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When you bring home a new Rottweiler pup, choosing the perfect name for them can be a daunting task. After all, they will have it for the rest of their lives, so choose carefully!
Finding the perfect name can be difficult early on because you are still getting to know your dog, and they might not yet have revealed all of their distinctive traits.
However, their overall appearance and breed characteristics can be a great place to start when selecting a name, as they are often a great source of inspiration.
Fortunately, Rottweilers are quite distinctive both in terms of their appearance and their temperament, which provides lots of ideas for names.
Read on for our top recommendations of the perfect Rottweiler names.
Rottweilers: A Breed Overview
The Rottweiler is one of the oldest dog breeds. It is thought to date back to Roman times, though the modern dog is considered a German breed.
They are herding dogs that were originally bred to guard valuable cattle. In fact, Rottweilers were often used by butchers in the middle ages to protect cattle, which led to the dogs being known as Rottweil Butcher’s Dogs.
Rottweilers are medium-to-large dogs and very strong. They have a black coat with clearly defined rich tan markings. These unique markings can make the dogs look like they are wearing a mask.
Despite having a reputation for violence, they are generally good-natured and placid dogs and are devoted, obedient, and eager to work. They tend to be confident and fearless yet incredibly loyal and intelligent.
Black Dog Names
Rottweilers are known for having sleek, black fur, so a name that gives a nod to their dominant color is often a good choice. Here are some names that reflect the Rottweiler’s rich black color.
- Doom – if they have a thundering, imposing footfall
- Ebony – ideal for a canine princess
- Espresso – for a small and energetic pup
- Fekete – “black” in Hungarian
- Grim – for lovers of dark omens and the macabre
- Hecate – the Greek goddess of magic
- Jet – for pups that love to run and zoom about
- Kuro – “black” in Japanese
- Musta – “black” in Finnish
- Noir – “black” in French
- Onyx – best suited for dark dogs with a flair for battle
- Panther – excellent for stealthy hunters who stalk their prey
- Raven – for dogs with an eagle eye
- Sabbath – a reference to the band, Black Sabbath
- Shadow – for a dog that loves to always be by your side
- Tumma – “dark” in Finnish
- Voodoo – embrace your dog’s magic with this name!
- Witch – for pups with a wicked streak
- Zumbi – the famous Brazilian freedom fighter
Find more recommendations for names for black-colored dogs here.
Masked Dog Names
Since your dog looks like they are wearing a mask, why not name them after one of your favorite masked heroes?
- Bandit – their coloring means they look like they are wearing a bandit’s mask, and they might also be good at stealing treats
- Bane – Tom Hardy’s strong villain from The Dark Knight Rises
- Batman – if your pup is strong like the hero and looks like they are wearing a bat mask!
- Dread – the pirate hero from The Princess Bride
- Ninja – a nod to their coloring and ideal if they like to sneak up behind you
- Phantom – the famous jungle hero, and the phantom of the Opera
- Stanley Ipkiss – Jim Carey’s character in The Mask
- Zorro – after the masked avenger played by Antonio Banderas
Strong Dog Names
Your dog is sure to grow up to have a sturdy build and a strong bark. Celebrate that strength with one of these powerful, commanding names!
- Arya – one of the strongest women from Game of Thrones
- Bruiser – ideal if they like to play and scrap
- Ekon – an African word for “strong”
- Jaws – ideal for a mouthy pup
- Jedrek – means “strong man” in Polish
- Kari – French for “strong”
- Knuckles – for dogs that pack a punch
- Maude – means “mighty battler” in German
- Shylah – Irish for “strong”
- Thor – the strongest of the Norse gods
- Takeo – the Japanese word for warrior that specifically means “strong like bamboo”
- Xena – as in the warrior princess played by Lucy Lawless
Roman Dog Names
Name your dog after one of the many Roman gods, emperors, and heroes who may have had an ancestor of the modern Rottweiler as a pet!
- Bacchus – the divine patron of wine and partying
- Bellona – the goddess of war
- Brutus – the senator that stabbed Julius Caesar in the back
- Caesar – the famous Roman general and dictator
- Decima – one of the three fates, and it also sounds like decimate!
- Diana – goddess of the hunt
- Faustulus – the shepherd who found Romulus and Remus
- Hannibal – the African general who terrorized the Romans
- Harpy – a female winged monster in Roman mythology
- Janus – the two-faced god of beginning and ending; ideal for a pup with multiple personalities
- Juno – the Roman goddess of women and motherhood
- Jupiter – the principal Roman deity
- Marcus Aurelius – the famous Roman emperor and philosopher
- Mars – the Roman god of war
- Maximinus Thrax – the Roman emperor that shares his name with Russel Crowe’s Gladiator
- Neptune – the Roman god of oceans and seas; ideal for enthusiastic swimmers
- Nero – the emperor who watched Rome burn
- Pluto – the Roman god of the underworld (and also the Disney dog!)
- Remus – one of the two brothers who founded Rome
- Romulus – the hero who founded Rome and gave the city its name (Roma for a girl)
- Strix – a bird that feeds on human flesh
- Vulcan – the Roman god of fire and metalworking
German Names
Pay tribute to your dog’s German heritage with these German-inspired dog names.
The following names are a mix of famous Germans and German words that happen to make nice names for Rottweiler pups.
- Annika – meaning “graceful”
- Axel – meaning “peaceful”
- Bismark – after the famous German statesman
- Britta – German for “strength”
- Cayden – meaning “spirit of battle”
- Donner – German for “thunder”
- Gunther – the name of a warrior
- Hamlin – meaning “he who loves his home”
- Hendrik – meaning “home ruler”
- Jaeger – German for “hunter”
- Kaja – the word for “alive”
- Lotti – for your little woman
- Petra – solid as a rock
- Ritter – a knight
- Tilli – the battle maiden
- Zelda – another fitting name for a battle maiden
- Zelig – meaning “blessed one”
- Zenzi – means “to spring up, grow, or thrive”
Shepherd Names
Since Rottweilers were originally bred for herding and still have a lot of herding tendencies (small children beware), why not give your dog a famous shepherd’s name?
- Amos – biblical prophet and shepherd
- Balki Bartokomous – the Greek shepherd from Perfect Strangers
- Kekec – a shepherd from Slovenian children’s stories
- Magnes – a shepherd boy from Roman times credited with discovering magnetism
- Mogarzea – the fairytale shepherd from The Violet Fairy Book
- Yra – an Italian vampire and shepherd
Popular Male Rottweiler Names
If none of the above names appeal to you, why not consider some of the most popular male dog names to see if one of them feels right?
- Baxter – sophisticated but sweet
- Bruno – meaning “brown” in German
- Chewy – like Han Solo’s companion
- Hunter – especially if they will chase anything
- Max – short, sweet, and simple
- Milo – the name of many popular dogs from film and TV
- Oreo – dark-colored, sweet, and good enough to eat!
- Oscar – reminiscent of Oscar the Grouch
- Sammy – a sweet name that it is easy for them to recognize
- Teddy – especially if they are cuddly
- Tyson – after the boxer, Mike Tyson
Popular Female Rottweiler Names
Bringing home a girl Rottweiler? Consider choosing one of these popular female dog names.
- Bella – ideal for a beauty
- Coco – as in Chanel
- Lilo – think Lilo and Stitch
- Luna – after the moon
- Mila – as in Jovovich, among others
- Phoenix – especially if they have endless energy
- River – perfect if they love to swim
- Vixen – when you can’t resist their eyes
How To Choose A Dog Name
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a name for your dog.
However, if you are struggling to settle on something or have differing opinions between family members, keep the following factors in mind to help narrow down your choices.
Short And Sweet Is Best
Choose something short, ideally only one or two syllables. Dogs understand sounds rather than words, and short words are easier for them to recognize and remember.
If you want to give your dog a more elaborate, longer name, at least consider how you might shorten it to use on a day-to-day basis.
Avoid Difficult Names
While a cool tongue twister might seem fun and interesting, it may soon become an irritation if you have to repeat it constantly.
Anyone who has a hard-to-pronounce name will tell you how annoying it is to have to correct people all the time. Do you really want to be doing this on behalf of your dog?
Also, remember that other people might need to use your dog’s name to bring them under control in emergency situations. You don’t want something that no one else can use.
Use Easy-To-Pronounce Sounds
It is a good idea to choose something that starts with a sibilant consonant or blend consonants, such as an S or an SH or a hard commanding consonant like a K or C.
These subtle choices will make it easier for your dog to distinguish their name from all the other ambient noise surrounding them, which means it will also be easier for you to get their attention.
Choose A Distinct Name
Avoid names that sound too much like commands that you will use regularly, such as “sit” or “stay,” as this can just confuse your pup.
For example, here are some common commands taught to service dogs as well as dogs in basic obedience training.
Remember, while dogs are very intelligent, they don’t actually understand language; they are just recognizing familiar sounds.
So, if their name sounds too much like a command that you use regularly, they may confuse the two words.
Avoid Offensive Names
While a slightly rude or edgy name can feel fun at first, remember that you will often need to use your dog’s name in public.
This means you’ll sometimes have to shout it loudly, and sometimes you’ll need to use it in front of children and strangers. This is why it is rarely a good idea to choose something rude or potentially offensive.
Remember, once you have chosen a name for your dog, you will still need to teach them to recognize it. Read a complete guide on teaching your dog their name here.
FAQs About Rottweilers
Are Rottweilers aggressive?
Studies suggest that Rottweilers are no more aggressive than other dogs when it comes to their families and other dogs.
However, they tend to be very wary of strangers, which can lead to aggression. Proper socialization and training is essential to keep these instincts in check.
Do Rottweilers like to cuddle?
Rottweilers do like to cuddle, but only with people that they trust. They will love to sleep in bed with you if you let them. Just don’t let them sleep with small children, as these large dogs can be unaware of their weight.
Are Rottweilers banned?
There are restrictions on Rottweiler ownership in many states, so it is important to check local laws before adopting.
Restrictions could include muzzling in public, spaying and neutering requirements, leash restriction, hanging warnings, and even purchasing liability insurance.
The Verdict
Choosing a name for your dog can be a daunting task, especially since it is something that we tend to do while we are still getting to know our pups.
This is why it is a good idea to draw inspiration from concrete characteristics, such as the way they look or consistent temperament traits associated with the breed.
With Rottweilers, there’s a ton of potential inspiration for names. Their strong bodies, black coloring, and masked faces all give a lot of ideas for unique names.
The breed’s rich German and Roman heritage also provides plenty of naming options.
Above all, when naming your dog, be sure to keep these factors in mind:
- Choose a name that is easy to pronounce
- Opt for something short and memorable
- Avoid offensive names or names that sound too similar to commands like “sit” or “stay”
If you are still struggling to choose a name, remember that you don’t have to be in a rush to name your dog.
Waiting a week or two to pick the perfect name won’t make it any more difficult to teach them their name, but it might give you a chance to find something that is just right.
Do you have a Rottweiler? What is their name? Share your ideas with the community in the comments section below.
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