Sports fans live for the game. If you’re one of them, then you know how it goes. You can watch three games at once, you start planning for major sporting events months in advance, and you’re willing to drain your savings for team memorabilia.
You may play baseball, basketball, or another sport, or you simply enjoy watching the game. But if sports are a big part of your life, then it makes sense to express your fandom through your dog or cat with a sports-themed pet name.
Choosing the Best Name for Your Pet
Coming up with the perfect name for your pet can be tricky. After all, this is something that, in most cases, should stay with your pet for their whole life. A name isn’t something you change every other week when you get tired of it, unless you’re a fledgling pop star.
Therefore, you certainly want to choose something you like that makes sense for you and your pet. Some people name their pup or cat based on physical features or personality traits.
For example, maybe your pet knocks their food dish over every mealtime and makes a mess, so you call them Tornado. However, many pet parents choose their fur baby’s moniker based on hobbies and interests, like these nature-inspired names.
Therefore, if you’ve decided to go with a sports-related pet name for your dog or cat, there are a bunch of ideas to help you pick the perfect one. Some names are based on famous athletes, others come from popular sports teams. And you can even get more niche by choosing terms related to specific sports.
Ready to brainstorm some sports-themed pet names? Let’s play ball!
Baseball-Inspired Names for Pets
- Rookie – A player who’s new to the sport. You might be tempted to name a puppy or a new kitten this, but keep in mind, they’ll grow up. However, this name is a good pick for a pet who seems to be perpetually young at heart.
- Slugger – A batter with a lot of power behind their swing. It’s a good fit for a pet who’s full of energy.
- Diamond – What many people call the baseball field. A great name for the unique pet of a baseball fan.
- Ace – The star pitcher of a team This name befits a dependable, faithful pet.
- Wrigley – Wrigley Field is home to the Chicago Cubs. It’s a cute name and a shoe-in for a Cubs fan.
- Fenway – TheBoston Red Sox’s iconic stadium is Fenway Park. Fans bursting with Boston pride might think of this name as a winner.
Prefer to name your pet after a famous, legendary baseball player? Try Yogi (Yogi Berra), Babe (Babe Ruth), or Jackie (Jackie Robinson).
Football-Inspired Pet Names
- Blitz – A defensive play involving rushing the quarterback. Choose this name for a fast and fearless pet.
- Spike – When a player slams the football into the ground after scoring a touchdown. It’s a cute, punchy name for pets (and pet parents) with big personalities.
Want to pay homage to your favorite football players? Here are a few top picks that make the draft. Brady (Tom Brady), Brees (Drew Brees), Mahomes (Patrick Mahomes), Dak (Dak Prescott), or Lombardi, for one of the greatest coaches of all time, Vince Lombardi.
Pet Names for Basketball Fans
- Dribble – This term is for bouncing the ball while moving. This name is a shoe-in for a bouncy, energetic pet (or maybe one that drools a lot).
- Swoosh – The sound of an easy, clean basket. It’s an apt name for a graceful cat or dog.
- Hoops – A casual term for a game of basketball. Hoops is a cute name for an active pet of a basketball fan.
Here are a few apropos names for pets of basketball fans who want to honor their favorite players. Kobe (Kobe Bryant), MJ (Michael Jordan), Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal), Curry (Steph Curry).
Soccer-Themed Pet Names
- Goalie – The player who defends the goal. Is your pet the protective type? If so, this could be the name for them!
- Striker – The player whose primary objective is to score goals. This name fits a pet that likes to please their owner and work hard.
Popular soccer players that double as great pet names are Messi (Lionel Messi), Beckham (David Beckham), Hamm (Mia Hamm), Ronaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo), and Pelé.
Hockey-Inspired Names for Pets
- Puck – The small disc that the players knock around the rink. This is a cute name, especially for a small, playful pet.
- Zamboni – The machine that cleans and resurfaces the ice. A good fit for a white pet, a fluffy pet, or one who likes to keep clean.
- Slapshot – A powerful, fast hockey shot. Choose this name for a quick, high-energy dog or cat.
- Blades – The sharp edges on the hockey players’ skates. This name is a good match for a fast-moving, sleek pet.
Celebrate some of the greatest hockey players of all time by naming your pet after them. A couple of examples are Gordie (Gordie Howe) and Gretzky (Wayne Gretzky).
Pet Names for Tennis Fans
- Volley – The term for hitting the tennis ball back before it bounces. A great name for a peppy, quick, jumpy pet.
- Deuce – This is when both players have 40 points. If your dog or cat is dependable, steady, and loyal, try this name on for size.
- Love – This is a tennis term for zero. An ironic twist for a loving pet that gives you their all.
How about a few fun pet names based on famous tennis players? Try Serena or Venus (Serena and Venus Williams), Rafa (Rafael Nadal), Billie (Billie Jean King), and Coco (Cori “Coco” Gauff).
Golf-Related Pet Names
- Bogey – A score one stroke over par. A cute name for a golf lover’s pet.
- Birdie – A score of one stroke under par. Try this name for a pet who always seems to be a step ahead of you.
- Chip – A short, low-flying shot that’s usually used near the green. A sweet name for a sweet pal.
- Mulligan – This is a do-over shot, usually used by amateur golfers. This could be a fun name for an accident-prone pet.
If you want to name your dog or cat after your favorite golf legend, consider Tiger (Tiger Woods), Jack (Jack Nicklaus), Arnold or Palmer (Arnold Palmer), or Ernie (Ernie Els).
General Sports Terms That Make Great Pet Names
- Coach
- Champ
- Scout
- Ref
- Jersey
- Dash
- Speedy
- Tank
- Racer
Pet Names from Team Mascots
- Raider – (Las Vegas Raiders - NFL)
- Bronco – (Denver Broncos - NFL)
- Cub – (Chicago Cubs - MLB)
- Saint – (New Orleans Saints - NFL)
- Ranger – (Texas Rangers - MLB or New York - NHL)
- Hawk – (Atlanta - NBA or Seattle Seahawks - NFL)
- Jet – (New York Jets- NFL)
- Patriot – (New England Patriots -NFL)
- Tiger – (Detroit Tigers- MLB or the LSU - College)
- Chief – (Kansas City Chiefs- NFL)
- Niner – (San Francisco 49ers - NFL)
- Laker – (Los Angeles Lakers- NBA)
- Dodger – (Los Angeles Dodgers - MLB)
- Cavalier or Cav (Cleveland Cavaliers - NBA)
- Panther – (Carolina Panthers - NFL or Florida Panthers - NHL)
- Cardinal – (St. Louis Cardinals - MLB or Arizona Cardinals - NFL)
- Buckeye – (Ohio State Buckeyes - College)
- Gator – (Florida Gators - College)
- Spartan – (Michigan State Spartans - College)
- Bruin– (UCLA Bruins - College or Boston Bruins - NHL)
What Sports-Themed Pet Name Scores Points With You?
Do any of these sports-related pet names pique your interest? Of course, they only scratch the surface, because there are so many more teams, players, terms, and even sports to consider! But this list should definitely get your motor running and your wheels spinning!
Check out the Neater Pets blog for more fun tidbits and resources regarding pets. You’ll find all sorts of helpful information and suggestions for making the most out of every second with your precious pal.