Afrikaans Names for Dogs

Afrikaans Names for Dogs

Have you decided to adopt a dog? Naming your dog will be one of the first things you'll have to do as you'll be calling your dog with that name for many years to come. However, choosing a name can be tricky.

If you're from South Africa or simply enjoy the Afrikaans language, you've come to the perfect place to find the best name for your dog. In this AnimalWised article we offer a wide selection of our favourite Afrikaans names for dogs and their meaning. Keep reading to find the best Afrikaans name for your dog!

What is the Afrikaans language?

Afrikaans is spoken in South Africa and Namibia, as well as in some areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe. However, its origin is Indo-European. Like English, Dutch and German, Afrikaans is a West Germanic language.

It is a relatively new language, having been developed in the 18th Century among the Dutch colonists that settled in the Cape. Afrikaans is very similar to Dutch, but it also has words from Xhosa, Zulu, Malay and Portuguese, among other languages. Nowadays Afrikaans is the third most common language in South Africa after Zulu and Xhosa, and it's often learned as a second language. If you're interested, here you can discover Zulu names for dogs.

So why should you choose an Afrikaans name for your dog? Well, if you live in South Africa, almost everybody will understand its meaning but it will still be more unique than the most popular names like Chloe, Sasha, Milo or Rocky. If you live in Europe, the name will sound interesting and different but it will still be understandable. If you live somewhere else, you'll be giving your dog a truly unique name with a beautiful sound.

Guidelines on choosing a dog's name

Before moving on to the list of Afrikaans names for dogs and their meanings we must point out that you shouldn't choose a name for your pet simply because it sounds cool. A dog's name has the function of getting their attention and calling them to your side. Therefore, the dog's name is a tool in their training.

A good name for a dog must follow these guidelines:

  • It should be two syllables long, or three at the most. If the name is too long it will be more difficult to learn, and if it's too short it will be confusing.
  • It shouldn't sound similar to daily words or orders. For instance, the name “Spot” can be confused with the order “Stop”.
  • You shouldn't use your dog's name while telling them off or while angry, because the dog might learn their name as a form of punishment.

Afrikaans names for female dogs

  • Anja: Anna
  • Appel: Apple
  • Arora: Aurora
  • Aster: Star
  • Babbit: Babette / Elizabeth
  • Baffie: Buffy
  • Babsie: Barbara
  • Bekkie: Beak
  • Blapsie
  • Blom: Flower
  • Blommetjie: Flower
  • Boeboe: Booboo
  • Boksie: Box
  • Bollewol: Ball of wool
  • Chaki: Chaka
  • Delila: Delilah
  • Doeda
  • Dyna: Dina
  • Engel: Angel
  • Fiela
  • Fifi: Joséphine
  • Flooi
  • Gena: Gina
  • Gesiggie: Face
  • Gogga: Bug
  • Griet: Daisy, Margaret
  • Hadassa: Myrtle tree
  • Heidi: Noble
  • Heuning: Honey
  • Ika: Short for Veronika
  • Jenga
  • Katinka: Katherine
  • Kiewiet: Plover
  • Koeksister: Cake
  • Koukou: Chew-chew
  • Lente: Spring
  • Liefie: Love
  • Meisie: Girl
  • Miela: Sweet
  • Moksie: Mug
  • Muschka
  • Nanjie
  • Nooitje: Nub
  • Nugat
  • Oepsie
  • Ounooi: Missus
  • Patroon: Pattern
  • Piekie
  • Poeksie: Cracker
  • Prinses: Princess
  • Ragel: Rachel
  • Rimpel: Wrinkle
  • Riska: Maria
  • Rummer
  • Schmoo
  • Skattie: Treasure
  • Smirkie: Smile
  • Soetlief: Sweet love
  • Somer: Summer
  • Taffy
  • Toffel: From "Pantoffel", slipper
  • Toontjies: Toe
  • Vinkel: Fennel
  • Vlinder: Butterfly
  • Vlooi: Flea
  • Wollie: Wooly
  • Zella

Afrikaans names for male dogs

  • Axel: Absalom
  • Bakkies: Bowls
  • Basjan: Sebastian
  • Biskit: Biscuit
  • Blaf-nou: Bark-now
  • Bliksem: Lightning
  • Blits: Lightning
  • Bobbejan
  • Boetie: Little brother, boy
  • Bollie
  • Brakenjan: Dogtanian
  • Casper: Jasper, treasurer
  • Diesel
  • Diflock
  • Ertjie: Pea
  • Feifel
  • Feliks: Felix
  • Flam: Flame
  • Frankenhond: Frankendog
  • Generaal: General
  • Grootpoot: Big legs
  • Hamer: Hammer
  • Hansie: Hansel
  • Hondsedinges: From Hond Se Dinges, a movie
  • Jorsie
  • Kabouter: Dwarf
  • Kaptein: Captain
  • Kerneels: Cornelius
  • Klipdrif: Driftstone
  • Knuppel: Club
  • Koffie: Coffee
  • Leeu: Lion
  • Magnus
  • Meeko
  • Neelsie: Niels, Cornelius
  • Orion: Constellation
  • Pasella: Bonus
  • Pampoen: Pumpkin
  • Pote: Legs
  • Rakker: Scamp
  • Riempies: Thongs
  • Rommel: Litter
  • Skimmel: Mildew
  • Skrum: Scrum
  • Sokkies: Socks
  • Spekkie: Bacon
  • Tjopper: Chopper
  • Toiings: Rags
  • Voertsek: Follow
  • Vrydak: Free
  • Wagter: Keeper
  • Witblits: White lightning

Top cute Afrikaans names for male dogs

Here are our top cute Afrikaans names for male dogs and their meaning:

  1. Ade: royal
  2. Adonis: God of peace and love
  3. Aiten: strong
  4. Amiri: prince
  5. André: man
  6. Arno: eagle
  7. Dian: divine
  8. Fabunni: God has given me this
  9. Gazali: mystic
  10. Imka: water
  11. Jaivyn: light spirit
  12. Kai: sea
  13. Kian: ancient
  14. Ruben: son
  15. Tjaart: people watcher
  16. Upendo: love
  17. Yaro: son
  18. Zander: defending men
  19. Zayden
  20. Zea: light

Top cute Afrikaans names for female dogs

Here are our top cute Afrikaans names for female dogs and their meaning:

  1. Aba: born on Thursday
  2. Abina: born on Tuesday
  3. Adelheid: nobility
  4. Akpena: thanks to God
  5. Aletta: truth
  6. Amore: love
  7. Aneke: grace
  8. Anika: sweet faced
  9. Bibi: grandmother
  10. Behati: she who brings happiness
  11. Berhane: my light
  12. Collien: girl
  13. Elize: consecrated to God
  14. Elna: beloved
  15. Fleur: flower
  16. Hanneli: grace
  17. Jan: gift from God
  18. Lieve: loved by the Gods
  19. Riana: little queen
  20. Zonja: wisdom

As you can see, there are some Afrikaans names we haven't found the meaning for. If you know it, please let us know in the comments section. You can also share your favorites. However, if you haven't found the best name for your dog yet, keep on browsing our lists:

  • Guanche names for dogs
  • Chinese names for dogs
  • Basque names for dogs
  • Mythological names for dogs
  • Scottish names for dogs

You can also watch our videos below where we give you more ideas for naming your dog.

If you want to read similar articles to Afrikaans Names for Dogs, we recommend you visit our Names category.