Dog Names That Start With A

  1. Aubree
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Aubrey
    • Meaning:

      "elf ruler"
    • Description:

      Aubree and its big sister name Aubrey are both very widely used names, and if taken together would be among the most popular girl names. The Aubree spelling came into the limelight on the show Teen Mom 2.
  2. Arvin
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "friend of the people"
    • Description:

      This name's popularity peaked in the 1930s in the mid 600s - but we think it is time for a reconsideration. Arvin feels more modern than similar names like Marvin and Alvin. It also boasts a beautiful meaning and defies easy shortening (which is an asset to many parents who choose a name because they want it to be used!).
  3. Afternoon
    • Origin:

      English, “afternoon”
    • Description:

      An early day name worthy of consideration today for someone seeking a truly unusual name.
  4. Alejandra
    • Origin:

      Spanish variation of Alexandra
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      Alejandra, the Spanish form of this popular and multivaried name, has fans both in and outside the Latino community. Still, it has lost ground since its peak in the 1990s.
  5. Arella
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "messenger from God, angel"
    • Description:

      Bell-like and original.
  6. Arav
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "peaceful"
    • Description:

      Arav (sometimes spelled Aarav) is a name popular in India and Pakistan. Jaipur-born actor Arav Choudhary is a well-known Indian personality. Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar chose Aarav for his son's name.
  7. Anniston
    • Origin:

      English surname and American place name
    • Meaning:

      "Anis' town"
    • Description:

      Actor couple Chyler Leigh and Nathan West added this one to the lexicon when they adapted the surname of actress Jennifer Aniston as their daughter's first name. Aniston, which theoretically might mean "Anis' town," (Anis is a medieval form of Agnes) was actually Anglicized from the Greek Anastasopoulos. With its similarity to both Addison and Anna and its relationship to the attractive star, Anniston is taking off a la Jolie.
  8. Aliza
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "joyful"
    • Description:

      Aliza might seem like yet another variation of the eternal Alyssa/Alicia/Eliza loop, but it's a distinct name all its own. The z adds zip.
  9. Arabelle
    • Avila
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "desired; or island, water"
      • Description:

        An unusual and appealing name that is the origin of Evelyn, via the Norman French name Aveline. It derives from an obscure Germanic root, the meaning of which is not clear. Theories include "desired, wished for" and "water, island".
    • Avril
      • Origin:

        French variation of April
      • Description:

        French Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne has put the spotlight on her name.
    • Alanis
      • Origin:

        Female variation of Alan
      • Meaning:

        "handsome, cheerful"
      • Description:

        Singer Alanis Morissette made this twist famous. She was named for her father Alan, who is said to have spotted this version in a Greek newspaper. So far it has been pretty much a one-person name, but could make a distinctive update of Alana — especially with s-ending names making a comeback. Alanis is a Top 100 choice in Puerto Rico.
    • Amiri
      • Origin:

        Maori, Arabic, Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "the East wind; king, ruler; treetop"
      • Description:

        A commonly used name in Māori culture, Amiri refers to the wind that blows from east to west. A 2011 New Zealand film titled Amiri & Aroha is a modern Māori interpretation of Romeo & Juliet.
    • Analia
      • Origin:

        Combination name, Ana plus Lia
      • Description:

        Analia is a melodic newcomer to the US Top 1000, a fresher spin on the Olde Worlde Anamaria. It charted in the US from 2009 to 2012, and then reentered the popularity list in 2015. El Rostro de Analia is a popular Spanish language telenova on the Telemundo channel, which probably greatly contributed to its initial entry to the US list in 2009 at Number 331 when it was unranked the previous year!
    • Aili
      • Origin:

        Finnish and Sami variation of Helga, diminutive of Aileen, Anglicization of Eilidh
      • Meaning:

        "holy, blessed; bright and shining light"
      • Description:

        An attractive Scandinavian take on Helga, or a potential Helen nickname.
    • Anaise
      • Origin:

        Variation of Anais
      • Description:

        Anais, the name forever attached to the daring French-born American novelist and diarist Anais Nin, is unusual and French enough without appending an e, though some may think it clarifies pronunciation.
    • Astor
      • Origin:

        Provencal; Icelandic
      • Meaning:

        "hawk; thunder god"
      • Description:

        Similar to the floral name Aster, this spelling derives separately from Old Provençal astur "hawk") and from the Icelandic name elements as ("god") and þor ("thunder").
    • Achille
      • Origin:

        French variation of Achilles
      • Meaning:

        "thin-lipped"
      • Description:

        The French spin on the name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel seems somewhat more portable into the modern world.
    • Ami
      • Origin:

        Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of Amy
      • Meaning:

        "second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"
      • Description:

        A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
    • Alfonso
      • Origin:

        Spanish and Italian
      • Meaning:

        "noble, ready"
      • Description:

        Alfonso was a royal name in Spain as far back as the 7th century, but it is rarely heard outside the Hispanic community in the US.