Yellow Labrador Names

Naming a yellow Labrador is not about picking syllables off a list. It’s about recognizing who this dog already is. You look at her, stretched out on the kitchen floor in a patch of late afternoon sun, and you see honey and wheat and optimism. You see generations of working dogs bred for kindness, loyalty, and the willingness to bring back what you asked them to retrieve. Yellow Labs come in shades: pale cream, bright gold, fox red. Some look like morning butter. Others resemble old amber. The name you give should fit not just the color of the coat but the warmth underneath. In barns and shelters, I’ve watched people struggle with this choice. They want something that lasts, something they won’t get tired of saying ten thousand times over a decade. This guide offers names that mean something. Names rooted in history, culture, harvest, light. Names that suit the American farm dog as much as the European family companion. Names of Lab – that feel right in your mouth when you call them home at dusk.

Popular Yellow Lab Names by Region

For Him: Male Yellow Labrador names

Male yellow Lab names should sound like a handshake. They should be easy to yell across a field, comfortable to whisper in the veterinary waiting room. These dogs are not aggressive. They’re solid. They want to please. The best names for male yellow Labs reflect that steadiness without sounding grandiose. You don’t need a name that announces dominance. You need one that fits a dog who will carry your child’s shoe gently in his mouth and wait patiently by the door. Cooper and Duke have been popular for years because they feel earned, not invented. Buddy is a promise. Bear works for the big ones who lumber more than run. Sunny is unashamed optimism, which is exactly what a male Lab brings into the house every single morning. These names don’t try too hard. They land softly. They’re the kind of names you can say a hundred times a day without wincing.

1. Cooper (barrel maker, honest trade)
2. Buddy (friend, plain and true)
3. Duke (nobility without pretension)
4. Bear (large, gentle, protective)
5. Sunny (bright disposition, endless joy)
6. Max (the greatest, simple classic)
7. Tucker (cloth fuller, working name)
8. Charlie (free man, every-dog appeal)
9. Riley (courageous, Irish roots)
10. Finn (fair, bright, Celtic strength)
11. Jasper (spotted stone, earthy tone)
12. Hank (ruler of the home, American grit)
13. Rusty (reddish-yellow, fox red Labs)
14. Gus (great, small name big heart)
15. Milo (soldier, gentle warrior)
16. Archie (genuine, brave, approachable)
17. Toby (God is good, soft sound)
18. Oscar (deer friend, Gaelic origin)
19. Leo (lion, warm-hearted courage)
20. Sam (heard by God, dependable)

For Her: Female Yellow Labrador names

Female yellow Lab names carry a different weight. They should sound like affection without being cloying. These are dogs who mother kittens, tolerate toddlers, and still manage to retrieve ducks in freezing water. The name should honor both sides. Daisy is common for a reason: it’s cheerful without being silly. Bella means beautiful, and it is, in any language. Luna is the moon, the quiet light that guides you home. Sadie has vintage charm, the kind of name your grandmother might have had. Goldie is obvious, yes, but sometimes the obvious choice is the honest one. Female yellow Labs are not delicate. They’re strong and smart and stubbornly loving. Their names should reflect that mix. Soft enough to suit a curled-up nap in your lap, strong enough for a dog who will work all day and still want to play fetch at sunset.

1. Daisy (day’s eye, simple joy)
2. Bella (beautiful, universal appeal)
3. Luna (moon, soft light)
4. Sadie (princess, vintage grace)
5. Goldie (golden, direct and sweet)
6. Molly (star of the sea, Irish classic)
7. Lucy (light, Roman origin)
8. Rosie (rose, gentle and loved)
9. Maggie (pearl, dignified warmth)
10. Abby (father’s joy, approachable)
11. Sophie (wisdom, European elegance)
12. Willow (slender tree, graceful strength)
13. Penny (weaver, copper-gold tone)
14. Hazel (hazelnut tree, soft brown-gold)
15. Ruby (red gemstone, fox red tone)
16. Ellie (bright shining one, short and kind)
17. Chloe (blooming, Greek origin)
18. Millie (gentle strength, old-fashioned)
19. Poppy (red flower, bright spirit)
20. Annie (grace, American simplicity)

Children of the Harvest: Grain and Earth

Yellow Labrador names drawn from the harvest carry a certain weight. They smell like bread and soil and honest work. These names fit the color perfectly: barley, wheat, oat, rye. They’re agricultural. They’re old. They connect the dog to the land, to the fields she might have worked in another century. Barley is sturdy, golden, a little rough around the edges. Rye is short, sharp, useful. Maize is ancient, sacred in some cultures, golden in all of them. Wheatley sounds English and gentle, like a dog who’d wait for you in a country garden. Oat and Hay are plain as dirt, which is exactly why they work. This category is rare. You won’t meet another yellow Lab named Rye at the dog park. That’s the appeal. These names are specific, rooted, and they suit a breed that was built to work alongside farmers and fishermen. They’re names that respect the dog’s history.

1. Barley (golden grain, strong and useful)
2. Rye (hardy grain, short and sharp)
3. Maize (corn, sacred and golden)
4. Wheatley (from the wheat field, soft English name)
5. Oat (simple grain, honest and plain)
6. Hay (dried grass, warm and dry)
7. Bran (raven, also grain husk)
8. Harvest (season of gathering, abundance)
9. Flax (golden plant, linen source)
10. Rook (crow, also chess piece, field bird)
11. Thresher (grain separator, working name)
12. Granary (grain storage, place of plenty)
13. Amber (fossilized resin, golden-orange)
14. Saffron (golden spice, rare and valued)
15. Tawny (golden-brown, warm tone)
16. Biscuit (baked good, comforting color)
17. Muffin (soft baked treat, sweet and warm)
18. Bramble (thorny shrub, wild and golden)
19. Clover (lucky plant, field dweller)
20. Maple (tree, syrup color)

The Golden Hour: Light and Time

Names that capture light are perfect for yellow Labs. Not just “Sunny,” but more specific moments. Solstice is the longest day, the peak of light. Laoise is Irish, pronounced LEE-sha, meaning radiant light. It’s rare, beautiful, and fits a dog who seems to glow. Lumen is a scientific term for light measurement, but it sounds poetic. Beacon is what a Lab becomes: the thing that guides you home. Vesper is evening light, that golden hour before dusk. Ray is simple, a single beam. These names are for dogs who seem lit from within. You’ve seen it: that yellow Lab who catches the sun just right and looks like she’s made of honey and fire. These names honor that quality. They’re not common. They require explanation, which is part of their charm. When someone asks, you get to tell a story.

1. Solstice (longest day, peak sunlight)
2. Laoise (radiant light, Irish origin)
3. Lumen (unit of light, poetic science)
4. Beacon (guiding light, safe harbor)
5. Vesper (evening star, golden hour)
6. Ray (beam of light, simple and clean)
7. Dawn (first light, new beginning)
8. Ember (glowing coal, soft fire)
9. Flare (burst of light, sudden brightness)
10. Glow (steady light, inner warmth)
11. Shimmer (soft wavering light, gentle)
12. Blaze (bright fire, intense light)
13. Spark (small fire, beginning of flame)
14. Halo (ring of light, angelic)
15. Lux (light, Latin simplicity)
16. Aurelius (golden, Roman emperor)
17. Orion (hunter constellation, star light)
18. Stella (star, classic Latin)
19. Astra (star, celestial)
20. Nova (new star, sudden brightness)

Spirits of the Cask: Warm Drinks

Labrador color often resembles fine spirits. Bourbon is amber, American, strong. Cider is fizzy, autumnal, apple -gold. Whiskey fits the fox red Labs, those darker yellow dogs with a reddish tint. Sherry is sweet, fortified, warm going down. Porter works for the darkest yellows, almost brown. These are names for adult dogs, for Labs with calm eyes and steady temperaments. They’re not puppy names. They’re names you grow into. I’ve known a few dogs named Whiskey, and they all had a certain gravitas. They were the dogs who sat with you on bad days, who didn’t jump or bark unnecessarily. These names suit that personality. They’re rich, layered, warm. They imply age and patience and something worth savoring.

1. Bourbon (American whiskey, amber color)
2. Cider (fermented apple drink, golden fizz)
3. Whiskey (distilled grain spirit, rich tone)
4. Sherry (fortified wine, sweet and warm)
5. Porter (dark beer, deep golden-brown)
6. Brandy (distilled wine, smooth and golden)
7. Cognac (French brandy, refined warmth)
8. Lager (light beer, pale golden)
9. Ale (traditional beer, hearty and golden)
10. Mead (honey wine, ancient and sweet)
11. Scotch (Scottish whiskey, peaty warmth)
12. Rum (sugarcane spirit, tropical gold)
13. Toddy (hot drink, comforting warmth)
14. Fino (dry sherry, pale gold)
15. Pilsner (light beer, crisp and golden)
16. Stout (dark beer, creamy head)
17. Amaretto (almond liqueur, sweet gold)
18. Baileys (Irish cream, smooth comfort)
19. Kahlua (coffee liqueur, dark sweet)
20. Limoncello (lemon liqueur, bright yellow)

Ancient Solar Myths: Gods of Light

Yellow is the color of divinity in many cultures. Helios drove the sun chariot across Greek skies. Malina is the Inuit sun goddess, perfect for a northern dog who loves snow. Sif was a Norse goddess with golden hair, married to Thor. Ra is the Egyptian sun god, short and powerful. Apollo was god of light and music, harmony itself. Surya is the Sanskrit word for sun, used across Indian mythology. These names are bold. They carry history. They work best for dogs with presence, Labs who command attention without trying. I’ve met a few dogs named Apollo, and they all had a certain regal quality. Not arrogant, just assured. These names aren’t for every dog. But for the right one, they’re perfect.

1. Helios (Greek sun god, chariot driver)
2. Malina (Inuit sun goddess, Arctic light)
3. Sif (Norse goddess, golden hair)
4. Ra (Egyptian sun god, powerful short name)
5. Apollo (Greek god, light and music)
6. Surya (Sanskrit sun, Indian mythology)
7. Sol (Latin sun, simple and strong)
8. Freya (Norse goddess, love and light)
9. Baldur (Norse god, shining one)
10. Lucifer (light bringer, pre-Christian meaning)
11. Amaterasu (Japanese sun goddess, divine)
12. Inti (Incan sun god, Andean)
13. Eos (Greek dawn goddess, morning light)
14. Aurora (Roman dawn, northern lights)
15. Hyperion (Titan of light, Greek)
16. Phoebe (Titan of moon, bright)
17. Theia (Titan of sight, shining)
18. Arinna (Hittite sun goddess, ancient)
19. Saule (Baltic sun goddess, Eastern European)
20. Heulwen (Welsh sunshine, poetic)

The Voyager’s Soul: Literary Companions

Labradors are journey dogs. They go where you go. Argos waited twenty years for Odysseus, the ultimate story of canine loyalty. Luath was the yellow Lab in “The Incredible Journey,” leading two other animals across Canada. Watson is Sherlock’s companion, always present, always reliable. Gulliver traveled to strange lands. Santiago fought the sea in Hemingway’s sun-soaked tale. These names carry stories. They’re not just words; they’re entire narratives. When you name a dog Argos, you’re invoking patience and faithfulness. When you choose Luath, you’re honoring leadership and courage. These names work best for owners who read, who value literature, who want their dog’s name to spark conversation. They’re rich, layered, and they grow more meaningful over time.

1. Argos (Odysseus’s dog, ultimate loyalty)
2. Luath (yellow Lab from “The Incredible Journey”)
3. Watson (Sherlock’s companion, faithful friend)
4. Gulliver (traveler, adventurer)
5. Santiago (fisherman from “The Old Man and the Sea”)
6. Atticus (wise father, “To Kill a Mockingbird”)
7. Darcy (Mr. Darcy, “Pride and Prejudice”)
8. Gatsby (dreamer, “The Great Gatsby”)
9. Pip (protagonist, “Great Expectations”)
10. Scout (brave girl, “To Kill a Mockingbird”)
11. Ishmael (narrator, “Moby Dick”)
12. Huck (adventurer, “Huckleberry Finn”)
13. Beowulf (epic hero, Old English)
14. Frodo (ring bearer, “Lord of the Rings”)
15. Bilbo (adventurer, “The Hobbit”)
16. Aslan (lion, “Chronicles of Narnia”)
17. Eowyn (shieldmaiden, “Lord of the Rings”)
18. Hermione (clever friend, “Harry Potter”)
19. Ponyboy (outsider, “The Outsiders”)
20. Holden (troubled teen, “Catcher in the Rye”)

The Flower Garden: Botanical Beauty

Yellow flowers are nature’s announcement of joy. Marigold is bold, bright, a little spicy. Sunflower is the dog who turns her face toward you, always tracking your movement. Daffodil is spring’s first promise. Primrose is pale, delicate, early. Yarrow is wild, medicinal, tough. These names are classic, expected even, but they work. They’re feminine without being frilly. They suit Labs who are both beautiful and functional, dogs who can look elegant in the living room and still dive into a muddy pond. Flower names have staying power because they’re real, tangible, and universally recognized. They’re easy to say, pleasant to hear, and they age well. A puppy named Daisy becomes a dignified old girl named Daisy, and the name still fits.

1. Marigold (bright orange-yellow flower, bold)
2. Sunflower (tall yellow bloom, face-tracker)
3. Daffodil (spring herald, cheerful yellow)
4. Primrose (early bloomer, pale yellow)
5. Yarrow (wild herb, tough and useful)
6. Buttercup (small bright flower, soft name)
7. Dandelion (common weed, resilient gold)
8. Dahlia (garden bloom, complex petals)
9. Iris (rainbow flower, Greek messenger)
10. Lily (pure white or yellow, elegant)
11. Poppy (red or yellow, bright spirit)
12. Rose (classic flower, any color)
13. Violet (purple flower, soft sound)
14. Zinnia (bright annual, cheerful color)
15. Peony (lush bloom, romantic)
16. Jasmine (fragrant vine, white or yellow)
17. Magnolia (Southern tree, creamy bloom)
18. Clematis (climbing vine, star-shaped)
19. Forsythia (early yellow shrub, spring burst)
20. Calendula (pot marigold, healing flower)

Sweet Comforts: Food Names

Yellow Labs love food. It’s part of their charm. Naming them after something edible is honest. Honey is sweet, sticky, golden. Butter melts, soft and rich. Biscuit is baked, warm, comforting. Waffles is silly and perfect for a goofy morning dog. Toffee is chewy, sweet, and golden-brown. These names make people smile. They’re not serious, and neither are most Labs. Food names work because they’re familiar, approachable, and a little bit funny. They suit puppies especially, those round bundles who seem edible themselves. But they age well too. An old dog named Honey is still sweet. An old dog named Biscuit is still comforting. These names are crowd-pleasers, easy to remember, and they fit the Lab’s perpetual interest in dinner.

1. Honey (golden sweetener, natural and pure)
2. Butter (creamy spread, soft and rich)
3. Biscuit (baked treat, warm and crunchy)
4. Waffles (breakfast food, goofy charm)
5. Toffee (chewy candy, golden-brown)
6. Muffin (soft baked good, sweet)
7. Pancake (flat breakfast, golden brown)
8. Maple (tree syrup, sweet and sticky)
9. Caramel (cooked sugar, golden smooth)
10. Gingersnap (spiced cookie, snappy)
11. Butterscotch (candy flavor, buttery sweet)
12. Noodle (pasta, silly and long)
13. Cheddar (cheese, sharp and golden)
14. Nacho (chip, cheesy and fun)
15. Popcorn (snack, light and fluffy)
16. Pretzel (twisted bread, salty golden)
17. Churro (fried dough, sweet cinnamon)
18. Cornbread (Southern staple, golden crumb)
19. S’more (campfire treat, gooey sweet)
20. Taffy (pulled candy, stretchy sweet)

The Iconic Blondes: Pop Culture

Yellow Labs are the blondes of the dog world. Bowie works double: David Bowie and the Gaelic word for yellow. Redford is Robert, golden boy of Hollywood. Marilyn is Monroe, eternal blonde icon. Dolly is Parton, bright and beloved. Goldie is Hawn, funny and warm. These names are playful, pop-culture references that most people will recognize. They’re conversational. They invite questions. They’re also time-stamped, which can be charming or dated depending on your perspective. But for owners who grew up with these icons, the names carry affection. They’re a nod to something bigger than the dog, but they still fit. A yellow Lab named Bowie has swagger. A yellow Lab named Dolly has sparkle.

1. Bowie (David Bowie, also Gaelic for yellow)
2. Redford (Robert Redford, golden actor)
3. Marilyn (Monroe, blonde icon)
4. Dolly (Parton, bright country star)
5. Goldie (Hawn, funny and warm)
6. Blondie (band, iconic name)
7. Monroe (Marilyn’s surname, elegant)
8. Elvis (Presley, golden hair era)
9. Taylor (Swift, blonde singer)
10. Harlow (Jean Harlow, platinum blonde)
11. Bardot (Brigitte Bardot, French blonde)
12. Hendrix (Jimi, golden sound)
13. Jagger (Mick, rock golden age)
14. Presley (Elvis surname, strong)
15. Bono (U2 singer, golden voice)
16. Sting (musician, blonde era)
17. Madonna (pop icon, reinvention)
18. Cher (singer, golden era)
19. Streisand (Barbra, powerful voice)
20. Sinatra (Frank, golden age crooner)

Happiness in Sound: Emotion Names

Some names are pure feeling. Joy is exactly what it says. Happy is uncomplicated. Felicity is bliss, a little fancier. Merry is cheerful, like a hobbit or Christmas. Glee is exuberance. These names are risky because they’re so direct. They announce the dog’s personality before anyone meets her. But for a yellow Lab, that’s usually accurate. These dogs are joy engines. They produce happiness just by existing. Naming them after an emotion is honest. It’s also a daily reminder of what they bring into your life. Every time you call “Joy,” you’re stating a fact. These names work best for owners who aren’t embarrassed by sentiment, who can say “I love you” without mumbling.

1. Joy (pure happiness, simple truth)
2. Happy (uncomplicated gladness)
3. Felicity (bliss, Latin origin)
4. Merry (cheerful, festive)
5. Glee (exuberance, musical joy)
6. Bliss (perfect happiness, serene)
7. Hope (expectation, optimistic)
8. Grace (elegance, divine gift)
9. Faith (trust, spiritual)
10. Charity (generosity, love)
11. Glory (honor, radiant)
12. Harmony (agreement, musical)
13. Serenity (calm, peaceful)
14. Destiny (fate, predetermined)
15. Trinity (threefold, spiritual)
16. Liberty (freedom, American)
17. Justice (fairness, moral)
18. Mercy (compassion, forgiveness)
19. Patience (endurance, calm waiting)
20. Prudence (wisdom, careful)

Treasures of Earth: Precious Stones

Yellow gemstones hold light. Amber is ancient resin, millions of years old. Topaz is hard, brilliant, golden. Jasper is earthy, mottled, warm. Citrine is clear, lemon-yellow, bright. Opal has fire inside, shifting colors. These names have weight. They’re material, valuable, beautiful. They suit Labs who seem precious to you, which is probably all of them. Stone names are grounding. They connect the dog to earth, to permanence, to something that lasts. They’re also slightly unexpected. You don’t meet many dogs named Citrine or Topaz. That rarity is appealing. These names work for owners who value craftsmanship, geology, history, or just the way certain words sound in the mouth.

1. Amber (fossilized resin, golden-orange)
2. Topaz (hard gemstone, golden yellow)
3. Jasper (opaque quartz, earthy tone)
4. Citrine (yellow quartz, lemon-clear)
5. Opal (iridescent stone, inner fire)
6. Coral (marine skeleton, warm orange)
7. Pearl (oyster gem, creamy white)
8. Ruby (red corundum, precious)
9. Sapphire (blue corundum, noble)
10. Emerald (green beryl, rich)
11. Garnet (red stone, deep wine)
12. Onyx (black stone, strong)
13. Jade (green stone, Chinese treasure)
14. Agate (banded stone, earthy layers)
15. Quartz (common crystal, clear)
16. Flint (fire-starting stone, useful)
17. Slate (layered rock, gray-blue)
18. Marble (metamorphic rock, veined)
19. Granite (igneous rock, speckled)
20. Diamond (hardest stone, brilliant)

As someone who’s lived with working dogs on a farm for over two decades, I’ve learned this: the right name settles into place within a week. You’ll know because you stop thinking about it. The dog becomes the name, and the name becomes the dog. Trust that process. The name you choose will be said ten thousand times. In joy, in frustration, in the middle of the night when the dog needs out. Choose something that feels good in your mouth. Something you won’t tire of. Something that honors the golden creature looking up at you, tail wagging, waiting to be called. Save this list. Come back to it. The right name is here, somewhere between the harvest and the light.

Elena Maltipoo

Elena Maltipoo is a dog name researcher and pet content creator with a specialized focus on puppy naming, dog breeds, and companion dog care. She studies naming trends, breed history, and the emotional connection between people and their dogs to help owners choose meaningful, fitting names for their pets.