Pet Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Gaelic
"fair stranger"
Originally a nickname for Viking invaders, it gained fresh impetus in the 18th century when James Macpherson made Fingal the central character in his Ossianic poems. An offbeat addition to the Fin-…
Finis is a masculine name derived from the Latin word meaning 'end,' 'boundary,' or 'conclusion.' Historically, this name was sometimes given to a final child in a family, signifying that parents did…
German, short form of Josephine
Finja Is a Josephine nickname that ranks among the Top 100 girl names in Germany.
French diminutive of Josephine, Hebrew
"Jehovah increases"
Fifi is a perfect name -- for a French poodle. But Fifi may seem more child-friendly as names like Coco and Lulu rise. Fifi in its fluffiness also balances the seriousness of such full names as…
Manx
"fair Lugh"
Finlo is a name from the Isle of Man, deriving from that island's pagan sun god, Lugh. Given the popularity of all Finn names right now, Finlo could be a great alternative for people who love the…
Modern invented name
One of the oft-mocked Zappa kid names; it supposedly was a nickname his father had for his wife's pinkie toe.
Irish
"white shoulders"
Finola, the readily accessible version of some of the more problematic Gaelic versions of the name, would make a welcome addition to the stockpot of Irish girls' names.
Scottish nature name
"estuary or arm of the sea"
Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
Doogie is a diminutive masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the 1989-1993 television series 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' featuring a teenage medical prodigy. Originally a Scottish…
French
"of the fishing place"
An original choice for a fisherman's child.
English
"fisherman"
Unusual alternative to Fisher with a brisker surname appeal.
Diminutive of Florence, Latin
"flourishing, prosperous"
Flo is an antiquated nickname not often used these days, possibly because "Aunt Flo" is a euphemism for a period.
Word and animal name
Your teenager will either love you or hate you for choosing this name. Better: Fox.
Turkish
"sea"
Derya is a unisex name in its native Turkey, though even there it is far more popular for women than for men. It is related to the Persian name Daria, which also means sea.
"covered with gold"
Gilda, although related to the words gold and gilded, has definitely tarnished. It once shimmered with the seductive image of Rita Hayworth in the film Gilda, then was associated with the beloved…
Gill is a masculine name with multiple origins, functioning both as a standalone name and a diminutive of Gilbert or Gillian. Derived from the Old Norse 'gísl' meaning "hostage" or "pledge," it also…
Word name
Glimmer is shimmery but a little too showy, as is Glitter, a character on a TV sitcom-- while Glimmer appears in The Hunger Games .
English word name
"someone who dances"
A word name that's appealing when applied to a person boogying or doing ballet; a different story in the context of Santa's reindeer.
Designer name
Makeup artist to the stars Gucci Westman has made this Italian fashion name a first.
Celtic
"long-winged swimming birds"
Suggests the salty, windswept air of the seashore.
