200+ Names for Your New Rottweiler Dog
From shout-outs to their German heritage to the human food they probably want to eat, start your naming search here.
From shout-outs to their German heritage to the human food they probably want to eat, start your naming search here.
by Mollie Jackman, | March 11, 2025
otsphoto / AdobeStock
Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting experience, and bringing home the Rottweiler you’ve always dreamed of is even sweeter. Whether you’re looking for a name to match their badass appearance or one that references their soft-hearted nature, check out our list of Rottweiler name ideas.
Maybe you’ve spent years admiring the breed’s strength and learning about their history as working dogs in Germany. Descended from Mastiffs, the early Rottweilers were typically used to herd livestock and pull heavy carts. They had a stint as police dogs, too, and at one point were one of the most popular breeds in America. Their large build and loyal working-dog personalities have made them beloved in many modern families. You'll find a delightful array of name inspiration for these adorable pups.
Zeus
Thor
Brutus
Tank
Kaiser
Diesel
Magnus
Axel
Baron
Titan
Duke
Rocky
Gunner
Bear
Max
Odin
Rex
Jax
Bruno
Apollo
Maverick
Storm
Atlas
Ace
Sarge
Loki
Shadow
King
Goliath
Samson
Knox
Blaze
Chief
Ghost
Onyx
Remington
Ranger
Hulk
Dozer
Bruce
Thunder
Jagger
Caesar
Rogue
Hunter
Spike
Kobe
Jet
Rocco
Moose
Tyson
Colt
Chase
Hercules
Viper
Rebel
Fang
Zane
Ryder
Tango
Blitz
Nitro
Bandit
Phoenix
Thorin
Bronco
Riptide
Draco
Kodiak
Rambo
Midas
Bronson
Enzo
Grizzly
Bruiser
Winston
Yukon
Archer
Echo
Levi
Patriot
Sterling
Major
Titus
Vegas
Bruin
Lobo
Nero
Havoc
Chaos
Vader
Savage
Teddy
Buddy
Meatball
Donut
Burger
Schnitzel
Pretzel
Bratwurst
Male Rottweilers evoke a sense of coolness and toughness, but many of them have very lovable, sweet personalities. Their name can reflect either aspect of their personalities.
Franco — a classic tough-guy name for a secret softie
Truck — a name fitting for a big, tough dog
Roy — from the French word meaning “King,” a suitable name for a regal pup
Kenai — After the Alaskan bear by the same name, a great name for a big, brave dog
Leo — a classic name for one of America’s oldest dog breeds
Koda — After the bear cub in Brother Bear, a common name for a large pup
Cash — after the Man in Black himself, a great namesake for a classic-looking dog
Niko — meaning “victory of the people” in Slavic, a great name for a confident pup
Louie — a royal name for a regal dog with a storied ancestry
Beau — from the French word for “handsome,” a great name for a dapper pup
A female Rottweiler can be seen as a protective mama bear, or a caring, laid-back member of the family. Here’s some name inspiration for female Rottweilers.
Lucy — a classic name for a timeless breed
Pearl — a fun juxtaposition of dainty jewels with a strong, beefy dog
Roxie — a spunky name for a laid-back and fun-loving pooch
Vera — a sophisticated name for a multifaceted pup
JoJo — a light-hearted moniker to soften up your stocky pup’s image
Sophie — a sweet name to showcase your Rottweiler’s soft side
Tess — a popular name since the 1800s, for a breed who’s been around almost 100 years
Maya — its Greek origins translate to “good mother,” a perfect fit for this devoted dog
Stella — evoking the night sky and the striking coloring of your Rottweiler
Tilly — a fun name for a lighthearted goofball
While many Rottweilers are sweeties at heart, their classic tough-guy image is ingrained in our minds. Here are some names that honor their powerful reputation.
Capone — for a name that really gets their attention.
Bugsy — another famous tough guy and common inspiration for big dog names
Tyr — Named for the Norse god of war
Xena — a fitting name for a warrior princess
Vinny — both in its cultural reputation and its Latin translation (“prevailing or conquering”), Vinny is a classic tough-guy name
Fonsie — the coolest of the cool guys, with a leather jacket to boot
Stallone — the man behind the greats Rambo and Rocky
Gamora — after the fierce female member of the Guardians of the Galaxy
Harley — whether you’re inspired by Davidson or Quinn, a great name for a tough dog
Njord — for a tough pup named after the Norse god of the sea
Buster — a classic dog name that implies toughness
Megara — from Disney’s Hercules, the rule-breaking tough girl and friend of the hero
Abrams — for a large dog who doesn’t let anything get in their way, just like the Abrams battle tank
Boss — as the name implies, for a dog who typically gets their way
Sherman — another classic battle tank, a great namesake for a tough pup
Branok — meaning “Raven” in Cornish and symbolizing power
Czar — a regal and commanding name for a tough pup
Drax — another Guardians of the Galaxy-inspired tough guy
Gatlin — an English name meaning “fellow” or “companion”
Omen — a mysterious and powerful name for a large, dark dog
Ragnar — named for a fierce, famous Viking warrior
Talon — like a raven’s sharp talons, great for a clever pup
Vex — a spunky name fit for a pup with a unique personality
Warlock — a magical and powerful name for your new dog
If you’d rather let your Rottweiler’s stature speak for itself, here are some softer name ideas to highlight their loving personality.
Francie — a sweet name for an independent pup
Sweetie — a name to help people see through your Rottweiler’s tough exterior
Spud — for the Rottweiler who’s a bit of a couch potato
Rosie — a sweet and classic name for an old, respected breed
Gus — after the tiny mouse in Cinderella, a cute, mismatched name for a big dog
Birdie — a sweet, simple name for a gentle giant
Finn — a fun name for an adventurous pup
Wally — just like the robot, a good fit for an intelligent and independent pup
Opie — just like the son on The Andy Griffith Show, a sweet and respectful pup
Tiny — a hilariously cute name for a big, tough dog who secretly loves everyone
Rottweilers originate from Germany, where they worked as cattle and cart-pulling dogs. These names honor their heritage.
Liesel — Signifying blessed or holy, a great name for your beloved pup
Frida — meaning “peace,” a feminine name for a calm and collected pup
Mia — a popular feminine name in many European countries
Greta/Gretchen — symbolizing a precious pearl, a distinguished name for a classy pup
Otto — translates to “wealth” or “prosperity,” a lucky name for your new family member
Gertrude/Gertie — relating to “strength” in Old High German, a strong name for a loving dog
Klaus — a victorious name for a dog with a winning attitude
Beethoven — a classic German name that’s often associated with large dogs, thanks to the beloved St. Bernard film
Helmut — representative of protection, a great name for a loyal pup
Whether you’re honoring your pup’s German heritage with a name that screams Oktoberfest, or simply naming them after your favorite snack, here are a few ideas.
Pretzel — just like your favorite Oktoberfest snack
Meatball — a fun, foodie name for a dog with a stocky build.
Hoagie — A substantial name for a hardy-sized dog
Peanut — a fun name and a silly juxtaposition for a big pup
Tofu — a silly name that contrasts with a Rottweiler’s reputation for being tough
Sketti — a common mispronunciation of “spaghetti,” and a fun name for a pup
Ravioli — the stuffed pasta as a name for a big-boned, stocky dog
Beef — a silly name for a dog nobody will want to have beef with
Nugget — a food-inspired name for a Rottweiler on the smaller side
Rolo — just like the chocolate and caramel colors of a Rottweiler’s coat
Hammy — a food name, but also the lovable squirrel in Over the Hedge, a great name for a good-hearted pup with leadership qualities
T-Bone — a name that fits both the food and tough categories
The Rottweiler breed has a commanding presence. These names are perfect for their powerful stature.
Augustus — inspired by the great Roman emperor
Baldric — meaning “bold ruler” in Old German
Cassius — after Cassius Clay, aka Muhammad Ali
Dresden — a strong, German-inspired name
Emperor — commanding and dignified for a regal pup
Hektor — after the legendary Trojan warrior
Kaiserion — the son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, a pup from a royal bloodline
Monarch — a name fit for a ruler, or just the ruler of your home
Siegfried — a powerful name from Germanic legends of a dragon-slaying hero
If your Rottweiler is a true adventure pup, an outdoors-inspired name can be a great place to start.
Ash — a simple, yet strong name, just like the ash tree
Cyclone — a force of nature, a great name for a wild and rambunctious pup
Inferno — another great name for a pup blazing with energy
Ridge — evoking the image of a mountain range, a subtle name for a stoic pup
Thundra — a more feminine name that evokes the power of thunder and storms
Stormer — for a pup who knows how to make an entrance, like a thundercloud rolling in
Ember — a unique gender-neutral name
Summit — if you love to hike and climb, name your pup after the peak of your favorite mountain
Tempest — tempest winds come in with a strong storm, a great name for a pup who makes a grand entrance
Bolt — for a pup who commands the presence of the thunderbolt
Iris — another more feminine name inspired by the lovely flower
If run-of-the-mill dog names aren’t cutting it, try out more unique options.
Anubis — after the Egyptian god of the underworld
Bastion — meaning a stronghold or fortress, a great name for a commanding Rottweiler
Cipher — like a secret code, a cool and enigmatic name for a mysterious pup
Dragan — a fresh take on a classic, meaning “dragon” in Slavic languages
Gryphon — a mythological guardian beast, half eagle and half lion
Myst — a sleek and mysterious name for a dark-colored dog
Prowler — a stealthy name for a protective pup
Vortex — a vortex is a whirling space, and a great name for a mysterious and roaming pup
Zenith — meaning the peak or the highest point, a great name for an ambitious pup
The best name for a Rottweiler, like with any pet, is one that fits their personality. While shorter, easy-to-understand names tend to work well for dogs, you can give your pup whatever name sounds best to you. Popular choices such as Zeus, Diesel, and Harley are common for Rottweilers.
Some people refer to Rottweilers as Rotties, but common names include Zeus, Thor, Ghost, Rogue, and many more listed above.
Rottweilers from breeders can cost $2,500 or more. But the breed is often found at rescues, some of which even focus specifically on adopting out Rottweilers. The yearly cost of having a dog is approximately $2,500, including dog-proofing measures.
“Discover Baby Names for Boys & Girls.” www.thebump.com, www.thebump.com/baby-names.
“Dog Names through the Decades — Wizard of Paws.” uww.edu, 2022, blogs.uww.edu/wizardofpaws/2022/04/01/dog-names-through-the-decades.
Gewirtz, Elaine Waldorf. “Rottweiler History: From Working Dog to Versatile Dog Breed.” American Kennel Club, 11 Oct. 2023, www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/rottweiler-history.
“The Top Ten Lists.” https://Cdn.kingcounty.gov/, Regional Animal Services of King County, 23 Dec. 2024, cdn.kingcounty.gov/-/media/king-county/depts/council/reagan-dunn/documents/2024/raskc-2024-top-10.pdf.
“Top Pet Names of 2022.” Newcastlewa.gov, 2022, www.newcastlewa.gov/news/archives/2023/top_pet_names_of_2022.
“What Are the Most Common Rottweiler Names.” RottweilerHQ, 21 Mar. 2014, www.rottweilerhq.com/rottweiler-names-throughout-the-history.
Mollie Jackman is a writer, editor, and graduate of Lindenwood University’s MFA in writing. She’s also a pet parent to a goofy big-eared dog and two brown tabby cats, plus a rotating cast of foster animals. When she’s not reading, writing, or picking up strays, she can be found binge-watching arguably terrible reality TV shows and cooking competitions or rolling around the local skating rink in Columbia, Missouri.
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