Naming your Golden Retriever can be an enjoyable yet challenging task. These friendly, intelligent, and loyal dogs deserve a name that matches their wonderful traits. To help you in your search, I’ve categorized 400 best dog names for golden retrievers into various themes, ensuring there’s something for every type of Golden Retriever and their personality.

Best Dog Names For Golden Retrievers|Call Your Best Buddy

1. Classic Names

These timeless best dog names for golden retrievers never go out of style and perfectly suit the Golden Retriever’s friendly and approachable nature.

Male Classic Names

1. Charlie
2. Buddy
3. Max
4. Duke
5. Cooper
6. Bailey
7. Bear
8. Buster
9. Lucky
10. Toby

Female Classic Names

1. Bella
2. Lucy
3. Daisy
4. Molly
5. Lola
6. Sadie
7. Maggie
8. Ruby
9. Rosie
10. Penny

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2. Names Inspired by Golden Retrievers’ Traits

These best dog names for golden retrievers highlight the Golden Retriever’s intelligence, loyalty, and love of sunshine.

Male Trait-Inspired Names

1. Sunshine
2. Champ
3. Comet
4. Hunter
5. Scout
6. Ranger
7. Ace
8. Flash
9. Valor
10. Blaze

Female Trait-Inspired Names

1. Ember
2. Goldie
3. Honey
4. Clementine
5. Sunshine
6. Kindle
7. Amber
8. Spark
9. Whisper
10. Glow

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3. Food-Themed Names

These playful names are a fun way to reference the Golden Retriever’s love of food.

Male Food-Themed Names

1. Biscuit
2. Waffles
3. Muffin
4. Barley
5. Rusty (for a red Golden Retriever)
6. Butterscotch
7. Hershey
8. Noodle
9. Pretzel
10. Marmalade

Female Food-Themed Names

1. Cookie
2. Nutella
3. Ginger
4. Honey
5. Peanut
6. Pepper
7. Nutmeg
8. Cinnamon
9. Clementine
10. Butterscotch

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4. Mythological and Literary Names

Golden Retrievers are majestic creatures, so why not give them a name fit for a legend?

Male Mythological/Literary Names

1. Odin (Norse god)
2. Apollo (Greek god of music, poetry, light, healing, and archery)
3. Thor (Norse god of thunder)
4. Zeus (Greek king of the gods)
5. Atlas (Greek Titan who held the heavens aloft)
6. Arthur (legendary king of Britain)
7. Merlin (legendary wizard and advisor to King Arthur)
8. Hercules (Greek hero known for his strength)
9. Loki (Norse god known for his mischief)
10. Beowulf (legendary Geatish hero)

Female Mythological/Literary Names

1. Freyja (Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, war, and magic)
2. Artemis (Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, childbirth, and protectress of girls)
3. Athena (Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare)
4. Hera (Greek queen of the gods, women, marriage, family, and childbirth)
5. Diana (Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and wilderness)
6. Guinevere (legendary queen of Britain and wife of King Arthur)
7. Morgan le Fay (legendary sorceress and Arthur’s fairy half-sister)
8. Medusa (mythical figure with snakes for hair)
9. Circe (sorceress in Greek mythology)
10. Isis (Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood)

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5. Pop Culture-Inspired Names

These names are a fun way to show your love for your favorite TV shows, movies, or books.

General Pop Culture Names

1. Sky (from Air Bud)
2. Bolt (from the movie Bolt)
3. Marley (from Marley & Me)
4. Lassie (from the collie of the same name)
5. Scooby (from Scooby-Doo)
6. Shadow (from Homeward Bound)
7. Hooch (from Turner & Hooch)
8. Toto (from The Wizard of Oz)
9. Beethoven (from the Beethoven movie series)
10. Old Yeller (from the novel and film Old Yeller)

Pop Culture Characters

1. Chewie (from Star Wars)
2. Stiles (from Teen Wolf)
3. Sirius (from Harry Potter)
4. Luna (from Harry Potter)
5. Rory (from Gilmore Girls)
6. Arya (from Game of Thrones)
7. Dobby (from Harry Potter)
8. Elsa (from Frozen)
9. Simba (from The Lion King)
10. Moana (from Moana)

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6. Historical Names

Historical names can add a touch of grandeur and timelessness to your Golden Retriever’s identity.

Male Historical Names

1. Winston (after Winston Churchill)
2. Lincoln (after Abraham Lincoln)
3. Caesar (after Julius Caesar)
4. Napoleon (after Napoleon Bonaparte)
5. Galileo (after Galileo Galilei)
6. Einstein (after Albert Einstein)
7. Edison (after Thomas Edison)
8. Da Vinci (after Leonardo da Vinci)
9. Mandela (after Nelson Mandela)
10. Tesla (after Nikola Tesla)

Female Historical Names

1. Cleopatra (Egyptian queen)
2. Florence (after Florence Nightingale)
3. Joan (after Joan of Arc)
4. Eleanor (after Eleanor Roosevelt)
5. Marie (after Marie Curie)
6. Amelia (after Amelia Earhart)
7. Rosa (after Rosa Parks)
8. Ada (after Ada Lovelace)
9. Frida (after Frida Kahlo)
10. Elizabeth (after Queen Elizabeth I)

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7. Travel-Inspired Names

For the adventurous Golden Retriever, travel-inspired names can be an excellent fit.

Male Travel-Inspired Names

1. Hudson (after the Hudson River)
2. Everest (after Mount Everest)
3. Atlas (a collection of maps)
4. Rio (after Rio de Janeiro)
5. Cairo (after the capital of Egypt)
6. Diego (after San Diego)
7. Paris (after the capital of France)
8. Sydney (after the city in Australia)
9. Aspen (after the Colorado town)
10. Orlando (after the city in Florida)

Female Travel-Inspired Names

1. Vienna (after the capital of Austria)
2. Sahara (after the Sahara Desert)
3. Savannah (after the city in Georgia)
4. Florence (after the city in Italy)
5. Dakota (after the U.S. states)
6. Geneva (after the city in Switzerland)
7. Alaska (after the U.S. state)
8. India (after the country)
9. Kenya (after the country in Africa)
10. Sydney (after the city in Australia)

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8. Science Fiction and Fantasy Names

For fans of science fiction and fantasy, these best dog names for golden retrievers can give your Golden Retriever a touch of magic or futuristic flair.

Male Sci-Fi/Fantasy Names

1. Thorin (from The Hobbit)
2. Gandalf (from The Lord of the Rings)
3. Neo (from The Matrix)
4. Spock (from Star Trek)
5. Frodo (from The Lord of the Rings)
6. Aragorn (from The Lord of the Rings)
7. Loki (from Marvel Comics)
8. Anakin (from Star Wars)
9. Tyrion (from Game of Thrones)
10. Link (from The Legend of Zelda)

Female Sci-Fi/Fantasy Names

1. Arwen (from The Lord of the Rings)
2. Daenerys (from Game of Thrones)
3. Leia (from Star Wars)
4. Galadriel (from The Lord of the Rings)
5. Eowyn (from The Lord of the Rings)
6. Sansa (from Game of Thrones)
7. Hermione (from Harry Potter)
8. Katniss (from The Hunger Games)
9. Lyra (from His Dark Materials)
10. Rey (from Star Wars)

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9. Floral and Botanical Names

Floral and botanical names can be a great choice for a Golden Retriever, reflecting their beauty and grace.

Male Floral/Botanical Names

1. Ash
2. Cedar
3. Basil
4. Hawthorn
5. Juniper
6. Reed
7. Sage
8. Rowan
9. Forest
10. Oak

Female Floral/Botanical Names

1. Lily
2. Rose
3. Daisy
4. Poppy
5. Ivy
6. Jasmine
7. Violet
8. Holly
9. Marigold
10. Fern

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10. Gemstone-Inspired Names

Gemstone-inspired names can add a touch of elegance and sparkle to your Golden Retriever’s name.

Male Gemstone Names

1. Jasper
2. Onyx
3. Flint
4. Jet
5. Slate
6. Granite
7. Quartz
8. Topaz
9. Malachite
10. Garnet

Female Gemstone Names

1. Ruby
2. Jade
3. Pearl
4. Opal
5. Amber
6. Sapphire
7. Amethyst
8. Crystal
9. Coral
10. Diamond

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11. Names Based on Personality

Names that reflect your Golden Retriever’s unique personality can be very fitting.

Male Personality-Based Names

1. Happy
2. Buddy
3. Jolly
4. Sparky
5. Lucky
6. Brave
7. Rebel
8. Hero
9. Smiley
10. Chief

Female Personality-Based Names

1. Joy
2. Sweetie
3. Angel
4. Diva
5. Star
6. Charm
7. Peppy
8. Merry
9. Hope
10. Sunny

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12. Weather-Inspired Names

Weather-inspired names can be a unique choice for Golden Retrievers, reflecting their dynamic and energetic nature.

Male Weather-Inspired Names

1. Storm
2. Thunder
3. Rain
4. Blizzard
5. Frost
6. Cyclone
7. Tornado
8. Hurricane
9. Cloud
10. Gust

Female Weather-Inspired Names

1. Misty
2. Sunny
3. Rain
4. Breeze
5. Snowflake
6. Stormy
7. Hail
8. Tempest
9. Sky
10. Aurora

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13. Artistic and Musical Names

Continuing from the previous section, here are more names inspired by art and music.

Male Artistic/Musical Names

1. Jazz
2. Lyric
3. Chord
4. Reed (musical instrument part)
5. Harmony
6. Tempo
7. Banjo
8. Fiddle
9. Riff
10. Sax

Female Artistic/Musical Names

1. Melody
2. Harmony
3. Lyric
4. Aria
5. Cadence
6. Sonata
7. Rhapsody
8. Harmony
9. Serenade
10. Symphony

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14. Nature-Inspired Names

Nature-inspired best dog names for golden retrievers can beautifully reflect the Golden Retriever’s love for the outdoors.

Male Nature-Inspired Names

1. River
2. Forest
3. Oak
4. Birch
5. Rocky
6. Cedar
7. Wolf
8. Hawk
9. Storm
10. Flint

Female Nature-Inspired Names

1. Willow
2. Daisy
3. Fern
4. Ivy
5. Meadow
6. Skye
7. Rain
8. Autumn
9. Misty
10. Blossom

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15. Names Inspired by Colors

Given their beautiful golden coats, color-inspired names can be particularly fitting.

Male Color-Inspired Names

1. Rusty
2. Copper
3. Amber
4. Crimson
5. Sable
6. Slate
7. Ash
8. Sterling
9. Ebony
10. Jasper

Female Color-Inspired Names

1. Ivory
2. Hazel
3. Ruby
4. Pearl
5. Coral
6. Violet
7. Scarlet
8. Rose
9. Jade
10. Topaz

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16. Sporty Names

For active and energetic Golden Retrievers, sporty names can be a great match.

Male Sporty Names

1. Dash
2. Chase
3. Ryder
4. Maverick
5. Blitz
6. Jett
7. Duke
8. Rocket
9. Titan
10. Boomer

Female Sporty Names

1. Sprint
2. Dash
3. Sable
4. Echo
5. Sprint
6. Jinx
7. Harley
8. Juno
9. Vixen
10. Shasta

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17. Royal and Noble Names

Names that convey a sense of nobility and regality can be perfect for the dignified Golden Retriever.

Male Royal/Noble Names

1. King
2. Prince
3. Duke
4. Baron
5. Caesar
6. Sultan
7. Earl
8. Knight
9. Emperor
10. Marquis

Female Royal/Noble Names

1. Queen
2. Princess
3. Duchess
4. Empress
5. Lady
6. Contessa
7. Baroness
8. Tsarina
9. Countess
10. Marchioness

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18. Artistic and Musical Names

For the Golden Retriever with a creative and soulful spirit, artistic and musical names can be a fitting choice.

Male Artistic/Musical Names

1. Mozart
2. Picasso
3. Lennon
4. Hendrix
5. Bach
6. Ringo
7. Rembrandt
8. Van Gogh
9. Beethoven
10. Monet

Female Artistic/Musical Names

1. Billie (after Billie Holiday)
2. Ella (after Ella Fitzgerald)
3. Frida (after Frida Kahlo)
4. Adele
5. Aretha (after Aretha Franklin)
6. Sia
7. Joni (after Joni Mitchell)
8. Madonna
9. Stevie (after Stevie Nicks)
10. Björk

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19. Adventure and Explorer Names

For Golden Retrievers with a love of adventure and exploration, these names capture the spirit of discovery.

Male Adventure/Explorer Names

1. Columbus (after Christopher Columbus)
2. Marco (after Marco Polo)
3. Drake (after Sir Francis Drake)
4. Magellan (after Ferdinand Magellan)
5. Vasco (after Vasco da Gama)
6. Shackleton (after Ernest Shackleton)
7. Roald (after Roald Amundsen)
8. Indiana (after Indiana Jones)
9. Bear (after Bear Grylls)
10. Boone (after Daniel Boone)

Female Adventure/Explorer Names

1. Amelia (after Amelia Earhart)
2. Sacagawea (Native American explorer)
3. Beryl (after Beryl Markham)
4. Freya (after Freya Stark)
5. Isabella (after Isabella Bird)
6. Gertrude (after Gertrude Bell)
7. Junko (after Junko Tabei)
8. Nellie (after Nellie Bly)
9. Dora (after Dora the Explorer)
10. Valentina (after Valentina Tereshkova, first woman in space)

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20. Star and Space-Inspired Names

Names inspired by stars and space can be perfect for Golden Retrievers who are as bright and wondrous as the night sky.

Male Star/Space-Inspired Names

1. Orion (constellation)
2. Apollo (NASA’s lunar missions)
3. Cosmos (universe)
4. Astro (astronaut)
5. Comet (celestial body)
6. Rocket (spacecraft)
7. Nebula (interstellar cloud)
8. Titan (moon of Saturn)
9. Pulsar (type of neutron star)
10. Vega (bright star in the Lyra constellation)

Female Star/Space-Inspired Names

1. Luna (moon)
2. Nova (stellar explosion)
3. Stella (Latin for star)
4. Celeste (heavenly)
5. Astra (from the stars)
6. Aurora (northern lights)
7. Andromeda (galaxy)
8. Lyra (constellation)
9. Cassiopeia (constellation)
10. Galaxy (large system of stars)

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Tips for Choosing the Perfect Name

1. Simplicity and Ease of Learning

Choose a name that is easy for your dog to learn. Ideally, names with one or two syllables are best as they are simple and quick for your dog to recognize and respond to.

2. Avoiding Confusion with Commands

Avoid names that sound too similar to common commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” or “no.” This can help prevent any confusion during training.

3. Personal Connection

Pick a name that you love and that reflects your dog’s personality. Whether it’s a nod to their playful nature, their golden hue, or your favorite hobby or interest, the best names often have personal meaning.

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Final Considerations

When choosing the best dog names for golden retrievers, consider how the name will fit them as they grow. A name that suits a playful puppy might also be suitable for a dignified adult dog. Make sure to pick a name you’ll be happy calling out at the park and that your dog will respond to with joy and enthusiasm.

Remember, the best name for your Golden Retriever is one that you feel a connection to, and that brings a smile to your face every time you say it. Enjoy the process of finding that perfect name for your new best friend!