Dog Names Inspired by Mythology

Introduction

If you are struggling as so many owners do over choosing a name for your new dog, then take heart as we are here to help. You can, of course, browse the usual dog names like Blackie, Boris or Bella but there are other options out there. Rather than just grabbing the first name you can think of, and because a new dog is something special, a little more time should be taken to ensure the name you settle on suits both the dog and yourself. Your dog puts so much trust and faith in you that they deserve a name fitting to its temperament and character. After all, you are going to spend many happy years together so go for a name that will last the distance. There are all sorts of names that range from funny to seriously serious. Names inspired by towns, movies, or even cars. But we have something that we think is special, and it is a list of names for dogs that are inspired by mythology. These names call to us from the distant past, from many cultures, and diverse lands. If you are looking for a name that has panache, a bit of punch or is just plain unique, then cruise our list of mythology inspired names - it is the easy way to find your dog's special name.

Dog Names Inspired by Mythology in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Dog Inspired by Mythology

Cerberus

In Greek mythology, there is a three headed dog called the hound of Hades, as it guards the gates to the underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. Often depicted as a monstrous dog, with a serpent for a tail and a taste for human flesh, he was one of the twelve tasks of Heracles (also called Hercules) in the mythological tale. Each head of the dog had a purpose or talent. One head only saw the past, one the present and the third saw the future. Hercules was set a task by Eurystheus the King of the Tiryns, to go into the underworld and capture Cerberus, and to drag him into the world of light. As in all mythology, the story can differ depending on who is telling it. Hercules descended into the underworld at the entrance at Tainaron. During his travels, he was helped by Hermes, the usual guide of the underworld, as well as Athena. The titanic battle and victory over Cerberus were achieved without the use of weapons by Hercules. Using his great strength and his lion skin as a shield, Hercules squeezed Cerberus around the head until he submitted.

Again, details of the fight with the monster dog vary, but eventually, Hercules tamed the beast and took Cerberus out into the light of day. At this point, the dog went ballistic, as it feared the light, but regardless it was dragged out into the light at the same place that Hercules is said to have entered. Hercules then paraded the captured dog in public for all to see and to show how submissive the dog had become. Chained and mastered by the force of Hercules, the dog had no choice but to follow his captor. After showing the dog Cerberus to Eurystheus as commanded, he then returned the dog to the underworld. There are some that say the dog escaped and found his way back, but whatever version you chose, it makes for a tale of fear, courage and mastery second to none. While the three headed dog is depicted as a dark force and one to be feared, he was just a dog with a job of protecting the underworld as the gods had ordered him to do. On the artifacts found in ancient sites, the pottery or artistry shows the three headed dog at Hades side, or it shows Cerberus guarding the underworld. Devoted to his task, he lives on in mythological legend as something to be feared yet respected.

Dog Names Inspired by Mythology Considerations

Before you get hooked on a long exotic sounding name, consider what that name sounds like in the shortened version. It may not have quite the effect that you were hoping for. Often names that have one or two syllables are the easiest to say and call out. Your dog will be long gone after that small furry rodent if you are struggling to say his name to make him stay. Also, think about how the name sounds with the commands that you are going to train your dog with. The name Kit sounds so much like 'sit' that it will confuse your dog. The name Shay sounds like 'stay'. Speak any name you like out loud and in conjunction with the commands to get a true understanding of how it works and sounds. Life is complicated enough without confusing your dog. Lastly, pick a name that will suit your dog as it grows. Tiny is fine at two months old, but once your Great Dane is a year old, he will hardly fit his name - unless it appeals to your sense of humor. And you can do better than 'Puppy; your dog is going to grow up so please, think carefully about the name you choose. Have a look at the inspiring Mythology names listed below; you may like more than one and have to do a hat draw to solve the problem.

Male Dog Names Inspired by Mythology

Votes	Name	Vote
5	Apollo He was the Greek idol of music, as well as the god of poetry and stories
4	Aries He was a Greek idol of war
4	Atlas The Titan who was forced to carry the world on his shoulders
4	Odin The Norse deity of wisdom, Viking poetry and lots of magic
2	Mercury He was the messenger of the gods in Roman Mythology
2	Neptune Good for a dog who loves water, as Neptune was god of the sea
2	Perseus This Titan god causes havoc and peace - similar to your new dog
2	Zeus A powerful ruler of Mount Olympus
2	Chaos Something most puppies create, but seriously he is the primordial Greek god that creates chaos
2	Troy The famous city which staged the war between the Trojans and the Greeks
1	Aura Titan of the breeze - that fresh smell of the wind on a summers day
1	Mars The Deity of war and very powerful - good for a large impressive looking dog
1	Pluto The Disney dog! But also the Deity of the underworld and brother of Zeus
1	Thor The stuff legends and movies are made of - the Norse god of thunder
1	Hector Champion of the Trojan people and a true hero of the Trojan War
1	Chronos If your dog can predict the moment when you are about to walk in the door, then maybe he is the god of time like Chronos is
1	Argos Odysseus 's faithful dog
0	Hypnos If you have a dog who loves to laze about, this is perfect for it as it is the Greek idol of sleep
0	Zephyr Not the car model, but the gentle wind of the west that awakens Mother Earth
-1	Achilles The great hero of the Trojan War
-1	Aeolus The spirit of difficulty - this name would suit a mischievous dog
-1	Minotaur Half man, half beast or perhaps dog - but a strange creature of wonder
-1	Pales This name depicts the Deity of shepherds, flocks and dogs - it would suit a Shetland Sheepdog
-1	Pontus He is the god of the sea, so a perfect name for a Labrador Retriever
-1	Styx Short, cute and easy to say, it means he is one of the river gods
-1	Cupid Yep the one who makes people fall in love - much like your cute dog does
-1	Spartan The citizens of Sparta who were considered the greatest warriors of the ancient world
-1	Vulcan God of fire and all metals - it is also a cool name for your dog
-1	Baccus A god of wine, but love the strength in this name - it would suit a tough dog
-1	Saturn The god of time not to mention one of the largest planets in our solar system

Female Dog Names Inspired by Mythology

Votes	Name	Vote
2	Juno Roman queen of the gods
1	Aurora The beautiful goddess of the dawn
1	Athena The name of the virgin goddess of wisdom - perfect for a calm wise dog
1	Hera A short and sweet name, Hera is the marriage and family goddess
1	Echo A nymph who only repeated the words of others
1	Hera A short name that packs a punch, from the Queen of the heavens
1	Iris Like the intense color of the iris flower, the goddess of the rainbow has a colorful personality
1	Pandora The one who opened the box containing human illness
1	Selene A Titan goddess of the moon
1	Rhea A wondrous woman and Zeus' mother
1	Venus What a beauty, the goddess of love and beauty
1	Vesta For a dog that loves being home with you, it carries the goddess of the hearth and sacred fire
1	Asteria Mother of Hecate in Greek mythology
1	Gaia The ancestral mother of all life - such a priceless name for your beloved dog
1	Nyx Love this name! She is a shadowy but powerful goddess of the night
1	Kyon In the distant past, ancient Greeks called the dog a kyon
1	Eleni A beautiful name meaning a shining light
-1	Belona She was a minor goddess of war
-1	Flora If your dog loves flowers, then this is the name for her - it means the goddess of flowers
-1	Valkyrie A beautiful name in Norse mythology meaning beautiful warrior women who brought the fallen heroes from battle to Valhalla to rest
-1	Cura After the goddess of care, which is a great name for a caring, loving dog
-1	Enyo For a dog with spirit, as this is the goddess of war and peace
-1	Fortuna A dog will be lucky with this name, it is from the Roman goddess of fortune
-1	Harmonia As it sounds, the goddess of harmony will bring calm and peace to your household
-1	Helena A variant on the name Helen, the fairest woman in the world
-1	Lima Short and sweet, the goodess of the threshold makes her entrance
-1	Minerva Poetry and wisdom abound from this goddess
-1	Tempest Deity of the thundering storms
-1	Ioanna A gift from God
-1	Aphrodite A Greek goddess of love and beauty
-1	Hestia A perfect name for a dog who, like the goddess Hestia, loved domesticity, family and home