Dog Names That Start With B

  1. Barack
    • Origin:

      Hebrew; also Swahili from Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "thunderbolt, lightning; or blessing"
    • Description:

      The name of the 44th president, which he inherited from his Kenyan father, is related to the Swahili word "baraka," meaning "blessing," derived from the Arabic "baracka." It is linked, through the Semitic root, to the Hebrew name Baruch. Barack is also sometimes an alternate spelling of the Hebrew name Barak, which stems from the Semitic word for "lightning." Barack Obama may have found it a difficult name to grow up with, but the same won't be true for the many babies starting to be given that name. Other parents are being inspired to use Obama, which is a common surname among the Luo people of East Africa meaning "to lean or bend."
  2. Bruna
    • Origin:

      Italian
    • Meaning:

      "brown"
    • Description:

      Possibility for a dark-haired babe.
  3. Biff
    • Origin:

      American nickname
    • Description:

      The quintessential midcentury nickname, famously found in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman."
  4. Brinley
    • Origin:

      English, combination of Brynn + Lee "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"
    • Meaning:

      "burnt clearing; hill + meadow"
    • Description:

      Brinley was a surprise entrant to the US Top 1000 in 2009, however, in 2023, it doesn't feel surprising at all. In fact, alternative spellings Brynleigh and Brynlee also rank in the Top 1000, with Brynley not too far behind.
  5. Boston
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Unseen in the USA since 1901, Boston rocketed back into the Top 1000 in 2004 and, like other place-names such as Brooklyn, London and Paris, is now a reliable presence on the list.
  6. Bristol
    • Origin:

      Place-name
    • Description:

      Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, grabbed her own share of headlines by having a baby out of wedlock and then appearing on Dancing With The Stars. She single-handedly propelled her distinctive name, inspired by a city in England, into the Top 1000 and up the charts. Bristol's ascent ended a few years back.
  7. Blane
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "yellow"
    • Description:

      Blane is the attractive surname name of an important seventh-century Scottish saint, but is in danger of sounding slightly feminine and soap opera-ish.
  8. Brie
    • Origin:

      French, place-name of cheese-producing region
    • Description:

      Place-name and homonym of Bree, less popular than its enlargement, Brielle.
  9. Benny
    • Blu
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "blue"
      • Description:

        Blu is a new (nu?) spelling of an increasingly popular color name, also spelled Blue and Bleu. Blu is the spelling used for one of the Waldrop sextuplets.
    • Brantley
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "sword, fiery torch"
      • Description:

        Brantley is one of several English surnames that was new to the tops in 2009. A possible-probable inspiration is the country rock singer Brantley Gilbert.
    • Baron
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "a lord of the realm"
      • Description:

        If you're going to choose a noble word name, why not aim higher and pick Duke, Prince...or King. The Donald Trumps picked the Barron spelling for their little princeling.
    • Brigitte
      • Origin:

        French variation of Brighid
      • Meaning:

        "strength or exalted one"
      • Description:

        Brigitte is the French version of the ancient Irish Brighid long associated with 1950s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot. If you want to pronounce Brigitte the French way, it's brih-ZHEET.
    • Buster
      • Origin:

        Modern nickname
      • Description:

        An old-fashioned nickname in the Bud/Buzz/Biff mold; this one's kind of belligerent. Michelle Hicks and Jonny Lee Miller moved outside the box when they used it for their son--given the safer middle name of Timothy.
    • Brandy
      • Origin:

        Dutch
      • Meaning:

        "burnt wine"
      • Description:

        The alcohol-laced member of the Randy-Candy-Mandy sorority of 1970s to 80s nickname names; now pretty much on the wagon.
    • Blues
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "slow, sad, songs of lamentation; a music genre of black American folk origin"
      • Description:

        While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
    • Bean
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "an immature bean pod used as a vegetable"
      • Description:

        The unisex word name Bean, distant cousin of the infamous Apple, was used for the name of a child of mysterious gender in Louise Penny's novel "A Rule Against Murder." While we can imagine Bean as a cute nickname for a yet-unnamed and unborn baby, we don't recommend it for real life.
    • Burke
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "from the fortress"
      • Description:

        Simple, usable surname choice.
    • Bay
      • Origin:

        English word, Old English
      • Meaning:

        "an inlet of the sea where the land curves inward; berry"
      • Description:

        Like River and Lake, a cool, refreshing modern water-related choice. This name is also associated with bay leaves, the bay laurel, the contemporary term of endearment, "bae", and the Old English word beġ meaning "berry"
    • Bloom
      • Origin:

        Word Name
      • Description:

        A fragrant floral name that would be great as a middle name. Bloom is the name of the character in TV's Winx Club who, Harry Potter-style, gets sent to fairy college. Also a surname —such as actor Orlando Bloom.