Dog Names That Start With G

  1. Gambit
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Gambit means ploy or trick, which makes it an appropriate name for a little player. Eight boys were named Gambit in the US in one recent year.
  2. Guitar
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Toni Morrison, a master of character naming, coined this one for the best friend of hero Milkman Dead in Song of Solomon. Definitely a cool choice, with a twang.
  3. Glenys
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "riverbank, shore; pure"
    • Description:

      Glenys, like Glynis, is a Welsh name that has never caught on outside Wales.
  4. Gertie
    • Origin:

      Short form of Gertrude
    • Description:

      Gertie has a certain homespun charm, summoning to mind butter-yellow braids and denim overalls, summoning mind the adorable character played by little Drew Barrymore in E.T. Is the world ready for the return of Gertie and Gertrude? Maybe?
  5. Gomer
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "to complete"
    • Description:

      Gomer is that rare beast, a unisex biblical name. Gomer was both a son of Japheth (and therefore grandson of Noah), and the wife of the prophet Hosea. It has lingering associations with the hayseed Gomer Pyle character, but may just about be ready for rehab.
  6. Garfield
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "triangular field"
    • Description:

      Despite the presidential pedigree, it's still hard to shake the image of the cartoon cat (named after his creator Jim Davis's grandfather). However, there are other Garfields, such as Barbadian cricket player Sir Garfield Sobers, who carries it with gravitas.
  7. Gentry
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "aristocracy"
    • Description:

      Gentry is a word name that's gaining ground for girls as a kind of updated Jennifer, especially in the Jentry (or Jentri or Jentree) spelling.
  8. Gaetan
    • Origin:

      French form of the Italian Gaetano
    • Meaning:

      "of Gaeta"
    • Description:

      It's unusual, but that may be its best feature.
  9. Grania
    • Origin:

      Variation of Grainne, Irish
    • Meaning:

      "the loved one or grain of corn"
    • Description:

      In addition to being the appellation of an ancient grain goddess, this name was also borne by two mythic Irish figures, one of whom was betrothed to legendary chieftain Finn MacCool, the other the brave sixteenth century pirate Grainne Ni Mhaille— known in English as Grace O'Malley-- whose name passed into poetry as a symbol of Ireland.
  10. Gizmo
    • Graziano
      • Origin:

        Italian
      • Meaning:

        "pleasing, beloved, dear"
      • Description:

        Italian form of Gratian, the name of a Roman emperor who campaigned across the Rhine and favored Christianity over paganism. Graziano isn't common either in the English-speaking world or its native Italy, although the boxer Rocky Graziano adopted it from his grandfather's surname. In the current vogue for names ending in -o and Italian names, it may be worth a second look.
    • Glinda
      • Origin:

        Literary name
      • Description:

        Glinda is famous as the name of the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, invented by author L. Frank Baum. but has there ever been a real life, non-fictional Glinda? Not in the US last year.
    • Germaine
      • Origin:

        French, feminine variation of Germain
      • Description:

        Linked to the early days of feminism via Germaine Greer, this saint's name feels neither French nor German enough.
    • Gemini
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "twins"
      • Description:

        After Leo, this is one of the most usable names in the zodiac: part ancient, part new-age, part high-tech. In the night sky, the constellation Gemini is present all year round in both hemispheres. It has been associated with twins since ancient times, and its two brightest stars are named Castor and Pollux after the twins of Greek mythology. It also has STEM connections: Project Gemini was a NASA spaceflight program before Apollo.
    • Goliath
      • Origin:

        Hebrew
      • Meaning:

        "exile"
      • Description:

        Not a traditional biblical choice, but the Philistine giant isn't a bad character as such, just a champion fighter who lost to the underdog. He has given his name to everything from insect species to roller coasters. In a time when we're seeing more biblical names with chequered associations — Leviathan and Cain spring to mind — Goliath may appeal to some.
    • Glenda
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "fair and good"
      • Description:

        There aren't many Glendas under forty.
    • Gio
      • Origin:

        Short form of Giovanna, Italian form of John
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        Gio is a cute, more androgynous variation of Gia that could work well as a nickname for names such as Giovanna, Giordana, or Giorgia. It was chosen by Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo for their daughter in 2018.
    • Gough
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "red"
      • Description:

        Most closely associated with Australia's iconic progressive Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, this name is a great choice for politicos or parents wanting to honor their Welsh heritage in naming a red-haried son.
    • Gilberto
      • Origin:

        Spanish variation of Gilbert
      • Description:

        At this point, there are more newborn American baby Gilbertos than Gilberts.
    • Gianni
      • Origin:

        Italian
      • Meaning:

        "God is gracious"
      • Description:

        This Italian boys name has started to be used on girls, with 251 girls in the US being given this appellation in 2021. Beware that the gender neutral names trend isn't international, and a female Gianni travelling through Europe is likely to be given a lot more grief. May we suggest the feminine Gianna or modern Giann as alternatives? For whatever gender, Gianni is one of the most popular Italian baby names around.