Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
French variation of Patrick
Though Patrice is still common for boys in France, it has long been feminine here.
Hebrew and Armenian
"God is gracious"
A joyous, celebratory-sounding name.
Latin via French
"sunrise; gold"
A particularly beautiful member of the Oriana and Orane clan,Oriane is the first name of a major character in Proust's In Search Of Lost Time , the Duchesse de Guermantes. Also borne by climber…
English
"apprentice"
Long-used surname name that's up for promotion to greater popularity.
Italian and Portuguese, feminine variation of Paul
"small"
Turning Paul or Paol -- whether it's as Paolo, Paolina, or even Paola -- instantly makes it more romantic and appealing.
"queen"
Wisecracking waitress name stuck in the luncheonette. Started as nickname for girls named Regina -- queen in Latin -- now mostly a canine choice.
English surname name
Superhero names are fit for humans today, and there's no reason Rambo can't take his place among a generation of babies named Loki, Odin, and Atlas. In the eponymous movie, Rambo is the character's…
Arabic
"spring"
Thought to be one of the ten angels who accompanies the sun on its daily course: a lovely image redolent of mythology. If you're looking for names that mean new beginnings , this makes an unusual and…
Sanskrit
"lofty"
This name of a revered Hindu deity is heard in several cultures.
Hebrew, feminine variation of Raphael
"God has healed"
A euphonious and lovely name with a dark-eyed, long-flowing-haired image, Raphaela is, like Gabriella and Isabella, beginning to be drawn into the American mainstream.
Anglicized variation of Irish Raithnait
"little prosperous one"
Used primarily for girls in Ireland, as a variation of Raithnait, Renny could easily be a diminutive form of a whole variety of names including Lorenzo, Laurence, Remington, Rowen, Renatus, Renaud,…
Japanese
"beautiful flower"
Lovely Japanese choice that would translate well cross-culturally.
Hindi or Japanese
"holy or difference"
As an Indian name, Sai honors spiritual master Shirdi Sai Baba, who was revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees. Sai is the name of the young heroine of Kiran Desai's prizewinning The Inheritance…
"animal name"
Sable is often associated with the Dynsaty soap opera, but it is actually a type of animal historically hunted for its fur. Sable is also used as a word for a warm, rich black color. Both…
Hindi, Sanskrit, Jula, Thai, Korean, Mongolian
"refuge, sanctuary; joy; supporting; love, affection; moon"
A multicultural choice, used across India, Korea, Thailand, West Africa, and Mongolia, Saran is a solid sounding name with a variety of good meanings. As an Indian name, Saran is used primarily among…
"blessed, happy"
Surname name with an uplifting meaning. Just beware that this is a well-known mattress brand.
Anglicized variation of Hungarian Sari, variation of Sarah
"princess"
This once-cool nickname-y name now belongs to the grandma generation.
Scandinavian
"new victory"
Signe could make an offbeat, more unusual alternative to Sydney or Sigrid. In Norse mythology, Signe was the twin sister of Sigmund. Can also be spelled Signy.
"captain"
Sure, and we hope he has a good time playing with Buster and Buddy.
Bird name
Unusual choice that was the original name of children's illustrator Tasha Tudor, but is an interesting elaboration of Star, taking it into avian territory.
