree.” |
| Cupid | This reindeer name will work just as well come Valentine’s Day. |
| Dasher | For a cute nickname, you can shorten this reindeer-inspired name to Dash. |
| Donner | Festive and preppy, this reindeer name is a year-round winner. |
| December | If you adopt your furry friend during the holidays, consider commemorating the month! |
| Dickens | A nod to Charles Dickens, author of “A Christmas Carol.” |
| Dominick | Hee-haw, hee-haw! Love it or loathe it, “Dominick the Donkey” is a classic Christmas tune. |
| Douglas | The Douglas fir is a popular Christmas evergreen. |
| Elf | A festive name for petite pets and big-boned buds alike. |
| Jingle | Oh what fun it is to name pets! |
| Jolly | For the pet with a Santa-like disposition. |
| Kiefer | A German name meaning “pine tree.” |
| Krampus | The “anti-Santa,” Krampus is a horned character from European folklore who scares naughty children during the holiday season. |
| Kringle | Santa has many aliases, including Kris Kringle. |
| Nick | In honor of the jolly man himself, Saint Nick. |
| Nollaig | A unisex Irish name meaning “Christmas.” |
| North | Which way to Santa’s workshop? North! |
| Nutcracker | Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballet takes place on Christmas Eve. |
| Oren | A Hebrew name meaning “pine tree.” |
| Pax | Of Latin origin, Pax means “peace.” |
| Prancer | This reindeer name will put a little spring in any pet’s step! |
| Rudolph | The red-nosed legend is one of Santa’s most famous reindeer, and his name comes with a cute nickname: Rudy! |
| Santa | Go big or go home! The big man himself makes for a fantastically festive name. |
| Seanan | An Irish name meaning “little wise man.” |
| Spruce | The spruce tree is a classic Christmas choice. |
| Wenceslas | The good king in the Christmas song made famous by Bing Crosby. |
| Yule | Another name for Christmas, as in “yuletide greetings.” |
| TV and Movie-Inspired Christmas Names for Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Bailey | As fans of “It’s a Wonderful Life” know, George Bailey discovers the true meaning of Christmas in the beloved film. |
| Beethoven | Everyone’s favorite Saint Bernard has a holiday special, “Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure.” |
| Bob Cratchit | In “A Christmas Carol,” Bob Cratchit is Scrooge’s clerk. |
| Budderball | In “Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws,” Budderball lands on the naughty list for indulging in Thanksgiving turkey. |
| Buddy | As syrup-loving Buddy, Will Ferrell made “Elf” a holiday mainstay. |
| Bumpus | In “A Christmas Story,” the Bumpus Hounds devour the family’s much-awaited turkey dinner. |
| Charlie Brown | If your furry friend has a brown coat, the main character of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a holiday hit. |
| Cindy Lou Who | A little ray of sunshine in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Cindy Lou Who is the perfect name for sweet, petite pets. |
| Clarice | Clarice is Rudolph’s girlfriend in the classic TV Christmas special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” |
| Clarence | Pets have a way of gently guiding us in the right direction. With this in mind, Clarence, the guardian angel from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is an inspired choice. |
| Ebenezer | Unusual human names are always fun for pets, especially when shared with Mr. Scrooge. |
| Elsa | Although “Frozen” isn’t a Christmas movie, Elsa and her magical ice powers are pure winter wonder. |
| Fred Claus | In the movie of the same name, Fred Claus (played by Vince Vaughn) is Santa’s grumpy older brother. |
| Grinch | Your dog isn’t a “mean one,” but it would still be fun to call him Mr. Grinch. |
| Griswold | “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” centers on the Griswold family and their hilariously catastrophic holiday season. |
| Hans Gruber | Is “Die Hard” a Christmas movie? The jury’s still out, but we know one thing for certain: Hans Gruber is an amazing name for any pet. |
| Hermey | Hermey is an elf in the stop-motion animated special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” |
| Jack Skellington | In “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, but he’s fascinated by Christmas. |
| Jesper | In 2019’s “Klaus,” Jason Schwartzman voices Jesper, a postman who befriends Santa. |
| Kevin McCallister | KEVIN! Don’t leave your pup unattended this Christmas, or he may wreak havoc like the main character of “Home Alone.” |
| Marley | In “A Christmas Carol,” Jacob Marley is the first ghost to visit Scrooge. |
| Max | In honor of the antler-sporting dog in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” |
| Mitzi | The name of Rudolph’s mom in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” |
| Mr. Fezziwig | In “A Christmas Carol,” Mr. Fezziwig is a kindly old businessman man, aka the anti-Scrooge. |
| Olaf | Does your pet enjoy warm hugs? The “Frozen” cutie might be a good namesake! |
| Santa Paws | In Disney’s 2010 “The Search for Santa Paws,” the central canine is a Great Pyrenees. |
| Santa’s Little Helper | In “The Simpsons,” Santa’s Little Helper is the family’s pet greyhound. |
| Snoopy | The famous dog in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” |
| Snots | The aptly named dog in “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” has plenty of slobber to spare. |
| Ralphie | We triple-dog-dare you to name your pet after the main character from “A Christmas Story.” |
| Scott Calvin | In “The Santa Clause,” Tim Allen plays a soon-to-be Santa named Scott Calvin. |
| Scrooge | The grumpy main character of “A Christmas Carol” makes for a hilarious pet name. |
| Tiny Tim | No matter your pet’s size, the sweet character from “A Christmas Carol” is an adorable namesake. |
| Tucker | The handsome pup in the get-out-your-tissues film, “Christmas With Tucker.” |
| Zero | Zero is the ghost dog in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” |
| Zeus | The canine star of “The Dog Who Saved Christmas.” |
| Food-Inspired Christmas Names for Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Berry | From holly berries to cranberries, the festive fruits are holiday staples. |
| Brandy | There’s no sweeter sip while sitting fireside. |
| Candy Cane | The classic candy is both sweet and refreshing, just like your pet. |
| Caramel | Perfect for the caramel-coated furry friend in your life. |
| Chestnut | In “The Christmas Song,” Nat King Cole croons about “chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” |
| Cider | Spiked or not, cider always puts us in the holiday spirit. |
| Cinnamon | Equal parts sweet and spicy, we love this one for sassy pets. |
| Clementine | The tiny oranges are a traditional stocking surprise. |
| Clove | Is it possible to smell cloves without dreaming of a holiday feast? |
| Cocoa | Coming in hot: Everyone’s favorite merry mug! |
| Cookie | What else would you leave Santa beside that glass of milk? |
| Cranberry | Because it’s not Christmas dinner without a side of cranberry sauce. |
| Eggnog | For short, you can call your pet an equally funny nickname: Egg! |
| Figgy | Now, bring us some figgy pudding! |
| Fruitcake | Nobody wants fruitcake as a gift, but give this name to your dog and everyone is sure to love your Fruitcake. |
| Ginger | If your pet has orange or red fur, the holiday spice is twice as nice. |
| Gumdrop | The gingerbread house garnish is an adorable pet name. |
| Marshmallow | For the fluffy, snowy-white pet with the sweet-as-sugar disposition. |
| Nutmeg | For short, “Nut” and “Meg” are both hilarious nicknames. |
| Pecan | This nut-inspired name is sweet as (pecan) pie. |
| Peppermint | This candy cane-centric name was mint to be! |
| Persimmon | The winter fruit is in season October through January. |
| Sage | The holiday herb is ideal for older and wiser pets. |
| Snickerdoodle | Not only is this Christmas cookie delicious, it’s a super-fun name to say at the dog park! |
| Sugar Plum | A tip of the Santa hat to the Sugar Plum Fairy, a Christmastime legend. |
| Toffee | The sticky treat is a holiday mainstay. |
| Turkey | Naming pets after other animals is always fun, and Turkey is especially endearing. |
| Biblical Christmas Names for Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Angel | Angels have a number of pivotal roles in the Christmas story. |
| Balthazar | Balthazar was one of the Biblical wise men who visited Jesus after he was born. |
| David | In the New Testament, the City of David refers to Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born. |
| Emmanuel | In the gospel of Matthew, Emmanuel is interpreted to mean “God with us.” |
| Frankincense | This spiritual oil was one of the gifts the Magi brought for the infant Jesus. |
| Gabriel | The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary in the nativity story. |
| Gaspar | Gaspar is one of the Magi attributed with bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. |
| Malachi | In some Biblical interpretations, Malachi prophecies the second coming of Christ. |
| Melchior | The wise man Melchior completes the trio. |
| Myrrh | This aromatic was another gift of the Magi. |
| Luke | The Gospel of Luke provides the longest account of the nativity. |
| Hanukkah Names for Dogs | |
|---|---|
| Blue | Blue and white are the traditional colors of Hanukkah as celebrated in the United States. |
| Brisket | Brisket is a cut of beef traditionally prepared at Hanukkah. |
| Donut | Israeli donuts, also called sufganiyot, are puffy, jelly-filled treats served during Hanukkah. |
| Dreidel | The four-sided top is a Hanukkah toy. |
| Kugel | In honor of this delicious noodle dish often made at Hanukkah. |
| Latke | These yummy potato pancakes are traditional Hanukkah fare. |
| Menorah | During Hanukkah, the menorah candles are lit at sundown. |
| Winter Dog Names | |
|---|---|
| Arctic | For the pet who is cooler than cool, all year long. |
| Aurora | For the pet who brightens your life all winter, consider a nod to the Northern Lights. |
| Avalanche | If you have a big, rowdy white dog, Avalanche is a strong name. |
| Beira | The Celtic goddess of winter. |
| Blizzard | Perfect for the white-coated pet who frequently has the zoomies. |
| Boots | While cute for any pet, Boots is ideal for those with paw markings. |
| Chilly | Someone get this pup a Christmas sweater! |
| Eira | Eira is the Welsh word for “snow.” |
| Fjolla | This sweet Albanian name comes from the word for “flake,” as in “snowflake.” |
| Flurry | If your pet is too big to be a Snowflake, Flurry might be a fit. |
| Frosty | As the song goes, Frosty the Snowman “was a jolly happy soul.” |
| Fuyu | Fuyu means “winter” in Japanese. |
| Glacier | For the pokey pet who takes their time. |
| Haukea | A Hawaiian name meaning “white snow.” |
| Icicle | Nature’s ice sculptures make for a delicately darling name. |
| Igloo | For a wintry name that’s fun to say, look no further than this snow house. |
| Jack Frost | Winter personified—just don’t let your new pet nip at your nose! |
| Khione | The Greek goddess of snow. |
| Lumi | The Finnish word for “snow.” |
| Mittens | For pets with front paw markings, it doesn’t get any cuter than Mittens. |
| Miyuki | This Japanese name means “deep snow.” |
| Neva | A Spanish girl’s name meaning “snow.” |
| Nieve | Another Spanish word for “snow.” |
| Olwen | A Welsh name meaning “white footprint.” |
| Polar | For bear-size pets, this northern name is a fit. |
| Snowball | A merry moniker for playful white pets. |
| Snowflake | Each one is unique—just like your new pet! |
| Solstice | The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year. |
| Winter | This seasonal name is extra-sweet for pets adopted during the holiday season. |
| Yeti | Also known as the Abominable Snowman, the Yeti is a legendary namesake. |
| Yuki | Yuki means “snow” in Japanese. |
Need more dog name inspo? Check out our list of best dog names. And because your new pup needs more than a name, make sure you’ve got everything on our new puppy checklist, too.
Attributions
Monica Weymouth
Monica Weymouth is a Philadelphia-based writer, editor, animal lover, and rescue advocate. She has a soft spot for senior animals, and she See More
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