150+ Old fashioned dog names

Recently welcomed a canine companion into your home? Amazing news. Whether they're a young pup or a wise old soul, you may find yourself drawn to vintage dog names that exude a timeless charm.

Perhaps you can sense wisdom through your pooch’s soulful eyes. Or maybe you're adopting a senior pup (who’s not so much of a pup anymore) and you want a name that reflects her new chapter in life. There are so many reasons to pick an old lady dog name, or equally, an old man dog name.

Just as old-fashioned names have seen a resurgence among parents naming their two-legged babies, the trend extends to our furry friends as well. Regardless of the reasons behind your interest in these precious monikers for your canine companion, our pet-naming pros have put together the newest list of old-fashioned dog names.

Old-fashioned names for girls - A-Z

To make your choice easier, we’ve alphabetized the most classic girl dog names to help you work your way down. We’ve also included the name’s origins to help you pick a name that more accurately reflects your canine’s character…

• Agatha (means "good" or "honorable")
• Beatrice (means "bringer of joy")
• Cecile (meaning “heavenly lily”)
• Doris (means "gift of the ocean")
• Edith (means "prosperous in war")
• Florence (means "flourishing" or "blooming")
• Gertrude (means "spear of strength")
• Harriet (means "ruler of the home")
• Iris (means "rainbow")
• Josephine (means "God will add")
• Katherine (means "pure")
• Lillian (means "lily")
• Matilda (means "mighty in battle")
• Nora (means "honor")
• Olive (means "olive tree")
• Pearl (means "precious")
• Quinby (means "woman's estate")
• Ruby (precious gemstone)
• Stella (means "star")
• Theodora (means "gift of God")
• Una (means "one")
• Violet (means "purple")
• Winnie (means “gentle friend”)
• Xena (means “guest”)
• Yvette (means “yew”)
• Zara (means “radiance”, “blooming flower”)

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Old-fashioned names for boys - A-Z

With so many funny, beautiful, grumpy old man names for dogs to choose from, it might be easier to sort them from A to Z. Starting with, well, Arthur…

• Arthur (meaning "bear" in Celtic)
• Bernard (meaning "brave bear" in Germanic)
• Chester (meaning "fortress" in Latin)
• Donald (meaning "world ruler" in Scottish)
• Ernest (meaning "serious" or "resolute" in Germanic)
• Frank (meaning "free" or "sincere" in Germanic)
• George (meaning "farmer" in Greek)
• Harold (meaning "ruler of the army" in Germanic)
• Irving (meaning "green water" in Scottish)
• Jasper (meaning "treasurer" in Persian)
• Kenneth (meaning "handsome" in Scottish)
• Leonard (meaning "brave lion" in Germanic)
• Milton (meaning "mill town" in Old English)
• Norman (meaning "northman" in Old German)
• Oscar (meaning "divine spear" in Old English)
• Percy (meaning "pierces the valley" in French)
• Quentin (meaning "fifth" in Latin)
• Raymond (meaning "wise protector" in Germanic)
• Samuel (meaning "heard by God" in Hebrew)
• Theodore (meaning "gift of God" in Greek)
• Ulysses (meaning "wrathful" in Greek)
• Vincent (meaning "conquering" in Latin)
• Walter (meaning "ruler of the army" in Germanic)
• Xavier (meaning "bright" or "new house" in Basque)
• Zachary (meaning “the Lord has remembered” in Hebrew)

Related article: British dog names

Funny old-fashioned female dog names

Does your old pooch feel young and funny at heart? Or does your fun-loving pup warrant an ironic old lady dog name? Whatever the reason, we’re sure they’ll respond to one of these old-fashioned dog names…

• Agnes (means "pure" or "chaste")
• Bertha (means "bright" or "famous")
• Clementine (means "merciful" or "gentle")
• Dottie (means "gift of God")
• Ethel (means "noble" or "honorable")
• Gertrude (means "spear of strength")
• Hilda (means "battle woman")
• Mildred (means "gentle strength")
• Myrtle (means "evergreen shrub")
• Prudence (means "cautious" or "wise")
• Thelma (means "will" or "desire")
• Winifred (means "blessed peace")

Related article: Funny dog names

Funny old-fashioned male dog names

Choosing an old man dog name for your young pup is already very funny. Just imagine calling out for Norman or Irving in the park. But to make your chosen name a little funnier, we’ve selected these old man dog names that make us smile even more…

• Bingo (traditional name from the children's song)
• Biscuit (playful and food-inspired)
• Fuzzy Wuzzy (adorable and fluffy)
• Gramps (an endearing nickname for an older dog)
• Old Timer (highlighting their seniority)
• Pudding (sweet and comforting)
• Gandalf (for dogs with long, white fur)
• Yoda (for a dog with a wise look to them)

Related article: Blue Heeler names

Unique old-fashioned dog names

These unique monikers will make superb conversation starters in the dog park…

• Alaska (a unique place name)
• Barnaby (meaning "son of consolation" in Aramaic)
• Celeste (means "heavenly" or "divine")
• Cosmo (meaning "order" or "beauty" in Greek)
• Dharma (means "truth" or "righteousness")
• Eldridge (meaning "wise ruler" in English)
• Ember (means "spark" or "fire")
• Finnegan (meaning "fair" or "white" in Irish)
• Humphrey (meaning "peaceful warrior" in Germanic)
• Ignatius (meaning "fiery" in Latin)
• Jasper (meaning "treasurer" in Persian)
• Juniper (refers to the evergreen shrub)
• Lyra (refers to the constellation)
• Mortimer (meaning "dead sea" in Old English)
• Nala (means "gift" or "beloved")
• Opal (refers to the gemstone)
• Percival (meaning "pierces the valley" in French)
• Quillan (meaning "cub" or "whelp" in Irish)
• Raven (refers to the black bird)
• Rutherford (meaning "cattle ford" in English)
• Saffron (refers to the spice)
• Seraphina (means "ardent" or "fiery")
• Sylvester (meaning "from the forest" in Latin)
• Thaddeus (meaning "courageous heart" in Aramaic)
• Ulric (meaning "power of the wolf" in Germanic)
• Valentin (meaning "strong" or "healthy" in Latin)
• Wallace (meaning "Welsh" or "Welshman" in Scottish)
• Xander (short form of Alexander, meaning "defender of mankind" in Greek)
• Yancy (meaning "Englishman" in Native American)
• Zara (means "princess" or "radiant")
• Zephyr (meaning "west wind" in Greek)

Related article: Unique dog names

Dog names inspired by famous people

Sometimes the best place for ins-paw-ration is from our two-legged heroes and heroines. From Albert to Zelda, we’ve curated an incredible list of names inspired by famous folk…

• Albert (inspired by Albert Einstein, renowned physicist)
• Audrey (inspired by Audrey Hepburn)
• Benjamin (inspired by Benjamin Franklin, polymath and Founding Father of the United States)
• Billie (inspired by Billie Holiday)
• Charlie (inspired by Charlie Chaplin, iconic silent film star)
• Coco (inspired by Coco Chanel)
• Ella (inspired by Ella Fitzgerald)
• Ernesto (inspired by Ernest Hemingway, celebrated writer)
• Frida (inspired by Frida Kahlo)
• Gandalf (inspired by Gandalf the Grey, wise wizard from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings")
• Greta (inspired by Greta Garbo)
• Josephine (inspired by Josephine Baker)
• Marilyn (inspired by Marilyn Monroe)
• Morgan (inspired by Morgan Freeman, esteemed actor)
• Nina (inspired by Nina Simone)
• Quincy (inspired by Quincy Jones, legendary music producer)
• Rosa (inspired by Rosa Parks)
• Vivien (inspired by Vivien Leigh)
• Winston (inspired by Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister)
• Zelda (inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald)

Related article: Famous dog names

Old-fashioned dog name tips

Great news! You’ve finished our list of old-fashioned dog names. By now, you should have a good idea of how to name your pooch. But if you’re still unsure, don’t worry, we’ve broken down our top tips…

Embrace the vintage charm. Look for names that have a classic and timeless feel to them. Think of names that were popular in past generations or names that have a vintage vibe that evokes a sense of elegance and sophistication.

Consider your pup’s paw-sonality. Observe your pooch’s behavior, temperament, and unique traits. Do they have a calm and gentle demeanor? Are they wise and soulful? Choose a name that reflects their canine character.

Get inspired by famous folk. Think about iconic figures from history, literature, or movies who are known for their wisdom, grace, and timeless appeal. Names like Audrey, Charlie, Marilyn, and Winston can pay homage to these remarkable people.

Keep it simple and easy to pronounce. These names can sometimes be longer or have multiple syllables (think Josephine and Rutherford). However, it's important to choose a name that is easy to say and remember, or that is one or two syllables long to make it easier for both you and your new furry friend.

Try it out in your head. Before settling on a name, spend some time using it and see how it feels. Say the name out loud and see if it rolls off the tongue easily, or practice calling your pooch from across the park or backyard to see if it feels like a good fit.

Our last tip is to trust your instincts, take our list of names, and enjoy the process of finding the perfect old-fashioned dog name for your beloved companion. It’s as simple as that. Good luck!

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