100+ Old Man Names for Dogs

Updated on 05/01/2023

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Old man dog names are super popular lately, and it’s no wonder why. There are so many reasons to choose one for your pup, ranging from their personality and looks to the sheer hilarity of giving dogs that act like humans people names to match their quirks.

Whether you’re adopting a puppy or a senior, some dogs gaze up at you with their sweet eyes and you can just tell that there’s an old soul inside. Others sport oddly dignified personalities that call for only the best human names for dogs. And many dogs have evocative features like a gray coat, bushy brows, or curly moustache that cry out for old-timey dog names.

Whatever your reason for considering old man dog names, you want to find one that fits this new member of your family perfectly (since you’ll be saying it a lot!). Read on for a slew of the best classics for your canine friend.

Our Favorite Names for Old Man Dogs

These names would make a great fit for just about any dog with an elderly look. All in all, they just sound old because they’re historical, dated, or a pinch retro at this point.

Alfred. Derived from the Old English word for “elf counsel,” Alfred is a multifaceted name. Your pup can be Alfred (think: warm and friendly manager of the dog park) or a bit more rough-around-the-edges with nicknames like “Al,” “Alfie,” or “Fred.”

Arthur. Another versatile name, Arthur is a handful of old dog names in one—the royal King Arthur, Art, Artie, or all of the above! Arthur is believed to come from an old Celtic word for “bear,” making it a fun pick for a burly Newfoundland or Mastiff.

Bernard. Got a big, easygoing ol’ boy? Bernard, a.k.a. Bernie, is a natural pick for St. Bernards, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and mutts. The name is composed of the Germanic root words for “bear” (bern) and “brave” or “hardy” (hard) so it basically means “brave bear.” Even cooler, your dog’s namesake—St. Bernard—was the patron saint of mountaineers.

Clifford. If you grew up on books about a big red dog, here’s a sweet pick. Clifford was gigantic—large enough for his best friend to ride on his back!—so this name could be a fitting choice for a Great Pyrenees or Great Dane.

Dexter. This name brings to mind an old guy who loves crossword puzzles and hanging out in the library. Consider it for a clean-cut French Bulldog or perhaps a dapper-looking Miniature Schnauzer.

Douglas. A classic Scottish name, Douglas or Doug for short, makes for a nice, laid-back old dog name for just about any pup. The Douglas family was once quite influential in Glasgow, so you could also give this name to a pup who’s just a little spoiled.

George. For a trusty old boy, you can’t go wrong with the classic: George. The name means “farmer” or “tiller of the soil,” so if you’ve got a strong farm dog or avid digger, it’s a good fit.

Old Dan. If you loved reading the classic book Where the Red Fern Grows? as a kid, why not name your pup after one of the most loyal dogs in literary history? Naturally, it’s a nice pick for a hound or hunting dog (and if he has a sister, you can name her Little Ann for the perfect duo!).

Norman. This name’s good for a pup who likes the simple things in life, like lazing on the porch and eating whatever he can get his paws on. It could fit any pup, from a Pug to a Golden Retriever.

Winston. Prim and proper, this name suits a pup who can appreciate good grooming and a daily stroll around the block. Try it on a Australian Silky Terrier, Pekingese, or Scottish Terrier.

Funny Old Man Names for Dogs

Looking for old man names for dogs to suit your sense of humor? Here are a few funny ones that fit the bill.

Grandpa. If your pup’s dusting of white fur, curly moustache, or older age reminds you of a grandfatherly type, why not go all out? Gramps could make for a great nickname, too.

Gandalf. With a long white beard, bushy eyebrows, and towering physique, Gandalf makes for a silly name for a Bearded Collie, Great Dane, or Great Pyrenees who looks like he has plenty of wisdom to pass down.

Santa. Got a white and wispy dog like a Bichon Frise, Bolognese, or Coton de Tulear? Santa is a funny and sweet name for a pup with a jolly personality (and perhaps a big belly, too).

Oscar. Some dogs—like barky Lhasa Apsos and frowny-faced Brussels Griffons—need an old dog name to suit their grumpiness. Consider naming your curmudgeonly canine after the king of all grumps: Oscar the Grouch.

Yoda. Honor your love of Star Wars with the old sage’s name. Yoda makes an especially funny choice for wiry-haired pups or hairless breeds like the American Hairless Terrier and Chinese Crested.

More Funny Old Man Names for Dogs

Dudley
Dumbledore
Eugene “Gene”
Gus
Hagrid
Horace
Pappy
Rolls
Wilber
Stanley
Warren
Bill
Obi-Wan
Mr. Miyagi
Vito

Old Fashioned Names for Male Pups

Looking for a name of yesteryear for your little gentleman? These old fashioned dog names are classy and cool, making them ideal for the well-behaved and perfectly-groomed old chap.

Clarence. For a sophisticated, poised, and clean-cut pup like an Airedale Terrier or Standard Poodle, consider the name Clarence. It was once a favorite among British royalty.

Ernest. If you’re a fan of Hemingway or the classic Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest, Ernest makes for a stylish name. It means “resolute” and “serious,” though the shortened form—Ernie—gives it a much more playful twist.

Giles. A common name for storybook servants and butlers, Giles makes a great name for a lap dog like a Shi Tzu or a pup with a tuxedo-like coat.

Langston. A pillar of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes was an eloquent poet and activist committed to documenting Black life in America. The name Langston makes for a lovely choice.

Whitman. Another poet, Walt Whitman was famous for sounding his “barbaric yawp” over the roofs of the world. If you’ve got a barker or howler on your hands, this is a fun, old-fashioned pick.

More Old Fashioned Dog Names for Male Pups

Cornelius
Edmund
Edward
Francis “Frank”
Gerald “Jerry”
Jules
Reginald
Waldo
Wilfred
Raymond
Edwin
Cecil
Alfred
Guy
Saul

Retro Names for Male Dogs

Love everything vintage? If you want to rewind the clock but not go that far back, take a look at these old school dog names.

Archie. Got a dog who would attack just about anything to protect you (no matter their size)? Name ‘em Archie which means “truly brave” and was recently popularized by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who named their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Eli. The shortened form of Elijah, Eli has been making a comeback in the baby names department (perhaps thanks to the quarterback Eli Manning).

Floyd. The name Floyd technically means “gray-haired,” which makes it a natural pick for gray-colored pups like Greyhounds, Weimaraners, and Irish Wolfhounds. But it could also make for a reference to the rock band Pink Floyd for a retro edge.

Harvey. The name Harvey sounds laid-back and cool, which might be thanks to the sauve lead character in Suits, the lawyer Harvey Reginald Specter. Technically, it means “battle-ready,” so if your pup’s on the alert side (or not at all), it could make for a cool pick.

Jasper. Interestingly, the name Jasper is actually derived from Casper, but we love it’s down-home sound for a sweet mutt, Basset Hound, or Bloodhound.

More Retro Male Dog Names

Butch
Chuck
Clyde
Henry
Lester
Max
Ralph
Rufus
Rusty
Otis
Silas
Ezra
Ned
Benedict
Atticus

Grumpy Names for Older Looking Dogs

You know your pooch is a total love bug, but to the outside world, he just looks like a grumpy old man. Here are some ideas that play on his cantankerous appearance.

Statler or Waldorf. Remember that pair of grumpy hecklers from the Muppets? That’s Statler and Waldorf. These two angry but hilarious old men both sport names that would be perfect for a dog with a cantankerous look.

Ebenezer (Scrooge). Maybe the most famous grumpy old man in all of literature, Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ classic tale, A Christmas Carol, provides a fitting name for any dog who looks or acts just as grumpy.

Melvin. The name Melvin has a distinct retro charm to it now after its heyday in the 1960s. And, it’s the perfect moniker for a dog with grump written all over his face.

Mortimor. This name comes from a French word meaning “dead sea.” In other words, there’s nothing bright and cheery about it—just like the grumpy old man dog you might name it after.

Sigmund. The most notorious Sigmund in history is likely Sigmund Freud, the famous Austrian neurologist who popularized psychoanalysis. If you’ve ever seen any of his stern-looking portraits, you’ll understand why Sigmund made the list of the top grumpy old man names for dogs.

More Grumpy Male Dog Names

Angus
Beauregard
Boss
Cyrus
Darrel
Enoch
Felix
Fletcher
Garfield
Grover
Kirk
Leroy
Seymour
Thaddeus
Victor

Cute Names for Dogs Who Look Like Old Men

Got a cute pooch with an old soul? The list of cute old man names for dogs is plentiful. Here are some great options that might catch your eye.

Beau. Meaning “beautiful” in French, Beau is about as on-the-nose of a cute old man name for your dog that you could ever ask for.

Alvin. Not only is Alvin a vintage-inspired, uncommon name, it’s also the name of the lead chipmunk character in the Alvin and the Chipmunks cartoon. Need we say more?

Milton. Some dogs just look like a Milton. The name has roots in the British upper class, and is seen among many famous writers, sportsmen, and comedians. It has a somewhat nerdy connotation that would be a perfect fit for a studious-looking and adorable pup.

Sylvester. Even though the roots of Sylvester trace back to the Latin word for “dweller of the forest,” most people associate the name with either the famous actor Sylvester Stallone, or the other famous (and arguably more adorable) cartoon character Sylvester Pussycat from the Looney Toons. Either way, it’s an exceedingly cute name for a mature-looking dog.

Woodrow. Following the forest theme of Sylvester, Woodrow means “row of houses by a wood.” Regardless, it checks both of the important boxes: It sounds like an old man, and it’s very, very cute.