Pugs are charming little fluff balls that deserve a name equally as cute as they are. They are bursting with personality and love, so it can be hard to pick a name that mimics how adorable and special they are.
Settling on a name can be tough, so this is a list of super cute pug names from food to famous people to get you inspired. Naming your new furball is one of the most fun parts of getting a new pup, but once you pick a name, you have to stick with it.
Read the list to get inspired and then check out our tips for naming your new best friend!
Also check out: Best Names For Female Pugs
Big Names for Small Pugs
If you have a pug you know, they may be small but they are mighty! Pugs are tiny dogs with huge personalities. Naming them something usually reserved for large dogs is funny and shows how big their personality is.
Names for big dogs show a lot of strength and boldness that many see in their little pugs. No matter what the size of your pup is, they deserve a name as big and as bold as they are!
- Boss
- Admiral
- Duchess
- Queenie
- Colonel
- Rex
- Monster
- Captain
- Maximus
- Mammoth
- Omega
- Rebel
- Lord
- Butch
- Knight
- Valkyrie
- Felony
- Hellboy
- Bruiser
- Colossus
- Sarge
- Gunner
- Hunter
- Magnum
- Sumo
- Jumbo
- Macho
- Titan
- Amazon
- Olympus
- Biggie
- Hefty
- Chunk
- Humungo
- Mondo
- Bubba
- Tank
- Leo
- Maximillian
- Yeti
- Bigfoot
- Olympia
- Duke
- Princess
Little Names for Small Pugs
On the other hand, if your pug is a little baby, you can give them a name that reflects how tiny and cute they are. These names are common for pugs because of their size, but are still sweet and endearing when you hear them.
Names with tiny energy make your pug even cuter when you introduce them to people!
- Tiny
- Boo
- Pipsqueak
- Shortstack
- Bug
- Shorty
- Teeny
- Blip
- Baby
- Button
- Teacup
- Squeaker
- Bubbles
- Mitsy
- Daisy
- Buddy
- Pearl
- Bitsy
- Nano
- Minnie
- Pee Wee
- Missy
- Niblet
- Babe
- Cutie
- Pluto
- Rascal
- Ringo
- Honey
- Dot
- Flint
- Imp
- Nymph
- Elf
- Midge
- Atom
- Itsy
- Jingles
- Bitty
- Little
- Micro
TV or Movie Character-Inspired Names
If you love movies and television, name your four-legged friend after one of your favorite characters. Have you noticed your puppy is mesmerized when Shrek comes on? Maybe that is their new name!
Choosing a character’s name is fun because many strangers will recognize the reference and appreciate it. You also get to say your favorite character’s name when calling your dog, which is just an added bonus.
- Homer
- Hagrid
- Gandalf
- Dumbledore
- Romeo
- Yoda
- Hannibal
- Tinkerbell
- Shrek
- Skywalker
- Forrest Gump
- Lilo
- Belle
- Bambi
- Woody
- Buzz
- Olaf
- Hulk
- Frankenstein
- King Kong
- Dorothy
- Toto
- Mary Poppins
- Jack Sparrow
- Thor
- Neo
- Sherlock
- Trinity
- Godzilla
- Beetlejuice
- Chewbacca
- Han Solo
- Batman
- Fonzie
- Kramer
- Buffy
- Frasier
- Urkel
- Spock
- Wolverine
- Atticus
- Bond
- Winnie
- Hercules
- Simba
- Clifford
Animal-Inspired Names
Some of the cutest names for small dogs are just other animals! It is always endearing and amusing when a giant dog is named Bunny or a tiny dog is named Bear. The cuteness is doubled when you’re dealing with a wrinkly little pug.
These names are perfect for dogs that, well, don’t really act like a dog all the time! If your pug has a funny behavior that resembles another animal, that might be the perfect name for them!
Does your dog snuggle like a kitten? Or do they sprint like an antelope? Name them Deer or Kitty to capitalize on this trait for an adorable, memorable puppy name.
- Bear
- Pig
- Bunny
- Roly-poly
- Salmon
- Tadpole
- Fawn
- Tiger
- Panda
- Grizzly
- Pony
- Guppy
- Rabbit
- Turkey
- Snail
- Beetle
- Crab
- Dove
- Monkey
- Spidey
- Bull
- Chicken
- Moose
- Kitty
- Cow
- Bee
- Mouse
- Ladybug
- Guinea
- Koi
- Hermit
- Humpback
- Donkey
- Krill
- Plankton
- Dingo
- Hippo
- Butterfly
- Koi
- Kitty
- Emu
- Frog
- Chickadee
- Dodo
- Mustang
Food Names
Everyone loves food, especially dogs! Naming your dog after your favorite food, or maybe their favorite food, makes for an adorable name. Food names are usually very easy to say and no matter how many times you call them to your side, yelling “Waffles, come,” is still funny.
Food names are perfect for bugs but they tend to be round and plump looking. Naming a pug something like Turkey is reminiscent of their appearance, making it even funnier. Everyone your pup meets will get a kick out of their name making your dog even more lovable.
- Big Mac
- Nugget
- Hot Dog
- Croissant
- Noodle
- Donut
- Macaron
- Bagel
- Olive
- Kiwi
- Bacon
- Frito
- Cashew
- Dumpling
- Gooseberry
- Pancake
- Acai
- Chowder
- French Fry
- Spam
- Peanut
- Cheerio
- Tootsie Roll
- Meatball
- Marshmallow
- Bean
- Snickers
- Cappuccino
- Fuji
- Pickles
- Fig
- Mochi
- Blueberry
- Raspberry
- Churro
- Snickerdoodle
- Goji
- Macaroni
- Taco
- Tofu
- Cornbread
- Gumbo
- Butter
- Cupcake
- Tater Tot
- Waffles
Tips for Choosing a Name
A cute pug name is so important because it helps you begin training. But that doesn’t mean you need to choose it the moment you get the pup.
Let them show you their personality for a few days to make sure you choose a name that suits them. Are they sleepy or full of energy? Do they follow you around or let their curiosity lead them? Pay attention to noticeable characteristics that can help you choose the perfect name.
If you start to like a name, test it out and see how they respond to it. If they pick their head up when you say it or look at you, this is probably a name that could work! If they don’t respond to it at all, it may not be the best choice.
The name is an invaluable aspect of training, so they need to have some sort of response to it. Avoid naming them after someone else in your life because they may confuse them. You also may inadvertently insult someone!
Even though it may be tempting, avoid naming your dog something overly complicated. For example, although it’s cute to name them Mr. Buttersworth the Ninth, it may be confusing for them when they try to understand what you want.
Keep these tips in mind when choosing a cute pug name, but have fun when giving your new furry friend their forever name!
About the author
Rachael is the co-founder and editor at Pug Facts. Owner of one elderly Pug, she’s dedicated to helping other Pug owners create healthy, happy, lives with their furry best friends.
