Boy Dog Names That Start With U

  1. Ulysses
    • Origin:

      Latin variation of the Greek Odysseus
    • Description:

      Ulysses is one of the few U boys' names anyone knows -- with heavy links to the Homeric hero, eighteenth president Grant, and the James Joyce novel -- all of which makes it both distinguished and kind of weighty for a modern boy. Ulysses was on the US popularity list well into the twenty-first century; it's off now, but Number 684 on Nameberry.
  2. Uriah
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my light"
    • Description:

      A perfectly respectable Old Testament name ruined forever through its association with the odious Uriah Heep in David Copperfield. Some people also find this name just too close to the word urine. These negative connotations may be wearing off, however. (Perhaps because people don't read as much Dickens as they used to.)
  3. Uri
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "my flame, my light"
    • Description:

      This short but strong name, commonly heard in Israel, has a lot of crossover potential, and is among the most usable on the minuscule menu of U names.
  4. Uriel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my light"
    • Description:

      It's the name of an Old Testament archangel that's symbolically given to boys born during Chanukah, but the possibility of unsavory nicknames (urinal?) make the short form Uri a better bet.
  5. Uhtred
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "advice"
    • Description:

      An Anglo-Saxon name that held on in Northumbria years after the Norman Conquest, and gave rise to the surname Oughtred. It's known today from the television series The Last Kingdom, based on Bernard Cornwell's books: Uhtred is our Dane-bashing hero.
  6. Urban
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the city"
    • Description:

      Urban was not an uncommon name through the 1930s (rising as high as Number 435), having been attached to several saints and early popes, but it has completely disappeared from the landscape--both urban and rural. Yet in this era of word name appreciation and trend for 'an'-ending boys' names, we're thinking it might be ready for a return.
  7. Ugo
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Hugh
    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"
    • Description:

      Ugo is very common in Italy, but here it might call to mind that little Yugoslavian car.
  8. Ulric
    • Origin:

      English variation of Ulrich and Wulfric, German
    • Meaning:

      "rich and noble heritage; wolf power"
    • Description:

      Also related to the word for wolf, this name has a first syllable that's not appealing to the American ear. Better ic-ending choices: Dominic, Frederic, Eric.
  9. Uzi
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "Jehovah is my strength"
    • Description:

      Despite its biblical pedigree and popularity in Israel, it has far too many ties to the lethal submachine gun to find many fans here.
  10. Umberto
    • Origin:

      Italian variation of Humbert
    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrior"
    • Description:

      A definite improvement over the English Humbert, Umberto has nevertheless been rarely heard outside the Italian community.
  11. Urso
    • Origin:

      Italian from Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      Cool bearlike option, though Orson might be easier to embrace.
  12. Utah
    • Origin:

      American place name, Ute
    • Meaning:

      "people of the mountains"
    • Description:

      This would make a startling but likable choice; poet Dylan Thomas used it for a character in his play "Under Milk Wood."
  13. Ulises
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Ulysses
    • Meaning:

      "wrathful"
    • Description:

      Although Ulysses is the more recognizable spelling — the Latin name for epic Greek hero Odysseus, as well as the first name of US President Grant — Spanish Ulises is the more popular choice in the US. Ulises was at its highest in the early 2000s, and has since been on a downswing.
  14. Ulan
    • Origin:

      Filipino
    • Meaning:

      "rain"
    • Description:

      Ulan is a gentle, intriguing nature name used in the Philippines, though it might also be a Kazakh name meaning "young man", a Ghanaian name referring to a first born twin, or a Russian name, from uhlan meaning "cavalry, lancer".
  15. Urbain
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "city dweller"
    • Description:

      French form of Urban or Urbanus, borne by eight popes.
  16. Uz
    • Origin:

      Biblical place-name
    • Description:

      A minimalist choice, Uz is the Biblical home of Job. It's also the name of a character in the Bible, the father of Aram and the grandson of Shem, as is Uzziah. Uz is one of those names that could go either way depending on the personality of your child: super-cool or scuzzy. Proceed with caution.
  17. Ugolino
    • Origin:

      Short form of Ugo, Italian form of Hugh
    • Meaning:

      "mind, intellect"
    • Description:

      Ugolino could be a silly nickname for an oh-so-seriously named baby Hugh or Hugo or Ugo.