Sports dog names

Want sports dog names? Well, get your game face on because we've got an entire playbook full of paw-esome names, helping your pooch become the MVP of your life. Even more than they already are, of course.

Inspired by legendary athletes and iconic sports terms, our list of names covers everything you love from the world of sports. Whether you want to pay homage to your favorite player or bring your chosen game to life through your pup, there's a sports dog name out there for your little star.

Now, get ready to find that winning name for the furry all-star in your family lineup. Let the games begin!

Male sports-themed dog names

As far as sporty dog names go, this is an all-star list of male athletes that’ll help your pooch go for gold…

• Brady (Tom Brady, American football quarterback)
• Jordan (Michael Jordan, basketball player)
• Beckham (David Beckham, soccer player)
• Bolt (Usain Bolt, sprinter)
• Tiger (Tiger Woods, golfer)
• Griffey (Ken Griffey Jr., baseball player)
• Crosby (Sidney Crosby, ice hockey player)
• LeBron (LeBron James, basketball player)
• Federer (Roger Federer, tennis player)
• Phelps (Michael Phelps, swimmer)

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Female sports-themed dog names

What sports dog names for female pups? From tennis to MMA, there are some incredible female sporting icons, offering some talented ins-paw-ration for your chosen name…

• Serena (Serena Williams, tennis player)
• Mia (Mia Hamm, soccer player)
• Ronda (Ronda Rousey, MMA fighter)
• Simone (Simone Biles, gymnast)
• Danica (Danica Patrick, race car driver)
• Abby (Abby Wambach, soccer player)
• Lindsey (Lindsey Vonn, alpine skier)
• Hope (Hope Solo, soccer player)
• Gabby (Gabby Douglas, gymnast)
• Steffi (Steffi Graf, tennis player)

Related article: Australia's top female dog names

Baseball dog names

Rest assured, there aren’t any curve balls with these baseball names for dogs. Just home runs…

• Ace (Refers to a team's best-starting pitcher)
• Slugger (Refers to a player known for hitting home runs)
• Ripken (Cal Ripken Jr., baseball player)
• Mookie (Mookie Betts, baseball player)
• Sandlot (Reference to the movie "The Sandlot," about a group of kids who love baseball)
• Griffey (Ken Griffey Jr., baseball player)
• Curveball (Type of pitch in baseball)
• Strike (Refers to a pitch that is called a strike)
• Bunt (Refers to a type of hit in baseball)
• Slider (Type of pitch in baseball)

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Basketball dog names

Whether your pup acts like a baller or simply loves jumping at the washing line, go for a slam dunk with one of these basketball names for dogs…

• Kobe (Kobe Bryant, basketball player)
• Swish (Refers to a shot that goes through the net without touching the rim)
• Dunk (Refers to a type of shot where a player slams the ball into the basket)
• Rebound (Refers to grabbing the ball after a missed shot)
• Hoops (Reference to the basketball hoop)
• Draymond (Draymond Green, basketball player)
• Alley (Refers to an alley-oop, a type of pass and dunk in basketball)
• Baller (Refers to a skilled basketball player)
• Jumper (Refers to a jump shot in basketball)

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Hockey dog names

We won’t skate around the issue – these are the best hockey dog names you’ll ever need for your pooch…

• Gretzky (Wayne Gretzky, ice hockey player)
• Puck (Refers to the small disc used in hockey)
• Zamboni (Refers to the machine used to resurface the ice in hockey rinks)
• Bauer (A popular brand of ice hockey equipment)
• Check (Refers to a physical move to block or knock an opponent off balance in hockey)
• Hat-Trick (Refers to a player scoring three goals in a single game)
• Ice (Refers to the playing surface in hockey)
• Jagr (Jaromir Jagr, ice hockey player)
• Goalie (Refers to the position in hockey responsible for protecting the goal)

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Football dog names

We can’t create a playbook of sport dog names without drawing inspo from the NFL. From icons to legendary plays, check out our football dog names…

• Brady (Tom Brady, American football quarterback)
• Spike (Refers to spiking the football after scoring a touchdown)
• Blitz (Refers to a defensive tactic where multiple players rush the quarterback)
• Touchdown (Refers to scoring points by reaching the opponent's end zone)
• Peyton (Peyton Manning, American football quarterback)
• Huddle (Refers to when players gather together to discuss the next play)
• Gridiron (Refers to the football field)
• Strahan (Michael Strahan, American football player)
• Quarterback (Refers to the position responsible for passing the ball)

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Soccer-themed dog names

Go for goal with one of these sport dog names inspired by the historic game of soccer…

• Ronaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer player)
• Messi (Lionel Messi, soccer player)
• Beckham (David Beckham, soccer player)
• Pele (Pele, soccer player)
• Tackle (Refers to a defensive move to gain possession of the ball)
• Goal (Refers to scoring points by putting the ball into the opponent's net)
• Wembley (Reference to Wembley Stadium, a famous soccer stadium in England)
• Maradona (Diego Maradona, soccer player)
• Striker (Refers to the position responsible for scoring goals)

Related article: British dog names

Golf dog names

What do pups and golfers have in coming? They both love chasing birdies. Get it? Once you’ve stopped laughing, check out these golf dog names that’ll feel like a hole in one…

• Birdie (Refers to scoring one stroke under par on a golf hole)
• Tiger (Tiger Woods, golfer)
• Putter (Refers to the golf club used on the putting green)
• Caddy (Refers to the person who carries a golfer's clubs and provides assistance)
• Mulligan (Refers to a free shot allowed after a poor shot)
• Par (Refers to the standard number of strokes needed to complete a golf hole)
• Augusta (Reference to Augusta National Golf Club, where The Masters tournament is held)
• Arnold (Arnold Palmer, golfer)
• Iron (Refers to a type of golf club)
• Chip (Refers to a short shot played near the green)

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Sports dog name - tips

Okay, it's game time! Now that you’ve completed our play of sporty dog names, we hope you’ve scored and settled on a winning name. Still unsure? Don’t worry, there’s a lot of pressure to pick one. We’ve got some bonus point tips to help you out…

First things first, take a closer look at your athletic companion. Does their boundless energy remind you of your favorite running back or soccer player? Does their agility and reflexes bring to mind a star basketball player? Admire their physical traits and paw-sonality to find a name that matches their sporting prowess.

Second, don't forget to keep the sports dog name simple and snappy. Just like a winning play, a sports-related dog name should be easy to call out and have a strong impact. Avoid long and complicated names (or names with more than two syllables) that may leave you tongue-tied during those thrilling moments at the dog park.

Lastly, we recommend putting your potential sports dog name to the test. Imagine yourself cheering for your four-legged teammate in the backyard or at a local competition. Does the name sound like a champion's anthem? Does it make you feel proud and excited? If so, you've found a winner! If the name makes you shiver with embarrassment, then you better choose something else. Good luck, champs!

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