By Savannah Admire
Oleksiy Boyko / Alamy Stock Photo
Part of the fun of adopting a pet is deciding what to name them, but naming a Pit Bull can be challenging. Given that these breeds are plagued by largely unfounded stereotypes about their violence and ferocity (although they are slowly becoming better known as loyal and intelligent family dogs who are great with children), do you go with a strong name despite these negative perceptions? Or do you choose something a bit more whimsical and playful?
Explore our guide to some of the most popular and unique Pit Bull names to inspire you to find the right moniker for your newly adopted dog.
How to choose a name for your newly adopted Pit Bull
When selecting a name for a new dog, it’s important to keep training in mind. Your dog’s name should be short (no more than two syllables) and easy for them to learn and understand. You also want to avoid names that sound like other words. For example, the name “Kit” sounds an awful lot like “sit” and could be confusing during training.
Avoid any names that are racial or cultural slurs or could be offensive to others. Remember that you will have to tell other people your dog’s name, including your veterinarian, friends, and family, so don’t choose a name that you will be uncomfortable saying or one that will make other people uncomfortable.
Most importantly, choose a name that you like. That can mean a name based on a favorite book, movie, TV show, or video game, or just a name with a sound you enjoy. Eventually, your dog will enjoy the sound too!
Popular Pit Bull names
Names that sound powerful or graceful tend to be very popular for Pit Bulls — and for good reason! You can’t go wrong with any of these classic names:
- Spike
- Luna
- King
- Lady
- Bruce
- Harley
- Fang
- Stella
- Bella
- Max
Female Pit Bull names
If you adopt a female dog, consider Pit Bull names that are cute, feisty, or have some playful strength:
- Piper
- Trixie
- Poppy
- Aurora
- Cleo
- Harriet
- Ruby
- Penny
- Zoe
- Lola
Male Pit Bull names
For male Pit Bulls, many pet parents opt for names that fit the breed’s fun and loving personality.
- Bruno
- Dodge
- Hank
- Ozzy
- Finn
- Chip
- Buster
- Beau
- Frankie
- Otis
Strong Pit Bull names
Some of the most popular names for Pit Bulls give off an impression of strength, which goes along with the dog’s tough reputation.
- Blaze
- Vixen
- Thunder
- Diesel
- Zelda
- Bane
- Butch
- Xena
- Riptide
- Mayhem
Clever or smart Pit Bull names
You can also think outside the box with fun, and even a little goofy, names:
- Pickle
- Waffles
- Midge
- Banjo
- Cricket
- Ziggy
- Nacho
- Zara
- Chili
- Mr. Worldwide
Colorful Pit Bull names
Pit Bulls come in a wide variety of colors, from black and gray to a speckled brindle pattern, all of which can serve as inspiration for Pit Bull nicknames.
If your dog has a blue tint to their fur, consider names like:
- Slate
- Storm
- Nickel
- Shadow
- Blue (can’t go wrong with a classic!)
If your Pit Bull is black or gray, try on names like these for size:
- Flint
- Onyx
- Jet
- Ink
- Charcoal
For Pit Bulls with white or cream coloring, consider names such as:
- Casper
- Blizzard
- Pearl
- Twilight
- Opal
Dogs with red fur open up a whole new world of colorful possibilities, such as:
- Sable
- Amber
- Apricot
- Brick
- Peach
And for Pitties with brindle coloring (patterns on a base of tan or brown, like swirls or tiger stripes), consider names like:
- Freckles
- Marble
- Dotty
- Checkers
- Paisley
What are Pit Bull names with meaning?
Some pet parents want names that have a deeper meaning — something that really speaks to their beloved dog’s unique personality. Consider looking to mythology and folklore to find heroic and unique names, such as:
- Loki – the Norse god of mischief, perfect for the dog who loves getting into trouble (and a great name for Marvel fans)
- Pluto – a charming Disney name or a reference to the Greek god of the underworld
- Apollo – the Greek god of the sun and the ideal name for a dog that lights up your life
- Circe – a Greek enchantress who makes a memorable appearance in The Odyssey and the protagonist of Madeline Miller’s popular novel (for the literary nerds)
- Vulcan – another name that pulls double duty: the Roman god of fire and a favorite character among Star Trek fans
Should I name my Pit Bull after a famous Pit Bull or a celebrity dog?
If you want to name your new dog after other famous Pit Bulls, there are several in history worth celebrating.
Sergeant Stubby earned his rank serving in World War I, saving his entire regiment from an attack of mustard gas and locating wounded soldiers. This intelligent dog learned bugle calls and military drills and even had his own version of a salute.
Best known for his role in the Our Gang film shorts of the 1920s (aka the Little Rascals), Petey the Pup was a television and movie star who appeared in over 200 films throughout his career.
For a more recent reference, look no further than the popular sitcom Parks and Recreation, which featured a three-legged Pit Bull named Champion (played by a dog named Lucy).
Many celebrities have an affinity for Pit Bulls, so you may want to look to them for inspiration when naming your own pup.
- Dave Bautista has rescued four Pit Bulls: Talulah, Penny, Ollie, and Maggie.
- Lake Bell has a Pit Bull named Margaret who was at her wedding.
- Channing Tatum’s 2018 directorial debut Dog was inspired by his relationship with his Pit Bull mix Lulu, who passed away in 2018.
Should I choose a name that reflects my Pit Bull’s heritage or ancestry?
Pit Bulls have a reputation as fierce dogs, so many pet parents opt for strong-sounding names like Tank, Titan, and Moose. However, because of the negative connotations surrounding these breeds, some choose to go for a more unexpected, softer-sounding name, like Honey, Daisy, or Cookie. When choosing a name, the most important thing you can do is find the right fit for your dog and their personality.
If you haven’t adopted a dog already, start your search for the perfect Pit Bull pup on adoptapet.com.
References
Savannah Admire is a writer, editor, and pet parent to two dogs and a cat. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, playing Animal Crossing, or being an obnoxious nerd about her favorite movies and TV shows. She lives in Maryland, where she constantly debates whether or not to get a third dog.
Daniela Lopez
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