Dog name guide

Hodor

The meaning, background and naming story of Hodor.

Letters
5
Starts with
H

Meaning and background

The story behind Hodor

Hodor is a fictional character name from George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones world, with a particularly memorable explanation in the 2016 television series. An episode revealed its connection to the English command 'hold the door'. That is a plot-specific interpretation of a coined name rather than a translation from an ancient language. The two-syllable form and strong consonants may explain its appeal, but the story includes a major spoiler.

Origin
Fictional character name in Game of Thrones, with the television programme linking it to the phrase hold the door. Source
Meaning
In the 2016 television story, the character’s repeated name is explained through the phrase hold the door. Source

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About Hodor

Recorded as a dog’s name

Hodor appears in 6 dog licence records in the 2023 New York City dataset.

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These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.

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Sources and research notes (1)
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.

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