Finding the right name for your new pet is one of the first trials pet owners face. When you think you’ve landed on the perfect name, another comes along to steal the spotlight. With so many candidates, how are you supposed to choose? One tried and true method is to stick with the classics.
While new and trendy names have stolen the modern dog owner’s heart, it is impossible to deny that old-fashioned names have captivated the world for much longer. If you want to give your pet a name that endures the tests of time, take a look at these vintage names that still get a lot of love.
How to Pick an Old-Fashioned Name for Your Dog
Before browsing our list of old-fashioned names, you’ll want to consider the parameters you want for your pet’s name. Do you want your dog’s name to suit their appearance or personality? Do you want their name to be short and sweet or classy and elegant? Do you want the potential for nicknames? Answering these questions can help you to narrow down your search before it even begins.
Old Fashioned Male Dog Names
For a male puppy, there are plenty of masculine vintage names to choose from. Whether you are looking for an “old man” name or a sophisticated moniker, this list has you covered.
- Alan: An English name meaning handsome or cheerful
- Albert: Like Albert Einstein
- Allen: A classic twist on the name Alan
- Amos: Commonly associated with Amos Cookies
- Andrew: A name that can be easily turned into several great nicknames
- Barnaby: An adorable name for your dog
- Barry: A gender-neutral name
- Ben: A perfect “old man” name with classic charm
- Benjamin: Like Benjamin from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Bill: A short and sweet old man’s name
- Bob: Often shortened from the name Robert
- Brandon: This name is popular among all generations with multiple spellings
- Brian: Brian is a popular, enduring name
- Bruce: Like the famous martial artist and actor Bruce Lee
- Buster: A classic canine name.
- Calvin: Like Calvin and Hobbes
- Carl: Can also be spelled as Karl
- Charlie: A beloved name for generations
- Chuck: Similar to Chuck Norris
- Clay: A rustic name
- Clifford: Like the big red dog
- Clyde: Think Bonnie and Clyde
- Craig: A name with Scottish, Irish, and Welsh roots
- Curt: Can be spelled Kurt
- Dale: A unisex name
- Dan: A name with Biblical roots
- Darrell: Can also be spelled as Darrel
- Dave: A common male name
- David: An old, noble name
- Dennis: An old name with Greek origins
- Ed: Like Ed O’Neill
- Frank: This name means “free”
- Fred: Like Fred Flintstone from the classic cartoon, The Flintstones
- Glen: An Irish name
- Gordon: A beloved Scottish name
- Greg: A name that means “watchful” or “vigilant”
- Guy: A simple name for a male dog
- Harry: A name that never goes out of style
- Jay: Jay can be a great name for a male or female
- Jerry: From the cartoon Tom & Jerry
- Joe: A common masculine name
- Larry: Like Larry King.
- Leroy: A French name that means “the king”
- Lewis: Means “renowned warrior”
- Lloyd: Means “gray-haired”
- Lucas: A popular name that can be turned into many nicknames
- Martin: Like Martin Van Buren.
- Marvin: A name with Welsh origins
- Neil: Short and sweet, which is easy for your dog to understand
- Pat: Although we’ve listed it as a male name, Pat is a great unisex name
- Phil: Like Phil Collins
- Randy: Although it’s most often a male name, Randy can also be unisex
- Rick: An old yet tough name
- Robin: A name like the beautiful bird
- Ron: A tough name for your dog
- Stanley: Like Stanley Kramer, a director in the 1950s
- Steve: A common, easy-to-remember name
- Tim: Tim is a popular name for a puppy and an older dog
- Tom: Tom is a beloved name for dogs and humans
- Tony: Like Tony Bennett, the famous singer
- Wade: Like Wade Wilson
Old Fashioned Female Dog Names
There are few names as classy as feminine vintage names. Giving your puppy one of the names below is sure to make them sound respectable yet adorable at the same time.
- Addie: A gender-neutral German name
- Adelaide: This name means “noble kind”
- Agatha: Like the famous author Agatha Christie
- Alberta: Similar to Bertha, but with its special flair
- Annabelle: A name that can be shortened or altered as desired.
- Augusta: A Latin name that means “great” or “magnificent”
- Beatrice: The feisty fictional character from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
- Bernice: This name means “bringer of victory”
- Bertha: An old classic
- Bessie: A great stand-alone name or a nickname for Elizabeth
- Betsy: A cute name for any aged dog
- Blanche: Means “white” or “pure,” making this name ideal for a white dog
- Celeste: A unique, heavenly name
- Charlotte: A French name with many possible nicknames or variations
- Constance: Means “constant”
- Darlene: A classy name for a sophisticated pup
- Dolores: A lovely name with Spanish origin
- Doris: A Greek unisex name
- Edith: Like Edith Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States
- Eleanor: Like Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States.
- Estella: This name can be slightly altered to become Stella
- Eunice: Means “good victory”
- Flora: A perfect name for anyone who loves flowers.
- Frances: A classy name
- Gertie: An old German name
- Gertrude: Like the protagonist’s mother in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet
- Gladys: Originates from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys
- Greta: Can be short for Margaret
- Harriet: Derived from Henriette, another elegant and old name
- Hattie: An old name that can also sound puppyish
- Henrietta: Originates from the masculine name, Henry
- Hilda: A Danish name with a strong spirit
- Irma: Means “universal” or “complete”
- Janice: An adorable name for an older dog
- Judith: A sophisticated name with Hebrew origins
- Kathleen: A beloved name with room for variation or nicknames
- Mabel: An adorable classic
- Mae: Can also be spelled as May
- Maggie: An old name that always sounds young
- Maple: Perfect for those who love nature
- Maude: Meaning “mighty in battle”
- Molly: A long-time popular name
- Myrtle: An elegant classic
- Petunia: A beautiful flower name
- Prudence: This name can be traced back to medieval times
- Rosamund: A feminine English name
- Rose: Another beautiful floral name
- Rosemary: An elegant, vintage name
- Rosie: A feminine, vintage name
- Ruby: An old-fashioned yet feisty name
- Selma: Means “God’s helmet ”
- Sophie: A beautiful name with many potential variants
- Susan: A common, classic feminine name
- Sybil: Can also be spelled as Sibyl
- Thelma: Popularized by author Marie Corelli’s novel, Thelma
- Wilhelmina: Like the Dutch monarch, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
- Winifred: An elegant Welsh name
- Winnie: Can be used as your dog’s full name or nickname
Final Thoughts
Picking a name for your dog doesn’t have to be such an impossible challenge. By taking inspiration from your dog’s appearance and personality, you can compile a list of characteristics you want your pet’s name to embody. With your mental list, look through vintage names to find one for your pet that will never go out of style.
Related Read:
- Do Dogs Know Their Name? Explained By Science
- 100+ Food Names for Dogs: Scrumptious Options for Your Pup
Featured Image Credit: Natalia Fedosova, Shutterstock
