Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Balkan variation of Tsar, meaning "Caesar or ruler"
"Caesar or ruler"
One way to set up a superiority complex in your child is to call your child Czar as American actor Rockmond Dunbar did in 2016.
Diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
After a century of association with horses and cows, this name just could be ready for revival by a fearless baby namer -- after all, it did happen to Jessie and Becky. Bessie has been in use since…
Greek, Portuguese, Romanian
"force; blessed; white"
A bright and bouncy micro name, far rarer than Mia or Gia. In Greek mythology, Bia is the personification of force and raw energy. In Portuguese, it's a nickname for Beatriz, and in Romanian it's…
French
"white"
Blanche, which originated as a nickname for a pale blonde and then became associated with the notion of purity, was in style a century ago, ranking in the double digits until 1920. She then had to…
Irish
"dark river"
Cheerful but laidback, surname-style Delaney is derived from the Old Irish name Dubhshláine and has become a familiar choice for girls in recent decades. Nevertheless, it has also been used for boys…
English
"day-bright"
Problematic, even if not for Dilbert.
"oak tree"
An appealing surname-name that sounds perfectly feminine, unless you consider the association to Vice President Dick.
English, variation of Everett, from German Eberhard
"brave boar"
Though you might have been a fan of tennis star Chris Evert, stick with EVERETT, which everyone will think you're saying anyway.
"white fire or white bull"
Fintan is an ancient Irish saints' name that in legend is also the name of the only person to survive The Flood. Popular in modern Ireland, Fintan is ripe for export to the US where it is rarely used…
English word name
A surprisingly wearable floral name for a boy.
Teutonic
"mighty warrior"
A rarely used last-name-first-name, never as popular as cousins Garrett or Derek.
Greek
"young goat"
One of those names that most Americans find just too too tea-sippingly British to consider; its meaning has led to occasional use for Capricorn boys.
Egyptian
"sun god"
Sounds like Horace, looks like the head of a hawk on the body of a human.
English variation of Hywel, an eminent Welsh king
A familiar and usable last name turned first. Or you could look at it as a homophone of the verb howl, which gives it a wilder feel.
Old Norse via Russian
"warrior"
Musical association with Igor Stravinsky, but also Dr. Frankenstein's right-hand man.
German variation of Gerald
Briefly faddish a few decades ago when Darrell was cool. But does have a creative connection to poet Randall Jarrell.
Diminutive of Jon, English from Hebrew
"God is gracious; gift of Jehovah"
As a male name, Joni is a nickname for Jon or Jonathan, akin to Johnny or Jonny. It's more commonly used as a girl name, where it originated as a nickname for Joan.
Greek variation of a diminutive of Alexis
Lexus, an automotive newcomer, has recently entered the Top 1000 -- more because of its association, we fear, with the status symbol car than its relation to the name Alexis. If you love this name,…
Irish surname
"devotee of St. John"
A stylish sounding last name, similar to Marlowe in sound and Murphy in style, Malone is a gender neutral choice in the US that has leaned just slightly feminine in recent years. Adapted from the…
Russian variation of Maria, Hebrew or Egyptian
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Looking to honor Grandma Mary (or Maria) with something original? This Russian short form bears an unfortunate resemblance to the English word "mash", but if you can look past that, Masha has…
