When I was growing up, one of my friends had a dog called Football. Football was a basset hound, and every time my friend’s dad watched an NFL game, Football would sit faithfully with him and bark whenever something exciting happened. Now, we’re not suggesting that “Football” is the best name for your new best friend, but there are plenty of football-inspired names that you could choose from instead. Let this list inspire you to choose a touchdown name for your furry companion.

The title of MVP, short for Most Valuable Player, has been a prestigious accolade in the football world since 1938, crowning the crème de la crème of gridiron greatness. If you’re on the hunt for a name that carries a legacy, why not dive into the roster of past MVPs?

• Adrian: Adrian Peterson from Minnesota Vikings; MVP Quarterback in 2012

• Boomer: Boomer Esiason from Cincinnati Bengals: MVP Quarterback in 1988

• Brady: Tom Brady from New England Patriots; MVP Quarterback in 2018

• Elway: John Elway from Denver Broncos: MVP Quarterback in 1987

• Emmitt: Emmitt Smith from Dallas Cowboys; MVP Running Back in 1993

• Faulk: Marshall Faulk from St. Louis Rams; MVP Running Back in 2000

• Favre: Brett Favre from Green Bay Packers; MVP Quarterback in 1996

• Fran: Fran Tarkenton from Minnesota Vikings; MVP Quarterback in 1975

• Gannon: Rich Gannon from Oakland Raiders; MVP Quarterback in 2002

• LaDainian: LaDanian Tomlinson from San Diego Chargers; MVP Running Back in 2006

• Lamar: Lamar Jackson from Baltimore Ravens; MVP Quarterback in 2019

• Mahomes: Patrick Mahomes from Kansas City Chiefs; MVP Quarterback in 2022, 2023, & 2024

• Marino: Dan Marino from Miami Dolphins; MVP Quarterback in 1984

• McNair: Steve McNair from Tennessee Titans; MVP Quarterback in 2003

• Newton: Cam Newton from Carolina Panthers; MVP Quarterback in 2015

• Peyton: Peyton Manning from Denver Broncos; MVP Quarterback in 2013

• Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay Packers; MVP Quarterback in 2021

• Terrell: Terrell Davis from Denver Broncos; MVP Running Back in 1998

• Thurman: Thurman Thomas from Buffalo Bills; MVP Running Back in 1991

If you have a dog that’s always by your side or a great guard dog, why not honor your favorite football squad by naming your four-legged friend after the team’s star defensive lineman? With a roster of legendary players to pick from across the years, you’re sure to find a name that’s as tough and tenacious as your loyal pup.

• Bosa: Nick Bosa from San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Player of the Year in 2022

• Deion: Deion Sanders from San Francisco 49ers,  Defensive Player of the Year in 1994

• Donald: Aaron Donald from Los Angeles Rams, three-time Defensive Player of the Year

• Gilmore: Stephon Gilmore, winner of  Defensive Player of the Year in 2019

• Hargrave: Javon Hargrave from San Francisco 49ers, known to be one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL

• Jones: Chris Jones from Kansas City Chiefs, nominee for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022

• Khalil: Khalil Mack from Oakloand Raiders,  Defensive Player of the Year in 2016

• Micah: Micah Parsons from Dallas Cowboys, nominee for Defensive Player of the Year in 2022

• Millard: Keith Millard from Minnesota Vikings, Defensive Player of the Year in 1989

• Quinnen: Quinnen Williams from New York Jets, signed a $96 million contract for the 2023 season to keep him on as defensive tackle to his skills on the field

• Reed: Ed Reed from Baltimore Ravens,  Defensive Player of the Year in 2004

• Reggie: Reggie White from Green Bay Packers,  Defensive Player of the Year in 1998

• Strahan: Michael Strahan from New York Giants,  Defensive Player of the Year in 2001

• Stubblefield: Dana Stubblefield from San Francisco 49ers, Defensive Player of the Year in 1997

• Swilling: Pat Swilling from New Orleans Saints,  Defensive Player of the Year in 1991

• Troy: Troy Polamalu from Pittsburgh Steelers,  Defensive Player of the Year in 2010

• Watt: T.J. Watt from Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive Player of the Year nominee in 2021

• Xavien: Xavien Howard from Miami Dolphins, nominee for Defensive Player of the Year in 2020

Related: 10 of the Most Loyal, True-Blue Dog Breeds

While a few names might have missed the roster for the 2025 Super Bowl showdown, the football world is still brimming with celebrated superstars making waves on the field. These might be just the thing for your celebrity dog. This just goes to show that the arena of football is always teeming with talent, beyond even the bright lights of the Super Bowl stage.

• Allen: Josh Allen from the Bills

• Bitonio: Joel Bitonio from Cleveland Browns

• Brock: Brock Purdy from the 49ers

• Burrow: Joe Burrow from Cincinatti Bengals

• Chase: Ja’Marr Chase from Cincinatti Bengals

• Cooper: Cooper Kupp from Los Angeles Rams

• Creed: Creed Humphrey from Kansas City Chiefs

• Dak: Dak Prescott from the Cowboys

• Deebo: Deebo Samuel from San Francisco 49ers

• Devante: Devante Adams from Las Vegas Raiders

• Dexter: Dexter Lawrence II from New York Giants

• Elway: John Elway, one of the most successful players in NFL history

• Heyward: Cameron Heyward from Pittsburgh Steelers

• Jaire: Jaire Alexander from Green Bay Packers

• Kelce: Travis Kelce from Kansas City Chiefs

• Kittle: George Kittle from San Francisco 49ers

• Lamar: Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens

• Lane: Lane Johnson from Philadelphia Eagles

• McCaffrey: Christian McCaffrey from the 49ers

• Minkah: Minkah Fitzpatrick from Pittsburgh Steelers

• Myles: Myles Garrett from Cleveland Browns

• Namath: Joe Namath, NFL player found in both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame

• Ramsey: Jalen Ramsey from Miami Dolphins

• Taylor: Lawrence Taylor from the New York Giants

• Trent: Trent Williams from Dan Francisco 49ers

• Tua: Tua Tagovailoa from the Dolphins

• Tunsil: Laremy Alexander Tunsil from Houston Texans

• Tyreek: Tyreek Hill from the Dolphins

• Vince: Vince Lombardi, led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL Championships between 1959-67

• Unitas: Johnny Unitas from the Baltimore Colts

• Wirfs: Tristan Wirfs from Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Related: 12 Famous Dogs in History

You’ve got a whole league of football team names to pick from for your dog’s moniker, turning your pet into a football icon in your heart. It’s a playful way to score a touchdown in naming.

• Bengal: Cincinnati Bengals

• Big Blue: Nickname for the New York Giants

• Bucko: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Bucky: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Cardinal: Arizona Cardinals

• Charge: Los Angeles Chargers

• Chief: Kansas City Chiefs

• Commander: Washington Commanders

• Eagle: Philadelphia Eagles

• Jag: Jacksonville Jaguars

• Kansas: Kansas City Chiefs

• Niner: San Francisco 49ers

• Orleans: New Orleans Saints

• Packer: Green Bay Packers

• Panther: Carolina Panthers

• Pats: New England Patriots

• Philly: Philadelphia Eagles

• Raider: Las Vegas Raiders

• Saint: New Orleans Saints

• Seahawk: Seattle Seahawks

• Steeler: Pittsburgh Steelers

• Viking: Minnesota Vikings

Choosing a name for your pup from football terminology is not only clever, but it also playfully showcases your enthusiasm for the game. It’s a fun way to merge your love for your furry friend with your passion for touchdowns and tackles.

• Audible: A play called by the quarterback at the line instead of the scrimmage.

• Blitz: A defensive play where one or more linebackers charge the opponent’s backfield to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

• Block: When one player blocks another.

• Bootleg: When a quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back.

• Brace: When a player scores two goals in one game.

• Draw: When a quarterback seems to be passing the ball but instead hands it off or keeps it.

• End Zone: End of the football field, where the offensive team can score a touchdown if they have possession of the ball.

• Fumble: When the football is dropped.

• Hoof: Powerfully kicking the ball toward the opposite goal.

• Howler: A costly mistake by a player they can’t explain.

• Hail Mary: When the ball is thrown as far as possible in a desperate attempt to score a touchdown.

• Kicker: The player who kicks field goals.

• Line-o: A nickname for the assistant ref on the sidelines.

• Muff: When a player touches the ball without holding it.

• Offside: A penalty for being over the line of scrimmage when a play begins.

• Punt: A kick from one team to the other.

• Scrimmage: The line of scrimmage is the place on the field where a play begins.

• Squib: A kicked ball that has a low flight path

• Tackle: Offensive and defensive tackle.

• Touchdown: The team scores six points with a touchdown.

• QB: Abbreviation for quarterback.

• Wildcat: An unusual offensive formation.

Football movies pack a punch with their inspiring stories and thrilling action scenes. By picking your pup’s name from one of these cinematic gems, you’re not only giving a nod to your favorite on-screen moments but also playfully broadcasting your deep-rooted love for the sport.

• Boone: Coach Herman Boone from Remember the Titans

• Bosley: Alan Bosley from Remember the Titans

• Boucher: Robert Boucher, Jr. from The Waterboy

• Burlsworth: Brandon Burlsworth from Greater

• Cantrell: Annie Cantrell from We Are Marshall

• Dawson: Red Dawson from We Are Marshall

• Draper: Lucy Draper from Necessary Roughness

• Fortune: Fortune from Rudy

• Hazen: Warden Hazen from The Longest Yard

• Jack: Jack Lengyel from We Are Marshall

• Kingman: Joe Kingman from The Game Plan

• Mack: Vontae Mack from Draft Day

• Ruffin: Nate Ruffin from We Are Marshall

• Stella: Stella Peck from The Game Plan

• Tug: Tug Kowalski from Any Given Sunday

• Tuohy: Leigh Anne Tuohy from The Blind Side

• Turley: Turley from The Longest Yard

• Vermeil: Dick Vermeil from Invincible

• Vontae: Vontae Mack from Draft Day

• Weaver: Sonny Weaver, Jr. from Draft Day

Every one of these names is imbued with a distinct sense of character and legacy drawn from the football world. They present a creative and fun approach to naming your dog that also highlights your passion for the sport.