Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Latin
"love"
This Latin word for love is not traditionally used as a name, but why not? It's got a pretty sound and some distinctive flair. Variants Amori or Amorie can also be thought of as different spellings…
Literary name
This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.
Scottish surname from a diminutive of William
"resolute protection"
William was such a popular name, thanks to the Conquerer, in early England that it gave rise to a range of nicknames, including the distinctly Scottish Wilkie. Heard mostly as a surname these days,…
The surname of father-son British writers Kingsley and Martin could work very well as a first, though its Amy connection makes it sound a tad feminine.
Literature, Greek
"defender"
One of the romantic names favored by British pastoral poets, it was first used as a masculine name by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso for his 16th century play about a shepherd falling in love with a…
"female friend"
Amica is a word meaning girlfriend that is not often used as a name in Italy, but it would sound pretty and name-like elsewhere.
Female version of William
Sometimes heard in Scotland, where its heyday was in the times of Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, this feminization of William was notably borne by Williamina Fleming, an astronomer who is famous…
English
"farm near the willows; willow town"
Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an…
Ambroise is the French form of the Latin name Ambrosius, which is derived from the Greek word 'ambrosia,' meaning 'immortal' or 'divine.' This name carries connotations of longevity and heavenly…
Diminutive of Wilton, English
"place by a stream"
Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain (born Wilton) lends a sort of mythic quality to his name. Few have ventured to use it since it is so tied to the famed Chamberlain, but it could make an inspired…
Diminutive of Winifred or Winslet
Win might be an upbeat short form for a girl named Winifred or the new-fangled Winslet, or can stand on its own. The Welsh name Wynn feels more complete and sounds the same.
Variation of Winfrith, English
"peaceful friend"
Oprah's almost mononymic first name is too closely tied to her personality (and brand) for us to recommend it as a baby name in good faith. Her surname, however, is definitely name-worthy. Winfrey…
French, word name
Ambrette is the name of a French dessert pear, and also a West Indian hibiscus seed.
Maori
"Christmas orchid"
With the rise of all those other popular feminine W names, like Winnie, Willa and Winona, why not consider the lovely Winika? Win and Winnie are likely nicknames and it is associated with a dainty…
American diminutive of Winifred, Welsh
"blessed peacemaking"
Winnet is a long-forgotten nickname for Winifred that was used in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries. These days, it's more often found in South Africa.
"beloved"
Amatus is an ancient Roman name in the "Ama" family of names whose meanings relate to love -- they range from Amy to Amity to Amias to Amoret and Amatus.
Italian
"loved"
Saint's name that emanates amore.
Spanish from Hebrew
"gold"
Names that end in I are hot right now, but Yari has yet to be discovered. It's a unisex name more common among girls, perhaps due to its similarity to Yara.
Italian feminine variant of the Latin Amatus
Name that's virtually unknown here but has a lovely meaning and a simple sound and spelling.
Japanese
"peaceful, quiet"
Calming Japanese choice.
