Introduction
As a popular TV show with lots of strong characters and creatures, Game of Thrones is a series that can inspire us when we are choosing a name for our dog, as there are lot of strong male and female characters that we admire. We absorb ourselves in their world and feel like we know them, so what better way to show how much we love the show than to name our awesome family dog in true Game of Thrones style. We might want our dog to be courageous like Arya, or righteous like Ned. Regardless, of your reasons, names inspired by Game of Thrones will certainly represent strength and resourcefulness.
Game of Thrones Dog Names in Popular Culture
Game
of Thrones rose to fame as a hit TV series in 2011, but it was originally
released as a novel, the first being published in 1996, 15 years previous to
the show, by George R.R. Martin. The fan base of this fantasy phenomenon
has grown dramatically in recent years and Martin is not afraid to kill off
your favorite character despite their popularity, so fans know not to get too
attached. Sources suggest that the novels were originally inspired by the
War of the Roses, between the Tudors and the Yorks in England from 1455 to 1487 –
a time of throne stealing and usurping!
The direwolves in Game of Thrones are strong, powerful, independent creatures of
survival, believed to be near-mythical south of Westeros. The direwolf is
symbolic as it’s on the Stark family Sigil, and they usually live further north beyond the wall in the ice and snow, as they thrive in freezing
temperatures. They are loyal and protective of their family. As the
mother-wolf is dead, the Stark children are each given a cub to care for and
name. The male direwolves are named Ghost, Grey Wind, Shaggydog, and
Summer, while the females are named Lady and Nymeria.
Ghost
becomes the most well-known direwolf. Originally, the runt of pack, he is
humble, loyal and fierce. He has strong survival instincts and lives in the
mirror image of his master, Jon Snow. Jon is thought to be illegitimate, but in series 7, it comes to light that he is a secret Targaryen
prince, with a claim to the throne.
The show has
many celebrity fans including singers Ed Sheeran and Madonna. Madonna
dressed up as Daenerys Targaryen, whilst Ed Sheeran actually appeared in
episode 1 of season 7, aired in 2017, as a Lannister soldier. This was
actually a request by the Game of Thrones crew, as Maisie Williams, who plays
Arya Stark in the show is a fan of his music, so Ed was invited and offered a
role, as a surprise for her.
In August 2017,
a baby Hippo born in Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, England and was named Hodor by zoo keepers. This was based on inspiration from the
character of Hodor, in the Game of Thrones series.
Some sources
suggest that the show is popular due to its links to daily life, by covering
themes like war, marriage, mortality, inequalities, and religion. Some
say it’s a political drama, while others suggest it is thriller. The
truth is, that this fantasy series appeals to so many genres!
Game of Throne Dog Name Considerations
Choosing a forever-name for your new dog is difficult, but there is a lot of inspiration to be taken from Game of Thrones. Maybe your pup is beautiful and deserves a name like Daenerys, or should have a giant name like Wun Wun, to match its giant personality. If you live in King's Landing, you may want a small, pretty lap dog, like a Bichon Frise or Chihuahua, named Myrcella, inspired by the late Baratheon/Lannister princess. Regardless, a suitable name can certainly be found with a little inspiration from in and around the Seven Kingdoms.
If your pooch thrives
in the cold and is wolf-like in nature, body, or spirit, you may wish to choose
a name inspired by the Stark direwolves.
Ghost is bright white in color,
caring and loyal in nature, and loves to track, like the Samoyed breed.
Grey Wind is large and strong. This would be a great name for an Alaskan
Malamute breed. Grey Wind is resourceful and can survive harsh
conditions. Shaggydog is large and dark in color, similar to the
black and grey Tamaskan. Lady resembles a Siberian Husky, especially when
she inquisitively narrows her eyes. Nymeria is very strong-willed and
spirited. She is fearless and resembles the Kugsha breed. Finally,
Summer, is very smart and loyal. He closely resembles a Northern Inuit,
and is brown and white color. German Shepherds are said to be ancestors of the
Northern Inuit.
Male Game of Thrones Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
15 |
Ghost
A loyal direwolf with a bright white coat
|
|
13 |
Stark
A well-respected family known to be protector of the North
|
|
9 |
Tarly
Inspired by the very intelligent maester in training Samwell Tarly
|
|
8 |
Rhaegal
A green and bronze scaled dragon with orange and yellow wings
|
|
6 |
Drogon
A large black and red dragon
|
|
6 |
Jaqan
Inspired by Jaqen H'ghar who is a member the Faceless Men, a group of assassins
|
|
6 |
Viper
Inspired by the handsome and athletic Oberyn Martell of Dorne who is nicknamed the Red Viper
|
|
5 |
Ned
The nickname of Eddard Stark who is hand of the king and executed in season 1
|
|
5 |
Sully
Perfect name for your obedient pooch, inspired by the army of the unsullied
|
|
5 |
Tormund
The name Tormund is inspired by the red-headed wildling character who fights alongside Jon Snow
|
|
3 |
Viserion
Once a cream and gold dragon slayed by the Night King and brought back as a Wight to fight in his army
|
|
3 |
Hodor
Hodor is the only word that the character Hodor can say; it derives from the phrase hold the door
|
|
3 |
Stannis
Stannis Baratheon is brother to Robert Baratheon who is king in season 1
|
|
3 |
Sandor
Inspired by the character Sandor Clegane who is also often referred to as the Hound
|
|
3 |
Greyjoy
Lord Greyjoy is Lord of the Iron Islands; he has a son, Theon Greyjoy, who was taken as a child to be Ned Stark's squire
|
|
2 |
Ramsey
Inspired by the sadistic Ramsey Bolton
|
|
2 |
Kingslayer
This is the nickname given to Ser Jaime Lannister
|
|
2 |
Ice
Inspired by the Stark's motto, winter is coming
|
|
2 |
Bear
Inspired by Lord Commander Mormont who was once Lord of Bear Island
|
|
2 |
Aemon
Aemon is the Night's Watch Maester, he is a Targaryen that refused the throne because he had taken vows to become Maester
|
|
1 |
Varys
Inspired by the eunuch Lord Varys who is sometimes referred to as the Spider
|
|
1 |
Balon
Inspired by Lord Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands
|
|
1 |
Gendry
Illegitimate son of Robert Baratheon who is king in season 1
|
|
1 |
Davos
Ser Davos Seaworth was once a smuggler but was knighted for his loyal service and nicknamed the Onion Knight
|
|
0 |
Shaggydog
A fierce black-coated direwolf
|
|
0 |
Grey Wind
A brave, grey and white direwolf
|
|
0 |
Longclaw
Jon Snow's sword originally owned by Jeor Mormont, Lord Commander of the Night's Watch
|
|
0 |
Walder
Walder Frey was the Lord of the Crossing until Arya Stark murders him for revenge in season 7
|
|
-1 |
Roose
Inspired by the character Lord Roose Bolton
|
|
-3 |
Podrick
Inspired by squire Podrick Payne
|
Female Game of Thrones Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
8 |
Lyanna
Lyanna Stark is the sister of Ned Stark and Jon Snow's mother
|
|
6 |
Lady
Lady was very obedient and calm like her owner Sansa
|
|
6 |
Winter
Inspired by the weather in the North and the Stark's home of Winterfell
|
|
6 |
Yara
Yara is Theon Greyjoy's sister but her name is Asha in the novels
|
|
6 |
Meera
Meera is a loyal protector of Bran Stark and helps him find the three-eyed Raven
|
|
4 |
Valyrian
The Valyrian Freehold now fallen
|
|
4 |
Ygritte
A red-haired feisty and fearless wildling girl
|
|
4 |
Khaleesi
Means wife of Khal which is a Dothraki ruler
|
|
4 |
Mhysa
Meaning mother, slaves shout this to Daenerys when she frees them
|
|
3 |
Raven
Ravens are used often as a way to communicate; they deliver messages from city to city
|
|
3 |
Myrcella
Myrcella is the golden-haired princess who is in love with a Dornish prince and murdered by his family
|
|
3 |
Asshai
The mysterious birthplace of Melisandre, nobody knows what lies in the shadow lands beyond this place
|
|
2 |
Arya
Although she has a very cute name Arya is quick and resourceful
|
|
2 |
Sansa
Sansa is the perfect name for your pretty lap dog but she is also clever and cunning
|
|
2 |
Gilly
A wildling girl rescued from her father by Samwell Tarly
|
|
1 |
Nymeria
The protective direwolf owned by Arya Stark but now lives in the wild, whereabouts unknown
|
|
1 |
Citadel
Holds many ancient archived documents and books, maesters are trained in the Citadel
|
|
1 |
Asha
Asha is Theon Greyjoy's sister but in the TV show she is named Yara
|
|
1 |
Osha
A brave servant and wildling who rescues Bran and Rickon Stark from execution
|
|
1 |
Rhaella
Rhaella Targaryen is the mother of Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen
|
|
0 |
Summer
Summer was Bran Stark's brave direwolf who died fighting off wight walkers
|
|
0 |
Tyrell
A wealthy and well-respected family killed off by the Lannisters in season 7
|
|
0 |
Elia
Sister of Prince Doran and Oberyn Martell and married to Rhaegar Targaryen
|
|
0 |
Loreza
One of eight Sand Snakes and illegitimate daughter of Oberyn Martell
|
|
-1 |
Mel
Mel is a short and sweet name inspired by the red priestess Melisandre
|
|
-1 |
Leaf
Part of the Children of the Forest who are a non-human race
|
|
-2 |
Missy
Inspired by the character Missandei who advises Daenerys Targaryen
|
|
-2 |
Ellaria
A flighty femme fatale and the mother of Prince Oberyn's four youngest children
|
|
-2 |
Dorea
Another illegitimate daughter of Oberyn Martell, she is also a skilled Sand Snake
|
|
-3 |
Tyene
A highly trained Sand Snake and illegitimate daughter of Oberyn Martell
|