Australian Shepherd Names

  1. Linden
    • Origin:

      English tree name
    • Meaning:

      "tree of the genus Tilla"
    • Description:

      Though this name of a sturdy tree that can live for centuries was quite popular for boys in the first half of the twentieth century, at this point in time we can see Linden as a fresh-sounding possibility for a little girl named to honor an Aunt Linda. Early pagans and Christians embraced the Linden as a holy tree, thought to aid healing and often planted near churches. The Linden is the mythological symbol of truth, peace, and justice; court cases and marriage ceremonies were often held beneath Linden trees. The Linden tree is associated with the goddess Freya.
  2. Rusty
    • Origin:

      Short form of Russell
    • Description:

      Though as a formal name Rusty is a little, well, rusty, it spent half a century among the Top 1000, departing only in 1995. Only 45 baby boys received the name in the US in one recent year and it's difficult to imagine it as the winning choice of many modern parents. Whether you want an informal name or a spin on a traditional name or even a word name or a name that means red, there are simply too many better options.
  3. Lilla
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "lilac"
    • Description:

      An underused member of the Lily group of names. The spelling makes it clear you want it to rhyme with Willa.
  4. Pippi
    • Origin:

      Norse variation of Philippa
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Pippi may be cute but isn't very practical. In addition to being forever Pippi Longstocking, there is that variant pee-pee spelling to consider. Try Pippa instead.
  5. November
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "month name"
    • Description:

      The menu of usable month names seems to expand every, well, month, with such choices as November, October, and January joining more established names like April, May, June and August. Logical November nicknames include Nova, Novi, or Ember, making this a natural (if adventurous) choice for a baby girl. November is also, obviously, one of the perfect names for November babies.
  6. Shep
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Shepherd
    • Description:

      Three Stooges name (he's the one who wasn't Moe or Curly).
  7. Quince
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "applelike fruit"
    • Description:

      The girls have Apple, Plum, Peaches, Cherry, and Berry: here's one variety of fruit suitable for a boy.
  8. Roo
    • Origin:

      Diminutive
    • Description:

      A cutesy nickname — identical sounding to the more substantial Rue and Roux.
  9. Boomer
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "gatekeeper"
    • Description:

      This upbeat, friendly surname name has appeared on television's Battlestar Galactica a handful of cartoons, and on a literary note, a character in Herman Melville's Moby Dick. Sports fans might think of Boomer Esiason, the NFL quarterback turned color commentator. He's not the only athlete to answer to the upbeat nickname.
  10. Blu
    • Origin:

      Variation of Blue, color name
    • Description:

      Blu is a new (nu?) spin on an increasingly popular color name, also spelled Blue and Bleu by celebrity parents. Blu is the spelling used for one of the (male) Waldrop quintuplets, but the name is gender neutral.
  11. North
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
  12. Goose
    • Origin:

      Animal name
    • Description:

      Popular for pets, not baby boys.
  13. Chief