Choosing border collie names is not the easiest task.
There are so many great border collie names you could pick out for your new pup’s “forever” name.
If you have arrived here because you are searching for the best border collie names for your new pup, you are in the right place.
Read on for a carefully curated selection of the best male and best female border collie names in so many intriguing categories.
From traditional names to famous names, and funny names to unique border collie names.
Border Collie Names: Traditional
Just like the border collie breed itself, many border collie names and meanings stem from a long and honorable tradition of herding and shepherding dogs.
In fact, before the dog breed we now call the “border collie” even existed in the 19th century, these dogs were simply called “shepherd’s dogs.”
Often a farmer or rancher would have several working border collie dogs to help out with the livestock.
The dogs would be given traditional identifying names based on the specific areas of the land where they worked.
So each dog would then have a common name based on the local climate, land or water features, or farm or township names.
You will also notice that all traditional border collie names, whether of Welsh, Irish, Scottish or English origin, are simple, short names of one or two syllables.
This is what is required by the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS). No “fancy” names are permitted for dog registration.
Traditional Border Collie Names: Male
- Sly
- Hemp
- Bute
- Tweed
- Jed
- Yarrow
- Glen
- Gyp
- Clyde
- Tyne
- Rye
- Highwood
- Chester
- Long Tree
- Cap
- Ben
- Quest
- Luke
- Cody
- Bob
- Pete
- Cap
- Joe
- RoyDuff
- Grig
- Dundee
- Jesse
- Keith
- Lex
You can find even more great male border collie names here.
Traditional Female Border Collie: Names
- Jen
- Meg
- Moss
- Bess
- Ruby
- Jess
- Nell
- Wren
- Fan
- Annie
- Mist
- Daisy
- Rose
- Sioux
- Corrie
- Ana
- Barra
- Ginger
- Ash
- Belle
- Echo
- Dera
- Gilly
- Jenna
- Kelsy
- Rissa
- Raven
- Peg
- Quinn
- Molly
You can find even more great female border collie names here.
Border Collie Names: Welsh
These Welsh border collie names are all derived from places, people or traditional names from the Welsh culture.
- Ceana
- Bryn
- Angus
- Bran
- Ceri
- Blythe
- Dera
- Elfen
- Taran
- Snell
- Rynn
- Morwyn
- Llyn
- Kane
- Dylan
- Huw
- Eira
- Gareth
- Jestin
- Rhan
- Penn
- Rhys
- Wynn
- Teg
- Bach
- Alwyn
- Dyl
- Ewan
- Cai
- Aled
Border Collie Names: Scottish
These Scottish border collie names hail from the country itself—names of places, mythical figures, legends, landscape features and traditional names.
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- Annan
- Forsa
- Cowie
- Conic
- Fyne
- Fife
- Bute
- Jura
- Kelp
- Ling
- Mar
- Luc
- Cora
- Moray
- Laggan
- Kerrie
- Cam
- Dove
- Scotia
- Aran
- Skye
- Fina
- Aed
- Baird
- Shona
- Blaire
- Cailin
- Daw
- Elsie
- Fia
Border Collie names Irish
These Irish border collie names are as steeped in Irish history and mythology as you can get—perfect for your border collie pup.
- Sionna
- Biddy
- Annan
- Banya
- Eirenn
- Grig
- Hoy
- Biddy
- Maeve
- Fiona
- Tulla
- Zeal
- Fay
- Gala
- Ling
- Mag
- Rona
- Saoirse
- Melys
- Raq
- Tay
- Zest
- Sula
- Rhum
- Sass
- Merri
- Luce
- Kyla
- Io
- Hett
English Border Collie: Names
These are some of the most popular English border collie names from past decades and today.
- Charlie
- Teddy
- Max
- Alfie
- Buddy
- Bella
- Lola
- Poppy
- Luna
- Daisy
- Bailey
- Lad
- Meg
- Moc
- Spot
- Pero
- Dai
- Willy
- Sherlock
- Watson
- Tigger
- Misty
- Oscar
- Rosie
- Tilly
- Barney
- Holly
- Coco
- Toby
- Monty
You can find even more traditional and unusual border collie names here.
Cute Border Collie: Names
While cute border collie names don’t necessarily crop up in the traditional pedigree registration rolls, your new pup is undoubtedly cute and these good female border collie names and male border collie names might just be the perfect fit.
- Merle
- Pluto
- Banjo
- Uke
- Abby
- Bear
- Mando
- Han
- Turtle
- Sweetie
- Skipper
- Tortie
- Sprint
- Chai
- Scruffy
- Chewie
- Angel
- Mena
- Boost
- Aerie
- Papi
- Kimi
- Flora
- Ken
- Cookie
- Pearl
- Comet
- Wim
- Gus
- Wiggle
You can find even more cute border collie names here.
Good Border Collie Names for Coat Color
Finding the perfect red border collie names, blue merle border collie names and chocolate border collie names isn’t as hard as it may sound once you realize just how many colors and patterns this dog breed can showcase.
According to the American Kennel Club, black, blue, blue merle, brindle, gold, lilac, red, red merle, sable, sable merle, saddleback sable, white and black, white and blue, white and blue merle, white and red, white and red merle, white ticked, seal, slate, white and gold, white and sable, and white and seal are all possible colors for a border collie.
Red Border Collie Names
- Carnie (short for Carnelian)
- Red
- Sienna
- Kamala
- Scarlett
- Mag (short for Magenta)
- Auburn
- Amber
- Brick
- Copper
- Redmond
- Apple
- Rowan
- Crimson
- Flame
- Redhot
- Berry
- Sparkler
- Cardi (short for Cardinal)
- Rosa
- Cherry
- Rusty
- Plum
- Rooster
- Bean
- Rudd
- Pepper
- Chili
- Mars
- Candy
Blue Merle Border Collie: Names
- Sea
- Indigo
- Blue
- Egypt
- Cyan
- Navy
- Persia
- Violet
- Sapphire
- Cobalt
- Maya
- Iris
- Ceru (for Cerulean)
- Azure
- Denim
- Ao
- Steel
- Peri (for Periwinkle)
- Saturn
- Star
- Marian
- Ice
- Powder
- Topaz
- Teal
- Royal
- Azure
- Tiff (for Tiffany)
- Turk (for Turkish)
- Sky
Chocolate Border Collie: Names
- Buff
- Cocoa
- Nutmeg
- Chestnut
- Shadow
- Honey
- Smoke
- Dusky
- Tawny
- Hawk
- Bark
- Umber
- Russ (for Russet)
- Sandy
- Woody
- Peru
- Clove
- Mocha
- Coyote
- Coffee
- Torti (for Tortilla)
- Tan
- Bole
- Seal
- Fawn
- Lion
- Beaver
- Rufus
- Isa (for Isabelline)
- Bay
Classic Border Collie: Names
These classic best border collie names are keepers down through the generations.
Some of these classic top border collie names evoke the most famous herding, guarding, working sheepdogs in modern history.
While others are record holders at jumping, skating, balancing, and some very cool but undog-like skills (rolling down car windows, anyone?).
- Nanna
- Lassie
- Chips
- Fly
- Bullet
- Dulux
- Willow
- Susan
- Shaggy
- Nemo
- Rin Tin Tin
- Bobbie
- Sass
- Rex
- Stella
- Luath
- Chaser
- Striker
- Jumpy
- Sweet Pea
- Blitz
- Bee
- Old Hemp
- Wiston Cap
- Maudie
- Hindhope Jed
- Captain
- Rico
- Shep
- Jean
Cool Border Collie: Names
These cool border collie names might just capture your pup’s personality perfectly.
- Pudsey
- Blanco
- Midnight
- Bingo
- Coal
- Tag
- Blue
- Bobbie
- Gus
- Farley
- Earl
- Flash
- Streak
- Boom
- Chips
- Dawg
- Chica
- Dewey
- Hubble
- Kong
- Happy
- Louie
- Gibson
- Jif
- Dusty
- Jip
- Lily
- Jodi
- Mac
- Mooch
You can find even more cool dog names here.
Popular Border Collie: Names
Try on these popular border collie names for size. Some even belong to genuine celebs (human and canine).
- Ben (David Lee Roth)
- Mike (ditto)
- Momo (Instagram star)
- Tuck (James Dean)
- Berkeley
- Piper
- Marcy
- Kayle
- Jake
- Patch
- Felix
- Harvey
- Sammi
- Rio
- Ralphy
- Oreo
- Lupo
- Utah
- Ace
- Bonnie
- Mike
- Chance
- Digby
- Frank
- Lee
- Sadie
- Jerry
- Chloe
- Kelso
- Hero
You can find even more popular border collie names here.
References and Further Reading:
Ahrnsen, R., 2015, “10 Famous Herding Dogs,” Guild of Shepherds and Collies,” 2015
AKC, “Border Collie Dog Breed Information,” American Kennel Club
Campbell, A., 2017, “The Most Popular Dog Names in Wales Revealed,” The Daily Post
Huddleston, T., “Prefix and Suffix Names,” International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS)
O’Hearn, H., “Famous Border Collies – Fly & Rex,” Border Collie Fan Club
Presberg, C., “BC Names,” Border Collie Museum
Sedghi, A., 2014, “From Poppy to Sherlock: The UK’s Most Popular Pet Names,” The Guardian
Rahs says
What about SPARKY!
Tom says
We have two BC pups presently, Sophie & Grace, they are our third & fourth BC. The breed is wonderful, they make me laugh daily, I believe they would trade their life for me and I for them also. People who do not have dogs would think of this as crazy and would not be able to understand the bond. I am very grateful to have them as my friends.
Colette says
We had Meghan Molly Galayva. Her son was George Robert Bruce. We just lost him after 16 marvellous years with the world’s best border collie.
Susan says
We rescued this large female with yellow and brown/black matte fur. Bad skin condition but she needed a home and we fell in love. We named her Buddy because she looked like the stuffed animal dog my brother had when growing up and his name was Buddy. After many many “tar” baths I come down the stairs & see her laying on the couch and her fur is bright bright white and shiny black. OMG I shouted, Buddy is a Border Collie! And she sure was, as her healthy skin returned her activity level picked up & I never ever won a game of soccer with her. She’d herd the other dogs up when it was time to go in to eat. What a wonderful, amazing BUDDY!!
Elaine says
My sons collie was called Tia. We’ve had 5 altogether.
Ranko says
My BC I found in an orphanage in Croatia, she was few months old, i even didnt know what breed she was. She is the dearest dog i ever had. Her name is Tarita, loves People, children, always joyfull and full of icredible energy. Love at first sight. RANKO FROM RIJEKA, CROATIA
Grace says
Hi I’m about to rescue a BC he is 4months. I don’t think he has had any training so any tips would be great :).
BARB WELLINGTON says
My Border Collie died February 9th 2020. His name was Achilliel.
Jeff says
My Border Collie’s name is Callie, I rescued her when she was just about a year old. Since that day she is my constant companion and fills my every moment with absolute love and devotion. Truly heaven on earth…
michael lawrence says
My Border Collie is named Aeon. First because I hated dogs and said I wouldn’t get one in a thousand years.
Secondly because he’s absolutely the most incredible guy I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.
Sal says
My border collies name is Marshall
Madison says
My Border Collie mixed with Husky name is Aurora
The Puppy Cuddles Lac Mck says
My dog is a girl she is a tricouler border collie called jessie
Bibiana says
My BC is Carry but we call she Cara
My fried BC is Oreo
And the super collies (Sara Carson)
Border collies named Hero Marvel Loki Groot and Hawkie (Hawk)❤️i really love border collies ❤️💪
Barbara Maria Kornelak says
My BC is “Oreo”.
Jess says
I have a border collie named missy which I heard was a popular name, didn’t see it here tho??
Marie Massey says
Yeah, my girl is called Sky which I heard is a popular Border Collie name but this is not here either, guess that makes us more unique 😁
Sonika Schroeder says
We adopted a Border Collie from a working sheep farm several years ago who was named “Kep”. It was a strange name to my ears and I think the owner could see it on my face. She told me it’s a very traditional name for a Border Collie. I didn’t see it on any list here and I am trying to find the origin and meaning of the name. Can anyone help? We lost our beloved Kep very recently due to cancer and I am trying to put together a book of his life for our family. A man’s name is his signature, so I absolutely want to include it, and it’s meaning/origin.
I would so appreciate anyone’s help.
With gratitude,
Sonika Schroeder
Emma says
Thank for your help I think I will name her Amber
Max says
Love them!!!!