Our Favorite Names for Southern Dogs

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.

Meaning: Noble 

Meaning: Diligent, hardworking, industrious

Meaning: Lovable

Meaning: Grace, favor, beautiful

Meaning: Fast-footed maiden

Meaning: Back; salted, smoked meat from the back and sides of a pig

Meaning: Governor; outermost wall of a castle

Meaning: An outlaw or robber 

Meaning: Spear

Meaning: Kingly, royal

Meaning: Farmer

Meaning: Blessed herb

Meaning: Small bird

Meaning: A roll-like quick-bread; cookie

Meaning: Whiskey made in the U.S. mainly from corn

Meaning: Friend

Meaning: Yellow, smooth fat from churned cream

Meaning: Chief, leader, commander; important military officer

Meaning: Free man; army warrior

Meaning: Petite; feminine

Meaning: Helpful

Meaning: Title of respect for distinguished, elderly man; honorary title; high-ranking military officer

Meaning: Barrel maker

Meaning: Creak, rattle, cackle; staff, stick

Meaning: Days eye; a white and yellow wildflower

Meaning: Meadow, valley; house

Meaning: Laurel

Meaning: God's gift; sorrows; word for doll

Meaning: God's gift

Meaning: Ascension; my God

Meaning: My God is an oath

Meaning: Healthy and wide

Meaning: All wise

Meaning: Whole, universal

Meaning: Falconer

Meaning: Farmer; tiller of the soil

Meaning: Farmer; agriculture

Meaning: Ginger root; red-haired person; maid, virgin

Meaning: Divine grace

Meaning: A soup from Louisiana sometimes thickened with okra. The West African word for okra is "ki ngombo."

Meaning: Warrior

Meaning: Favor; grace

Meaning: Meadow in the woods

Meaning: Harp player

Meaning: Home ruler

Meaning: Nectar; sweet

Meaning: Son of Hudde

Meaning: Mind

Meaning: One who hunts or pursues

Meaning: Son of Jack

Meaning: A strong fabric in a beige color, often used in military uniforms

Meaning: Nickname for many "K" names

Meaning: Of Spring; alder

Meaning: Night

Meaning: The king

Meaning: Protector, defender

Meaning: Of light

Meaning: Son of Maude

Meaning: Pearl

Meaning: White blooms from the flowering tree, named for French botanist Pierre Magnol

Meaning: Pearl

Meaning: Council spear

Meaning: Enduring beauty

Meaning: Gentle strength; strong in work

Meaning: Beloved; rebelliousness; wished for child

Meaning: Son; draw out

Meaning: Nickname from an evergreen, flowering shrub Myrtus

Meaning: Shining light

Meaning: Olive tree

Meaning: Friend of deer

Meaning: Keeper of the park; park keeper