Transforming Top to Uncommon Female Dog Names
Naming a dog and naming a baby, while similar in some respects, are two totally different tasks. We have different requirements for our pet names and our baby names. Children need names that can serve them in multiple contexts over the many stages of life. Dogs don’t.
This is why you can call your dog Oreo, but your daughter has to be Oriana.
People just have more fun with dog names. They tend to be snappier and nickname-ier than the names we choose for our children. Pet parents are also more willing to give dogs names that are on the edge of style. Chester might seem too dusty for a baby boy, but on a Boston Terrier? Adorable.
So there’s more freedom when it comes to the cutesiness and casualness of a dog’s name, but there are also restrictions. According to experts, dog names should ideally be two syllables — long enough that they can hear the inflection in your voice, but short enough that they easily learn to respond to it.
Now, you don’t have to follow that advice (there are plenty of well-adjusted pugs and poodles out there named Pearl and Penelope), but for the sake of this list, we’ve mostly suggested two-syllable names.
Below are unique dog names that are alternatives to the 100 most popular dog names for female dogs. Because even though there’s less pressure when naming a dog, we know you name-nerds still aren’t going to settle for something in the Top 100.
Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name
Luna → Lumi
Bella → Della
Daisy → Maisie
Lucy → Clara
Lily → Violet
Zoe → Zola
Lola → Lula
Sadie → Zadie
Bailey → Lainey
Stella → Zella
Coco → Kiki
Molly → Polly
Maggie → Greta
Penny → Peggy
Nala → Kahlo
Rosie → Ruthie
Roxy → Romy
Ruby → Gemma
Chloe → Effie
Sophie → Sylvie
Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name
Ellie → Nellie
Willow → Willa
Piper → Pippa
Millie → Lulie
Gracie → Flossie
Mia → Pia
Pepper → Saffron
Nova → Lyra
Callie → Hallie
Winnie → Edie
Lulu → Zuzu
Hazel → Haven
Harley → Hadley
Ginger → Clover
Olive → Vida
Abby → Agnes
Charlie → Darcy
Honey → Blossom
Lexi → Kenzie
Athena → Aura
Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name
Riley → Ripley
Izzy → Kizzy
Remi → Rori
Maya → Gaia
Layla → Isla
Lady → Lottie
Kona → Cora
Sasha → Shiloh
Poppy → Pippi
Dixie → Dottie
Phoebe → Daphne
Annie → Sally
Cookie → Dulcie
Belle → Estelle
Ella → Elsie
Scout → Sloane
Emma → Ida
Marley → Marlowe
Princess → Queenie
Ivy → Jovie
Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name
Mila → Mika
Maple → Apple
Maddie → Marnie
Minnie → Minnow
Gigi → Vivi
Mocha → Sable
Dolly → Goldie
Leia → Lena
Cleo → Clea
Josie → Posy
Blu → Navy
Skye → Twyla
Dakota → Bristol
Koda → Cedar
Harper → Harbor
Frankie → Billie
Ava → Evie
Holly → Noelle
Bonnie → Lindy
Mabel → Sybil
Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name
Angel → Dream
Pearl → Opal
Freya → Juno
Sage → Zen
Aspen → Winter
Penelope → Portia
Tilly → Tiggy
Sunday → Tuesday
Oakley → Finley
Xena → Xanthe
Georgia → Jolene
Fiona → Flora
Sky → Cyan
Birdie → Betty
River → Rainy
Peanut → Pixie
Sugar → Lolly
Shelby → Ashby
Missy → Lissy
Mochi → Miso