Pug Names

Elmer

English

"noble and renowned"

Thanks to Elmer Fudd, Elmer the Cow, Elmer the elephant, Elmer's glue and the similar Elmo, this name might, to some feel like a jokey choice: the quintessential so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out…

Herbert

German

"bright army"

Names ending in bert have long been in limbo, but with the return of Albert, maybe there's hope for Herbert. who could share the Bertie nickname. Herbert is a name that's been used by English…

Humphrey

German

"peaceful warrior"

Humphrey is an old name that might have faded completely were it not for that Bogie flair. A royal name in Britain, where it's used somewhat more frequently, Humphrey might just have some life beyond…

Howie

Diminutive of Howard, English, Germanic, Norse

"high guardian; brave heart"

Old school Howard has fallen out of fashion in recent years, having been a Top 100 choice in the US from the 1880s until the 1960s. Short form Howie, however, might have more potential, with its…

Linus

Greek

"flax"

Can Linus lose its metaphorical security blanket and move from the Peanuts page onto the birth certificate? We think it has enough charm and other positive elements going for it for the answer to be…

Wilbur

English, German

"wild boar"

Clunky yet cuddly, Wilbur is a stylish name in the UK where it currently sits in the Top 600, as cool as Rupert or Wilfred. Its merits are starting to be rediscovered in the US, where it was last…

Hamlet

Anglicized form of Danish, Amleth

The "To Be or Not to Be" jokes, via Shakespeare's tortured prince, will get old by Month Two.

Hamilton

English and Scottish

"treeless hill"

Unless it runs in your family, or Alexander Hamilton is your particular hero, you might consider something less imposing -- and without the teasable nickname Ham. Scottish curler Hamilton McMillan Jr…

Piglet

English word name

The forever-nervous but endearing Winnie the Pooh character may inspire some pet parents to use this name.

Pumbaa

Swahili

"slow-witted"

The hilarious warthog from The Lion King. Strictly pet territory.

Poe

English

"peacock"

An evocative unisex one-syllable name, Poe is most distinguished by its literary reference. Edgar Allan Poe was an influential American author and poet, credited with inventing the genres of…

Monty

Diminutive of Montague or Montgomery, variation of Monte, English, Spanish

"mountain"

Monty, a name with a World War II feel, is rarely used on its own in the US. But we're hearing rumblings of a comeback and think that Monty, whatever it's short for, is an adorable vintage nickname…

Abe

Diminutive of Abraham. Hebrew

"father of multitudes"

Old-time nickname that's following in the fashionable footsteps of cronies Jake and Sam. Abe feels both fresher and cuter -- which is maybe the same thing? -- than those choices right now. You can…

Elton

English

"from the old town"

Elton is an unassuming, lesser-used place name belonging to several towns in the British Isles, the US and Canada, and even a lake in Russia. The singer Elton John gives it a bit of extra pizzazz.

Lenny

Diminutive of Leonard, German

"brave lion"

A nickname of yesteryear that like alongside Reggie, Alby, Archie, and Bertie, is back in consideration. Already in the UK Top 200, a high-ranking choice in Switzerland and a familiar option in The…

Vinnie

Vinnie is primarily a masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Vincent, though it can occasionally be used for girls as well. The name derives from the Latin 'Vincentius,' meaning…

Petey

Petey is a masculine name traditionally used as an affectionate diminutive of Peter, which derives from the Greek 'Petros' meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' This nickname-as-given-name carries a boyish…

Norm

Norm is a masculine name that functions both as a standalone name and as a familiar shortening of Norman. Derived from the Old French 'Normand,' referring to Northmen or Vikings who settled in…