There are millions of names out there, so choosing the perfect one for your English Bulldog is a tedious and challenging task. Sometimes names just come to us when we see our dog for the first time, but, more often than not, it’s a process of second-guessing, family arguments, and stressful indecision.
Picking a name doesn’t have to be a combative and painful process. If you don’t know where to start, we have put together a thorough guide, exploring various avenues, tips, and examples for how to find the perfect name for your new furry friend.
Whether you want the name to reflect their personality, a profound idea or connection, or a physical characteristic, we’ve got options.
English Bulldog vs French Bulldog
Before we jump into the naming options, we wanted to provide some context for new Bulldog owners to better understand the primary differences between two of the more popular Bulldog varieties: English Bulldog and French Bulldog.
The English Bulldog is heavier in weight and height than the Frenchie. The English Bulldog ranges between 40-60 pounds and stands 13-15 inches tall. The Frenchie is a bit smaller, ranging in weight from 20-30 pounds and 11-13 inches in height.
Their faces are also quite different. While they both have a short snout, the English Bulldog has a much rounder face, an adorably visible underbite, and rose-shaped ears that fall more to the sides of their head than the top. The Frenchie has pointed ears, a more defined snout that doesn’t reveal their teeth, and a more square-shaped face. They’re both adorable in their unique ways, and you can tell they are close cousins.
Their temperaments are similar: they are both very social, needy, and excellent with kids. They don’t need a lot of exercise and are great lap dogs and living room loungers. Frenchies tend to be a bit more playful and high maintenance, while English Bulldogs are some of the most laid-back and calm dogs in the entire canine kingdom.
Popular Breed Dog Names: English Bulldog
They are loving, calm, patient pets who love to curl up at your feet, on the porch, or in your lap all day long if you let them. They have a stout, muscular body with short, stubby legs. Their face is round, with rose-shaped, coiled ears, and a short snout. The most distinctive characteristic is that irresistibly awkward and adorably exposed under-bite.
Their look is so full of personality and distinguishing characteristics that it’s easy to think of a million names just based on physical appearance. Here, we’ll list the best names for Bulldogs this year.
Male
| Ace | Mario |
| Admiral | Marty |
| Atticus | Maverick |
| Axel | Max |
| Bane | Maximus |
| Bart | Morty |
| Bernard | Nacho |
| Bowser | Noodles |
| Bret | Odin |
| Brinkley | Paco |
| Bronco | Pancho |
| Bronson | Petey |
| Bronx | Pistachio |
| Bruno | Popeye |
| Charlie | Porter |
| Cheerio | Queso |
| Chewie | Rocco |
| Corky | Rufus |
| Curtis | Sarge |
| Django | Scooter |
| Doobie | Scrooge |
| Ducky | Serge |
| Duke | Sharkey |
| Espresso | Skeeter |
| Fitbit | Stevie |
| Frisky | T-Bone |
| Gatsby | Thor |
| George | Titus |
| Goober | Tyson |
| Harley | Vito |
| Java | Wilbur |
| Jinx | Willie |
| King | Yahoo |
| Mack | Zeus |
Female
| Abby | Matilda |
| Angel | Molly |
| Bella | Nala |
| Bertha | Panda |
| Betsy | Pearl |
| Blossom | Peggy |
| Bubbles | Petunia |
| Cleo | Piper |
| Cookie | Pookie |
| Darla | Poppy |
| Ellie | Pumpkin |
| Etta | Queenie |
| Gemma | Ruby |
| Gracie | Sadie |
| Hattie | Sally |
| Hazel | Selma |
| Koala | Sophie |
| Lady | Summer |
| Madeline | Sushi |
| Mama | Tilly |
| Marge | Wilma |
British Royalty Names
Given this breed’s British origin, it is no surprise that many owners choose to explore some Royal options. You may even find one well suited to your king or queen.
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Charles | Anne |
| Edmund | Catherine |
| Edward | Charlotte |
| George | Diana |
| Harry | Duchess |
| Henry | Elizabeth |
| King | Lizzy |
| Philip | Mary |
| Prince | Meghan |
| Spencer | Princess |
| William | Queen |
Coat Color-Based Dog Names
If you are unfamiliar with the term “brindle,” it is a dark black coat with flecks of gold, similar to a calico coat in cats. A blue or lilac color is rarer, thus increasing its appeal as a name influencer.
The breed can have very distinctive facial markings as well. Some can have one spotted eye, while others have a full darkly covered mask around both eyes and the snout. The variety of coat colors and facial coloring in this breed is endless, providing a wealth of colorful and descriptive names to match.
Check out our list of color-based dog names that are great for males or females.
| White | Red | Brindle | Fawn | Blue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angel | Copper | Checkers | Acorn | Azul |
| Cotton | Pinkie | Chromeo | Caramelo | Azure |
| Marshmallow | Rose | Onyx | Ginger | Blue |
| Snowball | Rosy | Oreo | Maple | Ivy |
| Snowpuff | Ruby | Patches | Sahara | Sapphire |
| Sugar | Rusty | Pepper | Sandy | Skye |
| Tofu | Velvet | Sprinkles | Toffee | Steel |
Breed Size And Physical Trait-Based Dog Names
| Beast | Hulk |
| Beefcake | Hunk |
| Beefy | Rambo |
| Biggie | Jelly Roll |
| Brick | Jellybean |
| Bruiser | Killer |
| Bubba | Meatball |
| Butch | Piggie |
| Butterball | Porkchop |
| Chomper | Pumba |
| Chubs | Rex |
| Goliath | Sumo |
| Gordo | Tank |
| Heavyweight | Tiny |
| Hercules | Tubby |
| Hooch | Wrinkles |
Dog Name Trends
You’ll be calling your dog by name to get their attention, scold them, coax them out of a big group at the dog park, to list a few circumstances. Since you’ll be using their name constantly throughout the day, choosing a short name with no more than two syllables might be more convenient. At the same time, you can opt for a longer name with a great nickname to have the best of both worlds.
The most popular Bulldog names trending right now are:
Male
- Butch
- Duke
- Bud
- Max
- Rex
Female
- Betsy
- Lucille
- Cleo
- Cookie
- Molly
Dog Naming Tips
We know that coming up with a name is no easy task. After all, they are your family members and closest companions for the next decade or two. Choosing a name for your dog takes some deliberation and experimentation, so we’ve provided a list of naming tips to guide you through the naming process.
Tip 1: Consider Physical Traits (Color, Facial Feature, Body Type, Tail)
Sometimes the most obvious answers are the best answers. We tend to focus first on the physical appearance, whether we’re meeting dogs or humans, so a name that refers to coat color, a curly tail, or a uniquely shaped spot is simple and fitting.
Perhaps your new pup has a physical trait that proves to be the most endearingly distinctive characteristic that drew you to them. Take, for example, a crooked smile, a deformed tail, or a massive underbite. Imperfections and quirks make us unique, and calling them out creatively and playfully is fun for you and your puppy.
Tip 2: Pick Names Unique To You and Your Pup
Everyone has a story to tell, and perhaps you and your new best friend met under particular circumstances. You can commemorate your meeting by naming your puppy after the place you met, or maybe a specific reason why you decided to adopt or buy a dog in the first place.
Is your dog a rescue dog? Are they your first pet, or are they part of a long succession of animal family members? Why did this particular dog jump out at you when you went to buy or adopt? Personalizing a name is one of the best ways to endear you to your newly acquired dog and create a stronger bond.
Tip 3: Do Not Use Friend Or Family Names
We’ve suggested plenty of human names, and a lot of us love the idea of giving ordinary people’s names to dogs, but you might want to think about avoiding names that overlap with people in your circle of friends and family.
We aren’t saying that dogs aren’t worthy of human names. Humans aren’t worthy of the unconditional love, and loyalty dogs have to offer us most of the time. Still, visiting friends and family might not want to be confused for the dog every time they come over to your place.
We suggest thinking about everyone’s names in your family and friend group that you frequently see or entertain, making sure that you steer clear of those names for your dog. It will undoubtedly save you confusion and, in some cases, confrontation.
Tip 4: Test Name Choices
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of names to a handful of choices, you should experiment with your pup to see how they respond to each. You can test out names over a week by calling out each name to your dog at different times during the day to see how they react.
If they completely ignore you, maybe that’s a sign that they aren’t connecting with the name. If you get a pause, a look, and a head tilt, you might be on the right track.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you’re able to pick a few favorites from the different lists of Bulldog names we’ve compiled for you. Now, all that’s left to do is test them out to see which one sticks.
Once you’ve decided on the name you and your dog connect with most, the best way to familiarize your dog with their name is through positive reinforcement. Sit with your dog in an area with minimal distractions and proceed to say the name. Every time they look up at you when you say their name, give them verbal affirmation, a pat on the head, and a little treat. After a week of daily sessions, they should know their name.
Naming your new English Bulldog is an initiation ritual as the newest member of your family. No matter what you decide, the name you choose will start a lifelong bond with endless snuggles, adventures, and companionship.
