CHIC NAMES FOR THE MODERN DOG

Betsy

Diminutive of Elizabeth

"pledged to God"

This Elizabeth nickname has a decidedly retro feel--think Betsy Ross and the Betsy Wetsy doll-- once seen as a perkier, younger-sounding alternative to Betty. But with Betty on the brink of a…

Bobette

Bobette is a feminine name of French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of Barbara or Roberta. The name combines the nickname "Bob" (from Robert or Barbara) with the French feminine suffix…

Calendula

Flower name, from Latin

"little months"

Calendula is a species of English marigold, deriving from the plural of Latin calends "the first of the month", because it blooms for most of the year. It would be a romantic and extravagant name for…

Calipso

Calipso is a feminine name that appears to be a variant spelling of Calypso, which comes from Greek mythology. In Greek legends, Calypso was a sea nymph who fell in love with Odysseus and kept him on…

Claudine

French feminine variation of Claude

There are much chicer versions of this name today, such as Claudie, Claudia, or Claude itself. Claudine is a name wobbling on the edge of extinction.

Corabel

Greek and French

"beautiful maiden"

Corabel is a rare feminine name that derives from a combination of 'Cora,' which has Greek origins meaning 'maiden' and the French suffix 'belle', meaning 'beautiful.' Alternatively, it may relate to…

Cosette

French literary nickname

"little thing"

Cosette is best known as the heroine of Les Miserables . In the Victor Hugo novel, Cosette was the nickname given to the girl named Euphrasie by her mother. Although Hugo invented the name, some…

Doris

Greek

"gift of the ocean"

Doris had long been on our so-far-out-it-will-always-be-out-for-babies list, and seemed to be written there in indelible ink. But there are signs of a sea change, that Doris could profit from the…

Doğa

Turkish word name

"nature"

In Turkey, as in many countries around the world, word names are on the rise. Doğa is among the most popular for baby girls.

Dulcie

Latin, diminutive of Dulcibella

"sweet"

A sweet-meaning and sounding name dating back to the Roman Empire, and later found in the antebellum South, Dulcie has in the modern era been heard most often in Australia. In Agatha Christie's…

Dunja

Serbian

"quince"

Dunja is an intriguing Eastern European name that's at once striking but not difficult for English speakers.

Embelia

Nature name

A genus of tropical shrubs that bear white and pink flowers.

Etty

English diminutive or names ending with 'etta' or 'ette'

"little"

Ettie or Etty works as a nickname for any name with a prominent "et" sound, usually at the end: think Henrietta, Juliette or Colette. The -ette ending is a French diminutive suffix.

Eunice

Greek

"good victory"

Eunice is a New Testament name of the mother of Timothy, long associated with one of the Kennedy sisters, the founder of the Special Olympics. As high as Number 106 in the early 1900s, it lasted on…

Euphemia

Greek

"fair speech"

Ancient martyr's name that, though not especially appealing, might still be mildly possible, especially for Anglophiles. It was widely used in early Scotland, but was overtaken by its nickname, Effie.

Fabienne

French variation of Fabia

"bean grower"

Instead of the usual French suspects -- Danielle, Isabelle, Gabrielle -- why not consider Fabienne, which is less common and just as pretty.

Faustine

Latin, feminine variation of Faust

"fortunate one"

Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to…

Fleur

French

"flower"

Fleur is a generic, delicate flower name that emigrated into the English-speaking world when John Galsworthy bestowed it on one of the Forsytes in his celebrated saga. More recently, there was Fleur…

Gayle

Gayle is a feminine name with multiple origins. It can be derived from the Hebrew name Abigail, meaning 'father's joy,' or it may be a variant of Gail, which began as a short form of names beginning…

Gladiola

Flower name, from Latin

"little sword"

A floral name with a sharp, cool meaning, Gladiola derives rom the Latin gladiolus , translating to "little sword", and given in reference to the spiked shape of gladioli flowers. This form appears…