Fun Little Pet Names

Salem

Biblical place-name or Arabic

"safe"

Salem is a biblical place-name in Canaan, believed to be the same as Jerusalem. Americans may be more familiar with Salem as the name of the Massachusetts town famous for its witch trials in the late…

Viola

Latin

"violet"

Viola has plenty of positive elements going for it: the rhythm of the musical instrument, the association with the flower, the trending 'Vi' beginning and its leading role in Shakespeare's Twelfth…

Kit

English diminutive of Katherine, Greek

"pure"

Kit is a crisp, old-time nickname with plenty of spirit and style. In the UK it's a rising star for boys, while in the US, it is trending upwards for girls too. Originally used as a diminutive of…

Avalon

Celtic

"island of apples"

Avalon, an island paradise of Celtic myth and Arthurian legend--it was where King Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds-- and also the colorful capital of the California island of Catalina--…

Karma

Hindi, Sanskrit "destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"

"destiny, spiritual force; deed, fate"

Some parents are hoping to bestow good karma on their children with this name, derived from the Sanskrit word for "fate". Associated with the Hindu and Buddhist belief that someone's actions in this…

Monet

French artist name, from diminutive of Simon

A new favorite of the bohemian set, brought to light by actress Monet Mazur, daughter of the artist who designed the Rolling Stones' mouth logo.

Velma

German

"will helmet"

Velma likely originated as a phonetic spelling of the German name Wilma, itself derived from Wilhelmina. Velma Dinkley is a smart, if nerdy, character in Scooby Doo .

Chicago

American place name, Algonquin

"wild garlic"

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have done it again for their third child: Chosen a name that feels iconic yet strangely inevitable. They named North and Saint's younger sister Chicago, after Kanye's…

Jinx

Word name

"spell, curse, bringer of bad luck"

Jinx, a James Bond heroine name has an ominous meaning but kinetic energy. In the film "Die Another Day," the actual first name of the character played by Halle Berry is Giacinta. It could therefore…

Matisse

French surname

Though it's close to the German and French form of Matthew, Mathis, this name of the great artist can work as well for girls.

Banjo

Word name

Actress Rachel Griffiths made headlines when she chose this musical name for her son, but it's also the name of an Australian poet. And absolutely, why can't it work for girls? Banjo joins an entire…

Binx

American invented name

A playful and whimsical choice for a child that works as a given name or a nickname (perhaps for Beatrix). American model Binx Walton (born Leona) was nicknamed by her brothers after the Star Wars…

Buffy

English diminutive of Elizabeth, Hebrew

"pledged to God"

Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy. You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an…