Labrador Retrievers, aka Labs, are one of the most well-recognized dog breeds globally. Originating in 1800s Newfoundland, Canada. They were imported into the United Kingdom in the 1830s where they were bred with other dog breeds to develop the Labrador Retrievers that are known and loved today. While Labrador Retrievers were originally bred to be great hunting dogs, today most spend their days as companion animals a role well suited for their friendly, intelligent, and people-pleasing natures. These same traits also make them easy to train, so many labs are trained to be great service and therapy dogs.
Please keep in mind that because Labrador Retrievers were originally bred to hunt, these dogs have plenty of energy. If you're looking for a dog that can make a great workout buddy or a new family member who won't have any trouble keeping up with kids, a lab can make a great match.
Once your new Lab is home, priority number one is often choosing their name. Most pet parents want a name that encompasses the look and personality of their new baby. Because this task can often feel overwhelming, we've compiled a list of great names for female and male Labrador Retrievers to help get you started!
Female Lab Names
Ruby – Precious like the rock.
Willow – Like the slender tree.
Lola – Just a cute name.
Luna – Inspired by the moon.
Honey – Sweet like their personality.
Ember –For their fiery spirit.
Pipa – A sweet name, for their playful spirit.
Poppy – Like the beautiful flower.
Maple – Lovely name for their tan fur.
Brandy – Just like their warm disposition.
Phoebe – F.R.I.E.N.D.S fan?
Zoe – Meaning life
Champagne –For their wonderful fur tone.
Butterscotch – For the yellow labs.
Pumpkin – For the color.
Black Lab Names
Black Labradors are more common and popular than you think. If you have one, here are a few names for them -
Onyx – Pokemon fan?
Ash – Short name for a black lab or again, a Pokemon fan?
Sable – A beautiful name for describing the color black.
Abbey – Black card in magic.
Asphalt –Like the black liquid used in roads.
Midnight – Just the perfect time, isn’t it?
Slate – Unique one, right?
Smoky – For a silver labrador.
Jade – Because your lab is both, tough and a gem
Olive – inspired by black olives.
Charcoal – Your lab will be a fuel to your life.
Eerie – Like the ‘eerie night’
Chocolate Lab Names
Chocolate-colored labradors often have hazel eyes and brown noses that complement their coats. If your new lab is chocolate brown, here are a few names that might make a great fit:
Mocha – Like coffee.
Hazel – For those magical eyes.
Sienna – An earthy, reddish-brown shade.
Hershey – As sweet as the chocolate.
Rusty – Cause why not?
Snickers – A fun one.
Bear – Won’t it be your cuddling teddy?
Lava – Inspired by the reddish-brown tones of it.
Ginger – Or you can go for ‘Gingerbread’.
Whisky – For someone who fancies a drink.
Coffee – Your dog can wake you up and get you pumped as well.
Yellow Lab Names
Yellow labradors are the most common, so often when someone thinks of a Labrador Retriever, a classic golden coat is what comes to mind. If you've brought a yellow lab home, and are struggling to name them, here are a few fun options to get you started:
Buttercup
Lemon drop
Opal
Pearl
Ray
Sunny
Dandelion
Tawny
Sandy
Bee
Lemonade
If none of these names feel like the right fit for your puppy, here are a few names for male and female labrador puppies, regardless of coat color.
Labrador Puppy Names for Males
If your still haven't found the perfect name for your new male lab, here is a list of some of the best names Spot Peet Insurance has found for male labrador retrievers.
Oreo
Bowie
Buddy
Chance
Jet
Pepper
Max
Jack
Gunner
Marley
Bowie
Buddy
Chance
Jet
Pepper
Max
Jack
Gunner
Marley
Bravo
Labrador Puppy Names for Females
When picking a name for your lab puppy, you should choose one that is short, catchy, and feels right for your fur baby. Don't be afraid to test out a few names before you find the right one! It can take some time to fully understand your puppy's personality, but once you do choosing their name might be a lot easier. Here are a few more names that could make a great fit for a female labrador puppy.
Lacey
Sadie
Madie
Molly
Munchkin
Reba
Kara
Stella
Callie
Penny
Blu
Mochi
Brie
Khloe
Alfie
Holly
Birdie
Lulu
Bodhi
Inky
What is the Best Name for a Labrador?
Your Labrador will be the talk of the town with one of these fantastic names: Finnigan, Hudson, Jersey, Lulu, Maisie, Onyx, Parker, or Rusty.6
What to Name a Black Lab?
If you have a black Lab, maybe a name like Anise, Ash/Asher, Coal/Cole, Espresso, or Guinness could be a great fit.5
What is a Cool Dog Name?
For a cool and unique name for a female dog, test options like Amabel, Ismay, or Aziza. If you have a male dog, try names like Enzo, Ozzy, Sparrow, Wolf, Blaze, or Zeppelin. Unique options for male dogs include Benno, Odyssey, and Espen.4
How can Pet Health Insurance Help?
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for covered bills in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Pet health insurance can help pet parents manage the cost of high vet bills and help ensure their pets can receive the best treatment possible.
Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments like emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget.
Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can rest easy knowing they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
With 15 years as a dog and cat parent, my pet articles are a mix of humor and firsthand experience - proof that the best stories often come with paws and purrs.
Common health problems in labradors. (n.d.). Purina. https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/health/symptoms/labrador-health-problems
Cosgrove, N. (2024, May 6). 150+ labrador retriever names: Popular & Unique lab names 2024 – Dogster. Dogster. https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/labrador-retriever-dog-names
DogTime. (2024, April 25). Labrador retriever. DogTime. https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever
McKeon, Brynn. “570+ Cool Dog Names.” Nameberry, Nameberry, 14 Feb. 2024, nameberry.com/list/1388/cool-dog-names.
Brown, Jackie. “Love Black Labs? You’ll Love These Names.” The Spruce Pets, The Spruce Pets, 11 July 2024, www.thesprucepets.com/black-lab-names-5093386.
Deering, Shelby. “300 Most Popular Labrador Retriever Names.” Rover, Rover.com, www.rover.com/blog/labrador-names-retriever-dog-names/.
