Fantasy Dog Names

Chivalry isn't dead, and what better way to prove it than by bestowing it as a name upon a newborn?

J. R. R. Tolkien introduced a plethora of new names into the world, but this is one character name that never caught on, nor will it likely ever.

A seldom-used Game of Thrones name, perhaps because its main originator, Tywin Lannister, is as ruthless as any character in the show. Yet the "ty-" beginning is so ubiquitous and popular that Tywin may have some potential... the fact that it's less well-known than Tyrion probably works in its favor.

In HBO's Game of Thrones, Bronn is an amoral mercenary raised to the knighthood through his connection to the regnant Lannister family. The homophony with "brawn" probably isn't an accident -- he's a top-tier swordsman -- and may be a turnoff to some parents. Brock and, to stay in Westeros, Bran are probably more user-friendly.

The name of a controversial character in Game of Thrones, Stannis Baratheon. He's better liked by book readers -- who see him as the embodiment of rigorous law and order -- than show watchers. In HBO's version of the story, his character was mostly defined by his disastrous loyalty to the red priestess Melisandre.

Not to be confused with fellow Game of Thrones name Melisandre, Missandei is one of the closest advisors to Daenarys Targayren in HBO's hit show and the George R.R. Martin novels on which it is based. The character was born enslaved and trained by her Astapori masters as an interpreter, so she speaks many languages and knows the customs of countless foreign lands. She's also one of the most prominent characters of color in the show.