Introduction
Whether you have Mexican heritage or you’re just a fan of the culture, giving your dog a name inspired by this vibrant country is a great idea. Mexico has many different regions, a long, colorful history, and many fascinating places to visit. And, of course, there’s also the food to consider… Mexican food is some of the tastiest to be found! Give your pup a name related to Mexico and every time you call him you’ll be reminded of delicious cuisine, art, and ancient civilizations, among other things!
Mexican Dog Names in Popular Culture
The famous Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo was known to have had a numerous Xoloitzcuintli dogs, an ancient breed that originates in Mexico. Supposedly she had one named Mr. Xolotl, named for the Aztec god Xolotl, who guarded the sun. This dog is featured in many of her paintings, including one which she titled “Love’s Embrace of the Universe, Earth, (Mexico), I, Diego, and Mr. Xolotl.” This breed has had some ups and downs over the years, almost going extinct at the beginning of the 1900's, but it rebounded and has now become more popular, once again. Frida’s paintings (and those of her husband, Diego Rivera) may have contributed to the popularity of the Xoloitzcuintli breed, as it experienced a resurgence during the time she was painting them. Unfortunately, these dogs fell in popularity again in the 1950's and were even deregistered from the American Kennel Club. A painting of Frida’s featuring the Xoloitzcuintli is now printed on the $500 peso bill which has certainly helped preserve them in popular culture. These pups were admitted back into the American Kennel Club in 2010.
If you saw the recent film Coco you may recognize the Xoloitzcuintli breed in Miguel’s friend, the street dog Dante. Dante is a loyal companion for Miguel, always looking out for his best interests and trying to protect him from harm.
Although they aren’t particularly cute (they are hairless, after all), the Xolo is an important breed in Mexican history. There is even a geneticist trying to have it given World Heritage designation!
Mexican Dog Name Considerations
The possibilities are truly endless when you’re choosing a Mexican name for your dog. You could go the simple route and just pick a name in Spanish (it just sounds so much more romantic!). Or you could dig deeper and pick something from Mexican culture that really resonates with you and relates to your pup.
There are many colorful characters throughout Mexican history (and its present as well!) that might be great namesakes for your dog! Perhaps you want to name your dog for a beloved figure of Mexican entertainment, like Luis Miguel. Or you could opt for a name that recalls one of your favorite Mexican foods, like garnacha, or sope!
Or, if you’re a history fan you could choose something related to an archaeological site or a figure from Mesoamerica. It’s unlikely that there will be any other dogs at the dog park called Nahuatl, so you’ll never have to worry about having miscommunications with your pup.
The best thing about picking a Mexican name is that they work for any type of dog. If anything, you’re likely to have trouble narrowing down your choices!
Male Mexican Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
10 |
Diego
Diego Rivera, a famous Mexican artist who was married to Frida Kahlo
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|
5 |
Churro
A favorite Mexican snack food
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|
5 |
Santo
For Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta, aka El Santo, an iconic Mexican wrestler
|
|
4 |
Guey
A Mexican slang word for "dude"
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|
4 |
Indio
Indio is a popular brand of beer in Mexico
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|
3 |
Toltec
A mesoamerican culture from Mexico
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|
3 |
Kuku
For Kukulkán, an ancient mesoamerican god
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|
3 |
Charro
Jorge Negrete, beloved Mexican singer affectionately referred to as "El Charro Cantor"
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|
3 |
Golfo
Spanish for "gulf," as in the Gulf of Mexico
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|
2 |
Monarch
For the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán
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|
2 |
Fox
Vicente Fox Quesada, the 55th president of Mexico
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|
2 |
Luis Mi
For Luis Miguel, a famous Mexican singer
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|
2 |
Taco
A popular Mexican food
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|
2 |
Jarocho
What you call a person from the state of Veracruz
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|
2 |
Tajin
El Tajin, pre-Hispanic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state of Veracruz
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|
1 |
Chema
Nickname for Jose Maria Morelos, an important figure in the Mexican Independence Movement
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|
1 |
Pedro
Pedro Infante, Mexican actor and singer, famous for his band La Rabia
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|
1 |
Juanga
Nickname for beloved Mexican singer Juan Gabriel
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|
1 |
Pibil
Cochinita Pibil is a popular food in Yucatán state
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|
0 |
Aztec
In honor of the Aztec Empire which reigned in Mexico
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|
0 |
Ori
Pico de Orizaba, the highest mountain in Mexico
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|
0 |
Regio
What you call someone from the city of Monterrey
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|
-1 |
Maco
Inspired by the town Catemaco, in the state of Veracruz
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|
-1 |
Leon
For the state of Nuevo Leon
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|
-1 |
Chavo
El Chavo del Ocho, Mexican sitcom revolving around "el chavo," an orphan in a poor neighborhood
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|
-2 |
Roo
For Quintana Roo, the Mexican state where Cancun is located
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|
-2 |
Tule
Árbol de Tule is a massive tree in the state of Oaxaca; it is a tentative World Heritage Site
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|
-2 |
Lucho
Inspired by Mexican wrestlers, or lucha libre fighters
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|
-3 |
Hidalgo
After the Mexican state of Hidalgo
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|
-3 |
Marcos
For Subcomandante Marcos, leader of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation
|
Female Mexican Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
---|---|---|
7 |
Gordita
A popular Mexican food; also Spanish for "little fatty"
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|
7 |
Concha
A type of sweet bread commonly eaten with breakfast
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|
6 |
Maya
In honor of the Maya indigenous group of Mexico
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|
4 |
Patsy
Inspired by the town of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
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|
4 |
Dolores
After Dolores Hidalgo, the town where the Mexican independence movement began on September 16th, 1810
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|
4 |
Paz
Octavio Paz, Mexican poet and diplomat
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|
4 |
Marigold
These flowers are used to decorate during the Dia de los Muertos celebrations
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|
3 |
Cholula
A beautiful city in the state of Puebla
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|
3 |
Margarita
A popular cocktail associated with Mexico
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|
3 |
Juana
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz is an important figure in Baroque poetry from Mexico
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|
3 |
Tulum
A popular vacation destination in the Riviera Maya
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|
2 |
Sonora
After the Mexican state of the same name
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|
1 |
Cafe
Spanish for coffee, which Mexico grows a lot of
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|
1 |
TJ
A common slang term for the city of Tijuana
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|
0 |
Frida
Frida Kahlo, famous Mexican artist
|
|
0 |
Vallarta
For the city Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination
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|
0 |
Isla
Spanish for "island," Mexico has many beautiful islands to explore
|
|
-1 |
Valentina
A common Mexican hot sauce to put on your food
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|
-1 |
Cemita
A type of sandwich that comes from the state of Puebla
|
|
-1 |
Tequila
A popular Mexican liquor
|
|
-1 |
Kahlua
A liqueur made in Mexico
|
|
-1 |
María
La India María is a famous character in Mexican popular culture
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|
-1 |
Costeña
The Spanish term for anyone from the coast
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|
-1 |
Mija
Mexican term of endearment derived from the phrase "mi hija" meaning "my daughter" in Spanish
|
|
-1 |
Chiquita
A term of endearment meaning "little one" in Spanish
|
|
-2 |
Salma
Salma Hayek, famous Mexican actress
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|
-2 |
Sierra
For the Sierra Madre mountain range, which extends into Mexico
|
|
-3 |
Piñata
It's common to have a piñata at children's birthday parties
|
|
-3 |
Doña
Actress María Félix is commonly called "La Doña"
|
|
-3 |
Coba
A Mayan ruin in the state of Quintana Roo
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