111 names

111 small dog names for tiny, mighty pups

A small dog fits in a tote bag, a lap or the crook of your arm, and a name can say so right away. Tiny dogs suit tiny words, such as Teeny, Pebble and Pocket, but they also suit big names that make the contrast fun.

This list collects names that mean small in English and other languages, little things from nature and the sewing basket, feisty names for dogs with big personalities and a few characters from folklore famous for their size. Each name has a short note, so you know where it comes from.

Small breeds such as the Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrier are famous for acting bigger than they are, so do not be afraid to give a tiny dog a tough name. Our full guide to small dogs covers more breeds if you are still choosing.

Small Dog Names
Photo: Bitjungle · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Words that mean small

  • TeenyVery small
  • ItsyVery small, from itsy-bitsy
  • BitsyTiny, from itsy-bitsy
  • Itty BittyExtremely small
  • MiniShort for miniature
  • MicroVery small
  • NanoFrom the prefix for one billionth
  • PicoFrom the prefix for one trillionth
  • PocketSmall enough to carry in one
  • PeeweeVery small person or thing
  • MiteA tiny creature
  • SpeckA tiny spot
  • ThimbleA little cap that protects a finger while sewing
  • TotA small child
  • ShrimpA tiny crustacean, or a small person
  • PintA small measure
  • Half-PintSlang for a small person
  • SquirtA small person
  • MunchkinA small, cheerful child
  • PipsqueakA small person
  • SmidgeA tiny amount
  • BitA small piece
  • MorselA small bite
  • NibbleA small bite
  • NibblesLittle bites
  • SliverA thin little piece
  • PinchA tiny amount
  • IotaThe smallest letter in the Greek alphabet
  • JotA tiny bit
  • ScrapA small piece
  • SnippetA small cutting
  • TidbitA small, tasty bit
  • WeeScottish for small
  • ShortyA friendly nickname for a short pal
  • BantamA small chicken, and a word for small but spirited

Little things

  • PebbleA small smooth stone
  • SeedThe start of a plant
  • SeedlingA young plant
  • BeadA small round piece of glass or wood
  • PinA small sharp fastener
  • NeedleA thin sewing tool
  • PawnThe smallest chess piece
  • Locket♀Small case worn on a necklace
  • CharmA small decorative trinket
  • TrinketA small ornament
  • BaubleA small showy ornament
  • KernelThe seed inside a nut
  • FleckA tiny spot
  • FrecklesLots of tiny spots
  • PoppyseedA tiny black seed
  • Mustard SeedA tiny seed with a big flavor
  • AntA tiny worker
  • GnatA tiny flying insect
  • BeeA small buzzing pollinator
  • ChickadeeA tiny, bold songbird
  • TitchBritish slang for a very small person
  • DormouseTiny, sleepy rodent
  • ShrewOne of the smallest mammals
  • VoleSmall field rodent
  • MouseTiny, quick and quiet
  • HamsterSmall pocket-cheeked rodent
  • MinnowTiny fish
  • GuppySmall, colorful fish
  • TadpoleA baby frog
  • GoslingA baby goose
  • SprigA small twig
  • CrocusTiny spring flower
  • Forget-Me-NotTiny blue flower
  • PinkyThe smallest finger
  • NubbinA small lump
  • DropletA tiny drop of liquid
  • TeaspoonA small spoon
  • SipA small drink
  • BiteA small mouthful
  • DabA small amount
  • HummingbirdThe tiny bird with a blur of wings
  • TweetThe sound of a little bird
  • BonsaiA tiny, carefully shaped tree
  • GemA small precious stone
  • PixelThe smallest dot on a screen
  • ByteA small unit of computer data
  • ChipA small piece broken off
  • MoleculeA tiny group of atoms
  • ParticleA tiny piece of matter

Feisty and mighty

  • SpitfireA fiery, quick-tempered person
  • FirecrackerSmall but loud
  • SparkplugThe small part that starts an engine
  • DynamiteSmall but explosive
  • Pocket RocketSmall and fast
  • PistolA lively, spirited person
  • PeppercornA tiny seed with a big kick
  • SpiceSmall and zesty
  • SassCheeky attitude
  • DauntlessFearless
  • GutsyBrave

Folklore and fairy tales

  • LilliputThe land of tiny people in Gulliver's Travels
  • Thumbelina♀Tiny girl in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale
  • Tom Thumb♂Tiny hero of English folklore
  • GnomeA small garden dweller
  • ImpA small mischievous spirit
  • Fairy♀A tiny magical being
  • Wee FolkScottish name for the fairies

Little in other languages

  • Bambino♂Italian for baby boy
  • Bambina♀Italian for baby girl
  • KleinGerman for small
  • PocoItalian and Spanish for little
  • ChiisaiJapanese for small
  • Pequeña♀Spanish for small
  • MikroFrom the Greek word for small
  • Kleine♀German for little one
  • Niño♂Spanish for little boy

Tips for choosing

Short, high-sounding names suit small dogs well, but so does a mighty name for a pup with attitude. Think about the contrast you enjoy: a 5 lb (2.3 kg) dog called Moose or a 7 lb (3.2 kg) dog called Tank is hard to forget.

Whatever you pick, keep it clear. Test your pick at the door and at the park to make sure it is easy to hear and easy to say.

If you also want a sweet sound, look at cute dog names. If you like the tough-name idea, try strong dog names.

Frequently asked questions

What are good names for a tiny dog?

Pebble, Pocket, Thimble, Peewee, Teeny and Mite all describe a small dog directly. Feisty options like Spitfire and Pocket Rocket suit a tiny dog with a big personality.

What are good funny names for a small dog?

Pipsqueak, Shrimp, Half-Pint and Squirt gently poke fun at a small dog's size. For the opposite joke, a tiny dog with a huge name like Moose or Tank is hard to beat.

What are good names for a small female dog?

Thumbelina, Bitsy, Bambina, Pequeña and Peewee are sweet options. Gem and Pixel are short and modern.

Can a small dog have a big name?

Absolutely. Many small dogs wear big names well, and the contrast often makes the name more memorable. If it's a long name, shorten it for daily use so your dog hears one clear sound.

More name ideas

All lists