600+ Indian Dog Names For Your Spicy Pooch

Namaste, canine enthusiasts! Are you looking for a dog name that really stands out from the pack? No matter the breed of your new dog, looking to different cultures for inspiration is a fantastic way to find a super unique and perfect name for your puppy. Today, we’ll explore the South Asian country of India, giving you the most extensive list of dog names related to Indian culture. 

There are so many reasons to consider giving your dog an Indian name. Of course, if your puppy is a Chippiparai, Indian Spitz, or another breed native to India, they absolutely deserve an Indian dog name to honor where they come from! On the other hand, you might want to pay tribute to your own Indian heritage, show your passion for yoga, celebrate the aromatic cuisine of the country, or express your enthusiasm for the colorful films of Bollywood.

We believe pet names should be just as special as they are, and it’s worth taking the time to search for the right one. So, pour yourself a chai tea and let’s dive into this extensive list of the best Indian dog names for your purna (perfect) pet!

Dogs in Indian Culture

You may be curious to know what the most favored dog breed is amongst pet owners in India. Classic family dogs like the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle, and Golden Retriever are always popular.

But there are several iconic Indian dog breeds as well. The Indian Spitz, Mudhol Hound, Bully Kutta (or Indian Mastiff), and Chippiparai are well-known dog breeds commonly found in Indian homes. The most prevalent indigenous dog breed is the Indian Pariah Dog, whose appearance and demeanor is similar to the Basenji and Dingo. 

Sadly, there are an estimated 35 million stray dogs in India. However, the vast street dog population is an ordinary part of life in modern India and the majority of people view them kindly.  

Perhaps this is a reflection of the Hindu and Buddhist virtues of respecting animals that dates far back into history. The ancient text The Mahabharata even makes mention of the special relationship between dogs and humans, so it’s no surprise that street dogs in India are respected as any other member of society. 

Different Names, Same Meanings 

Did you know that India officially recognizes 22 different Indian languages in their constitution? And more than 100 languages are spoken throughout the country! So, in some sections on this list you’ll find not just Hindi names, but also many dog names using the Indian languages of Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and more! This gives you even more options to be sure you find the right name for your precious pet. 

To properly honor Indian tradition and culture, please do take the time to learn the correct pronunciation of any Indian dog name you are considering for your puppy. Practice saying it out loud in order to determine whether it will be easy for you to say, and easy for your dog to understand.

A Special Note About Terminology

Lastly, we should mention that while the term “Indian” may have been used in the past to describe the Native American and First Nations people on the American continent, that usage is obsolete. In keeping with modern times, any reference of Indian culture here refers to the South Asian country of India.  

And now, without further ado…it’s time to start exploring the most unique Indian dog names!

♀️ Female Indian Dog Names

First up, we have Indian names for your sweet female puppy. The names Banita (lady), Bala (young girl), Devika (little goddess) and Rani (queen) are all ideal female dog name options for obvious reasons.

Do you have an elegant dog breed, like an Afghan Hound or Irish Setter? Chandani, or shining moon, is a beautiful and descriptive name. Many of these female dog names and their meanings are just as lovely as your precious girl: in fact, Amoli means exactly that (precious), while Pari is a Hindi name that means “beauty.”

Aarya	Noble
Ambar	Sky
Amisha	Beautiful
Amiya	Delightful
Amoli	Precious
Amutha	Sweetness or nectar
Anala	Fire or flame
Anika	Brilliant or graceful
Anila	Wind or breeze
Anju	One who lives in the heart
Anusha	Dawn
Arpana	Offering or dedication
Asha	Hope or desire
Banita	Woman or lady
Bala	Young girl
Beeja	Origin of the soul, the beginning
Bhamini	Radiant and charming
Chahna	Desire, or renowned
Chameli	Jasmine
Chandani	Moonlight
Charu	Attractive
Darsha	Perception or vision
Dakshi	Skillful
Devika	Little goddess
Divya	Divine or heavenly
Dularee	Beloved or darling
Fatima	Captivating
Hanitha	Gentle or tender
Ira	Another name for the goddess Saraswati, also meaning Earth
Jaya	Victorious
Kiara	Small, dark and dusky
Lalika	Playful or charming
Lata	Vine; used to describe someone who is slender or flexible in nature
Maryam	Beloved and rebellious
Monisha	Intelligent, beautiful
Neena	Pretty eyes
Neesha	Night
Pari	Ethereal beauty
Rachna	Creation
Rani	Queen
Rea	Poppy
Ritika	A flowing river or stream, or truthful
Shaila	Mountain
Smita	Smiling
Soma	Moon or divine nectar
Tamana	Wish or desire
Uma	Bright or splendorous; another name for the goddess Parvati

♂️ Male Indian Dog Names

As with the female dog names, these Indian male dog names are rather descriptive in their meanings. Some of these dog names for male pups are related to nature, appearance, or personality. Specifically, a lot of these male Indian dog names describe some of the best qualities of male dogs: strong, brave, and handsome! 

Is your German Shepherd a frisbee-catching champ? Try calling him Baljeet or Jai, which both mean “victorious.” Or maybe he’s the quintessential guard dog, in which case, the names Dalbir or Manbir (brave soldier, brave heart) will honor the courage of your BFF.

We think one of the best names for a male dog here is Ayush, meaning “ageless” or living a long life – because don’t we all wish our dogs could live forever! Which Indian male dog name stands out to you?

Aarush	First ray of sun
Adil	Fair or just
Akash	Sky
Amir	Prince
Arjun	Bright, shining, silver-white
Arnav	Ocean or sea
Avinash	Indestructible; “Avi” for short
Ayush	Ageless, long life
Balvan	Powerful, strong
Baljeet	Victorious, conqueror of the forest
Bari	Creator
Batuk	Young boy or child
Beta	Son
Champak	Flower
Dalbir	Brave soldier
Darsh	Handsome
Farhan	Joyful, happy
Fitan	Intelligence
Gatik	Fast, quick, or speedy
Gopal	Cowherder, or protector of cows
Hardik	Heartfelt or sincere
Jagat	World
Jai	Victory, success
Jairaj	Victorious king
Jeet	Victory, conquest
Jivin	Vitality
Karan	Helper or companion
Kumar	Prince
Lalit	Charming, handsome
Lavish	Loveable; “Lav” for short
Lohit	Red or made of copper
Manbir	Brave heart
Naveen	New or fresh
Nirav	Quiet, calm
Parth	Prince or ruler
Pranit	Humble, down to earth
Ranbir	Brave warrior
Rishi	Sage, wise one
Rohan	Ascending, growing
Rohit	Red or saffron
Ronith	Charming, delightful
Saihaj	Peaceful
Samesh	Lord of equality; “Sam” for short
Shri	Prosperity or wealth
Sundar	Handsome
Tanish	Ambition or desire
Tarak	Star or protector; also a name for god Hanuman
Vihaan	Dawn or beginning
Viraj	Brilliance, excellence
Yash	Fame or success

😁 Funny Indian Dog Names

Indian culture is colorful not only visually, but in language as well. Here are some slang terms that make funny and cute names that will work for either a female or male dog. 

The names Chhotu, Chintu, and Chutki are all excellent choices for a small breed, as they refer to the dainty size of your puppy. Does your goofy Golden Retriever get the zoomies way too often? Call him or her Enthu or Satkela to fit their excitable, maybe a bit “bonkers” personality. 

You can really have fun with some of these Indian dog names. For example, Huskies are known for being a very vocal breed. You can call yours Hawabaazi – a slang term for someone who talks too much. How hilarious is that?

Bak Bak	Slang term for an uninteresting conversation
Beedu	Slang for dude
Bindaas	Slang for carefree and cool
Bollywood	“Bolly” for short
Chhotu	“Little one” or tiny
Chintu	Small or cute
Chutki	Small or tiny
Dhinchak	Sparkly or flashy, like bling
Enthu	Someone who is overly enthusiastic or excitable
Fattu	Slang for someone who's a scaredy-cat
Golu	Round, chubby, or naughty
Hawabaazi	Someone who talks too much
Jhakass	Slang for superb or awesome
Jugaad	Slang for a clever solution to a problem, like a hack
Karma
Macha	Slang meaning dude, friend, or bro
Mast	Slang for super, cool, or awesome
Motu	“Chubby” or overweight
Namaste
Pashmina
Pataka	Meaning fireworks, but used to describe an attractive girl
Satkela	Bonkers or crazy
Semma	Slang for awesome
Yaar	Slang for dude, mate, friend, or bro
Yoga
Yogi

🐯 Indian Names for Animals That Make Awesome Dog Names

Many popular dog names in India (and everywhere) come from the names of other animals. Tiger, for example, is a universally popular dog name. However, that means you’re likely to encounter another dog at some point with the same name.

Luckily, as we mentioned in the introduction, the numerous Indian languages offer you several creative options for an otherwise ordinary name. Case in point: your brindle-coated dog could be a Bāgha, Huli, or Puli – all which mean tiger. 

Another example: a deer-like dog breed such as a Greyhound could be named: Chital, Hiran, Jinka, or Sambar. With such a variety of options, you can definitely find the perfect name to suit your pooch. And, all of these translated animal terms work for both female and male dog names. 

Bāgha (বাঘ)	Tiger in Bengali
Bānara (বানর)	Monkey in Bengali
Bandar (बंदर)	Monkey in Hindi
Bharal	Type of sheep from the Himalayas
Birāla (বিড়াল)	Cat in Bengali
Blackbuck	Type of antelope from India
Bulbul	Type of songbird found in India
Chidiya (चिड़िया)	Bird in Hindi
Chinkara	Type of gazelle from India
Chital	A spotted deer from India
Cinkām (சிங்கம்)	Lion in Tamil
Cirate (ಚಿರತೆ)	Leopard in Kannada
Cobra
Coucal	Type of black and tan bird found in India
Dhole	Species of wild dog found in India
Gābhī (গাভী)	Cow in Bengali
Gaur	Type of bison from India
Gharial	Fish-eating crocodile native to India
Hakki (ಹಕ್ಕಿ)	Bird in Kannada
Hāti (হাতি)	Elephant in Bengali
Hiran (हिरण)	Deer in Hindi
Huli (ಹುಲಿ)	Tiger in Kannada
Hyena
Ibis	Bird found in India
Jackal
Jinka (జింక)	Deer in Telugu
Koel	Type of bird found in India
Kōti (కోతి)	Monkey in Telugu
Kraits	Venemous snake native to India
Kukka (కుక్క)	Dog in Telugu
Kukura (কুকুর)	Dog in Bengali
Kurańku (குரங்கு)	Monkey in Tamil
Kutrā (कुत्रा)	Dog in Marathi
Langur	Type of monkey native to India
Macaque	Type of monkey native to India
Mātu (மாடு)	Cow in Tamil
Monal	Colorful bird from the Himalayas
Nayi (ನಾಯಿ)	Dog in Kannada
Nilgai	Type of antelope from India
Olive Ridley	Type of sea turtle found in the Indian Ocean
Pākhi (পাখি)	Bird in Bengali
Pangolin	A scaly anteater like animal found in India
Puli (புலி)	Tiger in Tamil
Python
Rhino
Sambar	Type of deer from India
Sher (शेर)	Lion in Hindi
Tahr	Animal related to sheep and goats found in India
Tendua (तेंदुआ)	Leopard in Hindi
Tokay	Type of gecko native to India
Viper
Wolf

🛕 Indian Dog Names Inspired by Geography

The country of India is home to some of the most sensational cities in the world, from the beach town of Goa to the hustling, bustling city of Mumbai (also called Bombay). India even boasts one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal!

Have you visited any of these amazing places in India? Are you planning a dream vacation to explore this incredible country? Many cities and places in India make really nice names for both a male or female dog of any breed.

Agra	City
Ahmedabad	City
Amritsar	City
Asansol	City
Bangalore	City
Bengaluru	City
Bhopal	City
Bihar	State in East India
Bombay	Another name for the city of Mumbai
Calicut	City, English name for Kozhikode
Chandigarh	City
Charminar	Monument and mosque in Hyderabad
Chennai	City
Cuttack	City
Delhi	City
Goa	State in West India
Gujarat	State in West India
Hawa	Hawa Mahal, a palace in Jaipur built in the shape of a honeycomb
Indore	City
Jaipur	City
Jammu	State in the Himalayan region of India
Jodhpur	City
Kanpur	City
Kashmir	State in India
Kerala	State in South India
Kochi	City
Kolkata	City, also known in English as Calcutta
Kollam	City
Kozhikode	City, also known in English as Calicut
Lucknow	City
Madurai	City
Mumbai	City
Mysore	City
Nagpur	City
Nashik	City
Orissa	State in India
Pune	City
Punjab	State in North India
Qutub Minar	A tower in Delhi built in the 12th century
Surat	City
Taj	Taj Mahal, a palace in Agra
Telangana	State in South India; “Tela” for short
Thane	City
Thrissur	City
Udaipur	City
Varanasi	City

🎨 Colorful Indian Dog Names

Some of the best Indian dog names can be the most simple, describing the color of your dog’s coat. Sonali and Haluda (golden and yellow, respectively) work great as names for a Golden Retriever or Yellow Lab. How about a Dogo Argentino with a distinctly white coat? Bili, Sādā, or Saphed will perfectly describe your noble pet. 

As with our list of animal-based dog names, this section includes unique Indian dog names in various languages. All of them are technically gender neutral, but you might find some of them have a more feminine or masculine ring to them.

Let’s say you have a male dog with a red coat, and are looking for the best descriptive dog name for him. The word for “red” in Bengali is Lāla; to Western ears, that might sound more like a female dog name. However, the Hindi name Laal also means “red” and you might find that suits your boy a bit better. 

The truth is, any of these colors will make a good name for your four-legged friend – it’s just a matter of preference! If you have a favorite color, try out a couple different translations to see which one fits your dog best. 

Bēja (বেজ)	Beige in Bengali
Bhoora (भूरा)	Brown in Hindi
Bili (ಬಿಳಿ)	White in Kannada
Citā (ਚਿੱਟਾ)	White in Punjabi
Dhūsara (धूसर)	Ashen grey in Hindi
Firoza (फ़िरोज़ा)	Turquoise in Hindi
Gōlāpī (গোলাপী)	Pink in Bengali
Haluda (হলুদ)	Yellow in Bengali
Hara (हरा)	Green in Hindi
Jaamunee (जामुनी)	Purple in Hindi
Kaala (काला)	Black in Hindi
Kālō (কালো)	Black in Bengali
Kamalā (কমলা)	Orange in Bengali
Kandu (ಕಂದು)	Brown in Kannada
Kappu (ಕಪ್ಪು)	Black in Kannada
Kempu (ಕೆಂಪು)	Red in Kannada
Kesar (केसर)	Saffron orange in Hindi
Laal (लाल)	Red in Hindi
Lāla (লাল)	Red in Bengali
Nalupu (నలుపు)	Black in Telugu
Neela (नीला)	Blue in Hindi
Peela (पीला)	Yellow in Hindi
Rōjā (ரோஜா)	Rose in Tamil
Sabuja (সবুজ)	Green in Bengali
Sādā (সাদা)	White in Bengali
Saphed (सफेद)	White in Hindi
Silvar (सिल्वर)	Silver in Hindi
Sōnālī (সোনালী)	Golden in Bengali
Sunahara (सुनहरा)	Golden in Hindi
Surkh (सुर्ख)	Deep red or crimson in Hindi
Svarn (स्वर्ण)	Gold in Hindi
Ūtā (ஊதா)	Purple in Tamil
Vellai (வெள்ளை)	White in Tamil

🫖 Dog Names Inspired by Popular Indian Drinks

India is a country full of flavors, not just in the food but drinks as well! Popular teas from India like Chai and Darjeeling are enjoyed all over the globe. You might have even tried an Indian beer like Kingfisher or Haywards; both of those names have a dignified ring to them – great options for male dog names. 

A lesser-known but nationally popular alcoholic beverage is called Fenny, a liquor made from fermented cashew apples. What a unique and cute name for a dog, don’t you think?

If you’re not a fan of alcohol, there are plenty of fruity, healthy drinks to inspire an Indian dog name. Consider the names Falooda and Sharbat if your dog is extra sweet!  

Aam Panna	Tangy green mango drink
Assam	Popular type of tea
Chaas	Buttermilk; often served with spices as Masala Chaas
Chai	Black tea mixed with spices
Darjeeling	Popular type of tea
Falooda	Sweet and fragrant beverage
Fenny	Liquor made of cashew apple or coconut
Frooti	Brand of mango juice in India
Godfather	Brand of Indian beer
Handia	A native drink of West Bengal
Haywards	Brand of Indian beer
Jal-jeera	A refreshing beverage made with spices and water
Kadha	Aromatic herbal tea
Kahwa	Type of chai popular in the Kashmir Valley
Kalyani	Brand of Indian beer – Kalyani Black Label
Kingfisher	Brand of Indian beer
Lassi	Creamy yogurt-based drink often blended with fruit
Limca	Lemon-lime flavored soda brand
Maaza	Brand of tropical fruit drinks in India
Nilgiris	Popular type of tea
Nimbu Pani	A sweet and salty lemonade drink
Sharbat	A syrup made with fruit, flower, or herbs and served with water or soda
Simba	Brand of Indian beer
Slice	A mango-flavored drink brand that was popular in India
Thandai	Sweet spiced milk drink made during the Holi festival
Thumbs Up	Brand of soda in India
Thunderbolt	Brand of Indian beer
Toddy	Alcoholic drink made of palm plants

🌶️ Food-Based Indian Dog Names

Indian food is packed full of flavor and spice, just like the personality of your pet! While you probably shouldn’t share most of these spicy foods with your pooch, you can give your dog an Indian name that reminds you of your favorite food or Indian dish.

Classic spices like Clove and Ginger are nice female dog names; Chutney and Garam (masala) are a little less common and work as male dog names as well.

Aloo	Potato
Amla	Another name for Gooseberry
Anise	Spice used in Indian cooking
Barfi	Sweet food made with powdered milk and sugar
Bhaji	Also called Pakora – fried vegetable fritters
Bhelpuri	Snack made of puffed rice
Biryani	A spiced rice dish
Cardamom	Spice used in Indian cooking
Carom	Spice used in Indian cooking
Chaat	A category of Indian food sold in street stalls and roadside stands
Chana	Chickpea
Chapati	Unleavened flatbread
Chikki	A traditional, brittle sweet made from nuts and sugar
Chutney	A type of condiment
Cinnamon	Spice used in Indian cooking
Clove	Spice used in Indian cooking
Coconut
Coriander	Spice used in Indian cooking
Cumin	Spice used in Indian cooking
Curry	Spice or sauce widely used in Indian cooking
Dal	Lentil
Dosa	A thin pancake from Southern India
Frankie	A street food wrap popular in Mumbai
Gajar	Carrot
Garam	Garam masala, a specific blend of spices
Garlic	Spice used in Indian cooking
Ghee	Clarified butter used in Indian cooking
Ginger	Spice used in Indian cooking
Gobi	Cauliflower
Gooseberry	Small fruit used in Indian cuisine
Gulab	Rose water, used in the popular dessert Gulab Jamun
Halwa	A type of dessert cooked with ghee and sugar
Jamun	A type of juicy berry
Kachori	A sort of Indian empanada
Karaikudi	“Kara” for short, a type of curry dish from Southern India
Kathi	A roll of filling wrapped in paratha bread
Kheer	Sweetened pudding of rice, milk, and sugar
Kofta	Spiced meatball
Korma	Style of creamy curry
Kulcha	A type of flatbread
Kulfi	Frozen dairy dessert
Malai	A type of clotted cream
Mango
Masala	Blend of spices
Matar	Pea
Medu Vada	Savory snack food made with spiced black lentils
Misal	A spicy dish eaten for breakfast or a snack
Momo	Steamed dumpling
Naan	Baked flatbread
Nutmeg	Spice used in Indian cooking
Pakora	Also called Bhaji – fried vegetable fritters
Palak	Hindi for spinach
Paneer	Cheese
Pani Puri	A type of flavorful deep-fried street food
Papadum	A type of crispy flatbread
Paratha	Style of unleavened flatbread
Pav	Soft bread roll
Peppercorn	Spice used in Indian cooking
Saag	Cooked spinach and other greens
Saffron	Spice used in Indian cooking
Samosa	Baked pastry with savory filling
Tadka	A style of cooking technique with spice-infused oil
Tandoori	A category of Indian food made in a tandoor oven
Tej Patta	Indian bay leaves
Thali	A style of meal made up of a variety of dishes all served together
Tikka	A dish with meat or vegetables marinated in a spice mixture
Turmeric	Spice used in Indian cooking
Vindaloo	A spicy curry dish

📜 Indian Dog Names Inspired by Historical Figures and Famous People

If you’re a fan of Indian culture and history, you will recognize many of these female and male Indian names. There are many popular dog names in India inspired by their celebrities, like actor Salman Khan. Around the world, there are many actors with Indian heritage whose names you might consider using for your pet. 

If pop culture isn’t your pooch’s vibe, you can gain inspiration from the many writers, activists, and leaders included in this list.

Aasif	Aasif Mandvi, actor
Aishwariya	Aishwariya Rai Bachchan, actress
Akbar	The 3rd Mughal emperor
Ali	Ali Fazal, actor
Ambedkar	B. R. Ambedkar, father of the Indian constitution
Amitabh	Amitabh Bachchan, actor
Anil	Anil Kapoor, actor
Anita	Anita Desai, novelist
Anupam	Anupam Kher, actor
Anushka	Anushka Sharma, actress and film producer
Archie	Archi Panjabi, actress
Arvind	Arvind Adiga, author
Ashoka	Ashoka the Great, ruler from 268-232 BCE
Aurangzeb	The 6th Mughal emperor
Ayesha	Ayesha Dharker, actress
Aziz	Aziz Ansari, comedian
Babur	1st Mughal emperor
Chacha Nehru	Nickname of Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first prime minister
Chanakya	Hindu philosopher
Danny	Danny Pudi, actor
Dev	Dev Patel, actor
Dimple	Dimple Kapadia, actress
Freida	Freida Pinto, actress
Indira	Indira Gandhi, 3rd prime minister of India
Irrfan	Irrfan Khan, actor
Jayanth	“Jay” for short; Jayanth Jambulingam Chandrasekhar, actor and comedian
Kal	Kal Penn, actor
Kareena	Kareena Kapoor Khan, actress
Kasturba Gandhi	Political activist and wife of Mahatma Gandhi
Kingsley	Ben Kingsley, actor
Kunal	Kunal Nayyar, actor
Mahatma Gandhi	Indian independence leader
Mallika	Mallika Sherawat, actress
Manoj	Manoj Nelliyattu (M. Night) Shyamalan, film director
Mindy	Mindy Kaling, actress
Priyanka	Priyanka Chopra, actress
Ravi	Ravi Shankar, composer and musician
Raza	Raza Jaffrey, actor
Salman	Salman Khan, actor
Sarita	Sarita Choudhury, actress
Sarojini	Sarojini Naidu, political activist and poet
Sendhil	Sendhil Ramamurthy, actor
Shabana	Shabana Azmi, actress
Shashi Tharoor	Politician, diplomat, intellectual, and writer
Sher Shah Suri	Founder of the Suri empire
Shivaji	Warrior-king from the 18th century
Sunrise	Sunrise Bala, actor
Suraj	Suraj Sharma, actor
Tabu	Tabassum Fatima Hashmi, actress
Tenali	Tenali Ramakrishna, poet and scholar

📽️ Indian Dog Names from Movies, TV Shows and Books

India has an impressive reputation for film in Bollywood. More and more often, you can see Indian culture represented in popular movies and TV shows around the world. Characters from popular movies and books like Slumdog Millionaire and The Life of Pi offer many options of dog names for male and female dogs.  

Here are some of the most iconic Indian names inspired by characters in well-known movies, shows, and books. Do you have a favorite movie or book based in India? Leave us a comment with your favorite character name! 

Aditi	Monsoon Wedding
Akela	The Jungle Book
Anokhi	The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Armitrao	A Passage to India
Bagheera	The Jungle Book
Baloo	The Jungle Book
Balram Halwai	The White Tiger (novel)
Captain Vyom	Captain Vyom (series)
Cece	Cece Parekh, “New Girl”
Chacha Chaudhary	Chacha Chaudhary (comic); also called Chachaji
Chachi	Chacha Chaudhary (comic)
Chhota Bheem	Chhota Bheem (cartoon)
Chikku	Mira, Royal Detective
Chukti	Chhota Bheem (cartoon)
Deven	In Custody (novel)
Doraemon	Doraemon (cartoon)
Flunkey	The Jungle Book
Gaffur	The Guide (novel)
Guddu	Lion
Hathi	The Jungle Book
Hemant	Monsoon Wedding
Ishani	Planes
Jamal Malik	Slumdog Millionaire
Javed	Slumdog Millionaire
Jhilmil	Barfi!
Jugga	Train to Pakistan (novel)
Kaa	The Jungle Book
Kanji	OMG: Oh My God
King Louie	The Jungle Book
Kusum	The White Tiger (novel)
Lala Ram La	Train to Pakistan (novel)
Latika	Slumdog Millionaire
Mahmoud Ali	A Passage to India
Malli	Train to Pakistan (novel)
Maman	Slumdog Millionaire
Martina Crowe	The Mysterious Benedict Society
Meena	Mira, Royal Detective
Mikku	Mira, Royal Detective
Mira	Mira, Royal Detective
Mishti	Phineas and Ferb
Moby	Mighty Raju (cartoon)
Mowgli	The Jungle Book
Mr. Ashok	The White Tiger (novel)
Mr. Malik	Turning Red
Mrs. Bhattacharya	A Passage to India
Murad	In Custody (novel)
Murphy	Barfi!
Nagraj	Comic book superhero
Narayan Godbole	A Passage to India
Nawab Bahadur	A Passage to India
Nobita	Doraemon (cartoon)
Nooran	Train to Pakistan (novel)
Nur	In Custody (novel)
Orange Juice	The Life of Pi
Parmanu	Comic book superhero
Pi Patel	The Life of Pi
Pia	3 Idiots
Pimmi	Monsoon Wedding
Pinky	Mira, Royal Detective
Prem Kumar	Slumdog Millionaire
Prince Neel	Mira, Royal Detective
Prince Veer	Mira, Royal Detective
Pushpa	Mira, Royal Detective
Raj	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Raju	Mighty Raju (cartoon)
Raksha	The Jungle Book
Ram Chand	A Passage to India
Rancho	3 Idiots
Richard Parker	The Life of Pi
Rocket	Chacha Chaudhary (comic)
Rosie	The Guide (novel)
Rukhmani	Nectar in a Sieve (novel)
Sabu	Chacha Chaudhary (comic)
Salim	Slumdog Millionaire
Sarla	In Custody (novel)
Saroo	Lion
Shanti	The Jungle Book
Shere Khan	The Jungle Book
Shikari Shambu	Tinkle Comics
Shruti	Barfi!
Simi	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Sonny	The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Sunaina	The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Suppandi	Tinkle Comics
Tiranga	Comic book superhero
Velan	The Guide (novel)

🕉️ Dog Names Taken From Indian Mythology

Indian tradition is rich in mythology, inspiring so many dog names in India and around the world. For the millions of people who practice yoga, some of these names will be familiar.

Within this list of names, you’ll find names that fit well with a specific breed. Take, for example, the deity Lord Krishna, sometimes called a gentle giant – doesn’t that remind you of a Great Dane or perhaps a Newfoundland? 

Along the same lines, Govinda (meaning cow-keeper) is a most excellent name for any herding breed, like a Collie or Cattle Dog. A Pitbull or other bully breed might be a fitting Nandi – the name of a sacred bull belonging to the god Shiva. (Note that these names are gender-specific, so these names are for male dogs.)

For female dog names, Shakti, Tara, and Kali are some of our favorites! 

Agni	Hindu god of fire	Male
Anjana	Mother of Hanuman; also called Anjani and Anjali	Female
Arjuna	Son of Indra, hero of the epic Mahabharata	Male
Banka Mundi	Goddess of hunting and fertility	Female
Bhima	Brother of Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata	Male
Bonbibi	Guardian spirit of the forests	Female
Brahma	Hindu god of creation	Male
Chandi	A demon-destroyer version of goddess Shakti	Female
Chandra	Hindu god of the moon	Male
Chhaya	Goddess of shadows	Female
Durga	Warrior goddess who fights demons	Female
Ganesha	Elephant-headed Hindu god, destroyer of obstacles	Male
Govinda	Cow-keeper; another name for Krishna	Male
Hanuman	Hindu monkey-god of courage and strength	Male
Indra	King of gods	Male
Kali	Goddess of time, darkness, and change	Female
Kamadhenu	Goddess of the sacred cow	Female
Karna	Son of Surya and Kunti in Mahabharata	Male
Krishna	Hindu god of protection, compassion, love	Male
Kunti	Mother of Arjuna in Mahabharata	Female
Kurma	An avatar of the god Vishnu, in tortoise form	Male
Lakshmi	Goddess of fortune and wealth	Female
Mastya	An avatar of the god Vishnu, in fish form	Male
Maya	Goddess of illusion	Female
Nandi	Sacred bull of Shiva whose name means “giving joy”	Male
Nataraja	A form of Shiva performing a cosmic dance	Male
Parvati	Mother goddess, wife of Shiva	Female
Rama	Hindu god of protection, an incarnation of Vishnu	Male
Ratri	Goddess of the night	Female
Saranya	Goddess of clouds and dawn, wife of Surya	Female
Saraswati	Goddess of learning, arts, and music	Female
Shakti	Another name for Parvati	Female
Shasti	Goddess of marriage and children	Female
Shiva	Hindu god of destruction and transformation	Male
Siddhartha	“Sid” for short; Siddhartha Guatama, the Buddha	Male
Sita	An incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi	Female
Surya	Hindu god of the sun	Male
Tara	Goddess of mercy and compassion	Female
Ushas	Goddess who brings the dawn	Female
Vayu	Hindu god of wind	Male
Vishnu	Hindu god, protector of the universe	Male
Yami	Goddess of the Yamuna river	Female

🍃 Indian Dog Names Inspired by Nature

India is a country full of diverse nature, from tropical forests to deserts, snowy mountains to sunny beaches. If you love enjoying the great outdoors with your pet, you’ll love these nature-inspired Indian dog names! 

Some of these dog names come from specific plants indigenous to India; others are the names of well-known rivers and mountain ranges. To give you even more options, once again we’ve translated some nature terminology into different languages of India. 

Are you the pet parent of a dog breed that loves to play in the water? Dhaara, Ganga, Jal, and Nadi are all names associated with water. Love to take your dog on hikes? Himalaya, Nilgiri, and Parvat are great names for your mountain-climbing pup! 

All of these nature words are gender neutral, so the names in this section are appropriate for both boy and girl dogs. 

Aloe Vera	Succulent plant native to India
Aranya (అరణ్య)	Jungle, forest, or wilderness in Telugu
Bana (বন)	Forest in Bengali
Banyan	Tree native to India
Betel	Betel leaf, a vine plant grown in India
Cauvery	Major river in India
Dhaara (धारा)	Stream in Hindi
Ficus	Type of tree found in India
Ganga	River also known as the Ganges
Godavari	Major river in India
Hibiscus	Flower native to India
Himalaya	Mountain range
Huvu	Flower in Kannada
Indus	Major river in India
Jal (जल)	Water in Hindi
Jasmine	Flower native to India
Jhadi (झाडी)	Bush in Marathi
Karru (காற்று)	Wind in Tamil
Katal (கடல்)	Ocean or sea in Tamil
Kātu (காடு)	Forest in Tamil
Kurinji	A type of plant with blue and purple flowers, native to India
Lotus	Iconic flower associated with India
Malai (மழை)	Rain in Tamil
Malar (மலர்)	Flower in Tamil
Malu (மழு)	Mist or fog in Tamil
Maram (மரம்)	Tree in Tamil
Marigold	Flower native to India
Megha (মেঘ)	Cloud in Bengali
Moda (ಮೋಡ)	Cloud in Kannada
Mokka (మొక్క)	Plant in Telugu
Nadi (नदी)	River in Hindi
Narmada	Major river in India
Neem	Tree native to India
Nilā (நிலா)	Moon in Tamil
Nilgiri	Mountain range in India
Nīru (ನೀರು)	Water in Kannada
Pani (পানি)	Water in Bengali
Parvat (पर्वत)	Mountain in Hindi
Ped (पेड़)	Tree in Hindi
Peepal	Fig tree native to India
Prakriti (प्रकृति)	Nature in Hindi
Pul (புல்)	Grass in Tamil
Puvvu (పువ్వు)	Flower in Telugu
Sandalwood	Tree native to India
Tannīr (தண்ணீர்)	Water in Tamil
Teak	Tree native to India
Tulsi	Holy basil plant native to India
Van (वन )	Forest in Hindi
Vana (ವನ)	Forest in Kannada
Yamuna	Major river in India

🏏 Sports-Related Indian Dog Names

If you’ve got an active dog breed, consider one of these sporty names for your pup! 

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India, and coincidentally makes a super cute name for either a male or female dog. If you’re looking for a gender-specific name, we’ve also included some of the most celebrated Indian athletes. 

Bhaichung	Bhaichung Bhutia, football player
Challenger	Royal Challengers, cricket team from Bangalore
Chikoo	Nickname of Virat Kohli, cricket player
Cricket	The most popular sport in India
Kabaddi	The second most popular sport in India
Kapil	Kapil Dev, cricket player
Knight Rider	Cricket team from Kolkata
Mary Kom	Boxer and Olympic gold medalist
Milkha	Milka Singh, an olympian sprinter known as “The Flying Sikh”
Mithali	Mithali Raj, cricket player
Pullela	Pullela Gopichand, badminton player
Royal	Rajasthan Royals, cricket team
Sachin	Sachin Tendulkar, the “God of Cricket”
Saina	Saina Nehwal, professional badminton player
Sania	Sania Mirza, professional tennis player
Subrata	Subrata Pal, football player
Sunil	Sunil Chhetri, football player
Sunriser	Cricket team from Hyderabad

Final Thoughts

It’s a big responsibility to pick out the perfect name for a new pet, but you can find inspiration all around you, especially by celebrating other cultures and places around the world. We hope  you’ve come away with some terrific choices for unique Indian dog names, and perhaps you’ve even learned a bit about the fascinating, flavorful, and colorful culture of India.

Remember that your dog doesn’t have to be an Indian breed to give him or her an Indian name. The names on this list provide interesting, one-of-a-kind alternatives to more common dog names. Use this list to get creative, using the personality traits of your pet to pick out the absolutely perfect name. 

Do you have Indian heritage or are a fan of Indian culture in some way? If you’ve used one of these Indian dog names for your pet, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!