Black Labrador Retrievers are beloved for their striking, glossy coats, affectionate nature, and loyal companionship. Whether you’ve just welcomed a black Lab puppy or adopted an adult, one of the first and most important tasks is choosing the perfect name. This name will be with your dog for years, so it’s crucial to pick something you love and that suits their unique personality. If you’re struggling to come up with the ideal name, here are 87 fantastic options for your black Lab, each with its meaning or inspiration.
Top Black Lab Names
These names reflect the Labrador Retriever's elegance, athleticism, and black coat. Whether inspired by nature or simple and strong, these names are a perfect fit for your black Lab:
- Captain – A strong, commanding name ideal for a leader.
- Chase – Reflects a dog's playful and energetic personality, always ready to chase after adventure.
- Coal – A nod to the deep, dark black color of your Lab's coat.
- Cruise – Perfect for a dog who enjoys long walks or relaxing outdoor trips.
- Dash – A name for a fast and energetic Lab, always in motion.
- Ebony – A classic name that highlights the striking black coat.
- Gunnar – Of Scandinavian origin, meaning "warrior," ideal for a brave and strong dog.
- Hunter – A fitting name for a Lab with hunting instincts, especially if they love the outdoors.
- Jet – Represents speed and sleekness, much like the black Lab’s glossy fur.
- Luna – Latin for "moon," suitable for a dog whose dark fur shines in the night.
- Max – A timeless, strong name that reflects the loyal and dependable nature of a black Lab.
- Sailor – Ideal for a water-loving Lab, evoking images of the sea and adventure.
- Shadow – A name that captures the mysterious and sleek presence of your black Lab.
- Storm – A powerful name for a Lab with an energetic, stormy personality.
Hunting-Inspired Black Lab Names
Labrador Retrievers are renowned for their skills as bird retrievers. If your black Lab enjoys hunting or simply has an adventurous spirit, these hunting-themed names will suit them perfectly:
- Arrow – Symbolizing precision and speed, perfect for a sharp, quick-witted Lab.
- Aspen – A nature-inspired name, ideal for a Lab who loves the outdoors.
- Birdie – A playful name, especially suitable for a retriever with a love for birds.
- Bullet – Fast and precise, perfect for an athletic black Lab.
- Chase – Reflects your Lab's energetic pursuit of all things, from tennis balls to wildlife.
- Decoy – A nod to hunting, perfect for a Lab who enjoys games and fetching.
- Goose – A classic waterfowl name, ideal for a retriever.
- Gunnar – Scandinavian in origin, meaning "warrior," a fitting name for a brave retriever.
- Hunter – For the Lab with a keen sense of hunting instincts.
- Ladybird – A charming name for a gentle Lab, perfect for a female retriever.
- Marsh – A great name for a Lab who loves to splash around in the wetland areas.
- Maverick – Perfect for a non-conformist Lab who loves adventure.
- Pistol – A strong, bold name for a fast, energetic dog.
- Ranger – Ideal for a Labrador who explores the great outdoors with boundless energy.
- Rocky – For a dog with a tough, resilient personality.
- Scout – Reflecting the breed’s origins as an active, exploratory retriever.
- Shooter – For a Lab who’s always up for the chase or a fast game of fetch.
Color-Themed Black Lab Names
Celebrate the stunning black coat of your Lab with a name that highlights their color and sleek appearance. Here are a few inspired by shades and objects that reflect their beautiful, glossy fur:
- Anise – A unique and fragrant name, perfect for a Lab with a distinctive character.
- Ash/Asher – Symbolizing the light gray color of ash, this name suits a soft, sleek dog.
- Blackjack – A playful, strong name, evoking the image of a card game and a black, winning hand.
- Cinder – Perfect for a Lab with dark, smoldering eyes and an enigmatic presence.
- Coal/Cole – A simple name that highlights your dog’s jet-black coat.
- Ebony – A classic name for a dog with a beautiful black coat.
- Espresso – A name that fits a rich, dark, and strong personality.
- Guinness – For a dark, stout dog with a rich, deep coat.
- Licorice – Sweet and smooth, just like the dark, shiny coat of your Lab.
- Luna – While meaning "moon," it’s also fitting for a dog with a striking, dark coat.
- Magic – A mysterious name for a dog whose black coat is mesmerizing.
- Midnight – Perfect for a dog who is most active at night, reflecting the dark beauty of their fur.
- Ninja – For a sleek, fast, and stealthy dog who blends into the night.
- Obsidian – A precious black stone, symbolizing beauty and strength.
- Onyx – A dark gemstone that complements the color of your black Lab.
- Phantom – Ideal for a dog who seems to appear and disappear like a shadow.
- Raven – Symbolic of intelligence and mystery, a great match for a black Lab.
- Shadow – For a dog who follows you everywhere, quietly and loyally.
- Smoke – A light, ethereal name for a dog with a dark, flowing coat.
- Spade – A card suit name, perfect for a Lab with a strong and commanding presence.
- Storm/Stormy – For a Lab with an unpredictable, energetic personality.
Active Black Lab Names
Labrador Retrievers are known for their athleticism and energy. If your black Lab is always on the move, these names will capture their vibrant, active nature:
- Ace – A name for a top-tier dog with exceptional skills.
- Blaze – A perfect name for a fast-moving dog with a fiery spirit.
- Bolt – For a dog that moves like lightning.
- Dash – Ideal for a dog that’s always sprinting, jumping, and running.
- Dock – For a dog who loves the water, especially swimming and playing near docks.
- Flash – A fast and energetic name, perfect for a dog with speed.
- Flip – A playful name for an agile dog who loves to jump and flip.
- Hopper – A name that reflects your Lab’s love for jumping around.
- Jet – For a sleek, fast dog who’s always on the go.
- Lightening – A name that captures the speed and agility of your black Lab.
- Max – Short, sweet, and strong, ideal for an energetic and athletic dog.
- Rush – For a dog who’s always in a hurry to get to the next adventure.
- Scooter – Perfect for a dog that loves to zip around the house or yard.
- Skip – A light-hearted, bouncy name for a playful Lab.
- Sonic – Fast, energetic, and always on the move.
- Zip – Ideal for a dog who zooms around at top speed.
Water-Themed Black Lab Names
Since Labrador Retrievers are known for their love of water, these water-themed names are perfect for a Lab who loves swimming, boating, and playing in the water:
- Anchor – For a dog who loves being near the water but stays grounded.
- Brook – A flowing stream, perfect for a dog that loves the water.
- Buoy – A floating marker, ideal for a Lab who enjoys boating or swimming.
- Captain – Perfect for a dog who loves the sea and adventure.
- Commodore – A title for a naval officer, ideal for a dog with a commanding presence near water.
- Cruise – For a dog who enjoys the water and every trip out on the boat.
- Delta – A river term for an area where water branches out, symbolizing movement and adventure.
- Dune – Inspired by sandy beaches and coastal terrain.
- Laguna – Spanish for "lake," ideal for a Lab who loves the water.
- Marina – A harbor, perfect for a dog who enjoys being around the water.
- Neptune – The Roman god of the sea, ideal for a water-loving dog.
- Reef – For a Lab who loves the ocean and swimming.
- Sailor – Ideal for a water-loving Lab who enjoys boating or swimming.
- Sandy – Perfect for a dog who enjoys playing in the sand and surf.
- Splash – For a Lab who loves to dive into water and make a big splash.
- Spring – A natural water source, perfect for a Lab who loves fresh water.
- Triton – The Greek god of the sea, perfect for a dog who thrives in water.
- Wave – For a Lab who loves the ocean waves, whether surfing or splashing in the surf.
Choosing the right name for your black Lab is all about reflecting their personality, your family’s preferences, and their unique traits. Whether you pick a hunting-inspired name, a color-based name, or one reflecting their love for water, your black Lab will proudly wear their name for years to come!