You probably think you know the names of the 101 dalmatians. You've seen the 1961 Disney classic, or maybe the Glenn Close live-action version where she basically chews the scenery for breakfast. Most people can rattle off five or six names before they hit a wall. Lucky? Sure. Rolly? Obviously. But here is the thing: there aren’t actually 101 names. Not in the movie, at least.
If you sit down to count them while watching the original film, you’re going to end up frustrated. Disney never named all 99 puppies. They named about six or seven major ones and left the rest to be a sea of adorable, moving inkblots. It makes sense from a production standpoint—giving 99 dogs unique personalities and dialogue would be a nightmare—but it’s a bit of a letdown for the completionists among us.
Honestly, the "real" history of these names is a bit of a mess because it changes depending on whether you’re reading the original 1956 book by Dodie Smith, watching the animated movie, or diving into the modern spin-offs.
The Core Crew: Names You Actually Remember
In the 1961 animated masterpiece, we start with the parents. Most people remember Pongo and Perdita. Fun fact: in the original book The Hundred and One Dalmatians, Pongo’s wife isn't even named Perdita. Her name is Missis. The character named Perdita in the book is actually a stray the humans (the Dearlys, not the Radcliffes) take in to help nurse the massive litter. Disney just mashed them together because, let’s be real, having two mom-dogs is confusing for a kid's movie.
Once the puppies arrive, a few stand out immediately. These are the ones who get actual screen time and lines.
- Lucky: He’s the one who almost didn't make it. Roger rubs him back to life after he's born, which is probably the most stressful scene in a "G" rated movie. He has a horseshoe-shaped spot on his back, though in the 101 Dalmatians TV series, they changed his design a bit.
- Rolly: The round one. You know the vibe. He’s always hungry. His main personality trait is wanting food, which, honestly, is very relatable.
- Patch: He’s got the black eye patch. He’s usually the bold one, obsessed with the TV hero Thunderbolt.
- Penny: She’s the sweet one who usually sits at Pongo’s feet.
- Freckles: He’s the pup who likes to sit on Pongo’s head. He has a bunch of tiny spots across his nose.
- Pepper: Usually mentioned as one of the 15 original puppies, though he doesn't get as much "character" as the others.
The Mystery of the Other 84
Wait, if there are 15 original puppies and 2 parents, that's only 17. Where do the other 84 come from? Cruella, in her infinite greed, bought up every dalmatian puppy in London to make that infamous coat. When Pongo and Perdita (or Missis) go to rescue their kids, they find a total of 99 puppies.
🔗 Read more: Love Island UK Who Is Still Together: The Reality of Romance After the Villa
Disney fans often scour the credits or old merchandise to find names for the extras. Over the years, books and toys have filled in some of the gaps. Names like Dipstick, Wizzer, Jewel, and Two-Tone appeared in later projects, like the 1996 live-action film or the animated series.
Dipstick is easy to spot because the end of his tail is black, like it was dipped in ink. Wizzer... well, he has a bladder control problem. It’s a bit of a mean name if you think about it. Two-Tone is a fan favorite because half of her head is black and the other half is white.
The Dodie Smith Originals (The Book Names)
If you go back to the source material—the 1956 novel—the names feel a bit more British and "vintage." Dodie Smith was a brilliant writer, and she gave the dogs names that felt less like "cartoon characters" and more like actual pets from that era.
In the book, the 15 original puppies include:
- Lucky
- Patch
- Cadpig (The runt, whose name is an old English term for the smallest pig in a litter)
- Roly Poly (What Disney shortened to Rolly)
- Gay (Yes, that was a common name for a happy dog in the 50s)
Wait, did you catch that? Cadpig is a huge character in the book and the 90s TV show, but she’s essentially invisible in the 1961 movie. She’s tiny, neurotic, and incredibly smart. If you haven't read the book, you're missing out on her "spiritual" connection to the other animals.
💡 You might also like: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
101 Dalmatian Street: The Modern 99
If you really want a list of 101 names, you have to look at the 2019 series 101 Dalmatian Street. This show is wild. It’s set in modern London and follows the descendants of the original Pongo and Perdita. The parents are Doug and Delilah, and they have 99 puppies.
And get this: every single one of their names starts with the letter D.
It’s a gimmick, but it actually gives us a full list of names. You’ve got Dylan and Dolly (the leads), Dante (the goth dog who thinks the world is ending), Da Vinci (the artist), Deepak (the zen yogi dog), Diesel, Dorothy, and a bunch of triplets named Destiny, Dallas, and Déjà Vu.
Is it "canon"? To Disney, yes. To a purist who only likes the 1961 film? Probably not. But if you're looking for names of the 101 dalmatians to name your own pack of dogs, this is the only place you'll find a full, officially licensed list of nearly 100 unique names.
The "Fake" Names Problem
You’ll often see lists online that claim to name all 101 dogs from the original movie. Be careful. Most of those are made up by fans or pulled from very obscure 1960s coloring books.
📖 Related: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
In the actual 1961 film, Nanny and Roger only ever say about six names. During the "roll call" or when they're getting their collars, the movie focuses on the "main" pups. The rest are just there to fill the frame. If someone tells you there’s a dog named "Spotty" or "Blackie" in the 1961 movie, they might be right—those names are used in some of the early draft scripts—but they aren't emphasized on screen.
Why the Names Still Matter Today
People are still obsessed with these names because Dalmatians are, quite literally, walking canvases. Each dog is different. When you look at the names of the 101 dalmatians, you’re looking at how people name things based on physical traits (Patch, Freckles) or personality (Rolly, Lucky).
It’s a masterclass in character design. You don’t need to know the names of the other 84 puppies to care about them because they represent the "innocent collective." But for those of us who grew up with the VHS tape on repeat, those few names—Lucky, Rolly, Patch—become our entry point into the story.
If you’re naming a dog today and want a "101" vibe, the best strategy is to look at your dog’s spots. Is there a cluster that looks like a smudge? Name them Smudge. Do they have one black ear? Mono. The legacy of Pongo and Perdita isn't just a list of names; it’s the idea that every single "dot" has a story.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Pet Owners:
- Read the book: If you want the "real" names like Missis and Cadpig, Dodie Smith’s original novel is significantly more detailed than the movies.
- Check the 101 Dalmatian Street Wiki: If you need exactly 99 names for a project, that series is the only official source that actually provides a full "D" themed list.
- Look for physical "tells": Disney's animators used the names to help the audience identify the dogs (e.g., Dipstick’s tail, Patch’s eye). If you're naming a pet, use their most unique physical quirk as the name-base.
- Don't stress the "full list": Accept that in the 1961 movie, the "unnamed" puppies are a stylistic choice to emphasize the overwhelming number of dogs Cruella tried to steal.
The names of the 101 dalmatians are less of a static list and more of an evolving piece of pop culture history. Whether you prefer the classic 15 or the modern "D" names, the spirit of the 101 remains the same: family, survival, and a whole lot of spots.