Pet lovers consider dog name ideas seriously. If you are one of them and willing to choose a unique Celtic dog name, read on through this article and find your pet the perfect Celtic name.
Most of the top Celtic dog names have some hidden meaning behind their name, so it is important to give your new dog a suitable name.
If you need a new name for your dog and you are not sure how to choose it, keep reading. There are various Celtic dog names you could name your puppy and all of them are unique in their way.
You may encounter some odd, some funny, or some unusual names for your dog. Yet, whatever you decide on, pick a great name because your new pet deserves it.
Why Should You Choose Celtic Dog Name?
If you respect Celtic history, love the Celtic language, and enjoy its sound, a Celtic dog name would be the perfect name for your new dog.
Those who appreciate the Celtic nations and love their culture and language should name their dog Celtic names.
The Celtic nations used to be the ancestors of today’s Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Britanny, and the Isle of Man. When we say Celtic language we mean a couple of languages such as Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, and Cornish.
Well known for their amazing nature and landscapes as well as history and culture, these regions pride themselves on having many dog breeds native to the area.
No matter if you decide to take a Britanny Terrier or an Irish setter, giving your puppy a beautiful name of Celtic origin would be the best move.
Your new puppy needs to have a fitting Celtic name, reflecting its nature. Due to its variety of words and dialects, the Celtic language used to be rich and diverse.
Some Of The Top Celtic Dog Names
Here is a short list of the top Celtic dog names for dogs and their basic meaning.
Blair – meaning field;
Winnie – light, white (suitable for fair-haired dogs);
Quinn – intelligence and wit;
Duff – dark (perfect for a dark-haired dog);
Keegan – fiery, fire;
Ronan – a little seal;
Kerry – dusky and dark;
Merlyn – sea fortress;
Blaine – blonde, yellow;
Kane – intelligent, warrior;
Keene – sharp, wise;
Sloane- raider, warrior;
Avalon – the isle of trees, the island of apples;
Some Tips For Choosing Celtic Dog Names
If you like Celtic dog names or Irish dog names but are not sure how to choose the best name for your pets, here are some tips to help you decide on your dog’s name.
Looking through some Irish names for your dog would be a great move.
Breed And Origin
Think about the dog’s breed and origin. Small dogs with dynamic personalities would require different dog names than big dogs with cheerful and calm personalities. (*)
Consider not only their breed but also their looks and physicality. Does its physical appearance suggest a dark-haired dog with great height and strength, or a light-haired dog, tiny? Would an Irish name be the best choice? If you want your dog to have an unusual name, you are on the right path.
The Appearance
If you still have not taken a new puppy in your life, you might want to wait until you have it. Once you take the dog, you can start looking for name ideas with your friends and family until you reach a satisfactory solution. Do not underestimate the appearance of the dog. First, take it, then look for a name.
Is It Male Or Female?
Next, consider gender. Do you need male dog names or female dog names? Boy dogs would need different names than female dogs. You would not want to choose names for a male pooch that would mean goddess or lass. It would be funny and inappropriate.
When you look for female dog names you would not want to pick a name that means son or male warrior. Celtic names always have some hidden meaning related to their ancient past, so do your research.
Research The Celtic Origin
Those who choose dog names of Celtic origin should know that these names, due to the Celtic history are loaded with various meanings and messages. The past of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland is so rich and abundant that finding a name from some of these dialects, such as Gaelic, Irish or Welsh would be the best scheme.
The amazing thing is that Celtic dog names famous today used to be famous names throughout the ancient Celtic period too.
Length And Clarity
Another thing to have in mind when choosing dog names would be the length and clarity of the name. You need to choose a suitable name that is comprehensible and clear. This will benefit both you and the dog. A lengthy name with many consonants and syllables would be difficult for the dog.
It would not be able to understand it and learn it. It would get on your friends and family’s nerves too. Even the vet might have some trouble with a too-long and hard name.
Celtic dog names might sound harsher or harder at first look. Yet, do not give up and choose the perfect one because your dog will build its identity on it all its life.
Celtic Dog Names For A Male Dog
Since male dogs are usually associated with strength, power, fearlessness, masculinity, and courage, it is no wonder that the Celtic names for male dogs would circle around these terms. Although these names were famous during the Celtic period, some of them are equally famous and used today.
Alan – meaning harmony;
Barden – meaning singer/poet;
Aiden – little fire, from the Celtic God Aodh;
Neil – champion;
Winsor – fair, white;
Killian – little warrior;
Lincoln – lake;
Doyle – dark, black stranger;
Kerwyn – a little dark one;
Weylin – land by the road, also the son of the wolf;
Baird – bard, poet;
Barry – fair-haired;
Brenton – sword, fire town;
Car – fighter;
Nels – chief
Female Dog Names With Celtic Origin
Female dogs used to be associated with nature, beauty, and history, therefore, if you need an excellent name for your new female friend, choose one of the following.
Cara – meaning friend, beloved;
Ionia – Amethyst;
Gwen – white, blessed, fair;
Aina – joy;
Isolde – the beautiful one;
Nola – noble, fair shouldered;
Selma – beautiful view;
Wynter – winter born
Nareen – contented;
Maeve – she who rules;
Reagan – child of the king;
Jenny – white wave;
Grania – love. A goddess in Irish mythology;
More Dog Names From Celtic Origin
Whether it comes from Briton, Gaelic, Welsh or Irish, your pet needs to have an excellent name. Celtic provides a great choice when it comes to picking a name.
The beautiful thing about this mixture of languages is the fact that you can choose a dog name that will describe your loyal animal appropriately. Consider the following dog name ideas and pick the perfect name for your dog.
Alina – meaning fair;
Floyd – meaning gray;
Maddox -meaning beneficent;
Adair – meaning oaks ford;
Alma – meaning good;
Aine – meaning radiance, joy;
Argyle – meaning ‘from the Irish land’;
Egan – meaning little fire;
Vala – meaning chosen;
Cai – meaning colorful;
Berit – meaning exalted one;
Ansgar – meaning god & spear;
Attie- meaning as strong as a bear;
Arleen – meaning oath;
Ciara -meaning black one; Ciara means black like a raven too;
Rian – meaning little king;
Cinaed – meaning lord, also meaning the first king Scotland had; great name for a powerful leaderlike dog.
Irish Dog Names From Irish Mythology
If you are into Irish culture and language or simply love Irish things, these creative Irish dog names will serve you well. Search through this comprehensive list to find your favorite.
Angus – present both in Ireland and Scotland. Angus was the love and beauty god. It means great strength, or strength with unique quality, also ‘the chosen one’.
Lir – king of the sea, Irish lord of the sea.
Lugh – Celtic god of the lightning and the sea. The name signifies strength, radiance, discipline, and poetry.
Fáilinis – Lugh’s hound. Trained as a guard dog. Perfect name for a hunting dog. Invincible and strong.
Balor – the Fomorians (giants) king in Irish mythology. An appropriate name for a guard dog.
Arawn – A Celtic god who was the king of the underworld. If your dog’s appearance is dark, this is the perfect Irish name for it.
Conor – Hounds lover. He used to be the high king of Ireland, an Irish legend
Abracham – son of the judge, the Irish form is Abraham
Patrick – nobleman, the patron saint famous in Ireland
Some Unisex Dog Names Of Celtic Origin
Today, unisex names are growing in popularity in all of the life spheres. Thus, some dog owners want to pick a unisex name for their pets. Listed below are some of the most interesting unisex dog names.
Joyce – meaning rejoice;
Ove – meaning responsible;
Rogaire – rogue, scoundrel;
Adra – meaning hard, rock;
Ailbe – white;
Daire – fruitful;
Dilis – loyal animal;
Dylan – loyal like lions;
Sealgare – meaning hunter, perfect for hunting dogs;
Carey – dark/black;
Brocaire – terrier, badger dog;
Tafann – barking.
Celtic Dog Names Popular Today But Inspired In Ancient Times
Cedric – meaning bounty. Found in the Harry Potter series as well as in Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe
Doyle – stranger;
Bran – raven;
Domhnall – world ruler;
Floyd – gray;
Keane – a sharp fighter;
Merlin – sea fortress;
Gwendolyn – white ring;
Seamus – supplanter;
Rory – king with a red hair;
Balor – deadly one;
What Is The Best Way To Choose A Dog’s Name?
Here are some of the best pieces of advice when it comes to naming your dog.
Two Syllables Name
First, pick a name that has only two syllables. Try to avoid long names. If you decide on a longer name, you will try to shorten it in the future and you will call your dog nicknames. Repeat the name a couple of times to see how it sounds. If you feel that it sounds easy and makes you feel comfortable, go with that name.
Name That Ends With A Vowel
Second, find a name that finishes with a vowel. Since dogs can differentiate frequency ranges much more than people do, choose a name that changes tones when you call your dog. This is the easiest way to get your dog’s attention.
Do Not Use Negative Connotation Names
Never name your dog with a name that has a negative connotation to it, no matter how interesting, creative or funny it sounds. (*)
Pick A Unique Name
Pick a name that will not be similar to the things you plan to say to your dog. You should not choose something that sounds like ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘come here, or some other words you would use frequently.
Conclusion
If you decided to enrich your household with a new dog, you must provide it with good care, love, and finally a perfect name. The name of the dog is how you interact with it and how it builds its identity.
For those in favor of the Celtic culture, there are endless lists of Celtic names for male and female dogs you could choose from. Have in mind that each name has a meaning coming from its historic use, so choose the one you feel presents the dog in the best way possible.
FAQs
What Is A Good Gaelic Dog Name?
The Gaelic translation for a dog is ‘madra’. Another good option would be Madigan (little dog), also Conan ( hound ), or Murphy (sea hound). Some other Gaelic words suitable for dog names would be Aislinn (dream), Conry (hounds king), Felan (wolf), Kieran (black-haired), Roisin (a little rose), Saoirse (meaning freedom), Rogan (red-haired), Keeva (gentle), Sullivan (hawk-eyed), Selkie (black dog), Dermot (not envy), Declan (good, worthy), Cael (slender, narrow).
What Is A Good Scottish Dog Name?
If you were not content with the Gaelic ones, your can turn to the Scottish dog names. Some of the most popular names are Ainsley (meadow), Duff (with dark skin), Lassie (young woman/girl), Archie (brave, bold), Skye (winged), Nessie (aquatic monster), Sterling (valuable, excellent), Tartan (patterned), Whiskey (water), Thistle (bravery, devotion), Highlander (from the Scottish Highlands), Laddie (boy), Alba (the Gaelic term for Scotland), Coorie (to cuddle), Toaty (small, tiny), Selkie (mythological creatures that shed their skin), Lager (light beer), Mac (son of), Loch (lake), Kelpie (water spirit that can take a horse form), Haggis (dish traditional in Scotland), Nails (cokes from Nail, sometimes a surname Neil, meaning supreme champion).
Related topic: Latin dog names
*photo by kwasny222 – depositphotos