Introduction
A new addition to the family is always a happy event. Sometimes the most logical way to begin the naming process for your new pup is to consider their breed. The Border Collie is an intelligent, active, affectionate breed that is known for their work as farm dogs. Using commonly recognized breed characteristics like temperament, intelligence, and activity levels can be a great way to inform your name selection process. Don't forget to keep it fun, after all the Border Collie is a very fun dog to own!
Border Collie Dog Names in Pop Culture
Border Collies are a beautiful, intelligent breed, and as a result they often receive rolls (starring or supporting) in movies, television shows, and commercials. They are renowned for being a working breed, so they often show up as farm dogs in pop culture. What better name to bestow on your Border Collie than one inspired by the breed’s role in pop culture?!
You may be surprised to know that the first dog to star in films was a Border Collie named Jean! Jean was the pet of an aspiring American actor named Laurence Trimble. One day, by happenstance Trimble encountered a director who need a true canine actor to star in a film. He promised Jean would be perfect for the part, and sure enough, she nailed her audition. Soon Jean was in high demand and the pair ended up making over 15 films together. The studio that discovered Jean was called Vitagraph Studios, therefore Jean became known as the “Vitagraph dog.”
In the Academy Award winning film Babe, the pig protagonist is raised by a surrogate mother, a Border Collie named Fly. Fly is charged with looking after Babe, the orphaned piglet. She treats him like one of her own puppies and teaches him how to herd sheep. As a result, Babe is able to prove his value as a farm worker (much to the chagrin of Fly’s husband, Rex, another Border Collie character) and is thus spared being sold as a prize ham.
Another notable Border Collie character that you may have seen on the silver screen is Hector, the protagonist in the movie Heck’s Way Home. The dog, Hector, becomes separated from his family when they move to a new home and has to find his way back to them while avoiding a determined dog catcher portrayed by Alan Arkin.
In addition to appearing on film, Border Collies have had roles in many books. There is the story of the injured Border Collie named Tess that appears at the clinic of a country veterinarian in Sheepdog in the Snow by Mark Niemann-Ross. The book Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz tells the story (based on real events!) of a Border Collie named Rose who saves her owner’s wife when she becomes lost in a snow storm. As you can see, there are many noteworthy Border Collies, fictional and non, that could inspire the name of your pup!
Border Collie Name Considerations
When naming your Border Collie, you may wish to take into account all of their breed characteristics as a basis for choosing the perfect name. You can consider things like their place of origin and the purpose of the breed, their temperament, and their physical traits in your naming process. This breed comes from Scotland is a determined herding dog. They are happiest when they have a job to do, and will herd just about anything that moved. You could pick a name that pays homage to your Border Collie’s Scottish heritage, or you could choose something that recognizes the breed’s skills as a working dog. You could simply pick something that relates to farming, which is where these dogs are often found.
Personality and appearance are other great inspirations for naming your pup. Just one gaze into your new dog’s eyes could give you all the information you need. A name like Charm could refer to how your dog warms your heart, or maybe you find something like Trouble more fitting for a mischievous puppy! Perhaps their long fur inspires a name like Shaggy, or their white paws something like Socks. Picking the right name could prove challenging, or it may come to you in an instant. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Male Border Collie Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 12 |
Swift
Perfect name for a speedy dog
|
|
| 9 |
Ziggy
A quirky name to fit the breed’s playful personality
|
|
| 8 |
Patch
Border Collies often have a dark patch of fur over one or both of their eyes
|
|
| 7 |
Bandit
A stray Border Collie adopted by Laura Ingalls on the TV show Little House on the Prairie
|
|
| 6 |
Astro
An out of this world name, for an out of this world pup
|
|
| 5 |
Bolt
Usain Bolt is a famous Olympic runner
|
|
| 4 |
Koda
Native American name meaning “ally;” fitting for man’s best friend
|
|
| 4 |
Chaos
For their boundless energy
|
|
| 3 |
Lightning
Border Collies are known for running very quickly
|
|
| 2 |
Sonny
You will likely feel a parental-type kinship with your Border Collie
|
|
| 2 |
Houdini
A famous escape artist, just like your Border Collie when bored
|
|
| 1 |
Chief
These dogs like to control their “herd”
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| 1 |
Spot
These pups sometimes have spots on their head or legs
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|
| 1 |
Chase
For their propensity to chase moving objects
|
|
| 0 |
Mischief
When not properly exercised, Border Collies can be mischievous
|
|
| 0 |
Pepe (Le Pew)
Because of their black and white coloring, these dogs can resemble the famous skunk, Pepe Le Pew, from Looney Tunes
|
|
| -2 |
Sport
Border Collies are exceptional athletes
|
|
| -2 |
Jake
The 73rd most popular baby name in Scotland
|
|
| -2 |
Shep
Short for Shepherd, one that herds sheep
|
|
| -3 |
Alec
A Smart Alec is a person who knows everything and likes to show off
|
|
| -4 |
Pal
These dogs are truly devoted to their owners
|
|
| -4 |
Whisky
An ode to the signature liquor of Scotland
|
|
| -5 |
Einstein
Border Collies are known for their intelligence
|
|
| -6 |
Kinsella
Ray Kinsella, the farmer played by Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams
|
|
| -7 |
Ranger
This farm dog feels at home on the range
|
|
| -7 |
John
Farmer John is a popular brand of meat in California
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|
| -7 |
Hardy
A tough name for a tough pup
|
|
| -8 |
Harry
A classic English name fit for a furry dog
|
|
| -11 |
Deanie
After James Dean, an iconic American actor who owned a Border Collie of his own
|
|
| -13 |
Jobs
These dogs love to have work to do
|
Female Border Collie Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 13 |
Oreo
A black and white cookie that's almost as sweet as this black and white dog
|
|
| 9 |
Skye
An island in Scotland
|
|
| 9 |
Star
A nod to the Border Collie’s success in show biz
|
|
| 8 |
Faith
For a loyal and devoted dog who will always have your back
|
|
| 7 |
Amber
Fitting for a pup with amber eyes
|
|
| 7 |
Amor
Spanish for “love,” which you will receive plenty of from this pup
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|
| 7 |
Athena
After the Greek Goddess of Wisdom; seems like a fitting name for these clever pups
|
|
| 5 |
Betsy
A Border Collie famous for learning more than 300 words
|
|
| 5 |
Vita
Short for “Vitagraph,” the film studio that produced the first films with a canine star
|
|
| 5 |
Shadow
Border Collies love their humans and always want to be with them
|
|
| 4 |
Lady
A fitting name for this graceful breed
|
|
| 4 |
Swirl
Created when two colors are mixed together
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| 3 |
Abbey
Means “intelligent and beautiful,” just like this breed
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|
| 3 |
Blaze
A white stripe on the face of an animal
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|
| 2 |
Scout
Scout Finch, from the book To Kill A Mockingbird is a famously scrappy and intelligent young tomboy, just like your Border Collie
|
|
| 2 |
Bella
Means “beautiful” in Italian; fitting for a beautiful dog
|
|
| 1 |
Grace
For the breed’s graceful trot
|
|
| 1 |
Dora
Dora the Explorer loves adventures and so will your Border Collie
|
|
| 0 |
Heather
A commonly found plant native to Scotland
|
|
| 0 |
Silky
A well-groomed dog has a silky, luxurious coat
|
|
| 0 |
Honey
These dogs have a warm disposition towards people
|
|
| 0 |
Pinta
Spanish for “patch”
|
|
| 0 |
Panda
Another adorable black and white animal
|
|
| 0 |
Mandy
Short for “Amanda,” which means loveable in Latin
|
|
| -1 |
Victoria
Queen Victoria was a fan of this breed
|
|
| -1 |
Mia
Mia Hamm, famous soccer player who loves playing ball almost as much as the Border Collie
|
|
| -3 |
Amigo
Spanish for “friend,” which is what you will find in this pup
|
|
| -4 |
Nana
A fitting name for a doting dog
|
|
| -4 |
Busy
An apt name for this workaholic breed
|
|
| -6 |
Happy
These dogs have an upbeat disposition
|
Written by a Border Collie lover Janine DeVault
Published: 01/12/2018, edited: 08/27/2020
More articles by Janine DeVault
Community Dogs with Border Collie Names
She is loveible
She will do anything with you and she is really fun to play with
I don't know
We had a friend with a Male Siberian Husky with the name Kaski. So my children came up with a girl sounding name that kind of matched his name. We ended up with Kiskya. The y is silent. So it sounded out like this...Kiska.
My dog (Peppa) was bought with the name and we were thinking of changing it but she soon developed little black spots on her fur so we decided the name fit her because she has pepper spots scattered all over her paws and legs
The family can’t decide on a name
Pippa, after the famous childrens movie 'pippi longstockings ' Who was an adventurous very caring, energetic young girl
bumped into him in the shops getting a pint a milk
The name suites her
We had a cat named Sammy, she was given away when i had my daughter, ann. My husband, Joe, brought home Sam one day and we wanted to keep him.
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