North Carolina Dog Names

Introduction

North Carolina holds the distinction of being among the first thirteen colonies. In fact, North Carolina sent delegates to the Continental Congress with the instructions to vote in favor of independence from Great Britain. North Carolina has a reputation for doing its own thing! North Carolina was home to many plantations in the business of raising tobacco, but the state was the last to secede from the Union during the Civil War conflict. Kitty Hawk, the site of the first manned self-propelled airplane flight, rests in North Carolina. A dog from North Carolina may deserve a unique name, or an individual may choose to honor the Southern roots of the state and choose a traditional dog name.

North Carolina Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Dog with a North Carolina Name

Winston

Winston-Salem is one of the largest cities in the state of North Carolina. It is home to children's museums, art exhibitions, lush gardens, and a small university. The city was founded by the Moravians, a religious sect. Its roots run back to the late 1700s, but it is also quite a modern city. It is nicknamed the "Twin City," with Winston seemingly the more exuberant twin. It is known for its history as the center for of the tobacco industry, yet it is also home to a traditional furniture company.

Winston is a highly popular name for male dogs; some of whom are rather famous. One Winston in particular is rather curious. Winston the Dog is a Yellow Lab from Oklahoma City. He enjoys putting his nose in the fridge, among other places that it shouldn't necessarily be. Owner Scott Cromwell caught Winston foraging for hot dogs in the refrigerator, so he decided to capitalize on Winston's love of food and make some snapshots. Cromwell placed an apple on Winston's head, then set up a red background. He did the same with a banana, this time using a yellow background. Cromwell uploaded the pictures, and they received quite a following.

Another familiar Winston is featured in the short Disney film, Feast, which proceeded the Big Hero 6 movie in theaters. This Winston is a small terrier who is constantly hungry. The film short follows life through the eyes of the dog. His owner, James, shares human food with Winston, which is a nod to the film's name. Of course, one day, James finds a love interest (Kirby), and Winston seems to fall by the wayside. For some time, Winston cannot understand why James spends more time with Kirby than with him. However, when Kirby and James break up, Winston senses a deep sadness inside of his owner. It is then that Winston finds himself on a mission. Winston becomes a hero when he reunites James with Kirby. The three become a happy family.

There are also a host of "Winston the dog" Twitter handles, and many dog "actors" are named Winston. It is one of the top ten most popular dog names. Ironically, the name Winston denotes independence, which is quite reminiscent of North Carolina's history.

North Carolina Dog Name Considerations

When a person thinks of North Carolina, they often think of the beauty of the state. North Carolina shares a portion of the Great Smoky National Park with its sister state, Tennessee. The Biltmore Estate, the vacation home of the Vanderbilts, is located in Asheville. Many historic homes dating back to the Revolutionary Era still stand in North Carolina, making it a place that favors tradition. Most people might be surprised to learn that North Carolina's Reed Gold Mine was the first documented gold mine, even before the California Gold Rush of 1848. Names exemplifying beauty, tradition, and innovation are in order for those wishing to name a pup after Carolinian values.

The Plott Hound is the state dog of North Carolina, and, like most other Southern states, hunting is a favorite pastime for the state's citizens. The top three most popular dogs in the state are the Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd, and the Beagle. (Not surprisingly, two of those dogs are known for their tracking and retrieving prowess.)

Of course, many Southern belles enjoy small "lap" dogs, and North Carolina tends to favorite designer dogs such as the Goldendoodle, the Maltipoo, and the Morkie. Some owners tend to give these pups either a very traditional name. For those with small dogs, the owner may saddle the dog with a name denoting their fragility. The variety of names is fitting for the diversity of this beautiful state.

Male North Carolina Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
4	Winston A city in North Carolina
4	Raleigh The capital of North Carolina
4	Walter Refers to Sir Walter Raleigh, who explored the territory of North Carolina and took tobacco back to England
4	Wilbur Refers to Wilbur Wright of the Wright brothers
3	Bucky American Idol winner Bucky Covington hails from North Carolina
3	Henry Writer O. Henry was born in Greensboro
2	Dash North Carolina's minor-league baseball team
2	Max Jazz drummer Max Roach was born in North Carolina
1	Andy Iconic actor Andy Griffith hails from North Carolina
1	Duke A university located in North Carolina known for their highly successful basketball team
1	Church Refers to country singer Eric Church, who hails from North Carolina
1	Zac This name refers to North Carolina native band The Zac Brown Band
1	Randy Country music legend Randy Travis hails from North Carolina
1	Ben The rock music group Ben Folds Five hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
0	Aniwaya Cherokee for wolf; the Cherokee tribe was native to the western area of the state
0	Jordan Basketball great Michael Jordan played for the North Carolina Tar Heels
0	Bodie Refers to Bodie Island in North Carolina
0	Smitty Refers to University of North Carolina coach Dean Smith
0	Knight Refers to basketball coach Bobby Knight
0	Worthy Refers to basketball great James Worthy, who played for the Tar Heels
0	Clay Singer and winner of American Idol Clay Aiken hails from North Carolina
0	Coltrane Musician John C. Coltrane hails from North Carolina
0	Dale Dale Earnhardt, famous race car driver, hails from North Carolina
0	Catfish This was the nickname of baseball great James Hunter of North Carolina
0	Pepsi Pepsi Cola was invented by North Carolina native Caleb Bradham
-1	Frazier Refers to author Charles Frazier who hails from North Carolina
-1	Billy Ray A great name for a hunting dog
-1	Billy Refers to Billy Graham, the influential pastor calls North Carolina home
-1	Petty Race car driver Richard Petty calls North Carolina home
-1	Ray Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard hails from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina

Female North Carolina Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
1	Lily The lily is the state flower of North Carolina
1	Caroline A play on the word "Carolina;" this name is befitting of a Yorkie or a Maltese
1	Lexie A variation of the city named Lexington
1	Star The View's Star Jones hails from North Carolina
1	Simone Singer Nancy Simone was born in North Carolina
1	Virginia Virginia Dare was the very first child born on American soil
0	Ava Actress Ava Gardner called North Carolina home
0	Mayberry Andy Griffith's fictional town was situated in North Carolina
0	Emily Emily Vanderbilt vacationed at the Biltmore Estates in North Carolina
-1	Anikawi Cherokee word for deer
-1	Charlotte This is the largest city in North Carolina
-1	Tori Singer Tori Amos was born in North Carolina
-1	Jonsie A variation of the name "Jones," as in Jones Lake State Park
-1	Liddy Former Second Lady of the United States Elizabeth Dole is also known by her nickname "Liddy"
-1	Varina Jefferson Davis' wife was a native of North Carolina
-1	Meredith Meredith College is located in North Carolina
-1	Deanie A female variation of the UNC coach Dean Smith's name
-1	Donna Country singer Donna Fargo called North Carolina home
-1	Fantasia American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino hails from North Carolina
-1	Roberta Soul singer Roberta Flack is a North Carolina native
-1	Pam Legendary actress Pam Grier is a North Carolina native
-1	Dolley Former First Lady Dolley Madison is a North Carolina native
-1	Julianne Silence of the Lambs actress Julianne Moore was born in North Carolina
-1	Kelli American Idol finalist and country music singer Kelli Pickler calls North Carolina home
-1	Fontana Fontana Lake is near the Great Smoky Mountains
-1	Corolla A group of Spanish wild ponies run free on Corolla Island
-1	Queen Anne It is believed that Blackbeard's pirate ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, was wrecked off the coast of North Carolina
-1	Selma A town in North Carolina; this name fits a Labrador Retriever
-1	Ashley This name is a nod to Asheville, North Carolina
-1	Lupie This name refers to a popular cafe in Charlotte
-1	Cornelia Cornelia Vanderbilt and her husband commissioned the building of the Biltmore Estates