When you first get a dog, choosing a great name is one of the best parts of the process. However, choosing a good dog name is important since it is a name that will hopefully follow your dog around for years to come. Names that mean “protector” or “guardian” are popular for dogs since that is usually their household role.
Choosing a dog’s name can be overwhelming because there are so many choices, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on to learn some of the best names that mean protector that you can attach to your new dog.
Dog Names That Mean Protector or Guardian
When it comes to things you can name your dog, there are many names out there that can give off the impression of being a protector or guardian of the household. Here are a few types of dog names that can infer protection:
- Human names that mean “protector” or “guardian”
- Names from Greek mythology that are attached to famous guardians
- Names that refer to defensive weapons or armor
Anyone can name their dog Brutus or Rex, but there are many more names out there that are special if you go through the trouble to look around.
Protector Names for Dogs
Some of the best sources for names that mean “protector” or “guardian” for dogs are baby name books and websites for humans. Humans have developed hundreds of names across the globe that are meant to endow the child with a guardianship spirit. Many of these names are short and unique enough to make great dog names.
Here’s a list of some good human names that also make great names for dogs:
- Alex: The name “Alexander” means “defender of man,” which makes it a great name for any dog intended as a household guardian. Since dogs do better with names that are two syllables or less, “Alex” is probably a better choice for either a male or female dog than “Alexander” or “Alexandria.”
- Ned: The name Ned means “guardian of the wealthy” and is a nice short name that suits many different breeds and types of dog. It is also a contemporary name because it is associated with one of the main characters in the popular fantasy series Game of Thrones.
- Raymond: The name Raymond means “counseling protector” and is a good name for a dog that is good at cheering people up or empathizing with others. Raymond is also a good name for a goofy or playful dog since it is a serious name that can be used ironically for a dog that isn’t serious.
- Edme: Edme is an unusual name that means “rich protector,” giving it a similar meaning to Ned. It makes a good dog name because it is archaic and isn’t typically used by many people in modern society. Edme can be a name for either a male or a female dog.
- Garen: The name “Garen” means guardian, and since it is a name of Irish origins, it’s a great choice for dog breeds from the United Kingdom, such as an Irish Wolfhound or a Cairn Terrier.
- Mina: Mina is a diminutive of the name “Wilhelmina,” which means “valiant protector.” This name is a great name for small dogs like toy breeds that still need a big strong name to illustrate their guardianship role in the household.
- Cavall: In Arthurian legend, Cavall is the name of King Arthur’s dog. This name has the advantage of being fairly unknown and being attached to the guardian of one of the most famous figures in popular Western culture. This name is an especially good dog name for British dog breeds.
These are only a handful of the human names available that mean “protector” that would be good as a dog’s name too. Many human names that mean “protector,” “guardian,” or “warrior” are a great choice for unusual dog names, especially if they’re from an ancient or foreign culture to your own.
Names From Greek Mythology for Guardian Dogs
Another great source of dog names that mean “protector” is Greek mythology. Many famous figures throughout history are associated with guardianship. Here are a few that would make good protector-based names for a dog:
- Talos: In Greek mythology, Talos was a giant automaton gifted to Europa by Zeus to protect her while she was in Crete. Talos is a suitable protector name for a larger dog since the Talos of myth is enormous. Talos would also be a good protector name for a yellow or brown-colored dog.
- Cerberus: In Greek mythology, Cerberus was the three-headed hound who guarded the gates of the underworld.
- Ladon: In Greek mythology, Ladon was the monstrous serpent who protected the golden apples from Hercules. Ladon has also been described as a human shepherd guarding a flock of sheep with golden fleece, which names this protector name a good match for a livestock guardian breed such as a Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherd.
- Aegis: Aegis is a leather cloak or breastplate associated in Greek mythology with protecting the gods, especially Zeus. In modern society, the word aegis is associated with the word “shield.”
Greek mythology isn’t the only good source for mythological dog names. Going through mythological stories from across the world can often yield unique names that you won’t hear anywhere else at the dog park.
Dog Names Based on Weapons and Armor
Even though names based on weapons don’t mean “protector” or “guardian,” these names can give the impression of a protective dog. Here are a few dog names based on weapons or defensive tools that could be used for a protector dog:
- Remington: A Remington rifle is one of the most popular rifle types for hunting and for home defense, so Remington is a popular name for dogs that act as both gun dogs and home protectors. Since Remington is a bit long for a dog name, the nickname “Remy” will probably yield better training results.
- Kevlar: Kevlar is a type of bulletproof material that is commonly used in police and military uniforms. This makes Kevlar a great name for a dog breed that is commonly associated with the police or military, such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois.
- Lance: A lance is a medieval type of spear that was often used during hunting parties to guard against vicious prey such as wild boar or bears. This makes Lance a good choice for a hunting dog breed or a medieval breed such as a mastiff or wolfhound.
When you’re looking for a dog name that means protector, it’s a good idea to look beyond words that mean protector. This allows you to find unique words that imply guardianship and protection.
One of the major advantages of naming a dog is choosing between human names, mythological names, and common nouns freely. That’s a lot more freedom than you’d get in naming a human child.
Look Deeper for Good Dog Names
The reason that many people have commonplace dog names is that they didn’t put much effort into researching names that would best fit their dog. If you want a dog name for a guardian or protector, the names on the list above should give you a good jumping-off point to begin your search for the perfect choice.
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