TL;DR
Pugs are comedians by nature—their wrinkled faces, snorting sounds, and clumsy antics demand a name that matches their ridiculous personality. Unisex funny names work perfectly for pugs since their stocky, gender-neutral build suits both genders equally. Whether you're naming a male or female pug, these punny, silly, and witty options celebrate what makes pugs so endearingly absurd: their food obsession, dramatic expressions, snoring habits, and zero chill attitude. These names lean into pug humor rather than cuteness, giving your pup a name that makes people laugh the moment they hear it. Our top picks: Snort Eastwood, Chewbacca, Pug Norris, Wrinkles, Jabba the Pug. 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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Snort EastwoodPun on Clint Eastwood; references pugs' signature snorting sound.
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ChewbaccaStar Wars reference; fits pugs' wrinkly, creature-like appearance.
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03
Pug NorrisPun on Chuck Norris; implies your pug is tough and unstoppable.
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04
WrinklesDirect reference to pugs' most defining physical trait.
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05
Jabba the PugStar Wars reference combining Jabba the Hutt with pug.
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 Snort Eastwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snort Eastwood | trending | Pun on Clint Eastwood; references pugs' signature snorting sound. | |
| Chewbacca | very popular | Star Wars reference; fits pugs' wrinkly, creature-like appearance. | |
| Pug Norris | very popular | Pun on Chuck Norris; implies your pug is tough and unstoppable. | |
| Wrinkles | popular | Direct reference to pugs' most defining physical trait. | |
| Jabba the Pug | popular | Star Wars reference combining Jabba the Hutt with pug. | |
| Pusheen | trending | Play on 'pushing' and the chubby internet cat meme character. | |
| Roz | rare | Character from Monsters Inc.; rosy, grumpy slug-like creature. | |
| Nacho | very popular | Common food pun name; pugs love food and look like the snack. | |
| Pickles | popular | Absurd food name that matches pug's weird, crinkled appearance. | |
| Gremlin | popular | Perfectly describes pug's creature-like wrinkled face and mischievous energy. | |
| Tater Tot | popular | Food pun; pugs are round, golden, and shaped like the snack. | |
| Porkchop | popular | Refers to pug's chunky, compact build. | |
| Dumpling | very popular | Food-based name matching pug's round, pudgy silhouette. | |
| Yoda | very popular | Star Wars reference; pugs' wrinkled face matches Yoda's aged appearance. | |
| Muffin | popular | Pug's round body resembles a baked muffin. | |
| Potato | popular | Pug's lumpy, misshapen body matches a potato. | |
| Cheeto | popular | Orange pug color matches the snack; also references staining behavior. | |
| Wonton | rare | Asian dumpling reference; matches pug's wrinkled, poochy appearance. | |
| Nugget | very popular | Food-based name for small, compact pugs. | |
| Oink | rare | Direct reference to pig sounds pugs make when excited or playing. | |
| Biscuit | very popular | Tan-colored pug matches biscuit color; also a food reference. | |
| Rumpus | rare | References a pug's chaotic, dramatic energy and mini tantrums. | |
| Wigglesworth | rare | Silly, formal name that contrasts pug's uncoordinated wiggling. | |
| Pug-azzini | rare | Play on Paganini (composer); pug version of Italian formality. | |
| Fatty Arbuckle | rare | Old-timey comedy actor; pug is a comedian with a round body. | |
| Snuggles | popular | Play on snorts and cuddling; pugs snort while they snuggle. | |
| Potato Wedge | rare | Extended food pun; pug is basically a wedge-shaped potato. | |
| Sergeant Floppy | rare | Military-formal name for floppy-eared pug; absurdist contrast. | |
| Bingo | popular | Simple two-syllable name; also references pug colors (black and white patterns). | |
| Pumpernickel | rare | Black pug color matches dark bread; silly alliteration. | |
| Dough Boy | rare | References dough-like chubby pug body; also Pillsbury reference. | |
| Snorty McWheeze | rare | Exaggerated soundboard of pug breathing; fully committed to the joke. | |
| Pancake | popular | Pug's flat face and wide body match a pancake's shape. | |
| Wobbles | popular | References pug's uncoordinated, waddling gait. | |
| Squirts | rare | References the comedic spray from pug's mouth when excited. | |
| Squeaky | rare | References weird squeaking sounds pugs make; high-pitched and absurd. | |
| Cinnamon | popular | Fawn pug color matches the spice; also references sweetness with bite. | |
| Butterscotch | popular | Tan pug color and sticky, clumsy personality match the candy. | |
| Troll | rare | Pug's wrinkled face and stubborn attitude match a troll. | |
| Grumble | rare | References the constant grumbling/snorting noise pugs make. | |
| Chaos | rare | Direct reference to pug's ability to cause destruction despite laziness. | |
| Donut | popular | Pug's round body and hole in middle (curled tail) match the pastry. | |
| Bean | popular | Pug's small, compact, bean-shaped body. | |
| Troll Doll | rare | Pug's wild hair (when groomed up) matches troll doll aesthetic. | |
| Rascal | popular | References pug's mischievous, troublemaking energy. | |
| Puffin | rare | Play on 'puffing' (pug sounds) and the bird's awkward waddle. | |
| Meatball | popular | Pug's round, compact body matches the food shape. | |
| Porkrinds | rare | Crunchy food reference; pugs eat constantly and are crunchy-sounding. | |
| Snuffles | popular | Combination of snuffing/snorting sounds pugs make constantly. | |
| Critter | rare | Pug's creature-like wrinkled face and small stature. |
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Frequently asked questions
Do funny unisex pug names work better than cute or traditional names?
Not necessarily 'better,' but funnier names do match pug personality—they're goofy, dramatic comedians. A funny name often gets more laughs from strangers and better reflects the breed's ridiculous antics. Unisex funny names are especially practical if you adopted an adult pug and don't want gender-specific labels.
Will my pug respond to a silly funny name?
Yes, pugs respond to sound patterns rather than meaning. Short, punchy funny names like 'Nacho,' 'Bean,' or 'Snort' actually work better for training because they're easy to call out and stand out in conversation. Pugs learn their names within 2-4 weeks regardless of how funny they are.
What if my pug is a girl—should I still use unisex funny names?
Absolutely. Unisex funny names avoid gendered cuteness stereotypes and let the pug's actual personality shine. Female pugs are just as ridiculous, clumsy, and food-obsessed as males, so names like 'Dumpling,' 'Gremlin,' or 'Porkchop' work equally well regardless of gender.
Are food-based pug names cliché?
Somewhat—but pugs make it work because they're genuinely obsessed with food and actually resemble snacks (dumplings, potatoes, etc.). The visual humor lands, so 'Cheeto' or 'Tater Tot' are still funny even if they're popular. Pick one that visually matches your specific pug's color or shape for maximum effect.
Should I use a funny name if my pug is show-quality or very formal?
That depends on your preference. If you're showing your pug in competitions, a formal registered name is separate from their everyday call name—so your pug can be 'Champion Starlight' officially but 'Snort Eastwood' at home. Either way, the funny name is more practical for daily life.
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.