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Black Dog Names

  1. Duffy

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark"

    • Description:

      This Irish surname packs a lot of attitude, projecting an image of spunk and sass. The Welsh singer Duffy, born Aimee Anne Duffy, is best known for her songs Mercy and Warwick Avenue.
  2. Rebel

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Meaning:

      "rebel"

    • Description:

      Asking for trouble. Rebel Wilson is female, but this name is truly gender neutral, though hardly neutral in any other way. Rebel is undoubtedly one of the edgiest boys' names starting with the letter R.
  3. Bosco

    • Origin:

      Italian saint name

    • Description:

      Also, unfortunately, better known as a chocolate syrup. Borden and Bosco could play well together.
  4. Midnight

    • Origin:

      English, word name

    • Description:

      Nicole Richie and Joel Madden added this rocking name to the lexicon of day names, which have their roots in the African tradition of naming a child after the day of the week, time of day, or season in which he or she was born. But they wisely used it as a middle name.
  5. Stormi

    • Origin:

      Word name, variation of Stormy and Storm

    • Description:

      Stormi is like Sunni, with angst. If naming your child Storm or Stormy is asking for trouble, naming her Stormi -- as Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott did -- is asking for trouble of several different kinds. But we're sure she'll be adorable and as celebrity baby names go, this one is nearly normal.
  6. Veruca

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "wart"

    • Description:

      Veruca is a name Roald Dahl made up for the horrid little girl Veruca Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A modern rock band adopted the name, though few parents familiar with the original namesake and meaning would choose to pass it on to an innocent child. Verruca is another spelling, but don't use that one either.
  7. Brownie

    • Description:

      Brownie is an uncommon feminine name derived from the English word for the small chocolate dessert or from the color brown. As a name, it has a sweet, endearing quality with a touch of whimsy and nostalgia. While not commonly used as a formal given name, Brownie may appear as a nickname for someone with brown hair or eyes, or someone who enjoys baking or eating the dessert. In folk traditions, 'brownies' were helpful household spirits in Scottish folklore, adding a touch of magical association. The name has an informal, affectionate quality that some parents might choose for its uniqueness and warm associations. Though rare in official records, Brownie might be used as a middle name or a distinctive first name for parents seeking something unconventional with friendly, comforting connotations.

  8. Ciar

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "dark"

    • Description:

      Now that the Irish Ciaran and Ciara -- aka Kieran and Kiera -- are becoming more popular beyond their native shores, the short and strong Ciar might find some favor. As of now, more than 160 baby girls were named Ciara in the US last year, with half that many boys named Ciaran, but so far no baby boys named Ciar, though 17 were called Keir.
  9. Shyam

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "dark, black, blue"

    • Description:

      Shyam is one of the alternate names of Hindu God Krishna.
  10. Swan

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "swan"

    • Description:

      Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.
  11. Pepper

    • Origin:

      Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "berry"

    • Description:

      There's a football player called Pepper (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) Johnson -- but the name has yet to make waves for boys. Given to around 5 boys each year, the musical link to The Beatle's album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club might appeal to some.
  12. Farrar

    • Origin:

      English occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "blacksmith, metalworker"

    • Description:

      Farrar has two separate origins: an occupational name meaning "smith", and a Scottish river name, from a Pictish word meaning "to wind". Barely ever recorded as a first name, Farrar is a blank slate that fits with the surname style that's popular today.
  13. Hari

    • Origin:

      Hindu

    • Meaning:

      "dark, tawny"

    • Description:

      Familiar via Harry, but much more worldly.
  14. Fabbro

    • Origin:

      Italian

    • Meaning:

      "blacksmith"

    • Description:

      If you're looking for a really unusual international occupational name, this could be it!
  15. Shade

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Description:

      Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character.
  16. Pinchas

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "dark-skinned"

    • Description:

      Famous violinist-conductor Pinchas Zuckerman is the most famous modern bearer; the biblical Pinchas was the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron -- both preferable name choices.
  17. Berry

    • Origin:

      Nature name

    • Description:

      If not for Motown founder Berry Gordy, this name would now be totally in the girl group.
  18. Mocha

    • Origin:

      English, color and coffee name

    • Description:

      Save this for your next run to Starbucks.
  19. Shadow

    • Description:

      Shadow as a masculine name falls into the category of modern word names, drawing from the natural phenomenon rather than traditional naming conventions. This unconventional choice emerged primarily in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century, reflecting growing interests in distinctive, nature-inspired naming. The name evokes imagery of mystery, protection, and constant companionship. As a given name, Shadow remains quite rare, appealing to parents seeking something dramatically unique with a touch of intrigue or gothic sensibility. The name carries associations with depth, complexity, and a certain enigmatic quality. While uncommon in official records, Shadow occasionally appears as a nickname or middle name, particularly in communities embracing alternative naming traditions.

  20. Tudor

    • Origin:

      Welsh and Romanian variation of Theodore, Teodor, or Theodoric

    • Meaning:

      "gift from God; ruler of the people"

    • Description:

      Known as a British royal family line as well as a style of architecture, this name feels both solemn and formidable, but with an intriguing "dark-academia" feel to it too. Currently in the Top 1000 in England and Wales, it is also used in Romania and Moldova.