Dog Names By State >> Minnesota Dog Names

Minnesota Dog Names

Updated: April 20, 2024

Welcome to a page dedicated entirely to celebrating the spirit of Minnesota through the names we give our canine companions. This state, known for its beautiful lakes, vibrant cities, and the iconic Mall of America, is a wonderful source of inspiration for naming your furry friend. The names you will discover on this page are a blend of unique, traditional, and distinctly Minnesotan, and they reflect the rich heritage, culture, and geography of the North Star State.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes has a distinct charm that can be seen in the dog names we’ve collected here. From names inspired by the state's breathtaking natural beauty to those reflecting its thriving arts scene, sports fandom, and everything in between, you'll find a variety of choices to suit every kind of dog, from the tiniest Chihuahua to the mightiest Great Dane. Whether you’re a native Minnesotan, a spirited transplant, or simply have a love for everything the state represents, you'll find the perfect name for your pup that encapsulates the Minnesota spirit.

Our page is not just about providing a list of names, but also about paying homage to Minnesota’s unique charm. It's a tribute to the state that has given us so much, including a shared love for our four-legged friends. We hope that this selection of dog names, each with a touch of Minnesota, will inspire you, make you smile, and ultimately, help you find the perfect name for your loyal companion.

Name	Reason to Choose
Afton	After Afton State Park, a popular hiking and camping spot
Agate	The state gemstone of Minnesota
Aitkin	A city in Minnesota known for its historic buildings
Anoka	A city in Minnesota known as the 'Halloween Capital of the World.'
Babbitt	After the city of Babbitt, located near the Boundary Waters
Baudette	A town in Minnesota known as the 'Walleye Capital of the World.'
Beltrami	Named after Beltrami County, home of Bemidji State University
Bemidji	The city of Bemidji is a gateway to the Mississippi headwaters
Benton	After Benton County, located in central Minnesota
Bigfork	Named after the city of Bigfork, located in northern Minnesota
Birch	Minnesota is home to many birch trees
Bison	Minnesota's Blue Mounds State Park is home to a bison herd
Blizzard	Blizzards are common in Minnesota winters
Blueberry	Minnesota is known for its wild blueberries
Bluff	The Mississippi River bluffs
Boreal	A nod to the state's boreal forests
Boundary	The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Calhoun	Lake Calhoun, also known as Bde Maka Ska, in Minneapolis
Canby	Named after the city of Canby, located in Yellow Medicine County
Carver	After Carver County, named for explorer Jonathan Carver
Cass	Named after Cass County in Minnesota
Chaska	A charming city in Minnesota
Chippewa	The Chippewa National Forest is located in northern Minnesota
Como	Como Park and Zoo in St. Paul
Cottonwood	After Cottonwood County, located in southern Minnesota
Crappie	Crappie is a popular fish among Minnesota anglers
Crow	A nod to the state's diverse bird population
Cuyuna	After the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, a popular outdoor destination
Dakota	Named after the Dakota tribe, one of the first inhabitants in Minnesota
Deer	Minnesota is known for its large deer population
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Winter Inspired Names

Minnesota is well known for its cold winters, which can inspire unique dog names

Name	Description
Arctic	Minnesota's winters can feel as cold as the Arctic
Blizzard	Winter storms are common in Minnesota
Boreal	It refers to the northern forests, much like those in Minnesota
Chill	A nod to the chill of Minnesota's winter air
Evergreen	Evergreen trees are abundant in Minnesota and remain green even in winter
Fir	Fir trees are common in Minnesota and are associated with winter and Christmas
Flurry	This is a term used to describe light snowfall, a common weather condition in Minnesota winters
Freeze	It represents the freezing temperatures in Minnesota during winter
Frostbite	A harsh reality of Minnesota's extreme winter cold
Frosty	Minnesota winters are often frosty
Glacier	Minnesota experiences glacier-like temperatures in winter
Hail	Minnesota experiences hailstorms, especially in winter
Iceberg	Captures the icy winters of Minnesota
Icicle	Icicles are a common sight in Minnesota winters
Igloo	Reflects the snowy conditions of Minnesota
Nippy	It describes the biting cold of Minnesota's winters
Pine	Pine trees are common in Minnesota and are a symbol of winter
Polar	Fitting for a dog in Minnesota where winters are polar-like
Sleet	Sleet is a type of precipitation common in Minnesota winters
Slush	This name reflects the wet, melting snow often seen in Minnesota
Snowball	Ideal for a playful dog living in a state known for its snowy winters
Snowy	Snowy is a suitable name for a Minnesota dog due to the state's heavy snowfalls
Tundra	It's a term that describes the cold, treeless plains of Minnesota in winter
Winter	Minnesota is well known for its long, cold winters
Yule	It's a term associated with Christmas, a major holiday in the winter season
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Native American Names

Minnesota has a rich Native American history, and these names can represent that heritage

Name	Description
Bemidji	Derived from a city in Minnesota that's rich in Native American history
Chippewa	This name honors the Chippewa tribe that is native to Minnesota
Dakota	It's the name of a Native American tribe from Minnesota
Hiawatha	Named after the protagonist of Longfellow's 'The Song of Hiawatha', which is set in Minnesota
Itasca	It's the name of one of Minnesota's largest state parks
Keewatin	Derived from a city in Minnesota that's rich in Native American history
Kitchi	It's an Ojibwe word, meaning 'brave'
Mahtomedi	Named after a city in Minnesota with a Native American name
Mendota	It's the name of a Dakota county in Minnesota
Minnehaha	Inspired by Minnehaha Falls, a popular destination in Minnesota
Naniboujou	This name is drawn from local Ojibwe folklore
Nicollet	This name honors Nicollet Island, which has a significant Native American history
Nokomis	This name is drawn from local Ojibwe folklore
Ojibwe	This name pays tribute to the Native American tribe that resides in Minnesota
Onamia	This name is derived from a city in Minnesota with Native American roots
Osseo	Named after a city in Minnesota, which has a significant Native American history
Ozawindib	Ozawindib was a noted Ojibwe warrior
Shakopee	Honors the city of Shakopee, named after Chief Shakopee of the Mdewakanton Dakota
Taysha	The name means 'friend' in the Dakota language
Tonka	This name is inspired by Lake Minnetonka, a significant body of water in Minnesota
Wabasha	Named after Wabasha County, which has a significant Native American history
Waconia	Named after a city in Minnesota, the name has Native American roots
Wayzata	This is a city in Minnesota, named after a Native American phrase
Winona	This is a Dakota word, also the name of a city in Minnesota
Zumbrota	Derived from a river in Minnesota with a Native American name
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City Inspired Names

Names inspired by cities in Minnesota can reflect the state's culture and heritage

Name	Description
Anoka	Named after the 'Halloween Capital of the World', Anoka
Apple	Apple Valley, the home of Minnesota Zoo, lends its name
Bemidji	From the city Bemidji, known for its lakes and fishing
Blaine	Named after Blaine, a city in Anoka county
Bloomington	From Bloomington, home of the Mall of America
Brainerd	Brainerd is a resort city, an unforgettable vacation spot
Burnsville	From Burnsville, a city in Dakota County
Chaska	Chaska, a city in Carver County, serves as the inspiration
Cloud	Inspired by St. Cloud, the largest city in central Minnesota
Coon	Coon Rapids, the largest city in Anoka County, serves as the inspiration
Duluth	Inspired by the city Duluth, famous for its harbor and Lake Superior
Eagan	From Eagan, a city in Dakota County
Edina	Edina, a city in Hennepin County, is a vibrant shopping destination
Elk	Named after Elk River, a city in Sherburne County
Inver	From Inver Grove Heights, a city in Dakota County
Mankato	The city of Mankato, known for its beautiful parks, lends its name
Maple	Maple Grove, an outdoor lover's paradise, inspires this name
Plymouth	Inspired by Plymouth, a city on the northwest outskirts of Minneapolis
Richfield	Richfield, a city in Hennepin County, inspires this name
Rochester	Inspired by Rochester, the home of the Mayo Clinic
Roseville	Inspired by Roseville, one of the first post-World War II suburbs
Savage	Savage, a city in Scott County, lends its name
Shakopee	From Shakopee, the county seat of Scott County
Stillwater	Named after Stillwater, a city on the banks of St. Croix river
Woodbury	Inspired by Woodbury, one of the most populous cities in Minnesota
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Sports Inspired Names

Minnesota has several professional sports teams which can provide inspiration for dog names

Name	Description
Buzzer	Named after the sound signaling the end of a period in hockey
Dribble	Reflects the basketball technique, a nod to the Timberwolves and Lynx
Fenway	Inspired by Fenway Sports Group that owns the St. Paul Saints
Goalie	A reference to the important position in hockey
Homer	It's a baseball term for a home run, suitable for Minnesota Twins fans
Keeper	A soccer term, inspired by Minnesota United FC
Kicker	Reflects the importance of a good kicker in football
Loon	The mascot of Minnesota United FC, the state's professional soccer team
Lynx	Named after the Minnesota Lynx, the women's basketball team
Pitcher	A reference to the key role in baseball
Puck	A nod to the sport of ice hockey, which is quite popular in Minnesota
Rush	In honor of the Minnesota Rush, a soccer club in the state
Saint	A nod to the St. Paul Saints, Minnesota's American Association baseball team
SlapShot	A term from hockey, a sport loved in Minnesota
Striker	A term used in soccer, inspired by Minnesota United FC
Swish	Reflects the sound of a successful basketball shot, a nod to Timberwolves and Lynx
Tackle	A term used in football, Minnesota's popular sport
Thirteen	Inspired by Harmon Killebrew, a Twins player with the number 13
Timber	Inspired by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the pro basketball team
Touchdown	This is a football term that Vikings fans appreciate
Twins	The Minnesota Twins, a Major League Baseball team, offers name inspiration
United	Inspired by Minnesota United FC, the state's pro soccer team
Viking	Inspired by the Minnesota Vikings, the professional football team
Wild	Named after the Minnesota Wild, the state's professional ice hockey team
Winger	A term from hockey, the beloved sport in Minnesota
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Nature Inspired Names

Minnesota's diverse natural landscapes, from forests to lakes, can inspire unique dog names

Name	Description
Apple	Inspired by the Minnesota's famous Honeycrisp apples
Aurora	The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, can often be seen in Minnesota
Birch	Inspired by the birch trees commonly found in Minnesota
Bison	Minnesota is home to several bison herds
Bluff	A homage to the state's beautiful bluffs along the Mississippi River
Cedar	Named after the cedar trees that grow in Minnesota
Drift	Named for the snow drifts that form in Minnesota winters
Frost	A name that reflects Minnesota's cold winters
Harbor	Inspired by the state's many beautiful harbors
Lake	Minnesota, known as the land of 10,000 lakes, gives this name a local touch
Loon	Minnesota's state bird is the Common Loon, a beautiful inspiration for a dog name
Lynx	A nod to the native wildlife in Minnesota
Maple	Maple trees are common in Minnesota, making this a sweet choice
Minnetonka	Named after the beautiful Lake Minnetonka
Moose	Inspired by the moose that inhabit northern Minnesota
North	Reflecting the state's position in the Northern part of the USA
Orchid	The Showy Lady's Slipper, a type of orchid, is Minnesota's state flower
Pine	Named after the pine trees that are abundant in Minnesota's forests
Prairie	Minnesota is home to numerous prairies, making this a fitting name
Snow	Minnesota's winters can be quite snowy
Sota	A short, fun play on the state's name
Summit	Minnesota is home to several high peaks
Tundra	Parts of Minnesota have a tundra-like climate, making this a unique dog name
Walleye	The walleye is the state fish of Minnesota
Wolf	Minnesota is home to the largest population of wolves in the lower 48 states
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