Halloween is the only time of year when dressing your pet in a wildly dramatic alter ego feels perfectly natural amidst the festive decorations.
Your dog isn’t called Milo anymore. He is called Count Barkula, his voice low and smooth, echoing softly in the dim light.
Your cat isn’t curled up beneath the table, its gaze fixed critically on all the people around. Her name is Wednesday, carrying an air of calm and intrigue.
And that bunny in a tiny cape? Obviously Bunnicula.
That’s part of the enjoyment of dressing pets up for Halloween. The outfit looks fantastic, but choosing the right costume name really enhances the entire look.
Whether your pet is dressed as a ghost, witch, vampire, superhero, anime character, mythical creature, or something delightfully absurd that somehow fits, a playful name can bring the costume to life with personality.
If you’re looking for inspiration for dogs, cats, bunnies, or any small creature patient enough to join your Halloween fun, here are some spooky, silly, and pop-culture-inspired ideas from the United States, Europe, and Asia, complete with vivid imagery and playful themes.
Traditional Halloween Names That Consistently Impress
Certain Halloween names have become classics because they evoke a spooky atmosphere.
Boo is nearly impossible to get wrong, no matter what you do. This works for tiny dogs, black cats, white bunnies, and basically any pet that loves to appear suddenly at your side, often accompanied by a faint rustle or gentle purring.
Pumpkin is another seasonal favourite, filling the air with a warm, earthy aroma.
Is that an orange cat, with fur glowing warmly in the sunlight? Pumpkin.
A golden retriever wearing a cozy orange sweater, its fur glowing softly in the warm light. The pumpkin sat on the table, its bright orange skin glowing softly in the dim light.
A chubby bunny sat softly next to a flickering jack-o’-lantern. Intensely reminiscent of pumpkin.
Then there are names like Ghost, Shadow, Midnight, Raven, Salem, Fang, Bones, Spooky, Batty, Cobweb, Hex, Moon, Phantom, Monster, Magic, and Jack, each evoking images of eerie whispers and rustling leaves in the night air.
These are particularly convenient if the costume is straightforward and simple.
The scent of leather from the black bandana mixed with the quiet murmur of the name Midnight.
Done.
A small white cape fluttered as the name Ghost echoed softly.
Immediate Halloween excitement filled the air.
Occasionally, it’s unnecessary to have seventeen accessories and a fog machine. A lot of the effort can be done by the name itself.
American Pop Culture-Inspired Costume Titles
American movies and television have richly contributed to the celebration of Halloween.
There are witches, ghosts, vampires, strange families, supernatural creatures, masked villains, and a host of eccentric characters whose quirks could fill a whole neighborhood of pets, each with their own peculiar sounds and scents.
Wednesday
If your pet has mastered a gaze of silent disappointment, Wednesday makes a perfect choice.
This is particularly effective for black cats, solemn-looking bunnies, or dogs who seem to think the Halloween photo shoot is beneath their dignity.
A black outfit and tiny white collar can make the reference instantly recognizable.
The best part is that the pet does not even need to smile.
In fact, it is probably better if they do not.
Beetlejuice
For pets with chaotic energy, there is Beetlejuice.
You know the type.
They appear from nowhere.
They knock something over.
They refuse to explain themselves.
A black-and-white striped costume makes this one even better.
You can also shorten it to Beetle if shouting “Beetlejuice, stop eating that decoration!” across the room feels like a lot.
Binx
A black cat and Halloween are already a perfect combination, so Binx from Hocus Pocus practically chooses itself.
Other fun options from the same world include Winifred, Winnie, Sarah, Mary, and Sanderson.
If you have three pets, you may already know where this is going.
Congratulations.
You have the Sanderson Sisters.
Whether all three will sit still for the photo is another matter.
Jack, Sally and Zero
The Nightmare Before Christmas gives us several fantastic costume names.
Jack is perfect for skeleton costumes.
Sally has a sweet, slightly spooky feel.
And Zero is especially adorable for white dogs or other pale-colored pets dressed as ghosts.
A little white dog named Zero drifting around the house in a ghost costume is frankly difficult to beat.
Stay Puft
For the fluffiest pet in the house, consider Stay Puft.
This one works best when the pet is white, round, heavily floofed, or all three.
A Samoyed?
Stay Puft.
A giant fluffy rabbit?
Also Stay Puft.
A very round white cat who looks personally offended by the costume?
Absolutely Stay Puft.
European-Inspired Costume Names
Europe has been serving up eerie stories, legends, vampires, witches, and mysterious creatures for centuries.
Halloween owes it a lot.
Dracula
Few names say Halloween quite as efficiently as Dracula.
Add a black cape and suddenly even the friendliest little dog becomes a creature of the night.
Sort of.
You can also use Drac, Vlad, or Count.
And of course, for dogs, there is the gloriously unavoidable:
Count Barkula.
Some puns are too powerful to ignore.
Sherlock Bones
A detective costume is already charming.
A detective dog called Sherlock Bones?
Better.
This is ideal for any pet who spends the day investigating deeply important mysteries such as:
- Who opened the snack cupboard?
- Where did the squeaky toy go?
- Why is there food on that plate that nobody is sharing?
Cats can get in on the action with Purrlock Holmes.
Harry Pawter
Wizard costumes and pets were meant to find each other.
A dog can become Harry Pawter.
A bunny can become Hare-y Potter.
A cat can attempt Hermione Purranger, if you are fully committed to the bit.
You can also skip the puns and borrow magical names like Luna, Sirius, Remus, Albus, Minerva, or Hagrid.
A huge shaggy dog named Hagrid barely even needs a costume.
Gandalf
Some pets simply look wise.
Or at least very bearded.
For them, there is Gandalf.
Other fantasy-inspired names include Frodo, Bilbo, Arwen, Legolas, Pippin, Merry, and Gollum.
Gollum is particularly appropriate for the pet who curls possessively around one favorite toy and refuses to let anyone else near it.
“My precious” energy is real.
Nessie
Not every Halloween costume has to be scary.
Nessie, inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, is perfect for dinosaur, dragon, or sea-creature costumes.
It is especially good for long-bodied dogs.
Dachshunds, this may be your moment.
Banshee
Does your pet have opinions?
Loud opinions?
Consider Banshee, inspired by the supernatural figure from Irish folklore known for her haunting cry.
Huskies may feel especially seen by this suggestion.
So might certain cats.
Japanese and Asian Pop-Culture Costume Names
Anime, games, films, and folklore from across Asia offer some of the most fun Halloween costume inspiration around.
There are ghosts, magical creatures, monsters, shapeshifters, and characters that are already halfway to a costume.
Pikachu
Put yellow ears on a small pet and there is a very good chance someone will immediately say:
“Pikachu!”
Dogs, cats, and bunnies can all pull this off.
Other Pokémon-inspired names include Eevee, Gengar, Mimikyu, Meowth, Snorlax, Jigglypuff, and Gastly.
For Halloween, Gengar and Mimikyu are especially good.
Gengar already looks like a mischievous little ghost.
And Mimikyu is basically a tiny spooky creature wearing a disguise.
That is Halloween.
Jiji
Black cat?
Meet Jiji.
Inspired by the black cat from Kiki’s Delivery Service, this name is cute, recognizable, and fits the season without sounding overly spooky.
If you have two pets, Kiki and Jiji make an especially sweet pair.
Totoro
If your pet is round, fluffy, grey, big-eared, or some combination of the above, Totoro may be calling.
The name works wonderfully for rabbits, cats, and fluffy dogs.
Bonus points if the pet looks permanently surprised.
No-Face
A simple black-and-white costume can turn a pet into No-Face, inspired by Spirited Away.
This is a great option if you want something eerie without going for a standard vampire, skeleton, or witch.
It also works particularly well for pets who silently appear in doorways and stare at you.
Cats, once again, have an unfair advantage here.
Kitsune
In Japanese folklore, kitsune are supernatural fox spirits.
That makes Kitsune a perfect costume name for fox-like breeds such as Shiba Inus, Akitas, and Pomeranians.
Fluffy tail?
Pointy ears?
Mysterious confidence?
You are already halfway there.
Jade Rabbit
Rabbit owners have some especially beautiful folklore to work with.
The Jade Rabbit, associated with moon legends in East Asian traditions, makes a lovely Halloween costume theme for a white or pale-colored bunny.
You can also use Jade, Moon Bunny, Mooncake, or Luna.
A white bunny with a moon-and-stars accessory is less “scary Halloween” and more “mysterious woodland magic.”
Which still counts.
Dokkaebi
For mischievous pets, Dokkaebi is a fun option inspired by supernatural beings from Korean folklore.
This is a good fit for the animal who steals socks, opens cabinets, relocates objects, or somehow appears in a room you were certain was closed.
You know.
Goblin behavior.
Halloween Costume Names for Dogs
Dogs give us an almost unreasonable number of pun opportunities.
Naturally, we should use them.
- Count Barkula — The obvious choice for a vampire cape.
- Frankenpup — Green costume optional, dramatic neck bolts encouraged.
- Hairy Pawter — Especially good for shaggy dogs.
- Sherlock Bones — Magnifying glass not required.
- Indiana Bones — For adventurous dogs who treat every walk like an archaeological expedition.
- Bark Vader — For dogs choosing the dark side.
- Chewbarka — Best on a very fluffy dog.
- Pupkin — Ideal for a tiny pumpkin costume.
- Wolfie — Simple, classic, and great for huskies or shepherds.
- Cerberus — For the mighty guardian of the underworld.
Or, in most homes, the mighty guardian of the front window.
Halloween Costume Names for Cats
Cats barely need costumes.
They already spend half their lives creeping silently through dark hallways and staring at things nobody else can see.
That is Halloween dedication.
Great cat costume names include Salem, Binx, Wednesday, Raven, Jiji, Luna, Shadow, Midnight, Morticia, Phantom, Elvira, Hex, and Magic.
And then there are the pun names.
- Count Catula
- Meowficent
- Purrlock Holmes
- Mewtwo
- Catbus
That last one is especially good for orange cats and fans of My Neighbor Totoro.
Of course, your cat may decide that wearing a costume is unacceptable.
In that case, place a pumpkin somewhere nearby and call the whole thing conceptual.
Halloween Costume Names for Bunnies
Bunnies might secretly have the best Halloween names.
There is simply too much pun potential.
First, the champion:
Bunnicula.
A vampire bunny named Bunnicula is difficult to improve upon.
But there are contenders.
- Harry Hopper
- Hare-y Potter
- Bun Solo
- Obi-Wan Bunobi
- Count Bunula
- Boo Bunny
- Moon Bunny
- Jade Rabbit
- Peter Bun
And for a bunny with unexpectedly intimidating energy:
Dark Lord Bunemort.
Possibly ridiculous?
Yes.
Would we still use it?
Also yes.
Costume Names for Two or More Pets
Multiple pets mean you do not just have a costume.
You have a cast.
Three pets can become Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Or Winifred, Sarah and Mary.
Or Jack, Sally and Zero.
Pokémon fans could go with Pikachu, Eevee and Gengar.
Studio Ghibli fans might choose Kiki, Jiji and Totoro.
Pairs are fun too.
- Trick and Treat
- Batman and Catwoman
- Hansel and Gretel
- Dracula and Van Helsing
- Kiki and Jiji
Or just Boo and Ghost, which sounds suspiciously like the start of a cartoon series.
Match the Costume Name to the Personality
The funniest Halloween names usually happen when the character somehow matches the pet.
A very serious black cat?
Wednesday.
A puppy who enters every room at maximum speed?
Beetlejuice.
A dramatic husky?
Banshee.
A Shiba Inu with a suspicious amount of confidence?
Kitsune.
A dog whose main hobby is napping?
Snorlax.
A rabbit who quietly controls every decision in the household?
Possibly Voldemort.
Or, naturally, Bunemort.
Sometimes the costume gives you the name.
Other times your pet has clearly been auditioning for the role all year.
Keep the Costume Fun
As entertaining as pet costumes can be, the pet still gets the final vote.
Some animals are perfectly happy wearing a cape or sweater.
Others react to a tiny hat as though you have committed an unforgivable betrayal.
Keep costumes lightweight and comfortable, and avoid anything that interferes with your pet’s movement, breathing, hearing, or vision.
Watch out for loose pieces that could be chewed or swallowed, and do not force an outfit if your pet seems stressed.
A Halloween bandana or themed collar can be just as fun as a full costume.
And if your pet wants absolutely nothing to do with dressing up?
No problem.
Give them a spooky name for the night and let them supervise from the couch.
So, Who Is Your Pet This Halloween?
That may be the best part of choosing a Halloween costume name.
For one night, your pet can be almost anyone.
A corgi can become Pikachu.
A black cat can become Wednesday.
A fluffy white dog can become Stay Puft.
A Shiba Inu can become Kitsune.
A bunny can become Bunnicula.
And a dachshund in a green monster costume?
Clearly Nessie.
There are no serious rules here.
Choose the name that makes you laugh, matches the costume, fits the personality, or somehow makes perfect sense the moment you say it out loud.
Because Halloween comes once a year.
You might as well spend it calling your dog Count Barkula.