Dog Names That Start With B

Better saved for a doll.

Sounds too much like buxom.

A new, rising word name for boys that has the advantage of sharing sounds with more common names like Bryson and Braydon. And the disadvantage of getting confused with them.

Betsan is little-known outside of the U.K. but it could provide an intriguing alternative to Liz, Beth, Betsy, Betty, and Libby.

A name best for pets.

Dora's monkey best friend, and possibly the name of your cat.

This name has a nicely fragrant woodsy feel, bringing it into the nature-tree name category. Its only well-known bearer, folk singer and Oscar-winning actor Burl Ives, had the full birth certificate name of Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives — nothing compared to his two siblings named Argola and Lillburn.

Has too many slangy connotations to be considered.

Writer James Baldwin could make this an inspirational choice for a child of either sex.

If you like the Irish surname feel, there are loads of more congenial options.

Bowman has a lot of winning ingredients: an occupational surname, a cool "Bo" sound, and an archery-related meaning.

Surname of a character in Henry James' What Maisie Knew.

Another servile surname, this one connected to the go-between character in "Charlie's Angels."

The strong and unusual name of a medieval (male) saint and a contemporary (female) novelist, Benilde Little.

This one's cutting right to the chase, but with such names as Justice and Peace on the rise, why not? And we guarantee your seven-year-old son will love it, though your 17-year-old, maybe not so much. Could be used as a middle name, as Talisa Soto and Benjamin Bratt did.

Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous name.

If you like the idea of King and Prince but find them too sophisticated, this might be the name for you.

Rare French option for girls, but feels familiar thanks to the popularity of Sebastian.

Actor Pierce made both his first and last name appealing.