Chinese Crested dogs stand out. With their giant ears, their dramatic hairstyles, and the chance of a hairless main coat, these dogs are instantly recognizable. They’re also famous for their “Velcro” personalities, attaching themselves tightly to their favorite people. If you’re the new owner of a Chinese Crested, it can be tricky to find a name that measures up.

Picking the right name for a new dog can be a process. You want the name to be short and easy to say since you’ll be using it a lot. It also has to match your dog’s personality. You might pick a name that could work for a human or one that’s too silly for anything but a pet.

Either way, the name you choose will change the way that you think about your dog. It’s best not to rush into a name too quickly—give yourself a few days to make sure that it really fits your new pet’s personality. Here are some of our very favorite names for Chinese Crested dogs.

Perfect Names for Your Crested Princess

Chinese Crested dogs are known for their beautiful, dainty appearance. Lots of cute, girly names will suit a female Chinese Crested. You can go with an on-the-nose name like Princess or Diva, or you can choose a generally cute name like Fifi or Mia.

Strong Male Chinese Crested Names

Finding the right name for your male Chinese Crested can be tricky. These dogs can have strong personalities, but their small size means that a grandiose name can just sound silly. Finding a name that’s strong and fits your dog might take time, but there are lots of great options for male Chinese Crested dogs out there.

Chinese Crested Names with Small Meanings

These pocket-sized dogs can weigh as little as five pounds! With their delicate appearance and small stature come lots of options for cool names. These names are mostly gender-neutral and can be a little more on the lighthearted side, making it perfect for a fun-loving Crested.

Perfect Names for Hairless Chinese Cresteds

Chinese Cresteds come in two common coat types—powder puff and hairless. If you’ve got a hairless Chinese Crested, your dog will really stand out!

A name that makes light of your dog’s lack of body fur is a great way to bring a smile to people’s faces or reference a balding pop culture icon.

Names From Chinese Mythology, History, and Pop Culture

Chinese crested dogs have a complicated origin story—their ancestors likely hailed from Africa or Mexico originally, not China! But by the end of the 1500s, these dogs were common on Chinese sailing ships, and their diminutive size likely came from Chinese breeders as well.

Naming your Chinese dog after a famous Chinese person or a well-known fictional character is a good way to honor your breed’s heritage.

Cutesy Chinese Language Names

You can also choose a Chinese language name that has a special meaning to you. Chinese names are often short and distinctive sounding—your Crested will definitely stand out if you pick one of these!

Final Thoughts

Your new Chinese Crested will make a great friend and companion over its whole life. Once you’ve earned its love and loyalty, it will never forget you. Finding a name for a sweet, friendly, and affectionate dog like a Crested can be tricky, but we hope that these names will give you a good starting place.

• See also: 21 Chinese Crested Dog Mixes: Pictures, Facts & History

Featured Image Credit: Veronika Andrews, Pixabay