Girl Dog Names That Start With H

Sweet multicultural name.

Hanako has a delicate sound and quaint meaning -- but there's a catch. According to widespread urban legend in Japan, Hanako is the name of the ghost of a little girl who haunts school bathrooms, who sometimes answers if you call her name.

It may take another generation or so, but this category of Hettie-Lettie-Lottie names could make a comeback.

Hephzibah is an Old Testament name that came into use in the 17th century, but is not often used today. It does have less formal nicknames Eppie and Hepsie, which seem revivable. Hephzibah "Eppie" Cass/Marner is the heroine of George Eliot's novel Silas Marner and Hepzibah (the condensed spelling) Smith is a witch in the Harry Potter series.

Politics aside, the Cuban capital is one of the most rhythmic of place-names. The question is: can politics be put aside?

Combine two parts Paisley with one part Hazel and one part Harley, add a dash of Hayes, and voila: Haisley.

An ancient German saint's name – and most famously the name of Harry Potter's snowy owl – but the combination of "head" plus "wig" feels a little too literal in English.

Hilary (also spelled with two 'l's) is a hot potato of a name, so closely identified with Sen. Clinton that it's hard for most parents to see it as a baby name. A pity, really, as it's got so much going for it: the popular, rhythmic three-syllable structure, the fact that it's strong but light, proper but jaunty, with an irresistible meaning -- having the same root as hilarious.

Short and catchy form of traditional Asian name.

Among the children named Heaven are the daughters of TV personality Brooke Burke and rap singer Lil' Mo, who also has a daughter named God'iss Love. Some parents have taken to using Nevaeh instead—Heaven spelled backwards.

This is an eighteenth century elaboration of Honor found in Charles Dickens (Bleak House) but rarely heard here and now.

We've seen Haven take off as a nouveau girls' name; Harbor could follow in its wake.

An extremely common Japanese name, especially among women.

In Hindi, Hara is one of the 1,008 names for the god Siva and, to English speakers, a possible feminine spin on Harry. In Greek the name is pronounced with emphasis on the last syllable, where it has the uplifting meaning "joy" (also seen as Chara).

Hydra is the largest of the 88 constellations, whose name was inspired by Hydra of Lerna, a serpentine, multi-headed monster of Greek mythology who resided in Lake Lerna.

Name of World War II hero that sounds feminine today. Worth update of Holly, Hallie, or cousins.

Reddish dye that sounds as if it could be a real name — of the outdated, Old World, Yetta-Hedda variety.

A traditional possibility for a Japanese or Japanese-American child born in April or May.

Hurricane is a storm, but it's also an American name, thanks to rising tennis star Hurricane Black -- whose sister's name is Tornado. There's no reason this tempestuous choice can't work for boys too, inasfar as the name can work for any child. As a name, Hurricane is definitely original and attention-getting, but is it a name you'd want to carry around for life?

Sweet and springy Japanese name.