Emily Walker
Naming your new dog can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, where do you even begin?
If you’re looking for something creative and timeless, why not consider one of Shakespeare’s many famous characters?
There are choices for every type of pup, whether you’re looking for a classic name or something more quirky. Here are some of our favorites!
Male Shakespearean Dog Names
| Names | Notes |
| Gonzalo | A character from the play The Tempest, it is a friendly sounding name for a dog |
| Corin |
Easy to say, simple and unadorned from the play As You Like It
|
| Eros |
Sounds like a Greek God, but comes from Antony and Cleopatra
|
| Caesar |
A Roman drama about Julius Caesar which would be ideal for a strong dog who is a natural leader
|
| Achilles |
Think Brad Pitt (actor ) in the classic movie Troy, but getting back to Shakespeare, the character in Troilus and Cressida
|
| Doom |
A bit dramatic but perhaps would suit a large black dog
|
| Cassio |
From Othello, it is a simple but classic name
|
| Poet |
This name was taken from the work Julius Caesar
|
| Shadow |
Comes from Henry VI, a simple but effective name
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| Hamlet |
Named after Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet
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| Shylock |
From the play, The Merchant of Venice
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| Essex |
A name from the play King John
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| Caesar |
An oldie, but it is a good one
|
| Angus |
A strong name that invokes loyalty and dependability and comes from Macbeth
|
| Varro |
From the play Julius Caesar, the name is sophisticated yet easy to say
|
| Exton |
Another easy name to call out when hailng your dog – it comes from Richard ll
|
| Huntsman |
This name is kind of cool and comes from The Taming of the Shrew
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| Buskin |
A synomym for a tragic drama but it sounds cool for a big tough dog
|
| Alexas |
From Antony and Cleopatra
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| Prince |
Hardly an original dog name, but it is a classic favorite
|
| Bard |
It describes a professional storyteller, good for a small dog like a Pug
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| Hero |
From the play Much Ado About Nothing – this name suits most dogs
|
| Scout |
Comes from Henry VI and would be perfect for a hunting dog
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| Knight |
You could mean a knight in shining armour but it is perfect for a jet black dog
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| Ghost |
Plenty of ghosts in the closet in Shakespeare’s work, the name is perfect for a while dog
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| Pistol |
A easy name to say and call for your dog, it comes from Richard ll
|
| Aargon |
The Merchant of Venice work of Shakespeare
|
| Molvolio |
This name comes from the play The Twelfth Night
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| Macbeth |
Another of Shakespeare’s great works, the name could be shortened to Mac
|
| Ajax |
Short, sharp and easy when calling your dog, and the word comes from Troilus and Cressida
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| Romeo |
The romantic hero in Romeo and Juliet, it is perfect for a good looking dog with a great personality
|
Female Shakespearean Dog Names
| Names | Notes |
| Bella |
Taken from Isabella in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure
|
| Cato |
From the work of Shakespeare about Julius Caesar
|
| Venus |
A bit of creative license from the title of The Merchant of Venice
|
| Lady |
From Lady Grey in Henry Vl or you could take it from The Lady and the Tramp
|
| Paris |
Not the socialite, but from Governor of Paris Henry Vl
|
| Lena |
After Helen in Troilus and Cressida
|
| Countess |
Taken from Shakespeare’s King Edward lll
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| Oridia |
A unique name made by shortening the name Lychorida in Pericles
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| Princess |
Always a good name for a precious pooch, it comes from Love’s Labor’s Lost
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| Ariel |
A lovely name from the Tempest, also the name of a mermaid in a Disney movie
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| Sugar |
Very sweet, from the word ‘sugarsop’ in The Taming of the Shrew
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| Tessa |
A shortened version of Countess, sounds perfect for a dainty dog
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| Drama |
A dog who is a bit dramatically inclined, like most of Shakespeare’s work
|
| Cleo |
Inspired from Antony and Cleopatra
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| Ophelia |
For a classy lady pooch, not an easy name to call out but you get used to it
|
| Queen |
Perfect for a pampered pooch, taken from Henry Vl
|
| Flute |
A lovely name taken from a Midsummer Night’s Dream
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| Desmona |
Inspired by the character Desdemona
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| Nala |
After the character in The Lion King – a loose adaption based on the classic Hamlet
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| Jupiter |
Bit of a mouthful but it is different, from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline
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| Sparkle |
A dog with a lot of life, from a quote from Shakespeare about a women’s eyes
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| Nell |
From The Two Noble Kinsmen
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| Tavi |
Taken from the name Octavia from Antony and Cleopatra
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| Cressida |
From the Shakespearian Troilus and Cressida
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| Thaisa |
Shakespeare’s Pericles work is the inspiration for this name
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| Nerissa |
From the Merchant of Venice, a classy sounding name
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| Moth |
A little unusual but very catchy, from Love’s Labor’s Lost
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| Duchess |
An oldie from the play Richard III
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| Juliet |
From the famous Romeo and Juliet, of course
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If you’re still undecided on what to name your new pup, consider one of these literary dog names. They’re quirky, cute, and perfect for any pooch.
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