Posh Dog Names: 150 Elegant Names for Your Dog

The best posh dog names are short, elegant and easy to call across a park: think Mayfair, Bertie, Clementine, Darcy, Juniper or Duchess. Below are 150 ideas grouped by theme, from London streets and classic British names to literary heroes, botanicals, food and drink, and regal titles. At the end you will find a few tips for choosing a name that also looks good engraved on a collar.

How to choose a posh dog name

A name that sounds wonderful on paper still has to work in daily life. Before you settle, try it out loud a few times, as if you were calling your dog back from the far side of a field.

• Short names are easiest to call. You can always choose a grand full name and use a shorter version day to day: Clementine becomes Clemmie, Wilfred becomes Wilf.
• Avoid names that sound like commands. A name that rhymes with "sit", "stay" or "no" can confuse a young dog during training.
• Think about the whole household. Make sure the name does not clash with another pet or family member.
• Say it in public. You will be calling this name in parks, at the vet and on busy pavements, so pick one you are happy to shout.

London streets and places

Names inspired by the city's most elegant addresses and green spaces. Perfect for a dog with a little metropolitan polish.

Mayfair, Chelsea, Kensington, Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Marylebone, Pimlico, Holland, Albany, Hampstead, Richmond, Kew, Soho, Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury, Sloane, Savile, Jermyn, Bond, Regent, Hyde, Chiswick, Barnes, Greenwich, Primrose.

Classic British names

Old-fashioned names have a warm, slightly eccentric charm that suits almost any breed.

Albert, Alfie, Archie, Arthur, Bertie, Clementine, Constance, Daphne, Edith, Florence, Freddie, Hattie, Hugo, Humphrey, Monty, Mabel, Nancy, Ottilie, Percy, Rupert, Winifred, Teddy, Wilfred, Beatrice, Cecil.

Literary names

For the bookish household, names borrowed from great writers and their most memorable characters.

Darcy, Lizzie, Heathcliff, Gatsby, Atticus, Sherlock, Watson, Poirot, Jeeves, Wooster, Dorian, Emma, Pip, Estella, Austen, Dickens, Byron, Keats, Shelley, Wilde, Orlando, Rebecca, Paddington, Ratty, Toad.

Botanical names

Soft, pretty and timeless. Botanical names suit gentle dogs and garden lovers, and many of them are short enough to call easily.

Bluebell, Clover, Fern, Hazel, Heather, Holly, Ivy, Juniper, Lavender, Laurel, Magnolia, Marigold, Olive, Poppy, Rose, Sage, Sorrel, Violet, Willow, Wisteria, Bramble, Rowan, Daisy, Peony, Iris.

Food and drink names

A little playful, a little indulgent. These names have a sense of humour while still sounding refined, and they work especially well for small dogs.

Biscuit, Brioche, Crumpet, Custard, Darjeeling, Truffle, Toffee, Fudge, Scone, Treacle, Maple, Bellini, Brandy, Champagne, Claret, Sherry, Rhubarb, Damson, Pudding, Saffron, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Pistachio, Macaron, Marmalade.

Regal names

For the dog who already behaves as if they own the sofa. Titles, royal names and grand estates, best delivered with a straight face.

Duke, Duchess, Baron, Baroness, Countess, Lord, Lady, Prince, Princess, Majesty, George, Victoria, Elizabeth, Edward, Henry, Charles, Anne, Windsor, Sovereign, Ascot, Balmoral, Sandringham, Tudor, Viscount, Marquess.

Choosing a name that works on a collar

If you plan to have your dog's name engraved, a few small decisions make a big difference to how it looks.

• Shorter names sit more cleanly. Engraving on a clasp or buckle has limited space, so a short name usually looks crisper and easier to read. If you love a long name, consider engraving the everyday version.
• Decide on the spelling. Names such as Ottilie, Darcy or Clemmie have more than one spelling. Pick one and use it everywhere: on the collar, at the vet and on the microchip record.
• Remember what the law asks for. In the UK, a dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it, either inscribed on the collar or on an attached plate or badge. A phone number is not required but is very sensible. Our guide to dog ID tag law explains it in full.
• Check before you order. Engraved pieces are made to order, so read the name and number back carefully before you confirm.

For example, The Kensington Collar has a warm gold quick-release clasp engraved with your dog's name and your number, and The Mayfair Collar has a solid gold-tone buckle engraved the same way. For more inspiration on what to put on a collar, read our dog collar engraving ideas, or browse the full personalisation collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is a posh name for a dog?

Good posh dog names include London places such as Mayfair and Kensington, classic British names such as Bertie and Clementine, and regal titles such as Duke and Duchess.

How many syllables should a dog's name have?

One or two syllables are quick to say and easy to call across a park. A longer formal name can have a short everyday version.

Should I put my dog's name on its collar?

It is a personal choice. The legal requirement in the UK is the owner's name and address, and a phone number is strongly advisable.

What makes a dog name easy to engrave?

A short name with a settled spelling engraves most cleanly. Check the spelling carefully before ordering, as engraved pieces are made to order.