Names That Mean Pet
Single page list
The names
Waldo
German, pet form of names such as Waldemar
"to rule"
Its jaunty o-ending makes this name more appealing than most of its Germanic brothers, and we hope we're beyond the constant response to his name being "Where's Waldo?" The weighty reputation of…
Anais
Catalan and Provencal pet form of Hebrew Anna
"grace"
Anais is an unusual, alluring name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin (born Angela, with Anais as one of her middle names), who became the inspiration…
Francine
French diminutive pet form of Francoise
"from France or free man"
With the advent of Pope Francis, all forms of this ancient and saintly name came up for a fresh look. Along with most other -een and -ine (when pronounced like -een) names for girls, Francine has a…
Eliska
Czech from Hebrew, pet form of Elisheva
"pledged to God"
Eliška is warm and friendly, in the Misha, Sasha mode.
Elka
Latinization of Elke, Scandinavian diminutive of Adelheid
"noble one"
Much more manageable than the full form of the name. Possible international alternative to Ella.
Sissy
Diminutive of Cecilia; pet name for "sister"
"sister"
Old-fashioned nickname for a sister, almost never heard today.
Abanito
Spanish, pet form of Aban
This is a Spanish pet form of the name Aban, which in Persian mythology was the name of the muse of liberal arts and mechanics.
Mungo
Scottish nickname
"my pet"
Mungo is one of the most classic Scottish names but perhaps also among the most difficult names to carry. There is a St. Mungo whose proper name was Kentigern; he is the patron saint of Glasgow. It…
Coco
Spanish and French pet name
Coco came to prominence as the nickname of the legendary French designer Chanel (born Gabrielle) and has lately become a starbaby favorite, initially chosen by Courteney Cox for her daughter Coco…
Lilou
Occitan pet form of French Liliane, or French compound of Lili and Louise
"lily; lily + renowned warrior"
Sweet, enchanting Lilou is considered both a pet name from the Occitan language (spoken in Provence in the south of France), and a compound name, blending floral Lili with classic Louise. It peaked…
Sookie
Variation of Sukey, pet form of Susanna
"lily"
This spelling seems to be taking off as a result of media appearances as characters in first "Gilmore Girls" and then as Sookie Stackhouse, the Anna Paquin character in "True Blood," based on "The…
Taffy
Welsh
"beloved friend"
Taffy, in addition to being a diminutive of Dafydd, is a slang term for Welsh people in general – probably from the River Taff. Too candy-like to be used in the US.
Diesel
German, from a pet form of Mathias
Diesel, which you can think of as a word name for the fuel or as a German surname that derives from a pet form of Matthew or Mathias, is a new entry to the American name lexicon thanks to celebrities…
Betsan
Welsh pet form of Elizabeth
Betsan is little-known outside of the U.K. but it could provide an intriguing alternative to Liz, Beth, Betsy, Betty, and Libby.
Abeke
Yoruba, Nigeria
"we begged for her to pet her"
Yoruba names are full of meaning and often reveal circumstances of birth or parents' hopes for their child. Abeke suggests that the child was long awaited by her parents, who looked forward to…
Amonke
Yoruba, Nigerian
"to know her is to pet her"
Eban
Hebrew, pet form of Ebenezer
"stone of help"
Affable and creative and perfectly able to stand alone; nothing Scroogish about it.
Sissie
Diminutive of Cecilia; pet name for "sister;" "sister"
"sister"
Antiquated nickname for Cecilia and Cecily — these days Cece is much preferred.
