Classic Blues Dog Names

Introduction

Classic blues is a genre of music that developed in the African American community in the deep South of the United States during the 19th Century. The rhythmic music is deeply rooted in the culture and folklore of its creators and became a spring of inspiration for musicians experimenting with new sounds, including jazz and rock-n-roll. Today, people are still deeply connected with the classic blues genre, which includes hundreds of artists. Fans and musicians alike have favorites and blues idols whom they often choose to honor by naming their newly adopted puppy or dog after.

Classic Blues Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Classic Blues Dog

Otis

Classic blues inspired names for dogs are prevalent today, such as Sammy or Sonny. Popular Internet hounds broadcasting their daily lives and raising awareness for their causes often go by one of these great classic blues names. However, some names are more fixed in pop culture. One such popular name that fits the classic blues theme is Otis. Otis was the name of a blues player out of the Chicago Blues genre, which is an urban, electric evolution of the classic blues genre. Otis refers to Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers, a blues guitarist who worked with famous artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Ike Turner, and Bo Diddley. The famous featured dog named Otis in pop culture may not draw his name from Otis "Big Smokey" Smothers but this dog's name falls into the classic blues inspired theme.

Otis is a Pug dog from the 1986 Japanese movie, The Adventures of Milo and Otis. In it, Otis the Pug is Milo the cat's best friend. The two live a happy, fulfilling life together on their farm. However, one day, the two friends are separated and have to travel a great distance to be reunited. The film, from the 1980s was a hit in Japan and abroad, including in the United States, but also sparked controversy concerning animal cruelty as no animal advocacy groups were on site during filming and several rumors of accidents and ill treatment of animals made the news. The film reminds us of the important role animal advocacy groups and professional animal trainers play in entertainment that involves furry or otherwise non-human actors.

A second famous featured dog with a classic blues inspired name is Bo, President Barack Obama's Portuguese Water Spaniel. As First Dog to the White House under the Obama Administration, Bo joined the family in 2009. Dogs play an important role in the office of White House. Nearly all U.S. Presidents throughout history have kept a dog during their years in office and the First Dog is considered a part of the First Family. The President's dog also helps the people relate to the President rather than just viewing him as holding the highest Executive Office in the United States. Bo Obama was a favorite and was also joined by Sunny, another Portuguese Water Spaniel. Both dogs, though Sunny is a variant name of Sonny, fall within the classic blues inspired theme. Bo may refer to Bo Diddley whereas Sunny may refer to Sonny Boy.

Classic Blues Dog Name Considerations

Many of the names in the classic blues theme are nicknames of the great blues players of the past and present. Nicknames are prevalent in this genre of music, and most players have one that describes who they are, where they came from, or the type of music they prefer to produce. Dog owners can apply the same descriptive means to name their dog. For example, perhaps one of your favorite blues players is Robert Lee Wilson, who got a late start in his career. Wilson was perhaps known better by his nickname, Smokey Wilson. The name Smokey is perfect for a dark gray or black-colored dog. Similarly, perhaps Muddy Waters is your favorite blues player. Muddy Waters is known as the "father of modern-Chicago blues." Again, Muddy Waters is a nickname for the artist who was named McKinley Morganfield at birth; however, he is far more well-known by his nickname. If you have a Water Spaniel, a dog rising in popularity, or any other breed that favors the waters, especially the shallows, Muddy Waters, Muddy, or just Waters might be a perfect fit for your pooch. However, the biggest consideration a new dog owner has to take when naming their dog after this theme is not in appearance or personality. It is a simple matter of taste and fandom. Owners should ask themselves, "who is my favorite classic blues player?" and go from there.

Male Classic Blues Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
1	B.B. A reference to B.B. King
0	Muddy A reference to Muddy Waters
0	Waters The nickname of McKinley Morganfield, father of Chicago Blues
0	Rhythm A important aspect of classic blues
0	Blues The overall genre of music created in the 19th Century in the deep South
0	Sonny A reference to Sonny Boy
0	Hustle Many blues players had to hustle to make a living
0	Chet Chet Baker is the second most famous trumpet player in the genre
0	Miles The first most famous trumpet player in the genre
0	Patton A reference to Charley Patton
0	Mojo Every good blues player finds his mojo hand for good luck
0	Sammy The crown prince of Delta blues
0	Louis A reference to the St. Louis style of blues, an evolution from classic
0	Biscuit Biscuit King Time was a popular blue radio show in the 1930s
0	Dupree The male figure in the 1920s Willie Walker song, "Betty and Dupree"
0	Albert A reference to Albert King
0	Elmore James Known as the "King of Slide Guitar"
0	Jimmy A reference to James Brown
0	Luther A reference to Luther Vandross
0	Armstrong Louis Armstrong was a famous New Orleans style player
0	Boogie The early term for the rhythm of the music
0	Hellhound A reference the song "Hellhound on my Trail"
0	Honeyboy Reference to Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards
0	Howlin' Wolf A famous blues player who was part of the Chicago blues evolution of classic blues
0	Tupelo A city made known by the song "Tupelo Blues"
0	Otis Otis Big Smokey Smothers was a classic blues player
0	Bo Reference to Bo Diddley
0	Smokey May refer to Smokey Wilson, Smokey Hogg, or Smokey Babe
0	Furry Lewis One of the first blues players to help establish the genre
0	Memphis A hot bed for classic blues at the turn of the 19th Century

Female Classic Blues Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Mama A reference to harmonic player, Big Mama Thorton
0	Delta The Delta blues refers to Mississippi born classic blues
0	Skiffle Another name for folk style blues
0	Billie A reference to Billie Holiday
0	Lucille The name of B.B. King's guitar
0	Bessie A reference to Bessie Smith
0	Mamie Another Smith-named woman of blues
0	Jazzy Jazz has deep roots in classic blues
0	Bee A reference to the song "Bumble Bee"
0	Layla The love interest in Derek and the Domino's "Layla"
0	Ma Rainey A first generation female blues recording artist
0	Dixie A reference to Dixieland Jazz Band
0	Lemon Blind Lemon Jefferson is considered the "Father of Texas Blues"
0	Fannie Buster Brown's Fannie Mae
0	Louise A famous song by Howlin' Wolf
0	Caldonia Sung by B.B. King
0	Sadie A song by Hound Dog Taylor
0	Lucy B.B. King's song about his guitar, Lucille
0	Frankie Frankie and Johnny is an old folk-blues song
0	Roberta A song by Cephas & Wiggins
0	Corrina Corrine, Corrina is old folks-blue song
0	Annie The lady in several Hank Ballard & the Midnighters songs
0	Bertha Bertha Lee by Charley Patton
0	Delia Delia's Gone is an old folk-blues song
0	Betty The lady of Betty and Dupree
0	Mattie Black Mattie Sleepy John Estes
0	Beatrice Beatrice, Beatrice by Phillip Walker
0	Jolene A blues song from Bob Dylan
0	Katrina Katrina Blues by Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters
0	Evalina Evalina by Kenny Neal