Dog Names

Rylie is a spelling variation of the more-popular traditional Riley. In the US Top 1000 since 1997, it has peaked in 2004, 2008, and 2016 when it nearly reached the Top 300. It fell significantly in 2023, however, its popularity has always been bumpy. Riley, Rylee, and Ryleigh all rank above Rylie but when you combine all the spellings, it feels like a Top 20 name. 

Rylie

Combine two parts Paisley with one part Hazel and one part Harley, add a dash of Hayes, and voila: Haisley.

Haisley

Rugged but gentle at the same time, Cassian is a saintly and stylish choice that was derived from the name Cassius. Before 2017, it was an obscure choice, given to a tiny handful of boys each year. As of 2023, however, it's become one of the top ten fastest-rising names in the US, more than doubling in usage since 2022 and edging closer towards the Top 500.
 There are a number of fourth and fifth century St. Cassians, one of whom is the patron saint of stenographers (though he must not get much work these days).John Cassian was a monk and ascetic writer who introduced Eastern monasticism into the West; Cassian Elwes is a British film producer, and Patrick Wilson used the alternate spelling Kassian for his son.
 It is unlikely however, that any of these can be credited for the rise of Cassian. Instead, we must turn to pop culture.
 In 2016, just before Cassian began to climb the charts, the Star Wars Franchise movie, Rogue One, was released and included a character called Cassian Andor, who then went on to feature as the lead in the television spinoff series, Andor. With the sounds of popular Julian, Jasper, and Adrian, like Casper but not too ghostly, Cassian caught people's attention, not just in the US, but in the UK, where it now ranks in the Top 600.
 
But what caused the even bigger leap up the charts in 2023? Again, we must look towards a fictional character. The popular romance-fantasy book series A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas features a Cassian, and the latest novel included a Cassian storyline that likely put the name on people's radar. "ACOTAR" as it gets called is popular on BookTok and BookTube so it's no wonder parents are taking inspiration from it. 
 
Another new pop culture influence: the Star Wars-related TV show Andor, whose main character is named Cassian Andor. Cassian is obviously a timeless name with ancient roots that sounds fresh today -- though maybe not for long.
 Similar to Nameberry favorite Caspian with sounds that are both strong and soft, both ancient and right up to date, Cassian is a hot name right now, and was given to more than 550 babies in 2023.

Cassian

What works for Paige just doesn’t work for Sage. The added i will likely create a lifetime of spelling mistakes.
 Saige Thompson is an American actress.

Saige

The streamlined Ruben is much more popular than the original Biblical Hebrew version in the US.

Ruben is definitely a simpler and more intuitive spelling of this rich attractive name. Ruben and Ruby are the perfect male-female companion names.

Ruben

Widely used across Europe as a common baptismal name symbolizing spiritual rebirth, Renata, in this country it has an operatic image via Italian-born divas Renata Tebadi and Renata Scotti.
 Renata is back in the U.S. Top 1000 after decades away; she has a larger following in other countries.
 Writer/critic Renata Adler was a star among the literati. And Renata is a minor vampire character in the Twilight series.
 For those of you thinking nicknames, Renata might be a full name leading to the increasingly trendy "Wren".

Renata

Blending a number of popular contemporary sounds, Makai is a name that be viewed in a several different ways.
 
On one hand. you could consider it an update on the classic and Biblical Michael, meaning "Who is like God". It could possibly draw inspiration from international variants like Mikhail, while also provided cool nicknames Mak, Maks, and Kai.
 
Alternatively, Makai could be a Hawaiian name, with the appealing coastal meaning of "seaward, by the sea" or "towards the sea", or, it could be a contracted form of Malachi or Malakai, meaning "my messenger, my angel".
 
Makai has been in the US Top 1000 since 2005 and in a more recent year, it appeared in the Top 500 when it was given to 626 babies.

Makai

The name of a Guaraní princess killed by Spanish conquistadors in Tupi-Guarani legend. A Ceibo tree – the national flower of Argentina – is said to have bloomed in the spot where she died.

 The meaning of the name is uncertain. It may be related to the Tupi word for "maize", or it may be related to Anahita or Anaïs, meaning "immaculate". Mononymous Mexican singer and actress Anahí is a famous bearer.

 Anahí is also a gemstone name: a variety of quartz with distinctive purple and orange sections, found in the Anahi mine in Bolivia. The mine is said to have been named after an Aroyeo princess who married a Spanish conquistador and was accidentally killed trying to save him from assassination. She is said to have presented him with one of the gemstones as she lay dying – the differently colored halves of the stone representing her heart torn between her love for her husband and her love for her people.

Anahi

Adan is one of those names that feels familiar because it is in fact a variation of several other names. Used in Hispanic cultures, it is a form of Adam, more conventionally spelled with an accent as Adán. In English, it can be seen as a spelling variant of the uber-popular Aidan, Aiden, Aden, etc., while in Arabic, it is a unisex choice, and alternative form of Eden.

Adan

A short but strong biblical name with multicultural appeal, Asa is enjoying new visibility thanks to hot young actor Asa Butterfield of Hugo fame. 
 Asa was the name of an important biblical king of Judah, who reigned for more than forty years. In modern times, the name was long associated with the strong patriarch Asa Buchanan on the soap opera "One Life to Live," but since the character "died" in 2007, this gives the name plenty of room to rejuvenate. Popular with the Puritans, Asa can be found in the novels of James Fenimore Cooper and Theodore Dreiser. 
 A notable real-life namesake is the highly influential botanist Asa Gray, and Asa was the birth name of Al Jolson. Radiohead's Colin Greenwood has a son named Asa. 
 Asa could also be a path to the hip nickname Ace or an alternative to the rapidly rising Asher.

While theoretically unisex, this surname name has been edging up the <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls’ names</a> list, perhaps originally as an Ashley substitute. 

One quality in Ainsley's favor: It's remained steadily popular -- but not TOO popular -- for more than 20 years now, ranking consistently around Number 400. That makes it stylish and familiar without showing up everywhere.

Ainsley

While Alivia may not have achieved the megapopularity of its mother name, it's still a widely used choice.  Alivia combines the trendiness of A names with the trendiness of Olivia to create a choice that's slightly off the beaten track -- slightly being the operative word here.  Is the distinction the initial A earns you worth a lifetime of explaining, "No, it's Alivia, with an A, not Olivia"?  Your call, though ours would be no.

Alivia

Aniyah is a cross-cultural choice with a modern sound and classic roots. Currently in the Top 1000 in both the US and the UK, it has two different origins. 
 
As an Arabic name, Aniyah means "caring" or "one who helps others", an aspirational meaning connoting both strength and gentleness. As a modern invention, it likely draws inspiration from Anya and Anna, with a hint of Aaliyah, which could give it the meaning "grace".
 
In the US, the name peaked in 2010 when it reached #177, and while it has declined, in remains in the Top 1000, given to around 820 girls each year. This form is currently more popular than alternative spelling, Aniya which left the Top 1000 in 2021.

Aniyah

While not as popular as the Ariel spelling of Little Mermaid fame, this rendition has achieved popularity in its own right.
 Arielle has been on a steady rise, perhaps helped by the -elle ending shared with other trendy names such as Annabelle, Isabelle, and Brielle.

Arielle

Edgar is an Old English name historically associated with the tenth century English king known as Edgar the Peaceful. There was also a King Edgar of Scotland.
 Edgar has been a stalwart on the US <a href="https://nameberry.com/popular-names">popular names</a> lists, not dipping below the Top 400 until 2022, and is especially popular (as is Edgardo) with Latino families.
 Edgar plays a key role in King Lear and has had several distinguished namesakes, including artist Degas, Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, and author and poet Edgar Allan Poe. In terms of style, however, most would rate it a distant third to Edward and Edmund. 
 Trivia tidbit: Joan Rivers' daughter Melissa named her son Edgar after her father, but he is called by his middle name Cooper.

Edgar

Cameron was once a rising star for boys only, but Cameron Diaz almost single-handedly transported it into the unisex camp back in the 80s.Though there are still eight times as many boy babies named Cameron as girls, it is currently in the US Top 600, where it is joined by Camryn and Kamyn. 
Deriving from a Scottish surname made up of the Gaelic elements cam and sròn, Cameron means "crooked nose". This likely originated as a nickname, but if you were hoping for a different meaning, there is also the theory that the second part of the name may have come from the Gaelic abhainn meaning "river" or the Welsh bryn meaning "hill"
 
Either way, Cameron is a sweet but sophisticated choice with a hint of showbusiness flair, and a touch of rough-and-tumble, with cute nickname Cammy, or the more gender neutral neutral Cam.
 
While it has declined in popularity since its peak in 1999, it is still selected for more than 600 girls every year, and with the spelling variations of Camryn and Kamryn also featuring in the US charts, it continues to feel like a Top 500 name, ranking alongside Mackenzie, River, or Summer. 
Looking for something similar but less associated with one celeb? Camden, Cadence, Saffron, Keelin, or Bellamy might inspire you.

Cameron

While the Rowan spelling is in the Top 1000 for both boys and girls, this spelling is much more unusual though maintains the same gender split at nearly four boy Rowens for every girl.

Rowen climbed onto the Top 1000 for boys in 2010 and is holding steady in the middle of the list, while Rowan ranks in the boys' Top 100.

Rowen

Aubree and its big sister name Aubrey are both very widely used names, and if taken together would be among the most popular girl names. The Aubree spelling came into the limelight on the show Teen Mom 2.

Aubree

Sean, after a long reign as one of the top <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/328/irish-baby-names-for-boys">Irish boys' names</a> in the US, has now slipped as parents look to fresher Irish choices such as Liam and Aidan. In Ireland, Sean is still highly popular, but variation Senan, an Anglicized spelling of diminutive Seanan, is also stylish in Ireland. While Sean is the Irish form of John, Seanan and Senan may be thought of either as Sean diminutives or relatives of the Latin word "senator".

Sean

The feminine form of Amir, a soft and regal baby name popular in the Muslim community.

Amirah

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 7000 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 

Complete list of 7000+ dog names — male dog names and female dog names — including meaning and origin (Page 42)