Introduction
In the world of folklore, few characters hold as much acclaim as that of Robin Hood. If you need any further proof, consider that he and the legends that surround him first emerged during the 14th century and have been extended, altered and re-written literally hundreds of times throughout history. And while the spellings and stories may have changed to suit their writers and audiences, one thing has remained steadfast: that Robin Hood was one of the first and best kinds of ethical outlaws. With his legends came other characters complete with names that not only echo through time, but make for perfect dog-naming options.
Robin Hood Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
In the vast world of Robin Hood, there are seemingly as many characters as there are versions of the story. The original tales and poems are highly debated to be works of fiction, while others claim Robin Hood and some of his Merry Men became default names and identities for outlaws who did not want to be named, their adventures a sprawling conglomerate of both true and fictional events all rolled up into an overlapping mass of narrative.
But regardless of which version or versions you subscribe to or enjoy, the entire Robin Hood universe is full of interesting characters from those that have been around since the beginning, such as the likes of Little John, Will Scarlet and Maid Marian, to those who are entirely new such as numerous characters from the Disney and Men in Tights iterations.
Surprisingly enough, despite the frequent use of animals as companions and utilities at the time, dogs are only occasionally mentioned throughout the entirety of the stories. At one point, during one of the first meetings of Robin Hood and Friar Tuck, Tuck calls for a mass of dogs as backup to defend himself when Robin and the Merry Men mistakenly take arms against him, but it’s one of few occasions where canines are referenced. Most others are reduced to mentioning them in a passing line or two but rarely feature them outright.
However, one version of Robin Hood did introduce a dog (and a few wolves and foxes to boot) and although he’s not a main character, he’s certainly endearing nonetheless: Disney’s Otto.
While Otto is not the heroic swashbuckling type like his animal companions, he is a pretty accurate representation of a true dog-like personality, at least that of a thankful rescue. In the movie he plays only a small part as Nottingham’s blacksmith, but he is portrayed as kind, generous and appreciative. When Friar Tuck gives him money from Robin Hood, he is eternally grateful, much like the behaviors of dogs after being given help or even better, a forever home. While most of the rest of his later appearances are largely non-speaking cameos, he sets up the story and characters, exemplifying the types of people/animals Robin Hood preferred to help. As an animal we often hold so close, he’s the perfect pick for the role, tugging at the heartstrings of viewers when things don’t go his way and rejoicing when things finally do, much like we do with our own canine companions.
Robin Hood Inspired Dog Name Considerations
When trying to come up with the perfect Robin Hood inspired name, it’s best to first compile a list of your dog’s most defining traits from their looks to their habits, quirks and overall personality. The second step will be defining which era or version of Robin Hood you liked the best, from the historic folklore of the Middle Ages to the ultra-modern iterations released just this year, as this will determine your name options. We stuck to the original but don’t be afraid to make a list of your own as well.
Depending on which Robin Hood line of stories you go with, you’ll have plenty of options to explore. For instance, if you like the Disney version best, you can draw comparisons to each character’s animal traits (like Robin the fox’s cunning or Alan-a-Dale’s musical ability). If you like the comedic version, like Robin Hood: Men in Tights, you can always play off new characters like Ahchoo and Asneeze (especially if they happen to do either a lot).
There are a ton of different versions and ideas to base your names on so pick your favorite, do some research, re-examine the material and see what jumps off the page or screen.
Male Robin Hood Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Hood
After Robin Hood, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor
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Little John
Also known as John Little, Robin Hood's close friend (and sometimes enemy)
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Friar
After Friar Tuck, the talented companion and actual religious friar
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Tuck
After Friar Tuck, the sometimes foolish sometimes wise overweight friend of Robin's
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Much
After Much the Miller's Son, a widely varying character of the Merry Men
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Dale
After Alan a Dale, a member of the Merry Men and late-legend narrator
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Nottingham
A central shire in the legends
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Reynold
After Reynold Greenleaf, the name used by Little John to trick the Sheriff of Nottingham
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Archer
A skilled profession of many of the Merry Men
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Edwinstowe
The village where Robin and Marian were supposedly married
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Fitzwalter
After Lord Fitzwalter, who some say Maid Marian was a daughter to
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Wolfshead
After Lady Wolfshead, another name for Maid Marian
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Fountain
After the Fountains Abbey, where it is said Friar Tuck originated from
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Yorkshire
The location of the Fountains Abbey
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Maxfield
Where it is believed that Will Scarlet came from
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Gamwell
As in Young Gamwell, what Will Scarlet states his name is in one story
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Earl
A high position of power in the Middle Ages
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Allin
Another name for Alan, one of several spellings used in the legends
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Gilbert
After Gilbert with the White Hand, one of the Merry Men's best archers
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Doncaster
After David of Doncaster, another of the Merry Men
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Crabstaff
Where Wat O' supposedly stemmed from
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Arthur
The tanner of the Merry Men
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Wakefield
After George a Greene, the pinder of Wakefield
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Azeem
The philosopher from Prince of Thieves
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Djaq
The modern female Muslim member of Robin's troop
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Sheriff
After the Sheriff of Nottingham, the main antagonist in the stories
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Gisborne
After Guy of Gisborne, an enemy of Robin's
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Simon
After the sorcerer Simon de Belleme
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Kirklees
After the Prioress of Kirklees, supposedly Robin's own blood who crosses him
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Red Roger
The man who helps drain Robin
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Female Robin Hood Inspired Dog Names
Votes | Name | Vote |
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Robin
After Robin Hood, also known as Robin of Locksley
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Merry
After the Merry Men, Robin Hood's band of others
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Marian
After Maid Marian, Robin Hood's love interest
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Scarlet
After Will Scarlet, who is Robin's cousin or nephew, depending on the story
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Miller
After Much, who was the son of a Miller and quite powerful
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Nailer
Or Naylor, believed to be the real last name of Little John
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Shire
Traditional counties of old England
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Derby
As in Derbyshire, where it is believed that Little John was from
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Hathersage
The area of Derbyshire believed to be the origins of Little John
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Greenleaf
After Reynold Greenleaf, Little John's fake identity to infiltrate the sheriff's ranks
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Saxon
The Germanic people of the early Middle Ages
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Green
The most important color of the group
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Abbey
A monastery
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Locksley
Where it is believed that Robin Hood was from
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Young
As in Young Gamwell, another name for Will Scarlet's character
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Midge
Another name for Much
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Stutely
As in Will Stutely, sometimes the same as Scarlet, often a completely different character
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Wato
After Wat O', the Merry Man with a knack for repairs
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Gamble
After Gamble Gold, a pedlar
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Gold
After Gamble Gold, one of the Merry Men good at trading
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Bettris
George a Greene's wife
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Clorinda
Another love interest of Robin's
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Downey
After Bold Jane Downey, a modern addition to the folklore
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Cecily
Will Scarlet's sister
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Gwyn
A modernized character; Robin and Marian's daughter
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Nasir
The ex-assassin from Robin of Sherwood
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Belleme
An evil sorcerer that crosses Robin
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Maudlin
Another evildoer in the folklore
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Abbot
The head of an abbey
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Bishop
A senior member of Christian clergy, of which a few are reference in the legends
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