Boy Dog Names That Start With V

  1. Victor
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "conqueror"
    • Description:

      Victor is one of the earliest Christian names, borne (as Vittorio) by several saints and popes, symbolizing Christ's victory over death. It has been quietly in the Top 200 since 1880, but just recently has taken on a cool edge by fashionable parents in London and seems ripe for a similar reevaluation here too.
  2. Viggo
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "war"
    • Description:

      Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular appellation in Sweden. Viggo Mortensen is a Jr., sharing his name with his Danish father.
  3. Valentine
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      Valentine is an attractive Shakespearean name with romantic associations, but those very ties to the saint and the sentimental holiday have sent it into a decline, one which we think may be about to turn around.
  4. Virgil
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "staff bearer"
    • Description:

      The name of the greatest Roman poet and an early Irish saint who believed the earth was round, Virgil is heard most notably today as the name of designer Virgil Abloh of Off-White.
  5. Van
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "of"
    • Description:

      Whether it's used as a short form or on its own, this jazzy midcentury name is poised for a comeback along with brothers Ray and Walt.
  6. Vladimir
    • Origin:

      Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      Vladimir is a cultured and deep-rooted Slavic name associated in this country with cultural figures including piano virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz and the author of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov.
  7. Vaughn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "small"
    • Description:

      Vaughn, also commonly spelled Vaughan, has been used quietly over the years, reaching a peak of Number 349 in 1949. It is now in the process of rediscovery, being seen as a good Sean alternative or an updated way to honor an ancestral Paul (which also means small).
  8. Vance
    • Origin:

      English and Irish
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives near marshland"
    • Description:

      Short and sharp with a nature related meaning, Vance was trending upwards in recent years thanks to the musicians Foy Vance and Vance Joy. 2024 saw it take a downwards dip however, likely due to its association with the vice president, JD Vance, a controversial association which it might not recover from for a while. Time, however, will tell.
  9. Vesper
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "evening star"
    • Description:

      While this is usually thought of as a girls' name because of the Bond Girl connection, its sound is masculine and there's no reason it couldn't work for boys.
  10. Valor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Meaning:

      "courage and bravery"
    • Description:

      This modern virtue name gives a nod to ancient chivalry and could also work as an updated form of the classic Victor. A bold choice, but one that an increasing number of parents have been making in the last decade.
  11. Vander
    • Description:

      Vander is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Dutch prefix 'van der' meaning 'from the' or serve as a shortened form of Germanic names like Vanderson or Vanderbilt. Alternatively, it could be a modern variation of the Greek name Leander. Vander has gained modest popularity in recent decades as part of the trend toward surname-inspired first names and strong-sounding male names with distinctive initial consonants. The name conveys a sense of strength and uniqueness with its sharp 'V' beginning and solid ending. Vander projects a contemporary, confident image while maintaining a connection to European naming traditions. Its relative rarity makes it stand out while its straightforward pronunciation keeps it accessible.
  12. Valentino
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "strength, health"
    • Description:

      A dashing, dramatic and romantic Italian surname, associated with early movie heartthrob Rudolph, and later with Italian fashion designer Valentino (Garavani). Also the name of an early Roman saint, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring. Ricky Martin chose it for one of his twin boys.
  13. Viktor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of Victor
    • Description:

      The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
  14. Viridian
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "blue green color"
    • Description:

      Unusual and beautiful blue green color and name possibility, a la Cerulean.
  15. Vernon
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "place of alders"
    • Description:

      Once aristocratic British surname yet to be revived. Vince Vaughn recently gave his son the same double initials as his own when he named him Vernon Vaughn.
  16. Valo
    • Origin:

      Finnish; Malagasy
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Really offbeat, upbeat multi-cultural name with light sound and meaning. Valo might make a more unique spin on Milo.
  17. Vigo
    • Origin:

      Italian surname
    • Meaning:

      "settlement"
    • Description:

      Vigo is both an Italian and Spanish surname and a Scandinavian first name. As a place name, it's found in Spain, Italy, England – and Indiana.
  18. Vega
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "swooping eagle, meadow"
    • Description:

      This striking name has a lot going for it: it's a self-confident Spanish surname, it identifies one of the most brilliant stars in the sky, and it has a musical reference to singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega.
  19. Vrai
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "true"
    • Description:

      A happy combination of several desirable genres: it's a word name, it has a foreign accent, and it has a highly virtuous meaning. And few other parents will be bold enough to choose it.
  20. Vinnie
    • Description:

      Vinnie is primarily a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Vincent, though it can occasionally be used for girls as well. The name derives from the Latin 'Vincentius,' meaning 'conquering.' Vinnie offers a friendly, approachable alternative to the more formal Vincent, with a casual charm that has remained consistently appealing. The name gained particular popularity in Italian-American communities and saw broader usage in the early to mid-20th century. While not typically among the top-ranking names, Vinnie maintains steady usage, often associated with its warm, unpretentious character. The name conjures images of a friendly, down-to-earth individual and is recognized across various English-speaking countries.