TL;DR
Pugs are natural scene-stealers with their expressive faces and comedic personalities—much like beloved movie characters. If you're naming a female pug, movie-inspired names capture that theatrical charm while offering meaningful connections to films you love. From timeless classics to modern blockbusters, these names work beautifully for girl pugs: they're memorable, often short and snappy (which pugs respond to), and they carry instant personality. Whether you're drawn to Disney heroines, noir femme fatales, or indie darlings, a movie name gives your pug instant character and makes for great conversation at the dog park. Our top picks: Ellie, Arya, Leia, Harley, Luna. 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.
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01
EllieThe young girl protagonist from Pixar's Up, symbolizing adventure and heartfelt emotion.
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AryaStrong female character from Game of Thrones, known for independence and courage.
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LeiaPrincess Leia from Star Wars, embodying leadership and resilience.
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HarleyInspired by Harley Quinn from DC Comics films, a bold and unpredictable character.
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05
LunaNamed after Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter or the moon itself, dreamy and mystical.
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 Ellie is the hands-down favorite for fastest recall.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellie | Very popular | The young girl protagonist from Pixar's Up, symbolizing adventure and heartfelt emotion. | |
| Arya | Very popular | Strong female character from Game of Thrones, known for independence and courage. | |
| Leia | Classic | Princess Leia from Star Wars, embodying leadership and resilience. | |
| Harley | Trending | Inspired by Harley Quinn from DC Comics films, a bold and unpredictable character. | |
| Luna | Very popular | Named after Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter or the moon itself, dreamy and mystical. | |
| Daisy | Classic | The Great Gatsby character Daisy Buchanan, symbol of beauty and allure. | |
| Scarlett | Classic | Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind, fierce and determined Southern belle. | |
| Ruby | Very popular | Inspired by ruby-colored gems or Ruby Rhod from The Fifth Element. | |
| Nala | Popular | The strong lioness from The Lion King, Simba's companion and eventual mate. | |
| Katniss | Trending | Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, a fierce survivor and symbol of rebellion. | |
| Hermione | Popular | The brilliant, loyal witch from Harry Potter series. | |
| Veronica | Rare | Veronica Mars from the film/TV series, smart detective with depth. | |
| Raven | Popular | Raven Baxter from That's So Raven or the mysterious color itself. | |
| Fiona | Popular | Princess Fiona from Shrek, strong-willed and independent. | |
| Phoebe | Popular | Phoebe Buffay from Friends, quirky and unique character. | |
| Beatrice | Rare | The witty character from Much Ado About Nothing or simply 'Trix'-inspired. | |
| Zelda | Trending | Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda video game adaptations. | |
| Margot | Trending | Inspired by Margot Robbie's iconic film roles, elegant and sharp. | |
| Harper | Popular | Harper Lee author reference or modern character name from multiple films. | |
| Winona | Rare | Winona Ryder classic film actress or character name from 90s movies. | |
| Violet | Popular | Violet from The Incredibles, the intelligent oldest daughter with force fields. | |
| Merida | Popular | The red-haired Scottish princess from Brave, independent and adventurous. | |
| Moana | Popular | The Polynesian wayfinder princess from Disney's Moana, courageous and connected to nature. | |
| Rapunzel | Popular | The long-haired Disney princess from Tangled, creative and optimistic. | |
| Bella | Very popular | The main character from Twilight, romantic and devoted. | |
| Rosie | Very popular | Rosie the Riveter symbol or cute character from various films. | |
| Primrose | Rare | Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games, innocent yet brave. | |
| Imogen | Rare | Imogen Poots (actress) or Shakespearean character name. | |
| Margaery | Rare | Margaery Tyrell from Game of Thrones, strategic and graceful. | |
| Clarke | Rare | Clarke Griffin from The 100, leader and survivor. | |
| Mina | Rare | Mina Murray from Dracula adaptations or a short, punchy name. | |
| Daphne | Popular | Daphne Blake from Scooby-Doo, fashionable mystery solver. | |
| Velma | Rare | Velma Dinkley from Scooby-Doo, intelligent and logical. | |
| Ginny | Popular | Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter, spirited and fiercely loyal. | |
| Penny | Popular | Inspector Gadget's niece Penny, clever and resourceful. | |
| Matilda | Popular | Matilda from the Roald Dahl film, brilliant and telekinetic. | |
| Chloe | Very popular | Common name in films like Kick-Ass or Mean Girls, spirited and sassy. | |
| Sam | Popular | Sam from Trick 'r Treat or various action films, brave and determined. | |
| Riley | Popular | Riley Andersen from Inside Out, thoughtful and evolving. | |
| Gidget | Trending | Gidget from The Secret Life of Pets, tiny but fearless. | |
| Mirabel | Trending | Mirabel Madrigal from Encanto, determined and self-assured. | |
| Elsa | Very popular | Queen Elsa from Frozen, powerful and independent. | |
| Anna | Very popular | Anna from Frozen, optimistic and loyal. | |
| Jasmine | Popular | Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, strong-willed and kind. | |
| Ariel | Popular | Princess Ariel from The Little Mermaid, curious and adventurous. | |
| Cinderella | Classic | Cinderella from the classic Disney film, kind and graceful. | |
| Mulan | Popular | Mulan from Disney's Mulan, brave warrior disguised as a soldier. | |
| Pocahontas | Rare | Pocahontas from Disney's film, free-spirited and nature-loving. | |
| Tiana | Popular | Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, hardworking and ambitious. | |
| Snow | Rare | Snow White from the classic fairy tale film, pure-hearted and gentle. | |
| Aurora | Popular | Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, graceful and magical. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a movie name work well for a female pug?
Pugs have expressive, comedic personalities that match well with character-driven movie names. Short versions or nicknames (like 'Ari' for Ariel or 'Prim' for Primrose) work best since pugs respond better to 1-2 syllable calls. Names with personality—sassy, quirky, or strong characters—tend to fit their natural charm.
Should I use the full character name or a nickname?
For training and everyday use, shorter nicknames are ideal. A pug named Rapunzel might respond better to 'Zel' or 'Raps.' Full names work fine if you love them, but shorter versions make recall commands easier and suit their compact size naturally.
Are there popular movie-inspired names that don't work for pugs?
Names that are too long or hard to pronounce can be tricky, even if they're great characters. Additionally, avoid names that sound like common commands (like Rey sounding like 'stay') to avoid confusion during training.
How do I choose between so many options?
Consider your pug's personality, coloring, and your favorite movies. Match the character's vibe to your dog—a mischievous pug suits Harley or Mina, while a gentle pug suits Luna or Daisy. Also think about how often you'll say it; pick a name you genuinely love.
Will other dog owners recognize these movie names?
Very popular names like Elsa, Bella, and Leia are instantly recognizable. More unique choices like Veronica or Imogen are great if you want something distinctive. Both approaches work—it's about what feels right for your pug and your family.
About the author
Sarah Finch
CPDT-KA · Gaeilge teacher · rescue volunteer
Sarah has spent fifteen years in dog rescue and positive-reinforcement training, mostly in the shadow of the Wicklow mountains. She writes about Celtic and Gaelic naming traditions, the ones that require pronunciation guides and reward the effort. Currently training a brindle lurcher named Maeve who believes all food on low tables belongs to her.