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204 Red Dog Names Perfect for Ginger Pups

Woman hugging her red dog
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Naming your dog is a big decision, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. But starting with your dog’s physical characteristics is a good place to dive in. And if your dog has an auburn coat, you may want to start by considering red dog names inspired by the fiery color.  

The following dog breeds are all known for their reddish or ginger-colored coats:

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever  
  • Irish Terrier
  • American English Coonhound
  • Irish Red and White Setter
  • Dachshunds
  • Redbone Coonhound  

Settling on the perfect red dog name can take some serious brainstorming, so we did the work for you. From famous Hollywood actors, unforgettable characters, and historical figures, 204 cute names for red dogs for female and male pups are listed below:

Best Red Dog Names

  • Dynamite
  • Ember
  • Flame
  • Garnet
  • Heinz
  • Mars
  • Phoenix
  • Radish
  • Rusty
  • Twizzler

Dynamite: Derived from the ancient Greek god of power, dynamite translates to “power.” Dynamite sticks are red in color, making this name an ideal selection for dogs with a lot of energy. Bonus: You can call him “Dyno” for short.

Ember: If your dog is the spark in your life, consider calling her Ember. The word is of English origin and translates to ‘spark.’

Flame: A flame emits heat and light and represents something burning. With a name like Flame, your dog is not only the hottest pooch around, but she also sizzles!

Garnet: Although Ruby is a red gemstone, so is the lesser-known garnet. The month of January coincides with the garnet, but this gem is so fiery and breathtaking that it would suit any red dog no matter her birth month.

Heinz: Heinz is of old german origin that translates to “home leader.” It can be short for Heinrich or used in place of Henry. On a fun note, Heinz is a brand of ketchup that is the color red.

Mars: The fourth planet from the sun, and it is also called ‘the red planet.’ Mars is the Roman god of war and represents energy, action, and desire. One-syllable dog names are very hip and unique.

Phoenix: In Greek, the name Phoenix translates to crimson, which is a shade of red. In Greek mythology, Phoenix is the name of a bird who lived for a long time and could regenerate itself or become reborn from its ashes. If you love the idea of eternity and strength, Phoenix is a great option.

Radish: This unisex name for boy or girl dogs packs a powerful punch. The radish is a reddish-white vegetable that grows in gardens. Your smaller red pooch could be called “Rad” for short.

Rusty: Rust is a reddish-brown color and a popular yet underused name for reddish, dark blonde, copper, or reddish-brown dogs. There’s no doubt about your dog’s color if you call him Rusty.

Twizzler: How cute would it be to call out, “Come here, Twizzler” to your pooch/?! The shortened version, “Twizz,” is absolutely cool as a cucumber. Twizzlers is the name brand of the popular licorice, so if you have a red, cool dog, this name is perfect.

Female Red Dog Names

Female red dog

Lucy: There may not be a more famous redhead than Lucille Ball, the actress and comedian from I Love Lucy fame. Not only does this name pay homage, but if your pup is anything like the real Lucille, she is feisty and full of spunk.

Poppy: Just like its flower namesake, Poppy is the perfect name for a red pup. Poppy’s are red in color and originally from Central Asia. 

Cherry: This fruit is sweet and summery, and it’s deep red color would be perfect for any pup with a darker hue. Plus, you and your pup could rock out to Warran’s “Cherry Pie” on repeat. How cute! 

Rosie: Another flower name fit for red dogs. Of course, while roses come in a plethora of colors, the red rose may be the most synonymous with love. 

Scarlett: This red hue would suit any lady canine, especially if you’re a fan of Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind.

Ruby: Naming your dog after a semi-precious stone will make her seem regal and fancy. This stone has the highest per-carat price of any colored gemstone, according to the Gemological Institute of America. And your girl is worth it!

Valentine: The color red is synonymous with this yearly day of love. The holiday gets its name from Saint Valentine, a Catholic saint that lived in the 3rd century. 

Glinda: Glinda The Good Witch from the 1939 film Wizard of Oz had gorgeous, fiery hair and a kind spirit. She was played by actress Billie Burke. And everyone knows your pup has cast a spell on you!

Cinnamon: Cinnamon, spice, and everything nice! This spice is synonymous with warmth and flavor. If your pup has one (or both), it’s a perfect fit.

Pippy: For literary fans, Pippy Longstocking was the fictional character made famous by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s children’s books. Pippy Longstocking was playful, strong, and unconventional—characteristics of plenty of pups!

More Female Red Dog Names

  • Carmine
  • Elizabeth (after Queen Elizabeth I)
  • Anne (Anne of Green Gables)
  • Jessica Rabbit
  • Spice
  • Lady (Ladybug)
  • Annie (Annie the Orphan)
  • Reba (Reba McIntrye)
  • Ariel (for all you Disney fans)
  • Aka (means ‘red’ in Japanese)
  • Apple
  • Autumn
  • Flannery
  • Henna
  • Merlot
  • Paprika (a spice)
  • Penny
  • Raspberry or Razzy
  • Rosalie
  • Rouge (means ‘red’ in French)
  • Sienna

Male Red Dog Names

Male red dog in snow

Weasley: That’s right—if you love the Harry Potter films, you’ll recognize this name from Ron Weasley, Harry’s best friend. Played by actor Rupert Grint, the name is synonymous with Potter fans.

Clifford: Clifford, The Big Red Dog was made famous by author Norman Bridwell in his children’s books. It was also turned into the popular TV show, Clifford.

Willie: Country and folk singer Willie Nelson is known for his long hair, and he’s a natural redhead.

Vincent: Art fans will appreciate this one. Famous French impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh had bright, fiery hair. So if your dog has a creative streak, this name is a masterpiece. Just watch out for your pup’s ears!

Harry: Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is the son of future King of England, Charles Prince of Wales. For a while, he was the bad boy of the royal family—and maybe your dog is following suit. But Prince Harry has now settled down and is living in the United States with his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie.

Flash: This famous DC Comics superhero Flash (aka Barry Allen) always wears his iconic red bodysuit that makes him the fastest man in the world. If you and your dog both love comics (and the color red), this is a great tribute.  

Chuck: Martial artist and notorious tough guy Chuck Norris is a natural redhead. If his personality is anything like your pup, or you’re just a fan, this name will suit him well.

Ziggy: Singer David Bowie was known for changing up his looks, and one of his most famous red-haired moments was when he debuted Ziggy Stardust.

Conan: Famous late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien is famous for his bright red, well-coiffed hair. If your red dog has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, we couldn’t think of a better moniker. 

Lucky: If you’re a cereal fan, then you know that the Lucky Charms character is named Lucky the Leprechaun. And we’ll take our chance on this Irish-inspired red dog name any day. 

More Male Red Dog Names

  • Elmo
  • Curry
  • Ed (Ed Sheeran) 
  • Chili (For people who like some Spanish flavor)
  • George (George Washington)
  • Thomas (Thomas Jefferson)
  • Pepper
  • Stitch (Lilo and Stitch)
  • Blaze (also the white stripe running up a dog’s face between the eyes)
  • Brick
  • Carrot Top
  • Copper
  • Crimson
  • Freckles
  • Harvest
  • Lava
  • Lobster
  • Maple
  • Maroon
  • Pumpkin
  • Red Rover
  • Xavier
cute red dog sitting in grass

Cute Red Dog Names

Short, sweet, and to the point: Here is our roundup of the cutest names for red dogs:

  • Aster (a red flower)
  • Berry
  • Blush
  • Candy Apple
  • Chimney
  • Clay
  • Coral
  • Currant
  • Curry
  • Eldora (Spanish for covered with gold)
  • Gogi (like the red berry)
  • Gough (Australian for red)
  • Hibiscus
  • Koi (like the fish, but also a pun on ‘coy’)
  • Mahogany
  • Maraschino
  • Panda (like the red Panda)
  • Radcliff (the red cliff)
  • Saffron (a spice)
  • Salmon
  • Scully (like the red-headed character from the X Files)
  • Sequoia
  • Stoplight
  • Sunny
  • Titan
  • Tomato
  • Topaz
  • Vulcan (Roman God of fire)
  • Watermelon
  • Wilma (from the Flintstones)

Funny Red Dog Names

Get ready to smile and laugh at these funny red dog names that are sure to tickle your funny bone.

  • Big Red
  • Candle
  • Chili
  • Chucky
  • Coppertop
  • Deadpool (he wore a red costume)
  • Fire Breath
  • Fireball
  • Gingersnap
  • Hot Rod
  • Jam
  • Mai Tai
  • Marinara
  • Match
  • Raggedy Andy
  • Raggedy Ann
  • Red Bull
  • Red Bullet
  • Red Hot
  • Redwood
  • Salsa
  • Scorcher
  • Spice Girl
  • Spitfire
  • Volcano
smiling red dog looks on

Big Red Dog Names

If you’ve got a big dog, you’ll want to choose a name that suits the color and personality of your bundle of furry joy. Here are some of our favorites, along with an explanation for each:

  • Benedict – Like Benedict Cumberbatch, the tall, red-headed actor
  • Bunyan – The tall lumberjack with a red and black shirt of folklore
  • Cardinal – The red bird who stands out with a bright color
  • Cayenne – Like the hot and spicy pepper
  • Erik – A famous Norseman noted for his love of exploration and his red beard
  • Fiona – Shrek’s wife
  • Jessica – Like Jessica Rabbit, the tall cartoon character from Roger Rabbit
  • Kidman – Like Nicole Kidman, the famous red-headed actress
  • Pepperoni: Like a long piece of pepperoni, big dogs can carry this name well
  • Phineas – Like the red-headed male character in Phineas and Ferb
  • Rogan – Which translates to red-headed in Irish
  • Solo – Like a tall, red Solo cup
  • Thor – The red-haired Norse God
  • Turner – Like the dog in the movie Turner and Hooch with Tom Hanks
  • Yosemite Sam – The larger-than-life cartoon character

Dog Names That Mean Red

Sometimes there’s more to a name than it seems. Many pet parents prefer to name their red dogs after a word from another culture or language. Here are some big dog names that mean red and their translation.

  • Ad (Arabic meaning settler; Germanic mean noble wolf or son of red earth) – Boy
  • Addey (Hebrew meaning of red earth) – Boy
  • Alal (Kurdish word for red rose) – Girl
  • Akari (Japanese name meaning bright red flower) – Girl
  • Arusha (Hindu name meaning red) – Girl
  • Attin (Hebrew word for man, a variant of the name Adam meaning red earth) – Boy
  • Carmine (Latin for vivid red) – Boy
  • Falguna (name of Hindu month, one that is reddish like a fruit) – -Boy
  • Flannacan (derived from the Irish word Flann, ruddy or red-haired person) – Girl
  • Gilderoy (male Celtic name, redhead) – Boy
  • Luta (Native American word for red) – Boy
  • Kamala (Hindu name meaning red) – Girl
  • Maltiades (Ancient Greek word for red earth) – Boy
  • Phalgun (name of a Hindu month, red, reddish) – Boy
  • Rey (Latin for King; Celtic for ruddy or red-haired king) – Boy
  • Roana (Spanish for reddish-brown) – Girl
  • Rossa (Italian for red) – Girl
  • Roth (German for red-headed) – Boy
  • Rysc (Anglo-French for red-haired) – Boy
  • Zurab (Georgian form of Sohrab, meaning illustrious and shine or red water) – Boy
Cute red dog staring at camera

Irish Names For Red Dogs

If you prefer an Irish name for your red dog, here’s a list of names with their corresponding translations:

  • Alma: Caring, fostering soul
  • Ciara: Fiery
  • Clancy: Red-headed warrior
  • Corc: Red, crimson, or heart
  • Derry: Like a red oak
  • Flann: Ruddy or red-haired
  • Eabha (ey-va): Irish form of Even, life, mother of all living
  • Fan: Free one, fiery red
  • Flanna: Red-haired
  • Flannery: Red eyebrows
  • Flynn: Son of the red-haired one
  • Harkin: Red
  • Laoise (lee-sha): Radiant girl, light
  • Niamh (neev or nee-iv): Radiant, luster, brightness
  • Omaira: Long life or red
  • Redmond: Wise protector
  • Roisin: Little rose
  • Roone: Red-haired
  • Rory: Red ruler, dawn
  • Rousseau: Red hair or complexion
  • Ruadhan (roo-awn): Red-haired
  • Ruaidhri: Red King of the Irish people
  • Rufina: Red-haired or rough
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever red dog

Red Wine Names For Dogs

There are plenty of varieties of red wines from which to select your red dog’s name. You can always shorten these to something catchy. For example, Bordeaux can be “Bordi.”

  • Barolo
  • Barbera
  • Beaujolais
  • Bordeaux
  • Burgundy
  • Carmenere
  • Chianti
  • Grenache
  • Hermitage
  • Lambrusco
  • Malbec
  • Merlot
  • Nebbiolo
  • Pinot
  • Sangiovese
  • Shiraz
  • Tempranillo
  • Zinfandel

If you still aren’t convinced that these red dog names really represent your dog’s true personality and spirit (hey—no offense taken), try our Pet Name Generator. This tool is designed to match you with the perfect name for your new dog based on your answers to a couple of fun-to-answer-questions. Give it a go!