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280+ Amazing Names for Coton de Tulears: Ideas for Friendly white Dogs

Chantelle Fowler

By Chantelle Fowler

Names for Coton de Tulears

Are you preparing to welcome a beautiful Coton de Tulears pup into your life soon? These lovable and happy dogs may be small, but they’re sturdy and fragile, too. This wonderful lap dog breed will bring great joy to any household.

There are many things to buy when you’re bringing home a new pet. Your Coton will need a bed to sleep in, food and water bowls, and toys. Another thing that’s probably taking up a lot of space in your mind as you prepare to come home with your new dog is what its name will be.

Naming a pet can feel like a daunting task. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed while trying to choose a name for your Coton de Tulears pup, we can help. Please keep reading to find our extensive list of over 280 names for your new little fluff ball.

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How to Choose the Perfect Name for Your Coton de Tulears

Many pet owners get caught up in choosing the perfect name for their animal. While picking the right name is important, it’s not a decision you must make immediately. You don’t have to have your dog’s name chosen before you bring it home or even during the first week. Of course, you’ll need its name once you start training it, but there’s no need to stress out about having it chosen as soon as possible. And, let’s be honest here, after a week of owning your new pup, chances are you’re going to have a handful of nicknames for it that sound nothing like its given name anyway.

We don’t recommend choosing an overused name for your Coton de Tulears. Names like Bella, Max, Bear, Luna, Buddy, and Marley are some of the most common dog names. While they’re super cute and popular for a reason, the chances of you running into another Max or Bella at the dog park are high. This can cause confusion between dogs and make recalling your own pup a challenge.

The best pet name is easy to say and rolls off the tongue. It’s short and snappy, making it easier for your dog to recognize. It doesn’t sound like a command you’ll be teaching eventually. For example, Skip can sound like Sit, and Ray can sound like Stay.

Coton de Tulear on grass
Image By: JackieLou DL, Pixabay

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Names Inspired by Its Country of Origin

Coton de Tulears were developed on the island of Madagascar and are still considered to be the official dog of the island today. Madagascar is located around 400 kilometers off the coast of East Africa. It’s the world’s second-biggest island country and is home to over 30 million people. Madagascar doesn’t only consist of just one island, however. Many smaller peripheral islands are part of the country. The national language of Madagascar is Malagasy, but French is another official language of the country.

Consider naming your new pup after its country of origin. Below you’ll find some ideas inspired by places in Madagascar and name options in the country’s official languages.

Places in Madagascar

  • Ambaro
  • Antsirabe
  • Beloha
  • Boeny
  • Diana
  • Fandriana
  • Ifaty
  • Ikongo
  • Isalo
  • Lokobe
  • Mangily
  • Masoala
  • Morondava
  • Sakatia
  • Sofia
  • Toamasina
  • Toliara
  • Tritriva
  • Tsingy
  • Tulear
  • Zahamena

Malagasy Names & Their Meaning

  • Ahitra: grass
  • Amboara: a sheaf of grain
  • Avana: rainbow
  • Avotra: redemption
  • Dera: praise
  • Diamondra: diamond
  • Diera: deer
  • Eja: elegance
  • Falisoa: to be pleased
  • Faly: content
  • Fano: sea turtle
  • Fiara: protective charm
  • Harena: riches
  • Henika: having all
  • Hery: power
  • Kalo: melancholy song
  • Landy: silk
  • Lisy: lily
  • Mahary: create
  • Mamy: sweet
  • Miorika: ascend
  • Nary: fire
  • Nofy: dream
  • Noro: source of life
  • Onja: wave
  • Ony: river
  • Ravo: happy
  • Sanda: value
  • Tafika: blessed
  • Teza: heartwood
  • Toky: confidence
  • Vanona: successful
  • Vivy: type of small waterfowl
  • Volana: moon
  • Zava: clearness
Coton de Tulear running outside
Image By: Chica de Tulear, Pixabay

French Names & Their Meaning

  • Adeline: noble
  • Ami: friend
  • Amour: love
  • Anais: grace
  • Annabelle: favored grace
  • Aslan: lion
  • Auguste: great
  • Beau: handsome
  • Belle: Beautiful
  • Blanche: white
  • Celeste: celestial
  • Chanceux: lucky
  • Emile: rival
  • Enzo: conquering
  • Esme: beloved
  • Hercule: glory
  • Laure: winner
  • Leon: lion
  • Linette: linen
  • Marguerite: pearl
  • Mireille: to admire
  • Nana: slang for lady
  • Nanette: grace
  • Odette: wealthy
  • Pierre: stone
  • Pipou: excited
  • Reine: queen
  • Renard: fox
  • Ronan: little seal
  • Solange: religious

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Madagascar Movie Pop Culture

  • Alex
  • Fossa
  • Gloria
  • Julien
  • Kowalski
  • Marty
  • Mason
  • Maurice
  • Melman
  • Mort
  • Rico
  • Phil
  • Skipper
coton de tulear dog sitting on grass
Image Credit: BIGANDT.COM, Shutterstock

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Names Inspired by Its Coat

The Coton is known for its fluffy and thick cotton-like coat. Though most have beautiful white fur, other colors may be present in the coat. Some Cotons have shades of light grey or red road in their ears. They can also be black or tri-color with champagne patches. Consider naming your new pooch something related to its unique coat texture and coloring.

  • Alaska
  • Aspen
  • Avalanche
  • Biscuit
  • Blizzard
  • Blondie
  • Brie
  • Casper
  • Chantilly
  • Chiffon
  • Cloud
  • Coconut
  • Cotton
  • Cotie
  • Crystal
  • Dove
  • Eggshell
  • Elsa
  • Fluffy
  • Frosty
  • Lace
  • Lalu
  • Marshmallow
  • Milkshake
  • Myst
  • Phantom
  • Powder
  • Puffball
  • Puffin
  • Ruffles
  • Scruffy
  • Snowball
  • Snowflake
  • Spirit
  • Sprite
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Winter
  • Wispy

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Names Inspired by Nature

While Coton de Tulears are more of a lapdog than an outdoor adventurer, they still enjoy a romp outside now and then. Even if your Coton does not like to spend much time outdoors, you might consider a beautiful, nature-inspired name for your pup. Here are some of our favorites and their meanings.

Flowers & Plants

  • Alfalfa
  • Aloe
  • Basil
  • Berry
  • Bluebell
  • Blossom
  • Briar
  • Buttercup
  • Camellia
  • Clover
  • Coral
  • Cosmos
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Fern
  • Fleur
  • Garland
  • Indigo
  • Iris
  • Ivy
  • Lotus
  • Magnolia
  • Marigold
  • Niraj
  • Peaches
  • Peony
  • Periwinkle
  • Petunia
  • Poppy
  • Primrose
  • Rosalind
  • Thistle
  • Truffle
  • Sundrop
  • Violet
  • Zinnia
Coton de Tulear sitting on grass
Image Credit: JacLou DL, Pixabay

Trees & Forests

  • Acacia
  • Alder
  • Ash
  • Bonsai
  • Cedar
  • Cypress
  • Elm
  • Forest
  • Grover
  • Hemlock
  • Holly
  • Juniper
  • Koa
  • Leaf
  • Linden
  • Maple
  • Myrtle
  • Rowen
  • Spruce
  • Willow

Ocean & Water

  • Adriatic
  • Ariel
  • Aruba
  • Atlas
  • Athena
  • Azure
  • Bay
  • Bermuda
  • Blue
  • Brooke
  • Cancun
  • Capri
  • Catalina
  • Coast
  • Coral
  • Coraline
  • Cordelia
  • Dory
  • Kai
  • Kraken
  • Marina
  • Marlin
  • Maui
  • Minnow
  • Moana
  • Nemo
  • Nerissa
  • Ocean
  • Orca
  • Poseidon
  • Puffer
  • Sandy
  • Splash
  • Surf
  • Tide
Coton de Tulear Green
Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay

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Names Inspired by Famous People or Pets

Some pet owners name their dogs after a famous person or pet. Maybe you have a favorite TV show or movie character that will suit your new pooch. You might also consider naming your Coton de Tulear after a celebrity’s dog. Here are some of our favorite names inspired by celebrities and pop culture.

Celebrity Names

  • Aretha (Franklin)
  • Audrey (Hepburn)
  • Blake (Lively)
  • Channing (Tatum)
  • Demi (Lovato)
  • Elliot (Page)
  • Freddy (Mercury)
  • Gaga (Lady Gaga)
  • Heath (Ledger)
  • Kylie (Kardashian)
  • Leonardo (DiCaprio)
  • Marlon (Brando)
  • Mila (Kunis)
  • Miley (Cyrus)
  • Nicki (Minaj)
  • Oprah (Winfrey)
  • Orville (Redenbacher)
  • Ringo (Starr)
  • Shania (Twain)
  • Swift (Taylor)
  • Taylor (Taylor Swift)
coton miki in grass
Image credit: Lulub, Shutterstock

Famous Dogs

  • Beethoven (from the “Beethoven” movies)
  • Blue (from Blues clues)
  • Bolt (from Bolt)
  • Brian (from Family Guy)
  • Bruiser (from Legally Blonde)
  • Cheddar (from Brooklyn 99)
  • Comet (from Full House)
  • Doug (the most followed pug on the internet)
  • Hooch (from Turner & Hooch)
  • Lassie (from Lassie)
  • Marley (from Marley and Me)
  • Old Yeller (from Old Yeller)
  • Perdita (from 101 Dalmatians)
  • Petey (from The Little Rascals)
  • Pongo (from 101 Dalmatians)
  • Rin Tin Tin (from The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin)
  • Slinky (from Toy Story)
  • Toto (from The Wizard of Oz)

Celebrity’s Dog Names

  • Baxter (Ryan Reynolds)
  • Blanco (Brad Pitt)
  • Cairo (Macklemore)
  • Choupette (Karl Lagerfeld)
  • Esmerelda (Anne Hathaway)
  • Flossie (Drew Barrymore)
  • Indo (Will Smith)
  • Kola (Kellan Lutz)
  • Lola (Kristen Bell)
  • Lolita (Gerard Butler)
  • Meatball (Adam Sandler)
  • Mighty (Orlando Bloom)
  • Mr. Famous (Audrey Hepburn)
  • Neville (Marc Jacobs)
  • Norman (Jennifer Anniston)
  • Taco (Harrison Ford)
  • Vida (Demi Moore)
  • Winston (Gwen Stefani)
  • Zelda (Zooey Deschanel)

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Summing Up

Choosing the perfect name for your new pup can feel daunting. Remember that you don’t need to name your pet when it comes home with you. Give yourself a few days to try out some of the names you’ve shortlisted to see which feels best rolling off the tongue and which names you believe best suit your new family member.


Featured Image Credit: Lunja, Shutterstock

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