Doodle appears 60 times in the male-leaning pet registry at rank 1699. At first reading, this seems like a name given to a Doodle-breed dog by owners who simply named their Goldendoodle after its breed type — and that's likely exactly what's happening with a significant portion of these 60 records. Doodle-as-name-for-a-Doodle is a naming move that's either lazily charming or brilliantly self-aware depending on your perspective.
The Doodle Breed Phenomenon
"Doodle" as a breed suffix (Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Aussiedoodle) became a dominant feature of the American dog market from the 1990s onward, with the Labradoodle's development in Australia in 1989 launching a cascade of Poodle-cross breeds. By the 2010s, Doodle breeds were among the most popular dogs in the US. Owners who name their dog Doodle are often making a playful nod to the breed's nickname status — the dog whose breed is already a nickname gets a name that's also a nickname. Goldendoodles are the most likely carriers of this meta-naming strategy.
The Word and Its Associations
Doodle as an English word means a casual drawing or scribble — it has a light, unserious connotation that suits dogs perfectly. Sketch and Scribble are distant companions in the art-word pet naming space. The word also appears in "Yankee Doodle," giving it an American patriotic edge that's probably not what most owners are reaching for, but it's there.
The Counter-Read
Naming a Doodle breed "Doodle" is either the least imaginative option available or the most self-aware. Both readings are valid, and the dog won't know the difference either way.