Randall is a medieval English name derived from Old Norse Randulfr — meaning shield-wolf — with a distinguished etymological pedigree that almost nobody thinks about when they meet a dog named Randall. What they think about instead is either the chameleon villain from Monsters, Inc. or simply a dog with a human name that's slightly more formal than the dog park average. Both readings are valid and neither is unflattering.
Pop-Culture Lineage and Generational Aesthetic
Randall from Monsters, Inc. is a memorably unpleasant character — scheming, jealous, ultimately humiliated. Naming a pet Randall after him is a deliberate villain-name choice, which has its own small subculture in pet naming. Outside the Disney/Pixar context, Randall is simply a human name applied to a pet in the vintage-name tradition, alongside Gerald, Phyllis, and Lois.
Sound Fit and Breed Preference
RAN-dl — two syllables with a strong first accent and a soft second. Clear, easy to call, no ambiguity. The name suits medium to large male dogs with a somewhat serious demeanor: Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and dogs who consider the world carefully before engaging with it. The shield-wolf etymology suits a dog with protective instincts.
The Counter-Reading: The Villain Association Is Sticky
Once someone makes the Monsters, Inc. connection, it tends to stay. Owners who intended the vintage-human-name aesthetic may find their pet perpetually associated with a purple chameleon. Winston or Walter carry the same vintage-human-name warmth without the animated villain overhead.