Did you know that the word “canine” is derived from “Canis”, which is the Latin word for dog? In fact, dogs were highly regarded within Roman society as guard dogs and loving furry companions.
Whether your family has Roman origins or you just want to pick a great name for your dog, a Roman dog name might be the perfect fit for your furry friend.
Below, we’ll share some of the best Roman dog names that may be perfect for your pooch. From Roman emperor namesakes to names inspired by mythology, you’re sure to find the perfect name for your mutt.
Note that the vast majority of Roman dog names discussed below are derived from Latin words or names, but some originally trace their roots to Hebrew, Greek, or Arabic words.
Male Roman Dog Names
Is your best buddy a true warrior? Check out these Roman-inspired male dog names to find the perfect name for your fearless friend.
- Aetius — Likely derived from Greek word for “eagle”
- Albus — ”White, bright”
- Balbus — “Stammerer”
- Blassius — Unknown
- Brutus — “Heavy”
- Caius — Unclear, but likely “to rejoice”
- Cassius — “Empty, vain”
- Celsus — “Tall”
- Cyprius — Unknown
- Decimus — “Tenth”
- Domitus — Unknown
- Ennius — Unknown
- Fabianus — “Bean”
- Ferox — “Ferocious”
- Gaius — Uncertain, but likely “to rejoice”
- Ladon — Unknown
- Lucius –”Light”
- Nero — “Strong, vigorous”
- Octavius — “Eighth”
- Perseus — “To destroy”
- Picus — “Fifth”
- Pontius — “Fifth”
- Quincitius — “Fifth”
- Regulus — “Prince, little king”
- Rex — Latin name meaning “king”
- Sergius — “Servant”
- Spartacus — “From the city of Sparta”
Female Roman Dog Names
If your caring canine is always up for conquest, a Roman dog name might be an excellent fit. Here are some Roman-inspired female dog names to take into consideration.
- Aelia — “Sun”
- Aemilia — “Rival”
- Antonia — Thought to be derived from “flower,” but some disagree
- Augusta — “Exalted, venerable”
- Balbina — “Stammerer”
- Bellaque — “War”
- Caelia — “Heaven”
- Camillia — “Complete, full, whole”
- Cardea — “Hinge, axis”
- Cassia — “Empty, vain”
- Claudia — “Lame, crippled”
- Cornelia — “Horn”
- Drusilla — “Strong”
- Fausta — “Auspicious, lucky”
- Flavia — “Yellow-haired”
- Galla — “Rooster”
- Issa — “Her little ladyship”
- Jana — Unknown
- Junia — Derived from the Roman God Juno
- Lachne — “Shaggy”
- Laela — “Of God”
- Lucia — “Light”
- Lucretia –”Profit, wealth”
- Martina — Unknown, but may be a reference to Mars
- Maxima — “Greatest”
- Metella — “Hired servant”
- Morta — “The lady, the mistress”
- Nerva — “Strength”
- Nona — Unknown
- Octavia — “Eighth”
- Opis — “Power, might, influence”
- Paulina — “Small, humble”
- Pomona –”Fruit tree”
- Rhea — “To flow”
- Sabrina — Unknown
- Tatiana — Unknown
Gender-Neutral Roman Dog Names
These Roman dog names will work well for any gender. Consider these gender-neutral Roman dog names for your furry friend.
- Alke — “Valor”
- Craugis — “Yapper”
- Genius — “Protective spirit”
- Hylactor — “Barker”
- Lare — “Spirit of one’s ancestors”
- Leucon — Latin for “white”
- Melaneus — Latin for “black”
- Patricius — Latin for “noble”
- Siderus — “Luminous”
- Sticte — “Spot”
- Theron — Latin for “hunter”
- Tigris — Latin for “tiger”
Roman Historical & Mythological Dog Names
If you have a majestic mutt, a mythological dog name inspired by Roman history or myths might be the perfect fit. We’ll share some of the central Gods in Roman mythology below.
- Aeolus — Keeper of the winds
- Apollo — God of sun, healing, music, and poetry
- Aurora — Goddess of the dawn
- Bacchus — Patron of wine
- Bellona — Goddess of war
- Cardea — Goddess of spiritual thresholds
- Cerberus — Three-headed hound known as the guard dog for the river Styx
- Cupid — God of desire
- Cyclops — Giants known for a single eye
- Diana — Goddess of the moon
- Fannus — God of wilderness
- Fauna — Goddess of fruitfulness
- Flora — Goddess of flowering plants
- Harpy — Name of winged monsters with the faces of beautiful women
- Honos — God of chivalry
- Jana — Goddess of secrets
- Janus — God of beginnings and endings
- Juno — Goddess of childbirth
- Jupiter — The supreme Roman God
- Liber — God of freedom and fertility
- Lupa — She-wolf that raised Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome
- Maia — Goddess of growth
- Mars — God of war
- Mercury — God of profit and travelers
- Minerva — Goddess of wisdom
- Neptune — God of oceans and seas
- Orcus — God of underworld
- Pax — Goddess of peace
- Pluto — King of the underworld
- Remus
- Romulus
- Sancus — God of trust
- Saturn — God of agriculture
- Terra — Goddess of the earth
- Trivia — Goddess of crossroads
- Victoria — Goddess of victory
- Vulcan — God of metalworking and volcanoes
Roman Emperor Dog Names
Does your dog claim your home as his pooch palace? In which case, a Roman emperor might make the perfect namesake for your proud pooch.
- Aurelian: This notable emperor was known for winning an unprecedented number of military victories during his reign from 270 to 275 AD.
- Caracalla: This emperor co-ruled with his father Septimus Severus. He is known for his contribution to Rome’s impressive public baths.
- Caesar: Caesar Augustus was the first Roman emperor leading from 27 BC to 14 AD.
- Claudius: Claudius was the fourth Roman emperor and was known for his strong leadership.
- Constantine: Constantine was responsible for unifying the Roman empire and solidified Christianity as Rome’s official religion.
- Commodus: This ineffective Roman emperor was known for his laziness and was the son of the great Marcus Aurelius.
- Diocleatian: Diocletian was known for bringing the Roman empire more than 20 years of stable security and government.
- Marcus Aurelius: This emperor was also a stoic philosopher and provided Romans with peace and stability during his rule in the Pax Romana period.
- Vitellius: This short-lived notorious emperor was known for gluttony and gambling.
Roman Dog Breeds
The Romans were pooch parents and incorporated furry friends into their private and working lives. While it can be tricky to find some of these ancient breeds today, it’s clear that some of our favorite canine companions descended from some of the Roman dog breeds listed below.
- Molossus — While these big best buddies are from Greece, they were one of Rome’s preferred military dogs that accompanied the Roman army on their conquests. The Molossus, also called the Epirus mastiff, is now extinct, though one breeder in California is working to bring back the ancient Molossus. These protective pups are known for their large size, brave nature, and they look similar to other Mastiff-type breeds.
- Italian Greyhound — The Romans may not have had the refined Italian greyhound as we do today, but they did have the Vertragus, which served as a direct ancestor to the modern version of the breed. These speedy furry friends are known for their loving nature and playful personalities, and they do well in a wide variety of homes.
- Melitan — While it’s unfortunately unclear which breeds the ancient Melitan helped develop, it’s worth noting that the Romans had lap dogs, too. The Melitan was commonly depicted as a white, spitz-type dog that served primarily as a companion to their Roman families. We can only speculate that the Melitan helped create the loving and playful Volpino Italiano we know today.
- Neapolitan Mastiff — These gigantic dogs are direct descendants of the Canis Pugnax, which served as Rome’s legendary war dogs. Today, these loving dogs are known for their impressive size and loyal personalities. While these pups can be wary of strangers, they’re known to be patient and caring canine companions amongst their pack.
- Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog — The canis pastoralis ancestor of this sheepdog is referenced in some Roman texts. These majestic and strong dogs are hard working dogs that want nothing more than to patrol the pasture for their favorite humans.
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If you have an impressive doggo at home, a Roman-inspired dog name might make an amazing namesake for your distinguished dog. Hopefully, this list provides you with some serious name contenders for your canine conqueror.
Need more ideas? Consider checking out our guide to the best Viking dog names as well as our collection of regal dog name ideas!
Does your dog have an emperor-like attitude? Which Roman dog name was your favorite? We’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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