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Bringing home a new puppy is all about finding a name that perfectly matches their blooming personality.
While trendy names come and go, there’s a timeless, hilarious, and utterly endearing trend taking over the dog world: vintage, old school human names.
There is nothing quite like watching a tiny, eight-week-old fluffball bumbling around the living room while you call out a name that sounds like they should be sitting on a porch yelling at kids to get off their lawn.
If you want a name with character, history, and a touch of old-school humor, here are the best grandpa and grandma names for your new puppy.
Dapper Grandpa Names for Boy Puppies
These names are perfect for the puppy who looks a little bit like a grumpy old man when he wakes up from a nap, or the pup who takes his job of guarding the backyard very seriously.
- Albert (Alfie) — For the little professor pup who looks a bit too smart for his own good.
- Arthur (Artie) — Perfect for a wise, gentle soul.
- Barnaby — Unbelievably cute for a floppy-eared hound.
- Cecil — For the sophisticated pup who prefers the finer things.
- Clarence — An wonderfully formal name for a pup who takes himself very seriously.
- Ebenezer (Ebby) — Great for a puppy who hoards his toys.
- Elmer — An absolute classic for a sweet, slightly clumsy, loyal hound.
- Ephraim — A unique, old-world name with a ton of dignified charm.
- Frank (Franklin) — Short, punchy, and full of character.
- Gus (Augustus) — An absolute classic for a big, goofy breed.
- Harold (Harry) — Perfect for the good boy who loves a routine.
- Herman — Hilarious and charming for a sturdy, stocky little puppy.
- Howard (Howie) — For the pup who always looks a little worried.
- Linus — Utterly adorable for a puppy who loves to cuddle with a security blanket.
- Lloyd — Simple, old-school, and perfect for a dependable companion.
- Murry — Perfect for a scruffy terrier.
- Otis — Sweet, soulful, and timeless.
- Stanley (Stan) — Ideal for a sturdy, loyal companion.
- Walter (Wally) — Arguably the king of grandpa dog names.
Darling Grandma Names for Girl Puppies
If your female puppy is a little bit sassy, incredibly sweet, or likes to judge you silently from across the room, a vintage grandma name is the perfect fit.
- Agnes — For the puppy who is a little bit stubborn but entirely lovable.
- Alice — Sweet, timeless, and perfect for a curious puppy who loves to explore.
- Beatrice (Bea) — Sweet, vintage, and incredibly charming.
- Betty — Full of mid-century spunky charm; great for a high-energy girl.
- Clara — Elegant, sweet, and perfect for a puppy with big, bright eyes.
- Doris — An absolute gem of a name for a pup with a big personality.
- Dorothy (Dottie) — Perfect for a spotted pup or a sweet soul.
- Edith (Edie) — Classy, spunky, and full of attitude.
- Esther (Essie) — A lovely, quiet vintage classic that deserves a comeback.
- Florence (Flo) — Beautiful for a gentle, sweet-natured girl.
- Gertrude (Gertie) — Ideal for a bulldog, pug, or any beautifully wrinkly breed.
- Hazel — A beautiful, nature-adjacent vintage classic.
- Helen — A dignified, classic name for the true little lady of the house.
- Janet — So vintage it’s cool again; perfect for a pup with a lot of sass.
- Mabel — Short for “lovable,” which fits every puppy perfectly.
- Martha — For the little lady who likes to keep her “house” perfectly in order.
- Pearl — For the precious, light-colored, or white pup.
- Peggy — Unbelievably cute and playful for a happy, tail-wagging puppy.
- Prudence (Pru) — Hilarious and cute for a very cautious, polite puppy.
- Ruth (Ruthie) — A strong, sweet name for a loyal companion.
- Winifred (Winnie) — An absolute crowd-pleaser that sounds adorable at the dog park.
20s Throwbacks: Hilariously Old-Fashioned Names
If you want a name that sounds like it walked straight out of a 1920s speakeasy or a dusty general store, these are pure gold. They are equal parts dramatic, clunky, and hilarious for a dog.
- Archibald (Archie) — For the puppy who acts way more aristocratic than he actually is.
- Bartholomew (Bart) — An aggressively large name for a very small puppy.
- Bernice (Bunny) — Perfect for a dog that judges everyone from the comfort of the sofa.
- Eustace — The ultimate “grumpy old man” name for a pup who sighs loudly when you disturb his nap.
- Gladys — Hilarious for a dog that loves to look out the front window and nosily watch the neighbors.
- Mildred (Milly) — Sounds a bit intense, but “Milly” is the cutest nickname on the planet.
- Mortimer (Morty) — Ideal for a clumsy puppy who is always getting his head stuck in things.
- Myrtle — A wonderfully clunky name that is perfect for a sweet, round little pup.
- Phineas — For the adventurous puppy who is always plotting his next backyard escape.
- Wilbur — Because every puppy has a little bit of lovable piglet energy in them.
Pinterest Idea: Create a text-only Pin that says: “Please name your next dog Gladys or Eustace. Sincerely, everyone.” It’s exactly the kind of relatable humor that gets shared like crazy!
Why Choose a Vintage Dog Name?
Aside from the pure comedy of yelling “Albert, stop eating the drywall!” or “Doris, put that down!” at the dog park, old-school names hold up incredibly well over time.
Unlike pop-culture names that might feel outdated in a few years, grandpa and grandma names carry a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and dignity. Plus, they usually come with built-in, adorable nicknames (like Bea for Beatrice or Wally for Walter) that are easy for puppies to learn.
Which vintage name is your favorite?
Save this post to your Puppy Planning or Dog Names board on Pinterest so you don’t lose it!
Need more dog name ideas? Be sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to Puppy Names: 500+ Cute, Unique, Boy & Girl Dog Name Ideas
Please note: This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
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