Poodles come in many varieties, ranging mostly in size. While the idea of the French poodle has led most people to believe that the breed originated in France, the actual origin is unclear and thought to be Central Europe or Russia. Because of the acceptable haircuts for show dogs, the poodle is often pictured as a frilly dog, and poodle names tend to reflect such beliefs. However, the purpose of the poodle in France was to retrieve waterfowl. In order to achieve this goal, the thick curly hair was necessarily cut to avoid becoming matted. This was the start of the cuts seen today.
Regardless of the reason, poodle names tend to be quite “soft” and often, the names are chosen from the French language. This is especially true of the tiny teacup variety, reaching a height no greater than 10 inches and a weight of seven pounds or less. A miniature poodle can stand between 10 and 15 inches tall and weigh around 16 pounds, making it seem a little less delicate, and the standard poodle (which is the largest of the breed) is over 15 inches tall and can weigh up to 55 pounds. These may seem less “frilly”, but because of the preferred cuts and the image that they have, poodle names still tend to be soft. Below are some examples, to either help you choose a name or to avoid some of the most common names out there.
| Male Names | Female Names |
| Dorian Frasier Gustav Jacques Lionel Pierre Pietre Simon | Bella Corinne Fluffy Foxy Juliet Lady Marie Mercedes |