TL;DR
Chihuahuas are naturally dramatic, sassy, and camera-ready—making them perfect candidates for names inspired by cinema's most memorable characters and films. These tiny dogs often steal scenes with their outsized personalities, so a movie-inspired name captures that Hollywood energy. Whether you're drawn to classic film icons, animated sidekicks, or modern blockbuster heroes, this list features real names people actually use for their chihuahuas, paired with their movie origins. Perfect for film-loving owners who want a name as distinctive and charming as their pocket-sized companion. Our top picks: Scooby, Toto, Gizmo, Bella, Marley. Full list below, searchable and sortable.
Editor's Top 5
The picks of the litter
Our Gaeilge teacher, a rescue trainer, and thirteen very good dogs weighed in. These five kept coming up.
-
01
ScoobyFrom the cowardly Great Dane in Scooby-Doo, though perfect irony for a tiny chihuahua.
-
02
TotoDorothy's beloved terrier mix from The Wizard of Oz (1939).
-
03
GizmoThe adorable Mogwai creature from Gremlins (1984).
-
04
BellaFrom Twilight's Isabella Swan, or the cocker spaniel in Lady and the Tramp.
-
05
MarleyFrom Marley & Me (2008), the mischievous yellow Labrador.
our honest top 5 ↘
Fun fact
Dogs recognize their own name in as few as 6–10 repetitions — so the two-syllable, vowel-forward names in this list are the easiest to teach. Our kennel records show Scooby is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
01
The full list, searchable & sortable
Sort by any column, or search by name or meaning. The bark-o-meter is our editorial rating — scored on ease of recall, distinctness, and whether we'd yell it across a muddy field at 6 a.m.
| Name ▾ | Tag | Meaning | Bark-o-meter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scooby | very popular | From the cowardly Great Dane in Scooby-Doo, though perfect irony for a tiny chihuahua. | |
| Toto | classic | Dorothy's beloved terrier mix from The Wizard of Oz (1939). | |
| Gizmo | popular | The adorable Mogwai creature from Gremlins (1984). | |
| Bella | very popular | From Twilight's Isabella Swan, or the cocker spaniel in Lady and the Tramp. | |
| Marley | popular | From Marley & Me (2008), the mischievous yellow Labrador. | |
| Lassie | classic | The iconic collie from the long-running TV series and films. | |
| Puss | trending | Puss in Boots from Shrek and its spinoff films. | |
| Stitch | popular | The mischievous alien experiment from Lilo & Stitch (2002). | |
| Simba | very popular | The lion prince from The Lion King (1994). | |
| Nala | popular | Simba's childhood friend and mate in The Lion King. | |
| Elmo | popular | The red Sesame Street character who became a movie star. | |
| Dug | popular | The lovable golden retriever from Pixar's Up (2009). | |
| Remy | trending | The chef rat from Ratatouille (2007). | |
| Buddy | very popular | The golden retriever from Air Bud films. | |
| Nemo | very popular | The clownfish protagonist from Finding Nemo (2003). | |
| Dory | popular | The optimistic blue tang from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. | |
| Woody | popular | The cowboy action figure from Toy Story (1995). | |
| Buzz | popular | Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger from Toy Story. | |
| Boo | popular | The adorable toddler from Monsters, Inc. (2001). | |
| Sulley | trending | Sully, the large furry monster from Monsters, Inc. | |
| Mickey | very popular | Mickey Mouse, Disney's original mascot since 1928. | |
| Minnie | very popular | Minnie Mouse, Mickey's longtime companion. | |
| Goofy | popular | Goofy, Disney's lovable clumsy character. | |
| Pluto | classic | Mickey Mouse's loyal pet dog in Disney canon. | |
| Cruella | rare | Cruella de Vil, the villain from 101 Dalmatians (1961). | |
| Tramp | popular | The streetwise mutt from Lady and the Tramp (1955). | |
| Mufasa | popular | Simba's father, the majestic lion king in The Lion King. | |
| Scar | rare | The villainous lion from The Lion King. | |
| Bambi | popular | The young deer protagonist from Bambi (1942). | |
| Dumbo | popular | The baby elephant from Dumbo (1941). | |
| Elsa | very popular | The ice-powered queen from Frozen (2013). | |
| Anna | very popular | The optimistic princess from Frozen. | |
| Olaf | popular | The snowman sidekick from Frozen; also appears in Frozen 2. | |
| Rapunzel | popular | The long-haired princess from Tangled (2010). | |
| Moana | trending | The ocean-navigating hero from Moana (2016). | |
| Maui | trending | The demigod shapeshifter from Moana. | |
| Merida | popular | The archer princess from Brave (2012). | |
| Sully | popular | James P. Sullivan from Monsters, Inc. | |
| Bolt | trending | The super-powered dog from Bolt (2008). | |
| Penny | popular | The orphan girl from The Rescuers (1977). | |
| Max | very popular | The loyal dog from The Grinch (2000) or other films. | |
| Daisy | very popular | Donald Duck's girlfriend, or generic sweet character name. | |
| Winnie | popular | Winnie the Pooh, the honey-loving bear from A.A. Milne's stories and films. | |
| Pinocchio | rare | The wooden puppet who dreams of becoming real (1940). | |
| Cinderella | popular | The classic princess from Cinderella (1950). | |
| Aurora | popular | Sleeping Beauty from Sleeping Beauty (1959). | |
| Belle | very popular | The book-loving princess from Beauty and the Beast (1991). | |
| Jasmine | very popular | The independent princess from Aladdin (1992). | |
| Ariel | very popular | The mermaid princess from The Little Mermaid (1989). | |
| Mulan | popular | The warrior princess from Mulan (1998). | |
| Pocahontas | rare | The Native American hero from Pocahontas (1995). |
◆ Click headers to sort
◆ Type in the box to filter
◆ Showing 51 of 51
02
Frequently asked questions
Are movie names good choices for chihuahuas?
Yes, movie names work especially well for chihuahuas because these tiny dogs have outsized personalities and presence—like movie characters. Popular film names are instantly recognizable, often memorable, and match the breed's tendency toward dramatic, camera-ready behavior.
What makes a good movie name for a small dog?
The best movie names for chihuahuas tend to be short (one or two syllables), clearly pronounced, and match the dog's personality. Names from iconic characters work better than titles, and humorous irony—like calling a tiny dog 'Simba' or 'Mufasa'—appeals to many owners.
Should I choose a classic or modern movie name?
Both work well depending on your preference. Classic names (Toto, Lassie, Mickey) have timeless appeal and are instantly recognized by multiple generations. Modern names (Moana, Stitch, Bolt) feel fresh and often match a pup's energetic personality better.
Do chihuahuas respond well to movie-inspired names?
Chihuahuas respond to any name with consistent training and positive reinforcement. Movie names work well because owners tend to use them enthusiastically and frequently, which helps dogs learn faster. The name you choose matters less than how you say it.
What if my chihuahua doesn't match the character's personality?
Name-personality mismatch can actually be endearing—like calling a tough little chihuahua 'Bambi' or a diva dog 'Buddy.' Owners often enjoy the humorous contrast, and dogs grow into their names regardless of initial expectations.
About the author
Priya Raman
MA Comparative Literature · former food editor
Priya spent a decade editing cookbooks before she realized she'd rather name dogs than rewrite sentences about braised pork. Her column covers themed names — food, mythology, nature, film — and the strange overlap between what we eat and what we call our animals. Dog of record: a twelve-pound Cavalier King Charles named Miso.