Taco Bell chihuahua name: Gidget, plus 150+ chihuahua names
158 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest
The Taco Bell chihuahua's real name was Gidget, and fans of the ads still name their pups after her or after the menu, with picks like Chalupa and Gordita. Gidget was a female chihuahua who played a male character in Taco Bell commercials from 1997 to 2000, with her famous lines voiced by comedian Carlos Alazraqui.
Below we start with the real story: the dogs and people behind the ads, plus other famous chihuahuas from film and TV. After that come 140+ chihuahua name ideas: names inspired by the ads and the menu, funny names, cute names, girl and boy names, Spanish names with their meanings and celebrity puns. Every name has a short note.
Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks
Papi
Chloe's lovestruck suitor in the 2008 film, voiced by George Lopez
Rambo
Action-hero name for a fearless little dog
Duke
A noble name for a small dog with big dignity
Salsa
For a pup who dances when the leash comes out
Bonbon
Little chocolate treat for a little brown pup
Zsa Zsa
Hollywood glamour for a pup with diva energy
Taco Bell chihuahua name and famous chihuahuas
The Taco Bell chihuahua was a female dog named Gidget (1994 to 2009). These are the names behind the ads, followed by other real and fictional chihuahua stars.
- Gidget: The real dog actor: a female chihuahua born in 1994
- Dinky: Fellow chihuahua who co-starred with Gidget in the commercials
- Carlos Alazraqui: Comedian and voice actor behind the famous Yo quiero line
- Sue Chipperton: Gidget's longtime trainer, who cared for her until 2009
- Moonie: Chihuahua actor who played Bruiser and lived with Gidget
- Bruiser Woods: Elle's dog in Legally Blonde; Gidget played his mom in 2003
- Tinkerbell: Paris Hilton's chihuahua, a 2000s celebrity in her own right
- Chloe: Pampered star of Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008), voiced by Drew Barrymore
- Papi: Chloe's lovestruck suitor in the 2008 film, voiced by George Lopez
- Montezuma: Long-haired chihuahua leader voiced by Plácido Domingo in 2008
- Tito: Feisty chihuahua in Disney's Oliver & Company, voiced by Cheech Marin
- Ren Höek: Stimpy's high-strung cartoon chihuahua pal from the 1990s
- Pearl: Named the world's shortest living dog by Guinness in 2023
- Miracle Milly: Held the smallest-dog record before Pearl; died in 2020
Names inspired by the Taco Bell chihuahua
Catchphrases, menu items and sauce packets, for a pup who loves a late-night snack.
- Yo Quiero: From the famous line; Spanish for I want
- Chalupa: Borrowed from the ad line about dropping one
- Gordita: A menu favorite the dog cheered for in one ad
- Nacho: Cheesy, crunchy and always a crowd-pleaser
- Baja: Breezy name from the Mexican peninsula
- Quesadilla: Warm, melty and a little bit extra
- Hot Sauce: For a tiny dog with a very spicy attitude
- Mild: The gentlest sauce packet, for a calm, easy pup
- Godzilla: From the 1998 ad where the dog tried to catch a giant lizard
- Taco: The obvious choice, and still one of the best
- Burrito: Chihuahuas love to burrow, so wrap this one in a blanket
- Churro: Sweet, golden and twisted like a curled-up tail
- Salsa: For a pup who dances when the leash comes out
- Guac: Short for the topping that always costs extra
- Queso: Spanish for cheese, for a pup with a cheesy grin
- Enchirito: Retro menu classic for a vintage-loving pup
- Tostada: Flat, crispy and golden, for a tan pup
- Packet: Tiny, a little spicy and found everywhere
- Fourth Meal: The chain's late-night slogan, for a pup who begs after dark
- Más: Spanish for more, borrowed from the brand's slogan
Funny chihuahua names
Big names for a small dog. The bigger the name, the bigger the laugh.
- Napoleon: An emperor's name for a dog who rules the house
- Tiny Tyrant: Rules the household from a fluffy bed
- The Boss: Everyone knows who's really in charge
- Sir Shivers: For a pup who trembles in anything under 70 degrees
- Pocket Rocket: Small, fast and fits in a jacket
- Mighty Mite: Small but absolutely convinced it's a wolf
- Kong: Ironic name for one of the world's smallest breeds
- Tank: Built tiny, acts like an armored vehicle
- Brutus: A tough-guy name for a five-pound bodyguard
- Goliath: The giant's name, for a dog the size of a sandwich
- Rambo: Action-hero name for a fearless little dog
- Moose: Giant animal, tiny dog, perfect joke
- Chewie: For a pup that chews every shoe it meets
- Diva: Demands the softest blanket and the best seat
- Sassy Pants: For a chihuahua with an opinion on everything
- Taco Tuesday: Every day is a party with this one
- Yapper: Has a lot to say, all of it loud
- Barkley: A dignified name for a very vocal dog
- Half Pint: Classic nickname for anyone small and fierce
- Snack Size: Small enough to fit in a lunchbox
- Fun Size: Tiny package, maximum entertainment
- Captain Tiny: Commands the couch with total authority
- Lil Bit: Southern-style nickname for the smallest pup
- Doorbell: Barks at every single knock, every single time
Cute chihuahua names
Sweet, tiny names for one of the world's tiniest dogs.
- Peanut: Small, sweet and the size of a snack
- Bean: Short and sweet for a pup who curls into a ball
- Cupcake: Sweet, small and topped with personality
- Cookie: A treat-sized name for a treat-loving pup
- Teacup: For the tiniest chihuahuas around
- Mini: Says it all in four letters
- Pixie: Small, magical and a little mischievous
- Coco: Chic and short, inspired by a fashion icon
- Lulu: Bouncy and fun to call across the park
- Bijou: French for jewel, for a precious little pup
- Gizmo: Small, cute and full of surprises
- Kiki: Bright and bubbly, easy to shout
- Minnie: Classic cartoon cuteness in a tiny package
- Smidge: Just a little bit of dog
- Thimble: Small enough to fit on a fingertip, almost
- Butterbean: Southern sweet name for a buttery tan pup
- Truffle: Rich, sweet and a little fancy
- Dot: The shortest name for the smallest dog
- Chi Chi: The breed's favorite nickname, doubled for extra cute
- Ladybug: Small, round and lucky to have around
- Bonbon: Little chocolate treat for a little brown pup
- Itty Bitty: Exactly what everyone says when they meet this pup
Girl chihuahua names
Glamorous, sweet and sassy names for a girl chihuahua.
- Bella: Italian for beautiful, and a top dog name
- Lola: Short, sassy and full of fun
- Princess: For a pup who expects the royal treatment
- Gigi: Chic French nickname for a stylish girl
- Fifi: Classic poodle-parlor glam on a tiny dog
- Zsa Zsa: Hollywood glamour for a pup with diva energy
- Frida: Honors Kahlo, the beloved Mexican painter
- Selena: Tribute to the Queen of Tejano music
- Penelope: Elegant, a little old-fashioned and very sweet
- Josie: Bubbly and friendly, with a pop-song feel
- Roxy: Spunky name for a rock-and-roll pup
- Marigold: The bright orange flower of Día de Muertos
- Mabel: Vintage and sweet, like a pup in a cardigan
- Trixie: For a clever girl full of tricks
- Zoe: Greek for life, and full of it
- Ruby: A precious red gem for a red-coated girl
- Lady: Classic and graceful, for a well-mannered pup
- Duchess: A noble title for a pampered pup
- Paris: Fit for a jet-setting, purse-riding pup
- Sadie: Sweet, Southern and endlessly loyal
Boy chihuahua names
Strong, charming and playful names for a boy chihuahua.
- Diego: Honors Rivera, Mexico's great muralist
- Chico: Spanish for boy or little one, perfect for this breed
- Pepe: Friendly Spanish nickname for José
- Rocco: Tough Italian name for a tiny tough guy
- Bruno: A big strong name for a small strong dog
- Oscar: Award-winning charm in a small package
- Paco: Spanish nickname for Francisco, short and snappy
- Milo: Friendly, curious and always up for a walk
- Ollie: Cheerful and bouncy, like a tail that never stops
- Leo: Latin for lion, for a pup with a lion's heart
- Rico: Spanish for rich or delicious, both fitting
- Louie: Easygoing, jazzy and full of charm
- Max: Short, punchy and full of attitude
- Felix: Latin for lucky and happy
- Hugo: Bold and classic, a name with presence
- Toby: Sweet, loyal and always ready to cuddle
- Buster: For a rowdy pup who escapes every playpen
- Bandit: Great for a pup with a dark mask marking
- Duke: A noble name for a small dog with big dignity
- Romeo: For a lovesick pup who adores everyone
Spanish chihuahua names
The chihuahua is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. These Spanish names honor the breed's roots, each with its meaning.
- Chula: Mexican Spanish for cute or lovely
- Chispa: Means spark, for a pup full of energy
- Pulga: Means flea, a loving nickname for tiny ones
- Canela: Spanish for cinnamon, great for a tan coat
- Cielo: Means sky, and it's also a sweet term of endearment
- Sol: Spanish for sun, for a bright and warm pup
- Luz: Means light, short and lovely
- Paloma: Spanish for dove, gentle and graceful
- Bonita: Means pretty, a classic for a girl
- Lucero: A bright star, often the morning star
- Estrella: Spanish for star, for the star of the family
- Mariposa: Means butterfly, for a light and fluttery pup
- Chiquita: Means little one, made for this breed
- Corazón: Means heart, for the one who stole yours
- Frijol: Spanish for bean, for a tiny, round pup
- Dulce: Means sweet, simple and adorable
- Nube: Spanish for cloud, for a fluffy white pup
- Tesoro: Means treasure, for a precious companion
- Pepita: A pumpkin seed, small and full of goodness
- Rayo: Means lightning bolt, for a speedy pup
- Valiente: Means brave, for a fearless little dog
- Cariño: Means darling or affection, a warm everyday word
- Techichi: Ancient Mexican companion dog often named as the breed's ancestor
Celebrity pun names for chihuahuas
Famous names with a dog twist, for a chihuahua with star power.
- Chewbarka: Wookiee pun for a furry, long-haired chihuahua
- Jimmy Chew: Designer pun for a pup who loves your shoes
- Salvador Dogi: Surrealist-painter pun for a quirky, artsy pup
- Woofgang Amadeus: Composer pun for a pup who sings along
- Hairy Pawter: Boy-wizard pun for a magical little dog
- Arf Garfunkel: Folk-duo pun for a pup with a soft voice
- Paw McCartney: Beatles pun for a pup who loves music
- Doggy Parton: Country-legend pun for a big-hearted girl
- Pablo Pupcasso: Painter pun for a pup with a creative streak
- Ozzy Pawsborne: Rock-legend pun for a loud little headbanger
- Bark Hamill: Jedi pun for a brave pup on big adventures
- Sherlock Bones: Detective pun for a pup who sniffs out every snack
- Indiana Bones: Adventure pun for a pup who digs everything up
- Bark Ruffalo: Superhero-actor pun for a pup with a big temper
- Chi-Huey Lewis: Eighties-rock pun with the breed's nickname built in
How to pick the right name
Go big on a small dog
Chihuahuas are tiny, so a huge name like Goliath, Kong or Napoleon gets a laugh every time someone meets yours.
Honor the breed's roots
The breed is named after a Mexican state, so a Spanish name like Chula, Canela or Chispa feels natural and comes with a real meaning.
Keep it to two syllables
Short names are easier to train with. Chihuahuas are clever but stubborn, so a quick, clear name like Taco or Coco helps.
Test it at the vet
You will say the name out loud in public for 15 years or more. If you would happily hear it called in a waiting room, it's a keeper.

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Frequently asked questions
What was the name of the Taco Bell chihuahua?
The Taco Bell chihuahua was a female dog named Gidget, born in 1994. She played a male character in the chain's ads from 1997 to 2000, and comedian Carlos Alazraqui voiced her lines.
What did the Taco Bell dog say?
The famous catchphrase was ¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!, Spanish for I want Taco Bell. Other lines included Drop the chalupa! and Viva Gorditas!
When did the Taco Bell chihuahua die?
Gidget died on July 21, 2009, at age 15, after a stroke at her trainer's home in Santa Clarita, California. She also appeared in a GEICO commercial and played Bruiser's mom in Legally Blonde 2 (2003).
Why did Taco Bell stop the chihuahua ads?
Taco Bell ended the campaign in July 2000 after a drop in sales, and the ads had also drawn criticism from Hispanic advocacy groups. The rumor that Gidget's death ended the ads is false, since she died nine years later.
What are good names for a chihuahua?
Peanut, Chula, Coco, Taco and Napoleon are popular picks. Spanish names like Canela and Chispa honor the breed's Mexican roots, and big names on a tiny dog are always funny.
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