Pet Names · Dog Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
English word name
"tank"
Military word names, from Cannon to Major, are in, but Tank might push things a bit too far.
English, diminutive of Dorothy
Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.
Basque
"mine"
A variation of the name Nere, both choices are distinctive and accessible. In the Top 20 in Spain.
Italian and Portuguese, feminine variation of Paul
"small"
Turning Paul or Paol -- whether it's as Paolo, Paolina, or even Paola -- instantly makes it more romantic and appealing.
Spanish place name
Triana is a Top 50 girls' name in Spain largely unknown and unused in the US: Only 10 baby girls in the US were given the name in 2017. Also a surname, Triana is the name of a distinctive…
Swedish or Cornish
"fairy"
Pixie is a cute -- quite possibly too cute -- name that suddenly feels possible thanks to the craze for names that contain the letter x. Though its origin may be uncertain, a pixie is internationally…
Spanish
"little noblewoman"
Has a petite, dainty charm.
"little one"
As a term of endearment, maybe, but not as a proper name, where it would practically demand the refrain "Banana."
English, diminutive of Philip
"lover of horses"
The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.
"boy"
Friendly but flimsy.
"Candlemas"
Diminutive of Candelaria, a name derived from candle and given in honor of the festival of Candlemas, which marks the presentation of Christ in the temple and the purification of the Virgin Mother.
Latin
"heavy, dull"
Brutus is the quintessential brute--far too close to the word brutal. And any child with this name would spend much of his life hearing "Et tu." Originally an old Roman family name, borne by Marcus…
Irish
"small, fair one"
If you like the Irish surname feel, there are loads of more congenial options.
English
"little Peter"
Perkin sounds a bit Hobbit-ish as a full name, but it might make a good honor name or nickname for a boy called Peter.
Italian
"little girl"
Better saved for a doll.
Word name
Peanut Kai is the crazy celebrity baby name of the son of General Hospital star Ingo Rademacher and his fiance Ehiku. Cute but not recommended.
"era, time"
Part of a group of lovely A-starting names popular in Spain, along with Ainhoa and Aitana. Spanish actress Aroa Gimeno introduced this one.
Diminutive of Lillian and Lily, flower name
"lily"
Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.
Italian and Spanish diminutive of Nina
Might be carrying things too far -- little little girl? -- though could freshen up this favorite.
Diminutive of Myfanwy, Welsh
"my precious little one"
If Liv can stand on it's own, why not Miv?
