Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated October 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Irish
"plunderer"
There are many more appealing Irish surnames than Foley, and certainly more positive meanings. If Foley is a genuine family name, this would be all right in the middle.
Place-name
Associated with the poet and novelist Galway Kinnell, this name of an Irish city, county, and bay would make an evocative choice. For further literary cred, writers Liam O'Flaherty and Frank Harris…
Irish surname, derivation unknown.
A dandy, bouncy family name with tap shoes, high hat, and cane. There are several theories of its derivation, including as a nickname from the word 'ganty,' for a person who commonly wore gloves, or…
"blond boy"
Transformation of the stolid Gilbert into an animated surname name.
"glutton"
Gulliver is an obscure Gaelic surname known almost solely through its literary Travels until actor Gary Oldman used it for his son, instantly transforming it into a lively option. British actors…
"sea tide"
Hurley is a possibility as a unisex surname-name ending with the "lee" sound. It is perhaps most associated with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, and is much rarer than Harley, because the "ur"…
Irish, Anglicization of Laoghaire
"herder"
We'd be leery of this one.
"little dog"
An unusual, energetic surname choice that would make a good Madison alternative. Madigan was a typical police detective series of the 1970s, starring Richard Widmark.
"devotee of the church"
Too close to baloney.
"devotee of Maedoc"
One of the ultimate teasable names, an Irish saint's name now associated with the oversized comic-strip dog. Scottish adventurer Bear (born Edward) Grylls took up the challenge when he used it for…
"sea taboo"
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice.
Irish surname
"descendant of Brian"
The use of O-prefixes could create the next wave of Irish inflected names, offering an innovative way of honoring a relative with a behind the times moniker.
Diminutive of Patrick, Irish
"noble, patrician"
Because it's a generic (and often derogatory) term for an Irishman, Paddy fell out of use as a diminutive or given name, though actress Mare Winningham used it not long ago.
Irish, diminutive of Mairead, Irish form of Margaret
Infrequently used relic of the Maureen-Colleen-Kathleen era, though it does seem to have a bit more energy than the others.
"herald or town crier"
Relaxed, with an appealing touch of swagger.
"the little hero"
Friendly-sounding name with big "Sweeney Todd" downside.
Diminutive or variation of Irish surname Tabar
"water pourer"
A nickname with quirky, old-fashioned charm, Tipper likely comes from the Irish surname, Tabar, meaning "water pourer", though it may also just be used as a playful pet name for a girl, if it happens…
