Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 370 pages
of 370
Variation of Zaire, Kongo
"the river that swallows all rivers"
One of the many new spellings of Zaire that has been climbing the charts lately.
Scottish, feminine form of Kenneth
Kenna is the Scottish version of Kendra, both of which are feminine versions of Kenneth. Used in the TV show Reign for one of the supporting characters.
Italian variation of Darius
"possessing goodness"
More creative and artsy than Mario. Dario is starting to edge up the US popularity list after languishing near the bottom of the Top 1000 over the last four decades. Is that inspired by Dario's…
Spelling variation of Charlie, French
"free man"
Charlie and its many forms are on the rise -- including Charley, which relates more directly to the male formal name Charles. Surprisingly, though, while the number of girls and boys named Charlie…
English, combination of Mary and Lynn
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + lake"
For a name that was in the Top 20 for a whole decade – the 1930's – Marilyn has attained the status of almost a one-person name. Just say the name Marilyn, and most people will know who you mean. Yet…
Arabic
"the chosen one"
Mustafa is a name widely used in Turkey, as it was the given name of the man popularly known as Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Mustafa is also an epithet of the prophet Muhammad and was the…
Hebrew
"light of Jehovah"
A version of a symbolic name given to girls born on Hanukkah, the festival of lights. It can also be spelled Neriya(h), but this spelling made it into the Top 1000 in 2013. Neriah was among the…
Scottish
"crooked mouth"
The seventh most common surname in Scotland, for a time associated only with soup company and the Andy Warhol's iconic painting, Campbell is once again being considered as an accessible but rarer…
Spanish, Italian, German, Greek, and English variation of Helen
"bright, shining light"
Elina is one of the many variations of mother name Helen to make the US Top 1000 list, and is given to around 300 girls each year. While it might blend in among the Helenas, Elenas, and Alinas, it…
Japanese
"sacred and beautiful; pure and beautiful"
The name of a Japanese citrus fruit, Kiyomi made its debut in the US charts in 2025, where it was joined by alternative spelling Kyomi in the Top 1000. Given to 355 girls, it ranks slightly below…
Scandinavian from Latin
"greatest"
Magnus is a Latin name, literally meaning "greatest," that has a Scandinavian feel. It dates back to Charlemagne being called Carolus Magnus, or Charles the Great. Norwegian king Magnus I, named…
American variation of Azariah or Azhari, Hebrew, Malay
"helped by God; shining, brilliant"
Azari is a rising unisex name invented as a variation of Azariah or Azhari. With its I-ending and prominent Z, we see Azari going places — this is one to watch, especially with Azariah, Azaire, and…
Spanish
"saint, holy"
The Spanish and Portuguese variation of the all-saints name. Santos is a name that has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year except for two: 1913 and 1915.
"cassia tree"
This lively Old Testament nature name (belonging to one of the three beautiful daughters of Job) entered the US Top 1000 list in 2024, and ranks highly here on Nameberry — making it one to watch!…
Spanish and Portuguese variation of Brian, modern invention
"strong, virtuous"
As a Spanish and Portuguese name, Brayan is a variant of the Celtic Brian, familiar in Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Italy and France. As a modern invention, it blends Brayden with Bryan, tying it the to…
Short form of Indiana
Indie — as in indie films — is the more girlish version of the name, but earthy, gender-neutral Indy is catching up slowly and steadily. Indy entered the Top 1000 for girls for the first time in 2023…
English or German surname, variation of Beauden, French
"hill shaped like a bow; floor; beautiful"
Boden is most often inspired by the clothing catalog of the same name, and it feels like an appropriate first name for boys because of its stylish two-syllable -n ending rhythm, a la Logan, Mason,…
Latin
"sweet"
Popular Portuguese and Spanish name that refers to "dulce nombre de Maria" -- the sweet name of the Virgin Mary. English variant Dulcie has a different pronunciation, and is significantly less…
English
"place of hawks; river town; Káti's town"
Keaton is an engaging surname with warmth, energy and a sense of humor, identified with silent comedian Buster Keaton and contemporary actors Michael and Diane Keaton. Given to around 290 boys in a…
English word name
"rule"
Reign is one of a new, ahem, kingdom of word names that suggest a high-born child, joining Royal, Lorde, Titan, Saint, King, Princess, and Noble. We predicted this kind of defining name to be the…
