Known for its rich history, flavorful cuisine, French dialect and vibrant culture, the Cajun community also has many unique names. Whether you have adopted the state dog of Louisiana–the Catahoula Leopard Dog–or you just have a love of all things Louisiana, from Mardi Gras and New Orleans to Cajun food and music, we’ve got some great Cajun dog names that will have you saying Let the Good Times (with my dog) Roll!
Family names as Cajun dog names
- Benoit: Meaning “one who says the good,” this Cajun last night might be a good moniker for a dog who likes to talk!
- Boudreaux: meaning “leading of the group”
- Breaux: one trusted with immense responsibilities (like the dog entrusted with your heart!)
- Delacroix: From the phrase “de la croix” or “of the cross.”
- Hebert: brilliant warrior
- Landry: powerful landlord
- LeBlanc: one with light colored or white hair–or fur!
- Theriot: God’s gift
- Thibodeaux: brave
Mardi Gras dog names
- Bacchus: The Krewe of Bacchus is one of the largest Mardi Gras parades.
- Bon Temps: Because your dog will definitely “Let the good times roll” or “Laissez les bon temps rouler.”
- Doubloon: Not the pirate loot, these coins are stamped with the krewe’s name and thrown to onlookers.
- Flambeaux: Derived from the French word for “flame,” these flaming torches have long been a Mardi Grad tradition.
- King: for the King of carnival and the famous King cakes.
- Krewe: Pronounced “crew,” this is a social group that organizes a Mardi Gras parade.
- Mardi: Even if your dog wasn’t adopted or born on a Tuesday, this makes a unique dog name.
- Masker: Those riding on a Mardi Gras float or participating in the parade in costume.
- Rex: The Krewe of Rex parade launched the now-iconic Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold.
- Rider: Participants in the Mardi Gras parades have a rider number.
- Zulu: The Krewe of Zulu Mardi Gras parade dates back over a century.
New Orleans dog names
Will Rogers called New Orleans one of America’s three unique cities–and a dog name inspired by this city will be equally unique!
- Beignet: the deep fried pastry that’s synonymous with New Orleans
- Big Easy: for the big, laid back dog
- Bourbon: Bourbon Street is no doubt New Orleans’ most famous.
- Brennan: for the famous Brennan’s
- Charles: St. Charles Avenue is home to the world’s longest running streetcar line.
- Congo: Congo Square is known for its live music.
- Crescent: If the Crescent City has your heart, this might be a fun dog name for your new fur baby.
- Doberge: A Doberge cake is a layered cake that originated in New Orleans.
- Gambino: Joe Gambino’s Bakery is known for its king cakes!
- Hurricane: one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails
- Jackson: The city’s Jackson Square is a focal point with its St. Louis Cathedral
- Jazz or Jazzy: Because nothing says New Orleans like jazz.
- Missi: Because Mississippi River is just too long…
- Monde: Cafe Du Monde is best known for its beignets and chicory coffee.
- N’awlins
- Nola: The acronym of New Orleans, LA
- Picayune: The New Orleans newspaper but also and old Spanish coin–or something petty.
- Royal: One of New Orleans’ oldest streets.
- Saint: Not only a member of the football team but also part of many place names.
- Sazerac: a New Orleans cocktail created on Royal Street
- Stella: Now wouldn’t it be fun to be shouting “Stella” at the dog park?!
- Vieux: Vieux Carré is a New Orleans cocktail; the “old square” in its name refers to the French Quarter.
- Voodoo: For the famous Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo
- Who dat: The cheer of the New Orleans Saints.
Cajun hunting dog names
The Catahoula was bred to hunt in the swamps of Louisiana–but he’s also happy to just hunt for treats among your couch cushions!
- Bayou: the body of water flowing through a swamp
- Cypress: the tree found in Louisiana swamps
- Delta: the river delta that influences so much of life in this region
- Fortier: referring to one build like a fortress
- Gator
- Guidry: “hunt”
- Louis or Louisa: famed warrior
- Marsh: the wetlands here created by the sediments of the Mississippi River
- Swampy
A Cayoodle or Kyoodle is a Louisiana term for a mixed breed dog.
Cajun nicknames
Do you have a petite dog–or are you adopting a younger dog? You can go the Cajun route for a name or nickname and add “T-” or “Ti-” before the name to denote little or junior.
Another popular Cajun nickname used as a term of endearment for children (often by their grandparents) is Boo. This can be used for a sweetheart as well–or how about a dog?
Frequently Heard
- Allons: let’s go, a great name for a dog who loves to travel
- Beb: sweetheart
- Beaucoup or Boo-Coo: A lot, from the French beaucoup.
- Bourré: Also known as Boo-Ray, this trick taking Cajun card game would be a fun Cajun puppy name for a dog who will go on to learn tricks!
- Cayoodle or Kyoodle: a mixed breed dog
- Cher (pronounced sha): dear
- Do-Do: Pronounced dough-dough, this term is similar to “night-night”, from the French dormir
- Gris-Gris: A gris-gris (pronounced gree-gree) is a lucky charm that protects from evil.
- Gumbo Ya Ya: This phrase means when everyone is talking at the same time. We think either Gumbo or YaYa makes a fun Cajun dog name!
- Joie: Joie de Vivre is the joy of life that describes the lifestyle of many Cajun communities
- Lagniappe: the extra bonus a shopkeeper gives to a customer
- La Vie: C’est la vie
- Rodier: Pronounced “row-de-yay,” this means to wander.
- Zydeco: Cajun music style
Foods that make cool dog names
Cajun food is a melding of French, Spanish and African cooking techniques and ingredients to create a flavorful cuisine. Many of these dishes and ingredients will make great dog names!
- Boudin
- Chicory: New Orleans is known for its chicory coffee.
- Cornbread
- Crawfish
- Dirty rice
- Etouffée
- Filé: ground sassafras
- Fricassee
- Gumbo
- Jambalaya
- Maque choux
- Pecan
- Po-boy
- Praline
- Roux: Pronounced “roo,” this browned flour mixture is the basis for many Cajun dishes.
- Sassafras
- Tabasco
- Trinity: the green bell pepper, onions and celery that provide the basis for many Cajun dishes
Famous Residents
- Domino: Fats Domino
- Emeril Lagasse: chef known for his “New New Orleans” style
- Harry: Harry Connick Jr.
- Louis: Louis Armstrong
- Marie Laveau: the New Orleans voodoo queen
- Paul Prudhomme: Chef known for his Cajun and Creole fare
- Sharkey: Sharkey Bonano, jazz musician
Places
- Acadia: a colony of New France in eastern Canada; many residents migrated to Louisiana
- Cadien: The Arcadian French word from which “Cajun” is derived.
- Evangeline: The name of a Louisiana parish as well as the title of a Longfellow poem about the expulsion of the Acadians from Canada.
- Lou: Give your new dog a name for the shortened version of Louisiana.
- Parish: Louisiana doesn’t have counties but parishes.
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Paris Permenter is the award-winning co-author, with John Bigley, of over 30 pet and travel books including The Healthy Hound Cookbook and Texas with Dogs, both available through Simon and Schuster. Paris is also a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.
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