Pet Names · Cat Names
By Brynn McKeon · Updated September 2026
Across 5 pages
of 5
West African (Fula)
"bold"
Possibly meaning "bold", this West African surname is less commonly found as a first name, too.
African word name from Swahili
"journey"
In Africa, Safari is often used a name for a baby born during a journey. Americans and more likely to think of riding in Jeeps, taking photos of giraffes, lions, and the like. Nevertheless, Safari…
In the US this is likely to conjure zebras, lions and elephants on the Serengeti, but its original meaning "journey" broadens its wearability. Safari is a name common in Africa for babies born while…
Diminutive of Bonaventure, English word name
"fortune; new, exciting, and dangerous project"
A distinctive word name or a short form of the Italian Bonaventura, Venture could make a bold choice, similar in style to Knight, Worthy, Brave, Truth, and Valor. It has been given to around 10 boys…
English surname, variation of Wild, English word name
"untamed; undomesticated, uncultivated"
Wilde is a bold choice that equally fits in to a number of contemporary name trends. It's a daring, outdoorsy word name; a surname-style choice; a literary honor name; and a sound-alike for more…
Latin
"traveler, pilgrim"
Peregrine is considered to be an elegantly aristocratic name in England, but has never made it to the US, where it has been seen as extravagantly eccentric. In the new naming climate, though, it's…
Occupational name
One celebrity baby Pilot put this occupational choice into the pool -- together with the middle name Inspektor, something we wouldn't advise following.
German
"wanderer"
A clunky-cool name with a "grandpa" quality to it, that equally fits into the trend of last names as first names. Wendall, along with its alternative forms, Wendell and Wendel, peaked in the US…
Word name
North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name,…
Asking for trouble.
Arabic
"journey of the night"
Isra is a gender-neutral Arabic name. The name of a chapter of the Quran, it refers to the Prophet's journey from Mecca to Jerusalem.
English word name
"cardinal direction of north"
A lot of attention was drawn to this name when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their baby daughter, making it instantly unisex. North is a word name that's long been used,…
French
"daring king"
Actress Sigourney -- born Susan -- Weaver made this unusual name (which she found in The Great Gatsby ) famous, if not popular.
German surname
"honor, bravery"
Conceivable middle name choice for admirers of flyer Amelia.
Cornish, English
"bold friend"
An English surname and occasional first name deriving from the same root as Baldwin, "bold or brave friend".
"to sail"
Cabot is an attractive English surname associated with the daring early Italian-born British explorer known as John Cabot; his birth name was Giovanni Caboto.
Variation of Columbo or Columbia, Latin
"dove"
This is a big name, both in heritage and sound. On the right child, this could be inspired, but others may shrink from all the connotations. While your preferred nickname for this option might be…
Cortes is a surname of Spanish origin that has been adopted as a masculine given name. It derives from the Old Spanish word 'cortés' meaning 'courteous' or 'polite.' The name gained historical…
Short form of Ferdinand
"bold voyager"
Dinand is popular in the Netherlands thanks to a local singing sensation. Dinand is one of many Dutch short forms that come from the middle or end of a name -- think Bas for Sebastian or Hans from…
Greek
"a good journey"
An unusual and melodious New Testament name
