If you are a sports lover and have recently adopted a furry pup, congratulations, you already have a head start for naming him. That’s right, Sports is a huge genre, and you can share your love for sports by choosing a moniker after your favorite sports mascot, team, or player.
Different types of sports are enjoyed throughout the world, and the thrilling games and events have inspired multiple words and nouns ideal for energetic pets. In this guide, we will be sharing a few useful tips for deciding the best dog name, and we will also be including our suggestions for sports-themed pet nouns.
From elegant tournaments like figure skating to extreme sports like boxing and wrestling, this theme offers a bunch of moods. This gives you the option to decide the most ideal one for your pet based on its personality, build, and appearance. Therefore, without further ado, let’s find the perfect name that matches your canine.
Male Sports Dog Names
Male dogs, especially large breeds like Spaniels and Golden Retrievers, are known for their tough, energetic personality. Choosing a name for your male sports dog can be a fun and creative process. Here are some sporty and energetic names that might suit your athletic canine companion:
- Ace
- Bolt
- Maverick
- Racer
- Rocky
- Hunter
- Max
- Champ
- Tyson
- Scout
- Atlas
- Blitz
- Rocket
- Spike
- Duke
- Rex
- Kodiak
- Zeus
- Jax
- Gunner
- Apollo
- Archer
- Diesel
- Jet
- Kobe
Female Sports Dog Names
When it comes to sports, there are as many female athletes and teams as there are for men. So, if your pooch is a female, consider a name from the following selection inspired specifically by female nouns.
If you have a sporty and active female dog, here are some sport-themed names that might suit her:
- Serena
- Mia (inspired by Mia Hamm, soccer player)
- Gabby (inspired by Gabby Douglas, gymnast)
- Skylar (inspired by Skylar Diggins, basketball player)
- Abby (inspired by Abby Wambach, soccer player)
- Danica (inspired by Danica Patrick, race car driver)
- Steffi (inspired by Steffi Graf, tennis player)
- Carli (inspired by Carli Lloyd, soccer player)
- Misty (inspired by Misty May-Treanor, beach volleyball player)
- Sloane (inspired by Sloane Stephens, tennis player)
- Ronda (inspired by Ronda Rousey, MMA fighter)
- Lindsey (inspired by Lindsey Vonn, skier)
- Aly (inspired by Aly Raisman, gymnast)
- Maya (inspired by Maya Moore, basketball player)
- Dottie (inspired by Dottie Hinson from “A League of Their Own”)
Get more: Female dog names
Famous Athlete Dog Names
Naming your dog after a famous athlete can be a fun and unique choice. Here are some famous athlete names that might be fitting for your canine companion:
- Kobe (Kobe Bryant, basketball)
- Serena (Serena Williams, tennis)
- Messi (Lionel Messi, soccer)
- Usain (Usain Bolt, sprinting)
- Nadal (Rafael Nadal, tennis)
- Phelps (Michael Phelps, swimming)
- Ali (Muhammad Ali, boxing)
- Brady (Tom Brady, football)
- Bolt (Usain Bolt, sprinting)
- Simone (Simone Biles, gymnastics)
- Mia (Mia Hamm, soccer)
- LeBron (LeBron James, basketball)
- Peyton (Peyton Manning, football)
- Abby (Abby Wambach, soccer)
- Serena (Serena Williams, tennis)
- Federer (Roger Federer, tennis)
- Neymar (Neymar Jr., soccer)
- Bolt (Usain Bolt, sprinting)
- Rory (Rory McIlroy, golf)
- Jeter (Derek Jeter, baseball)
Get more: Famous dog names
Golf Dog Names
If you’re a golf enthusiast and want to give your dog a golf-themed name, here are some names inspired by golfers, golf courses, and golf terminology:
- Rory (after Rory McIlroy)
- Tiger (after Tiger Woods)
- Arnie (after Arnold Palmer)
- Jack (after Jack Nicklaus)
- Augusta (after Augusta National Golf Club)
- Pebble (after Pebble Beach Golf Links)
- Bunker
- Caddy
- Par
- Birdie
- Chip
- Mulligan
- Links
- Putt
- Fairway
- Putter
- Hazeltine (after Hazeltine National Golf Club)
- Divot
- Mulligan
- Bogey
Soccer Dog Names
If you love the thrill of soccer, the following are some of the most popular dog names inspired by this particular sport. From the famous soccer players, stadiums, countries, and world-renowned teams.
If you’re a soccer fan and want to give your dog a soccer-themed name, here are some names inspired by famous soccer players, teams, and terminology:
- Messi (after Lionel Messi)
- Ronaldo (after Cristiano Ronaldo)
- Neymar (after Neymar Jr.)
- Beckham (after David Beckham)
- Zlatan (after Zlatan Ibrahimovic)
- Piqué (after Gerard Piqué)
- Maradona (after Diego Maradona)
- Pele (after Pelé)
- Ronaldo (after Ronaldo Nazário)
- Iniesta (after Andrés Iniesta)
- Kaka (after Ricardo Kaka)
- Solo (after Hope Solo)
- Wembley (after Wembley Stadium)
- Goalie
- Figo (after Luís Figo)
- Torres (after Fernando Torres)
- Ballon (after Ballon d’Or)
- Copa (after Copa America)
- Tiki (after Tiki-Taka)
- Boot (after Golden Boot)
Baseball Dog Names
If you’re a baseball fan and want to give your dog a baseball-themed name, here are some names inspired by famous baseball players, teams, and terminology:
- Babe (after Babe Ruth)
- Jackie (after Jackie Robinson)
- Jeter (after Derek Jeter)
- Mickey (after Mickey Mantle)
- Yogi (after Yogi Berra)
- Wrigley (after Wrigley Field)
- Fenway (after Fenway Park)
- Lou (after Lou Gehrig)
- Cooper (after Cooperstown)
- Slider
- Knuckle (after knuckleball)
- Dinger (slang for a home run)
- Slugger
- Mookie (after Mookie Betts)
- Ripken (after Cal Ripken Jr.)
- Ichiro (after Ichiro Suzuki)
- Curve (after curveball)
- Strike (after strikeout)
- Homer (after home run)
- Crackerjack (after Cracker Jack, a popular ballpark snack)
Football Dog Names
Football is one of the sports you can enjoy with your furry friend as most canines love to chase a ball around. It has also remained the most popular sport in the world.
If you’re a football (soccer) fan and want to give your dog a football-themed name, here are some names inspired by famous football players, teams, and terminology:
- Messi (after Lionel Messi)
- Ronaldo (after Cristiano Ronaldo)
- Neymar (after Neymar Jr.)
- Beckham (after David Beckham)
- Zlatan (after Zlatan Ibrahimović)
- Piqué (after Gerard Piqué)
- Maradona (after Diego Maradona)
- Pele (after Pelé)
- Rooney (after Wayne Rooney)
- Iniesta (after Andrés Iniesta)
- Kaka (after Ricardo Kaká)
- Torres (after Fernando Torres)
- Ronaldo (after Ronaldo Nazário)
- Goalie
- Midfielder
- Striker
- Wembley (after Wembley Stadium)
- Copa (after Copa America)
- Offside
- Hat-trick
Hockey Dog Names
If you’re a hockey fan and want to give your dog a hockey-themed name, here are some names inspired by famous hockey players, teams, and terminology:
- Gretzky (after Wayne Gretzky)
- Sidney (after Sidney Crosby)
- Ovi (after Alex Ovechkin)
- McDavid (after Connor McDavid)
- Puck
- Hat Trick
- Rink
- Zamboni
- Slapshot
- Stanley (after the Stanley Cup)
- Blue (after the St. Louis Blues)
- Ranger (after the New York Rangers)
- Ice
- Check
- Biscuit (a slang term for the puck)
- Power Play
- Stripes (referring to the referees)
- Netminder (goalie)
- Goalie
- Penalty
Basketball Dog Names
If you’re a basketball fan and want to give your dog a basketball-themed name, here are some names inspired by famous basketball players, teams, and terminology:
- Kobe (after Kobe Bryant)
- LeBron (after LeBron James)
- Jordan (after Michael Jordan)
- Shaq (after Shaquille O’Neal)
- Curry (after Stephen Curry)
- Dunk
- Swish
- Spalding (a popular basketball brand)
- Dribble
- Slam (as in slam dunk)
- Hoops
- Buzzer (as in buzzer-beater)
- Rebound
- Allen (after Ray Allen)
- Nash (after Steve Nash)
- Harden (after James Harden)
- Laker (after the Los Angeles Lakers)
- Baller
- Alley (as in alley-oop)
- Net
Tennis Ball Dog Names
This sport is enjoyed by men and women alike. The perfect aim, throw and focus are only a few of the skills required to be a top tennis player. Our world has known multiple famous tennis players, unique tennis techniques, and terms. Many of these also make excellent canine names. We have listed our favorites below.
- Ace
- Fuzzy
- Wimbledon
- Racket
- Love (as in “Love-15” in tennis scoring)
- Smash
- Deuce
- Match
- Net
- Ball Boy
- Volley
- Game
- Grip
- Slice
- Rally
- Spin
- Serve
- Lob
- Court
- Set
Get more: Cool dog names
Dog Names Based on Sports Teams
Naming your dog after a sports team can be a great way to show your allegiance to your favorite team. Here are some dog names inspired by popular sports teams:
- Raider (Las Vegas Raiders – NFL)
- Steeler (Pittsburgh Steelers – NFL)
- Maverick (Dallas Mavericks – NBA)
- Cubbie (Chicago Cubs – MLB)
- Charger (Los Angeles Chargers – NFL)
- Celtic (Boston Celtics – NBA)
- Red (Cincinnati Reds – MLB)
- Bruin (UCLA Bruins – College sports)
- Bronco (Denver Broncos – NFL)
- Raptor (Toronto Raptors – NBA)
- Bruin (Boston Bruins – NHL)
- Panther (Carolina Panthers – NFL)
- Yankee (New York Yankees – MLB)
- Laker (Los Angeles Lakers – NBA)
- Cardinal (Arizona Cardinals – NFL)
- Jayhawk (Kansas Jayhawks – College sports)
- Mariner (Seattle Mariners – MLB)
- Flyer (Philadelphia Flyers – NHL)
- Cub (Chicago Cubs – MLB)
- Packer (Green Bay Packers – NFL)
Get more: Hawaiian dog names
Conclusion
It is a known fact that a tired dog is a happy dog. Whether you are adopting a new canine for security purposes or just as a family pet, exercise is important for your pooch’s daily routine.
When naming your highly energetic, sports-loving friend, it is important to keep his personality in mind. From unique and strong to intelligent and precise, the world of sports has a wide range of names you can choose for your pet.
If you find yourself struggling, consider listing down the top three attributes you want in a name for your pet’s personality, appearance, and theme. Then slowly narrow down the list and go with the one that you feel the most “at home” with.
