Papillon Dog Names, Dogs Names of Papillon Breed

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The Papillon is one of the oldest and most elegant toy spaniel breeds, with a history stretching back over 700 years in European royal courts. Named for the French word for butterfly, the Papillon gets its name from its distinctive large, fringed ears that spread out like butterfly wings. These dainty, graceful dogs have appeared in paintings by masters like Rubens, Rembrandt, and Goya, and were beloved companions of European royalty including Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour.

Naming a Papillon should celebrate their French heritage, butterfly-like beauty, and regal history. French names are a classic and popular choice that honors the breed's Continental origins. Names inspired by butterflies, wings, and flight complement their distinctive ear shape, while names drawn from art, royalty, and elegance reflect their centuries of aristocratic companionship.

Despite their dainty appearance, Papillons are remarkably athletic, intelligent, and spirited dogs. They consistently rank among the top toy breeds in obedience and agility competitions, and they have a confident, outgoing personality that makes them far tougher than they look. They are happy, alert, and always eager for adventure. A name that captures both their delicate beauty and their surprising vivacity will perfectly suit this extraordinary little breed.

Browse our complete list of Papillon dog names below. Filter by gender, save your favorites, and find a name as beautiful and spirited as your butterfly dog.

All Male Female Unisex

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

#	Name	Meaning	Gender	Origin
1	Abby	English diminutive of Abigail, 'my father is joy'	Female	English from Hebrew
2	Adele	Noble	Female	Germanic
3	Angel	Messenger	Unisex	Greek
4	Annie	Diminutive of Anne, ultimately from Hebrew Hannah meaning 'favour' or 'grace'	Female	English from Hebrew
5	Armani	Freeman	Female	Germanic
6	Ash	Ash tree	Unisex	English
7	Babe	Baby	Unisex	American English
8	Baby	An infant or very young child; an affectionate form of address	Unisex	English word name
9	Bailey	English occupational surname from Middle English baili, 'bailiff'	Unisex	English
10	Bali	On the contrary	Male	Swahili
11	Bambi	Italian familiar form from bambina, little girl	Female	Italian
12	Bandit	Word name for an outlaw or robber	Unisex	Italian via English
13	Bear	English animal word-name referring to the large mammal	Unisex	English
14	Beauty	One that is beautiful, especially a woman	Unisex	English
15	Bebe	Baby	Male	English
16	Bella	Short form of Isabella; associated with Italian bella, “beautiful”	Female	English name with an Italian word association
17	Belle	Beautiful	Female	French
18	Bianca	White	Female	Italian
19	Bonnie	From the Scottish word bonnie meaning 'pretty' or 'attractive'	Female	Scottish English from French
20	Bonsai	The art of growing dwarfed ornamental trees and shrubs.	Unisex	English
21	Brandy	Burning wine	Female	English
22	Brenda	Sword	Female	Norse
23	Brie	The exalted one	Female	Gaelic
24	Brittany	Land of the Britons	Female	English
25	Buddy	English word meaning 'friend' or 'companion'	Male	English
26	Bugsy		Unisex
27	Bunny	Little rabbit	Female	English
28	Buster	One who breaks or overcomes something; also an informal form of address	Male	English word and nickname
29	Calypso	Conceal	Female	Greek
30	Camille	Altar server	Female	Latin
31	Chanel	Channel, pipe	Female	French
32	Chaos	Gaping void	Unisex	Greek
33	Charlie	Diminutive or feminine form of Charles	Unisex	English form from a Germanic name family
34	Charlotte	Free man	Female	Germanic
35	Chico	Boy	Male	Spanish
36	Chill	Cold	Male	English
37	Chloe	Greek name meaning 'green shoot' or new growth	Female	Greek
38	Cho	Butterfy	Female	English
39	Clay	Clay	Female	English
40	Coco	A diminutive of names beginning with Co, influenced by cocoa	Unisex	Nickname used in several languages
41	Cody	Descendant of Cuidighthigh	Male	Gaelic
42	Comet	A celestial body	Unisex	English
43	Copper	English word name for the reddish metal copper	Unisex	English from Latin
44	Cuddles	To nestle or snuggle.	Unisex	English
45	Cupid	Desire	Unisex	Latin
46	Cutie	A cute character.	Unisex	English
47	Daisy	English flower name from Old English “day’s eye”	Female	English flower name
48	Dandy	An elegant man.	Unisex	English
49	Dash	From Chiel	Male	French
50	Dilly	From Standard Word Meaning Genuine Or Sincere.	Unisex	Welsh

196 names found. Page 1 of 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What French names are popular for Papillons?

Classic French names include Bijou, Fleur, Pierre, Colette, Marcel, Belle, and Gigi. Given their butterfly name, Papillon owners also love names like Monique, Amélie, and Coco that carry French sophistication and charm.

What butterfly-inspired names work for a Papillon?

Butterfly-themed names include Mariposa (Spanish for butterfly), Flutter, Monarch, Wing, Pixie, and Vanessa (a butterfly genus). Nature names like Blossom, Petal, and Meadow also complement their delicate, butterfly-eared beauty.

Are Papillons too delicate for bold names?

Not at all. Papillons are surprisingly athletic and competitive — they excel in agility. Bold names like Ace, Diva, Rocket, and Champion suit their confident personality perfectly. The contrast between their dainty appearance and a spirited name is charming.

Related guides for Papillon Dog Names

Paris Dog Names: From the Papillon Court Dog to Coco and Belle
Paris is a dog-naming city in the courtly-cultural key. Its genuine court-dog anchor is the Papillon -- the erect-eared Continental Toy Spaniel of 16th-18th-century French Rococo court portraiture (the drop-eared variety is the Phalene), FCI Standard #77 with France among its patron countries. Its institutions are the Cimetiere des Chiens d'Asnieres (1899, one of the world's oldest public pet cemeteries -- site of the romanticized Barry St Bernard monument and Rin Tin Tin's burial) and the Societe Centrale Canine (Paris, 1881); its narrative anchor is Belle et Sebastien (Cecile Aubry, 1965, set in the French Alps, not Paris). The register routes through the court-dog pool (Papillon, Antoinette, Marie, Marquis), the Belle et Sebastien pool (Belle, Sebastien, Sebastian), the fashion pool (Coco, Chanel, Bijou, Fifi, Gigi, Mimi, Cherie), the arts-and-letters pool (Monet, Hugo, Colette, Cosette, Napoleon, Josephine, Amelie, Odette, Pierre, Jacques), and the gastronomy pool (Brie, Champagne, Margaux, Madeleine). Roughly 37 cross-origin entries (there is no 'Paris' name entry in the database). Distinct from the broad French-origin pool.
20 Papillon Dog Names For Your Butterfly Pups
Papillons are tiny, elegant toy dogs instantly recognized by their dramatic butterfly-shaped ears, delicate frames, and cheerful personalities. This tip offers 20 name ideas tailored to these lively little pups. You'll meet Adam (son of the red earth), Anne (grace), and April (opening buds of spring), a popular month name alongside May and June. Each pick comes with meaning and context so the name fits your Papillon's sweet, alert nature. Whether you're bringing home a boy or girl butterfly-eared puppy, these gentle, graceful names match the breed's refined spirit without feeling too heavy or serious.