There are thousands of golden retriever names, so picking one that fits your dog the best is challenging.
The process becomes even trickier when you understand you need a creative, fun, and meaningful dog name that’s also easy to pronounce and remember.
Some of the most popular dog names include Charlie, Rocky, Bailey, and Max. But do they suit your dog? Do they reflect your golden retriever’s uniqueness?
Many names for golden retrievers arise from appearance or personality traits that make this breed unique – their lustrous golden fur, friendliness, and intelligence. However, you should consider what about your dog matters the most to you.
Fortunately, you can follow tried-and-true tips for choosing a dog name to save yourself time and draw inspiration online.
How to Choose a Golden Retriever Name
There are many points to consider when choosing a dog’s name. Sometimes, the name just appears in your head on its own, but most owners think of their dog’s temperament, appearance, and special traits to choose a name that reflects them.
Note that the name also shouldn’t be too long or difficult to say. For example, Saoirse might be too difficult for a dog’s name, but Siri is just right. Avoid names that sound like commands – for instance, Stan sounds like “stay.”
Experts recommend choosing names that end with a vowel and have two to three syllables, such as Ziggy, Josie, Taco, or Buddy. You could name your dog Puppuccino, but your furry friend might have difficulty memorizing it.
The most notable golden retriever appearance trait is lustrous golden fur, so many owners choose names that reflect this quality. These include Goldie, Golden, Sunshine, Sunbeam, Blondie, and Butter. You can choose a name that perfectly describes your dog’s unique color undertone.
There are also plenty of names for cream golden retrievers, such as Ghost, Creamy, Powder, Bianco, and Custard. Copper, Rusty, Red, Rouge, Rosie, and Cinnamon are popular names for red golden retrievers.
Many choose names that point out the coat quality, such as Fuzzy or Fluffy. Words describing the coat color or quality might not be the most creative dog names, but they are typically short and sweet.
You could also emphasize the impressive intellect of this breed – for example, name your dog Edison, Tesla, Noble, Smartie, or Hawking. Or, if your dog is extra affectionate, you could call it Cuddly.
Some owners pick a name based on their dog’s poor habits – for instance, Chewy. Names for golden retriever females often arise from flower names (Daisy), whereas names for golden retriever males are often related to sports (Hunter, Walker).
Most importantly, the name should suit your dog. Think of what makes your golden retriever special – it might not be a trait that makes your dog win at shows but one that makes it stand out.
Perhaps, you also have some names dear to your heart for one reason or another, such as the name of your first pet or favorite flower.
However, avoid human names, particularly those within your acquaintance circle. Saying “my dog’s name is Alex” to your friend Alex might be awkward, and every time you refer to your friend, your dog will react, too.
You could also read dog name meanings and choose one according to the symbolism behind it. For example, Abby means “bringing joy,” and Bella is the Italian word for “beautiful.”
If you have several dogs, choose dissimilar names to avoid confusion. For instance, if one of your dogs is Bianca, don’t call your male dog Bianco.
Another way to pick the best name for a golden retriever is to perform a nickname test. Come up with as many versions of the name as you can.
For example, if you want to call your dog Ziggy, you could also call it Zig, Ziggymans, Zigster, and Mr. Zig. The nickname test is especially handy for longer names.
Sometimes, you just can’t help but want to call your dog an unusual name, but you still need a shorter version to use daily.
Remember to choose the name wisely. You want to pick a name and stick with it because dogs need time to remember their nickname. If you change the name often, your dog will struggle to adapt to the new one.
Of course, one or two changes aren’t the end of the world, especially considering how smart golden retrievers are. Still, weigh all pros and cons of each name on your list to pick the best one.
600 Names for Golden Retriever
The best golden retriever names describe what makes the breed so sought-after, whether the golden coat or friendly temperament. Some names originate from names of famous people – for example, scientists or athletes.
There are also fun dog names – for example, Biscuit or Pumpkin. If you’re looking for a creative, beautiful, yet easy-to-pronounce golden retriever name, consider these options. Most importantly, the name should suit your dog’s personality.
- Ed
- Brawny
- Comet
- Diva
- Marshmallow
- Bennet
- Alexis
- Spinner
- Mars
- Gabi
- Pom
- Edgar
- Tiger
- Whisky
- Vulcan
- Woody
- Ray
- Paris
- Nimbus
- Marshal
- Blush
- David
- Fuzzy Wuzzy
- Brandy
- River
- Funny
- Drooler
- Champ
- Midnight
- Rex
- Anabel
- Boomer
- Hank
- Dash
- Crimson
- Doris
- Garrett
- Copper
- Oscar
- Saffron
- Louie
- Chili
- Sunshine
- Dino
- Donald
- Arthur
- Sunbeam
- Ana
- Treasure
- Lemon
- Jumbo
- Apollo
- Clancy
- Creamy
- Commander
- Alfredo
- Tango
- Prancer
- Albert
- Snowy
- Love
- Chino
- Sophie
- Samson
- Angel
- Dixie
- Huntress
- Hercules
- Amaretto
- Sienna
- Bingo
- Furby
- Trip
- Kingston
- Fountain
- Tank
- Shaggy
- Monkey
- Trevor
- Nitro
- Nova
- Simon
- Brinkley
- Betsy
- William
- Darius
- Cuddles
- Egghead
- Flo
- Sassy
- Rocket
- Noodles
- Belle
- Casper
- Chloe
- Beth
- Echo
- Russet
- Buddy
- Trooper
- Ninja
- Spike
- Ice
- Moby
- Alpha
- Emerald
- Summer
- Helix
- Ivy
- Jobs
- Coffee
- Felicity
- Waldo
- Smoky
- Caramel
- Bruce
- Rogue
- Scout
- Nobel
- Bernard
- Voodoo
- Cotton
- Princeton
- Flora
- Elsie
- Elsa
- Phoebe
- Scholar
- Churchill
- Gardenia
- Blitz
- Bear
- Vice
- Santa
- Rusty
- Charles
- Magnum
- Darcie
- Pluto
- Goofy
- Warthog
- Keanu
- Titan
- Phoenix
- Jewel
- Raven
- Wisdom
- Gypsy
- Tyson
- Java
- Lincoln
- Vinnie
- Ariana
- Sasha
- Spartacus
- Gloria
- Cameron
- Aurora
- Amos
- Levi
- Almond
- Wrigley
- Andy
- Sebastian
- Earnest
- Brandy
- Beau
- Blue
- Tawny
- Bane
- Dorothy
- Rudolph
- Macho
- Vixen
- Dancer
- Lily
- Harper
- Milky
- Jubilee
- Fleecy
- Yeti
- Kahlua
- Blake
- Benjamin
- Cadence
- Darth
- Jupiter
- Snowball
- Finley
- Dorado
- Jade
- Frappe
- Lightning
- Howard
- Daisy
- Alcott
- Memphis
- Hillary
- Dixie
- Coco
- Duke
- Python
- Toffee
- Topaz
- Cashew
- Spice
- Cooper
- Alfie
- Bruin
- Afton
- Winnie
- Cloud
- Darla
- Ozzie
- Thunder
- Snickers
- Scorpio
- Goldie
- Bianco
- Macy
- Polar
- Logan
- Chief
- Rose
- Engine
- Sugar
- Frost
- Pearl
- Mystique
- Autumn
- Lolli
- Milo
- Evan
- Destiny
- Blondie
- Ashton
- Ted
- Al Bino
- Elektra
- Lucky
- Zipper
- Roger
- Chance
- Jordan
- Effie
- Dozer
- Pinky
- Cosmo
- Danny
- Sonar
- Rousey
- Speedy
- Scully
- Amelia
- Boo
- Happy
- Happy
- Pumpkin
- Cupid
- Valentine
- Dug
- Elliot
- Jacques
- Lucy
- Bones
- Magnet
- Maximus
- Candy
- Kim
- Yoda
- Terra
- Montana
- Kingsley
- Chester
- Phoenix
- Garrison
- Ranger
- Hairy
- Stella
- Rey
- Furry
- Goldilocks
- Remi
- Kevin
- Pegasus
- Cain
- Moose
- Bobby
- Scott
- Wishbone
- Johnny
- Espresso
- Supernova
- Guru
- Mack
- Yukon
- Travis
- Donner
- Sadie
- Bandit
- Lucy
- January
- Scrappy
- Gates
- Erick
- Sarge
- Martin
- Asher
- Hunter
- Nyx
- Kodak
- Stone
- Plato
- Portia
- Shadow
- Fury
- Charleston
- Rick
- Sunny
- Fox
- Queenie
- Fluke
- Bristly
- Mac
- Cocoa
- Vader
- Oliver
- Spuds
- Rags
- Brady
- Bruno
- Rex
- Runner
- Snowflake
- Bailey
- Panic
- Wheat
- Choco
- Abigail
- Neo
- Daphne
- Furbaby
- Cola
- Scarlet
- Jolly
- Dora
- Penny
- Percy
- Lilly
- Gil
- Finn
- Romeo
- Barks
- Chloe
- Erin
- Ziggy
- Marino
- Archer
- Chaos
- Puffy
- Morty
- Emma
- Alvin
- Katniss
- Ruby
- Skip
- Ambrosia
- Peppa
- Twix
- Surge
- Abby
- Genevieve
- Blitzen
- Aristotle
- Constance
- Lola
- Emerson
- Aspen
- Chase
- Camilla
- Buttercup
- Cinder
- Cleo
- Winter
- Fortune
- Dakota
- Yamaha
- Roo
- Hazel
- Browser
- Tesla
- Scooby
- Champ
- Ghost
- Griffin
- Hugo
- Loki
- Kodiak
- Jack
- Data
- Serge
- Bleu
- India
- Beastie
- Lexi
- Khaleesi
- Victoria
- Demon
- Punky
- Al
- Ginger
- Simba
- Jax
- Xavier
- Doc
- Xanadu
- Benji
- Pandora
- Wally
- Marley
- Sheba
- Biscuit
- Angela
- Ares
- Custard
- Doug
- Hera
- Sumo
- Sage
- Vortex
- Boris
- Spade
- Fawn
- Niner
- Countess
- Rubik
- Mickey
- Ivanka
- Rosie
- Beaker
- Havoc
- Bear
- Fluffy
- Joy
- Edison
- Tulip
- Bilbo
- Pepper
- Tan
- Crush
- Golden
- Merlot
- Zeus
- Elvis
- Mambo
- Fairfax
- Gage
- Butch
- Eagle
- Willow
- Miller
- Silky
- Beyonce
- Buff
- Princess
- Bentley
- Chewie
- Crystal
- Dove
- Lux
- Gucci
- Harley
- Wesley
- Jezebel
- Peanut
- Taz
- Blake
- Glenn
- Peaches
- Graham
- Apricot
- Augustus
- Murphy
- Fireball
- Jagger
- Vega
- Prometheus
- Butter
- Blair
- Brownie
- Max
- Jolly
- Shiraz
- Merry
- Dahlia
- Linty
- Franklin
- Winston
- Fifi
- Blade
- Berkeley
- Brian
- King
- Galaxy
- Butterscotch
- Murray
- Foxy
- Glenda
- Frosty
- Xena
- Feathers
- Windy
- Ruffles
- Fang
- Ivory
- Jasper
- Jesper
- Thor
- Maverick
- Barney
- Jules
- Belle
- Amelie
- Jojo
- Velvet
- Honey
- Dusty
- Maui
- Frenzy
- Prairie
- Snuggles
- Faith
- Gina
- Violet
- Cheddar
- Kodiak
- Blizzard
- Wolf
- Barky
- Cirrus
- Fuzzy
- Otis
- Cookie
- Cashmere
- Pixie
- Calvin
- Grumpy
- Rocky
- Penny
- Karma
- Digby
- Rumba
- Pasha
- Rosebud
- Sherlock
- Wyatt
- Inferno
- Athena
- Walker
- Liberty
- Stormy
- Oda
- Jabba
- Chanel
- Diamond
- Whiskers
- Chimp
- Lush
- Dynamo
- Diesel
- Ingrid
- Gertrude
- Georgia
- Socrates
- Jinx
- Brick
- Teddy
- Oliver
- Hudson
- Hooch
- Boss
- Rascal
- Syrup
- Darcy
- Rebel
- Onyx
- Jericho
- Dre
- Fozzie
- Dash
- Douglas
- Elizabeth
- Sunray
- Maddox
- Cinnamon
- Ace
- Jolly
- Baroness
- Leo
- Bailey
101 Names for Male Golden Retriever
Many male golden retriever names have an English origin because of the breed’s heritage – for example, Duke or Graham. Others describe the gorgeous coat color or athletic ability of the breed – the name Comet speaks for itself.
Consider which personality traits and habits are prevalent in your dog when choosing the name. For instance, a serious name like Charles will suit a calm dog, a fun name like Waffles – a goofy one, and Alpha – a confident, courageous golden.
- Alpha
- Andy
- Archibald
- Archie
- Arthur
- Aslan
- Baloo
- Bam
- Barky
- Barley
- Barney
- Bear
- Benji
- Bernard
- Bojangles
- Bolt
- Boss
- Boulder
- Brady
- Brant
- Bryan
- Cake
- Captain
- Chance
- Charles
- Chesney
- Churchill
- Clark
- Cody
- Comet
- Cooper
- Copper
- Dash
- David
- Duke
- Enzo
- Eric
- Ezio
- Finley
- Fisher
- Flynn
- Frisco
- Fuzzy
- George
- Golden
- Gordon
- Grady
- Graham
- Gunner
- Gus
- Hank
- Holden
- Hunter
- Jake
- Jamie
- Jeter
- Jimbo
- Kelvin
- Ken
- Kiran
- Kyle
- Leaf
- Leo
- Leonardo
- Lewis
- Luke
- Maddox
- Mason
- Mcintosh
- Merlin
- Milo
- Ned
- Neville
- Oliver
- Otis
- Patrick
- Pete
- Red
- Redwood
- Rick
- Robin
- Rookie
- Rufio
- Runner
- Ryder
- Sam
- Sammy
- Scout
- Shiloh
- Sonny
- Taco
- Tanner
- Tate
- Timber
- Ty
- Waffles
- Webster
- Whiskey
- Winston
- Woody
- Zeus
100 Names for Female Golden Retriever
Female dog names often originate from flowers, goddesses, famous women, or animation characters. Pick one that best describes what makes your female golden retriever special.
Reading name meanings might also be helpful. For instance, did you know that the anime Abby means “bringing joy”? Come up with associations with your dog and pick a name that best fits your perception.
- Abby
- Alice
- Amber
- Angela
- Annabelle
- Antoinette
- Ariana
- Audrey
- Autumn
- Bella
- Betsy
- Bianca
- Callie
- Carolyn
- Cary
- Cassie
- Celia
- Chanel
- Charlotte
- Chase
- Cherry
- Chloe
- Cinnamon
- Claire
- Claudia
- Constance
- Cora
- Cornelia
- Cosmos
- Cynthia
- Dakota
- Daphne
- Delilah
- Donna
- Effy
- Elina
- Elise
- Emma
- Evelyn
- Everly
- Felicity
- Flora
- Gina
- Goldie
- Gracie
- Gretchen
- Hannah
- Harper
- Hazel
- Hermione
- Holly
- Ida
- Imogen
- India
- Jolly
- Kinsley
- Lady
- Leila
- Lily
- Lola
- Lucy
- Luna
- Maggie
- Mandi
- Mary
- Matilda
- Mia
- Milady
- Moon
- Nala
- Naomi
- Natalie
- Nora
- Olivia
- Pancake
- Pandora
- Penelope
- Penny
- Piper
- Posy
- Pulcheria
- Roda
- Rosie
- Rouge
- Ruby
- Sage
- Sandy
- Sienna
- Sophie
- Stella
- Stormy
- Sundance
- Sunshine
- Sushi
- Tulip
- Vala
- Violet
- Will
- Winnie
- Zoe
Sources
- www.thesprucepets.com/naming-your-dog-or-puppy-1117329
- www.fatherly.com/play/dog-names-choose-good-unique-name
- pethelpful.com/dogs/90-Cute-Female-Dog-Names-and-Meanings
- www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/puppy-names/
- www.k9web.com/breeds/golden-retriever-names/
- www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/golden-retriever-names-for-the-loyal-and-lovable-breed/
- www.verywellfamily.com/top-1000-baby-girl-names-2757832
- www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-names/golden-retriever-names