Boy Dog Names That Start With A

  1. Austen
    • Origin:

      Literary surname and shortened form of Augustine, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      Parents who love the great English novelist Jane Austen may choose this spelling of the popular name Austin to honor the author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice.
  2. Alfredo
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Alfred, English
    • Meaning:

      "wise counsellor; elf counsel"
    • Description:

      Alfredo, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese variation of Alfred, is most familiar as the romantic lead in Verdi's evergreen opera La Traviata. On a less romantic note, Alfredo is also the name of a pasta sauce.
  3. Alvar
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "elf warrior"
    • Description:

      This name woould be hard to picture in a contemporary kindergarten, though it does have some cultural cred via Finnish architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto. Aalto would actually make a more interesting choice.
  4. Almond
    • Origin:

      English word name or variation of Almund or Aleman, German
    • Meaning:

      "almond; noble strength; German"
    • Description:

      Almond may seem like a hippy modern name, but its use for American boys goes right back to the mid-nineteenth century. In these cases, it was either a variation of Almund, meaning "noble strength," or the surname Aleman, meaning "German."
  5. Alcott
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the old cottage"
    • Description:

      Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
  6. Aston
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "eastern settlement"
    • Description:

      Has an upscale aura, perhaps due to the luxury James Bond Aston Martin car.
  7. Adan
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Adam
    • Meaning:

      "son of the red earth"
    • Description:

      Used most often in Hispanic cultures, though it does not feel like a typical Spanish name. It can also be seen as a spelling variant of the uber-popular Aidan, Aiden, Aden, etc.
  8. Attila
    • Origin:

      Hungarian
    • Meaning:

      "little father"
    • Description:

      Stun-gunned by the fifth-century Hun, though still well-used in contemporary Hungary and Turkey. Some sources also suggest Turkish origins for the name.
  9. Arvin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "friend of the people"
    • Description:

      This name's popularity peaked in the 1930s in the mid 600s - but we think it is time for a reconsideration. Arvin feels more modern than similar names like Marvin and Alvin. It also boasts a beautiful meaning and defies easy shortening (which is an asset to many parents who choose a name because they want it to be used!).
  10. Aneirin
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "very golden or noble"
    • Description:

      Aneirin is the original form of the more common Aneurin (which was a mistaken spelling used after the 17th Century). Aneirin was one of the first great Welsh poets who flourished in the 6th Century. He was said to be the Prince of Bards.
  11. Ax
    • Origin:

      Word name or short form of Axel
    • Description:

      Ax makes a somewhat threatening short form of the popular Axel, given to more than 3000 baby boys last year. It can also be used on its own, though it usually isn't. There were, however, seven baby boys named Axe in the US in 2015.
  12. Autry
    • Origin:

      French surname
    • Meaning:

      "noble strength"
    • Description:

      Loose, lean, and lanky cowboy-sounding names have become a recent trend, but how about the name of a real one--the Singing Cowboy Gene. Autry might be thought of as a masculine spin on the fashionable Audrey or a fresher version of Austin or Auden.

      Some other cowboy surnames from the Golden Age of movie and TV westerns: Boone, Boyd, Cody, Corrigan, Gibson, Hart, Holt, Houston, McCoy and Renaldo.

  13. Alvie
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend; friend of the elves"
    • Description:

      Archie, Albie, and Alfie are coming back into style, so naturally, we think Alvie could be next. Alternate spelling Alvy was used by Woody Allen for his character in Annie Hall.
  14. Armando
    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian and Portuguese form of Herman, German
    • Meaning:

      "soldier"
    • Description:

      Armando takes the flat-footed Herman and makes it romantic. This is another of the Latin names we expect to be seeing more of.
  15. Aelius
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      This Roman family — whose most famous bearer was Emperor Hadrian, of wall fame — possibly derives from Greek helios, meaning sun.
  16. Abe
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Abraham
    • Description:

      Old-time nickname that may follow in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam.
  17. Arledge
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "dweller at the rabbit lake"
    • Description:

      Stiff and formal surname. Try Roone instead.
  18. Alberto
    • Origin:

      Germanic
    • Meaning:

      "noble, bright"
    • Description:

      Alberto is the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese variation of Albert and lends a more unusual and fashionable edge to this name which is still a grandpa name to many.
  19. Agustin
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "the exalted one"
    • Description:

      Popular in the Hispanic world, in honor of Saint Augustine. It peaked at Number 561 in 2001.
  20. Auguste
    • Origin:

      French form of Latin Augustus
    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"
    • Description:

      French version of August, for both sexes. And for those who feel the spelling of August is too plain.