When brainstorming names for your new pup, color is a good place to look for inspiration—especially if you have a black-coated dog! Chic, sleek and a tad mysterious, black is brimming with pup potential. From mythology to pop culture, spooky to silly, sweet to spicy, we compiled 200 of the best names for black dogs. Now sit, stay and enjoy!
Need more name inspo? Find thousands more options here.
Adrienne
Meaning “dark,” this French name is distinctly human, making it all the more fun for a pup!
Amaris
Talk about howl-worthy! This Spanish girl’s name means “child of the moon.”
Amaya
Of Spanish origin, Amaya means “night rain.”
Andromeda
For an out-of-this-world name, consider looking into deep space. Andromeda is the Milky Way’s neighbor, and one of the few galaxies visible to the naked eye.
Ariel
One of Uranus’s moons, Ariel is a clever nod to the night sky.
Aurora
Does your dark-coated pup have a colorful personality? Consider Aurora, a reference to the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
Blakesley
This preppy-cool English name means “dark wolf’s wood.”
Branwen
Meaning “blessed raven,” this Welsh name is one of many inspired by the black bird.
Brenna
Short and sweet, Brenna is a Gaelic name meaning “little raven.”
Callisto
As Jupiter’s second largest moon, Callisto is an impressive night namesake.
Carey
Meaning “dark,” this Irish name is a classic gender-neutral option.
Chhaya
Chhaya is the Hindu goddess of shadows.
Dahlia
Some varieties of dark-purple dahlia flowers appear black.
Devaney
This Irish name means “dark-haired.”
Ebony
The dark wood makes for a lovely pup name.
Eclipse
A perfect name for the pet you love to the moon and back.
Elvira
Also known as the “Mistress of the Dark,” horror personality Elvira is known for her signature teased black hair and black dress.
Ember
The last glowing coals of a fire make for an ethereal name.
Esmeray
Of Turkish origin, Esmeray means “dark moon.”
Estelle
Meaning “star,” this Latin name is perfect for black pups who can’t help but shine.
Hesperia
A Greek name with a mythological pedigree, Hesperia means “evening star.”
Humbelina
An unusual name of Latin origin, meaning “little shadow.”
Kauket
Kauket is the Egyptian goddess of darkness.
Leila
This Arabic name is traditionally given to girls born during the night, translating to “daughter of the night.”
Lilith
In Jewish folklore, Lilith has a delightfully spooky translation: “night monster.”
Lydia
Fans of “Beetlejuice” will remember Winona Ryder’s character, a lovable goth with a penchant for all-black clothing.
Melantha
This floral name has Greek roots and means “dark flower.”
Maleficent
From horns to wingtips, the powerful Disney fairy wears only black.
Nerissa
Of Italian origin, this delicate name means “black-haired.”
Nisha
Sanskrit in origin, Nisha means “night.”
Morticia
The Addams family’s matriarch embraces her dark side, from her jet-black hair to slinky black dresses.
Ombretta
An Italian name meaning “shadow.”
Onyx
What a gem! The most prized onyx stones are inky black.
Opal
There’s no pup quite like yours. With this in mind, consider Opal: black opals are considered one of the world’s rarest gemstones!
Samira
Meaning “evening conversationalist,” this Arabic name is especially fitting for dark-coated pups with a vocal side.
Senka
Serbian in origin, Senka means “shadow.”
Umbra
During an eclipse, two shadows are cast, the first of which is called the umbra.
Ursula
Meaning “little she-bear,” this powerful name calls to mind Disney’s villainous, ink-shooting sea witch.
Wednesday
Like her mama, Wednesday Addams never met a shade of black she didn’t like.
Yami
A Japanese name meaning “darkness.”
Zelda
Meaning “gray battle” or “strong woman,” Zelda is a powerful name with a dark side.
Zilla
Of Hebrew origin, Zilla means “shadow.”
Apollo
A nod to Apollo 11, the spaceflight that landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon.
Ash
For a name with sneaky swagger, look no further than the bonfire’s remains.
Batman
Holy cuteness, Batman! His nickname is the “Dark Knight,” after all.
Bezalel
A Hebrew name meaning “in the shadow of god.”
Blackjack
The classic card game comes complete with a winning nickname: Jack!
Bran
As fans of “Game of Thrones” know, the name Bran translates to “raven.”
Caligo
The Latin word for “darkness.”
Coal
For a color-coded spin on Cole, consider spelling the trendy boy’s name like the black rock.
Colby
This Norse name is derived from the word for charcoal.
Cosmo
This Greek name could function as a fun nod to the cosmos and night sky.
Dante
Thanks to 14th-century poet Dante Alighieri, this name will forever be associated with darkness and the underworld.
Darth
Calling all “Star Wars” fans! Darth Vader is known for his menacing, all-black ensemble.
Dracula
Also known as the “Prince of Darkness,” which makes an epic doggo nickname.
Duncan
This cute Scottish name means “dark warrior.”
Erebus
In Greek mythology, Erebus is the god of darkness.
Flint
Of English origin, the name Flint can also reference the dark rock used to produce sparks for fires.
Grim
In the “Harry Potter” universe, the Grim is an omen that takes the form of a large, black dog.
Halloween
A festive option for black pups adopted in the autumn months. Find more Halloween-inspired dog names here.
Inei
A Japanese name meaning “dark shadow.”
Jasper
Black jasper stones are formed during volcanic eruptions and are thought to have protective properties.
Jet
For a jet-black pup, this trendy name is especially fitting.
John Wick
Action hero (and infamous dog lover) John Wick adopts a black Pit Bull in the franchise.
Johnny Cash
The singer-songwriter’s nickname was “The Man in Black.”
Kage
The Japanese word for “shadow.”
Kardama
A Sanskrit name meaning “shadow.”
Kumori
The Japanese word for “cloudy.”
Midnight
This classic choice for black dogs has timeless appeal.
Ninja
For the all-black pup who always manages to sneak a treat.
Obsidian
This cool name has hot origins. Obsidian is a type of black glass formed during volcanic eruptions.
Orion
Orion is the name of NASA’s latest exploration craft, which was designed to carry astronauts into deep space.
Orpheus
This imposing ancient Greek name means “darkness of night.”
Phantom
For a spooky vibe, consider this mysterious moniker.
Rocky
This sporty name is a classic and perfect for dogs with dark, rock-colored coats.
Sable
Sable is a shade of deep, rich brown that’s almost black.
Sirius Black
In “Harry Potter,” Sirius Black is a shape-shifter who can transform into a black dog. The character has two aliases, Padfoot and Snuffles, that also make great nicknames!
Smokey
Smokey the Bear has nothing on Smokey the Pup!
Storm
This name will take on a new meaning when your puppy gets the zoomies.
Sullivan
Meaning “dark eyes,” this charming Gaelic name shortens to “Sully” for an easy nickname at the dog park.
Thunder
This imposing name is a natural for big breeds, but it’s just as fun for petite pups.
Twilight
An after-hours name with vampire appeal.
Varjo
A Finnish name meaning “shadow.”
Zalaph
A biblical name meaning “shadow.”
Chocolate Chip
If your dog is fun-size, Chocolate Chip is a diminutive name that makes a big impression.
Cinderella
Is your pup a princess? Consider Cinderella, who borrows the first half of her name from fireplace ash.
Darcy
Meaning “dark-haired,” this gender-neutral Irish name has plenty of pup potential. Find more Irish dog names.
Dusty
A sweet choice for any pet, Dusty works especially well for darker dogs.
Inky
his playful name is a fun choice for dogs with ink-black coats.
Etoile
French for “star,” this sweet name is perfect for the dog with a twinkle in their eye.
Hollyhock
Some varieties of hollyhock flowers are black, making it a fresh pick for dark-coated pups.
Iris
Some varieties of iris flowers are a rich, deep purple that appear almost black.
Kerry
Meaning “dark,” this cute Gaelic name is a short-and-sweet unisex option.
Luna
Of Latin origin, Luna means “moon” and is a classic name for doggos of all colors—but we think it’s extra-special for those with dark-as-night coats.
Magic
Magic is a fun name for any pup—but for black-coated dogs, it adds a supernatural flair.
Nyx
Greek goddess Nyx was the personification of night.
Pansy
Pansy flowers come in many colors, including velvety black.
Pearl
Black pearls are rare beauties, just like your precious pup.
Poppy
Although poppy flowers are vibrant, their seeds are black.
Shadow
An adorable name for the black dog who is always right by your side.
Stardust
Thanks to David Bowie, aka Ziggy Stardust, this celestial name has serious swagger.
Stella
Meaning “star,” Stella is another sweet nighttime namesake.
Toto
Dorothy’s faithful friend had a black-gray coat.
Viola
Black viola flowers are popular for their elegant blooms.
Anise
The anise seed has a licorice-like taste and black hue.
Bean
Black beans are a pantry staple, and adorable namesake for petite pups.
Blackberry
For short, your four-legged cutie can go by Berry.
Cacao
Darker in hue than cocoa, cacao is the purest form of chocolate.
Caviar
Have a posh pup? Add Caviar to the naming menu.
Chocolate
Many varieties of dark chocolate are almost black in color.
Coffee
If you drink your coffee black, this high-energy name is an eye opener.
Cola
Dark, sweet, and bubbly—just like your canine companion!
Currant
Currant berries can be a variety of colors, but black are the most common.
Eggplant
The veggie has deep-purple skin that appears almost black.
Espresso
For the dog who is always on the go-go-go, Espresso is a sure shot.
Fig
Many varieties of figs have dark, almost black outer layers.
Guinness
The Irish stout is known for its dark hue.
Hershey
For smaller breeds, consider the just-as-sweet Hershey’s Kiss.
Lentil
If Bean feels too big, try Lentil for your little legume.
Licorice
Black licorice is a divisive candy, but everyone can agree that Licorice is a sweet pup name.
Milky Way
Whether referencing the galaxy or the candy bar, Milky Way is a fun choice for chocolate-coated dogs.
Mocha
We like the name Mocha a "latte" for black dogs.
Moonpie
The delicious dessert has a dark chocolate exterior.
Nori
The highest quality nori has a jet-black hue.
Olive
If you like black olives, this one has pup potential.
Pea
For black-and-white pups, black-eyed peas may offer inspiration.
Pepper
For pups with spicy personalities, you can’t go wrong with Pepper.
Quinoa
The nutrient-packed grain comes in black, in addition to the more common white and red varieties.
Raisin
Sweet and petite, the name Raisin has a sunny quality.
Sesame
Black sesame seeds are popular in Japanese cuisine.
Tea
Black tea is the most popular variety.
Vanilla
For an ironic choice, Vanilla is unexpectedly perfect.
Angus
Angus cattle are known for their shiny black coats.
Bear
Many species of bears have gorgeous black coats (but don’t be tempted to pet them!)
Bat
If your pup is blessed with big ears, Bat is even better!
Baza
The Black Baza bird has striking, ink-black feathers.
Black Widow
Whether referencing the spider or the Marvel character, Black Widow is an intimidating name. Check out more Marvel dog names.
Bobolink
Looking for a name that’s always fun to say? The Bobolink is a black-feathered songbird!
Bonobo
Bonobo apes are famously social and playful, just like our canine companions.
Bombay
Shhh! Don’t tell your dog that the Bombay is actually a breed of cat known for its sleek, shiny black coat.
Crow
Have a smarty-pants pup? Crows are known for their intelligence.
Friesian
The Friesian horse is distinguished by its beautiful black coat.
Honey Badger
These dark-coated mammals have tough reputations, but Honey makes for a super-sweet nickname.
Jaguar
Most jaguars are tan-colored and spotted, but a genetic mutation causes some to be black.
Lark
Lark birds can be a number of colors, including pure black.
Monkey
If you have an especially goofy or playful pup, Monkey might fit the bill.
Mustang
Giddy up! Black mustangs are among the most majestic of horses.
Myna
The crow-like Myna bird has black feathers.
Nightingale
The small bird is famous for its evening songs.
Owl
For a nocturnal namesake, Owl is a hoot.
Panther
A black panther is a melanistic leopard or jaguar, distinguished by an all-black coat.
Raven
For an avian name with a spooky pedigree, consider Raven, a favorite flyer of Edgar Allen Poe.
Spider
A little eight-legged inspiration for your four-legged friend.
Starling
For everyday use, you can shorten this pretty avian name to “Star.”
Swan
Native to Australia, black swans have striking dark plumes and bright red bills.
Tarantula
If Spider isn’t creepy-crawly enough for you, upgrade to Tarantula.
Viper
The Black Adder is a species of venomous viper.
Wolf
A genetic mutation can cause some gray wolves to have all-black coats.
Wolverine
The dark-furred animal is also the name of a popular X-Men character. (For a little variety, take a cue from the comic books and call your Wolverine by his legal name, Logan, on occasion.)
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton’s lovable ghoul wore a black-and-white striped suit.
Checkers
Traditionally, checkerboards are black and white.
Chess
Is Checkers a little too workaday? Chess is a better fit for sophisticated pups.
Cobra
Cobra snakes can be a variety of color combinations, including black and white.
Cruella
Disney villain Cruella de Vil famously dressed in black-and-white furs. Find more Disney dog names.
Dice
For a white dog with black spots, roll with Dice.
Domino
No Dice? Try Domino on for size!
Fly
In the movie “Babe,” Fly is the motherly black-and-white Border Collie.
Jack Skellington
In “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Jack Skellington wears a black-and-white pinstripe suit.
Marble
Marble comes in many colors, but black-and-white is iconic.
Orca
If your black-and-white dog is larger than life, consider this whale of a name.
Oreo
This popular pup name will always be sweet.
Panda
Panda is an especially fitting name for dogs with black eye markings.
Patches
This classic name for multicolored pups will never go out of style.
Penguin
Penguin the Pup is going to have a lot of fans at the dog park.
Perdita
In “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” Perdita is the mama-in-chief…
Pongo
…and Pongo is her partner.
Skunk
Hopefully, your Skunk smells better than the OG animal.
Snoopy
Charlie Brown’s beagle bestie is black and white.
Tux
The dress code? Black, white and adorable!
Zebra
Talk about a horse of a different color! Zebra is perfect for canines with couture coats.
Dog Names That Mean Black in Other Languages
- Geom-jeong (Korean)
- Hei (Chinese)
- Kuro (Japanese)
- Mávros (Greek)
- Musta (Finnish)
- Nero (Italian)
- Noir (French)
- Preto (Portuguese)
- Schwarz (German)
- Svart (Swedish)
Dog Names That Mean Night in Other Languages
- Gabi (Filipino)
- Gece (Turkish)
- Kecha (Uzbek)
- Malam (Malay)
- Nacht (German)
- Noche (Spanish)
- Noctis (Latin)
- Noite (Portuguese)
- Notte (Italian)
- Wengi (Javanese)
Black Dog Breeds
Love black dogs? Consider these popular breeds that often have black fur:
More Dog Name Inspo
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