Dog Names

The name of a character in the once scandalous novel Valley of the Dolls now sounds a little more dated than the similar Arden.

Ardis

One of the many rhythmically appealing Italian names newly up for consideration, with more substance than the modelly FABIO.
Variations: FABIO, FABIAN, FABRIZIO 

Fabiano

If you're looking for a really unusual international occupational name, this could be it!

Fabbro

Dalton with a B. The original is better. 

Balton

Intriguing spin on Margaret or Maggie, for admirers of French surrealist Rene Magritte. 

Magritte

Although Maguire is such a prominent Irish surname &mdash;it ranks in the Top 40 in the Emerald Isle &mdash;this lively and cheerful family name has rarely been used as a first, unlike more familiar examples like Ryan, Riley and Reagan.  The powerful and distinguished Maguire clan was known for their courage, leadership and resilience.  The name's many notable associations include the unionizing Pennsylvania coal miners known as the Molly Maguires, actor Tobey Maguire and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire. Other spellings are McGuire and McGwire; two other handsome Irish surnames to consider are Malone and Magee.


Maguire

Bambalina

Mailer is one of the more unusual of the on-trend occupational surnames.  Recommended for fans of the macho writer Norman Mailer.

Mailer

Mailys

Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."

Maire

Exie is a vintage feminine name that enjoyed modest popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Often used as a nickname for names beginning with 'Ex-' or as a diminutive for Elizabeth or Exilda, it has a quaint, old-fashioned charm. The name nearly disappeared from usage by the mid-20th century, making it extremely rare today. Its brevity and distinctive sound give it potential appeal to modern parents seeking truly uncommon vintage names. Exie has Southern American associations, as it appeared more frequently in Southern states during its peak usage. The name's simplicity and unique 'x' sound offer a combination of antique appeal and contemporary phonetic interest.

Exie

In the 21st century, Exa is best known as the given name of Grimes and Elon Musk's daughter Y, a sibling for X Æ A-XII. The celebrity parents were inspired by the supercomputer terms exaFLOPS, which is the "ability for a supercomputer to perform 1 quintillion floating-point operations per second." 
 
Historically, Exa was used as a phonetic variation of the biblical name Achsah, Caleb's daughter in the Old Testament. Exa was primarily used by Christians, and made the popularity charts a handful of times in the late 19th century. Exie is the short form.

Ewart has long been extinct as a first name, and the prominent placement of "ew" and "wart" probably has something to do with it. Ewart originated as a Norman form of Edward and an occupational surname name. The surname was related to the Middle English word ewehirde, from the Old English components meaning "ewe" and "herdsman."

Ewart

Evrard is a masculine name of Germanic origin, derived from the elements 'eber' meaning 'boar' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' This ancient name dates back to medieval Europe and was particularly common in France and Belgium. The name Evrard was borne by several notable historical figures, including Saint Evrard of Cysoing, a 9th-century Frankish nobleman. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Evrard maintains a presence in francophone regions and parts of Europe. The name carries connotations of strength, courage, and nobility. Its distinctive sound and historical depth make it an intriguing choice for parents seeking a name with traditional European roots and strong masculine qualities.

Evrard

Bamboo is a plant name that you might want to save for the zoo's name-the-panda contest.  It was used for a starbaby in 2000, though, the rapper Big Boi.

Bamboo

Majo is a versatile masculine name with several possible origins. In Spanish-speaking countries, it often functions as a diminutive for names like Manuel or María José. In Japanese contexts, the name has different origins and meanings, potentially relating to concepts of truth or sincerity. Majo also appears in some African naming traditions. The brevity and easy pronunciation of Majo have contributed to its cross-cultural appeal, though it remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries. The name's simplicity gives it a contemporary feel while its international presence adds cultural richness, appealing to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with global versatility.

Majo

Banana is one fruity name we wouldn't recommend. Pick Plum instead. There is a Japanese novelist whose pen name is Banana Yoshimoto--birth name Mahoko.

Banana

We hesitate to call Bandit an occupational name, any more than Rogue or Vandal are occupational names, yet its use by one of the bandmembers of My Chemical Romance (for his daughter: we're thinking only Gerard Way could pull that off) undoubtedly owes a debt to occupational cousins from Pilot to Parker.
 
 Snappy and daring though it is, it may be best reserved for celebrity babies, a mischievous pet, or as a fun nickname. While it could work as a generic nickname (like Sonny, Sport, and Chip might), it would be especially fitting with something like Benjamin, Benedict, Brandon, or Bennett. 
 
Nevertheless, celeb choices and animated characters can be influential. Bandit appears in the hit cartoon series Bluey, as the father of the title character, and possibly as a result of this, Bandit appeared in the US stats for the first time in 2024, when it was given to six boys.

Bandit

When Australian actress Rachel Griffiths chose this highly unusual name for her son, many assumed it was a bizarre invention, but noted Australian poet and writer of Waltzing Matilda, Banjo Patterson, is known by this name. Sprightly and musical, it could blend in with Bruno, Benjamin and Joey.
 
Borne by a character in the hit cartoon show Bluey, Banjo entered the US stats for the first time in 2024 when it was given to eight boys.

Banjo

Popular name in Japan in its own right, but also as a nickname for Miyako or Makiko. It appears in the visual novel Danganrompa, borne by the character Maki Harukawa. 
 
Succinct and simple, it can mean "truth, reality" or "hope", though other kanji combinations are possible. Some may also recognize it as the name of a type of sushi dish, in which the rice is wrapped in nori (dried seaweed). 
 
Maki might also be considered an anglicization of the Finnish name Mäki, meaning "hill", a nickname for the likes of Makayla, Mackenzie, Maverick, and Malika, and a Māori and Hawaiian form of Margaret (via Makaleka).

Maki

Welcome to Nameberry's masterlist of dog names, where you can find every dog name we've ever recommended, all in one place.

We have over 6000 choices perfect for your pooch, whether you're looking for male dog names, female dog names, or even 

Start here to find a name for your puppy or dog, or narrow your search with our 

. You can also check out our lists of the 

Dog names — male dog names and female dog names — including meaning and origin (Page 348)

6000+ Dog Names