Good Dog Names For A Golden Retriever (boys & girls)

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. GRs can be trained to perform a wide variety of tasks. I have hand-picked 300 good names for a Golden Retriever (boy and girls) with meanings included.

Good Dog Names For A Male Golden Retriever:

Hank

It has German origin and means ruler of the home. Hank is also a short form of Hendrik that is a cognate of the English Henry.

Nous

Nous (“mind”) is a yellow retriever who started the breed in Scotland.

Barnaby

Son of consolation.

Kobe

“God’s door,” and a Japanese port city famed for its beef.

Chester

From Latin castra, camp.

Rufus

“Red-haired,” and a nickname for a son of William the Conqueror.

Caesar

“Head of hair.”

Atlas

“To endure,” and a Titan doomed to prop up heaven.

Bandit

From Italian bandito, banished man.

Rover

“Wanderer.”

Kai

“Sea” in Hawaiian, “keeper of keys” in Welsh, “willow tree” in Navajo and “shell” in Japanese.

Buddy

Buddy appeared as a child-talk alteration of brother.

Ranger

Ranger has French origins and is meaning ”forest guardian.”

Cooper

“Barrel maker.”

Apollo

Apollo is the Greek god of sun and archery. His the twin brother of the goddess of the hunt, Artemis.

Harley

“Hare’s meadow.”

Finley Molloy

In February 2020 a male Golden Retriever held 6 tennis balls in his mouth. It is currently a Guiness World Record.

Cillian

“Little church” or “bright-headed.”

Nugget

“Small lump of gold.”

Ralph

From Old Norse Ráðúlfr, wolf counsel.

Ambrose

“Immortal,” and a patron saint of beekeepers.

Rory

“Red king,” and Ireland’s last High King.

Brody

Brody is a surname in Scotland and Ireland, and means muddy place (perfect name for a Golden Retriever).

Bear

Bear is such a popular name for dogs because it represents their strength and courage.

Huck

“Small berry,” as well as Mark Twain’s boy on a raft.

Blaze

Flame.

Bran

“Raven.” Bran was a Welsh giant whose buried head guarded London.

Bagel

“Ring.”

Ezra

“Help.”

Oakley

Oak clearing.

Knox

Knox is with Scottish origins and it refers to a small hill with a round top.

Elio

“Sun,” and a young Italian narrator of Call Me by Your Name.

Klaus

“Victory of the people.”

Riley

“Courageous” in Irish, or “rye clearing” in English.

Hermes

“Pile of stones,” and a Greek messenger god in winged sandals.

Tucker Budzyn

Tucker Budzyn is a Golden Retriever with close to 6 million subscribers on YouTube and 4.4 million followers on Instagram. Tucker means ”tailor” while Budzyn refers to someone who lived in a hut.

Rudy

”Famous wolf.”

Faolan

“Little wolf.”

Sherlock

Bright-haired.

Odin

Odin is from the Old Norse Óðinn (”lord of frenzy”). He is recognized as the chief god of the Aesir pantheon. Interesting fact: Odin gave up an eye for knowledge.

Duke

“Leader.”

Diesel

Diesel is a strong and powerful name for a dog. It has the attributes of strength and steadfastness.

Finn

It comes from the Irish Fionn, ”fair.”

Samson

Samson is derived from the Hebrew Shimshon and means Sun. In the Bible, Samson is an extremely strong man, and his strength is derived from his uncut hair.

Nero

In Italian Nero is the color black.

Otis

It is linked to a Germanic name that is related to wealth and fortune. There is a pug named Otis in the 1986 film The Adventures of Milo and Otis.

Milo

From the Greek Milos, Milo is “yew tree.”

Clyde

It has origins in Scotland and refers to individuals who used to live in close proximity to the River Clyde.

Pilot

“Steersman,” and Rochester’s big dog in Jane Eyre.

Wilbur

Wilbur (“bright willow”) is a pig who was saved by a spider in Charlotte’s Web.

Toby

“God is good.”

Darby

From Old Norse djúr and bý, deer village.

Dexter

“Dyer” in Old English, “right-handed” in Latin.

Loki

The etymology of Loki is linked with the Old Norse word logi (‘flame’) as well as to the Germanic luk-. Anne Birgitta Rooth connects this one to Old Swedish “lokke“ (spider).

Moose

Twig eater.

Rusty

“Rust-colored.”

Gandalf

Gandalf (“wand elf”) is a dwarf in Völuspá, an Old Norse poem.

Baldur

Baldur (“prince”) is a Norse god of light, slain with mistletoe.

Rafferty

“Abundance.”

Declan

“Full of goodness.” Declan was a saint who preached in Ireland before Patrick.

Charlie

“Free man.”

Wolfgang

“Wolf path,” and was made famous by Mozart.

Major

“Greater.”

Hunter

It is an English occupational surname for someone who hunted game. It’s great since Goldens were bred to fetch birds on the shoot.

Cormac

Charioteer.

Inti

Inti (“sun”) is a god the Incas worshipped.

Ace

Ace is from the Latin acere (to be sharp). It is also a short form of Acevedo and Aceline.

Oliver

“Olive tree,” and Dickens’s orphan who asked for more.

Phoenix

“Dark red,” and a bird reborn from its ashes.

Barkley

“Birch wood.”

Hector

Steadfast.

Hugo

Hugo comes from the old Germanic root for mind or spirit. Hugh is the English variation and Ugo is Italian.

Cosmo

“Order and harmony”.

Oisín

Oisín is pronounced as uh-SHEEN and is symbolizing “little deer.” Oisín was a poet who rode off to Tír na nÓg.

Basil

“Kingly.”

Shadow

Shadow (“shade”) is a wise old golden in Homeward Bound.

Lachlan

Land of lakes.

Remy

“Oarsman,” and a rat who cooks in Ratatouille.

Theo

“Gift of God.”

Benji

“Son of the right hand.”

Biscuit

From Latin bis coctus, twice cooked.

Angus

Angus is Scottish Gaelic and means “one strength.”

Desmond

“Man from South Munster.”

Flynn

“Son of the ruddy one.”

Beau

Beau has roots in the French language, especially in the Old French word “beu.” Beau means ”handsome.”

Duncan

Duncan (“dark warrior”) is a Scottish king murdered in Macbeth.

Alfie

Elf counsel.

Jupiter

“Sky father,” and a planet so big that all other planets can fit inside.

Solomon

“Peace.”

Waffles

Waffle comes from Dutch wafel, honeycomb.

Tiernan

Lord.

Cash

You can pick Cash for your GR if your dog is lively and exudes a certain panache.

Linus

Flax.

Archer

“Bowman.”

Louie

It comes from Hludwig, famous in battle.

Bodhi

“Awakening,” as well as a fig tree where Buddha found enlightenment.

Comet

“Long-haired star,” and a family golden in Full House.

Boone

Boone means “a timely benefit” or “good.” In Middle Dutch Boone is symbolizing ‘someone who farmed beans.’

Max

“Greatest”.

Cheddar

“Ravine,” and a Somerset village whose caves age cheese.

Koda

Friend.

Jasper

“Treasurer” in Persian, or a red gemstone.

Hamish

Hamish comes from Gaelic Sheumais, supplanter.

Winston

Winston is made of the Old English roots for friend and stone. Winnie or Win are diminutives that I like.

Conan

“Little hound.”

Emil

Eager.

Marlow

“Leftover lake,” and Conrad’s sailor who narrates Heart of Darkness.

Albus

“White,” and a long-bearded Hogwarts headmaster.

Jack

“God is gracious.”

Taro

“Eldest son” in Japanese, and a starchy root.

Darcy

Darcy (“dark”) is a proud suitor in Pride and Prejudice.

Simba

Simba is the Swahili word for lion. Most people meet it via the 1994 film The Lion King.

Murphy

‘Sea warrior.’ It is the most common surname in Ireland.

Rex

Rex is the 120th most popular dog name. Rex has a meaning that I like in Latin: “king.”

Tyson

From Old French tison, firebrand.

Zeke

“God strengthens.”

Fraser

“Strawberry,” and a long river in British Columbia.

Rowan

Little red one.

Zeus

It comes from Greek myth, where Zeus rules the sky from Mount Olympus.

Gus

”Venerable.”

Leo

Leo is Latin for lion and the 5th sign of the zodiac. Note: 14 popes have taken the name.

Fowler

“Bird catcher.”

Bruno

Brown.

Callum

From Latin columba, dove.

Pluto

“Wealth,” and a dwarf planet named by an English schoolgirl.

Niall

“Champion”.

Oro

Gold, in Spanish.

Argos

“Swift,” and Odysseus’s dog, who waited twenty years for him to come home.

Ross

Headland.

Kiran

“Ray of light”.

Oscar

In Irish, Oscar is “deer friend,” and in Norse “god’s spear.” It is spelled Oskar in Scandinavia and Germany.

Sol

Sun.

Gunner

“Bold warrior.”

Ozzy

Divine power.

Ewan

From Gaelic Eòghann, born of the yew.

Sirius

Sirius (“glowing”) is the Dog Star.

Cody

“Helpful.”

Fritz

Fritz is symbolizing “peaceful ruler.”

Thor

Thunder.

Pretzel

“Little arms,” after a twisted bread shaped like crossed arms.

Aslan

“Lion” in Turkish, and C. S. Lewis’s ruler of Narnia.

Anton

Anton (“priceless”) Chekhov wrote a story called The Lady with the Dog.

Fergus

“Man of vigor.”

Bailey

“Bailiff.”

Brinkley

Brinkley (“burnt meadow”) is Tom Hanks’s golden in You’ve Got Mail.

Douglas

From Gaelic dubh glas, dark water.

Rocco

“Rest.”

Felix

“Lucky,” or “happy.”

Arlo

“Fortified hill.”

Goldwin

It combines gold and wine, an Old English word for friend.

Ronan

“Little seal.”

Bowie

“Yellow-haired,” and a knife named after Jim Bowie.

Fido

“Faithful,” and Abraham Lincoln’s yellow mutt in Springfield.

Chase

From Old French chacier, to hunt.

Barley

“Barley clearing.”

Dylan

Son of the sea.

Watson

Watson (“son of Walter”) is Sherlock Holmes’s loyal doctor friend.

Girls Names

Gracie

”Grace.” It is connected to the Christian concept of ”divine grace.”

Ember

From Old English æmerge, glowing ash.

Ailsa

“Elf victory.” Ailsa is a Scottish island whose granite makes curling stones.

Sophie

Wisdom.

Paisley

“Church.” Paisley is a Scottish town that lent its name to a teardrop pattern.

Heather

“Moorland flower.”

Josie

“God will increase.”

Minerva

“Of the mind.”

Briar

“Thorny shrub.”

Autumn

Harvest season.

Clementine

From Latin clemens, merciful.

Bella

“Beautiful” in Spanish and Italian.

Luna

Luna is Latin for moon, and the name of the Roman moon goddess. It goes north in the dog-name charts every year so you will meet a few in the park.

Leilani

“Heavenly flower.”

Eden

“Delight.”

Whiskey

From Gaelic uisge beatha, water of life.

Beatrix

“She who brings joy,” and Potter, who drew Peter Rabbit.

Olga

Holy.

Athena

Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom and battle strategy as well as the patron of Athens.

Maggie

”Pearl”.

Sadie

Sadie is a diminutive of the Hebrew Sarah. In the Bible, Sarah is the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac.

Aria

“Air” and “melody” in Italian, “noble” in Persian and “lioness” in Hebrew.

Winona

“Firstborn daughter.”

Phoebe

“Radiant,” and a moon of Saturn that orbits backward.

Nutmeg

From Old French nois muguede, musky nut.

Sigrid

Beautiful victory.

Caramel

From Spanish caramelo, burnt sugar.

Diana

“Divine.”

Ruby

It is related to the gemstone ruby.

Honey

Honey is good for your Golden Retriever if your dog radiates kindness.

Willow

It symbolises “willow tree.”

Freya

Freya is the Norse goddess of love and war and means “lady.” It is pronounced as FRAY-uh. Spelling variations include Freyja or Freja.

Rosie

”Rose.”

Juno

Juno is the Roman guardian of women and marriage. The month June originated from her.

Pippa

Lover of horses.

Scout

Scout (“to listen”) Finch narrates To Kill a Mockingbird.

Elodie

“Foreign riches.”

Nalani

“Calm of the heavens.”

Xanthe

Xanthe comes from Greek xanthos, yellow.

Nina

“Little girl,” and one of Columbus’s three ships.

Amaya

“Night rain”.

Millie

“Gentle strength,” and a White House spaniel credited with a bestseller.

Saga

“Seeing one.”

Birdie

Little bird.

Chai

“Tea” in Hindi, “life” in Hebrew.

Chloe

Chloe has Greek roots and means ”blooming,.” It is also spelled Chloé or Chlöe.

Stella

Stella comes from the Latin word for ”star.”

Nova

Nova is Latin for ”new”. In astronomy a nova is a star that flares bright without warning.

Flora

“Flower”.

Layla

“Night,” as well as Eric Clapton’s best-known love song.

April

“To open.”

Agnes

“Pure,” or “lamb.”

Liv

Shelter.

Goldie

Goldie is from the Old English word “gold.” It is also linked with the Yiddish ”Golda.”

Marigold

It combines Mary and gold.

Sakura

“Cherry blossom.”

Delilah

Delicate.

Georgia

“Farmer,” and a US state named after King George II.

Primrose

From Latin prima rosa, first rose.

Macie

Macie has French roots meaning weapon.

Maple

Maple is common as a dog name in Canada and the northern states.

Celeste

“Heavenly.”

Ginger

Ginger comes from Sanskrit śṛṅgavera, horn-shaped root.

Wren

“Small songbird.”

Dolly

“Gift of God,” and a sheep, first mammal cloned from an adult cell.

Aurora

“Dawn,” and a Roman goddess of sunrise.

Cora

Cora has roots in the Greek kore and is meaning maiden. James Fenimore Cooper included Cora Munro in The Last of the Mohicans.

Savannah

“Treeless plain.”

Sasha

“Defender.”

Lily

Lily.

Sierra

From Spanish sierra, saw.

Zlata

From Slavic zlato, gold.

Amber

”Jewel,” and it has Arabic origins (anbar). Variations of Amber are Ambra in Italian and Ámbar in Spanish.

Allegra

From Italian allegro, cheerful.

Viola

Violet.

Roxy

Roxy comes from Persian Roxana, dawn.

Tallulah

“Leaping water.”

Giada

“Jade.”

Daisy

Daisy has its origins in the Old English word dægeseage that means ”day’s eye.”

Suki

“Beloved.”

Tess

Tess (“harvester”) is Thomas Hardy’s doomed milkmaid.

Gaia

Earth.

Oriana

“Golden,” or “sunrise.”

Brandy

From Dutch brandewijn, burnt wine.

Cleo

Cleo has two meanings: ”to make famous” or ”to celebrate.”

Zoe

Zoe is Greek for ”life.”

Sunny

”Sunshine.”

Nala

In Sanskrit Nala means ”hollow” and ”one who succeeds” in Arabic.

Poppy

Red flower.

Sage

“Wise.”

Bonnie

“Pretty,” in Scots.

Nadia

“Hope,” and Comăneci, first gymnast awarded a ten at the Olympics.

Emma

Whole.

Lucy

“Light,” and a famous fossil named after a Beatles song.

Iris

“Rainbow.”

Kirsty

“Follower of Christ.”

Sugar

From Sanskrit śarkarā, grit.

Linnea

“Twinflower,” a Swedish wildflower named for botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Ivy

Ivy has Latin and English roots and means vine.

Kona

Kona is Hawaiian for the dry, sheltered side of an island.

Ylva

“She-wolf.”

Clara

“Bright”.

Maya

“Illusion” in Sanskrit, “water” in Hebrew, “mother” in Greek and “true night” in Japanese.

Aspen

“Trembling tree.”

Dulce

“Sweet,” in Spanish.

Noelle

“Christmas.”

Lyra

“Lyre,” and a constellation home to Vega, a bright summer star.

Aurelia

Aurelia comes from Latin aureus, golden.

Naomi

“Pleasantness.”

Lady

Lady (“bread kneader”) is Disney’s cocker spaniel in a spaghetti dinner scene.

Saffron

From Arabic zaʿfarān, yellow.

Piper

“Piper” evokes a sense of playfulness and is symbolizing a ”flute player.”

Liberty

Liberty (“freedom”) is Gerald Ford’s golden, who had puppies in the White House.

Mabel

“Lovable.”

Sunniva

“Sun gift,” and a patron saint of western Norway.

Opal

From Sanskrit upala, precious stone.

Hazel

Hazelnut tree.

Penny

Penny comes from the Old English Penig (coin).

Frida

Frida (“peace”) Kahlo painted herself with monkeys and parrots.

Gilda

Gilded.

Ingrid

“Ing’s beauty,” and Bergman, who starred in Casablanca.

Juniper

“Evergreen.”

Lola

“Sorrows.”

Isla

“Island.”

Vera

“Faith” in Russian, “true” in Latin.

Juliet

“Youthful.”

Sienna

“Orange-red,” after clay dug near Siena in Italy.

Daphne

“Laurel”.

Astrid

Astrid (“divine beauty”) Lindgren wrote Pippi Longstocking.

Zuri

“Beautiful,” in Swahili.

Skye

“Cloudy isle,” and a Scottish island with a terrier named after it.

Yuki

“Snow,” or “happiness.”

Tansy

From Greek athanasia, immortality.

Moana

Ocean.

Matilda

“Strength in battle.” Matilda is a Roald Dahl’s bookworm with strange powers.

Holly

Holly bush.

Abby

“Father’s joy.”

Fawn

“Young deer.”

Pepper

From Sanskrit pippali, long pepper.

Mila

“Dear.”

Morag

Great.

Ada

“Noble,” and Lovelace, who wrote what many call the first computer program.

Saoirse

Saoirse (pronounced as SEER-sha) is Irish for “freedom.”