Gangster Dog Names

When we name a dog, we are really telling a story about ourselves. We are saying something about what we value – loyalty, toughness, history, or perhaps a quiet rebellion against the ordinary. The “gangster” dog name isn’t just about violence or crime; it is about the myth of the outsider. It is about the dog who walks into a room and owns the space without barking, the one who watches you with eyes that know more than they let on.

You might also like this collection of pirate dog names.

I remember meeting a rescue pit bull named “Capone” on a farm in upstate New York. He didn’t run; he sauntered. He had scars that told of a hard past, but his tail wagged with a gentle, rhythmic thump that said, I survived, and I am here. That is the spirit of these names. They are for the dogs who have a presence, a little bit of swagger, and a whole lot of heart.

Popular Gangster Dog Name Themes by Region

Female Gangster Dog Names: The Molls and Matriarchs

We often think of the gangster world as a man’s game, but the women were the steel spine of the operation. These names are not for the faint of heart. They are for the female dog who is sharp, observant, and fiercely protective of her pack. A “Moll” wasn’t just a girlfriend; she was often the one holding the cash, driving the getaway car, or keeping the secrets when the heat came down.

If you have a female dog who rules the house with a quiet growl or a sharp look, look to the women of the underworld. These names carry a vintage elegance wrapped in danger. They are for the dog who is beautiful but formidable, the one who will curl up on your lap but will also stand between you and the door if a stranger knocks.

• Bonnie (The other half of Clyde; loyal to the end)
• Ma (After Ma Barker, the legendary crime matriarch)
• Virginia (Virginia Hill, the mob queen who didn’t snitch)
• Griselda (Blanco; the fierce “Godmother” of the cartel world)
• Stephanie (St. Clair; the “Queen of Numbers” in Harlem)
• Cleo (A popular name for mobsters’ pets and fiery women)
• Raven (Dark, mysterious, watching from the shadows)
• Pearl (A common vintage name, hiding hardness under shine)
• Ruby (Precious but hard as a rock; often a saloon name)
• Lulu (A classic flapper name with a mischievous edge)
• Queenie (The boss of the block; demands respect)
• Dixie (The Mob’s southern connections; sweet but wild)
• Roxy (Short, punchy, reminiscent of jazz clubs and speakeasies)
• Velma (A noir femme fatale name; deadly charm)
• Sadie (Sadie the Goat; a notorious female pirate/gangster)

Male Gangster Dog Names: The Dons and Tough Guys

There is something undeniably powerful about calling a dog “Vito.” It commands attention. These names come from men who built empires on fear and respect, but also on a strange kind of honor code. For a male dog: whether he is a hulking Mastiff or a scrappy Terrier with a Napoleon complex- a gangster name gives him a title. It fits the dog who patrols the fence line like it’s his territory, checking every scent, knowing who belongs and who doesn’t.

These names are heavy. They carry history. When you call “Luciano” in the park, you aren’t just calling a dog; you are invoking a legacy of organization and power. It suits the dog who is the silent leader of the pack, the one the other dogs look to before they make a move.

• Capone (Al Capone; the ultimate boss of Chicago)
• Gotti (John Gotti; the flashy, Teflon Don)
• Bugsy (Siegel; the visionary who built Las Vegas)
• Lucky (Luciano; the architect of modern organized crime)
• Vinnie (The classic enforcer name; loyal and tough)
• Dutch (Schultz; a wild, unpredictable bootlegger)
• Meyer (Lansky; the brains behind the operation)
• Frank (Costello; the “Prime Minister” of the mob)
• Carlo (Gambino; quiet, cunning, and ruthless)
• Sonny (Corleone or Black; the hothead with a big heart)
• Rocco (A strong, stone-like name for a muscle dog)
• Tony (Soprano or Montana; the modern boss)
• Nucky (Thompson; the ruler of the boardwalk)
• Mickey (Cohen; the boxer turned mobster)
• Buster (A classic tough guy name; scrappy and bold)

Speakeasy & Prohibition Slang Names

The language of the 1920s was a code, a secret handshake for those in the know. These names are perfect for the dog who is a bit of a rascal, the one who steals socks or sneaks onto the couch when you aren’t looking. They have a rhythm to them – short, punchy, and full of life. “Hooch” is a fantastic name for a goofy, high-energy dog. “Gigolo” fits the charmer who loves everyone.

This era was about breaking rules with style. If your dog has a mischievous glint in his eye, a name from the speakeasy lexicon is a perfect fit. It tells the world that your dog is fun, a little wild, and the life of the party.

• Hooch (Illicit, strong liquor; for a wild dog)
• Bootleg (Illegal whiskey; for a dog who hides things)
• Giggle (Water; slang for alcohol, ironic for a happy dog)
• Ritzy (Elegant, high-class; for a pampered pup)
• Sheba (A woman with sex appeal; for a beautiful dog)
• Bearcat (A fiery, spirited woman; for a feisty female)
• Dapper (Stylish, neat; for a well-groomed dog)
• Swell (Wonderful, good; a happy-go-lucky name)
• Jazz (The music of the rebellion; chaotic and cool)
• Mug (A face, or a thug; for a bulldog type)
• Fella (A guy, a friend; simple and friendly)
• Doll (An attractive woman; sweet and classic)
• Gat (Slang for a gun; sharp and dangerous)
• Sparky (Energetic; often a nickname for radio guys)
• Jitters (The shakes; for a nervous or fast dog)

Consigliere & Crime Family Hierarchy Names

Dogs understand hierarchy better than we do. They know who leads, who follows, and who protects. Naming a dog after a rank in the Mafia is a nod to their natural instinct for order. A “Consigliere” is the wise advisor -perfect for an older, calmer dog who watches the world with patience. A “Soldier” is the worker, the one who fetches the ball until he drops.

These names are about role and purpose. They give your dog a job description. If you have a dog who takes his guarding duties seriously, or one who herds the kids around the yard, a title from the family hierarchy honors that work.

• Don (The head of the family; the boss)
• Capo (Captain; leads a crew of soldiers)
• Boss (Simple, direct; the one in charge)
• Chief (Leader; commanding and respectful)
• Baron (A title of nobility; often used in gangs)
• King (Top of the food chain; classic dog name)
• Duke (A high-ranking leader; John Wayne style)
• Prince (The heir apparent; spoiled but loved)
• Bishop (A chess piece or clergy; wise advisor)
• Judge (Decides the fate; stern and serious)
• Sarge (Sergeant; the military enforcer)
• Major (High rank; important and big)
• Kaiser (Emperor; German underworld influence)
• Czar (Russian ruler; absolute power)
• Khan (Mongol leader; fierce and conquering)

Doberman Names

International Gangster Dog Names

Crime has no borders, and neither should your naming choices. If you look beyond the American speakeasy, you find a world of fascinating, dangerous names. The Irish mob, the Yakuza, the Cartels: they all have their own legends. “Pablo” is a name that carries the weight of an empire. “Kray” invokes the terrifying twins of London’s East End. These names are for the owner who wants something different, something with a global edge. They are for the dog who is a bit exotic, perhaps a breed with foreign roots, or just a dog who seems too clever for just one language.

• Pablo (Escobar; the Colombian cartel king)
• El Chapo (Shorty; notorious Mexican drug lord)
• Kray (Reggie & Ronnie; London’s gangster twins)
• Shelby (Peaky Blinders family; Birmingham toughs)
• Boris (The blade; a common Russian mob name)
• Dino (Italian classic; often associated with the outfit)
• Rocco (Popular in Italian and Irish mobs)
• Gustavo (Fring; the calculated boss from Breaking Bad)
• Nico (Often a smooth, European hitman name)
• Luka (Magnotta or generic Eastern European muscle)
• Ivan (The terrible; Russian enforcer vibe)
• Carlos (The Jackal; international terrorist/gangster)
• Bronson (Charles; Britain’s most violent prisoner)
• Ned (Kelly; the Australian bushranger/outlaw)
• Django (The drifter; spaghetti western hero/outlaw)

Jazz Age Bootlegger Names

The Jazz Age was the soundtrack to the gangster’s life. The bootleggers who ran the rum were often as famous as the movie stars. These names are steeped in smoke, brass horns, and the roar of a V8 engine running from the cops. “Bix” or “Gatsby” suggests a dog with style, perhaps a bit tragic, but undeniably cool. Use these for a dog with a soul. Maybe he howls along to music, or maybe he just has a way of walking that looks like he’s dancing. These are names for the dreamers and the risk-takers.

• Gatsby (The great; mysterious wealth and parties)
• Daisy (The beautiful, careless dream girl)
• Fitz (Fitzgerald; the chronicler of the age)
• Remus (George; the King of the Bootleggers)
• Bix (Beiderbecke; legendary jazz cornetist)
• Duke (Ellington; jazz royalty)
• Louis (Armstrong; the voice of the era)
• Cab (Calloway; the hi-de-ho man)
• Bessie (Smith; the Empress of the Blues)
• Zelda (The original flapper; wild and artistic)
• Hoagy (Carmichael; songwriter of the stars)
• Jelly (Roll Morton; jazz pioneer)
• King (Oliver; mentor to Armstrong)
• Count (Basie; swing master)
• Miles (Davis; though later, fits the cool jazz vibe)

Mobster Pet Names (Real Gangsters’ Dogs)

Even the hardest men had soft spots for their dogs. It is a touching contradiction – a man who could order a hit would then go home and spoil his Poodle. Naming your dog after a mobster’s real pet is a deep cut. It shows you know the history, the human side of the monster. Al Capone had a dog. They all did.

These names connect your dog to a specific moment in time. They are conversation starters. “Why did you name him Highball?” “Well, that was the name of the dog owned by…” It adds a layer of storytelling to your daily walk.

• Highball (Major General Smedley Butler’s dog, mob era connection)
• Bambi (Surprisingly, a name favored by tough guys for pets)
• Lulu (A common name for mobsters’ pampered small dogs)
• Fifi (The stereotypical poodle name; beloved by wives)
• Butch (A classic bulldog name; often a mob mascot)
• Tiger (For a fierce guard dog)
• Rex (The King; police and mob dogs alike)
• Spot (Simple, hides the owner’s complexity)
• Rover (The every-dog; blends in)
• Pal (The partner in crime)
• Buddy (Everyone needs a friend, even a gangster)
• Champ (For the fighter in the ring or the yard)
• Queenie (For the matriarch’s lapdog)
• Prince (Treating the dog better than people)
• Lady (For the well-mannered spaniel)

Classic American Mobster Names

Sometimes, you just want the classics. These are the names that everyone knows. They are the Mount Rushmore of the underworld. Naming a dog “Scarface” is a bold move. It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, especially if the dog is a fluffy Bichon. It plays with the image.

But for a Rottweiler or a Doberman, these names are a warning. They say, “I am serious.” They are strong, hard consonants that carry well across a park. They are names that demand to be heard.

• Scarface (Al Capone’s famous nickname)
• Gambino (The powerful NYC crime family)
• Genovese (Another of the Five Families)
• Lucchese (The third of the Five Families)
• Bonanno (The fourth family; Joe Bananas)
• Colombo (The fifth family; the youngest)
• Sammy (The Bull Gravano; the underboss who talked)
• Whitey (Bulger; the Boston boss)
• Jimmy (Hoffa or Burke; union ties and heists)
• Lefty (Rosenthal; the sports betting ace)
• Donnie (Brasco; the infiltrator)
• Moe (Greene; or Dalitz; Vegas founders)
• Fat Tony (Salerno; the cigar-chomping boss)
• Crazy (Joe Gallo; the rebel)
• Ice (Pick Willie; a terrifying enforcer)

Bonnie & Clyde Era Outlaw Names

The Depression era gave us “public enemies” who were also folk heroes. They robbed banks, but the banks were robbing the people, so the people cheered. Naming a dog “Dillinger” is a nod to that anti-hero status. It’s for the dog who is an escape artist, the one who jumps the fence not to run away, but just to see what’s on the other side.

These names have a dusty, open-road feel to them. They smell like gasoline and old leather. They are perfect for Coonhounds, Pointers, or any dog with a nose for adventure and a dislike for fences.

• Clyde (Barrow; the charming robber)
• Buck (Clyde’s brother; wild and loyal)
• Blanche (Buck’s wife; reluctant outlaw)
• Moss (Wright; a family connection)
• Frank (Hamer; the Texas Ranger who hunted them)
• Maney (Gault; Hamer’s partner)
• Floyd (Pretty Boy; the beloved outlaw)
• Baby Face (Nelson; young and violent)
• Machine (Gun Kelly; kidnapper)
• Barker (Ma and her boys)
• Karpis (Alvin; the creepy genius)
• Homer (Van Meter; Dillinger’s sidekick)
• Red (Hamilton; another Dillinger gang member)
• Billie (Frechette; Dillinger’s girlfriend)
• John (Dillinger; Public Enemy No. 1)

Film Noir & Gangster Movie Names

Movies have shaped our idea of the gangster more than reality has. We see the fedoras, the rain-slicked streets, the shadows. Names like “Corleone” or “Montana” are larger than life. They come with a soundtrack in our heads. These names are dramatic. They are for the dog who poses for photos. The one who has a “look.” If your dog has expressive eyebrows or a deep, soulful bark, a name from the silver screen gives him a character to play.

• Vito (The Godfather; dignity and power)
• Michael (The reluctant son who takes over)
• Sonny (The hothead brother)
• Fredo (The weak brother; breaks your heart)
• Luca (Brasi; the loyal monster)
• Hyman (Roth; the old investor)
• Frankie (Five Angels; the old friend)
• Paulie (Walnuts; from The Sopranos)
• Silvio (Dante; the consigliere)
• Christopher (Moltisanti; the troubled heir)
• Carmela (The boss’s wife; strong and complicated)
• Meadow (The daughter; innocent but knowing)
• Furio (The enforcer from Italy)
• Bobby (Bacala; the gentle giant)
• Dr. Melfi (The shrink; knows all the secrets)

Tough Nicknames & Street Names

Sometimes, you don’t need a famous name; you just need a sound. A sound that says “tough.” Street names are earned. They describe a trait, a scar, or a habit. “Knuckles” is a great name for a clumsy puppy with big paws. “Snake” fits a skinny, fast whippet. These names are unpretentious. They are gritty. They fit the rescue dog of unknown origin, the one who came from the streets and knows how to survive. They honor his resilience.

• Knuckles (Strong paws or a fighter)
• Spike (Classic tough dog name)
• Bruiser (Big, intimidating, usually a softie)
• Tank (Built like a brick house)
• Diesel (Powerful engine; loud bark)
• Rocky (Hard as rock; fighter)
• Butch (Masculine and strong)
• Rambo (One man army)
• Gunner (Shooter; precise)
• Blade (Sharp and dangerous)
• Ghost (Quiet, unseen, spooky)
• Bandit (Steals your heart or your food)
• Ranger (Patrols the territory)
• Boss (Self-explanatory)
• Chief (Head of the tribe)

Prohibition Era Names (1920s-1930s)

Finally, we return to the source. The era itself. The names of the politicians, the agents, and the laws that created the gangster. “Volstead” (after the Act) is a wonderfully ironic name for a dog. “Eliot” (Ness) is for the dog who follows the rules and barks when others don’t.

These names are for the history buff. They are subtle. They don’t scream “criminal,” but they whisper “rebellion.” They are dignified names with a secret wild side.

• Volstead (The Act that started it all)
• Ness (Eliot; the Untouchable agent)
• Hoover (J. Edgar; the FBI director)
• Roosevelt (FDR; who ended Prohibition)
• Coolidge (President during the height of it)
• Wilson (President when it started)
• Carrie (Nation; the hatchet-wielding crusader)
• Temperance (The movement; ironic for a wild dog)
• Noble (The “Noble Experiment”)
• Moon (Moonshine; illegal corn whiskey)
• Shine (Short for moonshine)
• Rum (Rum-runner; boat smuggler)
• Gin (Bathtub gin; homemade spirit)
• Speakeasy (The hidden bar)
• Blind Pig (Slang for a low-class dive bar)

A Final Thought

Choosing a name is the first promise you make to your dog. It’s the word he will hear most in his life, whispered in his ear when he’s sleepy and called out across windy fields. If you choose a name from this list, don’t just choose it for the “cool factor.” Choose it because it captures that little spark in his eye; the outlaw, the lover, the survivor. Take your time. Say it out loud. See if his ears perk up. When the right name lands, you’ll both know it. In my years of observing dogs and their humans, I’ve noticed that ‘tough’ names often act as a shield. A rescue dog named ‘Capone’ is often the most sensitive soul in the park. The name gives him a little armor, a little space to just be a dog until he feels safe enough to show his belly.