80+ Old Man Names for Dogs

Last year, one report determined that the Top 5 most popular names for a male dog included Charlie, Max, Cooper, Milo, Buddy. But is your dog more particular than that? Did you adopt a scruffy Terrier with grumpy old-man vibes? Or maybe you’re looking for a mature name for your newly adopted pup who already seems ageless. To help you out, we have compiled a list of more than 80 of the best dog names that evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Whether you’re into more old-fashioned monikers such as Herbert or Clifford, or something a little more vibrant like Tobias, these names are coming back in style.

Best overall old man names for dogs

Ready to skip over basic names like John, Henry, and Benjamin? Here are our editors’ favorite 15 dog names that evoke old men of bygone eras.

• Albert

• Chester

• Clifford

• Edward

• Elmer

• Harold

• Herman

• Leonard

• Maurice

• Maxwell

• Milton

• Norman

• Ralph

• Stanley

• Seymour

Grumpy old man names for dogs

If you’ve adopted a senior dog — or just have the canine equivalent of Grumpy Cat roaming your house — may we suggest these names for your cranky dog.

• Bernard

• Rupert

• Edgar

• Eugene

• Herbert

• Harold

• Norman

• Louis

• Chester

• Virgil

• Wilfred

• Mortimer

• Floyd

• Horace

• Terrance

• Hugh

• Marshall

• Oscar

• Vernon

• Rudy

Distinguished old man dog names

Want a dog name that transcends mere tradition and moves straight into classical territory? These unique old-man pet names hearken back to the times of kings.

• Benedict (Benny)

• Percival (Percy)

• Clarence (Clare)

• Archibald (Archie)

• George (Georgie)

• Gideon (Deon)

• Cornelius (Neil)

• Fabian (Fab)

• Montgomery (Monty)

• Algernon (Al)

• Octavius (Tavi)

• Atticus (Atty)

• Augustus (Gus)

• Ambrose (Amby)

• Leopold (Leo)

Old man puppy names

If you’re considering adopting a puppy (or just did), these old-school names are a little more playful, endearing, and easy to grow into.

• Arthur

• Albie

• Dorian

• Everett

• Clint

• Lloyd

• Oliver

• Lionel

• Sebastian

• Miles

• Henry

• Oswald

• Tobias

• Rufus

• Ethan

• Wyatt

Cute old man names for dogs

These cute younger-sounding vintage names will have your adorable pup standing out from the dog-park crowd.

• Amos (Ace)

• Ignatius (Iggy)

• Theodore (Teddy)

• Marvin (Vinnie)

• Franklin (Frankie)

• Melvin (Mel)

• Emilio (Milo)

• Charles (Charlie)

• Winston (Winnie)

• Frederick (Freddie)

• Bartholomew (Bart)

• Thaddeus (Thad)

• Maximilian (Max)

• Isidro (Izzy)

• Raymond (Ray)

Dog names inspired by historical figures

If you’ve adopted a rescue dog, consider a powerful name inspired by a notable dude from the history books.

• Einstein (Albert)

• Martin (Luther King, Jr.)

• Douglas (Frederick)

• Abraham (Lincoln)

• Fred (Mister Rogers)

• Thomas (Edison)

• Nikola (Tesla)

• Nelson (Mandella)

• Thurgood (Marshall)

• Leonardo (da Vinci)

• Cesar (Chavez)

Film-inspired old man names for dogs

There is plenty of inspiration for pet names to be had in film and media. Whether you’re a fan of Edward James Olmos or Sir Patrick Stewart, look to the TV shows and movies you love for more name inspiration. Here are a few to consider:

• Reginald (Umbrella Academy, anyone?)

• Gary (Oldman, of The Fifth Element)

• Neville (for Harry Potter fans)

• Alfred (Batman’s butler)

• Humphrey (Bogart, of Casablanca)

• Marlon (Brando, of The Godfather)

• Laurel (Stan, of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy)

• Clark (Gable, of Gone with the Wind)

• Gregory (Peck, of To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Walter (Matthau, one of the original Grumpy Old Men)

Tips for Naming Your Old Soul

Picking a pet name is one of the most important things you’ll do after adopting a dog (aside from setting up their first vet appointment, of course). Here are a few tips to help you pick the perfect pet name.

• Consider the meaning of the name. Many old-fashioned or vintage dog names have meanings that may make them even more special for your pup. For example, the name Edgar means “successful spearman” and the name Philip means “fond of horses.”

• Choose a name that’s easy to pronounce. You’ll likely be saying your dog’s name a lot (and loudly) in public. It’s important to choose a name that you can easily pronounce, that you don’t feel awkward saying, and that your dog will perk up and respond to.

• Keep it short or use a nickname. If you choose a longer, more classic moniker, such as Alexander or Joaquin, you should consider getting your dog used to a shorter nickname for quick recall.

• Avoid names that sound like commands. Avoid naming your dog something that sounds like a command or cue, like “stay” or “sit,” such as “Jay” or “Whit.”