Texas Inspired Dog names for real Cowgirls and Lone State lovers from Houston

While my husband and I are certainly not from Texas (though he likes to Dad-joke that his accent is from east Texas), we wanted to have a unique, yet super Texan, a southern dog name for our Houston bred super mutt, who we adopted in our first summer in Houston. Coming straight from a rescue and called Marley, we knew we needed a dog name with slightly more character (no shade on dogs named Marley, but it was just not the right fit for our sassy fur babe).

We went back and forth, strong contenders were Bonnie (not just Bonnie and Clyde but as Toy Story lovers, Bonnie the sweet new toy mama for the gang), Dolly, I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan, or Jolene, because Missy had flaming locks of auburn hair.

After calling our Houston Super Mutt “Baby Girl”, “Hey You” and “dog”, for the first couple of days, my MIL came up with the perfect name: Missy. It didn’t take long to realize, that’s it. That’s her name! Maybe not as unique as I wanted, I have not yet met another Missy dog, though I have heard the one or the other cat called Missy ':-)

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Unique Cowboy Dog names are on the rise

Since then, I’ve been asked by many people to give dog name advice, and one common theme I’ve noticed is that people love to show their love and appreciation for their Texas home, either born and raised or new like my husband and I, in shape of their dog.

And why not, dog names are a great way to show your and your dog’s personality with fun and sass without the pressure Baby names put on you where you need to think: is this a professional name? common? Will people judge? Other people don’t matter when you decide on a dog name with southern or Texan theme, you need to love it, that’s all that matters.

Dogs and Cowboys have always been a team by name and spirit

Dogs have always been a big part of rancher life. As life stock guard dogs, herding helpers and companions on long lone herding trips, dogs belong to the Cowboy history of our country like the cowboy on a horse. The Wild West would certainly not be what it was depicted in stories, if not for our fury four-legged friends.

A big part of southern and texan life is of course hunting. So it comes to no surprise, that espcielaly bred hunting dogs would be important to the development of Texas culture, apart from ranching cattle dogs. This is one reason why Texan’s official state dog is the blue Lacey, developed in the 19th century this hound and its striking looks, was bred to be the perfect Texan dog. The breed has such a beautiful name that I think , it doesn’t matter whether you. have Pit Bull breed, Frenchie, German Shepherd or Labrador, a good texan name fits to any breed.

Texas lovers and Houston fans love country dog names

Southern dog names have become very popular, with most traditionally names like Beau or Belle being popular, people like to show their college affiliations, heritage or favorite TV shows with their fur baby’s name. Tv shows like Yellowstone romanticize the Ranch lifestyle and brought the cowboy lifestyle into popular culture again. No wonder names like Cowboy (especially as a Dallas Cowboy fan), or Rip gained traction in recent years.

If you pick your dog name wisely, you will be sure to have a unique name for your puppy that will be a conversation starter and showcase your love for Texas.

So here it is, the ultimate dog’s name list for people that love Cowboys, Texas, southern country life and Houston in particular.

Texas Male Dog Names (Alphabetical Order)

Abbot – while this might not be my cup of tea, I understand the appeal
Austin – Does your dog look like a Hipster? Then this might be the right name!
Astro – Not only for Houston’s amazing baseball team, but think of the Jetsons, Astro was certainly a special dog. I can see a Great Dane called Astro!
Bandit – Reminding us of the “good ol’ days” we only know from Western Movies
Baylor – If you studied there or not, sounds great!
Beavis – If you watched TV in the 90’s you know. Might work good for a duo – Beavis and Butthead.
Big Tex – After the iconic figure at the State Fair of Texas.
Bowie – After Jim Bowie, a hero of the Alamo. Remember the Alamo!
Brenham – If you love Bluebell ice cream you know…
Brisket – The best BBQ can be found in Texas I would argue. In my mind, this is a sturdy Bully mix breed dog.
Buck – A cowboy-inspired name.
Bucc-ee – If you love the beaver, there’s no stopping you….
Burnett – Carol Burnett is from Texas, did you know?
Bush – Yes, I hear it when see it, but thinking of either a cold one at a dive bar in summer or the Bush presidential family, this is a great name, if your mind’s not in the gutter.
Chuck – After Chuck Norris who’s the baddest Texas Ranger
Clutch – Clutch City!
Clyde – Great for a Duo, naming a pair Bonnie and Clyde like the infamous Texan bandit duo (please do acknowledge that they were also killers, so be mindful of that.
Colt – I saw a contestant at the Rodeo with that name and, wow, did that sound Texan if I ever saw one.
Cowboy - The Dallas Cowboys, and of course, as Country as can be. Wouldn’t this be the best Frenchie name ever?
Crockett – After Davy Crockett, don’t ever forget to remember the Alamo!
Cruz – Is your dog likely to piss off when there’s a winter storm? Then this is the right name, otherwise, it does have a nice ring to it!
Dallas – Compared to the other names on my list, I find this almost basic now.
Dr. Pepper – like the soda brewed in Waco
Duff – Hillary Duff is from Texas, and honestly, I think that would make a rocking dog name
Hank – After the famous Texan, Hank Williams, but personally I’m thinking of saloon owner Hank from Dr. Quinn, bad ass guy with long hair.
HEB – this might sound unusual, but if you love the big H, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Hill – like Hank Hill from King of the hills. If you have a duo, go for Peggy and Hank 
Houston – Or maybe Hou, for short. Super cute.
Longhorn – Hook ‘em horns. I’m thinking of a red/orange dog.
Lyndon – like President Lyndon B. Johnson
Maverick – A term popularized in Texas.
Pancho – After Pancho Villa, a figure with Texas ties.
Queso – The best food you can find in Texas
Ranch – Sounds so Cowboy I can’t even…
Ranger – A tribute to the Texas Rangers or Walker Texas Ranger, honor Chuck Norris!
Rio – Referring to the Rio Grande River.
Rip- From the TV show Yellowstone, though not strictly Texan, this is so cowboy, it had to go on my list.
Rodeo – A nod to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, biggest in the world! To me this might be a Viszla name,
Sam – After Sam Houston, the first president of Texas.
Sheldon – like the quirky character in the Bing Bang Theory
Space – Thinking of Space City, Houston
Strait – George Strait – Deep in the heart of Texas…
Swayze – After Patrick Swayze, Road House round kick legend and Dirty Dancing hero, he grew up in the Garden Oaks Area of Houston. Somehow I imagine a bearded dog here, a Schnauzer?
Taco – Do you wanna taco ‘bout it?
Tex – This is the name for a dog that looks like he’ll rip you off at a poker game in a onld saloon.
Tyler – Named after the Texas city.
Waco – After the Texas city.
Willie – After Willie Nelson, a Texas icon – thinking of a country singer themed duo like Dolly and Willie…
Walker – Chuck Norris has many ways to infiltrate your life 
Woody – For Toy Story lovers or thinking of Matthew Mcconauhghets character in Dazed and Confused, David Woodersen

Female Texas Dog Names (Alphabetical Order)

Abby – After the Texas city Abilene
Amarillo – Amarillo means yellow, great for a golden retriever with a cowboy hat
Aggie – if you are an Aggie, this might be a no-brainer
Belle – Super southern. Or thinking of Bellaire in Houston
Beyonce – I’m not saying this is a perfect name for a dog, but maybe variations like Bey?
Bluebonnet – The state flower of Texas - there are many variations that could work with this.. Blue, Bonnet, Bonnie, BlueBoo, Bobo….you get the picture!
Blue Bell – Like the Ice cream, and who doesn’t love Ice cream? Blue for short.
Bonnie – of Scottish origin and means pretty, and perfect for Bonnie & Clyde duos, named after the gangster couple from Texas
Cypress – Named after Cypress, a suburb of Houston. Very sweet, and has a bit of a mediterenean flair to it too/
Dolly – After Dolly Parton, though not from Texas, she is as country as country can be.
Dune - thinking of sand dunes at the beach….
Farrah – like Farrah Fawcett – the ultimate Charlie’s angel from Corpus Christi, Texas. This could be a wavy haired dog? Like an Irish setter.
Frita – think Frito pie. Somehow I imagine a small doggie.
Ginger – After Ginger Rogers, who was born in Texas.
Harper – After the Texas town.
Honey – Best thing about living in Texas is being called Honey by southern waitresses…it’s like a big hug, a way to feel small and cozy and as if there was someone that cared when you have a bad day. Call me honey all day long. (only women, though! If a strange man calls me honey I will go all Walker Texas Ranger on you!)
JoJo - Any repetetive syllables sound southern to me…
Jo – thinking of Joanna Gaines from Waco,
Katy – After the Texas town.
Kendra – Kendra Scott, the girl that made it…Jewelry designer and entrepreneur from Houston
Lacey – while the Blue Lacey is the official Texas state dog, it’s a beautiful name for blue (grey) hounds or bully breeds.
Laredo – Named after the Texas border city.
Lady Bird – Like Lady Byrd Johnson. First Lady from the Hill Country. I’m thinking a super Houston street dog mixed with a chihuahua.
Liberty – Give me Liberty tacos!
Magnolia – For the famous Magnolia Market in Waco.
Maple – After the Bigtooth Maple trees found in Texas.
Marfa – For the unique West Texas town. If you love art (or Prada), you know.
Margarita – I have Rita on the list too, but if you like to be more provoking and very literal, this is the name for you.
Mae – super southern, and you can add it to first names, like Ladybird Mae, Katy Mae, Missy Mae, Reba Mae etc.
Missy – very southern, actually short for Melissa and thinking of Missy, Sheldon’s twin sister.
Neely – after the founder of Dallas, very unique and a conversation starter!
Peach – the Peaches in Fredericksburg are supposed to be the best
Pearl – For the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio.
Pecan – The best Pecan Pie is at the house of pies in Houston! This is a brown dog’s name for sure. I know a perfect Pittie girl waiting for her forever home that would fit this!
Reba – After Reba McEntire, a Texas favorite.
Reveille – A&M Texas’ Collie Mascot’s name.
Rita – like Margarita, the most popular drink, amongst my Texan friends
River – thinking of River Oaks, the fancy neighborhood in Houston
Rosie – For the Texas wildflowers but getting back to the Jetsons I’m thinking Rosie, the robot maid.
Ruby – Ruby Sue sounds so much more southern even!
Sage – Inspired by the Texas sagebrush.
Sandy - Why do I feel this is super southern? I might be thinking of Spongebob’s friend :-)
Selena – after Selena Quintanilla, the amazing Tejano singer from Corpus Christi
Shiner – Named after the famous Texas beer.
Sierra – Reflecting the rugged Texas landscapes, reminding me of dessert dunes and gold brown tones of the west of the state
Spacey – Thinking of Space City, Houston
Star – As in the Lone Star.
Texanne/ Tex-anne – A feminine version of Tex, honoring the name state Texas
Trinity – After the Trinity River.
Willow – After Willow City, known for its wildflowers.