Introduction
Fancy a night out dancing to folk music throughout the night? Are you a fan of Cat Stevens? Is Joni Mitchell your spirit animal? If the answer is yes, you might have thought of giving your dog a name inspired by a folk artist of a song that has a special place in your heart. The inspiration is all around you, but why not take the night off and go dance your shoes off to the sounds of folk tunes from your local band that make you jump for joy when you hear them? Your dog might just end up with the coolest name ever!
Folk Music Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
One of the most famous dogs in the folk and country music world is without a doubt Cracker Jack, Dolly Parton’s beloved pup. It really is a heartwarming story of the two of them. Dolly found Cracker Jack by the river bank and instantly fell in love with him. Just like with most strays, Cracker Jack’s ribs were showing due to malnourishment, he was hungry and he was cold, but his spirit was anything but down! When she snapped her fingers, the little cutie with a black spot around his eye instantly came to her and they were friends from then on!
It is a well-known fact that dogs are our best friends, and the case was no different for Dolly and Cracker Jack. They would sleep in the same room, he was her companion, they loved each other deeply and they were each other’s rocks when times got hard. Each day after school, Cracker Jack would run towards her, they would go to long walks together, run through the fields, and had loads of fun when they were together. And even though he only lives in her memory now, Cracker Jack remains one of the best friends that she ever had.
Cracker Jack represents the first dog we all had when we were children. Dolly Parton’s song evokes those memories that all the dog lovers hold dear in their hearts. The first time you went on a long walk with your puppy, the muddy shoes and muddy paws for which you got into trouble, the stolen cookies and dog treats you shared, and the endless adventures you went on together.
It is unclear how Cracker Jack got his name, and we also do not know what breed of dog he is, which is exactly what the song symbolizes. Cracker Jack is each dog out there: each breed, each mutt, every puppy humans, especially children, have loved and cared for. His whimsical name evocates playfulness and strength. In fact, the name Jack has become so common in the English language that it is actually used as a synonym for “man”. Whichever way you look at it, choosing a name such as Cracker Jack for your dog is not only a good way to honor Dolly Parton for her artistry, but also to give your new friend a classic but, at the same time, a strong name.
Folk Music Inspired Dog Name Considerations
When thinking about names inspired by folk music, the first place you might look at is your parents’ record collection, or, alternatively, your own digital playlist. Paying an homage to your favorite musician is a great way to have a memorable and a meaningful name for your new canine best friend, so blast the tunes to your favorite song and let’s get to naming!
If you are feeling like you’d love to honor the very roots of folk, choose a name such as Carter, after the famous Carter Family whose music inspired the great musicians such as Bob Dylan. Other names from The Carter Family include Sara, Maybelle, and Alvin, all good choices if you are building a dog family of your own. Other musical icons such as Johnny Cash actually grew up listening to The Carter Family, therefore, it is safe to say that you cannot go wrong by choosing one of their names.
For those who are feeling adventurous and have a great sense of humor might find it hilarious to name their dog after one of the greatest folk musicians ever, Cat Stevens. Think about the scenario in your local dog park when you call after your pup and yell out “Cat! Come here boy!”
Male Folk Music Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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1 |
Casady
After Jack Casady, a bassist for Jefferson Airplane
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1 |
Luka
After Luka Blook, an Irish folk singer
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0 |
Johnny
After Johnny Cash
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0 |
Bob
After Bob Dylan
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0 |
Stevens
Cat Stevens' last name
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0 |
Watson
After Doc Watson, one of the most influential folk musicians
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0 |
Chapin
After Harry Chapin, a humanitarian, film-maker, and a folk musician
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0 |
Jerry
After Jerry Garcia, the main guitarist of Grateful Dead
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0 |
Weir
After Bruce Weir, the guitarist of Grateful Dead
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0 |
Mickey
After Mickey Hart, one of the percussionists for Grateful Dead
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0 |
Jefferson
Inspired by Jefferson Airplane, a well-known band
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0 |
Spencer
After Spencer Dryden, a drummer for Jefferson Airplane and New Riders of the Purple Sage
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0 |
Stan
After Stan Rogers, a Canadian folk musician
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0 |
Angus
After Angus Stone, one half of Angus & Julia Stone
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0 |
Bogle
After Eric Bogle, a Scottish-Australian folk musician
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0 |
Oscar
After Oscar Brand, a Canadian folk musician who recorded over 300 songs
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0 |
Cohen
After the legendary musician Leonard Cohen
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0 |
Valdy
After a Canadian folk musician Paul Valdemar Horsdal
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0 |
Kris
After the famous songwriter Kris Kristofferson
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0 |
Neil
After Neil Young
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0 |
Timo
A Finnish folk musician Timo Alakotila
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0 |
Clark
American folk musician Guy Clark
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0 |
Fain
Steve Fain Earle, an American country-folk musician
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0 |
Paxton
Tom Paxton, and American folk singer
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0 |
Altan
After the Irish folk band
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0 |
Paddy
After Paddy Moloney, an Irish songwriter who formed The Chieftains
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0 |
Clancy
The Clancy Brothers, a well-known folk band
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0 |
Slavko
After Slavko Avsenik, a legendary Slovenian folk musician
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0 |
Carlos
After Carlos Núñez Muñoz, a Galician multi-instrumentalist
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0 |
Clarence
After Clarence Ashley, an American banjo player and a folk singer
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0 |
Tom
After the legendary musician Tom Waits
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Female Folk Music Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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1 |
Jolene
"I'm begging of you please don't take my man" - Dolly Parton
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1 |
Dolly
After the legendary Dolly Parton, a perfect name for a beautiful princess
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1 |
Emmylou
After Emmylou Harris, a famous folk musician; "striving warrior"
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0 |
Joni
After Joni Mitchell
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0 |
Cass
Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, one of the members of The Mamas & Papas
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0 |
Mimi
After Mimi Farina, an American-Mexican folk singer
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0 |
Holly
Holly Near, an American folk singer
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0 |
Griffin
After Patty Griffin, a famous singer songwriter
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0 |
Ani
Ani DiFranco, a singer and a multi-instrumentalist
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0 |
Neko
After Neko Case, an American singer-songwriter
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0 |
Kasey
Kasey Chambers, an Australian folk singer
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0 |
Dar
Dar Williams, an American pop-folk singer
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0 |
Vega
Suzanne Vega, an American folk singer
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0 |
Julia
The other half of the Australian duo Angus & Julia Stone
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0 |
Gaia
After Gaia Consort; the goddess of Earth in Greek mythology
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0 |
Indigo
Indigo Girls, a Grammy-winning American folk band
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0 |
Bonnie
After Bonnie Koloc, a famous Chicago-based folk musician
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0 |
Siân
After Siân James, a Welsh traditional folk singer
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0 |
Shira
After Shira Kammen, an American singer-songwriter
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0 |
Alina
Alina Järvelä, a Finnish fiddle-player for the folk band Frigg
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0 |
Cara
Cara Dillon, an Irish folk singer
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0 |
Vikki
Vikki Thorn, a vocalist of the Australian folk band The Waifs
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0 |
Lynn
Lynn Miles, a Canadian folk singer songwriter
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0 |
Awna
Awna Teixeira, a member of Po'Girl
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Rosa
After Rosa Eskenazi, a Greek folk musician
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0 |
Sinéad
Sinéad Lohan, an Irish folk singer; "kind"
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Plush
After a South African folk band; a perfect name for a fluffy dog
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0 |
Lena
Lena Willemark, a Swedish folk musician
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0 |
Birdy
An English folk musician; perfect name for a playful puppy
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0 |
Maddy
A vocalist for Steeleye Span
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0 |
Libby
After Libby Roderick, an American singer songwriter
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