The original Star Trek series aired on NBC television from 1966-69, garnering just mediocre ratings before it was canceled after the third season. It’s probably safe to say that nobody would have predicted then the loyal fanbase that would develop around the franchise. Here we are more than 50 years later, and it’s still going strong! With such a large following, it’s no wonder that Star Trek dog names are always a good idea.
Main Cast Inspired Dog Names
There are plenty of places to start looking for inspiration around Star Trek dog names, and none of them better than the show’s main cast. As viewers got to know them as characters, their individual habits and traits developed influence beyond the show itself. All seven turn out to be good, clever choices in the right situation.
- Kirk. As a character, Captain James T. Kirk invokes both authority and strength. For a strong, stable dog, Kirk might just fit the bill.
- Spock. His pointed ears, controversial in development, became an iconic physical feature identified with wisdom and intelligence. Spock fits for both pointy eared dogs and intelligent or well trained dogs of any species.
- Bones. Back story written into a later film tells us that Dr. McCoy’s nickname describes his sense of poverty after losing everything in a divorce. “All I got left is my bones,” he tells Kirk on first meeting. Bones might be a good choice when taking a rescue home from the shelter.
- Scotty. Scrappy, emotional, protective, always game for a challenge. Without a doubt, Scotty is perfect for a Scottish terrier.
- Uhura. I love Uhura. Does anyone else find it ironic that the communications officer, an expert in linguistics and philology, has the only name that is difficult to pronounce? Uhura would be a good inside joke for a dog who likes to bark.
- Chekov. Pavel Chekov was considered a youthful addition to the Enterprise crew. Smart and capable, but inexperienced. Chekov may be just the right name for a promising puppy.
- Sulu. Named for the Sulu Sea, located in the Philippines, this character was intended to invoke a general Asian cultural sense of calm. Could that make Sulu a good choice for well behaved hounds?
Actual Star Trek Dog Names?
Some folks might want to use the name of an actual dog who appeared in the original Star Trek series. Unfortunately, there don’t seem to have been any named dogs included! The only dog who figures in the original series adventures was an unnamed “unicorn dog” in episode 1:5 The Enemy Within. When a transporter malfunction splits Kirk into two separate personas, unicorn dog is used to test the repair before running Kirk through to reunite his two halves. The dog comes back whole, but dead, throwing doubt on whether Kirk will survive.
There are many dogs in other parts of the Star Trek universe, which are bound to appear in other posts.
