100+ Old Lady Dog Names with That Vintage Vibe
Did you adopt an old soul? These cute old lady dog names are perfect for your pup and will make them feel like a part of the Golden Girls pack.
Did you adopt an old soul? These cute old lady dog names are perfect for your pup and will make them feel like a part of the Golden Girls pack.
by Janelle Leeson, | November 22, 2023
twenty eight / stocksy
Whether you're inspired by a classic film, a strong woman who made history, or even a late family member, an old lady dog name is a perfect way to honor your pup's unique personality. There are plenty of monikers to choose from, ranging from sweet (like June, Nora, or Rue) to sassy (such as Agnes, Eliza, and Vivian). You can also pick an old lady name for your dog that fits their looks and personality, like Bernadette (or Bernie for short) which means brave bear. Check out our round-up of 100+ old lady names for dogs.
What's their age again? Doesn't matter because these old lady dog names are really stinkin' cute.
Gertie (Gertrude)
Ida
Bee (Beatrice)
Bertha
Maisie
Bernie (Bernadette)
Dora
Ruthie
Ruby
Clementine
Minnie
Winnie (Winifred)
Penelope
Goldie
Lottie
Tilly (Matilda)
Josie (Josephine)
Dottie
Gwenie
Sadie
Greta
Less common than modern names, these vintage girl names will have your charming pooch standing out from the dog park crowd.
Judy
Audrey
Eve
Marge, Margie, or Marjorie
Estelle
Ester
Pearl
Claudette
Tabitha
Constance
Prudence
Edith
Agatha
Louisa
Winona
Winslow
Ophelia
Mariam
Gladys
Millicent
Myrtle
Rita
Wilma
Mildred
No matter what her age or breed, your dog is sure to appreciate a sassy old lady name that showcases their spunky, one-of-a-kind 'tude.
Barbra or Barbie
Kathleen
Martha
Agnes
Ursula
Bernadette
Enda
Blanche
Alice
Ester
Eliza
Celeste
Vivian
Gwendolyn
Ethel
Phyllis
Gretchen
Sweet old lady names can evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth. For example, the name "Mabel" means "loveable." Whether you're adopting a senior pooch or bringing home a puppy, a sweet old lady name is a great way to tell others just how sweet they are.
Nora
Joan
Betty
Rue
Julie or Julia
Isabel
Marigold
Charlotte
Rosalie
Dahlia
Nellie
Mabel
June
Betsie
Rose
Adeline
Opal
These old lady dog names are inspired by the silver screen's most iconic actresses and fictional characters from the golden age of Hollywood. They're sure to turn heads and make you feel as if you and your pooch are taking a walk down the red carpet.
Scarlett (Gone With The Wind)
Hattie (McDaniel)
Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz)
Alice (The Honeymooners)
Grace (Kelly)
Hedy (Lamarr)
Audrey (Hepburn)
Maria (West Side Story and The Sound of Music)
Sandy (Grease)
Marilyn (Monroe)
Ingrid (Bergman)
Blanche (A Streetcar Named Desire)
Lucy (I Love Lucy)
Mary Ann (Gilligan's Island)
Jeannie (I Dream of Jeannie)
Elizabeth (Taylor)
Lucille (Ball)
Lois (Lane)
Whether your shelter pup has overcome many challenges or your new puppy is starting on the right paw, a strong historical female name can be a perfect fit.
Rosa (Parks)
Marie (Curie)
Emmeline (Pankhurst)
Ada (Lovelace)
Rosalind (Franklin)
Florence (Nightingale)
Diana (Princess of Wales)
Amelia (Earnhart)
Clara (Barton)
Eleanor (Roosevelt)
Margaret (Thatcher)
Harriet (Tubman)
Frida (Kahlo)
Naomi (Parker)
Shirley (Chisholm)
Lucretia (Mott)
Virginia (Woolf)
Popular pet names like Luna and Bella are having a moment, but timeless names with a rich history can give your new pup a touch of charm and make them sound wise beyond their years. If you want to completely avoid mainstream culture, get creative and come up with your own cute nickname based on a classic moniker.
Here are a few more tips for choosing an old lady dog name:
Consider the meaning of the name. Many old-fashioned or vintage dog names have meanings that may make them even more special for your pup. For example, the name "Lousia" means "famous warrior" and the name "Dora" means "gift".
Choose a name that's easy to pronounce. Chances are you'll be saying your dog's name a lot, even if it's just to tell her how good of a girl she is. So, it's important to choose a name that you can easily pronounce and that your dog will perk up and respond to.
Avoid names that sound like commands. Speaking of responding to their name, avoid naming your dog something that sounds like a command or cue, like "stay" or "inside".
Dogs can learn their names in as little as one to three days with practice. You can teach your old soul their name using positive reinforcement clicker training, which involves marking and identifying a desired behavior with a click (such as looking at you when you say their name), immediately followed by a treat or praise.
Janelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based freelance writer. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Inside Your Dog’s Mind, Inside Your Cat’s Mind, and Paw Print, as well online at Insider Reviews, NBC Select, Shop Today, PetMD, and Daily Paws. She has two adventure cats, a flock of urban chickens, and a soon-to-be-husband who doesn’t mind housing the occasional foster cat — or five.
Breed Info
Foster & Volunteer
Adoption Advice
Adoption Advice
Curious about how to feed your new dog? This guide will answer your questions.
Shelters & Rescue
Adoption Advice
Find out how to set your adopted rescue dog up for success.
Shelters & Rescue
Debunk a few animal shelter myths and learn the benefits of adopting from a shelter or rescue group.
Adoption Advice
Not sure if you should adopt a younger or older pet? Here’s a guide to help you make the best decision.
Adoption Advice
Is the responsibility of taking care of your pet causing you to worry about your budget? Rest assured, there are a number of ways to minimize this financial stress.
Shelters & Rescue
Looking to adopt? Here are some helpful guidelines on finding a reputable pet rescue organization.
Adoption Advice
Preparing to visit the dog shelter? Learn more about the meet and greet process and how you can get a new pup to like you.