Pet Names · Cat Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 13 pages
of 13
English nature name
"apple"
When people talk about unique baby names, Apple is often one of the first examples they mention. Apple made international headlines when Gwyneth Paltrow chose this wholesome fruit name for her…
Animal name or English diminutive of Berenice, Greek
"she who brings victory"
Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny? Still, Bunny as a baby name is in the spotlight since Bryan Adams…
German
"bear"
Benno is a cool name in its own right -- there was a tenth century Saint Benno -- though it is also used as a lively nickname for Benjamin. Saint Benno of Meissen is the patron saint of anglers and…
Diminutive of Spanish Francisco
"Frenchman or free man"
Shortening Francisco somehow makes it sound even cooler. Cisco is also the name of a digital security company.
Czech diminutive of Susan
"lily"
This sizzling nickname Zuzu is heard every Christmas as the name of Jimmy Stewart's little girl in "It's a Wonderful Life," but we love it all year round as a lively alternative to double names like…
English word name, diminutive of Barbara, Latin
"foreign woman"
Baby is rarely seen as a given name — or even nickname — these days, although it did rank in the Top 1000 from 1989 to 2003. These instances can be accounted for in two ways. Firstly, infants whose…
Japanese
"good, respectful"
A classic Japanese name known to kids around the world as a Nintendo video-game character.
Latin, diminutive of Dulcibella
"sweet"
A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia. In Agatha Christie's…
English, diminutive of Jo-beginning names
Sprightly and engaging nickname for human, full name for pet. Author Jojo Moyes and dancer/singer Jojo Sliwa have propelled the name into the public eye.
Anglicized variation of Irish Raithnait
"little prosperous one"
Used primarily for girls in Ireland, as a variation of Raithnait, Renny could easily be a diminutive form of a whole variety of names including Lorenzo, Laurence, Remington, Rowen, Renatus, Renaud,…
English
"captain"
Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.
English, diminutive of Theresa, Greek
"to reap, gather"
With Tillie a new favorite of avant-garde parents, the British music-hall Tessie might conceivably follow.
Norwegian, Finnish, German, and Dutch variation of Timothy
"honoring God"
Popular in its own right in Germany and definitely makes a more intriguing and grownup short form of the classic Timothy than Timmy or even Tim.
"noble friend; friend of the elves"
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 .
Variation of Barnabas
"son of comfort"
The name Barney is hot among hip Londoners and it has been above the Top 500 in the UK since 2012. You can see why - it's got a friendly happy sound and a lovely meaning and is more easily worn than…
Variation of Pepin
"awe-inspiring"
Super-sweet name that was the title of a Broadway play -- but best known as a type of apple. The Dutch variation is Pepijn is finding some popularity in that country, where short nickname names are…
Italian variation of Remus, Latin
"twin"
With its stylish -o ending and similarity to the likes of Remy, Rio, and Leo, this Italian name could make an appealing and distinctive choice. A variation of Remus, it is associated with Roman…
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Felicity, and Melissa
Lissy may be this generation's answer to Missy. It's rare to see Lissy on a birth certificate, but if you pay attention, you may notice it as a nickname for names such as the classic Elizabeth or hot…
Swedish or Cornish
"fairy"
Pixie is a cute -- quite possibly too cute -- name that suddenly feels possible thanks to the craze for names that contain the letter x. Though its origin may be uncertain, a pixie is internationally…
English word name
"whimsical or fanciful"
Whimsy is a new entry to the ever-expanding word name lexicon, sister for Pixie and Bliss. While it has an undeniable offbeat English aristocratic charm (maybe we're thinking of Dorothy Sayers'…
