Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Dutch
"gatekeeper"
This upbeat, friendly surname name has appeared on television's Battlestar Galactica a handful of cartoons, and on a literary note, a character in Herman Melville's Moby Dick . Sports fans might…
French
"from Brittany"
Breton is the term for the people and language of Brittany, a region of northern France with a distinct culture. Breton also might be thought of as a trendy modern invention, taking the midcentury…
Irish
"band of warriors"
Fianna, a virtually unknown Irish name in the US, combines the best elements of Fiona and Brianna. In Irish and Scottish mythology, the Fianna were independent bands of warriors. It has ranked in…
American nickname
The original southern Good Ol' Boy.
Spanish variation of Grace
Although Gracia is the literal Spanish translation of Grace and is used as the Grace equivalent in Spanish-speaking countries, where it's pronounced grah-see-ah or grah-thee-ah, it's also a long-time…
Italian surname
"head"
Notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone may not seem like a worthy namesake, but parents have been using his surname for their sons since 1996. In English, we pronounce Capone with two syllables, but…
Welsh, Greek, French, "love, affection; fierce brightness; beloved"
"love, affection; fierce brightness; beloved"
On one hand, Caron is a place name, deived from the Welsh caru meaning "to love", and therefore related to Carys and Caradoc. Alternatively, it's influenced by the Greek Charon ("fierce brightness"…
Naples-born Enrico Caruso was one of the greatest opera singers of all time. Recordings of his powerful singing voice are still in circulation today, nearly 100 years after his death. Increasingly,…
Hindi; Greek
"to seize; joy"
In Hindi, Hara is one of the 1,008 names for the god Siva and, to English speakers, a possible feminine spin on Harry. In Greek the name is pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable, where it has…
English, Dutch, German
"gray, black; hare"
An androgynous alternative to Hazel, Hayes, and Hayden, Hazen is predominantly used for boys at the moment, though it has been given to a handful of girls since the 2000s. Hazen is a variation of the…
Diminutive of Charles, French from German
"free man"
Retro nickname for Charles that has the potential for revival, a la Hal, Ike, and Gus. Ben Stiller played the high-strung but devoted Chas Tenenbaum in Wes Anderson’s 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums .
Spanish place-name
The perfect Latin-accented hero name to honor labor activist César Chavez.
Japanese
"present, now"
Frequently cited as an example of cruel baby naming, à la Ima Hogg.
English word name
"intelligent"
Smart choice given to a handful of baby boys each year.
"love, friendship"
Connelly is an open, inviting, and rarely used Irish surname that can make a perfect alternative to the overused Connor or Colin for a boy.
Word name
Dagger is one of the new badass baby names , a sharp and scary choice that some parents may feel arm their child for battle in a cruel modern world.
Spanish from Greek
"to tame"
A Damian relative and the name of an ancient Spanish pope with modern possibilities.
"exposure to injury, pain, harm, or loss"
Prime example of the aggressive word names that are an off-the-grid branch of the new macho names. Makes Cannon, Maverick, and Ranger feel almost soft and sensitive by comparison.
Variation of Delmar, Spanish
"of the sea"
Delmer is kind of a smoosh of two dated names, Delmar and Elmer, that does not improve on either. While Elmer is making a return as a Geek Chic name, Delmar was given to only 14 baby boys last year…
"evil spirit; familiar spirit"
Demon is probably best left as an edgy nickname or chosen moniker than put on the birth certificate. Typically associated with evil or familiar spirits, it could also be considered an Ancient Greek…
