Whether you want a name that's weird, traditional, cutesy, or cool, here are 101 names for a Sheltie puppy. While breeders give their puppies nicknames, most people decide on their own puppy name. Just know that you'll be hollering this name in public for years to come, so you can rule out Mister Bigglesworth right off the bat.
Fenton, Thiago, Gimli, Thorin, Ghost, Murphy and Jara by Kaylee Garrick.
It's a good idea to choose a name that your Sheltie can easily distinguish from other common words. Phonetically, the best dog names tend to:
Use hard letters - like K and T, as opposed to soft letters like F and N. Your Sheltie can more readily pick out hard letters in a sentence.
Have only one or two syllables - like Koko or Jock, as opposed to many syllables like Gemini or Houdini. Shorter names are simply easier for your Sheltie to recognize.
Stick to a single variation - like Daisy, as opposed to multiple nicknames like Dayday, Dazza, and Dilly Doggy Dandy. Everyone in the family should agree on the same name.
These guidelines will help your Sheltie puppy respond to you more often and in more contexts. Having said that, Shelties are intelligent dogs and understand a lot more words than we realize. Once you have your shortlist, the phonetic guidelines outlined above can help you make the best choice for your Sheltie's ear. Here are 101 Sheltie names suggested by our readers for inspiration. Let's get creative!
101 Sheltie Names
Astro
From Greek, relating to the stars, celestial objects and outer space.
Arthur
From the Roman clan name Artorius, meaning noble and courageous.
Ariel
Adopted in masculine and feminine forms, Ariel stems from Hebrew, meaning lion of God.
Annie
The name Annie has English roots and means gracious and merciful.
Annie is a Puppy Mill Survivor by Karen L Smith.
Andris
Of Hungarian and Latvian origin, meaning strong, manly and brave.
Alfie
Sage or wise. From the Old English Aelfraed, meaning elf counsel.
Asha
Double header here. Either from the Sanskrit word for hope, or from the Swahili word for life.
A Sheltie Named Ariel by Keri Gratrix Hile.
Benji
Derived from the Hebrew Binyāmīn meaning son of the right hand.
Barney
Meaning strong as a bear. Short for Barnaby, which is Hebrew for son of comfort.
Bambi
In Italian, Bambi means little child (bambino).
Bailey The Sheltie by Nicole Walker.
Billy
From the Old High German Willehelm, meaning determined protector.
Bear
Named for the animal, bears symbolize strength and wisdom.
Bella
Related to the Italian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and Latin words for beautiful.
Meet Coco Sheltie.
Buttercup
Named for the yellow wildflower (admittedly often attributed to cows).
Charlie
Usually a boy's name of English origin meaning free man. Also short for Charlotte for a girl.
Coco
A nickname for the Spanish name Socorro, meaning help or relief.
Chi My Service Sheltie by Nancy Rutland.
Chi
The name Chi means younger energy and is of Chinese origin.
Cassie
In Greek, the meaning of the name Cassie is purity. In mythology, Cassie was an unheeded prophetess.
Daisy
Named for the wildflower, from the Old English word meaning day's eye.
This is Daisy Mae by Shirley Scott
Dylan
A Welsh name meaning son of the sea or born of the ocean.
Dawson
Linked to the medieval nickname for David, Dawson means son of David.
Duke
Derived from the Latin word dux meaning leader.
Dillon The Sheltie by Stephen Beams.
Dillon
Derived from the Old German name Dillo, which means like a son.
Dexter
An occupational surname in Old English: one who dyes. Also in Latin, dexter means skilled.
Ella
A short form of Eleanor and Ellen, from the Greek for bright, shining one.
Nessie The Sheltie by Elise Lysy.
Einstein
Named for the brilliant scientist and of course Doc's dog in Back to The Future.
Eddie
From the Old English name Eadwine, meaning prosperous friendship.
Fox
Named for the animal that is intelligent and cunning - and looking suspiciously like a Sheltie.
Eddie The Sheltie by Carolynne Paton.
Freddie
Derived from the Germanic name Friedrich meaning peaceful ruler.
Frankie
Stems from Franco which is from the Frankish Empire, meaning a type of spear or javelin.
Freya
Meaning goddess or noblewoman. In Norse mythology, Freya was the goddess of fertility.
Floki The Sheltie Named from The Vikings by Michelle Maurer.
Flo
The mythological Roman goddess of flowers, short for Florence, meaning flourishing.
Floki
A Viking born around 830AD, thought to be the first Norseman to sail to Iceland and settle.
Gonzo
Not just a Muppet Baby. Gonzo comes from the Medieval Latin and Germanic name Gundisalvus, meaning to battle well.
Our Litter of Sheltie Puppies: Woody, Tressa, Herbie and Love Bug by Star West.
George
This classic name comes from the Greek georgos, meaning tiller of the soil or farmer.
Gizmo
A small gadget or device. Also your favorite furry character from Gremlins.
Herbie
A short form of Herbert, which means illustrious warrior in German. Introduced to Britain during the Norman Conquest.
Meet Harris The Sheltie by Karen Watson.
Heidi
A Germanic name, short for Adelheid, which means nobility or of noble birth.
Harris
A baptismal name meaning son of Harry, also taking the form Harrison.
Honey
A term of endearment for a loved one or sweetheart, recently repurposed as a first name.
Valentino by Jessica Morris.
Hank
Dating back to the 17th century, Hank is a boy's name meaning estate ruler.
Ivy
An English word named for the climbing evergreen plant. In Ancient Greece, Ivy represented fidelity.
Jack
A very popular name from the Middle Ages, meaning God is gracious.
A Sheltie Named IndyCar by Tammy Otto.
Jade
A Spanish name derived from the ornamental stone piedra de la ijada, which means stone of the colic.
Jet
You might name your bi-black Sheltie Jet, for his likeness to the black gemstone.
Kermit
Originally a variant of the Irish surname MacDermott, now Jim Henson's iconic frog puppet.
Lacy and Riley are named after sports stars by Camilla P Lindholm.
Kiki
A bohemian style girl's name of French origin, meaning double happiness.
Lucy
The feminine version of the Latin name Lucius, meaning of the light (either born at daylight or of light complexion).
Lacy
Derived from several French place-names and brought to England by companions of William during the Norman Conquest.
A Foster Sheltie Named Leo by Kristi Murray.
Leo
Latin for lion. In German, it's a short form of Leon or Leopold, meaning brave people.
Louie
An English name that derives from the root names Louis or Louise, meaning famous warrior.
Leia
Originates from a Latin name meaning lioness. Princess Leia popularized the name in Star Wars.
Milly The Sheltie by Amy Masters.
Ludo
An Italian name meaning light. Also a shaggy monster from The Labyrinth that mildly resembles a mutant Sheltie.
Merlin
The magician helper of King Arthur, Merlin derives from Celtic words meaning sea fortress.
Minnie
A pet form of Miryam, Minnie is a Hebrew name of debated meaning, possibly sea of sorrow.
Maggie The Sheltie by Samantha Bell.
Maggie
Short for Margaret, its origins trace to the Old Persian word for pearl or cluster of blossoms.
Mack
The name Mack is a boy's name of Scottish and Irish origin meaning son.
Morty
In French, Morty stems from the name Mortimer which translates to dead sea or stagnant lake.
Lucky Was a Wonderful Dog by Carolynne Paton.
Nibbler
An adorable alien critter featured in Matt Groening's sci-fi cartoon, Futurama.
Neo
The Latin word for new, popularized by Keanu Reeves' character reborn outside the simulation, The Matrix.
Nelly
Short for Eleanor which derives from the Greek name Helen, meaning shining light.
My Sheltie Champ by June Elliott.
Niko
Short for Nikodemos, a Greek name meaning victory of the people.
Nahla
An Arabic name meaning first drink of water, or water in the desert. Famously the lioness from The Lion King.
Oscar
Of Irish and Norse roots, Osgar means deer lover.
Athena The Sheltie by Christina Hamilton.
Ollie
Short for Oliver, Ollie has peaceful associations derived from the Latin olivarius meaning olive tree.
Peanut
A cute nickname for little kids and pets, it is of course a delicious legume.
Pickle
Another cute nickname. As a surname, derived from the Old English Pightel, reserved for those living near hills.
A Sheltie Named Toby by Deborah Jarvis.
Panda
A lovely creature named by the Nepalese as nigalya ponya which means eater of bamboo.
Queenie
An affectionate use of the word queen, which comes from the Old English word cwen, meaning woman.
Ruby
The name of this gemstone comes from the Latin ruber, meaning red.
A Sheltie Named Trixie by Brenda Albert.
Rex
A Latin word meaning king, most often attributed to the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, which translates to tyrant lizard king.
Rio
A double header. In Spanish and Portuguese, rio means river. In Japanese, it means place of the cherry blossoms.
Rose
From the Latin word rosa which itself originates from the Middle East where this striking flower was named.
Cooper The Sheltie by Nicole Maher.
Robbie
Short for Robert, from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning bright fame.
Rocco
The Italian form of an Old Germanic name Rochus, meaning to roar (as in a battle cry).
Raven
Named for the bird with jet black plumage and a history of other-worldly symbolism in literature.
Rebel The Sheltie by Ted E Dendinger.
Simba
A boy's name of Swahili origin, meaning lion. As seen in The Lion King.
Sunny
A cheerful nickname for someone happy and content. The word sun comes from Latin (sol) and Old English (sunne).
Shia
A boy's name of Hebrew origin, meaning praise God. As per Shia LaBeouf (French for beef).
Riverbend Hero aka Leo The Sheltie by Louise Johanny.
Sammy
Short for Samuel, from the Hebrew name Shemu'el, which means name of God, or God has heard.
Stewie
Short for Stewart, originating from the 7th century Old English word stigeweard meaning hall guardian.
Sadie
A girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning princess, stemming from the name Sarah.
Meet Archie and King.
Sandy
As a boy's name, Sandy stems from the Greek name Alexander, meaning defender of man.
Solo
Derived from Solomon, which comes from the Hebrew name Shelomo meaning peace. Also Hans Solo of Star Wars fame.
Shadow
Classic dog's name, especially a Sheltie who's inclined to follow you around like your shadow.
Meet Tanner by Jenn Franco
Tanner
An occupational surname from Germany, also spelled Danner, is likely topographic from tan meaning forest.
Toro
Stems from Spanish which literally means bull.
Trixie
The name Trixie is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning she who brings happiness.
A Blue Merle Sheltie Named Hogan by Dorothy Blackwell.
Timmy
Short for Timothy, rooted in the Greek name Timotheos meaning to honor God.
Taco
A Spanish term for the paper wrapped around gunpowder, used to blow up rocks in Mexican silver mines.
Tilly
Short for Matilda in English and Mahthildis in German, meaning mighty in battle.
Beau at 4 Months Old by Justine Harrison.
Theodore
From the Greek Theodoros, meaning God's gift. Often shortened to Theo and Teddy.
Tammy
Short for Tamsin: the feminine version of Thomas, a Greek form of the Aramaic name Te'oma, meaning twin.
Victor
A medieval French name stemming from the Latin word for conqueror.
Margarita is 1 Year Old by Victor Hugo Reyes Benet.
Woofie
The sound that a dog makes, and undeniably exactly what a dog hears when you talk.
Willow
From the Middle English wilwe, willow trees are uniquely flexible and graceful in appearance.
Woody
The pet form of Woodrow, originally an English surname attributed to keepers or guardians of the woods.
Willow The Sheltie by Eyespy Shetland Sheepdogs.
Xena
Derives from the ancient Greek xenos, meaning stranger, and popularized by the Warrior Princess franchise.
Zorro
Literally the Spanish word for fox, Zorro is a famous fictional character created by Johnston McCulley.
Zac
Short for Zachary, from the Latin Zacharias and the Hebrew Zekharyahu meaning Yahweh has remembered.
Zuko
In African it translates as harmony and with a good heart. In Chinese, it means loved one.
Zuko The Sheltie by Brad Vokey.
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