Picking dachshund puppy names is one of the most fun parts of bringing a new puppy home, and this breed’s German heritage and unmistakable shape give you more naming directions than most dogs ever will. Whether you want something classic, something that leans into their “wiener dog” reputation, or something entirely unique, this list has real options in every category.
We’ve named plenty of litters ourselves over the years, and we’ve pulled together over 200 dachshund puppy names below, organized so you can jump straight to the style that fits your new companion.
Why Dachshund Puppy Names Often Play on Their Heritage or Shape
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word “dachshund” comes directly from the German “Dachs” (badger) and “Hund” (dog), literally meaning “badger dog,” a nod to the breed’s original job hunting badgers through underground tunnels. The American Kennel Club’s history of the breed traces this back to 18th century German hunters who bred the dog’s low, elongated body specifically for that purpose.
That German heritage, combined with the breed’s famous sausage-like shape, is exactly why so many dachshund puppy names lean into one of these two themes. Both directions make for genuinely fun, fitting names, so we’ve included plenty of each below.
Interestingly, the breed’s German name became a bit of a liability during World War I, when anti-German sentiment in the United States led some owners and even dog shows to rebrand the dachshund as the “liberty hound” for a period. The breed is also still commonly known as the “Teckel” throughout France, Germany, and the Netherlands, a nickname you’ll sometimes see used as a dachshund’s actual given name today.
Classic and Popular Dachshund Puppy Names
These names work well for any dachshund, regardless of coat type, color, or personality.
Male: Max, Charlie, Buddy, Oscar, Cooper, Milo, Jack, Duke, Rocky, Winston, Louie, Ollie, Bear, Leo, Finn, Sam, Toby, Gus, Bentley, Zeus
Female: Bella, Daisy, Molly, Lucy, Ruby, Chloe, Luna, Sadie, Maggie, Sophie, Zoe, Rosie, Nellie, Coco, Penny, Piper, Stella, Winnie, Ivy, Hazel
German Dachshund Names Honoring the Breed’s Heritage
Since dachshunds are proudly German in origin, a traditional German name is one of the most fitting choices you can make.
Male German dachshund names: Fritz, Hans, Otto, Klaus, Bruno, Kaiser, Gunther, Heinz, Rudi, Wolf, Franz, Dieter, Axel, Felix, Leopold, Rolf, Emil, Ludwig, Werner, Karl
Female German dachshund names: Heidi, Greta, Liesel, Hilde, Ingrid, Trudy, Frieda, Mathilde, Helga, Ilsa, Marta, Ursula, Brigitte, Lotte, Anneliese, Wilma, Gisela, Katarina, Elsa, Petra
Funny Wiener Dog Names for a Dog With Big Personality
Dachshunds have a natural sense of humor about themselves, and funny wiener dog names lean into that with a wink.
Wiener, Frankfurter, Sausage, Chorizo, Bratwurst, Hot Dog, Sir Barksalot, Dogtor, Nacho, Pretzel, Biscuit, Noodle, Pickle, Waffles, Tater Tot, Meatball, Gravy, Chowder, Pepperoni, Sir Loin, Bacon, Sizzles, Fudge, Chip, Peanut Butter
Food and Sausage-Inspired Dachshund Names
A slightly more elegant take on the food theme, without going full pun.
Male: Frank, Link, Chorizo, Oscar (a nod to Oscar Mayer), Pepper, Sage, Basil, Beans
Female: Vienna, Ginger, Saffron, Brie, Olive, Honey, Cinnamon, Maple, Paprika
Unique Dachshund Puppy Names
If you’d rather avoid a name every other dog in the park already has, these unique dachshund names stand out.
Male: Baxter, Jasper, Remy, Atlas, Diesel, Orion, Sterling, Huxley, Kai, Percy, Merlin, Bodhi, Otis, Ziggy, Zephyr
Female: Willow, Juniper, Marlowe, Aria, Freya, Iris, Wren, Sable, Everly, Marnie, Poppy, Rumi, Thea, Ondine, Briar
Names Inspired by Famous Dachshunds Throughout History
Dachshunds have a surprisingly rich cultural history, and a few names carry real historical weight.
| Name | Claim to Fame |
|---|---|
| Waldi | The official mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympics, the first Olympic mascot ever |
| Lump | Pablo Picasso’s beloved dachshund, who appeared in several of his paintings |
| Wadl | One of two dachshunds owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the last German emperor |
| Hexl | The second of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s dachshunds |
| Teckel | Not an individual dog, but the French and German nickname for the breed itself |
Naming a puppy after Waldi or Lump is a fun way to tie your new dachshund to the breed’s genuine place in history.
Names Inspired by Coat Color and Pattern
If you’d rather let your dachshund’s specific look guide the name, a few options play well with the breed’s range of colors and patterns, which we cover in full in our dachshund colors and patterns guide.
Dapple-coated: Marble, Domino, Pixel, Patches, Dapples, Mosaic Solid red: Rusty, Ginger, Copper, Blaze, Amber, Cinnamon Black and tan: Onyx, Shadow, Midnight, Panther, Cocoa, Sable Cream-coated: Vanilla, Latte, Honey, Buttercup, Butterscotch, Custard
Nature-Inspired Dachshund Puppy Names
For owners who want something a bit more grounded and understated, nature themes make for genuinely lovely dachshund puppy names.
Male: River, Forest, Cedar, Storm, Sky, Hunter, Fox, Birch, Rain, Flint
Female: Willow, Meadow, Autumn, Brooke, Sierra, Dawn, Fern, Aspen, Lark, Wren
Vintage and Old-Fashioned Dachshund Names
Old-fashioned human names have made a strong comeback for pets, and they pair especially well with a breed as old and storied as the dachshund.
Male: Walter, Arthur, Gus, Herbert, Norman, Stanley, Clarence, Elmer, Wallace, Homer
Female: Mabel, Edith, Gertie, Doris, Beatrice, Fern, Agnes, Opal, Pearl, Mildred
Pop Culture and Playful Names
If you’d rather your dachshund’s name get a laugh or a knowing nod, these pull from movies, shows, and general pop culture inspiration without borrowing anyone’s exact character name.
Male: Yoda, Groot, Sherlock, Gatsby, Bond, Loki, Thor, Simba, Maverick, Rocket
Female: Elsa, Nala, Arwen, Elle, Trixie, Harley, Katniss, Xena, Rey, Ripley
Size-Inspired Names for a Small Dog
Since dachshunds stay compact for life, plenty of owners lean directly into that with names that celebrate their small stature.
Peanut, Tiny, Munchkin, Squirt, Nugget, Pipsqueak, Button, Half-Pint, Shrimp, Bitsy, Dot, Chip, Cricket, Pebbles, Tot
How Personality Can Guide Your Dachshund Puppy Name Choice
Beyond category, it’s worth watching your puppy’s early personality before locking in a final decision. A bold, fearless puppy who charges toward every new experience might suit a strong name like Zeus or Blaze far better than a soft, delicate-sounding one. A cuddly, laid-back puppy might feel more like a Waffles or a Pearl than a Diesel or an Atlas.
Many families spend the first few days trying out two or three finalists out loud before settling on the one that feels right, and there’s nothing wrong with taking that extra time to get it right.
Tips for Picking the Right Name for Training Success
Beyond personal preference, a few practical guidelines make a name easier to work with during training. Shorter names, ideally one or two syllables, are easier for a puppy to recognize quickly and respond to during recall training. Names with strong consonant sounds, like Max, Jack, or Ruby, tend to carry better outdoors than soft, drawn-out names.
It’s also worth avoiding names that sound similar to common commands, like “Kit” sounding close to “sit,” since this can genuinely slow down training progress in the early weeks.
Naming Multiple Puppies From the Same Litter
If you’ve brought home two puppies at once, or you’re helping name an entire litter, a themed approach makes the process easier and more memorable. Some owners pick a shared first letter for every puppy in a litter, others choose a loose theme like spices, German cities, or classic movie duos, and some simply pick their favorite names from this list and see which one fits which personality once the puppies are home.
At Elite Dachshunds, we often name litters around a light theme ourselves before puppies go to their new families, though every new owner is always welcome to rename their puppy however they’d like.
Puppies Waiting for Their Perfect Name
If you’re still working through this list, here are a few puppies currently available and ready for a name of their own.
Milo — Male, 9 weeks — $700 Milo already has a name, but he’s ready to become part of your family regardless of what you call him. See Milo and our full current litter →
Daisy — Female, 9 weeks — $700 Daisy is a great example of a classic name that never goes out of style. View Daisy’s listing →
Cooper — Male, 9 weeks — $700 Cooper shows how a simple, strong name suits this breed’s confident personality. Check Cooper’s availability →
Every puppy comes with a 1-year health guarantee. Reach out through our contact page with any questions before bringing your puppy home.
FAQs About Dachshund Puppy Names
What are the most popular dachshund puppy names? Popular choices include Max, Bella, Charlie, Daisy, Cooper, and Molly, alongside German heritage names like Fritz and Heidi.
What are good German dachshund names? Traditional German names like Fritz, Otto, Klaus, Heidi, Greta, and Hans honor the breed’s origin as a German hunting dog.
What are funny wiener dog names? Playful options include Wiener, Frankfurter, Sausage, Sir Barksalot, Nacho, and Pretzel, all leaning into the breed’s famous shape.
Are there unique dachshund puppy names that aren’t overused? Yes. Names like Baxter, Juniper, Marlowe, Zephyr, and Freya offer a distinctive alternative to more common dog names.
Should I pick a male dachshund name based on personality? It can help. A bold, confident male dachshund might suit a strong name like Duke or Zeus, while a calmer dog might fit something like Ollie or Gus.
What female dachshund names work well for a small dog? Names like Daisy, Ruby, Coco, and Penny work particularly well for smaller female dachshunds, though any name on this list suits either size.
Why do so many dachshund names reference sausages or hot dogs? It’s a playful nod to the breed’s distinctive long, low body shape, which has earned dachshunds the nickname “wiener dog” for generations.
How long should a dachshund puppy’s name be for training? One or two syllables with a clear, strong sound tends to work best for training and recall, since it’s easier for a puppy to recognize quickly.
Can I rename a dachshund puppy from Elite Dachshunds? Yes. Puppies are young enough at pickup that they adjust quickly to a new name with a little consistency in the first few days.
How do I ask Elite Dachshunds about a specific puppy before naming them? The easiest way is through our contact page, or by emailing elitedachshundpups@gmail.com directly.
Is it okay to rename an older puppy or rescue dachshund? Yes. Dogs adapt to a new name faster than most people expect, usually within a few days of consistent, positive use paired with treats and praise.
Ready to Find a Puppy to Match the Perfect Name?
Whichever name you land on, we hope this list made the decision a little more fun. 🐾
Take a look at our current available puppies, read what past families have said on our reviews page, or reach out with any questions.
📧 Email us anytime at elitedachshundpups@gmail.com ✅ Contact us here to ask about a specific puppy or upcoming litter