Dog Names That Start With A

A capital place-name possibility.

This popular Indian name is heard in the US. Bollywood actor Akshay Khanna has a son named Arnav.

Commonly associated with the Japanese beverage company Asahi, which produces a beer by the same name.

Part of a group of lovely A-starting names popular in Spain, along with Ainhoa and Aitana. Spanish actress Aroa Gimeno introduced this one.

ALLEGRA is a delicate ballet-dancer name; ALLEGRO, which means a fast-paced movement in music, is stronger and more vibrant.

Phonetic anglicisation of the popular Scottish name Eilidh, a relative of Eleanor or Helen.

Amarissa is kind of cobbled together from two traditional elements: Ama, which means "love" or "lover" and is found in such more established names as Amabel and Amariah, and -issa, which is a common feminine suffix that functions as a diminutive. While Amarissa is pretty and frilly, it may frequently be misunderstood as Marissa, Melissa, and may ultimately be more trouble than it's worth.

The Latin word for an angel (and the male form of Angela) is a rare but smart and stately name. The Angelus is a Catholic devotion, and the name is also used for the church bell that traditionally accompanies it. In pop culture, Angelus is a previous incarnation of Angel in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe.

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.

A recent favorite among boy names, now a top riser for girls.

Part Ava, part Lynn, and part cousin of the stylish Evelyn and Adeline, Avalynn is a recent 2014 entrant to the US Top 1000. But sometimes when a name is trying hard to have everything, it doesn't really impress. Avalyn is one spelling variation.

Greek and French form of Apollo, son of Zeus and Leto and the twin of Artemis in Greek mythology. He was the god of prophecy, medicine, music, art, law, beauty, and wisdom, also associated with the sun and light.

What a difference one letter makes - the somewhat tired, though still heavenly Angela, gets a makeover as sweet and subtle Aniela. Definitely worth considering.

Simple and melodic, this spelling offers an alternative to the more-popular Aliyah or Aaliyah -- the name of the late R&B singer who propelled the name into the US Top 100.

Anokhi is a beautiful Indian name largely unknown but easily translated in English-speaking cultures. Ani or Noki make adorable short forms.

Not yet on the place-name map, this name has Shakespearean ties via the Duke Of Albany character in King Lear.

Over 50 baby boys were named Alpha last year, along with eight baby girls. Expect a lifetime of "alpha male" jokes, which could prove daunting or confidence-building for your own little Alpha.

Amparo is a medieval name related to the Virgin Mary most closely associated with the city of Valencia, in Spain. Although it does not appear at all on the most recent US name roster, meaning it was used for fewer than five babies last year, it was used in the US throughout the 20th century.

An increasing number of parents are using the Italian word for love as a baby name in the US.

An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.