Pet Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 14 pages
of 14
Gilberta is a feminine name derived from the Germanic masculine name Gilbert, which combines the elements 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous.' As the…
Nature name
Olympic athlete Usain Bolt introduced this unusual and electric nature name to the lexicon when he chose it for his daughter's middle name: Olympia Lightning Bolt. Now there's a name with layers of…
Modern invented name
Gidget was the surfer girl who started it all. She was the subject of six novels by Frederick Kohner, and the 1959 film in which she made her theatrical debut, starring Sandra Dee, helped make…
Gertina is a feminine name that appears to be a diminutive or variant form combining elements of Gertrude, Greta, or Gertie with the feminine suffix '-ina.' The name has Germanic roots, as Gertrude…
Short form of Gertrude
Gertie has a certain homespun charm, summoning to mind butter-yellow braids and denim overalls, summoning mind the adorable character played by little Drew Barrymore in E.T. Is the world ready for…
Short form of Gertrude, German
"strength of a spear"
Gert is an old school nickname for one of the oldest school names, Gertrude. Only the most adventurous, so-far-out-it's-in baby namers will choose Gertrude or Gert today, but it's definitely geek…
French surname
We've heard artists' surnames MONET and MANET used as first names, and so, even though it's a bit of a stretch, the family name of the great post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin (go-GAN) could be…
Marshella is a feminine variation of Marshall, with the added feminine suffix '-ella'. The name Marshall has Germanic origins meaning 'horse servant' or 'caretaker of horses,' derived from 'marah'…
Word and comic book name
Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more…
Fillmore is a masculine name of English origin, classified as an occupational surname that has occasionally transitioned into use as a given name. It literally meant 'one who works with a file' (a…
German
"very brilliant"
Like Norbert and Hubert, feels terminally dated -- in addition to which it's a nut.
Irish surname, related to the sea
A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
English
"town by the lake"
Sounds like a displaced Dr. Seuss character.
"always green"
Diminutive of Margaret
"pearl"
Sixties-style nickname which is also the name of a small biting insect, particularly prevalent in Scotland.
Japanese
"green; beautiful bird"
In Japan, color names are used to symbolize human qualities, and the green hues of Midori name are said to represent fame. While it is a unisex choice in its native Japan, Midori is predominantly…
English word name
"powerful"
A strong modern word name with both spiritual and secular significance.
"small fish"
This adorable fish name debuted on the baby name charts in 2020, inspired by a young girl character in the Netflix movie Love and Monsters . Minnow resembles well-established girl names Minnie,…
English diminutive of Aminta and Araminta, Greek
"defender"
Minty isn't a fresh word name — it's an old-fashioned nickname for Araminta, the romantic smoosh name coined by playwright William Congreve in 1693.
Elfie is a charming feminine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It originated as a diminutive form of names containing the element 'alf' or 'elf', which in Germanic mythology referred not to…
