Dog Names That Start With A

  1. Alpha
    • Origin:

      Greek, first letter of the alphabet
    • Description:

      The first letter of the Greek alphabet ande the brightest star in every constellation, this would make an interesting choice for a first daughter, though it does give off some spectral sci-fi reverberations--and references to the term "alpha male.".
  2. Ahmed
    • Origin:

      Arabic "greatly praised"
    • Meaning:

      "greatly praised"
    • Description:

      This variation of Ahmad is one of the most popular Arabic names among Muslim families the world over and is now the most used spelling in the USA.
  3. Angelique
    • Origin:

      French diminutive of Angela
    • Meaning:

      "angelic"
    • Description:

      Angelique was the fastest-rising girl name of 2021, influenced by French-Mexican actress Angelique Boyer, who starred in the telenovela Imperio de mentiras (Empire of Lies).
  4. Adley
    • Origin:

      Variation of Hadley
    • Description:

      Adley made the Top 1000 at Number 735 in 2012 on the heels of sister name Hadley, only to vanish again in 2013. But now, with the popularity of Adelaide and Adeline, it has leaped upward and entered the Top 1000 once again. Adley feels in step with name trends of the moment, but will it survive the ages? Other such mashups have not.
  5. Anchor
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability.
  6. Aniya
    • Origin:

      English, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "helper"
    • Description:

      A recent coinage in English, perhaps created as a variation to Anya/Anja and Aaliyah. In Arabic, the name can mean "vessel", "pinnacle" or "helper".
  7. Azael
    • Origin:

      Greek variation of Hazael, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "one who decides"
    • Description:

      Rising biblical name without the demonic undertones of Azrael.
  8. Auric
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      Auric is an Ian Fleming anti-hero, better known as Goldfinger. Better to go with James. Or even Bond.
  9. Azad
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "free, noble"
    • Description:

      An undiscovered Persian gem that's zippy, short and sweet. It is used in Iran and neighboring countries as a first name and a family name. The British actress Afshan Azad played Parvati Patil in the Harry Potter movies.
  10. 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.
  11. Alvie
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "noble friend; friend of the elves"
    • Description:

      Archie, Albie, and Alfie are coming back into style, so naturally, we think Alvie could be next. Alternate spelling Alvy was used by Woody Allen for his character in Annie Hall.
  12. Aviv
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "springtime, freshness, youth"
    • Description:

      Strongly associated with the city of Tel Aviv. For girls, may be lengthened to Aviva; for boys, might be better abbreviated to Avi.
  13. Arizona
    • Origin:

      Place-name from Papago Indian
    • Meaning:

      "little springs"
    • Description:

      We usually think of place-names as a modern invention, but in fact Arizona ranked on the US Top 1000 from its inception in 1880 until 1911, when it vanished below the surface. It peaked at Number 510 in 1882, before Arizona became a state. One notorious vintage bearer: criminal "Ma" Barker, born Arizona Clark.
  14. America
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.
  15. 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!
  16. 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.
  17. Alondra
    • Origin:

      Pet form of Alejandra or Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "lark"
    • Description:

      A Spanish TV show made this one popular, along with single-named Mexican singer, Alondra.
  18. Asherah
    • Origin:

      Sumerian
    • Meaning:

      "she who treads on the sea"
    • Description:

      Asherah is probably one of the most ancient of mother goddess symbols, recorded in the pantheons of several civilisations from the tenth century BCE. As the mother to innumerable gods and goddesses, she is often depicted as having the capacity to walk on water, which makes Asherah an excellent choice for a baby born under one of the water signs of the zodiac, including names for Scorpio babies, as well as those born under Pisces and Cancer.
  19. Ander
    • Alula
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "first leap"
      • Description:

        Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.