Bringing home a new puppy or dog as an addition to your family is one of the most rewarding experiences. But many new owners put a lot of pressure on themselves to find the perfect name for their Bernese Mountain Dog.
Naming your dog is undoubtedly an important decision that impacts you all for several years to come. There are so many choices out there, but we have compiled more than 250 of the best names for Bernese Mountain Dogs that fit their breed, their personality, and are adorable and fun.
But before we take a look, let’s understand what distinguishes this breed from others.
About Bernese Mountain Dogs
Bernese Mountain Dogs, or “Berners,” as their owners affectionately call them, are a substantial, good-natured breed. They were originally bred to be working dogs on farms in Switzerland, and their size and strength reflect that past. Considering the cool conditions they were bred for, their long coats mean that they thrive in colder weather. These coats are relatively long, thick, and silky, and most Berners present a combination of three distinct colors and markings.
Berners are some of the sweetest dogs in the world. They are fiercely loyal to their families and make great family pets, good with children as well as other dogs and animals. They have a calm temperament and are mostly content to simply be in your company.
Unfortunately, Berners typically don’t live to be older than ten years old because of their size. To prolong life, owners need to make sure their dogs get plenty of exercise and eat a healthy, sufficient diet.
Most Popular Names For Bernese Mountain Dogs
Let’s take a look at the ten most popular male and female Berner names.
| Female | Male |
|---|---|
| Bailey | Bear |
| Bella | Beau |
| Daisy | Bernie |
| Lily | Charlie |
| Lucy | Cooper |
| Luna | Finn |
| Rosie | Gus |
| Sadie | Max |
| Stella | Moose |
| Zoe | Murphy |
Names Related To Bernese Mountain Dog Size
In addition to Bear and Moose, mentioned above:
- Mammoth
- Hulk
- Goliath
- Maximus (Max for short)
- Kong
- Shamu
- Tex
- Clifford (as in the big red dog)
- Rex (as in Tyrannosaurus Rex)
- Dino
- Rocky
- Bull
- Zeus
- Thor
- Rambo
- Brutus
- Sheba
- Thunder
- Yeti
- Marmaduke
Their size is definitely the first thing that most people are going to notice about your Berner (before they’ll be blown away by their gentleness). Although they grow to weigh up to 120 pounds, your puppy is small and snuggly. Considering their adult size (between 23 to 27.5 inches when they’re fully grown), a name that corresponds with their size is a great place to start when looking for a name.
Bernese Mountain Dog Color-Based Names
Berners’ other characteristic feature is their beautiful coats and coloring. It is important to note that this range of colors is distributed across their bodies. White markings mostly spread from the face to the chest, while the red or rusty markings are typically located on either side of their mouths, above their eyes, and on the front part of their legs. There are lots of names that draw attention to their color:
- Mocha
- Brownie
- Rapunzel
- Godiva
- Freckles
- Bigfoot
- Appaloosa
- Domino
- Oreo
- Calico
- Splash
- Trifecta (meaning three, for the three colors)
- Peanut Butter
- Cloud
- Shaggy
- Wookiee
- Snowflake
- Kodiak
- Charmin
- Padfoot
Berner Dog Name Trends
Sometimes, the sweetest things come in oversized packages. That’s certainly true when it comes to Berners. Anyone who has ever owned or encountered one can tell you, they are gentle giants. They love their families and make any parent proud when gently interacting with children. There might be some competition between family members, though, as Berners are known to form an attachment to one person in the family. Considering their sweet nature, you can also take this into account when looking for the perfect name.
Sweet Dog Names
| Archie | Aloe | Amore |
| Amaretto | Bonnie | Angel |
| Buddy | Butterscotch | Apple |
| Chester | Cali | Biscuit |
| Chip | Clementine | Button |
| Gumdrop | Dulce | Caramel |
| Herbie | Flower | Cookie |
| Igor | Ginger | Dolce |
| Jiminy (Cricket) | Josie | Happy |
| Neville (Harry Potter) | Junebug | Harmony |
| Otis | Lulu | Hugs |
| Robin (Batman and Robin) | Maggie | Lucky |
| Samwise (from Lord of the Rings) | Olive | Muffin |
| Snuggles | Paisley | Paws |
| Teddy (teddy bear) | Pixie Stick | Peach |
| Tonto (Lone Ranger’s sidekick) | Ruby | Pumpkin |
| Winston | Sugar | Smiles |
| Sunny | Waffles | Sweets |
Places And Famous People
- Alaska
- Andes
- Aspen
- Austin
- Baja
- Brooklyn
- Carolina
- Cheyenne
- Dakota
- Corona
- Denver
- Dublin
- Fresno
- Hudson
- Hunter
- Jersey
- Oslo
- Odessa
- Provo
- Rio
- Sahara
- Savannah
- Sur
- Tahoe
Historical Figures Names
- Lincoln
- Samson
- Dante
- Geronimo
- Wolfgang (or “Woofgang” if you’re a fan of puns)
- Kerouac
- Cleo (short for Cleopatra)
- Rosie (Rosie the Riveter)
- Joan
- Clara (Clara Barton)
- Lady Bird (wife of LBJ)
- Apache
- Byron
- Nero
Natural Feature Names
Like the idea of naming your dog after a place but don’t necessarily want to choose somewhere specific? Try one of these natural features:
- Willow
- Birch
- Mountain
- River
- Canyon
- Ocean
- Butte
- Basin
- Maple
- Bayou
- Alpine
- Summit
- Berry
- Ivy
- Lavender
- Truffle
- Cedar
- Oakley
- Brook
- Frontier
- Geyser
- Meadow
- Mesa
- Aria (means “air”)
- Lilac
- Huckleberry
- Pluto
- Ranger
- Timber
More Berner Names
| Baxter | Addie | Andy |
| Casey | Amber | Asher |
| Chance | Annie | Bowie |
| Clover | Chloe | Bruno |
| Finn or Fynn | Cora | Buster |
| Echo | Delilah | Cash |
| Fluffy | Dottie | Conner |
| Gretchen | Gigi | Dexter |
| Harriett | Hazel | Diesel |
| Ian | Izzy | Jasper |
| Jackie | Layla | Levi |
| Landry | Libby | Mac |
| Moxie | Mabel | Maverick |
| Nutella | Macie | Merlin |
| Oprah | Pebbles | Montana |
| Patch | Penny | Odin |
| Rey | Queenie | Roadie |
| Sage | Rita | Romeo |
| Scout | Saffron | Rudy |
| Seneca | Sally | Rusty |
| Sergeant | Sandy | Titan |
| Shadow | Tillie | Tyson |
| Sky or Skye | Tootsie | Utah |
| Thumper | Xena | Wally |
| Winnie | Zelda | Ziggy |
Tips For Naming Your New Dog
Maybe you read through the list above and are still unsure, or perhaps you found too many names that you love. Either way, naming your dog still requires more thought.
Think About Telling Others
The first thing anyone wants to know about your dog is its name. Therefore, you’re going to be repeating its name over and over again. What is more, you’ll probably end up having to shout it from time to time as well. So, it’s essential to think about whether you’re choosing a name that you’re going to want to repeat and even yell and explain over and over. While ridiculous names get a laugh when people first hear them, think about whether it’s going to get old for you over time.
In addition, bizarre and unusual names require explanation. Consider whether or not you’ll want to explain why you chose the name you did to many people all of the time.
What’s more, be sure to choose something that is not offensive, inappropriate, or profane to anyone else. Your dog is a lover, and you can be too.
Get Some Advice
It’s a big decision, and while you’re ultimately the one who has to make it, it can be beneficial to get some input from others. Ask people you know well who are familiar with your likes and dislikes if they have any ideas. Run your final list of contenders by a few trusted folks.
Also, if you have any animal experts in your life, don’t be afraid to consult them. Vets (and people who work in their offices) have much contact with pets, as do groomers, dog walkers, and other animal workers. They might have some original ideas or be able to point out something about your potential names that you didn’t realize.
Keep It Simple
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a reasonably intelligent breed, but even they have trouble distinguishing slight variations in words. For that reason, you need to be sure that your dog’s name is simple and easy for them to understand.
If you give your dog a name that you’re going to use to refer to something else or a name that sounds like a word you often speak (for example, naming your dog Bear if you live on Blair Street), they will be confused. Confusion for your dog means distress for them, which is sure to cause you heartache.
Finally, avoid any words that sound like commands that you plan to use. That would be very puzzling for your new furry friend.
Don’t Wait Too Long
What to name your new dog is definitely a big decision, but unfortunately, it is not one that you can take your time with. We highly recommend choosing a name for your new dog (of any breed) within their first two days at home.
Your dog’s name is how they connect with the human world, and it is also a crucial tool for you while you train and bond with them. We suggest making a list of up to 20 names you like before you bring the dog home. Eliminate half of them on the first day and choose a winner on the second day.
Making this choice too quickly can be disappointing for people who want to get to know their dog and base its name on their personality. If that’s you, try asking the breeder, foster family, or rescue shelter about your future dog’s quirks and personality. In addition, don’t forget about the breed-specific suggestions above.
Finally, the chances are good that you’ll start to call the dog something, and that name could stick (do you want to call them “Puppy” for the rest of their lives?). Choose a name before it’s too late.
Choose Something You Love
Your dog is your dog. Therefore, their name should be significant to you and resonate with you. In addition to the names above, consider your favorite books, television shows, movies, actors, songs, and more. You can even turn your favorite food or drink into a fun name for a Berner.
Also, try not to choose something with which you don’t relate. For example, if you hate skiing, you may not want to name your dog Alpine.
Whatever name you end up choosing, it undoubtedly becomes special for you if it isn’t already.
Final Thoughts
Your Bernese Mountain Dog’s name makes a statement about both you and them. For that reason, it is essential to put a lot of thought and care into choosing it. Luckily, our helpful hints and expansive list of names are a great place to start. Remember, no matter the name you choose for your Berner, you’re going to love them so much as the newest member of your family.
