Unisex Dog Names

  1. Jay
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "jaybird"
    • Description:

      One of the boys' names newly appropriated for girls -- either on its own, as a pet form of any J name, or as a singular middle name.
  2. Tennessee
    • Origin:

      Native American, Cherokee, place-name
    • Meaning:

      "bend in the river or meeting place"
    • Description:

      When playwright Thomas Lanier Williams adopted the pen name of Tennessee, he created a new possibility among American place-names, although it's admittedly a bit bulky in size.
  3. Raleigh
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "meadow of deer"
    • Description:

      An attractive North Carolina unisex place name, Raleigh's soft sound is particularly appropriate for a girl.
  4. Jove
    • Origin:

      Mythological name
    • Description:

      Another name for Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, this jovial name is eminently ready for modern use. Feminine variations include Jovita and Jovie.
  5. Kimber
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Kimberley
    • Description:

      This diminutive of Kimberley is gaining momentum as a standalone name. For our part, we're stumped by its rise.
  6. Blessing
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Blessing is among the Top 1000 girls' names in the UK and recently joined the ranks in the US as well. With modern spiritual names like Shiloh, Chosen, and Halo trending upwards, Blessing is likely to continue to rise in popularity.
  7. Farrell
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "courageous"
    • Description:

      If you're looking for a pleasing namesake that's more modern than Darrell/Darryl, this would make an excellent choice. Farrell is an Anglicized form of the Irish Fergal, and was well used as a first name into the nineteenth century, before it faded to mostly surname use.
  8. Matisse
    • Origin:

      Art name
    • Description:

      The surname of the great artist is pronounced the same way as Mathis, the German and French form of Matthew, so it's not a stretch for use as a first name.
  9. Legacy
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "the long-lasting impact of particular events that took place in the past"
    • Description:

      One of the boastful, ultra-modern word names soaring in popularity right now. Though it's a bit more popular for girls than boys -- the "cy" ending reads a little feminine -- it's solidly unisex, with over 100 baby boys being named Legacy in 2017. This is one of the many uplifting words that make unique unisex names.
  10. Denali
    • Origin:

      Place-name and Native American
    • Meaning:

      "the great one"
    • Description:

      Alaska's Denali National Park is the home of the highest mountain in the US, officially renamed Denali in 2014, endowing the name with a lofty feel. Twice as many girls as boys were given the name in 2021, but the gender gap is closing.
  11. Montana
    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name
    • Meaning:

      "mountainous"
    • Description:

      Overly trendy western place-name, as stated in the title of our book Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana.
  12. Paz
    • Origin:

      Hebrew; Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "gold; peace"
    • Description:

      Paz is an appealing Spanish name meaning "peace", derived from the Latin "pax". It's usually feminine in Spanish, but could also make an interesting literary choice for a boy, honoring the writer Octavio Paz.
  13. Irie
    • Origin:

      Jamaican
    • Meaning:

      "positive and powerful"
    • Description:

      Irie is an upbeat and modern name that originated as a Rastafarian term for "positive and powerful."
  14. Auburn
    • Origin:

      Color name
    • Meaning:

      "deep reddish-brown"
    • Description:

      A strong, warm name and a strong warm color. Would make an excellent alternative to August or Aubrey.
  15. Lovelace
    • Origin:

      English surname
    • Meaning:

      "outlaw"
    • Description:

      What better namesake for a baby girl than Ada Lovelace (or, to use her full title: Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace), the brilliant 19th-century writer, mathematician and early computer pioneer? Not to mention, her name has a lovely, delicate, vintagesque charm.
  16. Endeavour
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "challenge, endeavor"
    • Description:

      Extravagant virtue name which is notably the first name of the British TV detective Inspector Morse.
  17. Garland
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      A surprisingly wearable floral name for a boy.
  18. Revel
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "rejoice"
    • Description:

      Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.
  19. Tavi
    • Origin:

      Feminine short form of David or short form of Octavia
    • Description:

      Tavi has been catapulted into the spotlight by teenage fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. This cute name, previously not on anyone's scope, could be a way to honor an ancestral David or a short form of the luscious Octavia or could stand as a perfectly stylish name all on its own.
  20. Tide
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      As likely to be tied to the detergent as to the rhythms of the ocean.