Dog Names That Start With A
- Aoi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"hollyhock; blue"
- Arnie
Origin:
Short form of Arnold, English from GermanMeaning:
"ruler, strong as an eagle"Description:
Arnie is a nerdy-tipping-into-cute nickname that may rise again, if not for this generation of babies then for their babies. Look for it in the nurseries of 2050.
- Asahi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"morning sun"Description:
Bright, just like its meaning.
- Alayah
Origin:
English, ArabicMeaning:
"sublime; joyful"Description:
A modern English variant of the Arabic name Aaliyah, Alayah was likely inspired by the names Amaia, Amaya and Alannah. It could also be an alternative spelling of the Basque name, Alaia, which means "joyful", and it coincides with Alaya, a type of consciousness in Buddhism.
- Amoris
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"love"Description:
This Latin word for love is not traditionally used as a name, but why not? It's got a pretty sound and some distinctive flair. Variants Amori or Amorie can also be thought of as different spellings of Amory, which has a very different meaning and roots. Only downside: Sounds almost exactly like "amorous," meaning in the mood for love, which could provoke some adolescent teasing.
- Austen
Origin:
Literary surname and shortened form of Augustine, LatinMeaning:
"great, magnificent"Description:
While Austin is a popular boys' name, this spelling, honoring novelist Jane, nudges the name toward gender-neutral, chosen last year for 67 baby boys and 57 girls.
- Adiv
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"pleasant, gentle"Description:
One of several similar Hebrew names, this example has an agreeable meaning. Pronounced ah-DEEV.
- Alger
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"clever warrior"Description:
This name has been off the USA Top 1000 list since before 1900, but it has some great musical credentials: consider American blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander and country music legend Pat Alger.
- Arisa
Origin:
JapaneseDescription:
Sweet Japanese name that would work well as an alternative to the now-dated Alyssa and Marissa.
- Aroha
Origin:
MāoriMeaning:
"love"Description:
This beautiful Māori name meaning love (cognate with Hawaiian aloha) is more wearable than the English word and softer Venus or Aphrodite. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern named her daughter Neve Te Aroha in 2018. Aroha / Te Aroha was the most popular Māori baby girl name in 2023-24.
- Abril
Origin:
Spanish and Catalan variation of AprilDescription:
This Spanish month name has been quietly used for several years now in the US.
- Aglaea
Origin:
Greek mythology nameMeaning:
"radiance"Description:
Aglaea, sometimes spelled Aglaia, is one of the Three Graces or Charities. She represented beauty and splendor: ironic, given that the main barrier to her name making a comeback is that it sounds like ugly.
- Arna
Origin:
German, SanskritMeaning:
"eagle; river"Description:
Truly a cross-cultural name, with usage in Germany, Scandinavia, India, France, and Iceland.
- Aduke
Origin:
Yoruba, Nigerian "much loved"Meaning:
"much loved"Description:
A beautiful African name which can also lead to the always-wearable "Addy" nickname.
- Alifair
Origin:
RomaniMeaning:
"elf warrior or all true"Description:
Variant of Alafair
- Ardis
Origin:
Scottish-IrishMeaning:
"fervent"Description:
The name of a character in the once scandalous novel Valley of the Dolls now sounds a little more dated than the similar Arden.
- Arata
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"new; fresh"Description:
Strong Japanese name with a hopeful meaning.
- Atlanta
Origin:
Place nameMeaning:
"Atlantic Ocean"Description:
The capital of Georgia is far from the ocean, but got its name from the Western and Atlantic Railroad which ran through the city. Best known as a hub of industry and transport, and for its roles in the Civil War and Civil Rights Movement, it has never been popular as a baby name despite sounding like one. Its peak popularity was in 1995, the year before Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games.
- Angie
Origin:
Short form of AngeloDescription:
Angie was an accepted nickname for boys at the same time that Patsy was, meaning, too long ago to be relevant now.
- Airini
Origin:
Maori variation of Eirene "peace"Meaning:
"peace"Description:
Airini is the Maori transliteration of the name Eirene, whcih comes from the Greek goddess of peace. A notable bearer of this name is nineteenth century Maori rights activist Airini Donnelly.