Culture and Lifestyle Pets Our Favorite Names for Southern Dogs By Zoe Gowen Zoe Gowen After a notable obsession with yellow houses, historic homes, and glossy magazines as a child that lead to a degree in American Studies from Sewanee: University of the South followed by a jaunt through the Washington, DC art world, Zoë found her way as the Senior Home and Garden Editor with Southern Living. There she crisscrossed the region to produce inspiring interiors, entertaining, and holiday stories while also overseeing the Idea House franchise. After seeing more porches and Christmas trees than any other reasonable person can claim, she ventured out to pave new roads freelancing for various magazines and helping people bring magazine tearsheets to life inside private homes via interior decorating. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on August 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Naming your pup is one of the most important steps to take when adopting your new family member, allowing you to start bonding and begin the training process as they adjust to their new environment, "Tanner, no!" Research shows that dog names need to be two syllables. With that in mind, we decided to take a gander at our 100 super-Southern dog names with two or more syllables. Plus, we organized our favorite Southern dog names by gender, foodie names, regional names, hunting names, and famous Southerner names, and included pup-naming tips. Funny, friendly, or ferocious? Here's a list of names for our favorite furry friends. 01 of 108 Dog Naming Tips Ron Levine/Getty Images There's a common misconception that in the South, our dogs ride around in the backs of trucks and always have a dead duck in their mouths. In truth, we treat our dogs a lot like Ouiser treats Rhett in "Steel Magnolias"—we take them everywhere no matter their size or temperament. They've become best friends. They wait in the car while you run errands. You take them on walks to the park. They sleep beside you. If you're going to spend this much time with any living thing, then you best love the name that you choose for them and understand the method that goes into dog naming. It needs to be a dog name you like saying over and over again and one that is suitable for your dog's personality. Short, clear names with one to two consonants also work better than a lengthy name. For example, getting out a name like Genevieve in a hurry over and over again, is going to get old, but you can shorten Genevieve to Genny if you're dead set on the elaborate name. If you're adopting a dog (good for you!) and want to rename the dog, you should try and keep the new name as similar sounding to the old one as possible—i.e., you should rename an old Shelly into a Shelby. Before you start naming your puppy, take a look at these most popular Southern dog names to see if any of them are a good fit for your puppy. 02 of 108 Addy Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Noble 03 of 108 Amelia Van Chaplin Meaning: Diligent, hardworking, industrious 04 of 108 Annabel Meaning: Lovable 05 of 108 Annie Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Grace, favor, beautiful 06 of 108 Atlanta Gary Clark Meaning: Fast-footed maiden 07 of 108 Bacon Gary Clark Meaning: Back; salted, smoked meat from the back and sides of a pig 08 of 108 Bailey Courtesy Dawn Crites Meaning: Governor; outermost wall of a castle 09 of 108 Bandit Beth Hontzas Meaning: An outlaw or robber 10 of 108 Barry Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Spear 11 of 108 Basil Gary Clark Meaning: Kingly, royal 12 of 108 Boudreaux Meaning: Farmer 13 of 108 Bennet Cary Jobe Meaning: Blessed herb 14 of 108 Birdie Art Meripol Meaning: Small bird 15 of 108 Biscuit Scott Suchman Meaning: A roll-like quick-bread; cookie 16 of 108 Bourbon Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Whiskey made in the U.S. mainly from corn 17 of 108 Buddy Gary Clark Meaning: Friend 18 of 108 Butter Jennifer R. Davick Meaning: Yellow, smooth fat from churned cream 19 of 108 Captain Jennifer R. Davick Meaning: Chief, leader, commander; important military officer 20 of 108 Charlie Gary Clark Meaning: Free man; army warrior 21 of 108 Charlotte Art Meripol Meaning: Petite; feminine 22 of 108 Cody Art meripol Meaning: Helpful 23 of 108 Colonel Gary Clark Meaning: Title of respect for distinguished, elderly man; honorary title; high-ranking military officer 24 of 108 Cooper Gary Clark Meaning: Barrel maker 25 of 108 Cricket Mary Margaret Chambliss Meaning: Creak, rattle, cackle; staff, stick 26 of 108 Daisy Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Days eye; a white and yellow wildflower 27 of 108 Dallas Sharon Montrose Meaning: Meadow, valley; house 28 of 108 Daphne Ralph Anderson Meaning: Laurel 29 of 108 Dolly Van Chaplin Meaning: God's gift; sorrows; word for doll 30 of 108 Dottie Gary Clark Meaning: God's gift 31 of 108 Eli Ralph Anderson Meaning: Ascension; my God 32 of 108 Elly Charles Walton Meaning: My God is an oath 33 of 108 Eloise Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Healthy and wide 34 of 108 Elvis Van Chaplin Meaning: All wise 35 of 108 Emma Laurey W.Glenn Meaning: Whole, universal 36 of 108 Faulkner Art Meripol Meaning: Falconer 37 of 108 George Art Meripol Meaning: Farmer; tiller of the soil 38 of 108 Georgia Ralph Anderson Meaning: Farmer; agriculture 39 of 108 Ginger Mary Britton Senseney Meaning: Ginger root; red-haired person; maid, virgin 40 of 108 Gracie Laurey W.Glenn Meaning: Divine grace 41 of 108 Gumbo Art meripol Meaning: A soup from Louisiana sometimes thickened with okra. The West African word for okra is "ki ngombo." 42 of 108 Gunner Beth Hontzas Meaning: Warrior 43 of 108 Hannah Laurey W Glenn Meaning: Favor; grace 44 of 108 Harley Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Meadow in the woods 45 of 108 Harper Lee Van Chaplin Meaning: Harp player 46 of 108 Henry Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Home ruler 47 of 108 Honey Gary Clark Meaning: Nectar; sweet 48 of 108 Hudson Gary Clark Meaning: Son of Hudde 49 of 108 Hugo Beth Hontzas Meaning: Mind 50 of 108 Hunter Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: One who hunts or pursues 51 of 108 Jackson Scott Suchman Meaning: Son of Jack 52 of 108 Khaki Gary Clark Meaning: A strong fabric in a beige color, often used in military uniforms 53 of 108 Kiki Cary Jobe Meaning: Nickname for many "K" names 54 of 108 Laverne Will Dicky Meaning: Of Spring; alder 55 of 108 Lela Jennifer R. Davick Meaning: Night 56 of 108 Leroy Scott Suchman Meaning: The king 57 of 108 Lexie Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Protector, defender 58 of 108 Lucy sanjagrujic/Getty Images Meaning: Of light 59 of 108 Madison Gary Clark Meaning: Son of Maude 60 of 108 Maggie Van Chaplin Meaning: Pearl 61 of 108 Magnolia Cary Jobe Meaning: White blooms from the flowering tree, named for French botanist Pierre Magnol 62 of 108 Maisie Courtesy of Andy Estill Meaning: Pearl 63 of 108 Major Art Meripol Meaning: Council spear 64 of 108 Memphis Gary Clark Meaning: Enduring beauty 65 of 108 Millie Art meripol Meaning: Gentle strength; strong in work 66 of 108 Mollie Gary Clark Meaning: Beloved; rebelliousness; wished for child 67 of 108 Moses Jennifer R. Davick Meaning: Son; draw out 68 of 108 Myrtle Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Nickname from an evergreen, flowering shrub Myrtus 69 of 108 Nellie Mary Britton Senseney Meaning: Shining light 70 of 108 Oliver Meaning: Olive tree 71 of 108 Oscar Chris Rogers Meaning: Friend of deer 72 of 108 Parker Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Keeper of the park; park keeper 73 of 108 Peaches Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Persian apple 74 of 108 Pepper Van Chaplin Meaning: Spice made from peppercorns, dried berries from the black pepper plant 75 of 108 Percy Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Hero; slayer of monsters 76 of 108 Popcorn Gary Clark Meaning: Snack made from heated, popped corn kernels 77 of 108 Ranger Laurey W Glenn Meaning: Forest guardian 78 of 108 Remi Getty/Purple Collar Pet Photography Meaning: Oarsman, rower 79 of 108 Rocket Laurey W.Glenn Meaning: Bobbin or little spindle 80 of 108 Rocky Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Rest 81 of 108 Roscoe Art Meripol Meaning: Doe wood 82 of 108 Rosemary Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Dew of the sea 83 of 108 Rosie Joe De Sciose Meaning: Famous type; the rose flower 84 of 108 Ruby Joe De Sciose Meaning: Red; red gemstone 85 of 108 Sadie Meaning: Princess 86 of 108 Sally Van Chaplin Meaning: Princess 87 of 108 Savannah Ralph Anderson Meaning: Large, grassy plain 88 of 108 Sawyer Robbie Caponetto Meaning: One who saves wood 89 of 108 Shadow Jennifer R. Davick Meaning: Dark area where light is blocked 90 of 108 Shelby Ralph Anderson Meaning: From the farm of willows 91 of 108 Sonny Ralph Anderson Meaning: Son; sun 92 of 108 Spottswood Meaning: A surname from Scotland 93 of 108 Sterling Robbie Caponetto Meaning: Excellent; little star; sterling silver 94 of 108 Sugar Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Ground or candied sugar; sweet 95 of 108 Tanner Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Leather maker 96 of 108 Teddy Beth Hontzas Meaning: Rich guard, wealthy protector; gift of God 97 of 108 Trixie Meaning: Traveller; blessed, happy; noble 98 of 108 Truman Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Trusty man 99 of 108 Tyson Charles Walton Meaning: Firebrand 100 of 108 Whiskey Mary Margaret Chambliss Meaning: Water of life 101 of 108 Willie Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Meaning: Vehement protector 102 of 108 Male dog names Hector Manuel Sanchez; Design: John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon; Styling: Kendra Surface BaileyBanditBarryBennetBoudreauxBuddyCaptainCharlieCodyColonelCooperEliElvisGeorgeGunnerHenryHugoHunterJacksonLeroyMajorMosesOliverOscarRangerRocketRockyRoscoeSpottswoodSterlingTannerTeddyTrumanTyson 103 of 108 Female dog names Photo: Katherine O'Brien AddyAmeliaAnnabelAnnieAtlantaCharlotteDaisyDaphneDollyDottieEllyEloiseEmmaGeorgiaGingerGracieHannahHarper LeeHoneyKikiLaverneLelaLexieLucyMadisonMaggieMagnoliaMaisieMillieMollieMyrtleNelliePeachesRosemaryRosieRubySadieSallySavannahSugarTrixie 104 of 108 Unisex dog names Photo: Sara & Rocky BaconBasilBirdieBiscuitBourbonButterCricketDallasFaulknerGumboHarleyHudsonKhakiMemphisParkerPepperPercyPopcornSawyerShadowShelbySonnyWhiskey 105 of 108 Regional Dog Names Darrell Gulin/Getty Images AtlantaCharlotteDallasGeorgiaJacksonMemphisSavannah 106 of 108 Foodie Dog Names Brandi Thompson / EyeEm / Getty Images BaconBasilBiscuitBourbonButterGingerGumboHoneyPeachesPepperPopcornRosemarySugarWhiskey 107 of 108 Hunting Dog Names lizcen / Getty Images BanditBourbonBirdieCaptainColonelGunnerHunterKhakiMajorRangerRemiWhiskey 108 of 108 Famous Southerners Stacie Huckeba // Courtesy of Butterfly Records Dolly—Dolly Parton, born in TennesseeElvis—Elvis Presley, born in MississippiFaulkner—William Faulkner, born in MississippiHarper Lee—Harper Lee, born in AlabamaSpottswood—William Robinson Spottswood III, born in Virginia Was this page helpful? 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