Boy Dog Names That Start With N

  1. Norris
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "northerner"
    • Description:

      Somehow more modern and likable than Morris or Doris.
  2. Narvi
    • Origin:

      Norse Mythology
    • Description:

      A variant spelling of Narfi. The Narvi spelling also belongs to a moon of Saturn and a dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium.
  3. Nimbus
    • Origin:

      Latin nature name
    • Meaning:

      "dark cloud"
    • Description:

      Nimbus is a word from nature for a type of cloud that has occasionally -- very occasionally -- been used for a human. But it's evocative and upbeat and certainly makes an intriguing and stylish nature name.
  4. Nereus
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "water"
    • Description:

      The name of the father of the sea nymphs -- or one of its shorter forms such as Nereo or Nerio -- would be somewhat easier for a child to carry than Neptune. The name Nereus is largely forgotten but it certainly could rise again along with Atticus and Cassius and other ancient Greek brethren.
  5. Newt
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "a small salamander"
    • Description:

      Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton.
  6. Nacho
    • Origin:

      Word name or short form of Ignacio
    • Description:

      Not unless you want your son to grow up to be just like a wacky Jack Black character.
  7. Nelo
    • Origin:

      Spanish, diminutive of Daniel
    • Description:

      Lively nickname form of overused biblical favorite.
  8. Niles
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "son of Neil"
    • Description:

      Perfect name for TV Frasier's effete brother. In the 2020 film Palm Springs, Andy Samberg plays a character with the updated spelling Nyles.
  9. Nikita
    • Origin:

      Russian cognate of Greek Aniketos
    • Meaning:

      "unconquered"
    • Description:

      Redolent of Khrushchev and la femme.
  10. Nouvel
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "new"
    • Description:

      Surname of French architect Jean Nouvel that became a given name when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it as the middle name of their daughter Shiloh.
  11. Neptune
    • Origin:

      Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.
    • Description:

      This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.
  12. Nahum
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "comfort"
    • Description:

      An underused Biblical name borne by a New Testament prophet, Nahum feels like a good option for parents looking for a rare but traditional name that fits in with current trends.
  13. Nicasio
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      Closer to Nike than to Nicholas, this is an attractive, viable import. It's also one of several Italian and Spanish baby names that get you to the stylish and attractive nickname Nico.
  14. Nevada
    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name
    • Meaning:

      "covered in snow"
    • Description:

      Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.
  15. Noor
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      More commonly seen as a girl name, where it has roots in both Arabic and Dutch. The masculine variation of Noor is Arabic and used in Islamic communities.
  16. Napoleon
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lion of the new city"
    • Description:

      Overly ambitious choice, recently borne by the hapless hero of cult movie hit Napoleon Dynamite.
  17. Norbert
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "bright or renowned north"
    • Description:

      A medieval German saint's name which remained popular in Germany until the middle of the 20th century. It is still in relatively wide use in other European countries, including Poland and Hungary. With other Bert names – like Robert and Albert and even Gilbert – appealing to lovers of strong, traditional boy names with a slightly clunky charm, Norbert could be one of those so-out-it's-in choices that everyone knows, but almost no one is using.
  18. Nairobi
    • Origin:

      African place name
    • Description:

      The capital of Kenya makes a melodic and worldly name.
  19. Nandor
    • Origin:

      Hungarian, Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "bold voyager"
    • Description:

      Interesting and energetic international form of Ferdinand.
  20. Nevin
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "holy"
    • Description:

      Possible Gaelic alternative to Kevin and Devon.