Introduction
For diehard fans of Lethal Weapon, there are few better ways to give your dog a name than attributing them a title from one of creator Shane Black's many great characters. Although it may be a niche fan group, it’s hard to deny Lethal Weapon’s popularity. After starting as a standalone film back in 1987, it soon morphed into a franchise spanning four films and most recently, a television series as well. From the classic one-liners that have cemented themselves in pop culture to the characters who retain their personalities through multiple actors, there are few better places for fans to go for dog names than the franchise itself.
Lethal Weapon Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
The Lethal Weapon franchise did just about as much as it could for the classic concept of silver screen police officers duos, continuing on a trend that was largely set just after the solo protagonists of the film noir era by celebrating a somewhat abrasive — even if comically so — dynamic between two unlike personalities. In Lethal Weapon 2, writer and creator Shane Black even furthers the relationship by adding in Leo Getz as a third-wheel. But one important partnership tends to get overshadowed throughout the franchise’s history: the relationship between Riggs and his dog Sam.
While characters in film having dogs is usually a simple contextual addition to their character, Sam actually ends up being quite important in several of the films. Although he does appear in all four — barring Lethal Weapon 3 in which he is only shown in the extended cut — Sam’s place in Lethal Weapon history largely stems from the franchise’s origins: Lethal Weapon and Lethal Weapon 2.
While he certainly doesn’t get the attention that many other cast members do, his role shouldn’t be understated. In the original film, much of the narrative stems around Riggs’ depression and his constant struggle with the loss of his wife and quickly degrading mental state, which often manifests in the field in destructive manners. Riggs proves to be suicidal in the film first but is comforted by Sam’s company and at one point, because of it, decides not to take his own life with his dog present. Sam also acts as his moral compass, becoming visibly upset when Riggs brings random women home to his trailer.
But his role in the second film may be just as important, as his loyalty and awareness combine to save Riggs from near destruction. In Lethal Weapon 2, Riggs tells Sam to go outside after bringing home Rika Van Den Haas, which he somewhat reluctantly does. A few moments later, when helicopters stacked with Arjen Rudd’s men ambush his trailer, Sam is the first to alert his master of the impending danger, buying them all enough time to escape in a pickup truck. Much like the first film, Sam also provides Riggs his company after Rika is killed, joining him on the walk down the beach.
Though he’s rarely given big parts, Sam proves to be the reason that Riggs stays alive in both the first and second films, cementing himself in a pivotal role as the best kind of loyal and intelligent canine companion.
Lethal Weapon Inspired Dog Name Considerations
When trying to come up with an appropriate Lethal Weapon-inspired dog name, it’s best to first put together a list of your dog’s most defining traits. Consider their appearance, their breed origin, their quirks and their personality and use these characteristics as points of comparison when scrolling down our list of names and descriptions.
For instance, if your dog is particularly reckless or has bouts of wildness, the names Martin and Riggs would easily be good fits. If they’re more rigid and methodical, then Roger or Murtaugh would be better. If you happen to dress them in over-the-top or brightly colored clothing, then Benny might be a suitable option. If they are short and excitable, then the name Getz would be a perfect fit. If they’re ultra-loyal or simply a Shetland Sheepdog, you could always name them Sam, just like Riggs’ dog.
There are plenty of characters you can name your dog after, even if they’re villains. Not everything has to be based on personality. It could be based on their haircut, mannerisms or anything else of the like, but if you’re still having trouble coming up with one, don’t hesitate to have a movie marathon and see which character shares the most in common with them.
Male Lethal Weapon Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Murtaugh
After Roger Murtaugh, the veteran homicide detective who has to deal with Riggs
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Arjen
After Arjen Rudd, the antagonist of Lethal Weapon 2
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Rudd
After Arjen Rudd, the evil South African diplomat from Lethal Weapon 2
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Bennett
After Bennett Hirsch, the mole in the ATF in the television series
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Benny
After Benny Chan, the crime boss from Lethal Weapon 4
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Phelps
After Billy Phelps, Jack Travis's henchman
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Jackson
After Chad Jackson, the ex-Navy SEAL from the series' first season
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Smithers
After Darryl Smithers, Jack Travis's henchman and Murtaugh's son's best friend
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Garrison
An LAPD homicide/robbery detective featured in the TV series
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Eddie
After Eddie Estaban, an LAPD detective in LW2
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Endo
One of Shadow Company's henchmen in the original movie
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Getz
After Leo Getz, the tritagonist of the LW series, appearing in several movies
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Gideon
After Gideon Lyon, an ex-CIA agent in the series
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Gomez
Danny Arroyo's boxer character in LW4
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Hatchett
One of Jack Travis's henchmen in LW3
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Jarvis
After Jarvis Becker, the leader of LAPD's bomb squad in LW2 and LW3
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Jenkins
Riggs' former partner in the series
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Collins
After Jerry Collins, an LAPD detective assigned to the Krugerrand case
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Cahill
After Dr. Maureen Cahill, LAPD's police psychologist
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Shapiro
After Meagan Shapiro, an officer assigned to the Krugerrand case in LW2
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Mendez
The Shadow Company dealer from the original Lethal Weapon
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Brower
After Ned Brower, the former LAPD officer turned security driver in the series
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Oscar
After Oscar Alvarez, whose father was targeted in the pilot episode
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Cole
After Lorna Cole, who eventually becomes Riggs' wife
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Scorsese
LAPD's forensic tech and pathologist in the series
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Woods
After Stephanie Woods, LAPD's police psychologist in LW1 through LW4
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Tito
After Tito Flores, the main antagonist of Season 1
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Bowman
After Zach Bowman, a homicide/robbery detective in the series
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Shane
After Shane Black, the creator of Lethal Weapon
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Black
After Shane Black, who wrote and produced Lethal Weapon
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Female Lethal Weapon Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Riggs
After Martin Riggs, the off-the-wall officer who gets assigned to Murtaugh
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Cruz
After Alex Cruz, former Loco turned police officer
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Hunsaker
After Michael Hunsaker, Murtaugh's mustachioed friend who gets involved in bad business
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Hirsch
After Bennett Hirsch, the main antagonist of the Surf N Turf episode
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Chan
After Benny Chan, the interestingly dressed secondary antagonist of Lethal Weapon 4
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Avery
After Brooks Avery, Murtaugh's LAPD supervisor
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Butters
After Lee Butters, Murtaugh's son-in-law in Lethal Weapon 4
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Chu
One of Uncle Benny's enforcers in Lethal Weapon 4
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Hennicky
After Daryl Hennicky, the secondary antagonist in the TV series pilot
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Reed
After David Reed, Captain of the LA Sheriff's Department
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Murphy
After Ed Murphy, Captain of the LAPD in LW4
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Fan
Wah Sing Ku's enforcer in LW4
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Genie
After Genie Babcock, a by-the-books LAPD officer in the series pilot
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Proody
After George Proody, an immigration consultant working for Benny Chan in LW4
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Lyon
After Gideon Lyon, the CIA agent turned operative for Tito Flores
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Harper
After Harper Murtaugh, Roger's two-year-old daughter
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Becker
After Jarvis Becker, who helps save Murtaugh from a bomb in LW2
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Palmer
After Karen Palmer, Riggs' love interest in the series
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Navar
After Maria Navar, Tito Flores' ex-mistress
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Torez
After Maria Torez, a by-the-books LAPD detective featured in the first episode of the series
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Mickey
After Mickey McGee, the wise-cracking carpenter from LW2 and LW3
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McGee
After carpenter Mickey McGee, who remodels Murtaugh's house and Riggs' trailer
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Belenko
After Natasha Belenko, a Russian immigrant and witness to murder in the series' second episode
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Rika
After Rika Van Den Haas, Riggs' girlfriend in LW2
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Dawson
After Ronald Dawson, the heavyweight boxing champ in Episode 2 of the series
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Sam
Riggs' Shetland Sheepdog
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Bailey
After Sonya Bailey, a homicide/robbery detective in the series
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Wyler
After Tom Wyler, an LAPD detective from LW2
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Yee
One of Benny Chan's henchmen
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Donner
After Richard Donner, who directed and produced Lethal Weapon
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