The first time a stranger on the street guessed my dog Ringo’s exact age, I was floored. Like… how could they possibly know? But looking back, it really wasn’t that difficult to figure out. Apparently there’s a quirky little tradition when it comes to French dog names…
Each year, French dog owners pick names by following an official naming system based on the alphabet. Basically, every year gets its own letter, and all dogs born that year are supposed to have names that start with that letter.
So if someone hears that your dog is named Ringo, they can do a little mental math: (R was the letter for 2020 — Ah yes, the year of quarantine puppies!)—and boom, they know your dog’s age!
It’s like a secret code for dog people.
It’s a kind of canine birth certificate hiding in plain sight!
Of course, not everyone follows the rule (because, well, dogs don’t care). But if you ever see an alarming number of dogs named Bowie or Praline running around, now you know—it was their year to shine.
History of the Tradition
The French tradition of naming dogs by a specific alphabet letter dates back to the 19th century and originated from formal breeding practices, particularly in kennel clubs. It was first introduced by the Société Centrale Canine (SCC), the national canine organization of France, founded in 1881.
This system was designed to provide an organized way to track pedigrees and maintain accurate breeding records. By assigning a specific letter to all dogs born in a given year, breeders could more easily identify the lineage and age of a dog based on its name.
The French Dog Naming Alphabet: A Tail-Wagging Tradition
Here’s how it works:
🐾 Each year gets a designated letter.
🐾 The system runs from A to Y—but no Z! (Because let’s be real, how many great French dog names start with Z? Zidane? Zorro? Not exactly a long list.)
🐾 In 1972, the letters K, Q, W, X, and Y were also kicked to the curb—apparently, they were just too tricky for dog-naming purposes. (Sorry, Quiche and Xavier.)
A Fresh Start in 2025!
The French system resets every 20 years, and guess what? 2025 is one of those lucky years! That means we’re starting back at A—so if you’re getting a new pup this year, it’s time to brainstorm some A-list names.
So, if your dog was born in 2025, they need a name that starts with A like Applesauce, Alphonse, Amélie, Aramis, or Atlas! (Feel free to add your own A name.)
Want to know what letter matches your pup’s birth year? Here’s a handy breakdown:
| Year | Letter |
| 2005 / 2025 | A |
| 2006 / 2026 | B |
| 2007 / 2027 | C |
| 2008 / 2028 | D |
| 2009 / 2029 | E |
| 2010 / 2030 | F |
| 2011 / 2031 | G |
| 2012 / 2032 | H |
| 2013 / 2033 | I |
| 2014 / 2034 | J |
| 2015 / 2035 | L |
| 2016 / 2036 | M |
| 2017 / 2037 | N |
| 2018 / 2038 | O |
| 2019 / 2039 | P |
| 2020 / 2040 | R |
| 2021 / 2041 | S |
| 2022 / 2042 | T |
| 2023 / 2043 | U |
| 2024 / 2044 | V |
Key Aspects of the Tradition:
- Application Beyond Dogs: While the system was created for canine records, it has also influenced naming practices for other animals in breeding, such as horses and cats*.
* Does not apply to human babies. - Practical Use for Hunters and Kennels: This method was especially practical for large hunting kennels, (like the Royal Kennels of Versailles!) where multiple dogs needed clear identification. It provided an efficient system to manage and differentiate dogs in the same cohort.
It’s Not Just France! The Global Dog-Naming Conspiracy 🐶
Think the French are the only ones secretly assigning your pup’s name before they’re even born? Think again. Several other countries have their own version of this quirky naming system because apparently, the world agrees that randomly assigned letters make everything more official.
Here’s how it shakes out in 2025:
🇧🇪 Belgium – 2025 is the year of X (Finally, a moment for all the Xaviers, Xénas, and Xylophones out there.)
🇱🇺 Luxembourg – 2025 is the year of T (Perfect for a little Tarte, Tartine, or Toulouse.)
🇲🇦 Morocco – 2025 is the year of U (Ursula? Udon? Uh-oh?)
🇦🇹 🇨🇿 🇨🇭 Austria, Czech Republic & Switzerland – Instead of yearly letters, they assign names by litter. The first litter of the year gets A, the second B, and so on. Imagine being the breeder stuck on X.
🇧🇬 🇭🇺 Bulgaria, Hungary, and others – All puppies in the same litter must have names that start with the same letter. If you adopt a puppy from a “P” litter, congrats—you’re getting Pépito, Pistache, or possibly… Patrick.
🇦🇷 🇨🇦 🇬🇷 🇮🇹 🇪🇸 Argentina, Canada, Greece, Italy, and Spain – Total chaos. No rules. Name your dog whatever you want. Want to call your dachshund Baguette? Go for it. Feeling creative with Señor Woofington? No one’s stopping you.
So, whether your dog is an officially approved Alphonse or a rogue, rule-breaking Rufus, just remember: they don’t care what you call them, as long as you have treats. 🦴
French Dog Names: Fun Ways to Play with This System
Now that you know the secret to French dog names, here are some ways to have fun with it:
🐶 Find your “French dog birth year.” Based on your own first name, what year would you have been born in.
🐶 Think of as many dog names as possible for one letter. Could you outsmart the official system?
🐶 Test the limits. Can you come up with good dog names starting with K, Q, W, X, or Y—letters the French gave up on?
🐶 Imagine the confusion. Picture yourself calling out your dog’s name at a park in France while locals try to guess their age!
🐶 What if your dog traveled to France? If your American pup named Max goes to a French vet, will they assume he was born in 2011?
This unique tradition adds an extra layer of charm to French dog culture—whether you follow it or not, it’s a fun fact to impress your dog-loving friends with!
Here are some adorable French dog names, categorized for extra cuteness:
Classic & Chic
- Bijou (Jewel)
- Chérie (Darling)
- Coco (As in Chanel, très chic!)
- Éclair (Like the delicious pastry)
- Fifi (Timelessly French)
- Gigi (Simple, elegant)
- Mimi (Cute & sweet)
- Noisette (Hazelnut)
Food-Inspired (Because French Cuisine = Perfection)
- Baguette (Hilarious for a long dog!)
- Brie (For a soft, melty pup)
- Croissant (Because, obviously)
- Chausson (As in chausson aux pommes, the pastry)
- Macaron (Sweet and colorful)
- Truffe (Truffle—but also means “dog nose” in French!)
- Praline (Perfect for a nutty little pup)
Elegant & Fancy
- Beau (Handsome)
- Fleur (Flower)
- Jolie (Pretty)
- Roux (Red-haired, great for a ginger dog!)
- Soleil (Sunshine)
- Valentine (Romantic & timeless)
Silly & Fun
- Biscotte (Like a little toast)
- Chouchou (Means “sweetie” or “favorite”)
- Doudou (A term for a child’s beloved stuffed toy)
- Pépito (Like the snack cookies)
- Pouf (For a fluffy dog)
- Zouzou (Just fun to say!)
