POSSIBLE DOGS NAMES

  1. sammie
    • Archie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Archibald, Teutonic
      • Meaning:

        "truly brave"
      • Description:

        Archie made global news as the surprise first name of the newborn royal baby, son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aka Harry and Meghan. Archie has now officially transcended Archie Bunker and Riverdale's Archie to take the, um, throne as the quintessential retro nickname name.
    • Bear
      • Origin:

        Animal name
      • Meaning:

        "bear"
      • Description:

        Bear has suddenly lumbered onto the baby name landscape. Perhaps inspired by British adventurer Bear Grylls (born Edward Michael), first celebrity chef Jamie Oliver used it as the middle name for his boy Buddy, and Alicia Silverstone called her son Bear Blu, followed by Kate Winslet's Bear Blaize.
    • Bobby
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Robert
      • Meaning:

        "bright fame"
      • Description:

        Bobby is the quintessential mid-century nickname, the name of the son on Mad Men and overused to the point of cliche. Though Robert is still a highly popular choice, most Roberts today are called by their full name or Rob or Robbie rather than Bob or Bobby.
    • Buddy
      • Origin:

        English, nickname name
      • Description:

        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 Buddy Bear Maurice--a fittingly named brother to Poppy Honey Rosie, Daisy Boo Pamela and Petal Blossom Rainbow, and singer Tom Fletcher has a double-nicknamed Buddy Bob.
    • Cali
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of any Cal- name
      • Description:

        A short form that is given on its own to a good number of baby girls each year — Cali has been on trend in recent years along with sister names Callie and Kali, as the popular 90s and early 2000s nickname Allie has felt less fresh.
    • Cato
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "all-knowing"
      • Description:

        Cato conjures up images of ancient Roman statesmen and southern antebellum retainers; it could have revival potential, with its 'O' ending and the current interest in the names of Greek and Roman antiquity.
    • Chia
      • Description:

        Chia is a feminine name with diverse cultural origins. In Italian, it's a diminutive of Lucia, meaning "light." In Chinese, depending on the character used, it can mean "good" or "beautiful." The name also appears in Taiwanese aboriginal languages and Spanish dialects. Beyond its multicultural presence, Chia has gained contemporary recognition through the health food chia seeds, adding associations with wellness and vitality. Pronounced "KEE-ah" or "CHEE-ah" depending on cultural context, this short, sweet name has a modern appeal with ancient roots. Despite not being among the most popular names internationally, Chia's brevity, pleasant sound, and positive meanings make it an attractive choice for parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible.
    • Ellie
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Eleanor and Ellen
      • Meaning:

        "bright shining one"
      • Description:

        Ellie first took off in the UK—yes, in this nickname form—and this warm and friendly name has also become hugely popular here. In 2011, Ellie entered the US Top 100 girl names for the first time and has remained near the top of the charts ever since.
    • Elsie
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Elizabeth via its Scottish variation, Elspeth
      • Meaning:

        "pledged to God"
      • Description:

        Elsie is a sweet vintage nickname-name turned modern star. After a 30-year hiatus, Elsie started climbing the US popularity list 20 years ago and is still headed for the top.
    • Freddie
      • Origin:

        Dininutive of Frederick, German
      • Meaning:

        "peaceful ruler"
      • Description:

        Just the kind of casual, flippant nickname that upscale Brits are putting on their sons' birth certificates, but few U.S. parents are.
    • Holly
      • Origin:

        English nature name
      • Description:

        Holly ranks just in British Top 50, but it's been out of favor here since the 1970s Era of Nickname Names. Still, the name may be on her way back as a rejuvenated nature pick.
    • Honey
      • Origin:

        Word name
      • Description:

        A term of endearment turned cute British celebrity baby name, used by actress Kate Winslet, chef Jamie Oliver, and TV presenter Fearne Cotton, among others. Honey was given to only 40 girls in the US in 2017, but it's relatively popular across the pond, where it ranks in the current Top 500 baby names for girls.
    • Indie
      • Origin:

        Short form of India, Indigo etc
      • Description:

        Indie is an independent-sounding nickname name that is in the Top 100 in Wales. As a diminutive, it's growing in popularity -- along with indie films, indie publishing -- and the reason some parents are choosing names like India and Indigo. The Indie version seems more feminine, while Indy as in Indiana Jones tends toward the boyish.
    • Jax
      • Origin:

        Modern invented name, English
      • Meaning:

        "God is Gracious"
      • Description:

        With its cool -X ending, Jax is an update on the classic nickname Jack, likely inspired by the rise of Jackson. It garnered attention in the US thanks to the game, Mortal Kombat II back in the '90s, and was pushed up the charts when it was used in the show Sons of Anarchy, in which Jackson "Jax" Teller is the central character.
    • Leo
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "lion"
      • Description:

        Leo is a strong-yet-friendly name that was common among the Romans, used for thirteen popes, and is now at its highest point ever in the US thanks in part to Leonardo "Leo" DiCaprio.
    • Lottie
      • Origin:

        English, diminutive of Charlotte
      • Meaning:

        "free man"
      • Description:

        Lottie is a nostalgic great-grandma name that conjures up lockets and lace, and — like Nellie, Josie, Hattie, Tillie, and Milly — has considerable vintage charm.
    • Louis
      • Origin:

        German and French
      • Meaning:

        "renowned warrior"
      • Description:

        Kate and William shocked the world when they announced that they'd named their third child Louis -- Prince Louis Arthur Charles, to be more precise. But we've been predicting a comeback for this classic name for a long time.
    • Lulu
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Louise or Lucy, or Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "pearl"
      • Description:

        Lula has a firecracker personality, a singing and dancing extrovert. Interesting that Lulu was a Top 100 name when the Social Security list was born in 1880, but it's been sliding ever since and has not been in the Top 1000 for decades. Modern parents in love with Lulu might well reverse that trend.
    • Mack
      • Origin:

        Scottish or Irish
      • Meaning:

        "son of"
      • Description:

        Mack, when "formalized" with the final k, makes an engagingly amiable choice, a far more uncommon alternative to the ubiquitous Max and Jack, with a nice, every-guy feel. Mack entered the popularity list in 2009 for the first time since 1989 and continues to climb. However, it's still far from its peak — it was a Top 100 name in 1900.