400+ Literary Dog Names (Magical Book-Inspired Names for Your New Best Friend)

Looking for literary dog names? Trust me, I totally get that “aha” moment when you look at your pup and think, “This little guy is totally giving me Sherlock Holmes vibes!” It’s like when you’re reading your favorite book and suddenly realize your dog has the same personality as one of the characters.

You know what’s really cool about naming your dog after a book character? Every time you call their name, it’s like you’re sharing a tiny piece of a story you love. Plus, it makes for such great conversations at the dog park – way more interesting than explaining why you named your dog Spot!

I’m a total bookworm (and clearly a dog person too), so I’ve put together some amazing name ideas from all kinds of books. Whether your pup’s more of a brave Aslan or a mischievous Puck, I’ve got you covered. Let’s find that perfect name that’ll make both you and your furry friend’s tail wag!

Want more unique name ideas? Check out these cute group names for dogs

Literary Dog Names

• Sherlock – The brilliant detective
• Gatsby – The charming millionaire
• Atticus – The wise lawyer
• Scout – The curious observer
• Darcy – The proud gentleman
• Elizabeth – The witty heroine
• Heathcliff – The brooding hero
• Romeo – The passionate lover
• Juliet – The star-crossed lover
• Poe – The mysterious poet
• Austen – The romance master
• Byron – The romantic poet
• Watson – The loyal friend
• Kipling – The adventure writer
• Wilde – The witty writer
• Dickens – The storyteller
• Potter – The magical wizard
• Hemingway – The bold writer
• Bronte – The gothic writer
• Shakespeare – The bard
• Dante – The divine poet
• Milton – The epic poet
• Frost – The nature poet
• Hawthorne – The dark romantic
• Thoreau – The nature lover

Need more unique inspiration? Browse these powerful team names

Names from Literature for Dogs

• Luna – Harry Potter series
• Artemis – Greek mythology
• Merlin – Arthurian legends
• Arwen – Lord of the Rings
• Pippin – Lord of the Rings
• Aslan – Chronicles of Narnia
• Lyra – His Dark Materials
• Bagheera – The Jungle Book
• Mowgli – The Jungle Book
• Beowulf – Old English epic
• Perseus – Greek mythology
• Odysseus – Greek mythology
• Finn – Huckleberry Finn
• Sawyer – Tom Sawyer
• Beatrice – Much Ado About Nothing
• Cordelia – King Lear
• Ophelia – Hamlet
• Caliban – The Tempest
• Puck – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Oberon – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Titania – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Orlando – As You Like It
• Rosalind – As You Like It
• Portia – The Merchant of Venice
• Viola – Twelfth Night

Want something mystical? These spooky name ideas might inspire you

Names for Dogs from Books

• Sirius – Harry Potter series
• Remus – Harry Potter series
• Aragorn – Lord of the Rings
• Gandalf – Lord of the Rings
• Edmund – Chronicles of Narnia
• Lucy – Chronicles of Narnia
• Dorian – The Picture of Dorian Gray
• Scarlett – Gone with the Wind
• Rhett – Gone with the Wind
• Holden – Catcher in the Rye
• Phoebe – Catcher in the Rye
• Estella – Great Expectations
• Pip – Great Expectations
• Jane – Jane Eyre
• Rochester – Jane Eyre
• Emma – Emma
• Knightley – Emma
• Lizzy – Pride and Prejudice
• Bennet – Pride and Prejudice
• Collins – Pride and Prejudice
• Wickham – Pride and Prejudice
• Bingley – Pride and Prejudice
• Catherine – Wuthering Heights
• Linton – Wuthering Heights
• Edgar – Wuthering Heights

Love fantasy themes? Check out these Star Wars team names

Literary Puppy Names

• Pip – The adorable orphan from Great Expectations who’d suit any growing pup
• Alice – Perfect for curious puppies who love exploring
• Fern – From Charlotte’s Web, great for gentle souls
• Matilda – Suits smart puppies who catch on quick
• Milo – From The Phantom Tollbooth, for adventurous little ones
• Stuart – As in Stuart Little, perfect for small breed puppies
• Peter – Like Peter Pan, for puppies who never seem to grow up
• Wendy – The nurturing character who’d make a sweet puppy name
• Tinker – Short for Tinkerbell, perfect for tiny energetic pups
• Oliver – From Oliver Twist, great for scrappy little fighters
• Coraline – For brave, adventurous puppies
• Toto – The classic puppy from The Wizard of Oz
• Paddington – Perfect for clumsy, lovable pups
• Madeline – For the smallest pup in your pack
• Ramona – Suits those quirky, spirited puppies
• Harriet – Like Harriet the Spy, for curious pups
• Wilbur – From Charlotte’s Web, perfect for sweet natured puppies
• Pippi – For those high-energy, playful pups
• Tigger – The bouncy character suits energetic puppies
• Pooh – Perfect for cuddly, gentle souls
• Christopher – A classic name for dignified pups
• Robin – Sweet and simple for any puppy
• Piglet – Adorable for shy, sensitive puppies
• Roo – Perfect for bouncy, playful little ones
• Dobby – For those puppies with big, expressive eyes

Need more playful names? These anime team names might spark some ideas

Literary Names for Dogs

• Odysseus – For the adventurous wanderer
• Athena – Perfect for wise, protective dogs
• Zeus – Great for natural leaders
• Apollo – Suits graceful, athletic dogs
• Artemis – Perfect for hunting breeds
• Hercules – For strong, brave pups
• Atlas – Great for large breed dogs
• Pandora – For curious troublemakers
• Orion – Perfect for stargazers
• Phoenix – Suits resilient rescue dogs
• Griffin – For majestic, proud pups
• Pegasus – Perfect for swift runners
• Calypso – Great for water-loving dogs
• Nike – For athletic, energetic pups
• Perseus – Suits brave, protective dogs
• Theseus – Perfect for clever problem solvers
• Circe – For mysterious, enchanting pups
• Helios – Great for bright, sunny personalities
• Aurora – Perfect for morning-loving dogs
• Echo – For vocal, talkative pups
• Iris – Suits colorful personalities
• Triton – Perfect for water dogs
• Muse – For inspiring companions
• Sage – Great for wise old souls
• Mercury – Perfect for quick, agile dogs

Looking for more mythological inspiration? Check out these space themed team names

Dogs in Literature Names

Let’s look at some amazing names from books where dogs play key roles! These names carry such rich stories behind them.

• Buck – The brave hero from Call of the Wild
• White Fang – Jack London’s unforgettable wolf-dog
• Marley – The lovable troublemaker from Marley & Me
• Cujo – Stephen King’s infamous St. Bernard
• Lassie – The classic collie who always found her way home
• Old Dan – From Where the Red Fern Grows
• Little Ann – Old Dan’s faithful companion
• Argos – Odysseus’s loyal dog who waited 20 years
• Nana – The beloved nursemaid dog from Peter Pan
• Snowy – Tintin’s faithful white terrier
• Flush – Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel
• Dog – Mad Max’s loyal companion
• Einstein – Dean Koontz’s intelligent golden retriever
• Pilot – Jane Eyre’s faithful companion
• Sam – Will Smith’s companion in I Am Legend
• Pongo – The dad dog from 101 Dalmatians
• Perdita – The mom dog from 101 Dalmatians
• Bella – From A Dog’s Way Home
• Ribsy – Henry Huggins’s beloved dog
• Skip – From My Dog Skip
• Old Yeller – The brave yellow dog
• Fang – Hagrid’s cowardly boarhound
• Sandy – Little Orphan Annie’s dog
• Snoopy – The beloved beagle from Peanuts
• Clifford – The big red dog we all grew up with

Love colorful names? Check out these red team names

Dog Names from Literature and Mythology

You know what’s cool about mythological names? They come with built-in epic stories! Here are some fantastic options:

• Cerberus – The three-headed guard dog
• Orthrus – Cerberus’s two-headed brother
• Laelaps – The dog who never failed to catch its prey
• Fenrir – The mighty wolf from Norse mythology
• Garm – Guardian of the Norse underworld
• Anubis – The Egyptian dog-headed god
• Argus – Odysseus’s faithful friend
• Kerberos – Another spelling for Cerberus
• Sirius – The dog star
• Gelert – The faithful hound of Welsh legend
• Cu Chulainn – The hound of Celtic myth
• Actaeon – The hunter turned stag
• Diana – The goddess of the hunt
• Romulus – One of Rome’s founders
• Remus – The twin who loved wolves
• Skoll – The wolf who chases the sun
• Hati – The wolf who chases the moon
• Geri – One of Odin’s wolves
• Freki – Odin’s other wolf companion
• Wepwawet – Egyptian wolf deity
• Lupus – The celestial wolf
• Lycaon – The first werewolf
• Moro – The wolf god from Princess Mononoke
• Asterion – The star hound
• Maera – The dog star of Greek myth

Want more mythical inspiration? These dragon team names might help

Dog Names from Literature

You know what makes a dog name really special? When it comes with an amazing story! These names from books really hit that sweet spot:

• Nana – That adorable nursemaid dog from Peter Pan
• Toto – Dorothy’s brave little companion
• Buck – The adventurous soul from Call of the Wild
• Pongo – Our favorite dalmatian dad
• Copper – From Fox and the Hound
• Shiloh – The beagle who stole everyone’s hearts
• Winn-Dixie – That charming mutt who changed a town
• Fly – From Babe (remember that sweet sheepdog?)
• Rascal – From Sterling North’s memoir
• Fang – Hagrid’s not-so-fierce friend
• Bull’s Eye – From Oliver Twist
• Charley – Steinbeck’s traveling buddy
• Jip – From David Copperfield
• Flush – The Brownings’ spaniel
• Willoughby – From Sense and Sensibility
• Rohan – From Lord of the Rings
• Argos – The most patient dog in literature
• Luath – From The Incredible Journey
• Bodger – Luath’s wise old friend
• Tock – The watchdog from Phantom Tollbooth
• Wolf – From The Talisman
• Sunny – From Five Children and It
• Shadow – The wise retriever
• Timmy – From Famous Five
• Bruno – From Cinderella

Love classic names? These vintage store names might inspire you

Literary Pet Names

These names work beautifully for any pet, but they’re extra special for dogs:

• Smaug – For those grumpy but lovable pups
• Merlin – Perfect for wise old souls
• Arya – Great for fierce little fighters
• Bran – Suits watchful, quiet types
• Samwise – For the most loyal friend ever
• Puck – Perfect for playful tricksters
• Kafka – For the uniquely mysterious
• Byron – Suits the romantic souls
• Keats – For the gentle spirits
• Austen – Perfect for the dignified lady dogs
• Shelley – Great for poetic pups
• Tolkien – For the adventurous types
• Dante – Perfect for dark-colored dogs
• Chaucer – Suits the storytellers
• Hugo – For the big-hearted ones
• Twain – Perfect for the clever jokers
• Gulliver – For the travelers at heart
• Crusoe – Perfect for independent spirits
• Andersen – For the fairy tale lovers
• Grimm – Suits the mysterious ones
• Carroll – For the wonderfully weird
• Potter – Perfect for the magical pups
• Aesop – For the wise teachers
• Orwell – Suits the watchful ones
• Stoker – For the night owls

Need more magical inspiration? Check out these Harry Potter team names

Literature Names for Dogs

Hey there! Let’s talk about naming your pup after some amazing book characters. Here’s a fun list that blends classic and modern literature – perfect for any bookworm’s best friend!

• Dumbledore – Perfect for those wise, silver-haired pups
• Bilbo – Great for dogs who love second breakfast!
• Katniss – For those fierce protectors
• Sherlock – When your dog’s always sniffing for clues
• Pemberley – Love Pride & Prejudice? This one’s so unique
• Artemia – That magical ring to it, right?
• Caspian – Perfect for water-loving dogs
• Dorian – For those eternally youthful pups
• Dracula – Dark and mysterious? Yes please!
• Esmeralda – Such a beautiful name for a graceful girl
• Fantine – When your pup’s got that dreamy look
• Galahad – For the noblest good boys
• Gregor – Perfect for early morning transformations
• Hamlet – When your dog’s got a flair for drama
• Hester – Strong and resilient pups
• Ignatius – Those quirky personalities
• Jude – For the thoughtful ones
• Leopold – Such a distinguished name
• Molly – Sweet and caring souls
• Narcissa – Those self-admiring pups
• Orlando – Perfect for gender-fluid fun
• Quixote – The adventurous dreamers
• Raskolnikov – Deep thinkers
• Uriah – For the unusually humble
• Xerxes – Those natural leaders

Love unique names? Check out these Japanese group team names

Literary Dog Names Girl

Looking for the perfect name for your literary lady? These gorgeous girl names from books are absolutely perfect for your furry friend:

• Anna – From Anna Karenina
• Bridget – Think Bridget Jones’s Diary
• Clarissa – So elegant, right?
• Dorothea – From Middlemarch
• Emma – Jane Austen fans, this one’s for you!
• Fanny – Pride & Prejudice vibes
• Guinevere – How regal is that?
• Helena – Midsummer Night’s Dream anyone?
• Iris – Love a good mythology reference
• Jane – Simple but classic
• Katherine – For those fiery personalities
• Lolita – The controversial classic
• Madeline – Such a sweet name
• Nancy – Oliver Twist fans unite
• Ottilie – From Goethe’s works
• Portia – Shakespeare’s clever heroine
• Queenie – From Fantastic Beasts
• Rosalind – Another Shakespeare beauty
• Sylvia – For the poetic souls
• Tess – Hardy’s unforgettable heroine
• Ursula – Sea witch energy
• Virginia – For the intellectual pups
• Wendy – Perfect for the nurturers
• Xanthe – Such a unique choice
• Yseult – The tragic romance

Need more feminine inspiration? These pink team names might help

Literary Dog Names Male

Hey there! Looking for the perfect name for your boy pup? I’ve got some amazing options pulled straight from the pages of our favorite books:

• Atticus – Love a wise, noble pup? This one’s perfect
• Beowulf – When your dog’s basically a hero
• Cyrano – Great for dogs with distinctive features
• Dorian – Perfect for those handsome fellows
• Edmund – Got a taste for Turkish Delight?
• Fitzwilliam – Darcy fans, I see you!
• Gatsby – For the party-loving pups
• Heathcliff – Those brooding, dark-haired dogs
• Igor – The loyal sidekick
• James – Bond vibes, anyone?
• Konstantin – Perfect for serious pups
• Lancelot – The brave and noble ones
• Moriarty – For the clever troublemakers
• Nicholas – Those sweet, generous souls
• Oberon – King of the fairy dogs
• Prospero – The magical ones
• Quentin – Intellectual pups
• Romeo – The lovers and charmers
• Santiago – The old man and the pup
• Tristan – Another romantic soul
• Ulysses – The great adventurers
• Victor – For the winners
• Winston – The distinguished gentlemen
• Xavier – Something unique and cool
• Zhivago – The poetic souls

Want more masculine names? These military team names might inspire you

Famous Literary Dog Names

You know what’s fun? These names aren’t just from books – they’re THE dogs from books! Check these out:

• Toto – The Wizard of Oz’s brave little hero
• Old Yeller – A true classic
• Lassie – Come home to this perfect name
• White Fang – For those wild-at-heart pups
• Snoopy – The world’s favorite beagle
• Marley – The world’s worst (but most lovable) dog
• Clifford – Perfect for big red dogs
• Pongo – Dalmatian or not, it’s adorable
• Skip – My Dog Skip fans unite!
• Ribsy – Henry’s beloved pup
• Buck – The Call of the Wild one
• Cujo – Maybe not for the dog park…
• Fang – Hagrid’s cowardly friend
• Argos – The most patient pup ever
• Nana – The perfect nursemaid
• Sandy – Little Orphan Annie’s friend
• Snowy – Tintin’s faithful companion
• Flush – Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s muse
• Bull’s Eye – Bill Sikes’s partner
• Pilot – Jane Eyre’s loyal friend
• Charley – Steinbeck’s travel buddy
• Dog – Mad Max’s companion
• Einstein – From Dean Koontz
• Sam – I Am Legend’s hero
• Buddy – Air Bud, anyone?

Love famous names? Check out these star wars team names

Literary Dog Names Female

Let’s talk about amazing female names from literature! I’m a huge book nerd, and these names are absolutely perfect for your girl pup:

• Hermione – For the smartest pup at the dog park
• Arya – Got a fierce little warrior?
• Elizabeth – Lizzy for short, how cute is that?
• Luna – Perfect for those dreamy-eyed girls
• Beatrice – Call her Bea for short
• Cosette – Les Mis fans will love this
• Daisy – Think Great Gatsby vibes
• Eliza – My little Doolittle
• Fleur – So pretty, right?
• Ginny – For the spunky redheads
• Holly – Breakfast at Tiffany’s, anyone?
• Iphigenia – Bit of a mouthful but so unique
• Juliet – Romeo’s waiting at the dog park
• Katniss – When your pup’s the chosen one
• Lyra – Golden compass inspired
• Minerva – For the wise old souls
• Nora – Hello, Ibsen fans!
• Ophelia – The dramatic ones
• Perdita – 101 Dalmatians forever
• Quinn – For the modern literature lovers
• Ramona – The quirkiest pups
• Scarlett – Frankly, my dear…
• Tris – For the divergent pups
• Viola – Twelfth Night, anyone?
• Zoe – Those full-of-life pups

Need more girl power? Check out these cheer team names

Dog Names from Books and Movies

You know what’s awesome? When you can combine your love of books AND movies in one perfect name. Here are some favorites that work in both worlds:

• Aslan – The most majestic name ever
• Bagheera – For those sleek black dogs
• Charlotte – Web optional
• Dobby – The sweetest free elf
• Elsa – Let it go (to the dog park)
• Frodo – For the unexpected heroes
• Gandalf – The grey or white ones
• Hagrid – For the gentle giants
• Inigo – Prepared to meet their father
• Jupiter – For the space lovers
• King – The natural leaders
• Loki – The troublemakers
• Matilda – The clever ones
• Narnia – For the magical pups
• Odysseus – The wanderers
• Padfoot – Sirius Black fans unite!
• Quill – Star-Lord approved
• Rogue – The rebels
• Stark – Winter is coming
• Thor – For the mighty ones
• Uma – Kill Bill inspired
• Vesper – Bond, James Bond
• Westley – As you wish
• Xavier – X-Men fans?
• Yoda – The wise ones

Love movie themes? These Disney trivia team names might inspire you

Male Dog Names from Literature and Mythology

You know what makes picking a boy dog name extra special? When it comes with an epic story behind it! Check these out – they’re some of my absolute favorites from books and myths:

• Perseus – Talk about a hero’s name!
• Achilles – Just keep an eye on those back paws
• Zeus – Perfect for the top dog of your pack
• Thor – Because who doesn’t love a thunder god?
• Hercules – Big dog energy, am I right?
• Apollo – Such a bright, sunny name
• Merlin – Got a magical pup?
• Arthur – The once and future good boy
• Beowulf – Now there’s a brave name
• Odysseus – For the adventurous souls
• Atlas – Carrying the weight of your heart
• Ares – The feisty fighters
• Gilgamesh – Epic name for an epic pup
• Loki – The clever tricksters
• Orion – Love those starry nights?
• Phoenix – Perfect for a rescue dog
• Hades – Not as scary as it sounds
• Pan – The playful ones
• Theseus – Maze-solving skills not required
• Odin – The wise ones
• Finn – From Irish legends
• Cu – For the hound lovers
• Baldr – The beautiful ones
• Tyr – One brave pup
• Hermes – The quick, clever types

Want more mythical vibes? These space themed team names are out of this world

Female Dog Names from Literature and Mythology

Got a girl pup who needs a name with some serious girl power? These literary and mythological ladies were total boss babes:

• Artemis – The ultimate huntress name
• Athena – Wise and fierce? Yes please!
• Freya – For those golden-haired beauties
• Circe – A little magic in your life
• Persephone – Spring vibes all year
• Calypso – Perfect for water lovers
• Iris – Rainbow of happiness
• Diana – The moon goddess herself
• Hera – Queen of the household
• Morgana – A touch of mystery
• Boudicca – The warrior queen
• Morrigan – Celtic power
• Medusa – Better than it sounds!
• Nike – Victory is her middle name
• Aurora – Early morning pup?
• Pandora – Curiosity is good
• Cassandra – The knowing look
• Echo – For the talkative ones
• Demeter – Nature lovers unite
• Selene – Another moon goddess
• Vesta – Keeper of the hearth
• Flora – Spring has sprung
• Phoebe – Bright and radiant
• Themis – Justice for all treats
• Rhea – Mother of gods

Check Out: 450+ Chess Team Names – Clever, Creative & Competitive Ideas

Why Choose Literary Dog Names?

Books shape who we are, right? When we name our dogs after characters we love, we’re bringing that same magic into our daily lives. Just picture calling out “Sherlock” at the dog park or snuggling with your pup “Poe” while reading your favorite mystery novel.

Literary names stand out from the crowd of Maxes and Bellas. Your pup deserves something as unique as they are! Plus, these names come with built-in stories you can share when people ask about your dog’s name.

Check out these creative dog group team names for more inspiration!

Categories of Literary Dog Names

Classic Literature Names

The classics give us so many amazing options! Some standouts include:

• Romeo – Perfect for the romantic pup who loves everyone
• Emma – Ideal for a clever, matchmaking dog who brings friends together
• Heathcliff – Great for that brooding, mysterious rescue dog
• Jane – Sweet and dignified, just like Jane Eyre herself

Looking for names with historical flair? These vintage store names might spark some ideas!

Modern Literature Names

Today’s books offer fresh inspiration:

• Katniss – For that fierce, protective pup
• Gatsby – Perfect for the sophisticated showoff
• Hazel – Lovely for a thoughtful, gentle dog
• Augustus – Great for a dignified gentleman dog

If you’re into fantasy themes, these Game of Thrones team names could inspire you!

Children’s Literature Names

These names bring back such sweet memories:

• Paddington – Perfect for a clumsy but lovable pup
• Matilda – Great for the smarty-pants of the dog park
• Ferdinand – Ideal for a gentle giant who’d rather smell flowers than play rough
• Charlotte – Beautiful for a clever, nurturing dog

Love Disney stories? Check out these Disney trivia team names for more magical inspiration!

Famous Literary Dog Names by Gender

Male Dog Names with Literary Origins

Name	Book Source	Character Traits
Atticus	To Kill a Mockingbird	Wise and noble
Darcy	Pride and Prejudice	Proud but loving
Merlin	Arthurian legends	Magical and mysterious
Pip	Great Expectations	Ambitious and hopeful

Female Dog Names from Literature

Name	Book Source	Character Traits
Luna	Harry Potter	Quirky and loyal
Ophelia	Hamlet	Gentle and dramatic
Phoebe	Catcher in the Rye	Playful and sweet
Beatrice	Much Ado About Nothing	Witty and spirited

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Literary Name

Your pup’s name needs to work in real life, not just look good on paper. Here’s what to think about:

Personality Match:

• Watch your dog’s behavior
• Pick a character whose traits match your pup
• Consider your dog’s size and appearance

Practical Considerations:

• Pick something you won’t mind yelling at the dog park
• Test the name out loud several times
• Make sure it’s not too long or complicated

Want something unique? These one word team names might help you brainstorm!

Creative Ways to Use Literary Names

Make your literary dog name extra special:

Fun Ideas:

• Host a book-themed puppy party
• Create an Instagram account with literary quotes
• Take photos of your pup with matching books
• Make bookish accessories with their character’s name

Need more creative inspiration? These cute business names might spark some ideas!

Final Thoughts

Picking a literary name for your dog creates a unique bond between you, your pet, and the stories you love. It’s not just a name – it’s a conversation starter, a tribute to beloved characters, and a daily reminder of the magic of literature.

Remember, the best name is one that makes you smile every time you say it. Whether you choose a classic hero or a modern protagonist, your pup’s literary name will be part of their story – and yours – forever.