6000+ Dog Names
- Gru
Description:
Gru is an unusual masculine name that gained recognition primarily through the main character in the animated film series 'Despicable Me.' Before this cultural reference, the name had very limited usage globally. It may have origins as a shortened form of Eastern European surnames or as a nickname in several cultures. The name is extremely rare as a given name but has seen occasional use since the film's popularity beginning in 2010. Gru has a distinctive brevity that makes it memorable, with just one syllable and three letters. While some parents might choose it for its association with the reformed villain character known for his intelligence and eventual kindness, its rarity suggests most families still consider it too closely tied to the fictional character for mainstream use.
- Tanjiro
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"coal + calm son; highly valued second son"Description:
Protagonist of the manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The kanji used to spell his name give it the meaning of "coal + calm son," which describe his former profession as a coal worker.
- Jolly
Origin:
English word name and surnameMeaning:
"joyful"Description:
This cheerful name would be a fun seasonal choice of middle name for a child born around the holidays — or as a pet name for a dog or cat adopted during the Christmas season.
- Timmy
Description:
Timmy is a warm, friendly masculine name that originated as a diminutive form of Timothy. The root name Timothy comes from the Greek "Timotheos," meaning "honoring God" or "honored by God," and appears in the Bible as the name of Paul's young companion. Timmy gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century, often used as both a nickname and a given name in its own right. The name evokes a sense of youthfulness and approachability, and has been featured in popular culture through characters like Timmy Turner in "The Fairly OddParents" animated series. While some parents now prefer to use Timothy on birth certificates, Timmy continues to be chosen for its cheerful, unpretentious quality and familiar sound. Its usage has declined since its peak but maintains steady recognition.
- Golden
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"gold colored"Description:
Like Silver, Golden is a shimmering metallic color name, almost too dazzling perhaps. Nevertheless, Golden could be an unexpected route to the vintage nickname Goldie or a less floral alternative to Marigold. Former soccer player and team owner, Brittany Mahomes, chose the name Golden (middle name Raye) for her second daughter in 2025, sister to Sterling Skye and Patrick "Bronze" Lavon.
- Kaylani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea of heaven; glorious sky"Description:
Kaylani is an English variation of the Hawaiian name Kailani. Both forms rank in the US Top 300, and while Kailani is more popular, Kaylani isn't far behind. It joined the US Top 1000 in 2016 and has been rising ever since, following on the heels of Leilani, Malia, and Kehlani.
- Matvii
Origin:
Ukrainian variation of Matthew, HebrewMeaning:
"gift of God"
- Auster
Origin:
German surnameMeaning:
"oyster"Description:
Fans of writer Paul Auster might consider this a worthy alternative to the trendy Austin.
- Thurston
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"Thor's stone"Description:
Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.
- Ailla
Origin:
Meaning unknownDescription:
Ailla is a name with many possible derivations, including Cornish (possibly meaning "beautiful"), French (deriving from Ailler, meaing Garlic), Finnish (related to Helga) and Turkish (where it may have a meaning connected to moonlight). None of these derivations are very clear; what is certain is that Ailla is a name with a beautiful sound and an international flavor.
- Janiyah
Origin:
Modern invented name, variation of JaneDescription:
Janiyah’s star is definitely fading, but it will likely remain in the Top 1000 for years to come.
- Cayenne
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Spicy.
- Xandra
Origin:
Spanish, diminutive of AlexandraMeaning:
"man's defender"Description:
The initial X is pronounced like a Z. Confusing? Potentially. But there are enough Alexandras and Xanders through the Western World these days that this spelling wouldn't seem outlandish.
- North
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
- Toros
Origin:
Turkish, Spanish, Armenian variation of Theodore, from GreekMeaning:
"bull, Taurus; gift of God"Description:
Toros is a multicultural option, used in Armenia as a variation of classic Theodore, in Spanish to refer to bulls, or sometimes to bullfighting, and in Turkey, as a place name, given to a mountain complex in the south of the country, whose name is borrowed from the Latin "Taurus", again meaning bull.
- Foxy
Origin:
Word and animal nameDescription:
Your teenager will either love you or hate you for choosing this name. Better: Fox.
- Ishi
Origin:
JapaneseMeaning:
"stone"Description:
Connotes a strong, solid character.
- Duffy
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"dark"Description:
This familiar Irish surname, best known as the name of the mononamed Welsh female singer, is extremely rare as a first name in the US but could make an original Irish choice.
- Hewett
Origin:
French, diminutive of HughDescription:
Hugh plus.
- Doron
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"gift"Description:
Benevolent name found in Israel in several forms, including Doran and Doroni.