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Congratulations on your new Yorkie puppy! Now comes the challenge of giving this pocket-sized furball a name that’ll be great for the next fourteen years! To help you out, we’ve gathered some great suggestions and have included some tips for naming your dog.
In this guide:
- What are some good Yorkie names?
- Male Yorkie names
- Yorkie girl names
- Teacup Yorkie names
- Famous Yorkie names
- Names for little dogs with big personalities
- Covid-19 inspired puppy names
- Tips for naming your dog
What are some good Yorkie names?
Technically, there are no rules to naming your new dog, unless it’s for AKC registration.1 However, there are unspoken rules that society has deemed appropriate—and you may want to consider them before naming your Yorkie puppy.
The best Yorkie dog names are ones that you won’t be embarrassed to say in front of your neighbors, at your kids’ school pickup, or at the pet groomer. Good names for Yorkies are easy to say and repeat without confusing the dog, reflect the nature or appearance of this adorable and spunky breed, and are names that you won’t tire of hearing ten years from now.
>> Read more: How to Take Care of a Yorkie Puppy
Male Yorkie names
Yorkshire Terriers are often mistaken for chill, purse-riding divas. But once you get to know your pup, you’ll realize this couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are some masculine Yorkie dog names that’ll match your male Yorkie’s rough-and-tumble personality.
- Baxter
- Charlie
- Finn
- Biscuit
- Jack
- Marley
- Oliver
- Spike
- Bear
- Gordo
- Bentley
- Buddy
- Cooper
- Gizmo
- Cosmo
- Henry
- Max
- Tanner
- Milo
- Oscar
- Teddy
- Tucker
- Winston
- Samson
- Ziggy
- Rex
>> Read more: Potty Training Yorkies
Yorkie girl names
It’s popular to name these pretty little things classic or floral names, like Rose, but don’t be afraid to consider something outside the box. Female Yorkies have spunk.
- Stella
- Zoe
- Coco
- Bella
- Zu Zu
- Nutmeg
- Annie
- Honey
- Georgia
- Daisy
- Emma
- Lola
- Ju Ju
- Florie
- Phoebe
- Cupcake
- Luna
- Maggie
- Mia
- Rose
- Suki
- Sophie
- Dora
- Veronica
- Molly
- Maisy
>> Read more: Yorkie Supplies: All the Stuff You’ll Need to Bring Your Puppy Home
Teacup Yorkie names
These miniature teacup Yorkies deserve a name that reflects their pocket-sized stature. Or maybe go the opposite and name them something gigantic, like Moose.
- Penny
- Pixie
- Moose
- Scout
- Penelope
- Timmy
- Button
- Bigsby
- Bug
- Pokey
- Paws
- Zu Zu
- Lily (from “Lilliputian”)
- Octavian
- Chip
- Pebbles
- Smidge
- Fifi
- Mitsy
- Teddy
- Pearl
- Samson
- Goliath
Famous Yorkie names
There are a few famous Yorkies your pup would be proud to be named after.
- Smoky: This heroic dog is credited with saving 250 U.S. soldiers in WWII. She survived a typhoon, 12 combat missions, 150 air raids, and even parachuting. But one of her greatest feats was saving soldiers lives by navigating telephone lines through an eight-inch wide and 70-foot long underground tunnel on the Philippine Islands while under attack by Japanese forces. You can read about Smoky in the book Smoky the Brave: How a Feisty Yorkshire Terrier Mascot Became a Comrade-in-Arms during World War II.
- Toto: Although there’s some debate about whether he’s a Cairn Terrier or a Yorkshire Terrier, Toto from the 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum would be a great namesake for your pup.
- Huddersfield Ben: Better known as “Ben” from Huddersfield, England. Ben lived from 1865–1871. He was a champion show dog winning 74 prizes in his career. Ben is credited with being the foundation sire for the Yorkshire Terrier breed. In 1891, one authority figure wrote, “Huddersfield Ben was the best stud dog of his breed during his lifetime, and one of the most remarkable dogs of any pet breed that ever lived.” Ben had more than good looks. He was also an accomplished competitor in rat-baiting competitions in the once-popular sport.
- Pasha: Pasha belonged to Tricia Nixon, one of President Richard Nixon’s daughters.
- Mr. Famous: Audrey Hepburn’s Yorkshire Terrier, Mr. Famous, co-starred with her in the film “Funny Face.” Subsequently, he inspired a Yorkie craze in Hollywood. Hepburn’s second Yorkie was named Assam of Assam.
- Cede Higgins: In 1978, Cede became the first and only Yorkshire Terrier to win the title Best in Show at the esteemed Westminster Kennel Club dog show.
- Ozmilion Mystification: In 1997, Ozmillion won the Best in Show at Crufts dog show, becoming the first Yorkshire Terrier to win this title.
- Sylvia: A Yorkshire Terrier owned by Arthur Marples of Blackburn, England, Sylvia is the smallest dog in recorded history. Sylvia measured 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, 3.5 inches from nose to tail, and weighed 4 ounces.
- Big Boss: Big Boss held the Guinness World Record from 1995 through 2002 as the smallest dog in the world. Big Boss was listed at 4.7 inches tall.
- Thumbelina: At 5.5 inches tall and 8 inches long, Thumbelina held the Guinness World Record for the smallest living dog up until 1995.
- Lucy: Lucy made the Guinness Book of World Records in 2012 as the world’s smallest working dog. Lucy weighed 2.5 pounds and stood 5.7 inches tall. Until her death in 2015, she worked as a therapy dog through the Leashes of Love program bringing joy to the elderly and disabled in New Jersey.
Names for little dogs with big personalities
If your new pup is showing signs of having a big personality, why not give him a name that’s larger than life? Our five-pound puppy doesn’t back down from any challenge, so we chose to name him Max, or Maximus Decimus Meridius, after the fearless, dominating soldier born in Spain in 152 A.D. who is depicted in the 2000 film, Gladiator.
- Poppins (ya know, Mary Poppins)
- Ranger
- Scout
- Sarge
- Captain
- Goliath
- Cleopatra
- Major
- Helena
- Eleanor (Roosevelt)
- Rambo
- Rocky
- Churchill (or Winston)
- General Patton (“Patton” for short)
- Whiskey
- Hobbes
- Queen Elizabeth (“Lizzi” for short)
Covid-19 inspired puppy names
Sometimes humor is the best way to cope with a tough situation. Pet adoptions went through the roof in 2020 and many pet parents are naming their quarantine furballs in honor of the pandemic.
- Rona
- Covie (short for Covie the 19th)
- Corona
- Fauci
- Rona Von Covid
- Pan
>> Read more: How Much Does a Yorkshire Terrier Cost? Yorkie Price Range & Considerations
Tips for naming your dog
Avoid confusing your dog
It’s best to name your Yorkie something that won’t be mistaken. If you have more than one dog, avoid naming them similar or rhyming names, such as Pax and Max. You should also avoid naming them something that will be confused with a similarly sounding command. In case your pup gets loose or lost, it’s also best for the name to be understandable when shouting.
Choose a one- or two-syllable name
Long names tend to get shortened to a nickname as they become tiresome to say. A good test is if you can easily say the name 5 to 10 times quickly. If it doesn’t become difficult, it’s a good name.
Names that end in a vowel
Some experts say that dogs may be able to hear and distinguish vowel sounds easier than consonants. Therefore, names that end in vowels may be easier for dogs to recognize. Many people like the “ee” sound, such as Fifi or Rocky.
A forever name
It’s not a good idea to change the name of your dog, so choose one you won’t tire of and that will last the life of your pup. The average Yorkie lives 12 to 15 years, so pick a name you still won’t mind saying 15 years from now.
Good for puppies and adults
Some names are great for a playful one-pound puppy, but ask yourself if you think it makes a great name for an adult Yorkie. On the other hand, a spritely, playful name may be a perfect monicker for your full-grown pup.
Consider the dog’s personality and appearance
Many people name their dog according to its appearance, like the color of their coat or another distinguishing characteristic. (But be aware that Yorkie colors change as they age.) Another fun way to name a dog is according to its personality. Is the puppy fearless, rambunctious, or rather chill?
You may have to wait a little while if you have a brand new puppy, but it will probably be worth the wait.
Avoid names with negative connotations
There are plenty of funny dog names, but think past the jokes for a second.
Will it bother you to shout the name at the dog park, or from your front porch? Will the dog sitter find the name offensive or not prefer to call the dog by name? Will the name inhibit people from wanting to pet or care for your dog? Also, consider the spelling of the name to avoid unintentionally spelling in a way you want to avoid.
As we mentioned above, it can be confusing to change your Yorkie’s name in the middle of their life, so make sure you choose a name that won’t age poorly.
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