Pet Names · Dog Names
By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 19 pages
of 19
Variation of the word wild or German
"to strive"
Wilda (or Wylda) has two widely divergent images. Pronounced vill-da, it feels like a cousin of Hilda: a sturdy and none-too-attractive prairie settler. But you can also think of her as wild-ah, as…
Diminutive of Johan, German variation of John
"God is gracious"
Nicknames ending in o are invariably cute, though this one is a boys' name in its own right. And not just any boy name, but a saint's name no less. Saint Hanno, aka Saint Anno, was an 10th century…
German, Dutch, Scandinavian variation of Johannes
Johannes never caught on in the US, but popular European short form Hannes may be more accessible.
German
"wedge"
Probably intended as a variant spelling of Kyle, this German word (meaning "wedge") is not used as a name there.
German diminutive of Cornelia
"horn"
Nele originated as a German nickname for Cornelia, but it superseded its mother name and has been a Top 50 name in Germany since 2000. Nell, or even the phonetic spelling, Nela, would be more…
English, German
"enclosure, hedge"
A preppy surname of hidden German origin that would fit right in with currently trendy s-ending boy names like Brooks and Hayes, Haines ultimately comes from the name Hagen. Also spelled as Haynes,…
Short form of Charlotta or Carlotta, forms of Charlotte, French
"free man"
This nickname-name is very popular in Germany, though Lottie is still the preferred version in the US. The problem, of course, is that you'll have to put up with a lotta jokes. See?
German musical name
A daring middle name possibility for classical concertgoers. Alternatives are Wolfgang and Amadeus.
"tooth"
Newswoman Paula brought the surname Zahn to the public eye. It makes a dramatic, unusual Zane alternative -- though you may not want to enlighten your child as to its prosaic meaning.
"noble"
New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas brought his Latinate name into the spotlight, and he has an equally unusual middle name--DONQUAIL.
"dweller near the brook"
Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.
"famous in battle"
Old and aristocratic European name that would be tough for an American kid to pull off.
French form of Millicent, German
"strong in work"
This old-time fairy tale name is rarely heard in the modern English-speaking world, but it's so, well, mellifluous, that it would make a lovely choice for a twenty-first century girl--a romanticized…
German variation of Louise
See LOUISE.
