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
Image Credit: antoniodiaz, Shutterstock
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.
Albert: Like Albert Einstein
Brian: Brian is a popular, enduring name
Tony: Like Tony Bennett, the famous singer
Ben: A perfect “old man” name with classic charm
Jerry: From the cartoon Tom & Jerry
Charlie: A beloved name for generations
Chuck: Similar to Chuck Norris
Barnaby: An adorable name for your dog
Martin: Like Martin Van Buren.
Clyde: Think Bonnie and Clyde
Pat: Although we’ve listed it as a male name, Pat is a great unisex name
Tim: Tim is a popular name for a puppy and an older dog
Ron: A tough name for your dog
Alan: An English name meaning handsome or cheerful
Stanley: Like Stanley Kramer, a director in the 1950s
Tom: Tom is a beloved name for dogs and humans
Wade: Like Wade Wilson
Randy: Although it’s most often a male name, Randy can also be unisex
Robin: A name like the beautiful bird
Bruce: Like the famous martial artist and actor Bruce Lee
Steve: A common, easy-to-remember name
Lloyd: Means “gray-haired”
Neil: Short and sweet, which is easy for your dog to understand
Clay: A rustic name
Buster: A classic canine name.
Clifford: Like the big red dog
Barry: A gender-neutral name
Calvin: Like Calvin and Hobbes
Lucas: A popular name that can be turned into many nicknames
Leroy: A French name that means “the king”
Brandon: This name is popular among all generations with multiple spellings
Carl: Can also be spelled as Karl
Jay: Jay can be a great name for a male or female
Phil: Like Phil Collins
Rick: An old yet tough name
Marvin: A name with Welsh origins
Allen: A classic twist on the name Alan
Amos: Commonly associated with Amos Cookies
Benjamin: Like Benjamin from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Craig: A name with Scottish, Irish, and Welsh roots
Andrew: A name that can be easily turned into several great nicknames
Lewis: Means “renowned warrior”
Bill: A short and sweet old man’s name
Curt: Can be spelled Kurt
Bob: Often shortened from the name Robert
Dale: A unisex name
Joe: A common masculine name
Larry: Like Larry King.
Dan: A name with Biblical roots
Darrell: Can also be spelled as Darrel
Dave: A common male name
Glen: An Irish name
David: An old, noble name
Ed: Like Ed O’Neill
Dennis: An old name with Greek origins
Frank: This name means “free”
Gordon: A beloved Scottish name
Fred: Like Fred Flintstone from the classic cartoon, The Flintstones
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
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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
Bernice: This name means “bringer of victory”
Bertha: An old classic
Bessie: A great stand-alone name or a nickname for Elizabeth
Alberta: Similar to Bertha, but with its special flair
Betsy: A cute name for any aged dog
Beatrice: The feisty fictional character from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing
Darlene: A classy name for a sophisticated pup
Greta: Can be short for Margaret
Maggie: An old name that always sounds young
Maude: Meaning “mighty in battle”
Molly: A long-time popular name
Dolores: A lovely name with Spanish origin
Doris: A Greek unisex name
Mae: Can also be spelled as May
Harriet: Derived from Henriette, another elegant and old name
Edith: Like Edith Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States
Mabel: An adorable classic
Flora: A perfect name for anyone who loves flowers.
Hattie: An old name that can also sound puppyish
Eunice: Means “good victory”
Gladys: Originates from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys
Rosamund: A feminine English name
Sophie: A beautiful name with many potential variants
Winifred: An elegant Welsh name
Gertie: An old German name
Gertrude: Like the protagonist’s mother in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet
Hilda: A Danish name with a strong spirit
Janice: An adorable name for an older dog
Judith: A sophisticated name with Hebrew origins
Irma: Means “universal” or “complete”
Kathleen: A beloved name with room for variation or nicknames
Myrtle: An elegant classic
Maple: Perfect for those who love nature
Rosie: A feminine, vintage name
Thelma: Popularized by author Marie Corelli’s novel, Thelma
Petunia: A beautiful flower name
Ruby: An old-fashioned yet feisty name
Prudence: This name can be traced back to medieval times
Sybil: Can also be spelled as Sibyl
Selma: Means “God’s helmet ”
Wilhelmina: Like the Dutch monarch, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Rose: Another beautiful floral name
Susan: A common, classic feminine name
Winnie: Can be used as your dog’s full name or nickname
Rosemary: An elegant, vintage name
Celeste: A unique, heavenly name
Charlotte: A French name with many possible nicknames or variations
Agatha: Like the famous author Agatha Christie
Adelaide: This name means “noble kind”
Blanche: Means “white” or “pure,” making this name ideal for a white dog
Eleanor: Like Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States.
Frances: A classy name
Henrietta: Originates from the masculine name, Henry
Constance: Means “constant”
Estella: This name can be slightly altered to become Stella
Augusta: A Latin name that means “great” or “magnificent”
Annabelle: A name that can be shortened or altered as desired.
Image Credit: Oleg Mitkevych, Shutterstock
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.
Pets are Jordyn’s passion, especially cats. Whenever she has the opportunity, loves to learn about animals and share her knowledge with everyone. She is devoted to her sassy tabby cat named Jack and works hard to buy him his favorite treats and toys. Discovering new ways to better care for her pet is always on her to-do list, and she is eager to help pet parents everywhere who have similar pursuits. In her spare time, she loves to write, read, and take long walks. She has a creative spirit, which often helps her to come up with funny cat names....Read more
