When you’re bringing a new friend into the home, they deserve nothing short of the best possible name. You probably have an easy time choosing toys, food, and all of the other necessities for your Australian Shepherd. The last thing to decide is what name ends up on their ID tag. Settling on the right one can be challenging, but fortunately, it becomes a little easier once you narrow it down.
Aussies have gorgeous coats and bright blue eyes. They’re also excellent family dogs, so you can expect them to get along quite well if you have kids. In addition, they’re always bursting with energy, so expect to spend a lot of time playing when you bring this pup into your home.
Perhaps you want a name that reflects this breed’s colorful coat. Alternatively, you might want a name that fits their playful and energetic nature. Some people only settle for a name that’s deep and meaningful, while others want something that rolls off the tongue. You may also want to choose a name that’s a part of your cultural heritage.
Popular Australian Shepherd Dog Names
Female Aussies tend to be pretty relaxed. They are also notably affectionate. Compared to males, they mature pretty quickly, so you can expect your female puppy to be a quick learner. Because of this, popular names for females tend to sound sophisticated and intelligent.
Male may not mature as quickly as females, but they are a little bigger once they reach adulthood. Their fur also tends to be a bit longer than the females, and they can often hold onto their puppy-like personalities throughout their lifetimes. A lot of names for males reflect his soft coat. They may also be child-like names to reflect his youthful nature.
Of course, every dog has a unique personality. Choosing one that best suits your dog is incredibly important. And regardless of gender, Aussies are affectionate, friendly, great leaders, and love treats.
Here are a few popular names to get you started:
Male
| Archie | Lenny |
| Artie | Leo |
| Bailey | Loki |
| Bandit | Lucky |
| Barkley | Maverick |
| Beau | Max |
| Beethoven | Milo |
| Benji | Murphy |
| Bentley | Oliver |
| Bones | Ollie |
| Buddy | Otis |
| Buster | Rex |
| Casper | Scooby |
| Charlie | Spike |
| Cooper | Stitch |
| Duke | Sydney |
| Finn | Theo |
| Georgie | Tito |
| Gus | Toby |
| Jack | Tucker |
| Jasper | Waldo |
| Jax | Wally |
| Jester | Walter |
| Kingston | Watson |
| Kobe | Winston |
Female
| Angel | Luna |
| Annabelle | Maisy |
| Annie | Maxie |
| Bella | Mia |
| Callie | Molly |
| Charlie | Olive |
| Chloe | Penny |
| Dixie | Phoebe |
| Ellie | Piper |
| Elsa | Princess |
| Fern | Pumpkin |
| Hazel | Rain |
| Isabelle | Riley |
| Izzy | Rosie |
| Jade | Roxy |
| Jasmine | Ruby |
| Jaz | Sasha |
| Josie | Scout |
| Koda | Sheba |
| Lady | Sophie |
| Laika | Stella |
| Lassie | Sunny |
| Lexi | Trixie |
| Lily | Vicky |
| Lola | Winnie |
| Lucy | Zoe |
Coat Color-Based Dog Names
The lush and colorful coat of this breed is simply bursting with possibilities. The white, brown, black, and grey patches in their fur contrast beautifully. Their pattern can serve as camouflage in specific outdoor environments, so be sure to keep an eye on them when you’re out in the wilderness.
These coats require a lot of maintenance, and you can expect quite a bit of shedding, too. It is worth it, though — their coat is stunning when you take proper care of it.
Why not come up with a name based on their coat? Appearance-based names are pretty straightforward, especially when you’re still not sure what your dog’s personality ends up being. Their earthy color scheme can inspire plenty of nature or even dessert-themed nicknames.
Basing a name off of their appearance can also make it easier for your guests to remember, especially if you have multiple dogs in your home.
In addition, most of these coat-based names are gender-neutral, so you can even settle on a good one before you know which gender your puppy is.
Here are a few name ideas that reflect the colors, patterns, and length of the Australian Shepherd’s magnificent fur coat.
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Ash | Astra |
| Ashton | Autumn |
| Aspen | Biscuit |
| Basil | Blue |
| Blizzard | Celeste |
| Blue | Chocolate Chip |
| Butternut | Cinder |
| Cedar | Cinnamon |
| Charmin | Cocoa |
| Chestnut | Cookie |
| Cirrus | Cookie Dough |
| Cliff | Dottie |
| Cloud | Feather |
| Cookies ‘N’ Cream | Fern |
| Cottonball | Fleecy |
| Forrest | Fluffy |
| Galaxy | Foliage |
| Heath | Freckles |
| Hickory | Fudge |
| Mars | Latte |
| Marshmallow | Magnolia |
| Mountain | Maple |
| Muddy | Marshmallow |
| Panda | Milkyway |
| Patches | Mocha |
| Pollock | Moon |
| Ravine | Moss |
| Ridge | Nova |
| Rusty | Nutella |
| Shaggy | Pepper |
| Smoky | River |
| Snickers | Savannah |
| Snowstorm | Sheep |
| Snowy | Silky |
| Spotty | Snickerdoodle |
| Stone | Snowdrop |
| Sycamore | Speckles |
| Teddy | Sugar |
| Terran | Sundae |
| Toasty | Tundra |
| Toffee | Willow |
| Truffle | Winter |
Breed Size And Physical Trait-Based Dog Names
While they aren’t quite as big as Saint Bernards, Australian Shepherds tend to be pretty big. Males can reach up to 23 inches tall, while females can grow up to 21 inches tall. They generally weigh between 35 and 70 pounds, and their fluffy coats only add more to their size.
You can factor in your dog’s size when coming up with a name, especially if you have other smaller dogs in the household. If you’ve also got a little lap dog named Tiny or Minnie, for example, calling your dog a “big” name like Titan or Bear would create some adorable contrast.
Aussie Shepherds are also notably strong, making a name with “big” energy all the more fitting.
Here are a few names that symbolize your dog’s size and strength.
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Achilles | Aila |
| Alpha | Amazon |
| Angus | Andromeda |
| Apollo | Aphrodite |
| Atlas | Artemis |
| Bear | Athena |
| Beowulf | Audrey |
| Bigfoot | Bear |
| Boomer | Blaze |
| Brutus | Britta |
| Buck | Cleopatra |
| Butch | Duchess |
| Colossus | Echo |
| Daisuke | Eve |
| Everest | Fang |
| Ezekiel | Freya |
| Griffin | Gaia |
| Grizzly | Harley |
| Groot | Hera |
| Gunner | Iris |
| Hercules | Korra |
| Jupiter | Lillith |
| King | Massy |
| Magnus | Matilda |
| Mammoth | Maude |
| Monty | Medusa |
| Moose | Montana |
| Neptune | Olwyn |
| Odin | Queen |
| Odysseus | Saturn |
| Orion | Sequoia |
| Titan | Sky |
| Titus | Storm |
| Warrior | Thunderstorm |
| Wolf | Ursula |
| Yosemite | Xena |
| Zeus | Zelda |
Dog Name Trends
There’s no shame in following the trend when you’re naming your dog. After all, trendy names are usually favorable for a reason.
Some people pick common dog names when naming dogs, such as Spot, Max, or Milo. Even if these names are a bit cliché, they might be a perfect fit for your new friend.
Their earthy patterned coat and adventurous lifestyle have earned them a lot of nature-themed names, such as Daisy, Aspen, Creek, or Clover. Perhaps you can find a fitting name for your dog after taking them on a walk through a hiking trail.
Despite their name, the Australian Shepherd’s origins lie in the United States. Regardless, some people give their dogs Australian-inspired names. For instance, Victoria, Sydney, or Dingo are somewhat famous for this breed.
It’s also common to name dogs after fictional characters, especially if you have kids in the household. Names like Pluto, Lassie, or Kipper can be cute and fitting, even if the fictional dogs in question aren’t Aussies. Some people even name their Aussies after famous real-life dogs, like Laika or Balto.
Naming trends can change often, but even if your dog’s name falls out of popularity, it’ll just make them all the more unique.
Dog Naming Tips
Choosing the right name for your newest family member is a huge decision. Here are a few general tips that help you choose a dog name.
Tip 1: Name Length
You’ll probably spend a lot of time calling your dog’s name. Whether you’re ushering them in from the backyard or offering them a treat, you want something short that rolls off the tongue. It is even more critical if you have small kids, as a more concise name prevents them from fumbling over pronunciation.
While most people recommend a name that’s two syllables, it doesn’t hurt to go with a longer name, either. Just keep in mind that you might end up using a shortened nickname over time, and even if you don’t, other people might do it for the sake of convenience.
Tip 2: Consider Their Personality
Try to consider your dog’s personality when coming up with a name for them. This develops over time, especially if you adopt them as a puppy, but you can usually get a general idea of what they’re like by playing with them for a while.
You could go with a silly name if your dog is a bit of a goofball or a more sophisticated one if they have an elegant demeanor. If they’re bursting with energy, you could give them a sporty name (perhaps after an athlete?), or if they’re on the cuddly side, a cutesy term might be the best fit.
Tip 3: Consider Their Story
What is your dog’s story? Did you rescue them from a shelter, or are they a stray that wandered into your life? Did they come from another country that could inspire cultural names? Whatever it may be, your dog’s story can offer inspiration for some unique characters.
Tip 4: Leave No Room For Confusion
It’s best not to give your dog a common human name like Larry or Sally. But to avoid any confusion when you have guests over, you should at least avoid using the names of people in your family, school, or workplace.
You should also avoid using names that sound too similar to a command for a similar reason. Be careful with words like “Mo” (which could sound like “No”) or “Tay” (which sounds like “Stay”).
Tip 5: Test Out Your Dog’s Name
Before you settle on a name, be sure to test it out. Sometimes a name sounds good in theory, but once you start calling it out to your dog, you realize that it just doesn’t sound right.
When you bring your new pooch home, spend some time playing in the yard and calling out a few different names. Please make sure everyone in the family tries it out, too. Who knows — maybe they’ll start wagging their tail at a specific name, and you’ll know that it’s the one.
Final Thoughts
As you skim through our list of names, jot down a few that stick out to you. Practice saying them aloud and try to narrow them down. Only make it official when you find one that feels right. Don’t be afraid to take your time, either — there’s no deadline for naming your Aussie.
To make decisions more manageable, you can even have your family or friends cast a vote. If one name wins, but you’ve got a soft spot for one of the runner-ups, you can always make one their middle name.
