6000+ Dog Names

Sophisticated French choice. Or toxic petrochemical.

Pal is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hungarian, it's equivalent to Paul, derived from Latin 'Paulus' meaning 'small' or 'humble.' In South Asian cultures, particularly India, Pal means 'protector' or 'caretaker.' The name also functions as a nickname for Paul or similar names in many Western countries. Short and straightforward, Pal is instantly recognizable and easy to pronounce across languages. While not currently ranking among popular baby names in most Western countries, it maintains steady usage in Hungary and parts of South Asia. The word's friendly associations in English (as in 'friend' or 'buddy') gives the name a warm, approachable quality. Its multicultural nature makes it appealing for families seeking a simple name with international versatility.

This French name meaning goddess is a possible Gallic import in the Celine mode.

Kyōka Izumi was a 19th-century surrealist author. He was a man, but a female character in the anime series Bungo Stray Dogs was named after him in full.

Lova, a Louise relative virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top girl names in Sweden.

An appealing, usable Japanese choice, since there are so many familiar ori/ory-ending Western names.

Variation of Rowena.

Like Silver, a shimmering metallic color name, that may lean too dazzling for some, but more grounded for others, thanks to its similarity of Alden, Auden, Elden and Gordon. Given to 100 babies in a recent year, Golden is currently a gender neutral choice.

This name of a river in Wales makes a unique option for either gender.

Commonly heard in Hispanic cultures, a rhythmic possibility here.

The fashion for using surnames as firsts has extended beyond the familiar Morgan and Parker to choices such as Cohen and O'Brien to -- why not? -- this quintessentially Irish name with the friendly o ending.

Yannick originated as a diminutive of Yann, the Breton form of John. However, it has since become popular as a standalone name in its native region of Brittany, as well as in France as a whole, where it peaked at #31 in 1973-4. It remains well within the Top 500 in France to this day, and has also seen regular use in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Quebec.

Lexington is trending as a unisex name, used just about evenly for the genders. For Americans, it's got a patriotic feel, given the importance of Lexington, Massachusetts in the Revolutionary War. Lexington, Kentucky, in horse country, is another well-known city with the name. Short form Lex is user friendly.

Ruger is a German surname most famous as a gun name, which explains its popularity as a baby name in the US. If Cannon, Gunner, and Pistol are your type of name, you might like Ruger -- but we're not inviting him for a playdate.

In the Shona language of souther Africa, this simple and wearable boys' name means love.

This is one of the least known or used of the Theo names, quite possibly because of its last syllable. In Samuel Butler's 1903 novel The Way of All Flesh, there is a clergyman character named Theobald Pontifex.

The ultimate ethereal name for lovers of fairies, pixies, and sprites.

Used primarily for girls in Ireland, as a variation of Raithnait, Renny could easily be a diminutive form of a whole variety of names including Lorenzo, Laurence, Remington, Rowen, Renatus, Renaud, Reynold and simar.

Rusten is a masculine name with varied possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Ruston or Rustin, which developed from an English surname derived from place names combining 'rush' and 'town,' indicating a settlement where rushes grew. Alternatively, it could be connected to the Latin name Rusticus, meaning 'rural' or 'of the country.' The name has a rustic, earthy quality that appeals to parents seeking names with natural associations. While relatively uncommon in most English-speaking countries, Rusten has a distinctive sound that sets it apart from more popular choices. The name projects strength and individualism, with a hint of ruggedness. Rusten works well across various stages of life, from childhood through adulthood.

Roone is a lively, attractive and unusual redhead entry brought into the mix by the late TV sports and news executive Roone Arledge, who seemed to own it as a one-person name when he was alive.