Dog Names Inspired by Spices

3 Stories
756 Votes

Introduction

When we pick a new dog to share our lives with we are tasked with the responsibility to choose a name that suits them, and one that we can connect to. Like the spices we add to our food, our canine companions add comfort and flavor to our lives, enhancing the way we look at things and opening us up to new experiences; there are spices that soothe us and spices that excite us, some with bold flavors and other with more delicate essences. The great variety of spices and flavorings that are found throughout the world may provide just the inspiration you need to find the perfect spicy name for your pup.

Dog Names Inspired by Spices in Pop Culture

Dog Names Inspired by Spices Considerations

Choosing a name for a new dog is sometimes simple and other times a little more complex, much like cooking. While the name that you give your dog is unlikely to result in ridicule from the other dogs at the dog park, the dog’s ability to understand their own name and respond to it can be affected by your choice, and picking a name that has a personal meaning for you can sometimes help strengthen the bond. A good name for a dog is one that is simple for you to pronounce and one that your dog responds easily to, and there are several good options to be found in your spice rack. You might choose the name by the role the canine will be playing in your life, for instance, a therapy dog might do well with a name like Foxglove or Fennel, while a dog meant to get you moving and exercising might receive a name like Wasabi or Cayenne. Your cultural background may also affect your choice of name, people who have Indonesian history may be more likely to choose a name from their cooking traditions, like Bumbu, while someone with Welsh heritage may prefer a name from the Welsh language, like Halwyn. 

Male Dog Names Inspired by Spices

Votes Name Vote
15
Pepper
This name can refer to either black peppercorns or several different types of chili or bell peppers
9
Juniper
The juniper berry is actually a cone rather than a berry and is the only spice derived from a conifer
9
Wasabi
A potent spice made from the grated stem of the Wasabi plant, in the same family as cabbage, mustard, and horseradish
7
Curry
Curry powder is a commonly used mix of spices in Persia
7
Vanilla
Vanilla flavoring is derived from the oil of the vanilla bean seed capsule
6
Bay
Bay leaves come from the Bay Laurel plant and are a tasty flavoring often used in Italian dishes
6
Dill
Dill seeds have a similar flavor profile to caraway and frequently used as a spice
5
Caper
The edible buds of the Caper plant are often used as a seasoning
5
Red
For red pepper flakes used in pickling blends, soups, and sausages, as well as being a standard condiment at many Italian restaurants
4
Bumbu
A traditional Indonesian blend of spices used to enhance the flavor of foods
4
Zest
The dried peel of oranges and lemons are grated and added to dishes as a spice often referred to as zest
3
Mace
The spice that comes from red outer covering of the seed of the nutmeg tree
3
Pimento
To make allspice, pimento berries are dehydrated and ground into powder
2
Golpar
More commonly known as Persian hog weed, the seeds of this plant are often used as a spice in Persian cooking
2
Merkén
A traditional condiment in Chile made from smoked chili peppers
2
Tamarind
The fruit of a tropical evergreen in West Africa that is used to season chutneys and jam
2
Rue
A small evergreen cultivated as a garden shrub and used as a spice for centuries
1
Allspice
Allspice is made from the dried unripe berries of the Allspice tree, sometimes known as the Pimento tree
1
Caraway
Caraway seeds have a similar mild licorice flavor to anise
1
Kaffir
Kaffir lime leaves are often added as a spice to flavor curries and Thai dishes
1
Sabola
A name meaning pepper in Egyptian
0
Cumin
The seeds of the Cumin plant have been used as a flavoring since the time of the ancient Egyptians
-1
Abodo
A blend of spices and herbs from Spain, Brazil, and Mexico that include cumin and salt
-1
Allium
The Latin name for garlic is allium sativum
-1
Dukkah
A spice rub that includes hazelnuts that is common in Egypt
-1
Galangal
A rhizome like ginger that is often used in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cooking
-3
Sumac
The red fruits of the sumac plant can be dried and ground into powder in order to add a tart lemony flavor to foods
-4
Foxglove
This plant is sometimes used medicinally to regulate heart rhythm
-4
Jimbu
All parts of this Nepalese plant that are above ground are used as either to spice food or as medicine
-6
Kokam
A spice native to India made from the rind of this fruit
-6
Mahlab
An aromatic spice made from the pit of a specific species of cherry

Female Dog Names Inspired by Spices

Votes Name Vote
17
Ginger
Ginger is made from the rhizome of a plant with clusters of pink and white flower buds
14
Chili
Chili peppers can be used to add flavor to a dish fresh, roasted, or dried and powdered
14
Piper
The genus of plants that peppers belong to
13
Cinnamon
A sweet but savory spice that comes from the inner bark of a tree in the cassia family
12
Poppy
Poppy seeds are often used as a flavoring and spice for baking and may also soothe coughs and induce sleep
11
Cori
Short for coriander, the seed portion of the coriander plant with a citrus-like tang
9
Cacao
While it is most commonly used to make chocolate, the roasted seeds of the cacao are also used to spice drinks and dishes
9
Sesame
A seed with a nutty flavor that is used in many recipes
8
Star
The star anise is a star-shaped pod with several seeds in it, star anise is not closely related to the spice anise
7
Clove
The dried buds of the clove tree, lending a bold, aromatic quality to the dishes it is included in
6
Canella
The Canella winterana tree of the Caribbean is very similar to the Cinnamon tree
6
Nutmeg
The spice that comes from the seed of the Nutmeg tree and has a sweet, warm flavor
3
Saffron
A highly sought after orange-yellow spice with a hay-like sweet flavor and aroma
2
Cassia
A bark similar to cinnamon from the same family of plants
2
Mustardseed
The small round seeds of the mustard plant and the name of a fairy in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
2
Paprika
A ground spice made from the larger, sweeter varieties of the capsicum annuum pepper plant
0
Charoli
Almond flavored seeds that are used as a cooking spice in India
0
Fennel
Fennel seeds have a mild anise-like flavor and provide a rich source of protein, vitamin B, and dietary fiber
0
Safflower
Safflowers can be used as a less expensive substitution for Saffron in many recipes
-1
Kala
Refers to a type of black rock salt from South Asia called kala namak
-1
Loomi
A spice made from from ground, dried limes that is used in the Middle East
-2
Halwyn
A Welsh name that means salt
-2
Masala
A common combination of Indian spices
-3
Anise
A Mediterranean spice with a mild licorice flavor, made with the seeds of the Anise plant
-3
Berbere
An African blend of hot spices and herbs, often used for slow cooking stew
-3
Nigella
Nigella sativa is the Latin name for the black caraway plant
-4
Filé
The dried, powdered leaves from the Sassafras tree give us this herbal spice
-5
Annatto
A food coloring and condiment that is derived from the seeds of the Achiote tree
-11
Ajwain
An Indian seed that adds a bitter and pungent flavor, often added to curries and pickles

Community Dogs with Names Inspired by Spices

Poppie's name story for Dog Names Inspired by Spices
Poppie
Female
Yorkshire Terrier
Poulsbo, WA
Personality
Demanding
Controlling

My mom thought of it while watching the movie trolls.

Cinnamon's name story for Dog Names Inspired by Spices
Cinnamon
Female
Poodle
Simi Valley, CA
Personality
Sweet

She has a cinnamon stripe down her back.

Chilli's name story for Dog Names Inspired by Spices
Chilli
Male
Australian Shepherd
New York, NY
Personality
Caring
Patient
Trusting
Loving
loyal,

well he was born in the spooky season and i wanted something spicy and seasonal and i searched for the names and i loved them all but then i walked into my kitchen and chilli spice caught my eye and i just knew it was it