Introduction
Stephen King is by far one of the best known American horror, suspense and fantasy authors. With 54 novels, six nonfiction books, more than 200 short stories and several feature film, television series and miniseries credits to his name, he is one of the most successful authors of his generation. If you are a fan of the horror master, you may want to consider giving your dog a name inspired by one of his books. Maybe your dog loves spending time by your side while you read your favorite book, or maybe you would just love to have one of your favorite characters living in your home. In any case, a Stephen King inspired dog name is a great way to show your love for the legendary writer.
Stephen King Inspired Dog Names in Pop Culture
Dogs appear in several Stephen King books, but few are as well known as Cujo. Owned by the Camber Family, Cujo is the gigantic Saint Bernard in the novel, Cujo. He was once a playful, friendly companion, but a bite from a bat turned the once loveable pooch into a nightmare. The bite infected the dog with rabies, and over the course of a few days, Cujo kills two characters.
When a woman and her son visit the Camber’s farm to have their vehicle repaired, they are attacked by the dog and are forced to spend the next three days trapped in their vehicle. The mother is forced to escape to save her son, but the bloodthirsty dog outside does not make it an easy task.
The Cujo novel was adapted into a movie of the same name. The dog was mentioned in several other Stephen King works, including The Tommyknockers, The Body, Needful Things and Pet Sematary.
Another well-known dog from one of King’s novels is Kojak. Originally known as Big Steve, Kojak is an Irish Setter in The Stand. After the superflu wipes out most of Woodsville, New Hampshire, Kojak is adopted by one of the city’s survivors, Glen Bateman. Bateman recognizes the dog from around town, but decides to “rechristen” him as Kojak instead of using his previous name. When Bateman and Stu Redman begin their journey west, they abandon the dog. However, he turns up later in the story when his loyalty drives him to follow his master across the country.
A flashback reveals that the dog faced many dangers on his journey, including being attacked by wolves set upon him by Randall Flagg, the novel’s antagonist. He survives, though, and later helps Stu after he breaks his leg and falls behind. In the end, he returns to Boulder, Colorado with Stu and lives to an extreme old age.
Though described as an Irish Setter in the novel, Kojak is a Golden Retriever in the 1994 TV miniseries based on the book. Stephen King’s success as a novelist has made him a pop culture phenomenon, and the many dogs present in his works have made their mark on pop culture as well.
Stephen King Inspired Dog Name Considerations
Choosing the perfect name for your canine companion is no easy task. The name you select will be his or hers for 10 to 15 years or more, and it’s the name you’ll find yourself calling out the door during late night potty breaks and providing to your veterinarian when making appointments. If you’re thinking about choosing a Stephen King inspired name, remember to avoid those that could be deemed offensive. Think about your dog’s breed and characteristics. An Irish setter would make a great Kojak, for example. Cujo works well for Saint Bernards, as well as dogs with intimidating personalities. Be creative, and come up with a name that honors your dog and the horror master himself.
You may also want to consider your favorite Stephen King novels or books and their characters. If you have a favorite, it will really narrow down your options. Be creative! While the names of characters are great ideas, think about settings, themes and even book titles. For a more subtle tribute to the author, you could even choose to name your pet after one of his children or family members. Stephen King provides plenty of opportunities for the perfect pet name. Check out some of our favorites.
Male Stephen King Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 11 |
Barlow
For Kurt Barlow, a vampire in Salem's Lot
|
|
| 10 |
Creed
For Dr. Louis Creed in Pet Sematary
|
|
| 10 |
Pennywise
The name the clown demon goes by in It
|
|
| 9 |
Kojak
The Irish Setter in The Stand; portrayed as a Golden Retriever in the TV miniseries version
|
|
| 7 |
Roland
The Gunslinger in the Dark Tower Series
|
|
| 7 |
Duke
For the police chief in Under the Dome
|
|
| 7 |
Horace
A Welsh Corgi owned by Julia Shumway in Under the Dome
|
|
| 7 |
Cujo
The fearsome Saint Bernard in the novel of the same name
|
|
| 6 |
Marlowe
The name of a Corgi owned by Stephen King
|
|
| 6 |
King
For Stephen King
|
|
| 5 |
Owen
One of Stephen King's sons; also a novelist
|
|
| 5 |
Del
Convicted murderer Eduard "Del" Delacroix in The Green Mile
|
|
| 5 |
It
For the demon in the novel of the same name
|
|
| 4 |
Leland
For Leland Gaunt; shopkeeper in Needful Things
|
|
| 4 |
Danny
The son in The Shining; appears as an adult in Doctor Sleep
|
|
| 2 |
Ripley
The name of the virus in Dreamcatcher
|
|
| 2 |
Shawshank
For one of King's most well-known works, The Shawshank Redemption
|
|
| 2 |
Derry
For Derry, Maine; the fictional city in which many of King's stories take place
|
|
| 2 |
Arnie
For Arnie Cunningham, owner of the car in Christine
|
|
| 1 |
Ralph
For the character in Insomnia
|
|
| 1 |
Sheldon
For novelist Paul Sheldon in Misery
|
|
| 1 |
Jingles
For Mr. Jingles, the intelligent mouse in The Green Mile
|
|
| 1 |
Stephen
For the master of horror himself
|
|
| 0 |
Joseph
For Joseph Hill King, one of Stephen King's sons
|
|
| 0 |
Jack
For Jack Torrance from The Shining
|
|
| 0 |
Buddy
An Irish Setter in Under the Dome
|
|
| -1 |
Coffey
For wrongly accused man John Coffey in The Green Mile
|
|
| -2 |
Tad
The young boy terrorized by Cujo
|
|
| -2 |
Clayton
For Clayton Reynolds, lead character in Cell
|
|
| -3 |
Ben
For the hero in The Running Man
|
Female Stephen King Inspired Dog Names
| Votes | Name | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| 11 |
Kyra
For Kyra DeVore, a young girl in Bag of Bones
|
|
| 10 |
Frannie
For Fran Goldsmith in The Stand
|
|
| 8 |
Abra
Young girl in Doctor Sleep
|
|
| 8 |
Rhea
The name of the witch in The Dark Tower
|
|
| 8 |
Duma
For Duma Key; fictional setting for the novel of the same name
|
|
| 7 |
Willow
For Willow, Maine; the setting for Rainy Season
|
|
| 7 |
Evie
Mysterious female character in Sleeping Beauties
|
|
| 6 |
Ayana
A blind girl with healing powers in the short story of the same name
|
|
| 6 |
Bev
For Beverly Marsh in It
|
|
| 5 |
Susannah
From Song of Susannah
|
|
| 5 |
Annie
For Annie Wilkes in Misery
|
|
| 5 |
Blondi
German Shepherd in Kingdom Hospital
|
|
| 4 |
Rose
For Rose Daniels in Rose Madder
|
|
| 4 |
Naomi
Stephen King's daughter
|
|
| 4 |
Wendy
For Wendy Torrance from The Shining
|
|
| 4 |
Charlie
For Charlie McGee, the girl with pyrokinetic power in FIrestarter
|
|
| 3 |
Jessie
For Jessie Burlingame in Gerald's Game
|
|
| 3 |
Carrie
Young girl with telekinetic powers in the novel of the same name
|
|
| 3 |
Diamond
The leader of The Sisters in the Shawshank Redemption, Bogs Diamond
|
|
| 2 |
Fury
For the Plymouth Fury in Christine
|
|
| 2 |
Tabby
For Stephen King's wife, Tabitha
|
|
| 2 |
Lucy
For Lucy Swann, survivor of the superflu in The Stand
|
|
| 2 |
Trisha
The little girl in The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
|
|
| 2 |
Abagail
Spiritual leader in the novel The Stand
|
|
| 1 |
Sasha
The Queen in Eyes of the Dragon
|
|
| 1 |
Darlene
A single mother in Luckey Quarter
|
|
| 0 |
Swann
For Lucy Swann in The Stand
|
|
| 0 |
Lila
Police chief in Sleeping Beauties
|
|
| 0 |
Christine
The name of the possessed Plymouth Fury in the novel of the same name
|
|
| -2 |
Audrey
Golden Retriever owned by Linda and Rusty Everett in Under the Dome
|
Written by a Black Labrador lover Samantha Mittelmeier
Published: 01/19/2018, edited: 05/16/2023
More articles by Samantha Mittelmeier
Community Dogs with Stephen King Inspired Names
You May Also Like
