TL;DR
Dachshunds are iconic hunters with bold personalities—their long bodies and fearless temperament pair surprisingly well with legendary mythological names. Whether you're drawn to Greek gods, Norse warriors, or Roman deities, mythology offers distinctive names that suit the breed's spirited character. These names work across gender, age, and personality type, giving your dachshund a name with genuine history and gravitas. Many mythology names are surprisingly wearable, easy to call out at dog parks, and conversation starters that reflect the breed's combination of elegance and mischief. Our top picks: Apollo, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Hermes. 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
ApolloGreek god of sun, music, and prophecy; symbolizes light and healing.
-
02
AthenaGreek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and strategic thinking.
-
03
AresGreek god of war and combat; represents courage and strength.
-
04
ArtemisGreek goddess of the hunt and wild animals.
-
05
HermesGreek messenger god representing speed, cunning, and communication.
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 Apollo 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo | very popular | Greek god of sun, music, and prophecy; symbolizes light and healing. | |
| Athena | popular | Greek goddess of wisdom, warfare, and strategic thinking. | |
| Ares | popular | Greek god of war and combat; represents courage and strength. | |
| Artemis | very popular | Greek goddess of the hunt and wild animals. | |
| Hermes | popular | Greek messenger god representing speed, cunning, and communication. | |
| Hera | moderately popular | Greek queen of the gods; symbolizes loyalty and protection. | |
| Zeus | very popular | King of Greek gods; represents authority, power, and leadership. | |
| Loki | very popular | Norse trickster god known for mischief, cunning, and clever schemes. | |
| Odin | very popular | Chief Norse god of wisdom, war, and magic. | |
| Thor | very popular | Norse god of thunder and strength. | |
| Freya | popular | Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. | |
| Freyja | moderately popular | Alternative Norse spelling for goddess of love and warrior energy. | |
| Valkyrie | rare | Norse female warrior who chooses the slain in battle. | |
| Fenrir | rare | Norse mythological giant wolf destined to challenge gods. | |
| Hades | popular | Greek god of the underworld and wealth. | |
| Persephone | moderately popular | Greek goddess of spring and underworld; represents duality. | |
| Poseidon | popular | Greek god of the sea, earthquakes, and power. | |
| Aphrodite | moderately popular | Greek goddess of love, beauty, and charm. | |
| Hephaestus | rare | Greek god of fire, craftsmanship, and industry. | |
| Demeter | moderately popular | Greek goddess of harvest, agriculture, and nurturing. | |
| Pan | moderately popular | Greek god of the wild, shepherds, and nature. | |
| Sif | rare | Norse goddess of fertility and earth; known for golden hair. | |
| Balder | rare | Norse god of light, beauty, and goodness. | |
| Tyr | rare | Norse god of war, justice, and courage. | |
| Anubis | moderately popular | Egyptian god of mummification, afterlife, and protection. | |
| Isis | moderately popular | Egyptian goddess of magic, motherhood, and healing. | |
| Thoth | rare | Egyptian god of wisdom, writing, and knowledge. | |
| Hecate | moderately popular | Greek goddess of magic, crossroads, and protection. | |
| Nemesis | rare | Greek goddess of retribution and justice. | |
| Nike | moderately popular | Greek goddess of victory and success. | |
| Iris | moderately popular | Greek goddess of the rainbow and divine messenger. | |
| Nyx | rare | Greek goddess of night and darkness. | |
| Selene | moderately popular | Greek goddess of the moon and night. | |
| Helios | rare | Greek god of the sun and light. | |
| Eos | rare | Greek goddess of dawn and new beginnings. | |
| Morpheus | moderately popular | Greek god of dreams and sleep. | |
| Dionysus | rare | Greek god of wine, celebration, and revelry. | |
| Centaur | rare | Mythological creature combining human and horse traits. | |
| Sphinx | moderately popular | Mythological creature known for mystery and riddles. | |
| Hydra | rare | Mythological multi-headed serpent from Greek mythology. | |
| Phoenix | popular | Mythological bird that rises from ashes symbolizing rebirth. | |
| Pegasus | moderately popular | Mythological winged horse from Greek mythology. | |
| Griffin | popular | Mythological creature combining eagle and lion features. | |
| Cerberus | rare | Three-headed dog guardian of Greek underworld. | |
| Draco | popular | Latin for dragon; represents mythological strength. | |
| Medusa | rare | Greek Gorgon with snake hair; symbol of transformation. | |
| Midas | moderately popular | Greek king with golden touch; represents wealth and abundance. | |
| Juno | moderately popular | Roman queen of gods; equivalent to Hera. | |
| Mercury | moderately popular | Roman messenger god; equivalent to Hermes. | |
| Neptune | moderately popular | Roman god of the sea; equivalent to Poseidon. | |
| Vulcan | rare | Roman god of fire and forge; equivalent to Hephaestus. |
◆ Click headers to sort
◆ Type in the box to filter
◆ Showing 51 of 51
02
Frequently asked questions
Are mythology names good for dachshunds specifically?
Absolutely. Dachshunds were originally German hunting dogs bred for fearless determination, making them a perfect match for warrior gods and legendary creatures. Mythology names also tend to be distinctive and easy to call out, which suits the breed's bold personality.
Should I pick Greek or Norse mythology names for my dachshund?
Both work well. Greek mythology offers more elegant, familiar names like Apollo and Athena; Norse mythology provides bolder, rarer choices like Loki and Freya. Choose based on your dog's personality and the sound you prefer calling out regularly.
What's the most popular mythology name for dachshunds?
Loki and Artemis are currently the most popular choices. Loki appeals to the breed's mischievous nature, while Artemis honors the dachshund's hunting heritage as a goddess of the hunt.
Are there mythology names that work for both male and female dachshunds?
Yes, many work across gender: Pan, Phoenix, Sphinx, Draco, and Cerberus are gender-neutral mythological names that suit any dachshund's personality regardless of sex.
How do I know if a mythology name will suit my dachshund?
Consider your dog's personality and appearance. Active, mischievous dogs suit names like Loki or Hermes; calm, dignified dogs suit Odin or Balder; golden-colored dogs suit Apollo or Midas; darker dogs suit Hades or Nyx.
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.