Dudley

Dudley is an Old English habitational name meaning 'Dudda's clearing' or 'meadow,' rooted in the Anglo-Saxon personal name Dudda combined with leah (woodland clearing). It has a distinctly British character, associated with Dudley in the West Midlands of England.

Dudley is a name with unmistakable charm — slightly formal, a little old-fashioned, and completely endearing. It brings to mind a dignified gentleman of a dog, perhaps one who takes his walks very seriously and expects treats on a strict schedule. The name traveled well from English town to pet name because it sounds simultaneously proper and cuddly, a rare combination. It's an especially good fit for larger, more stately breeds like a basset hound or an English bulldog who carries himself with quiet authority.