6000+ Dog Names

  1. Blaine
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "yellow"
    • Description:

      She's the bff of Blair, Blake, and Brooke who shop at Bergdorf's, Bonwits and Bendel's.
  2. Dave
    • Origin:

      Short form of David, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "beloved"
    • Description:

      Dave is the ultimate good guy name, but where father name David is still holding onto a spot in the Top 20, Dave -- widely used as an independent name in the middle of the last century -- dropped off the Top 1000 a few decades ago and shows no signs of a comeback. Baby Davids today, often named for dad or grandpa, are more likely to be called David than Dave.
  3. Lyle
    • Origin:

      Scottish and English from French
    • Meaning:

      "someone who lives on an island"
    • Description:

      Though it's used far more often for boys, Lyle has a lot in common with today's trending girl names that share the double L sound: Lila, Layla, and Lola.
  4. Genji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Description:

      Upbeat Japanese name. Video game fans may recognize Genji as the name of a character from Overwatch.
  5. Arbor
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Arbor is an original unisex tree-related choice we're sure to hear more of. Highly unusual now, Arbor takes its place alongside other new arborial names ranging from the mighty Oak (or Oakley) to the more delicate Birch to the more flowery Juniper, Acacia, and Hazel.
  6. Gunther
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "battle warrior"
    • Description:

      When it's spelled with two dots over the 'u' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the name of a character in Friends.
  7. Halo
    • Origin:

      American word name
    • Description:

      Being a modern word, Halo didn’t become used as a name until around the nineteenth century. Halo is now mostly given to girls, and has become more common since the Halo video game series was released in 2001, in which Halo rings are huge structures used as weapons, but do have a religious connection. A space age virtue name and possible honour name for Gloria.
  8. Clancy
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "red-haired warrior"
    • Description:

      Irish surnames are hot, and this one can successfully cross the line to work for girls, replacing the outdated Casey. And only a dozen girls were named Clancy in the US in one recent year (along with 27 boys), making it one of those rare Irish names that are both accessible and distinctive, classic and cool. Clancy is a winner for either gender.
  9. Lucie
    • Origin:

      French, English
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      The French spelling of Lucy feels particularly light and shimmery.
  10. Galina
    • Origin:

      Russian and Slavic feminine form of Galen, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "calm, healer"
    • Description:

      Commonly used in Russia, has an Old World Slavic feel. The original Galen can be used for girls as well as boys.
  11. Kir
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Cyrus, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "sun"
    • Description:

      As attractive and straightforward as Kir may be, you may wish to go with the Irish spelling Keir (of different origins), due to Kir's association with the French cocktail.
  12. Bauer
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "farmer, tiller of the soil"
    • Description:

      A surname name with an occupational background, but although it derives from the German language it is not used as a first name there as it has pejorative connotations – sometimes used as slag for an uneducated person. In the US, a prominent association is the character Jack Bauer from 24.
  13. Moe
    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Moses
    • Meaning:

      "delivered"
    • Description:

      If Gus and Max have made it, why not Moe? Can it be the lingering Three Stooges effect? We think that Moe, like Joe, is one of the friendliest and most open of regular guy nickname names and should get a little more attention.
  14. Frieda
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "peace"
    • Description:

      This traditional Germanic name hasn't been on the U.S. list since 1958, but perhaps due to the mythic power of painter Frida Kahlo, parents are beginning to show some interest in it.
  15. Lir
    • Origin:

      Irish mythological name
    • Description:

      Lir is the Irish god of the sea, the equivalent of the Welsh Llyr which some equate with Shakespeare's King Lear. This is one of those rare names that is simple and has a deep history with an appealing meeting and yet is completely unused in the modern world -- no baby boys were recorded as receiving the name Lir in the US last year. Maybe because it sounds like the unappealing leer?
  16. Clarke
    • Origin:

      Variation of Clark
    • Description:

      A rising choice for girls that fits in with tailored surnames such as Sloane, Greer, and Blair.
  17. Rusty
    • Origin:

      Short form of Russell
    • Description:

      Though as a formal name Rusty is a little, well, rusty, it spent half a century among the Top 1000, departing only in 1995. Only 45 baby boys received the name in the US in one recent year and it's difficult to imagine it as the winning choice of many modern parents. Whether you want an informal name or a spin on a traditional name or even a word name or a name that means red, there are simply too many better options.
  18. Linnet
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "flaxen haired"
    • Description:

      Although the accent in Linnet is on the first syllable, it could be confused with the dated Lynette.
  19. Willie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William
    • Description:

      There have been many great Willies (Mays, Nelson, Wonka), but a boy with this name could never ever go to England. Most people will also assume it is short for the more traditional William, which might be the best avenue for achieving this nickname.
  20. Tashi
    • Origin:

      Tibetan
    • Meaning:

      "good fortune"
    • Description:

      Accessible and attractive Tibetan name used for both sexes.