Pet Names · Dog Names
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
Dutch diminutive of Willem or William
"resolute protection"
Short but spirited, Pim is in the Top 200 in The Netherlands, though it is little-known elsewhere. A diminutive of Willem (or William), it possibly emerged via its rhyme with alternative, more direct…
Welsh variation of William
The Welsh version of William is almost unheard-of across, but it's fairly straightforward and could make a good heritage choice or alternative honor name.
Literature, Greek
"defender"
One of the romantic names favored by British pastoral poets, it was first used as a masculine name by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso for his 16th century play about a shepherd falling in love with a…
French
"faithful defender"
Frenchified name rarely used in France. And perhaps even more rarely used in the US -- there were NO baby girls given the name on the official records of 2021.
Spanish, diminutive of Alexandra
"man's defender"
The initial X is pronounced like a Z. Confusing? Potentially. But there are enough Alexandras and Xanders through the Western World these days that this spelling wouldn't seem outlandish.
Yiddish,"defender of men"
"defender of men"
Yiddish form of Alexander.
English
"sea defender"
Double whammy: the expression "Seward's folly" and inevitable sewer jokes.
Welsh
"weathy lord"
Rhythmic Welsh nickname name, derived from the Welsh royal name Iorwerth, which has sometimes been anglicized as Edward.
"forest guardian"
The range of occupational baby names is ever expanding, and Ranger is a recent addition to the list. It feels both natural—reminiscent of park rangers—and western and rugged, as in the Lone Ranger.…
Germanic
"protector of journeys"
Variation of Pharamond.
Variation of Tenzin, Tibetan
"protector of Dharma"
Tenzan is a variation of Tenzin, a name with special significance for Buddhists, being the first name of the Dalai Lama.
"grace protector"
Eastman is a solid, old-style Atlantic seaboard surname. But as a first name, we think Easton works better.
Finnish form of Old Norse Hjalmar
"helmet protector"
Distinctive-sounding Scandinavian name . with deep roots. Short form is the attractive Jari.
Italian from German
"protector"
Elmo, like fellow Sesame Street characters Kermit and Grover, has a hard time being taken seriously. (It isn't easy being red either.) But Elmo also calls to mind the image of St. Elmo's fire--the…
Female version of William
Sometimes heard in Scotland, where its heyday was in the times of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, this feminization of William was notably borne by Williamina Fleming, an astronomer who is famous…
If you want to go waaaaay beyond William, consider this Welsh form, which can also be spelled Gwilym, Gwilim, or Gwillym.
"brave, bold helmet, keen protection"
A rarely used member of the Ken- family, Kenelm has a rugged, surname-style feel. Borne by a 9th century martyr and a member of the Mercian royal family, it could make an intriguing namesake for a…
