Literary Dog Names

Name of pastoral Vermont town and college sounds too stiff and starchy.

Most often spelled without the final "e"--unless you're a particular fan of writer Bret.

Cheever has a nice, cheery sound, literary ties to novelist and short writer John Cheever and also, sideways, to the Edward Arlington Robinson narrative poem "Miniver Cheevy," as well as a subliminal association with the desirable word achiever: all strong pluses.

Samuel Johnson invented the name Rasselas for the title character of his novel, Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia. Rasselas is actually the son of the prince.

Kerouac could make for a meaningful possible modern literary inspiration, via On the Road author Jack. The writer's baptism certificate read Jean Louis Kirouac, though he later claimed his full name was Jean-Louis Lebris de Kerouac.

To modernize and add some oomph to the dated CASEY, add an O'-and also honor the great Irish playwright Sean.

Falmouth may be a beautiful seaside spot in Massachusetts, but as a name it's perilously close to "foul mouth." Falmouth Kearney was the name of Barack Obama's great-great grandfather.

Fringilla Vigo is a sorceress and villain in The Witcher series. Her name comes from a genus of singing finches.

The well-loved, sassy and headstrong fairy Tinker Bell is one of the most recognizable Disney characters. Her name, however, is not the most useable for a baby in real life. Read more about Tinker Bell and other Disney Princess Names in our featured blog.

The mixed-race heroine of one of Gertrude Stein's Three Lives searches for knowledge and power.

Friendly-sounding name with big "Sweeney Todd" downside.