6000+ Dog Names

Schoolchildren will recognize this name via Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama.

Lathan is a surname recorded as relating to the towns of Layton or Latham and meaning, depending on its derivation, barn or leek farm or farm by the water. As a first name, it's reminiscent of the popular Nathan.

Plausible word name, denoting strength and stability, currently given to a small handful of boys in the US each year.

This may be a bit quirky to make it as a name, especially in first place. If you love it, you might try it in the middle.

Used primarily for girls in Ireland, but sounds unisex to us.

A very unique fruit name heard more often on peachy-colored dogs than on baby girls.

A lovely Japanese alternative to Tamara.

This name looks like a sister to the names Elsa and the Czech name for girls Eliška, a popular diminutive of Elizabeth — and sometimes it is (in German, for example). But it is also a word in Old Norse and some modern Nordic languages, meaning "love" or "to love".

Traditionally a West African boys' name, Khari is used quite often for girls in the U.S. as well, thanks to its similarity to the more familiar Carrie. Khari is one of the African names that easily bridges cultures.

This name from the Igbo language of Africa, which feels like the more-familiar Arabic Ahmad, might be an original and attractive choice.

Most people are likely to associate the name Chai with tea, but it's also a Chinese surname and Hebrew masculine name.

The video game series Soulcalibur features a female character named Chai.

Strictly for the girls.

This French name meaning goddess is a possible Gallic import in the Celine mode.

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.

Though the name of his great tragic love Thisbe remains in modern use, that of her paramour Pyramus, a young Babylonian, has all but disappeared.

Variant spelling of Camila, common in Eastern Europe. Kamila and Kamilah are also feminine forms of the Arabic name Kamil, meaning "perfect".

Vanina is a name that is, at first glance, miles apart from its origin. But once you say it aloud and look for it, you can see the direct line from Evangelina to Vanina. Vanina could also be a good alternative for people who like the sound of Vanille or Vanilla, but can't bring themselves to use a flavor as a name.

A two-syllable surname feel puts this name of an important English saint in the running -- though it could sound like a confused cross between Duncan and Dustin.

Even in the Hispanic community, very religious and old-fashioned.

Mango might be cute as a short form of a related name like Manuel, or for a pet name. But we're not feeling it as a full baby name for a child of any gender.