Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Literary name, English word name
"a composition in verse"
A handful of baby girls were named Poem in the US in the most recent year, along with Poet and Poetry. But of course, these word names can work for boys too.
Japanese
"second son"
Also written as Jirō, this is a commonly used Japanese name, sometimes as a standalone and sometimes as a suffix. Often written to mean "second son", other kanji elements may be used to create the…
Jocko is a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of 'Jack' or 'John.' It has Scottish roots, where it developed as an affectionate nickname. The name carries a playful, energetic…
Diminutive of Jones, English surname derived from John
"God is gracious"
It's difficult to imagine anyone using the first name Jonesy -- and in fact, in the most recent US tally, there were nearly 100 babies named Jones but none named Jonesy. Still, this is a name that…
Retta is a feminine name with multiple origins. Most commonly, it serves as a diminutive of names ending in "-retta" such as Henrietta, Loretta, or Margaretta. The name has Italian roots as well,…
Maori, Hawaiian
"rock; beloved child"
Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.
African place-name, Nigeria
"honor, tribute"
Kanye West propelled his name into the Top 900 in the early 2000s, at the height of his popularity, though now it has dropped off the baby-naming map. In addition to its African derivation, it is a…
Indian mythological name; Hebrew, Swahili
"scarlet, marvelous"
It would be easy to dismiss this girlish name as invented fluff, but it has roots in several cultures with evocative meanings and references. Shani refers to the "scarlet thread" or theme of a story.…
"hope of peace"
Kazuki is related to names like Kazuko, Kazuo and Kazumi
"first son; harmonious man"
A familiar choice in Japan, Kazuo is known more globally due to award winning writer, Kazuo Ishiguro, whose works include Never Let Me Go , The Remains of the Day , and Klara and the Sun . He won the…
Siera is a feminine name that serves as an alternative spelling of Sierra, which derives from the Spanish word for 'mountain range' or 'saw.' This variation removes the double 'r' for a more…
English
"loved or royal power"
Also spelled Kedric, this name has a double origin as either a variant of the surname name Kendrick, or a spelling spin on the literary Cedric, used by Sir Walter Scott for a character in his 1819…
"strong second son"
Common Japanese name for second sons. Kenjiro Shirabu is a character in the anime series Haikyu!! , and Kenjiro Tsuda is a well-known voice actor who has lent his talents to numerous anime series.
Irish
"bright, shining"
A popular Irish name virtually unknown here, but one that feels like it could follow in the footsteps of Siobhan and Saoirse. It's pronounced SOR-ka, but with a little hiccup between the ' r ' and…
Literary name
"little she-bear; peace; good natured, charm"
A literary name with a simple yet alluring sound, Sula may appeal as an alternative to those who like Lula, Lola, Susannah, and Tallulah. The protagonist and titular character of Toni Morrison's 1973…
Feminine short form of David or short form of Octavia
Tavi has been catapulted into the spotlight by teenage fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. This cute name, previously not on anyone's scope, could be a way to honor an ancestral David or a short form of…
Greek
"giant, great one"
This name of the queen of the fairies in A Midsummer Night's Dream has a delicate, lacy charm similar to Tatiana's, but that first syllable could cause embarrassing problems.
Spanish
"vineyard"
Occasionally heard in the 1920s and 30s, along with siblings Bina and Mina; Vienna would be a more modern choice.
French occupational name
"wool worker"
The fashionable occupational last name category gets some French flair with this, Tennessee Williams's middle name.
English word name
"unruly; without law"
Don't come crying to us when your son is breaking all the rules. Lawless returned to the charts after a 90-year gap in 2020 when it was given to six baby boys.
