Back in 2004, a UK survey found that nearly half of young dog owners would name their pup after Sylvester Stallone’s iconic characters—Rocky or Rambo. Twenty years later, those names still carry serious weight with pet owners, especially among fans of the Rocky franchise.
Rocky and Rambo: Still Top Dog
Every year new pet name trends hit the scene—2024 brought a wave of “Taylor” and “Kelce” thanks to pop culture. But names like Rocky and Rambo don’t fade. They stick around because they mean something. For guys who grew up on the series, giving your dog a name like that is a nod to strength, loyalty, and staying power.
And for those who know Stallone’s world inside and out, there’s one name that stands out above the rest.
Butkus: The Original Rocky Dog
Stallone’s real-life dog, Butkus, was a big, blocky bullmastiff who wasn’t just a pet—he was family. The dog appeared alongside Sly in both Rocky and Rocky II, hanging out in the gym and at Rocky’s apartment.
Stallone has said in interviews that he still misses Butkus today. And fans haven’t forgotten either. Among diehards, “Butkus” remains a favorite dog name—and not just because it sounds tough. It’s about loyalty. About being there in the hardest times.
Rocky’s Animal Kingdom: Cuff, Link, and Moby Dick
In Rocky Balboa, we meet a new dog named Punchy. Rocky adopts him from a shelter where he chats with Steps about naming pets:
“What do you think is like, a good name?”
“You pet ’em, you feed ’em, and nature takes its course.”
“Don’t you want to name an animal? I think every guy should at one time try to name an animal something.”
It’s a classic Rocky moment—quiet, honest, and all heart.
Rocky’s also had two turtles, Cuff and Link, who show up in the first movie and again decades later in Creed. There’s also Moby Dick, a goldfish. And let’s not forget the scene where he tosses leftover candy out the window to feed the birds. He’s not a pet expert—he just knows how to show affection in his own way.
The Fan-Favorite: Butkus For the Win
Among fans, Rocky and Rambo are still popular dog names, but the community has gone deeper. We’ve met more than a few pups named Butkus, and even a cat named Sly. That’s dedication. If you’re one of those fans raising a four-legged fighter of your own, swing by the pets section of our shop—we’ve got gear your animal might just approve of. Nothing too flashy. Just the kind of stuff Rocky himself would’ve picked up on a quiet walk to Adrian’s pet shop.
