Pet Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 23 pages
of 23
Greek
"thunder"
This lovely surname of the three novel-writing sisters, now used as a baby name, makes a fitting tribute for lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights . While the original name took an umlaut over…
English diminutive of Augusta, Latin
"great, magnificent"
Gussie fits the growing trend of boyish nicknames for girls - alongside Charlie and Frankie. But Gussie is a bit fussy — try Gus.
Irish
"glutton"
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors…
Italian
"guide, leader"
Guido was very popular in Renaissance Italy, with many namesakes including painter Fra Angelico (born Guido di Pietro) and mathematician Guido Fubini. Guy Fawkes, of gunpowder plot fame, sometimes…
Hebrew
"exile"
Not a traditional biblical choice, but the Philistine giant isn't a bad character as such, just a champion fighter who lost to the underdog. He has given his name to everything from insect species to…
Plant name from Algonquian
"hickory"
Spanish
"nobleman"
Hidalgo is the name of a minor planet, and, on Earth, the Spanish word for a nobleman, but we don't see much crossover potential.
"releaser of horses"
Latinized form of Hippolyte, the name of the queen of the Amazons in Greek mythology, used by Shakespeare for a character in A Midsummer Night's Dream .
The queen of the Amazons in Greek legend, daughter of Ares. Hippolyte was killed by Herakles in order to obtain her magic girdle. In a confusing twist, Hippolyte is also the name of her son.
French from Greek
Hippolyte is the name of an Amazonian princess AND her son, both unfortunate mythical figures. The name Hippolyte, later borne by several saints, is a not an uncommon boys' name in France, but has…
Hitchcock is an extremely rare masculine given name derived from an English surname. The surname itself has Anglo-Saxon origins, combining the Old English personal name 'Hicce' with 'cock' (meaning…
German
"leap"
Heavy and horsey.
Variation of Isabella and color name
With the popularity of Isabella, you might think of Isabelline as a further elaboration -- though it would be the definition of gilding the lily. But Isabelline is also a color, an amorphous pale…
English
"God's gift"
Whether you think of the chocolates or the naked long-haired lady on the horse, Godiva is a name with baggage no child should have to carry.
Mongolian
"universal ruler"
Everyone has heard of Genghis Khan, 12th century warrior and founder of the Mongol empire. The name was brought into the modern world by soccer star Hope Solo and football player Jerramy Stevens, who…
"fire"
Hot name best used as a middle, as Paula Patton and Robin Thicke did for their son Julian in 2010.
Literary name
An admirable meaning, with roots in a Germanic word meaning wisdom, but we fear it will never be detached from the hobbit hero of The Lord of the Rings .
Diminutive of Florence
"flourishing, prosperous"
Flossie was an extremely popular Florence nickname that was used independently in the early twentieth century, given to over five hundred girls per year a century ago. Appealing, sweet as candy…
"noble, steadfast"
Abelard brings to mind Peter/Pierre Abelard, the great twelfth century Breton scholastic philosopher and theologian, who was equally celebrated for his tragic love affair with Heloise--one of the…
Nickname for Philip, Phillip, or Felipe
"lover of horses"
Flip is a cute, attitude-filled nickname for the very proper Philip and variations. A perfect choice if you're looking for a buttoned-up proper name with an informal short form.
