Pet Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 23 pages
of 23
Word name and literary name
Everybody knows Huckleberry Finn, the Mark Twain character named, Twain said, for the 19th century slang term for "humble." A few modern parents have put it on a birth certificate, including "Man Vs.…
Jocko is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of 'Jack' or 'John.' It has Scottish roots, where it developed as an affectionate nickname. The name carries a playful, energetic…
Diminutive of Jones, English surname derived from John
"God is gracious"
It's difficult to imagine anyone using the first name Jonesy -- and in fact, in the most recent US tally, there were nearly 100 babies named Jones but none named Jonesy. Still, this is a name that…
English word name
"light from the stars"
A glowing and evocative word name that might be best saved for the middle spot, Starlight was nevertheless given to five girls in 2024.
"unruly; without law"
Don't come crying to us when your son is breaking all the rules. Lawless returned to the charts after a 90-year gap in 2020 when it was given to six baby boys.
Nature name
Usain Bolt chose Lightning as the middle name for his daughter — Olympia Lightning Bolt. Mainstream parents have taken a liking to Lightning as a boy name — it debuted on the charts in 2021, and was…
Irish mythology name
Lugh is the Irish god of the harvest, who also rules over truth, the law, and the arts. His magic includes a fiery spear and a boat that sails itself (dubbed the "wave sweeper") and his inventions…
Greek
"very sweet"
Made cool by that final X (as seen in Felix, Lennox, and Rex), Pollux is the Romanized form of Polydeukes, the half-twin of Castor, and the son of Zeus and Leda. Associated with the Gemini…
"defector; rebel"
Could Renegade be the next Maverick? The rebellious meaning and fashionable nickname Ren make it a real possibility.
English animal name
"roosting bird"
A new addition to the menagerie of animal baby names — Rooster was given to five baby boys in 2019, but did not return to the charts in the following year. The word has American origins — the…
Apache, Native American
"one who steals horses"
Lozen is the name of a female Apache warrior and medicine woman who fought with Geronimo in the 19th century. The sister of the warrior called Victorio, Lozen was the name chosen by soccer star Hope…
English
"windy"
And her sisters, Stormy and Sunny.
English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Although she declared her independence as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I — Good Queen Bess, Bess now sounds less passé than Beth or Betsy.
Word name
"ashes, partly burnt coals"
More distinctive than Ella, if you're inspired by Cinderella, a rarer alternative to popular Ember, perhaps, or even a modern spin on Cindy. Cinder is the name given to partially burnt wood or coals…
Latin
"twins"
Astrological sign with enough rhythm to make a plausible astral name.
"liquid, molten rock"
Molten rock from volcanos, and now a red-hot baby name possibility.
German
"horse protection"
The kind of serious old-school name that sounds appealing again; perfect for the intrepid baby namer. More commonly spelled Rosamund but highly unusual these days in either version, with fewer than…
"captain"
Barbie's little sister, and like Barbie, Skipper is one of many Kindercore names — evoking nostalgia through beloved childhood characters — that is getting more attention. Skipper debuted in the US…
"shine brightly"
Over-the-top glitzy. Sparkle debuted in 1976 and peaked in 1979 when it was given to 124 baby girls. Since then, it has only been given to a small handful of girls most years in the US. Pretty…
Japanese
"harbor wave"
Tsunami is a Japanese word, derived from the elements tsu meaning "harbor," and nami , "wave." It was first used as a name in 2004 and 2005, then left the charts and reemerged in 2020. At the very…
