Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
German
"desired; or island, water"
An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired,…
Arabic
"friend"
Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.
Japanese
"beloved child"
Aiko is a very common Japanese name with a lovely meaning that is rarely heard outside the Asian community.
English
"friend's hill"
Winston meets Marlow in this surname-style choice, blending old-fashioned charm and a hint of stuffiness with a bit of modern edge and breeziness too. Borne by the distinguished American landscape…
Irish
"lover of churches"
A classic Irish "top-o'-the-mornin' surname with a lot of rhythm and pizzazz.
Diminutive of Sandra or Alexandra, Greek
"defending men"
Nickname name in the era of Grease . Sandy fits well in the era of boyish nicknames for girls - a la Scottie and Stevie - or as an alternative to the rapidly rising Goldie. While it peaked in 1960,…
"beloved"
The lilting name of a range of mythical mountains, with an extensive menu of spellings, and a more unusual way of fitting in with current favorites Lila and Lola.
Japanese or English
"loved one; lily"
As a Japanese name, Suki has the sweet meaning "loved one". It's also an English diminutive of Susanna, making it a creative and modern way to honor a Susan in your life.
"loved one"
A North African choice, particularly popular in Tunisia and Syria.
Short form of Obadiah or African, Igbo
"heart"
Strongly linked in the US to the complex "Star Wars" character, Obi Wan Kenobi, but also popular in Nigeria as a short form of names containing the element Obi "heart". Obi can also be a nickname for…
Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd
Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation…
Latin
"friendship"
Amity--what nicer gift to give your little girl than a name that signifies friendship and harmony? This virtue name is also more rhythmic and feminine than the single-syllable Hope, Faith, and Grace.…
Hebrew
"zealous, ardent"
An appealing name almost unknown in our culture but with roots in several others; worldlier than cousins Celia and Delia.
Feminine of Lovell
"wolf"
Lovella is most likely a feminine variation on Lovell, a surname. While it feels one of the invented-yet-antiquated girls' names , has the obvious attraction of containing the word "love" within it,…
English, nickname name
Until recently it was rarely used as a proper name; Buddy Holly, for example, was christened Charles, and Salinger's Buddy Glass was born Webb. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver did name his fourth child…
"heart's friend"
Corwin is an upstanding surname name that has been seen occasionally as a first in literature, but rarely in real life. But maybe with the recent acceptance of Darwin, that might change. In the Water…
"beloved friend"
Like its better known cousin Jedidiah, Jebediah is one of those four-syllable Old Testament names that is being shorn of its long white-bearded image, with the help of its modern-sounding Jeb…
Diminutive of Desiderio, Spanish
"desired one"
Forever Lucy's.
Yiddish variation of Lev
Liev Schreiber's birth name is Isaac Liev, Liev after his mother's favorite Russia author, Leo Tolstoy. Though Liev is increasing in popularity in the secular world thanks to the actor, it originated…
"my heart"
This Hebrew name deserves consideration by parents looking for a traditional by underused girls name with a gorgeous meaning. Made up of the elements lev and i , meaning "heart" and "my"…
