Clifford the Big Red Dog Inspired Names

Introduction

Many of us grew up with Clifford the Big Red Dog in books, but now this gigantic pup is making his live-action film debut! Clifford is bigger than ever, and his new adventures are drawing in children and families near and far to step into his unique world.

If you are welcoming home a new pup, Clifford’s many adventures can be an inspiration for names, as there have been lots to choose from sprinkled through the many appearances of this lumbering canine. Check out our list of Clifford inspired names to help you find the best match for your new furry pal.

Clifford the Big Red Dog in Popular Culture

Clifford Inspired Dog Name

Clifford

For those who haven’t experienced the hilarity of Clifford, picture a dog. But not just any dog- a huge dog, the size of a small house, who’s bright red and acts like a puppy all the time! Needless to say, this is a pup you just can’t miss, and is sure to get himself into trouble often! Luckily for Clifford, his owner is 8-year-old Emily Elizabeth who simply adores him, and loves him no matter what kind of mess he ends up in.

Clifford the Big Red Dog was first published in 1963, and was inspired by the author’s desire to have a dog-sized horse that he could ride. Normal Bridwell had drawn a picture of a young girl and an oversized dog and presented it to several publishing houses, before an editor at Harper & Row suggested that he write the story himself. His wife Norma helped inspire the name Clifford after her childhood imaginary friend, while his own daughter inspired the character of Emily, and a legendary dog was born!

Ironically, Clifford was the runt of his litter, but was still the pawfect Christmas present for young Emily. Little did her family know that he’d grow to gigantic proportions! Though Clifford is sweet and good-natured, his huge stature often turns simple fun and games into accidents and misunderstandings in busy New York City. But no matter what antics Clifford gets into, Emily always forgives him.

Spanning six decades, Clifford has been bounding through the pages of a picture book series which have become treasured literary classics. Several animated series followed where Clifford’s adventures began to include new friends for both him and Emily. The animated tv series focuses on Emily and Clifford’s experiences in their home on Birdwell Island, while “Clifford’s Puppy Days” sheds a light on his early years as a small puppy before he grew in size. Sing-alongs, an animated movie and a continuing animated series followed, all leading to Clifford’s big live-action debut!

In the film, “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” Emily meets little Clifford in a tent at a carnival, and is told that he will grow in size based on how much loves he gets. Knowing that she can’t bring him home due to their apartment rules, Emily is shocked to find him hidden in her backpack when she returns. After being bullied at school, she tearfully wishes that Clifford would grow big and strong that night, and awakes to a mighty huge surprise!

With a star-studded cast and lots of live-action fun, the newest film proves to be an enjoyable romp while Clifford continues to grace us with his enduring love, his playful heart and his bigger than life adventures.

Clifford Inspired Dog Name Considerations

While there are many names inspired by characters from the many books, animated series and films that feature Clifford, this big, red pooch has a lot to inspire on his own! Got a dog as red as Clifford? Try pawrific names based on that red fur, such as Rusty, Blaze, Amber, Cayenne, Scarlet, Ginger or Ruby.

Clifford started as a bloodhound, but over time, he became just a huge mixed breed dog. If you’ve got an oversized fur bud, names for big dogs are furbulous choices! Is your doggo a Wolf, Hercules or Hulk? Perhaps they cause a Storm when they move, play like an Amazon, or are as big as Utah. Or you could always be humorous with a Munchkin or Napoleon.

The famous red dog is also very loving and sweet, as well as playful! Consider your pup’s pawsonality and let them shine with a Cupid, Flirt or Venus. Fun-loving pups can easily don names like Diesel, Bandit, Dutch or Otter. Retro names that will certainly get a smile include Lego, Atari, Rubik, Domino or Tonka. Is your pooch both huge and too rambunctious? Kong may be simply the best way to describe them.

Male Clifford the Big Red Dog Inspired Names

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Hudson A Yorkshire Terrier owned by Fisherman Charlie
0	Pedro Works at the Birdwell Island Pier
0	Basu Friendly Mister Basu is all smiles when he delivers Emily’s mail
0	Spike Lieutenant Spike is the pup space hero of a book Emily reads to Clifford
0	Rex Brown and smug, this pooch is owned by Emily’s cousin Lara
0	Franklin This Fire Chief’s name would be furbulous for a brave pooch
0	Jorge A Spanish Dachshund owned by Emily’s friend Nina
0	Cosmo Younger brother of Jetta, one of Emily’s friends
0	Rocko Pablo’s pet rock that would make a great name for a feisty pup
0	Oscar A fun-loving Golden Retriever who loves the beach
0	Charley A friend of Emily’s
0	Jack Competes in a sandcastle contest against Clifford when they are just pups
0	Raul Works with Sanchez in the film
0	Norville A parrot from "Clifford’s Puppy Days"
0	Speckle A fictional dog that features in Clifford’s bedtime reading
0	Tucker This Dalmatian helps his courageous owner, Fire Chief Franklin
0	Horatio Name of the actor who plays Raul in the film
0	Mac This sky blue Greyhound is another dog pal from the animated series
0	T-Bone Clifford’s best dog pal, this Bull Terrier is showcased in the animated series
0	Sanchez Store owner in the film
0	Rusty A play on Russ T., Clifford’s veterinarian in the film adaptation
0	Casey Emily’s uncle
0	Owen Emily’s best friend and classmate
0	Red Clifford’s trademark color, and pawfect for other red-colored dogs
0	Hero A Beagle, Pablo’s dog
0	Pablo Friend of Emily’s
0	Howard Emily Elizabeth's last name
0	Tiny A humorous take that was almost the big, red dog’s name
0	Norman Author of Clifford
0	Clifford A gigantic pup with a big heart

Female Clifford the Big Red Dog Inspired Names

Votes	Name	Vote
0	Darby Actress who plays Emily Elizabeth
0	Amber The girl who lives next door to Clifford and Emily
0	Willa Clifford helps name this little kitty
0	Fluffy Captain Fluffy helps save the galaxy in Emily’s storybook
0	Lara Emily’s cousin who she sees at the family reunion
0	Trixie A retired circus dog who now lives with her owner, Mrs. Z
0	Nessa Short for Vanessa, a school friend of Emily’s
0	Sophie One of the mice who live in the laundromat
0	Zo A playful kitten owned by Mr. Solomon
0	Reba Another animal friend from the Speckle bedtime story
0	Tonya A pawdorable Collie who hangs out with Clifford’s friend Mac
0	Jetta Owner of Clifford’s pup friend Mac
0	Teacup A tiny poodle who finally finds a home
0	Bebe A Golden Retriever who is a seeing-eye dog for a blind girl named Jenny
0	Luna Featured in the bedtime story with Speckle
0	Rosa Samantha’s grandmother
0	Rayla Samantha’s mother
0	Bailey An Australian Shepherd owned by Samantha
0	Sam Short for Samantha, one of Emily’s friends
0	Daffodil Emily’s pet rabbit
0	Colette A scheming lawyer who tried to help steal Clifford away from his family
0	Kiki A pink poodle who loves to play with her aunt Cleo
0	Cleo This lavender Poodle was one of Clifford’s best friends in the animated series
0	Petra A character from the new film, this name means “rock” in Greek
0	Lucy Lucille works at Clifford’s vet office
0	Maggie Emily’s patient mother
0	Nina A friend of Emily’s in one of the animated series
0	Norma The author’s wife who gave Clifford his name
0	Lizzie Short for Emily's middle name Elizabeth
0	Emily Clifford’s 8- year-old best friend and owner, and the author’s daughter