150+ Black Dog Names That Are Anything But Basic

Adopting a dog elicits all kinds of feelings, from nerves about training or introducing your new pet to your resident family members to excitement about bonding with your new friend. One of the most fun parts about welcoming a new four-legged family member, however, is getting to choose their name. And if your new dog has a black coat, a whole new world of possibilities is thrown into the mix.

From some fan-favorite black dogs in pop culture to delicious black treats, we have 150 suggestions for names that nod to your dog’s beautiful dark coat. Check out the guide to our favorite names for black dogs below.

On-the-nose black dog names

Sometimes, it just feels right to really lean into one of your dog’s defining characteristics when naming them. For those of you going on the nose, consider the following:

• Obsidian

• Flint

• Noir

• Ebony

• Ink

• Jet

• Cinder

• Shadow

• Charcoal

• Pepper

• Night

Gender-neutral names for black dogs

A wink and a nod toward your dog’s coat may be better suited for some pet parents. No matter your dog’s gender, these names honor their beautiful coats a bit more subtly.

• Kodiak

• Indigo

• Stormy

• Thunder

• Boomer

• Anise

• Twilight

• Denali

• Dusk

• Fog

Female names for black dogs

For pet parents of female dogs who want to honor their gender and dark coats, we suggest the following:

• Artemis

• Astra

• Dahlia

• Elvira

• Luna

• Amaya

• Devaney

• Deva

• Umbra

• Jade

• Eve

• Aurora

• Ember

• Leila

• Nerissa

Male names for black dogs

Male dogs with dark coats may be best suited for these more masculine names:

• Angus

• Ash

• Maverick

• Kylo

• Orpheus

• Caligo

• Cole

• Bran

• Obscurio

• Blackjack

• Darth

• Colby

• Dante

• Jasper

• Sable

Black and white dog names

If your black dog has some white fur in the mix, there are a number of ways to honor the unique blend in their name.

• Oreo

• Skunk

• Dice

• Domino

• Checkers

• Tux

• Snoopy

• Penguin

• Panda

• Orca

Space-related names for black dogs

Few things are darker than outer space. What better comparison to draw between your dog’s black coat than to the great beyond (or the bright lights that break through)?

• Cosmo

• Midnight

• Stardust

• Badar

• Comet

• Big Bang

• Draco

• Galaxy

• Stellan

• Stella

• Nova

• Orion

• Vega

• Eclipse

• Nebula

Food names for black dogs

Plenty of beloved foods are black, and who can resist the delicious comparison between your favorite snack and your favorite pup?

• Blackberry

• Caviar

• Chocolate

• Licorice

• Nori

• Shiitake

• Stout

• Truffles

• Porter

• Bean

• Soy

• Sesame

• Fig

• Hershey

• Fudge

• Balsamic

• Chia

• Pepper

• Juniper

• Olive

Drink names for black dogs

If a food name isn’t your style, consider naming your black dog after a similarly dark drink.

• Pepsi

• Coke

• Dr. Pepper

• Mr. Pibb

• Java

• Coffee

• Arabica

• Kona

• Guinness

• Lapsan

Animal names for black dogs

Yes, your new pet may technically be a canine, but perhaps they remind you of another black-coated species, like some of the following:

• Bat

• Bear

• Crow

• Raven

• Panther

• Black Beauty

• Black Swan

• Mamba

• Wolf

• Starling

Names meaning “black” in other languages

Multi-lingual pet parents might consider honoring their other tongues by naming their black dog the word for black in another language. Or maybe your dog’s breed hails from another part of the world, and you'd like to honor that heritage. Here are just a few words for “black” in other languages:

• Kala

• Preto

• Svart

• Siyah

• Musta

• Schwarz

• Hei

• Kuro

• Mávros

• Sort

Famous character names for black dogs

Who doesn’t love a good pop culture reference? Name your dog after one of these famous “dark” characters, and you’ll be sure to bring a smile to the face of everyone you introduce them to.

• Beetlejuice

• Maleficent

• Grim

• Sirius

• Toto

• Morticia

• Wednesday

• Cruella

• Fang

• Batman

Creative black dog names

It’s also always a fun idea to think outside the box with names that are a little bit out there:

• Soot

• Slate

• Iron

• Pitch

• Tar

• Marble

• Spade

• Knight

• Pawn

• Nocturne

• Enigma

• Spot

• Ninja

• Smoke

Tips for naming your black dog

• It’s important to keep training in mind when choosing your dog’s name. Some trainers recommend keeping your dog’s name to one or two syllables so they can easily learn and identify their name. You should also avoid names that sound like words that will be key to training — for example, the name “Beau” sounds a lot like “No” and could confuse your pup during training.

• Avoid dog names that would make others uncomfortable. You should also avoid any names that are racial or cultural slurs, could be interpreted as such, or are offensive to others. Don’t choose a name that will make you uncomfortable to say.

• Try to select a name that will grow with your pet. If you’re adopting a puppy, they won’t stay small forever, so choose a name that matches their personality rather than their size.

Black dog syndrome

“Black Dog Syndrome” is a phenomenon that refers to a pattern animal rescue and shelter workers have observed over time that black dogs are more frequently passed over for adoption than their counterparts with lighter coats. Just as other types of dogs, including Pit Bulls or other “Bully breeds,” are considered by many to be less adoptable based on largely unfair and unfounded stereotypes, so are black dogs considered less adoptable based on myths — specifically that black dogs have often been portrayed as “hellhounds” or omens of death in mythology and pop culture. Some have also suggested Black Dog Syndrome may be linked to black dogs not always photographing as well as lighter-coated dogs.

Adopt a black dog

If you have yet to adopt a dog (black or otherwise!), you can search Adopt A Pet for available dogs near you.

Not finding the right name?

Here are a few more dog name lists with even more options.

Fun and Formal Pet Names

250+ Fun Pet Names

Popular Pit Bull Names