Skip to main content

Here are 60 cute dog names for every aesthetic: cottagecore, grunge, Y2K, and more

These unique dog names are inspired by aesthetics, like barbiecore

A little girl and a puppy sit on the grass in a lush green outdoor area
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you spend enough time on social media — particularly sites like Tumblr, Pinterest, or TikTok — you’ll become at least somewhat familiar with “aesthetics.” These are moods or styles that influence art, clothing and decor choices, and even what someone posts online. Any vibe can be an aesthetic if it drives your style choices, so why not let your favorite aesthetics inspire your new dog’s name as well?

These canine monikers range from timeless to eccentric (and everything in between), but they all have one thing in common: They’re all sure to put a smile on your face. Whether they remind you of something adorable, something nostalgic, or something totally epic, these cute dog names are the perfect wealth of information to start your search with.

Recommended Videos

Cottagecore dog names inspired by the cute, woodsy aesthetic that’s trending right now

Of all the popular aesthetics on the internet right now, cottagecore is arguably the most popular. These vibes can be described as natural, romantic, and vintage — and they’re just about every gardener’s dream come true. If you’ve ever imagined yourself tending a garden and knitting a sweater in the English countryside or foraging for mushrooms in the forest with your animal companion, this aesthetic might be for you.

These are some of our favorite cottagecore names for dogs. If none of these strike your fancy, there are an endless number of nature-inspired pet names that have the same rustic vibe.

  • Sitch
  • Purl
  • Cardigan
  • Bobbin
  • Froggie
  • Birdie
  • Moss
  • River
  • Birch
  • Sage

Side profile of a Boston terrier wearing a thick yellow collar and standing in front of a graffiti wall

Grunge might not be for everyone, but these edgy dog names certainly could be

Aesthetic names for dogs don’t all have to be cutesy and outdoorsy. Grunge is a popular aesthetic that thrives on edginess — think torn denim, oversized flannel, and rock n’ roll. You might even consider the 1990s music scene that inspired the term if you’re looking for a grunge name for your pet. In a stretch, something Seattle-inspired even fits the bill.

  • Alice
  • Fender
  • Pearl (and Jam, for sibling pairs)
  • Cobain
  • Indie
  • Skater
  • Jean
  • Beanie
  • Doc Marten
  • Pixie

Side view of a Shiba Inu dog wearing a yellow beanie in front of a pink background

Take a chill pill! We had to give you some baller Y2K-inspired names — obvi!

If the early 2000s feels like yesterday, you’re not alone. It can be nostalgic and comforting to see the Y2K aesthetic making a comeback in fashion and design, so we understand why you’d consider one of these poppin’ names for your pup, too.

  • Polly Pocket
  • Wishbone
  • Juicy
  • Angel
  • Brittany
  • Baby
  • Justin
  • Bling
  • Neon
  • Cyber

A dog's paws rest on top of an open book

Academia is vintage and classic, just like these unique dog names — and it includes several aesthetic subgenres

There’s “dark academia,” “light academia,” and even “preppy,” but an appreciation for knowledge and neoclassical architecture ties together all these subcategories of the academia aesthetic. This vibe is inspired by European universities and vintage design, though it blends well with modern aesthetics as well.

  • Ophelia
  • Lucian
  • Atlas
  • Homer
  • Athena
  • Alistair
  • Primrose
  • Fleur
  • Penelope
  • Daphne

A chow chow dog wearing round white sunglasses looks forward with an open mouth

If you’ve ever identified as a VSCO girl, you’ll love these photography-inspired dog names

Unique dog names can come from anywhere, including the 2010s photography-inspired VSCO girl aesthetic. This vibe encompasses anything from that effortless beachy feel to the trendy suburban girl next door; basically, imagine someone who uses instant cameras on the regular and can name every Instagram filter!

  • Valencia
  • Birken
  • Van
  • Latte
  • Matcha
  • Kodak
  • Lulu Lemon
  • Juno
  • Sierra
  • Apple

A corgi dog standing in front of a pink background looks up and to the side with big eyes

Barbiecore is gaining popularity, so you’ll be on top of trends with any of these glamorous monikers

Some cute dog names come from pop culture influences, like celebrities or brands. These names, though, are inspired by a very popular family of dolls. We’re talking about Barbie, of course! “Barbiecore” has become its own online community in recent years, and now it represents a totally glamorous and feminine aesthetic.

  • Barbie
  • Ken
  • Allen
  • Midge
  • Stacie
  • Elle
  • Piper
  • Chelsea
  • Malibu
  • Dolly

With these 60 dog name ideas, your wheels have got to be turning! There are so many different aesthetics you can research when choosing the right moniker for your pet, but only you will know what’s the perfect fit. If you end up inspired by anything from these lists, let us know!

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Does your cat say ‘meow,’ ‘miau,’ or ‘mjau?’ Here’s how we translate cat and dog language into human around the world
Wondering what your dog or cat would say if you spoke a different tongue? Here's how we interpret our pets
A cat and dog hang out together outside on cobblestones

Your pet might only speak one language, but they can learn any human tongue. They probably know their name at a bare minimum and some dogs can learn up to 1,000 words (even cats can learn a few basic commands, whether they choose to do so is a different story).
But how do we decide what they're saying to us? Countries around the world have different ways of writing barks and meows based on how they hear the sounds. We take a look at the art of translating pet language into human.

What do you call 'bark' and 'meow' in other languages?
If you were in Italy, your dog would say "bau, bau," in France, it's "oaf oaf," and in Portugal, they go "au au." Despite all being in one small area of the globe, each of these languages hears our pets differently. In fact, Word Tips, which researched the subject extensively, figured out what terms people use in the 147 most-spoken languages in the world. It found that there are at least 40 different ways that we write out a dog’s bark. On the flip side, while the exact combination of vowels varies a lot, most cats speak words that begin with the sound in the letter "M."
How do we interpret our pets?
When you actually look at the map that Word Tips put together, you might find some pretty big differences. That's because nearly all these expressions are onomatopoeias, meaning we're trying to put letters to the sounds we're actually hearing. When you add in that languages have different rules, you get vastly different spellings and verbalized words to describe our animals, according to Anthea Fraser Gupta, who has researched the topic. But we're all hearing (at least close to) the same sound, so you'll spot a few similarities, too.

Read more
Have your heart set on a breed? Here’s why it’s important to consider different types of dogs
Think you need a small dog? Here's why you should research different types of dogs first
A woman kissing a dog

Perhaps you love your friend’s Yorkie. Maybe you grew up with a beagle and always dreamt of having one of your own. Getting fixated on a specific breed is normal and natural, and there’s no shame in it. Just like gender disappointment is a "thing" in parenting, so is dreaming about welcoming a specific dog with a distinct look and characteristics into your family.

Still, you want to consider different types of dogs while searching for a new furry family member. It may be difficult to wrap your head around, but researching other breeds and considering all of your options is an essential step in the process of choosing a dog breed. That doesn’t mean you must consider all dog breeds — that’s overwhelming — but you want to look into several. Here’s why and how to jumpstart your search for your next four-legged best friend.

Read more
Cuteness alert: This dog’s reaction to a magic trick is so pure
adorable dog magic video trick

You feed, bathe, and walk your dog. You take them to the vet and to the groomers (or, perhaps, clip their nails yourself). And, of course, you play with your four-legged friend constantly. There are the old play-time standbys — fetch, frisbee, and tug-of-war — or maybe your dog just really likes chasing bubbles. But have you ever considered performing magic tricks for your dog?

In less than 10 seconds, this adorable video proves why magic for dogs is a good idea. You should absolutely don your magician’s hat and embrace your inner Harry Potter the next time you play with your pup.

Read more