Girl Dog Names That Start With D

  1. Dee
    • Origin:

      Nickname for any girl name that starts with D
    • Description:

      Dee is a slight midcentury nickname that might be short for Deanna or Denise, but might be too slight for today's strong, independent female.
  2. Dot
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Dorothy
    • Description:

      Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name.
  3. Daenerys
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Description:

      Daenerys is yet another girls' name invented by "Game of Thrones" author George R. R. Martin that is beginning to gain some traction in real life. Daenerys was used for 67 baby girls in 2013 while one of the character's titles, Khaleesi, was given to 241 baby girls. And the name Arya, also from the hyper-popular series, is one of the fastest growing girls' names in the country.
  4. Dali
    • Origin:

      Variation of Dalia, Spanish, or Georgian
    • Meaning:

      "dahlia"
    • Description:

      In Georgian mythology, Dali is the goddess of hunting. The origins of her name are disputed — some scholars claim it comes from the Georgian word for morning, dila, while others claim links to words for "demon" and "god".
  5. Djuna
    • Origin:

      Invented name
    • Description:

      Novelist Djuna Barnes introduced this interesting and unusual name with an arty, Bohemian feel to the mix. She explained that it was invented by her father, saying it came about as a combination of her infant brother's pronunciation of the word moon as 'nuna' and a character in a book her father was reading, Prince Djalma, and so he "put the Dj onto the 'una'." Result: the silent-D pronunciation (as in Django) of JOON-a.
  6. Daffodil
    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "asphodel"
    • Description:

      Yes, though it seems so extreme, girls were actually sometimes given this name a century ago; now it is so uncommon it would make a strong springtime statement. Biggest obstacle: the nickname Daffy.
  7. Dominica
    • Origin:

      Italian, feminine variation of Dominic
    • Meaning:

      "belonging to the Lord"
    • Description:

      Fashionably Continental and much fresher than Dominique, though it's been used since the Middle Ages. Dominica can be spelled any number of ways, from Dominika to Domenica, but we prefer this version.
  8. Devika
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "little goddess"
    • Description:

      Nine little goddesses got this lovely name in the US in 2021, making it a usable yet unusual entry in the popular mythological category. Devika is a diminutive of Devi, the head goddess of Hindu mythology. English speakers might make Devi the short form.
  9. Dillon
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "loyal"
    • Description:

      With both the Dillon and Dylan spellings, usage of this gender-neutral names runs about ten to one boys to girls. But Dylan is used about 20 times as often as Dillon for both genders. Which might be a vote in favor of Dillon, though for better or worse, this spellings distances the name from singer Bob and poet Thomas.
  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. Dale
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "valley"
    • Description:

      An early unisex nature name that has been surpassed by others, Dale is still a simple, sylvan and serene option.
  12. Diablo
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "devil"
    • Description:

      Diablo Cody, self-named (she's really Brook Busey) screenwriter of Juno, singlehandedly helped popularize not just her heroine's name and her own but all o-ending names for girls. You don't need us to tell you that it takes a brave parent, in every way, to name a baby Diablo. Diablo is one of the Spanish baby names that diverges furthest from the well-paved camino.
  13. Dharma
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "truth"
    • Description:

      In Buddhism, Dharma embodies the basic principles of cosmic existence--making it a fitting name for the hippyish character on the sitcom Dharma and Greg, whose middle name was Freedom.
  14. Dilly
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dilys, Dilwen, and Daffodil
    • Description:

      Somewhat light and silly on its own.
  15. Dodie
    • Origin:

      English diminutive of Dorothy
    • Meaning:

      "gift of god"
    • Description:

      Sweet old-fashioned nickname name that could make a comeback in the wake of Sadie et al. Famous bearers include author Dodie Smith, who wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians and I Capture the Castle.
  16. Diva
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "goddess"
    • Description:

      Once unique to the Zappa family, now you can have your own little prima donna.
  17. Daya
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "compassionate"
    • Description:

      There is some controversy over the origin and meaning of this name, though most reputable sources define it as a Hindi name meaning kindness or compassion. Also spelled, Daia, other sources say it may mean "joy" or be a Hebrew name with the meaning "bird of prey". It has recently been made familiar through the character of Daya Diaz on Orange is the New Black .
  18. Deryn
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.
  19. Danique
    • Origin:

      French variation of Danica
    • Meaning:

      "morning star"
    • Description:

      This Danielle/Monique hybrid offers a new twist on an old favorite.
  20. Diya
    • Origin:

      Mbama, Sanskrit, Hindi and Latin
    • Meaning:

      "love; lamp; heavenly"
    • Description:

      A sweet and simple multicultural choice which has several different meanings and origins.