Christmas is a time for giving, and what better way to celebrate the holiday than by giving your pet a special holiday-themed name? Christmas is just around the corner, and with it comes new traditions. Whether you're celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah, these ideas will add some holiday spirit to your pet's name. From Santa Claus to Rudolph, these names are sure to bring out their inner holiday spirit.
Nature-inspired Christmas Names
When most people think of Christmas, they think of the cold weather that accompanies the holiday. In northern latitudes, frigid cold temperatures accompany snowy weather and frozen landscapes. If you're a fan of this weather, consider naming your dog something weather-inspired.
- Amaryllis: A popular holiday season flower
- Arctic: The freezing cold weather associated with Christmas time
- Aurora: As in the Aurora Borealis
- Aspen
- Blizzard
- Boots: For cats or dogs with white paws
- Breeze/Breezy
- Chilly
- Douglas: As in a Douglas Fir, popular as a Christmas tree
- Flake/Flaky: Like snowflakes
- Flurry: Snow flurries are common in December
- Frostbite
- Frosty: The perfect name for an icy dog who's always cool under pressure
- Glacier
- Hailey: From the hail that comes with winter
- Icicle/Icy
- Mistletoe
- Mittens
- Pine
- Pinecone
- Poinsettia: The most popular Christmas flower
- Polar
- Snowball
- Snowflake: An adorable name for a puffy white dog, such as a Siberian Husky or Samoyed
- Spruce
- Storm/Stormy
- Tundra
- Winter
Christmas Movie Names for Dogs
If you have a favorite movie or TV show that relates to Christmas, consider naming your dog after one of its characters. Here are some ideas:
- Bailey: Like George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life
- Buddy: From the movie Elf; a man raised as an elf at the North Pole travels to New York City to find his biological father
- Clarence: An angel from It's a Wonderful Life
- Ebenezer: The grumpy man from Scrooge
- Finklestein: From The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Griswold: The name of the family in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
- Jack Skellington: The King of Halloween Town in The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Jesse: The Jack Russell Terrier in A Doggone Christmas
- Max: The dog who accompanies The Grinch
- Olaf: The enthusiastic snowman in Frozen
- Ralphie: Main character who narrates his life in A Christmas Story
- Snoopy: The dog in A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Zeus: The dog in The Dog Who Saved Christmas
- Zuzu: A character from It's a Wonderful Life
Christmas Movie Names for Cats
Our cats are family, and as such, we want to include them in the holiday fun, too. If you're looking for a name for your cat based on a Christmas movie, we've got you covered.
- Arthur: From Arthur Christmas
- Cindy Lou: The child from The Grinch
- Clara: A character from The Nutcracker
- Sugar Plum: Like the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker
- Fozziwig: Originally the character of Mr. Fezziwig, played by the incomparable Fozzie Bear in The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Jack Frost: A friendly but clumsy snowman who finds himself unable to leave his beloved son Charlie in the film Jack Frost
- Miser: Like Heat and Snow Miser from The Year Without a Santa Claus
- Misfit: From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys
- Muffles: The cat from Christmas with the Kranks
- Oogie Boogie: From The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Scrooge: The main character of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol
- Tiny Tim: Also from A Christmas Carol, the perfect name for a tiny kitty
- Yeti: From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Zero: From The Nightmare Before Christmas
Food-inspired Holiday Names
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and food. If your dog is also part of your family, then you should consider some of these food-related Christmas dog names.
- Ambrosia
- Biscotti
- Cane
- Chardonnay
- Chestnut
- Cider
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- Cocoa
- Cookie
- Cranberry
- Eggnog
- Figgy: Like figgy pudding
- Fruitcake
- Ginger
- Gingersnap
- Gouda: Like gouda cheese
- Kugel: The sweet pudding dish made at Hanukkah
- Latke: Potato pancakes served for Hanukkah
- Mocha
- Nutmeg
- Peppermint
- Persimmon: A fruit used in Christmas pudding
- Poppy
- Pumpkin
- Snickerdoodle
- Spice
- Sugar
- Toffee
Unusual Christmas Names for Fish, Small Mammals, Reptiles, and More
Don't leave out your unique small animal family members during Christmas naming season! Your Guinea pig, leopard gecko, or goldfish can all join in the fun. An unusual name for a unique pet could be just what you're looking for.
- Angel: Named after the angel you put on your Christmas tree
- Bells
- Bow: Related to the bows you place on gifts
- Carol: Like Christmas carols
- Charles: For the author of A Christmas Carol, which was written in 1843
- Dickens: Another suitable tribute to the author of the Christmas classic
- Claus: Great for a sharp "clawed" reptile who loves Christmas
- Clement: Clement Moore wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (also known as "The Night Before Christmas") in 1823 as part of a fundraising effort for an orphanage in New York City.
- Elfie: A fun name for a little pooch who brings joy into your life
- Eve: Like the day before Christmas, Christmas Eve
- Evergreen: Like the trees
- Feliz: Like the song, Feliz Navidad
- Garland
- Gloria: Like glorious or glory
- Krampus: A mythical creature from Alpine folklore, known as the "Christmas Devil" or "Christmas Demon"
- Kris/Kringle: After Kris Kringle, also known as Santa Claus
- Ribbons
- Rudolph: Named after Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
- Rudy: Short for Rudolph
- Sleigh
- St. Nick: A cute name that pays tribute to Santa Claus himself
- Penguin
- Tinsel
- Yule/Yuletide
Religious Names for Dogs
There are many religious names associated with the holidays you can give to your pets, and some of them are quite popular. In fact, some of the most popular dog names in America are deeply rooted in religion.
- Advent: A word used to describe the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve when Christians fasted and prayed for God's mercy
- Balthazar: One of the kings who visited Baby Jesus
- Bethlehem: A city in Judah where Jesus was born. This name means "house of bread."
- Emmanuel: Biblical name from the Old Testament that also refers to Jesus
- Mary: The mother of Jesus
- Joseph: Joseph, Mary's husband
Choosing a Christmas Name for Your Pet
Choosing a name for your pet is one of the most important things you'll do as a pet owner. Pets are like family, and naming them is an important part of welcoming them into your home. You want something that will fit the personality and character of your new pet. Think about your pet's personality and characteristics when choosing a name. Are they shy or outgoing? Quiet or loud? Choose a name that reflects this personality.
