User-created list
CHIC NAMES FOR THE MODERN DOG
Across 14 pages
of 14
Linnet
French
"flaxen haired"
Although the accent in Linnet is on the first syllable, it could be confused with the dated Lynette.
Lorelle
English elaboration of Lora
Lorelei would make a cooler choice.
Mabelle
Variation of Mabel
Is Mabelle pronounced like Mabel or like May-belle or like the French words for "my beauty" — mah belle — in the Beatles song Michelle? This is a decision you'll have to ponder and a question you'll…
Machiko
Japanese
"fortunate child"
What parent wouldn't love this meaning?
Madrigal
Latin
"song for unaccompanied voices"
Madrigal might be a pretty and highly distinctive choice for a child of a musical family--or for the parent looking for a less conventional path to the nickname Maddie than Madeline or Madison .…
Magdalen
English
"woman from Magdala or high tower"
Biblical name long associated with the fallen-yet-redeemed Mary Magdalen, now rising improbably into the ranks of the fashionable among parents hungry for classic yet distinctive girls' names. The…
Malagueña
Spanish, musical name
Unusual, rhythmic, castanet-clicking. Alternative: FANDANGO.
Mawar
Bahasa and Urdu
"rose"
Mawar is another of the "rose" variants that is almost unheard of outside its home country (in this case, Indonesia), but which deserves consideration given its lilting sound.
Medusa
Greek
"protect, rule"
In Greek myth, Medusa was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, with live venomous snakes in place of hair and the ability to turn people to stone with just a glance. In later myths, Medusa was…
Nance
Nance is a feminine name with roots as both a medieval diminutive of Ann/Anne and as an English surname. The name Anne derives from Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace' or 'favor.' As a given name, Nance…
Nanette
French diminutive of Anne
"grace"
There was a time when French names like Annette, Paulette – and Nanette – were chic, but now, we'd have to say "No, no, Nanette".
Nathalie
A French variation of Natalie that's used occasionally in contemporary America. In England and Wales Natalie remains about 10 times as popular as Nathalie.
Nima
Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
"thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema and Nimah.
Noreen
English, diminutive of Nora
Noreen's in limbo, especially now that Nora has made a comeback.
Nymphadora
Oana
Romanian short form of Ioana
"God is gracious"
An lesser-known member of the John-Joan family, though popular in its native habitat, has never emigrated, possibly due to its non-intuitive pronunciation.
Odele
English from Greek
"song"
Sounds a lot like the recently revived Adele.
Odessa
Russian form of Odesa, Ukrainian place-name
"voyage"
Odessa, (transcribed as Odesa in Ukrainian) is a Ukrainian port city and was given its name by Catherine the Great, who was inspired by Homer's Odyssey . It would make an original and intriguing…
Olivette
Feminine form of Oliver, French, Latin
"olive tree"
A feminine form of Oliver and a diminutive of Olive, Olivette could make an interesting choice for those who love Colette and Violette, but also Olivia. It was used in the 19th century French opera…
Olympia
Greek
"from Mount Olympus"
With its relation to Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods, and to the Olympic games, this name has an athletic, goddess-like aura, making it the perfect Olivia substitute. A well-known art reference…