Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Maxie is a feminine name that originated as a diminutive form of Maxine or Maxene, which themselves are feminine versions of Maximilian or Maxwell. The name has Latin roots in "maximus," meaning…
Diminutive of Melanie
"black, dark"
Not one but two Spice Girls are named Mel, which led to it briefly being more popular for girls than boys in the 90s and early 00s, but it has now fallen out of favor for both sexes.
French
"servant"
In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was one of the most dashing of the Knights of the Round Table who eventually had an affair with Queen Guinevere: it makes for a romantic story-- but perhaps overly…
German
"famous warrior"
As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
English, Greek, Hawaiian, Japanese
"grace; God is gracious; spring, beauty; vegetable, greens"
To most English speakers, Nana is the dog in Peter Pan , the daughter played by Emma Stone in Crazy Stupid Love , and another name for Grandma, however, it is also a diminutive of Nancy and Anna…
Hebrew
"light of Jehovah"
Neriah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah as the father of Baruch and Seraiah ben Neriah. According to the Talmud, Neriah and his sons are all prophets. The name is traditionally…
English
"a small salamander"
Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
English word name
"rejoice"
Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
Greek, diminutive of various names beginning with the element Niko-
Attractive, approachable, and more striking Nick alternative.
American word name
A quintessentially American name, Rowdy has a number of notable wearers, including Rowdy Yates, Clint Eastwood's character on the television show Rawhide, and Olympic swimmer Rowdy Gaines. As a word,…
Hindi, or diminutive of Savannah
Cute and short name that sounds right on trend with it's V sound. Alyssa Milano's character on the soap opera Mistresses was Savannah, called Savi.
Finnish and Scandinavian variation of Erasmus
"beloved, desired"
A form of ancient name newly popular in Eastern Europe, Rasmus is rugged and distinctive - and on trend in Estonia and Finland. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but with its philosophical roots and…
"turbulent, stormy"
Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people…
Rusten is a masculine name with varied possible origins. It may be a variant spelling of Ruston or Rustin, which developed from an English surname derived from place names combining 'rush' and…
Japanese, Malay, Indonesian
"sea; mother"
Stylish and simple, Umi is an ocean inspired Japanese name that may appeal to those who enjoy Lumi, Rumi, and Una. It appears in the popular anime series, Love Live Umi might also be used as an…
German variation of Sasha
"defending warrior"
In Europe, this name is mostly male, but here it's more fashionable for girls. It's a diminutive of Alexander.
German, diminutive of Anselma
"God helmet"
Familiar in the US, Brazil, and Latvia in the early 20th century, Zelma has been off the radar for some time. While the Selma-Thelma-Velma connection might date it, with Zelda and Alma sparking…
Latin
"of the Sun"
A surprisingly modern word name, only recorded since the 20th century, Solaris is also the title of a 1961 science fiction novel by Polish author Stanisław Lem, which has been adapted for the big…
Italian or Persian; Greek
"little girl; seeker"
A thirteenth-century Tuscan saint, patron of homemakers, Zita is the kind of name that sounded really creative in an earlier era.
Sign of the Zodiac, Latin
"bull"
The Zodiac name hasn't caught on like Leo or Aries, though it did appear in the US Top 1000 for five consecutive years back in the '70s.
