70 Border Collie Names

Border Collies have a rich history and are renowned for a few standout characteristics. Knowing a little bit about the breed can help as you embark on your quest for the perfect Border Collie name. 

The breed hails from the British Isles, where they have been used to herd sheep in the highlands of Scotland and Wales for going on two centuries. They excel at this job and continue to be used as farm dogs across the world.

Though Border Collies are frequently seen in black and white, they can be any color or combination of colors with any type of markings. 

Famously known as the smartest dog breed, the Border Collie is as intelligent and energetic as a two or three-year-old human child. If you’ve been around many toddlers, you know this means an endless amount of energy and an insatiable desire to learn and play.

Even if you don't have any sheep to herd, Border Collies do best when they have a job to do, whether that's training for a competitive dog sport like agility or obedience, or learning new commands and impressive tricks.

Border Collies aren't necessarily the right breed for novice dog owners. They require a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and to prevent problem behaviors from developing, but they are also loyal, fun, and eager to please.

Whether you just brought home a new Border Collie puppy or recently adopted an adult Border Collie or Border Collie mix, choosing a name is an important first job.

Though not a requirement, it’s fun to choose a name that ties into the breed’s origins, looks, and temperament. Below are 70 names for Border Collies that could offer up some inspiration.

Top Border Collie Names

These classic Border Collie names, pulled from all categories, have an old-fashioned, traditional feel, harkening back to the highlands of the British Isles where the breed impressed all who beheld their dazzling sheep herding skills. 

• Bob
• Cap
• Chase
• Crook
• Cutter
• Dash
• Flash
• Fly
• Gyp
• Jet
• Laddie
• Lass
• Midge
• Molly
• Pip
• Prince
• Shep
• Sly

Tips for Naming Your Border Collie

When choosing a name, there are endless possibilities, but don't forget that you will, hopefully, be calling this name for many years to come. Making sure it is one that is appropriate and liked by all the family is key.

Try to keep it short and snappy, or at least one that can be easily abbreviated. Trying to call out a long, tongue-twisting name in the park could be tricky. If you live in a multi-dog household, ideally, you want to pick something that sounds significantly different to your existing dogs name to avoid confusion.

It's also worth thinking carefully before you opt for something overly goofy or unpolitically correct. You don't want to inadvertently cause offence or be embarrassed when your dog's name is called out in the vet waiting room.

British Border Collie Names 

The Border Collie is British through and through. Choosing a British name for your dog is a unique and fun way to honor your dog’s place of origin. Here are just a few very British Border Collie name ideas to get you started: 

• Andrew
• Angus
• Ashling
• Ben
• Bessie
• Bob
• Bonnie
• Cap
• Colin
• Dublin
• Floss
• Flossy
• Gael
• Glen
• Gyp
• Lass
• Lassie
• Lad
• Laddie
• Meg
• Mick
• Midge
• Misty
• Molly
• Nan
• Nell
• Paisley 
• Pip
• Prince
• Princess
• Scott

Herding Border Collie Names

Herding is what Border Collies do best. It’s in their blood. Even if your dog has never been taught the finer points of herding, simply seeing a herd of sheep in a field is often all it takes to ignite a Border Collie’s natural instincts. Consider one of these herding-inspired names for your new dog:

• Ace
• Blitz
• Chase
• Crook
• Cutter
• Dash
• Dodger
• Driver
• Drover
• Fetcher
• Flash
• Fly
• Jet
• Pastor
• Shep
• Slick
• Sly
• Sweep
• Tracker
• Trim
• Ziggy
• Zip
• Zippy

Smart Border Collie Names

Nearly everyone agrees that Border Collies are the smartest of all dog breeds. They can learn hundreds of words and be taught endless tricks—some can even sort and count objects. Choosing a brainy name for your dog just makes sense. Here are a few clever Border Collie name ideas to test out: 

• Albert
• Archimedes
• Brain
• Copernicus
• Darwin
• Descartes
• Da Vinci
• Edison
• Einstein
• Freud
• Galileo
• Holmes
• Leonardo
• Newton
• Pascal
• Professor
• Sherlock
• Tesla
• Whiz

Other Border Collie Name Ideas

If none of the names above are calling out to you, for more name ideas check out these alternative lists:

• Super Scottish Dog Names
• Uncommon Dog Names
• Black and White Dog Names