Introduction
When seeking a new name for your dog, it can be confusing as there are so many choices. You want a name that not only suits your dog, but one that means something to you as well. For example, if you are an art fan or artist, consider choosing a name from your passion as a unique and personalised name. This choice provides a selection of names that not only can suit your new companion, but will make you feel happy every time you use its name. For example, if your new female puppy is soft, cute and almost serene, you could call her Mona, after the famous Mona Lisa painting done by Leonardo da Vinci. Or if your new companion is thoughtful and slightly reserved, Rodin might suit him well after the French artist and sculptor famous for the work, The Thinker!
Painting Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
Featured Famous Dog with a Painting Inspired Name
Uggie
Uggie is a Jack Russell Terrier who stared in a movie called The Artist, where he stole the show with his clever portrayal as loyal companion named Jack (wonder why) to an aging movie actor who was struggling with the sudden introduction of talking movies. The movie is set in 1927 in the era of black and white movies. It was released in May 2011 and astounded everyone by its success. Uggie (Jack's real name) was a rescue dog saved from the dog pound by an animal trainer called Omar von Muller who saw potential in this little dog and took him home and trained him. This clever dog also starred in another movie called Water for Elephants, with actress Reece Witherspoon. Uggie's versatility and creative spirit won him a Palm Dog Award in Cannes in 2011 as well as the imprint of his paws in the Walk of Fame.
In the movie The Artist, Uggie stole the attention of the mass media and critics described him as stealing every scene. Uggie had two stunt doubles in the film, named Dash and Dude - true Hollywood dog names, who were colored to look like like the dog star. But in reality, Uggie did his own stunts and the doubles were barely required. We all know how dogs show dedication to a task if trained well and given respect and a ton of praise. Uggie was no different, he blossomed under his new owners training and became quite famous even walking the red carpet at the American Film Institutes premier of the film.
Other appearances of this amazing and charismatic dog included charity events in aid of Dogs Trust to help other pooches less fortunate than himself. Uggie appeared opposite another Jack Russell Terrier name Cosmos from Mike Mills'Beginners in a photo shoot spread for the Hollywood Reporter. A true companion, he retired with his owner to enjoy a less hectic lifestyle.
Many dogs have been the catalyst for a movie's success, including a dog called Enzo, who played Skip in My Dog Skip. Enzo's father was a dog called Moose, who starred in the television sitcom Frasier. Moose and Enzo are awesome names, as is Uggie - they are all quite original and easy to remember.
Painting Inspired Dog Name Considerations
Chose a name for your dog that is neither embarrassing, vulgar or insulting. Remember you will be introducing your dog to many people so you don't want a red face from an inappropriate name. The name you choose should be easily understood by your dog, don't make it too close in sound to any commands you use, to prevent confusing your dog. A dog named May can cause confusion with the command to 'stay'. The name Plumb can be confused with the command 'come'. Chose a name, then think carefully how it will work for your dog. Try it out on your best friend a few times and see it they understand it. Names are a special endowment for your pet, try to make it an appropriate label that compliments your dog. And remember, when you call out your dog's name, you nor your dog want to be embarrassed by it!
Male Painting Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Degas French artist specialising in realism creations | |
| 7 | Tobey In honor of Mark Tobey, American painter | |
| 7 | Pablo Yes, as in Picasso who is a well known famous painter | |
| 5 | Jet As in jet black, a color used by artists and painters | |
| 5 | Soot Often used to create an outline in a drawing or to give a sooty effect | |
| 5 | Nardo Short for the famous Leonardo da Vinci | |
| 4 | Carbon A color or a style of transferring an image | |
| 4 | Gorky Weird name but may appeal to some, from the abstract painter of the same name | |
| 3 | Eraser Wipes out mistakes ... sounds ominous but original | |
| 3 | Viggo Taken from Viggo Johansen, a Dutch painter | |
| 3 | Nash Englishman Paul Nash - artist extraordinaire provides this name; he excelled painting surrealist and war creations | |
| 3 | Banksy English graffiti artist of renowned talent | |
| 3 | Rodin Nice and simple - this name is perfect for your best friend and comes from the French sculptor. | |
| 3 | Albus A shade of white that is used in painting | |
| 2 | Boris Basic, tough, yep good for a big dog; comes from Boris Margo, the artist | |
| 2 | Otto Another artist/painter that we can thank for borrowing his name, Otto Mueller from Germany | |
| 1 | Inky As in ink, a medium used by a painter | |
| 1 | Greco El Greco the Greek artist gives us this name | |
| 1 | Spot Could also be splash; an effect when flicking paint on a canvas | |
| 1 | Jack The name of the dog in the movie The Artist | |
| 0 | Chisel A tool used in painting | |
| 0 | Ochre Not as tough as it sounds, it is a brown color used by painters | |
| -2 | Easel Strange but effective name especially for an artistic dog owner | |
| -2 | Rufus Great dog name, we've taken it the from painter Rufus Hathaway | |
| -2 | Ceza Cezane was a French post impressionist painter | |
| -3 | Bodger This unique name comes from the novel The Incredible Journey by creator Shirley Burnford | |
| -3 | Bristol An art board that has a smooth texture | |
| -3 | Alabaster This name can suit a male or female white dog, also means a symbol of new beginnings |
Female Painting Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Goya Taken from Francisco Goya, a Spanish romantic painter | |
| 7 | Kiki Short and cute, take from an Austrian pop artist called Kiki Kogelnik | |
| 7 | Mona Yes, from the famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci | |
| 6 | Pippin Horace Pippin is the name of an African American artist; his surname suits a female dog perfectly | |
| 6 | Muse Goddess of the Arts | |
| 6 | Dante We honor Dante Gabriel Rossetti - an English artist | |
| 6 | Indigo The description of a blue color - a modern popular name | |
| 6 | Sava Taken from the artist Anne Savage, a Canadian painter | |
| 6 | Geisha Inspired from the Japanese traditional female entertainer/hostess who paints her face in an exotic style | |
| 5 | Dali Inspired by the artist Salvador Dali who was a Spanish surrealist | |
| 5 | Miro Original name, comes from Joan Miro who loved to paint and sculpt | |
| 5 | Chalk Truly original for a white dog, chalk is a good choice for the artist owner | |
| 4 | Yazzie Melanie Yazzie, artist - specialised in painting and sculpting | |
| 4 | Raven Blue black color, the raven is often drawn in dramatic paintings as a harbinger of death | |
| 4 | Gauche An opaque white shade popular in painting | |
| 3 | Minnie Not the mouse but from Minnie Evans, an artist of renowned talent | |
| 3 | Pastel Sounds better when someone speaks with an accent, pastel is a coloring medium often in blocks or pencils | |
| 3 | Angel A take from Michael Angelo's name (the famous artist) | |
| 3 | Sienna A color artists use to create with - a warm orange/brown | |
| 3 | Eva Honoring Eva Hesse the American German sculpture artist | |
| 3 | Ghost An effect the artist creates by layering color or producing special effects | |
| 3 | Onyx A banded variety of oxide mineral chalcedony often black in color with bands of white; depicts the color black | |
| 3 | Margo Using Boris Margo's last name for inspiration, an artist of Ukrainian American descent | |
| 2 | Ivory A tone or color used by artists | |
| 2 | Chiffon The name of a soft almost skin tone that artists use | |
| 2 | Inky Short, cute, almost mischievous - this name is taken from ink which is a medium used by artists | |
| 0 | Gino Suitable for a female dog and comes from Gino Hollander - abstract expressionist painter | |
| 0 | Pencil Ideal for a small thin dog with loads of creative energy | |
| 0 | Flower Flowers are a prime subject with many artists | |
| -1 | Beret A cap a lot of artist seem to like to wear - guess it appeals to their creative side | |
| -2 | Maddox Modern, catchy and artistic from the name of the artist Lucy Maddox Brown, an English painter | |
| -2 | Bailey This name originates courtesy of William Bailey, a realist artist | |
| -3 | Pearl Another color favored by artists in their creative efforts |
Written by a Golden Labrador Retriever loverJean Brewer
Published: 01/15/2018, edited: 01/22/2022
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Painting Inspired Dog Names
Mona
Female
Pit Bull
Cheektowaga, NY
I am an artist myself, and my puppy is a very huge stress reliever, much like painting. So I thought, why not name my puppy after a famous painting by a famous painter? :))
