TL;DR
Pugs are comedians by nature—their wrinkled faces, curly tails, and dramatic personalities beg for equally entertaining names. If you're looking for funny pug names that capture their quirky, often sassy demeanor, you've landed in the right place. These names range from clever wordplay and pop culture nods to simple silly terms that make people smile every time you call them at the dog park. Pugs thrive with personality-forward names that reflect their goofy antics and natural ham energy. Our top picks: Sir Snores-a-lot, Chewbacca, Wrinkles, Yoda, Pickle. 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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Sir Snores-a-lotA pun on 'Sir Sings-a-lot' that captures pugs' notorious snoring habit.
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ChewbaccaStar Wars reference that matches a pug's often scraggly appearance and low growls.
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03
WrinklesA direct, humorous nod to the pug's most defining physical feature.
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04
YodaStar Wars reference for a small, wise-looking pug with an old-soul vibe.
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05
PickleA quirky, endearing name that suits a pug's often odd posture and goofy behavior.
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 Sir Snores-a-lot 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Snores-a-lot | very popular | A pun on 'Sir Sings-a-lot' that captures pugs' notorious snoring habit. | |
| Chewbacca | popular | Star Wars reference that matches a pug's often scraggly appearance and low growls. | |
| Wrinkles | very popular | A direct, humorous nod to the pug's most defining physical feature. | |
| Yoda | popular | Star Wars reference for a small, wise-looking pug with an old-soul vibe. | |
| Pickle | popular | A quirky, endearing name that suits a pug's often odd posture and goofy behavior. | |
| Porkchop | very popular | Playful reference to a pug's round, chunky body shape. | |
| Spud | very popular | Short for 'potato'—a name that captures the pug's short, squat shape. | |
| Noodle | popular | Ironic name for a stocky pug who's anything but noodle-like. | |
| Fart Bandit | popular | Humorous reference to pugs' notorious flatulence problem. | |
| Nugget | very popular | A term of endearment that also references the pug's compact, bite-sized shape. | |
| Dumpling | popular | Cute reference to a pug's round body and wrinkled appearance. | |
| Gandalf | popular | Lord of the Rings reference for a pug with a distinguished, bearded appearance. | |
| Biscuit | very popular | Food name that captures the pug's warm tan color and sweet disposition. | |
| Bacon | popular | A food-based name that appeals to pugs' notorious love of eating. | |
| Potato | very popular | Direct reference to the pug's chunky, low-to-the-ground body type. | |
| Marbles | popular | A reference to the pug's bulbous, prominent eyes. | |
| Dobby | popular | Harry Potter reference to the house elf, perfect for the pug's elfin features. | |
| Toots | popular | Cute onomatopoeia for pug flatulence and general silly behavior. | |
| Gremlin | popular | Captures the mischievous, chaotic energy many pugs are known for. | |
| Pug Norris | very popular | Pun combining 'pug' with Chuck Norris jokes about toughness. | |
| Winston | very popular | A dignified human name that humorously contrasts with a pug's undignified behavior. | |
| Muffin | popular | A cute, food-based name that suits pugs' round, muffin-top appearance. | |
| Snort McNort | popular | Double-barreled pun on pugs' signature snorting and snoring sounds. | |
| Jabba | popular | Star Wars reference to Jabba the Hutt, perfect for larger or rounder pugs. | |
| Tater Tot | very popular | Playful combination referencing a pug's tater-tot shape and tater tot nickname. | |
| Obi-Pug Kenobi | popular | Star Wars pun combining 'pug' with Obi-Wan Kenobi. | |
| Sir Wigglebottom | popular | Humorous formal title for a pug's characteristic wiggly rear end. | |
| Brutus | popular | An ironic tough-guy name for a physically weak, sensitive breed. | |
| Ruffles | popular | Playful reference to the pug's wrinkled, ruffled skin. | |
| Pug Smash | popular | A WWE-style dramatic name for a tiny dog with big attitude. | |
| Princess Wrinkleton | popular | Over-the-top formal name that humorously elevates the pug's status. | |
| Chunk | very popular | Direct reference to a pug's stocky, muscular build. | |
| Squirt | popular | A diminutive name that plays on the pug's small stature. | |
| Stinky Winky | popular | Playful reference to pug odors (breath, farts, wrinkle yeast). | |
| Darth Pug | popular | Star Wars reference combining the dark side with the breed name. | |
| Bully | popular | Ironic tough-guy name for a gentle, non-aggressive breed. | |
| Piglet | very popular | A reference to both the pug's pig-like snout and Winnie-the-Pooh character. | |
| Chonky | trending | Modern slang for a chubby dog, used endearingly by pugs owners. | |
| Runt | popular | A name that playfully calls out a pug's small size and runt-like appearance. | |
| Stormtrooper | popular | Star Wars reference for white pugs that resemble the movie's soldiers. | |
| Tubbs | popular | A cheeky name referencing a pug's often rotund midsection. | |
| Tank | popular | An ironic military name for a delicate, health-prone breed. | |
| Snuffles | very popular | A cute onomatopoeia for pug snuffling and snoring sounds. | |
| Pumpernickel | popular | A fun, multi-syllabic food name perfect for dark-colored pugs. | |
| Piggles | popular | A cute diminutive combining 'pig' (pug's snout) with '-ggles' silliness. | |
| Thanos | trending | Marvel reference for a powerful, commanding pug with attitude. | |
| Rolo | popular | A candy brand name that sounds cute and rolls off the tongue. | |
| Gizmo | popular | A reference to the Gremlins character, perfect for small, troublemaking pugs. | |
| Squidge | popular | A cute British-style name for a pug's squishy, wrinkled appearance. | |
| Vinny Barbarino | rare | Reference to a slick TV character name for a surprisingly vain pug. | |
| Pudge | very popular | A direct, affectionate name for a pug's often pudgy appearance. | |
| Pusheen | popular | Internet meme reference to the famous lazy, fat cat character. | |
| Grumbles | popular | A name that captures the pug's constant complaining and grumpy expression. | |
| Mojo | popular | A short, punchy name for a pug with serious swagger and attitude. | |
| Pickles O'Brien | rare | A silly two-part name combining 'Pickles' with a formal surname. |
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Frequently asked questions
What makes a good funny pug name?
The best funny pug names play on the breed's physical characteristics (wrinkles, snoring, gas), personality quirks (drama, laziness, food obsession), or use pop culture references and puns. Pugs have distinctive personalities that match entertainment-focused names perfectly—they enjoy the attention and personality that comes with a silly name.
Are funny names good for pugs or do they need serious names?
Funny names are ideal for pugs. This breed is naturally comedic and thrives on personality, so a humorous name often fits their demeanor perfectly. Pugs respond well to any name their owner calls consistently, so what matters most is that you love the name and it resonates with your pug's personality.
Do pug names need to be short?
No, while short names can be easier to call out, pugs don't mind longer formal names—especially since owners often use nicknames or shortened versions anyway. Names like 'Sir Snores-a-lot' can be shortened to 'Sir' or 'Snores,' giving you flexibility.
Should I choose a funny name based on my pug's gender?
While some names skew slightly masculine or feminine, most funny pug names work regardless of gender. Names like 'Wrinkles,' 'Nugget,' 'Pickle,' and 'Porkchop' suit any pug. Choose based on personality and appearance rather than gender for the best match.
Can I change my pug's name if I don't like the funny one I picked?
Yes, pugs can adapt to new names if you consistently use them early on. However, it's easier if you avoid changing names frequently after the first few weeks. Take time choosing—consider living with different funny names for a few days before committing to see what feels right.
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.