Dog Names That Start With N

  1. Neelam
    • Origin:

      Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "blue sapphire"
    • Description:

      It is said that if one wears a flawless blue sapphire, it can remove poverty and provide health, wealth, long life, happiness and prosperity.
  2. Nouvel
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "new"
    • Description:

      Surname of French architect Jean Nouvel that became a given name when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie used it as the middle name of their daughter Shiloh.
  3. Naoko
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "obedient child"
    • Description:

      Naoko is a common Japanese name with an admirable meaning, which, depending on how it's written, can translate to obedient, straight, honest, or green child. Naoko can also be spelled Nahoko.
  4. Nikita
    • Origin:

      Russian cognate of Greek Aniketos
    • Meaning:

      "unconquered"
    • Description:

      Redolent of Khrushchev and la femme.
  5. Neptune
    • Origin:

      Roman god of the sea, freshwater springs, and horses.
    • Description:

      This Roman mythology (and planet) name would be very hard to handle. It derives from a root meaning cloud.
  6. Nylah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "winner"
    • Description:

      Nylah is the Arabic name of a princess -- Nyla is another variation -- that's rising quickly through the ranks, partly thanks to an adorable kitty that enjoyed 15 minutes of YouTube fame. But we predict this attractive and unusual name will get a longer turn in the sun than the pop-culture cat.
  7. Nahum
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "comfort"
    • Description:

      An underused Biblical name borne by a New Testament prophet, Nahum feels like a good option for parents looking for a rare but traditional name that fits in with current trends.
  8. Ngozi
    • Origin:

      African, Nigerian-Igbo
    • Meaning:

      "blessing"
    • Description:

      Dynamic and creative; common in Africa, challenging here. Pronunciation isn't as difficult as you'd guess, but everyone will have to ask. Many favor n-GO-zee, but a native speaker tells us that it is closer to n-GAW-zee, and we've found at least one n-GAH-zee, too.
  9. Nira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light, or furrow, plowed field"
    • Description:

      Symbolic name given to girls born on TuB'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees.
  10. Neila
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "locking, closing"
    • Description:

      This name of the final service on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is sometimes given symbolically to girls born on that day.
  11. Nima
    • Origin:

      Hebrew, Arabic, and Hindi
    • Meaning:

      "thread, hair; blessing; margosa tree"
    • Description:

      Multicultural name often heard in the Near East. Also spelled Neema.
  12. Nasia
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God's miracle"
    • Description:

      Too close to nausea.
  13. Nour
    • Origin:

      Variation of Noor, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      Noor is the prevailing spelling of this beautiful Arabic name, while Nour is preferred in many European countries, including France and Spain.
  14. Naima
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Scandinavian variation of Naema
    • Meaning:

      "tranquil; pleasantness"
    • Description:

      As an Arabic name, the normal transcription is Na'ima, with an apostrophe. It was a Top 200 name in France in the 1970s and '80s, and ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2005 to 2008.
  15. Noely
    • Origin:

      Variation of Noel, French
    • Meaning:

      "Christmas"
    • Description:

      If Joely (as in actress Richardson) is a name, why not Noely? As nickname-names become both more acceptable and more fashionable, Noely may be a fresh spin on one traditional name for Christmas babies.
  16. Nine
    • Origin:

      Dutch and Frisian diminutive of Katherine, English from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Nine is not a numerical name, but rather a Dutch nickname for Katherine. It's identical in sound to Nina, although the two are etymologically unrelated.
  17. Noor
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      More commonly seen as a girl name, where it has roots in both Arabic and Dutch. The masculine variation of Noor is Arabic and used in Islamic communities.
  18. Nicasio
    • Origin:

      Spanish from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      Closer to Nike than to Nicholas, this is an attractive, viable import. It's also one of several Italian and Spanish baby names that get you to the stylish and attractive nickname Nico.
  19. Nevada
    • Origin:

      Spanish place-name
    • Meaning:

      "covered in snow"
    • Description:

      Western place-name that feels equally appropriate for both genders. Note: Natives say rhyme that second syllable with had, so it's not nehv-AH-da.
  20. Niobe
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Description:

      The mythological queen whose perpetual weeping for her slain children turned her into a stone has always cast a pall over this name. Still, when other names with less-than-savory associations -- Delilah, Ophelia, Persephone -- are becoming popular, parents might want to consider this one of the more unusual mythology names for girls.