Dog name meaning finder

Type a name, or a word like 'moon' or 'bear', to see what a dog name means, which language it comes from and whether it is usually given to boys or girls.

Tim de JongUpdated 4 min read
Find a name

Or a word in the meaning, like 'moon'

Boy or girl

Top match

Abby

Short for Abigail, Hebrew for 'my father is joy'.

Origin
Hebrew
Usually for
Girl
Style
Classic
Matching names
635

635 names. Tap one to see it above.

Where do these dog name meanings come from?

The finder holds 635 names from 44 languages and traditions. Given names (Max, Sadie, Finn) follow the etymologies on Behind the Name, a long-running reference on the history of first names. Word names (Biscuit, Maverick, Juniper) use the ordinary meaning of the word, with its origin checked against the Online Etymology Dictionary. Names from myth, books and film say who the character was.

Plenty of names have no settled meaning, and some popular websites fill the gap with guesses. We left those names out instead. If a name you love isn't here, that is usually why.

These were the American Kennel Club's top ten dog names for 2025, based on its registration and enrollment records:

Source: AKC, most popular dog names of 2025. Meanings from the finder.
RankGirlsBoys
1LunaMax
2BellaHank
3DaisyTeddy
4LucyCooper
5RubyGus
6WillowBear
7MaggieDuke
8PennyMaverick
9NovaCharlie
10SadieFinn
  • Luna: Latin for 'the moon'. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon.
  • Bella: Italian for 'beautiful'; also short for Isabella.
  • Daisy: The flower. Its name comes from Old English for 'day's eye', because it opens at dawn.
  • Lucy: English form of Lucia, from Latin lux, 'light'.
  • Ruby: The red gemstone, from Latin ruber, 'red'.
  • Max: Short for Maximilian or Maximus, from Latin maximus, 'greatest'. Also the Grinch's loyal dog.
  • Hank: Medieval nickname for John, later used for Henry.
  • Teddy: Short for Theodore or Edward. The teddy bear is named after US President Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Cooper: English surname for a barrel maker.
  • Gus: Short for Augustus, Latin for 'great, venerable'.

The pattern is clear: short, friendly human names (Lucy, Charlie, Gus) sit next to nature and word names (Willow, Bear, Nova). Few of the top twenty are traditional "dog" names like Rover or Spot.

Dog names by language

Picking a name from your dog's home country, or your own family's, gives it a story. These are the biggest groups in the finder; choose one under "Language or origin" to see them all, or try dog names by breed for names that match where your breed comes from.

Number of names per language or origin, with examples.
Language or originNamesExamples
English147Ace, Acorn, Archer, Ash
Greek38Achilles, Apollo, Ares, Argos
Japanese31Aki, Akira, Hachi, Hachiko
Latin29Aurora, Brutus, Caesar, Dexter
English (US)26Balto, Bo, Buck, Buddy
Spanish24Amigo, Bonita, Burrito, Canela
French23Beau, Belle, Bijou, Biscuit
German22Baerchen, Barry, Beethoven, Blitz
Hebrew22Abby, Annie, Ari, Benji
Irish22Aidan, Banshee, Bran, Brigid
Old Norse18Baldur, Fenrir, Frey, Freya
Scottish17Angus, Bobby, Bonnie, Bruce
Russian16Babushka, Belka, Ivan, Laika
Arabic14Amber, Amir, Amira, Aziz
Welsh14Arthur, Bryn, Cariad, Cavall
Italian12Amore, Bambi, Bella, Bello
Scandinavian11Astrid, Bjorn, Erik, Fjord
Chinese10Bao, Doudou, Fu, Jin
Finnish10Aino, Karhu, Kettu, Lumi
English (Australia)9Banjo, Bluey, Boomer, Digger
Korean9Badugi, Bori, Byeol, Dal
Swahili9Chui, Imani, Jambo, Nyota
Dutch8Cookie, Gouda, Kees, Knuffel
Hawaiian8Aloha, Kai, Koa, Kona
Germanic7Archie, Bob, Charlie, Frank
Hungarian7Bundas, Csillag, Gulyas, Maci
Persian7Jasmine, Jasper, Rostam, Roxy
Portuguese7Bacalhau, Cashew, Fado, Lua
Tibetan7Lhamo, Norbu, Nyima, Pema
Turkish7Aslan, Baklava, Boncuk, Karabas
Egyptian6Anubis, Horus, Isis, Nile
Sanskrit6Asha, Kiran, Maya, Raja
Afrikaans5Biltong, Boet, Bokkie, Lekker
Hindi5Bagheera, Baloo, Chai, Kulfi

Does a name's meaning matter to your dog?

Not to the dog. What your dog learns is the sound, and the good things that follow it. The AKC suggests one- or two-syllable names, ideally ending in a vowel sound like Daisy or Rocky, and warns against names that sound like cues: Kit sounds like "sit" and Joe like "no".

The meaning matters to you. It is a name you will say thousands of times over ten or fifteen years, and the one you will explain at the vet and the dog park. A meaning that fits your dog's looks (Ember for a red dog, Yuki for a white one), its roots (Hachi for an Akita) or your own family history makes the name easier to love. When you have a shortlist, the dog name generator can suggest more in the same style.

All dog names and meanings, A to Z

Every name in the finder, with its origin and whether it is usually given to boys, girls or either.

A

  • Abby (Hebrew, girl): Short for Abigail, Hebrew for 'my father is joy'.
  • Ace (English, boy): The top card in the pack; someone who excels.
  • Achilles (Greek, boy): The near-invincible hero of the Trojan War.
  • Acorn (English, boy or girl): The nut of the oak tree.
  • Aidan (Irish, boy): From Aodhán, Irish for 'little fire'.
  • Aino (Finnish, girl): Finnish for 'the only one'; a heroine of the Kalevala epic.
  • Aki (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'autumn' (or 'bright', written differently).
  • Akira (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'bright, clear'.
  • Aloha (Hawaiian, boy or girl): Hawaiian for 'love', used as hello and goodbye.
  • Amber (Arabic, girl): Golden fossil resin, from Arabic 'anbar.
  • Amigo (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'friend'.
  • Amir (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'prince, commander'.
  • Amira (Arabic, girl): Arabic for 'princess'.
  • Amore (Italian, boy or girl): Italian for 'love'.
  • Angus (Scottish, boy): From Gaelic Aonghas, 'one strength'.
  • Annie (Hebrew, girl): Pet form of Anne, from Hannah, Hebrew for 'favour, grace'.
  • Anubis (Egyptian, boy): The jackal-headed Egyptian god of the dead.
  • Apollo (Greek, boy): Greek god of the sun, music and healing.
  • Archer (English, boy): One who shoots with a bow.
  • Archie (Germanic, boy): Short for Archibald, from Germanic words for 'genuine' and 'bold'.
  • Ares (Greek, boy): Greek god of war.
  • Argos (Greek, boy): Odysseus's loyal dog in Homer's Odyssey, who knew his master after 20 years away.
  • Ari (Hebrew, boy): Hebrew for 'lion'.
  • Artemis (Greek, girl): Greek goddess of the hunt, who ran with a pack of hounds.
  • Arthur (Welsh, boy): Legendary king of the Britons.
  • Ash (English, boy or girl): The ash tree, or the grey left after a fire.
  • Asha (Sanskrit, girl): Sanskrit for 'hope, wish'.
  • Aslan (Turkish, boy): Turkish for 'lion'. Also the great lion of the Narnia books.
  • Aspen (English, boy or girl): A tree whose leaves tremble in the slightest breeze.
  • Astrid (Scandinavian, girl): Old Norse for 'god' and 'beautiful'.
  • Athena (Greek, girl): Greek goddess of wisdom and war.
  • Atlas (Greek, boy): The Titan who holds up the sky.
  • Aurora (Latin, girl): Latin for 'dawn'. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the dawn, and gives her name to the northern lights.
  • Autumn (English, girl): The season of falling leaves; suits a red or gold coat.
  • Axel (Danish, boy): Danish form of Absalom, Hebrew for 'father is peace'.
  • Aziz (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'powerful, respected, beloved'.

B

  • Babka (Polish, girl): A sweet braided cake; in Polish, babka also means 'grandmother'.
  • Babushka (Russian, girl): Russian for 'grandmother'.
  • Bacalhau (Portuguese, boy): Portuguese salted cod.
  • Badugi (Korean, boy or girl): A classic Korean name for a black-and-white spotted dog, after the stones of baduk (the board game Go).
  • Baerchen (German, boy or girl): German Bärchen, 'little bear'.
  • Bagel (Yiddish, boy or girl): Ring-shaped bread from Jewish baking in Poland.
  • Bagheera (Hindi, boy): The black panther of The Jungle Book; from Hindi bagh, 'tiger'.
  • Bailey (English, boy or girl): English surname for a bailiff.
  • Baklava (Turkish, boy or girl): Layered pastry with nuts and syrup.
  • Baldur (Old Norse, boy): Norse god of light and beauty.
  • Baloo (Hindi, boy): The easygoing bear of The Jungle Book; from Hindi bhalu, 'bear'.
  • Balto (English (US), boy): The Siberian Husky who led the final leg of the 1925 diphtheria serum run to Nome, Alaska.
  • Bambi (Italian, girl): From Italian bambino, 'child'; the fawn of Felix Salten's novel and Disney's film.
  • Bandit (English, boy): An outlaw; suits a dog with a mask-like face.
  • Banjo (English (Australia), boy): The stringed instrument; also Banjo Paterson, who wrote 'Waltzing Matilda'.
  • Banshee (Irish, girl): Irish for 'woman of the fairy mound', whose wail warns of a death.
  • Bao (Chinese, boy or girl): A Chinese steamed bun; with a different character, bao also means 'treasure'.
  • Barley (English, boy or girl): The golden cereal grain.
  • Barry (German, boy): The St. Bernard of the Great St. Bernard Hospice, credited with saving more than 40 people in the Alps.
  • Basil (Greek, boy): The herb, from Greek basilikon, 'royal'.
  • Baxter (English, boy): English surname meaning 'baker'.
  • Bean (English, boy or girl): A small seed: a name for a little dog.
  • Bear (English, boy): The animal: big, strong and cuddly.
  • Beau (French, boy): French for 'handsome'.
  • Beethoven (German, boy): The composer, and the giant St. Bernard of the 1992 film.
  • Belka (Russian, girl): Russian for 'squirrel'; with Strelka, the first dogs to orbit Earth and return alive, in 1960.
  • Bella (Italian, girl): Italian for 'beautiful'; also short for Isabella.
  • Belle (French, girl): French for 'beautiful'.
  • Bello (Italian, boy): Italian for 'handsome'; also a classic German dog name.
  • Benji (Hebrew, boy): Short for Benjamin, Hebrew for 'son of the south' or 'son of the right hand'. Also the 1974 film dog.
  • Bentley (English, boy): From an Old English place name meaning 'bent grass clearing'.
  • Bianca (Italian, girl): Italian for 'white'.
  • Bijou (French, girl): French for 'jewel'.
  • Biltong (Afrikaans, boy): South African dried, cured meat.
  • Bingo (English, boy or girl): The farmer's dog in the song 'B-I-N-G-O', and Bluey's little sister.
  • Biscotti (Italian, boy or girl): Italian almond biscuits; the word means 'twice-cooked'.
  • Biscuit (French, boy or girl): From Old French bescuit, 'twice-cooked'.
  • Bjorn (Scandinavian, boy): Scandinavian for 'bear'.
  • Blaze (English, boy or girl): A bright fire; also a white stripe down an animal's face.
  • Blitz (German, boy): German for 'lightning'.
  • Blossom (English, girl): The flowers of a fruit tree.
  • Blue (English, boy or girl): The colour; a classic name for blue-grey dogs.
  • Bluey (English (Australia), boy or girl): Australian slang for a redhead, and the Blue Heeler star of the TV cartoon.
  • Bo (English (US), boy): The Portuguese Water Dog of President Barack Obama's family.
  • Bob (Germanic, boy): Short for Robert, Germanic for 'bright fame'.
  • Bobby (Scottish, boy): Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye Terrier said to have guarded his owner's grave in Edinburgh for 14 years.
  • Boet (Afrikaans, boy): Afrikaans for 'brother', used for a friend.
  • Bokkie (Afrikaans, girl): Afrikaans for 'little buck', a term of endearment.
  • Bolt (English, boy): A flash of lightning. Also the superhero dog in Disney's Bolt.
  • Boncuk (Turkish, girl): Turkish for 'bead', a favourite Turkish pet name.
  • Bonita (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'pretty'.
  • Bonnie (Scottish, girl): Scots for 'pretty, attractive'.
  • Boomer (English (Australia), boy): Australian slang for a big male kangaroo.
  • Bori (Korean, boy or girl): Korean for 'barley', one of the most popular dog names in Korea.
  • Boss (English, boy): The one in charge.
  • Bran (Irish, boy): Irish for 'raven'; Bran was one of Fionn mac Cumhaill's legendary hounds.
  • Brigid (Irish, girl): Irish for 'exalted one'; a goddess and a saint of Ireland.
  • Brownie (English, boy or girl): A chocolate square; suits a brown dog.
  • Bruce (Scottish, boy): Scottish surname of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots.
  • Bruiser (English, boy): A big, tough fighter. Also Elle Woods's Chihuahua in Legally Blonde.
  • Bruno (German, boy): From a Germanic word meaning 'brown' or 'armour'.
  • Brutus (Latin, boy): A Roman family name meaning 'heavy, dull' in Latin.
  • Bryn (Welsh, boy or girl): Welsh for 'hill'.
  • Bubbles (English, girl): Light, bouncy and cheerful.
  • Buck (English (US), boy): The St. Bernard and Scotch Collie hero of Jack London's The Call of the Wild.
  • Buddy (English (US), boy): A friend or pal.
  • Bundas (Hungarian, boy or girl): Hungarian bundás, 'furry', from bunda, 'fur coat'.
  • Bunny (English, girl): A rabbit.
  • Burek (Polish, boy): The classic Polish dog name, from bury, 'grey'.
  • Burrito (Spanish, boy): The wrapped tortilla; in Spanish the word means 'little donkey'.
  • Butch (English (US), boy): A tough-guy nickname.
  • Byeol (Korean, boy or girl): Korean for 'star'.

C

  • Caesar (Latin, boy): The family name of Julius Caesar, later a title for emperors.
  • Callum (Scottish, boy): Scottish form of Columba, Latin for 'dove'.
  • Canela (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'cinnamon'.
  • Captain (English, boy): The leader of a ship or a team.
  • Caramel (French, boy or girl): Cooked sugar; the colour of a golden-tan coat.
  • Cariad (Welsh, boy or girl): Welsh for 'love, darling'.
  • Cashew (Portuguese, boy or girl): The kidney-shaped nut, from Portuguese caju.
  • Cavall (Welsh, boy): King Arthur's hound in Welsh legend.
  • Cedar (English, boy or girl): The fragrant evergreen tree.
  • Cerberus (Greek, boy): The three-headed hound guarding the gates of the underworld.
  • Cerys (Welsh, girl): From Welsh caru, 'to love'.
  • Chai (Hindi, boy or girl): Hindi for 'tea'; spiced milky tea.
  • Champ (English, boy): Short for champion.
  • Charlie (Germanic, boy or girl): Short for Charles, from a Germanic word meaning 'man'.
  • Chase (English, boy): From an English surname meaning 'chase, hunt'.
  • Checkers (English (US), boy): Richard Nixon's Cocker Spaniel, star of the 1952 'Checkers speech'.
  • Cheri (French, boy or girl): French for 'darling'.
  • Cherry (English, girl): The small red fruit.
  • Chica (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'girl'.
  • Chico (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'boy' or 'small'.
  • Chiquita (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'little one'.
  • Chloe (Greek, girl): Greek for 'green shoot', a title of the harvest goddess Demeter.
  • Chui (Swahili, boy or girl): Swahili for 'leopard'.
  • Churro (Spanish, boy or girl): Fried dough sprinkled with sugar.
  • Ciara (Irish, girl): Irish for 'black'.
  • Cinnamon (English, boy or girl): The warm brown spice.
  • Clementine (French, girl): A small citrus fruit; also a name from Latin clemens, 'merciful'.
  • Cleo (Greek, girl): Short for Cleopatra, Greek for 'glory of the father'.
  • Clifford (English (US), boy): The big red dog of Norman Bridwell's books.
  • Cloud (English, boy or girl): Soft and white; suits a fluffy dog.
  • Clover (English, boy or girl): The three-leaved plant; a four-leaf clover is said to bring luck.
  • Coco (French, girl): A French-style nickname made famous by designer Coco Chanel; also Spanish for 'coconut'.
  • Cocoa (English, boy or girl): Chocolate powder from cacao beans; suits a brown coat.
  • Comet (English, boy or girl): A blazing ball of ice in space. Also the Golden Retriever in TV's Full House.
  • Cookie (Dutch, boy or girl): From Dutch koekje, 'little cake'.
  • Cooper (English, boy): English surname for a barrel maker.
  • Copper (English, boy or girl): The reddish-brown metal. Also the hound puppy in Disney's The Fox and the Hound.
  • Corgi (Welsh, boy or girl): Welsh cor, 'dwarf', and ci, 'dog'.
  • Cowboy (English (US), boy): A cattle herder of the American West.
  • Croissant (French, boy or girl): French for 'crescent'.
  • Csillag (Hungarian, girl): Hungarian for 'star'.
  • Cupcake (English, girl): A small cake baked in a paper cup.

D

  • Daisy (English, girl): The flower. Its name comes from Old English for 'day's eye', because it opens at dawn.
  • Dakota (Dakota, boy or girl): From the Dakota people's name for themselves, meaning 'allies' or 'friends'.
  • Dal (Korean, boy or girl): Korean for 'moon'.
  • Dante (Italian, boy): The Xolo in Pixar's Coco, named after the Italian poet.
  • Dao (Thai, boy or girl): Thai for 'star'.
  • Dave (Hebrew, boy): Short for David, Hebrew for 'beloved'.
  • Dexter (Latin, boy): Latin for 'right-handed, skilful'; also an English surname for a dyer.
  • Diablo (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'devil'.
  • Diana (Latin, girl): Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon.
  • Diesel (German, boy): Heavy-duty engine fuel, named after inventor Rudolf Diesel.
  • Digger (English (Australia), boy): Australian slang for a soldier, from the gold diggers of the 1800s.
  • Dingo (English (Australia), boy): Australia's wild dog.
  • Dolce (Italian, girl): Italian for 'sweet'.
  • Dot (English, girl): A small spot; also short for Dorothy.
  • Doudou (Chinese, boy or girl): Chinese for 'little bean', a common pet name.
  • Draig (Welsh, boy): Welsh for 'dragon', the red dragon of the Welsh flag.
  • Dubu (Korean, boy or girl): Korean for 'tofu'.
  • Duchess (English, girl): The wife of a duke, or a woman of ducal rank.
  • Dug (English (US), boy): The talking Golden Retriever in Pixar's Up.
  • Duke (English, boy): A noble title, from Latin dux, 'leader'.

E

  • Echo (Greek, girl): In Greek myth, a nymph cursed to repeat the last words of others.
  • Eddie (English (US), boy): The Jack Russell Terrier who stared down Frasier Crane on TV.
  • Eden (Hebrew, boy or girl): The garden of Eden; Hebrew for 'delight'.
  • Eira (Welsh, girl): Welsh for 'snow'.
  • Eli (Hebrew, boy): Hebrew for 'ascension'.
  • Elote (Nahuatl, boy or girl): Mexican corn on the cob, from Nahuatl elotl.
  • Elsa (German, girl): Pet form of Elisabeth; also the ice queen of Disney's Frozen.
  • Elvis (English (US), boy): After Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, who sang 'Hound Dog'.
  • Ember (English, girl): A glowing coal in a dying fire.
  • Erik (Scandinavian, boy): Old Norse for 'ever ruler'.
  • Erin (Irish, girl): A poetic name for Ireland.
  • Estrella (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'star'.
  • Everest (English, boy): Earth's highest mountain, named after surveyor George Everest.
  • Ezra (Hebrew, boy): Hebrew for 'help'.

F

  • Fado (Portuguese, boy): Portuguese for 'fate'; the soulful music of Lisbon.
  • Fah (Thai, boy or girl): Thai for 'sky'.
  • Fala (English (US), boy): President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scottish Terrier.
  • Fang (English, boy): A long, sharp tooth, as in Jack London's White Fang.
  • Felix (Latin, boy): Latin for 'lucky, happy'.
  • Fenrir (Old Norse, boy): The monstrous wolf of Norse myth.
  • Fergus (Scottish, boy): From Gaelic Fearghas, 'man of vigour'.
  • Fern (English, girl): The feathery green plant.
  • Fido (Latin, boy): From Latin fidus, 'faithful'. Abraham Lincoln had a dog called Fido.
  • Fifi (French, girl): Pet form of Joséphine.
  • Finn (Irish, boy): From Fionn, Irish for 'white, fair'. Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) is a giant hero of Irish legend.
  • Fjord (Scandinavian, boy or girl): A long, narrow sea inlet between steep cliffs.
  • Fleur (French, girl): French for 'flower'.
  • Flint (English, boy): The hard stone used to strike sparks.
  • Flora (Latin, girl): Roman goddess of flowers, from flos, 'flower'.
  • Fondue (French, boy or girl): The Swiss pot of melted cheese.
  • Fox (English, boy or girl): The clever red fox.
  • Frank (Germanic, boy): From the Franks, a Germanic people; also 'honest, free-spoken'.
  • Frey (Old Norse, boy): Old Norse for 'lord'; the Norse god of harvest and sunshine.
  • Freya (Old Norse, girl): Old Norse for 'lady'; the Norse goddess of love.
  • Frida (German, girl): From a Germanic word for 'peace'. Painter Frida Kahlo made it famous.
  • Frites (French, boy or girl): Belgian fries.
  • Fritz (German, boy): Pet form of Friedrich, 'peaceful ruler'.
  • Frost (English, boy or girl): Ice crystals on a cold morning; suits a white or silver dog.
  • Fu (Chinese, boy or girl): Chinese for 'good fortune'.
  • Fudge (English, boy or girl): A soft, rich sweet.

G

  • Gaia (Greek, girl): Greek for 'earth'; the goddess of the earth.
  • Garm (Old Norse, boy): The blood-stained hound that guards the Norse underworld.
  • Gelato (Italian, boy or girl): Italian ice cream; gelato means 'frozen'.
  • Gelert (Welsh, boy): The faithful hound of Welsh legend, owned by Prince Llywelyn.
  • Geysir (Icelandic, boy): The Icelandic hot spring that gave us the word geyser; from geysa, 'to gush'.
  • Ginger (English, girl): The spice, and a nickname for a reddish coat.
  • Gizmo (English (US), boy or girl): A gadget whose name you can't remember. Also the furry hero of Gremlins.
  • Glen (Scottish, boy): Gaelic for 'valley'.
  • Goldie (English, girl): Golden-coloured.
  • Goliath (Hebrew, boy): The giant Philistine warrior of the Bible.
  • Gordo (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'chubby', used fondly.
  • Gouda (Dutch, boy or girl): Cheese named after the Dutch town of Gouda.
  • Gracie (English, girl): Pet form of Grace.
  • Greta (German, girl): Short for Margareta, Greek for 'pearl'.
  • Gretchen (German, girl): Pet form of Margarete, 'pearl'.
  • Grizzly (English, boy): The North American brown bear.
  • Gromit (English, boy): Wallace's clever, silent Beagle in Wallace & Gromit.
  • Guapo (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'handsome'.
  • Gulyas (Hungarian, boy): Goulash, the Hungarian stew; gulyás originally meant 'cattle herder'.
  • Gunner (English, boy): A soldier who fires a big gun.
  • Gus (Latin, boy): Short for Augustus, Latin for 'great, venerable'.
  • Gwen (Welsh, girl): Welsh for 'white, fair, blessed'.

H

  • Habibi (Arabic, boy or girl): Arabic for 'my darling'.
  • Hachi (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'eight', a lucky number in Japan.
  • Hachiko (Japanese, boy): The Akita who waited at Tokyo's Shibuya Station for his late owner for nearly ten years. Hachi means 'eight'.
  • Hades (Greek, boy): Greek god of the underworld.
  • Haggis (Scottish, boy): Scotland's savoury pudding.
  • Hamish (Scottish, boy): Scottish form of James.
  • Hana (Japanese, girl): Japanese for 'flower'; in Korean, hana means 'one'.
  • Hank (English, boy): Medieval nickname for John, later used for Henry.
  • Hans (German, boy): Short for Johannes, Hebrew for 'God is gracious'.
  • Harley (English, boy or girl): From an Old English place name meaning 'hare clearing' or 'rock clearing'.
  • Harper (English, girl): English surname for a harp player.
  • Haru (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'spring'; in Korean, haru means 'a day'.
  • Hati (Old Norse, boy): The wolf who chases the moon in Norse myth.
  • Hawk (English, boy): The sharp-eyed bird of prey.
  • Hazel (English, girl): The hazel tree, and the light brown colour of its nuts.
  • Heather (English, girl): The purple-flowered shrub of moors and hills.
  • Heidi (German, girl): Pet form of Adelheid, 'noble type'; the Swiss mountain girl of Johanna Spyri's novel.
  • Heimdall (Old Norse, boy): The ever-watchful guardian of the Norse gods.
  • Helios (Greek, boy): Greek for 'sun'; the sun god.
  • Henry (Germanic, boy): From the Germanic name Heimirich, 'home ruler'.
  • Hera (Greek, girl): Queen of the Greek gods.
  • Hercules (Latin, boy): Roman name of Heracles, the strongest hero of Greek myth.
  • Hermes (Greek, boy): Swift messenger of the Greek gods.
  • Hilda (Germanic, girl): Germanic for 'battle'.
  • Holly (English, girl): The evergreen with red winter berries.
  • Honey (English, girl): The golden sweetener bees make; also a term of endearment.
  • Hooch (English (US), boy): The slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux of Turner & Hooch.
  • Horus (Egyptian, boy): The falcon-headed Egyptian god of the sky.
  • Hoshi (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'star'.
  • Hunter (English, boy): One who hunts.
  • Hygge (Scandinavian, boy or girl): The Danish idea of cosy contentment.

I

  • Imani (Swahili, girl): Swahili for 'faith'.
  • Ingrid (Scandinavian, girl): Old Norse for 'Ing (a god) is beautiful'.
  • Inti (Quechua, boy): Quechua for 'sun'; the Inca sun god.
  • Iris (Greek, girl): Greek for 'rainbow'. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow; the flower shares her name.
  • Isis (Egyptian, girl): Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood.
  • Islay (Scottish, girl): The Hebridean island famous for its whisky.
  • Ivan (Russian, boy): Russian form of John, 'God is gracious'.
  • Ivy (English, girl): The climbing evergreen plant.
  • Izzy (Hebrew, girl): Short for Isabel, a form of Elizabeth: Hebrew for 'my God is an oath'.

J

  • Jack (English, boy): Medieval pet form of John, Hebrew for 'God is gracious'.
  • Jade (Spanish, girl): The green gemstone, from Spanish piedra de ijada, 'stone of the flank'.
  • Jake (Hebrew, boy): Short for Jacob, from the Hebrew name Ya'aqov, usually explained as 'holder of the heel'.
  • Jamal (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'beauty'.
  • Jambo (Swahili, boy or girl): Swahili for 'hello'.
  • Jasmine (Persian, girl): The fragrant flower, from Persian yasaman.
  • Jasper (Persian, boy): From a Persian word for 'treasurer'; also a red gemstone.
  • Jin (Chinese, boy or girl): Chinese for 'gold'.
  • Josie (Hebrew, girl): Pet form of Josephine, from Joseph, Hebrew for 'he will add'.
  • Juniper (English, girl): The evergreen shrub whose berries flavour gin.
  • Juno (Latin, girl): Queen of the Roman gods.
  • Jupiter (Latin, boy): King of the Roman gods, and the largest planet.

K

  • Kai (Hawaiian, boy): Hawaiian for 'sea'.
  • Kaiser (German, boy): German for 'emperor', from Caesar.
  • Kanom (Thai, boy or girl): Thai for 'snack' or 'dessert'.
  • Karabas (Turkish, boy): Turkish for 'black head', a traditional name for shepherd dogs.
  • Karhu (Finnish, boy): Finnish for 'bear'.
  • Kees (Dutch, boy): Short for Cornelis; the Keeshond is named after Dutch patriot Kees de Gyselaer.
  • Kettu (Finnish, boy or girl): Finnish for 'fox'.
  • Kevin (Irish, boy): From Irish Caoimhín, 'handsome at birth'.
  • Kieran (Irish, boy): From Ciarán, Irish for 'little dark one'.
  • Killa (Quechua, girl): Quechua for 'moon'; the Inca moon goddess.
  • Kimchi (Korean, boy or girl): Korean fermented cabbage.
  • King (English, boy): The ruler of a kingdom.
  • Kiran (Sanskrit, boy or girl): Sanskrit for 'ray of light'.
  • Kitsune (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'fox'; the magical fox spirits of Japanese folklore.
  • Kiwi (English, boy or girl): The fuzzy green fruit, and New Zealand's flightless bird.
  • Klaus (German, boy): Short for Nikolaus, Greek for 'victory of the people'.
  • Knuffel (Dutch, boy or girl): Dutch for 'cuddle'.
  • Koa (Hawaiian, boy): Hawaiian for 'brave, warrior'; also a native Hawaiian tree.
  • Koala (English (Australia), boy or girl): Australia's tree-dwelling marsupial.
  • Kodiak (English (US), boy): The Alaskan island home of the giant Kodiak bear.
  • Kona (Hawaiian, boy or girl): Hawaiian for 'leeward', the dry side of an island; also Hawaii's coffee district.
  • Kongi (Korean, boy or girl): Korean for 'little bean'.
  • Kulfi (Hindi, boy or girl): Indian frozen milk dessert.
  • Kuma (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'bear'.
  • Kumo (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'cloud'.
  • Kuro (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'black'; a classic name for a black dog.
  • Kurt (Turkish, boy): Turkish for 'wolf'.

L

  • Lachlan (Scottish, boy): From Gaelic Lochlann, 'land of lakes', the old name for Norway.
  • Laddie (Scottish, boy): Scots for 'boy, young man'.
  • Lady (English, girl): A woman of good manners or noble rank.
  • Laelaps (Greek, boy): A magical hound of Greek myth that always caught what it chased.
  • Laika (Russian, girl): Russian for 'barker'; the dog who orbited Earth aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957.
  • Lan (Chinese, girl): Chinese for 'orchid'.
  • Lassie (Scottish, girl): Scots for 'girl'; the heroic Rough Collie of books, films and TV.
  • Latte (Italian, boy or girl): Italian for 'milk'; coffee with steamed milk.
  • Laurel (English, girl): The bay laurel, whose leaves crowned winners in ancient Greece.
  • Layla (Arabic, girl): Arabic for 'night'.
  • Leif (Scandinavian, boy): Old Norse for 'heir, descendant'.
  • Leilani (Hawaiian, girl): Hawaiian for 'heavenly flowers' or 'royal child'.
  • Lekker (Afrikaans, boy or girl): Afrikaans for 'nice, tasty, great'.
  • Leo (Latin, boy): Latin for 'lion'.
  • Levi (Hebrew, boy): Hebrew for 'joined, attached'.
  • Lexi (Greek, girl): Short for Alexandra, Greek for 'defending men'.
  • Lhamo (Tibetan, girl): Tibetan for 'goddess'.
  • Lily (English, girl): The lily, a flower that stands for purity.
  • Llama (Quechua, boy or girl): The Andean pack animal.
  • Lobo (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'wolf'.
  • Loki (Old Norse, boy): The shape-shifting trickster god of Norse myth.
  • Lola (Spanish, girl): Pet form of Dolores, Spanish for 'sorrows'.
  • Long (Chinese, boy): Chinese for 'dragon'.
  • Lotte (Dutch, girl): Pet form of Charlotte.
  • Lotus (Greek, boy or girl): The water flower that is sacred in several Asian religions.
  • Louie (French, boy): Form of Louis, from a Germanic name meaning 'famous in battle'.
  • Loup (French, boy): French for 'wolf'.
  • Lua (Portuguese, girl): Portuguese for 'moon'.
  • Luba (Russian, girl): Russian for 'love'.
  • Lucky (English, boy or girl): Fortunate; born under a good star.
  • Lucy (Latin, girl): English form of Lucia, from Latin lux, 'light'.
  • Lulu (French, girl): Pet form of Louise.
  • Lumi (Finnish, girl): Finnish for 'snow'.
  • Luna (Latin, girl): Latin for 'the moon'. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon.
  • Lupa (Latin, girl): Latin for 'she-wolf', the wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus.
  • Lykke (Scandinavian, girl): Danish for 'happiness, luck'.

M

  • Maci (Hungarian, boy or girl): Hungarian for 'teddy bear'.
  • Maeve (Irish, girl): From Medb, Irish for 'intoxicating'; a legendary warrior queen.
  • Maggie (English, girl): Short for Margaret, from Greek margarites, 'pearl'.
  • Magnolia (English, girl): The flowering tree, named after French botanist Pierre Magnol.
  • Mali (Thai, girl): Thai for 'jasmine'.
  • Malik (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'king'.
  • Mango (English, boy or girl): The tropical fruit; the word reached English from Tamil by way of Portuguese.
  • Maple (English (Canada), boy or girl): The tree whose sap becomes maple syrup; its leaf is on Canada's flag.
  • Marley (English (US), boy or girl): The lovable, unruly Labrador of John Grogan's Marley & Me.
  • Mars (Latin, boy): Roman god of war, and the red planet.
  • Matcha (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese powdered green tea.
  • Mate (English (Australia), boy): Australian for 'friend'.
  • Matilda (Germanic, girl): Germanic for 'might in battle'; 'Waltzing Matilda' is Australia's best-known folk song.
  • Maverick (English (US), boy): An unbranded calf, after Texas rancher Samuel Maverick; now an independent spirit.
  • Max (Latin, boy): Short for Maximilian or Maximus, from Latin maximus, 'greatest'. Also the Grinch's loyal dog.
  • Maya (Sanskrit, girl): Sanskrit for 'illusion'.
  • Meatball (English, boy): A round of minced meat: perfect for a chunky dog.
  • Mei (Chinese, girl): Chinese for 'beautiful'.
  • Merlin (Welsh, boy): The wizard of Arthurian legend.
  • Mia (Scandinavian, girl): Pet form of Maria. In Italian and Spanish, mia means 'mine'.
  • Midnight (English, boy or girl): The darkest hour; suits a black dog.
  • Millie (English, girl): Pet form of Mildred, Old English for 'gentle strength'. Millie was also President George H. W. Bush's Springer Spaniel.
  • Minerva (Latin, girl): Roman goddess of wisdom.
  • Misha (Russian, boy): Russian pet form of Mikhail (Michael, 'who is like God?'); Mishka is the traditional Russian nickname for a bear.
  • Misio (Polish, boy): Polish for 'teddy bear'.
  • Miso (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese fermented soybean paste.
  • Misty (English, girl): Soft and hazy, like morning mist.
  • Moana (Hawaiian, girl): Hawaiian for 'ocean, open sea'.
  • Mocha (Arabic, boy or girl): Coffee with chocolate, named after the Yemeni port of Mocha.
  • Mochi (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese sweet rice cake.
  • Molly (English, girl): A pet form of Mary, long popular in Ireland and Britain.
  • Momo (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'peach'.
  • Moose (English, boy): The giant deer of northern forests; often a big, gentle dog.
  • Morrigan (Irish, girl): The 'phantom queen' of Irish myth, goddess of war and fate.
  • Morzsa (Hungarian, girl): Hungarian for 'crumb'; a classic Hungarian dog name.
  • Moti (Hindi, boy or girl): Hindi for 'pearl'; one of India's classic dog names.
  • Muffin (English, boy or girl): A small, soft baked cake.
  • Murphy (Irish, boy): From the Irish surname Ó Murchadha, 'descendant of Murchadh' (sea warrior).

N

  • Nabi (Korean, girl): Korean for 'butterfly'.
  • Nacho (Spanish, boy): The cheesy tortilla chip snack; also a Spanish nickname for Ignacio.
  • Nadia (Russian, girl): From Russian Nadezhda, 'hope'.
  • Nala (English (US), girl): The lioness in Disney's The Lion King.
  • Nalu (Hawaiian, boy or girl): Hawaiian for 'wave, surf'.
  • Nana (English, girl): The Newfoundland who acts as nursemaid in Peter Pan.
  • Nanook (Inuit, boy): From nanuq, 'polar bear' in Inuit languages.
  • Nata (Portuguese, girl): Portuguese for 'cream'; the custard tart pastel de nata.
  • Neptune (Latin, boy): Roman god of the sea; good for a water dog.
  • Nessie (Scottish, girl): The Loch Ness monster.
  • Niamh (Irish, girl): Irish for 'bright, radiant'.
  • Nico (Greek, boy): Short for Nicholas, Greek for 'victory of the people'.
  • Nike (Greek, girl): Greek goddess of victory; nike means 'victory'.
  • Nile (Egyptian, boy): The great river of Egypt.
  • Noa (Hebrew, girl): Hebrew for 'movement'.
  • Noah (Hebrew, boy): Hebrew for 'rest, comfort'.
  • Noel (French, boy or girl): French for 'Christmas'.
  • Noodle (German, boy or girl): From German Nudel; a silly, wiggly name.
  • Noor (Arabic, boy or girl): Arabic for 'light'.
  • Norbu (Tibetan, boy): Tibetan for 'jewel'.
  • Nova (Latin, girl): Latin for 'new'. A nova is a star that suddenly flares much brighter.
  • Nugget (English, boy or girl): A small lump of gold, or of fried chicken.
  • Nyima (Tibetan, boy or girl): Tibetan for 'sun'.
  • Nyota (Swahili, girl): Swahili for 'star'.
  • Nyx (Greek, girl): Greek for 'night'; the goddess of night.

O

  • Oak (English, boy): The mighty oak tree.
  • Odie (English (US), boy): Garfield's happy, tongue-lolling Beagle.
  • Odin (Old Norse, boy): Chief of the Norse gods, from Old Norse óðr, 'inspiration, frenzy'.
  • Ohana (Hawaiian, boy or girl): Hawaiian for 'family'.
  • Oisin (Irish, boy): Irish for 'little deer'; a warrior-poet of Irish legend.
  • Olive (English, girl): The olive tree, a symbol of peace.
  • Onyx (Greek, boy or girl): A black gemstone, from Greek for 'fingernail'.
  • Orion (Greek, boy): A giant hunter of Greek myth, now a constellation.
  • Oso (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'bear'.
  • Otis (English, boy): English surname from the medieval name Ode, a form of Otto (Germanic for 'wealth, fortune').
  • Otter (English, boy or girl): The playful river animal.
  • Otto (German, boy): From a Germanic word for 'wealth, fortune'.

P

  • Paco (Spanish, boy): Pet form of Francisco.
  • Paddy (Irish, boy): Pet form of Patrick, from Latin patricius, 'nobleman'.
  • Pal (English, boy): A friend. Pal was also the Collie who first played Lassie on film.
  • Paloma (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'dove'.
  • Pandora (Greek, girl): Greek for 'all gifts'; the first woman in Greek myth.
  • Paprika (Hungarian, girl): The red pepper spice of Hungarian cooking.
  • Parker (English, boy or girl): English surname for a park keeper.
  • Pasha (Turkish, boy): An Ottoman title for a high official.
  • Patch (English, boy or girl): A spot of a different colour.
  • Pavlova (English (Australia), girl): Meringue dessert named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
  • Peaches (English, girl): The soft, fuzzy fruit.
  • Peanut (English, boy or girl): The nut that grows underground; a sweet name for a small dog.
  • Pearl (English, girl): The lustrous gem from an oyster.
  • Pebble (English, boy or girl): A small smooth stone.
  • Pema (Tibetan, girl): Tibetan for 'lotus'.
  • Penny (English, girl): A one-cent coin; also short for Penelope.
  • Pepe (Spanish, boy): Pet form of José.
  • Pepper (English, boy or girl): The spice: a good fit for a salt-and-pepper or lively dog.
  • Perdita (Latin, girl): Latin for 'lost'; the Dalmatian mother in One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
  • Pharaoh (Egyptian, boy): A ruler of ancient Egypt.
  • Phoebe (Greek, girl): Greek for 'bright, pure'.
  • Phoenix (Greek, boy or girl): The mythical bird reborn from its own ashes.
  • Pickles (English, boy or girl): Vegetables preserved in brine or vinegar.
  • Pierogi (Polish, boy or girl): Polish filled dumplings.
  • Pierre (French, boy): French form of Peter, 'stone'.
  • Pilvi (Finnish, girl): Finnish for 'cloud'.
  • Pim (Dutch, boy): Dutch pet form of Willem.
  • Piper (English, girl): English surname for a pipe player.
  • Pipoca (Portuguese, boy or girl): Brazilian Portuguese for 'popcorn'.
  • Pluto (Latin, boy): Roman god of the underworld. Also Mickey Mouse's dog.
  • Pochi (Japanese, boy or girl): A classic Japanese dog name, like Spot or Rover in English.
  • Pongo (English, boy): The Dalmatian father in One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
  • Poppy (English, girl): The bright red flower.
  • Poutine (English (Canada), boy or girl): Quebec's dish of fries, cheese curds and gravy.
  • Praline (French, boy or girl): A nut and sugar sweet; in Belgium, a filled chocolate.
  • Pretzel (German, boy or girl): Knotted bread, from German Brezel.
  • Prince (English, boy): The son of a king or queen.
  • Princess (English, girl): The daughter of a king or queen.
  • Pumpkin (English, boy or girl): The orange squash; also a term of endearment.
  • Pushok (Russian, boy or girl): Russian for 'fluffy one'.

Q

  • Queen (English, girl): The ruler of a kingdom.
  • Queenie (English, girl): An affectionate form of 'queen'.
  • Quetzal (Nahuatl, boy or girl): The shimmering green bird sacred to the Aztecs and Maya.

R

  • Ra (Egyptian, boy): The Egyptian sun god.
  • Rafiki (Swahili, boy or girl): Swahili for 'friend'. Also the wise baboon of The Lion King.
  • Ragnar (Old Norse, boy): Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary Viking king; the name joins words for 'counsel' and 'warrior'.
  • Rain (English, boy or girl): Water from the clouds; for a dog who loves puddles.
  • Raja (Sanskrit, boy): Sanskrit for 'king'.
  • Ranger (English, boy): A warden who patrols a forest or park.
  • Rani (Sanskrit, girl): Sanskrit for 'queen'.
  • Raven (English, girl): The large black bird.
  • Rebel (English, boy or girl): One who defies authority.
  • Regina (Latin, girl): Latin for 'queen'.
  • Remy (French, boy or girl): From Latin Remigius, from remex, 'oarsman'.
  • Ren (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'lotus'.
  • Revontuli (Finnish, boy or girl): Finnish for the northern lights, 'fox fires'.
  • Rex (Latin, boy): Latin for 'king'.
  • Rhys (Welsh, boy): Welsh for 'ardour, enthusiasm'.
  • Ringo (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'apple'.
  • Rintintin (French, boy): Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd rescued from a WWI battlefield who became a Hollywood star; named after a French good-luck doll.
  • Rio (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'river'.
  • River (English, boy or girl): A flowing body of water.
  • Robin (English, boy or girl): The songbird; also a pet form of Robert, 'bright fame'.
  • Rocky (English, boy): Rock-solid; made famous by the 1976 boxing film.
  • Romeo (Italian, boy): Italian for a pilgrim to Rome; Shakespeare's romantic hero.
  • Romulus (Latin, boy): Legendary founder of Rome, raised with his twin by a she-wolf.
  • Ronin (Japanese, boy): A masterless samurai.
  • Roo (English (Australia), boy or girl): Short for kangaroo; also Kanga's son in Winnie-the-Pooh.
  • Rooibos (Afrikaans, boy or girl): Afrikaans for 'red bush', the South African herbal tea.
  • Rory (Irish, boy): From Ruaidhrí, Irish for 'red king'.
  • Rosie (English, girl): Pet form of Rose, the flower.
  • Rostam (Persian, boy): The great hero of the Persian epic, the Shahnameh.
  • Rover (English, boy): A wanderer: someone who roves.
  • Rowan (Irish, boy or girl): The rowan tree (mountain ash); also from the Irish name Ruadhán, 'little red one'.
  • Roxy (Persian, girl): Short for Roxanne, from the Persian name Roshanak, 'bright' or 'little star'.
  • Ruby (English, girl): The red gemstone, from Latin ruber, 'red'.
  • Rusty (English, boy): Reddish brown, like rust.
  • Ryu (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'dragon'.

S

  • Sadie (Hebrew, girl): Pet form of Sarah, Hebrew for 'lady, princess'.
  • Safari (Swahili, boy or girl): Swahili for 'journey'.
  • Saga (Old Norse, girl): A long story of heroes; also a Norse goddess.
  • Sage (English, boy or girl): The herb; also a wise person.
  • Sahara (Arabic, girl): The great desert, from Arabic for 'deserts'.
  • Sakura (Japanese, girl): Japanese for 'cherry blossom'.
  • Sam (Hebrew, boy or girl): Short for Samuel, Hebrew for 'God has heard' or 'name of God'.
  • Samir (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'companion in evening conversation'.
  • Samson (Hebrew, boy): The strongman of the Bible, whose strength lay in his hair.
  • Samurai (Japanese, boy): A warrior of feudal Japan; the word means 'one who serves'.
  • Sapphire (English, girl): The blue gemstone.
  • Sarang (Korean, girl): Korean for 'love'.
  • Sasha (Russian, boy or girl): Russian pet form of Alexander or Alexandra, 'defending men'.
  • Saudade (Portuguese, girl): A Portuguese word for a deep longing for someone or something you love.
  • Sauna (Finnish, boy or girl): The Finnish steam bath.
  • Sawyer (English, boy): English surname for someone who sawed wood.
  • Schatzi (German, girl): German for 'little treasure, sweetheart'.
  • Scooby (English (US), boy): Scooby-Doo, the cowardly Great Dane detective of the cartoons.
  • Scout (English, boy or girl): One sent ahead to explore.
  • Seamus (Irish, boy): Irish form of James.
  • Selene (Greek, girl): Greek for 'moon'; the moon goddess.
  • Seren (Welsh, girl): Welsh for 'star'.
  • Setanta (Irish, boy): Boyhood name of the hero Cú Chulainn, who took the place of a guard dog he had killed.
  • Setareh (Persian, girl): Persian for 'star'.
  • Shadow (English, boy or girl): One who follows close behind. Also the wise old Golden Retriever in Homeward Bound.
  • Shalom (Hebrew, boy or girl): Hebrew for 'peace'.
  • Shamrock (Irish, boy or girl): The three-leaved clover, emblem of Ireland; from Irish seamróg, 'little clover'.
  • Shams (Arabic, boy or girl): Arabic for 'sun'.
  • Shanti (Sanskrit, girl): Sanskrit for 'peace'.
  • Sharik (Russian, boy): Russian for 'little ball'; a classic Russian dog name.
  • Shiloh (English (US), boy): The Beagle of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's novel Shiloh.
  • Shirin (Persian, girl): Persian for 'sweet'.
  • Shiro (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'white'; a classic name for a white dog.
  • Shogun (Japanese, boy): A military ruler of old Japan.
  • Sierra (Spanish, girl): Spanish for 'mountain range' (literally 'saw').
  • Simba (Swahili, boy): Swahili for 'lion'. Also the lion cub of The Lion King.
  • Sir (English, boy): The title of a knight.
  • Sirius (Greek, boy): The Dog Star, the brightest star in the night sky; from Greek for 'scorching'.
  • Sisu (Finnish, boy or girl): Finnish for grit and determination against the odds.
  • Skadi (Old Norse, girl): Norse goddess of winter, skiing and the hunt.
  • Skoll (Old Norse, boy): The wolf who chases the sun across the sky in Norse myth.
  • Sky (English, boy or girl): The open sky; often for a blue-eyed dog.
  • Skye (Scottish, girl): The Isle of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides.
  • Smokey (English, boy or girl): Smoky grey. Smokey Bear is the US fire-prevention mascot.
  • Snezhok (Russian, boy or girl): Russian for 'little snowball'.
  • Snoopy (English (US), boy): Charlie Brown's daydreaming Beagle in Peanuts.
  • Snowy (English, boy or girl): White as snow. Also Tintin's Wire Fox Terrier (Milou in French).
  • Sol (Latin, boy or girl): Latin and Spanish for 'sun'.
  • Soleil (French, boy or girl): French for 'sun'.
  • Sophie (Greek, girl): Form of Sophia, Greek for 'wisdom'.
  • Sora (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'sky'.
  • Sparky (English, boy): Lively and full of spark.
  • Spike (English, boy): A sharp point. Also the bulldog in Tom and Jerry.
  • Spot (English, boy or girl): The classic name for a dog with spots.
  • Star (English, boy or girl): A bright point in the night sky.
  • Stella (Latin, girl): Latin for 'star'.
  • Steve (Greek, boy): Short for Stephen, Greek for 'crown'.
  • Storm (English, boy or girl): Wild weather.
  • Strelka (Russian, girl): Russian for 'little arrow'; Belka's fellow space dog in 1960.
  • Strudel (German, boy or girl): Layered pastry; Strudel means 'whirlpool' in German.
  • Sugar (English, girl): Sweet; also a term of endearment.
  • Sultan (Arabic, boy): Arabic for 'ruler, authority'.
  • Summer (English, girl): The warm season.
  • Sunny (English, boy or girl): Bright and cheerful. Also the Obama family's second Portuguese Water Dog.
  • Susan (Hebrew, girl): From Susanna, Hebrew for 'lily'.
  • Sushi (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese vinegared rice with fish or vegetables.
  • Susi (Finnish, boy): Finnish for 'wolf'.
  • Sven (Scandinavian, boy): Old Norse for 'young man, lad'.

T

  • Taco (Spanish, boy): The Mexican folded tortilla.
  • Tahti (Finnish, girl): Finnish tähti, 'star'.
  • Tama (Japanese, girl): Japanese for 'jewel, ball'; a classic Japanese pet name.
  • Tank (English, boy): An armoured vehicle: big and unstoppable.
  • Tara (Irish, girl): The Hill of Tara, seat of Ireland's ancient high kings; also Sanskrit for 'star'.
  • Taro (Japanese, boy): A traditional Japanese name for a first-born son; also the taro root.
  • Tashi (Tibetan, boy or girl): Tibetan for 'good fortune, auspicious'.
  • Teddy (English, boy): Short for Theodore or Edward. The teddy bear is named after US President Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Tembo (Swahili, boy): Swahili for 'elephant'; for a big dog.
  • Tenzin (Tibetan, boy or girl): Tibetan for 'holder of the teachings'.
  • Tesoro (Italian, boy or girl): Italian for 'treasure, darling'.
  • Thea (Greek, girl): Greek for 'goddess'.
  • Theo (Greek, boy): Short for Theodore, Greek for 'gift of God'.
  • Thistle (Scottish, boy or girl): The prickly purple flower, emblem of Scotland.
  • Thor (Old Norse, boy): Old Norse for 'thunder'; the hammer-wielding god of thunder.
  • Thunder (English, boy): The rumble that follows lightning.
  • Tiger (English, boy): The big striped cat.
  • Tiny (English, boy or girl): Very small, or a joke name for a very big dog.
  • Titan (Greek, boy): The giant elder gods of Greek myth.
  • Toby (Hebrew, boy): Short for Tobias, Hebrew for 'God is good'.
  • Toffee (English, boy or girl): A chewy caramel sweet.
  • Tofu (Japanese, boy or girl): Bean curd.
  • Togo (English (US), boy): The Siberian Husky who ran the longest, most dangerous leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome.
  • Toto (English (US), boy): Dorothy's Cairn Terrier in The Wizard of Oz.
  • Tramp (English (US), boy): The streetwise mutt of Disney's Lady and the Tramp.
  • Troll (Old Norse, boy): The giant creatures of Scandinavian folklore.
  • Truffle (French, boy or girl): The prized underground fungus, or a chocolate sweet.
  • Tsar (Russian, boy): Russian emperor; the title comes from Caesar.
  • Tucker (English, boy): English surname for a fuller, who cleaned and thickened cloth. In Australia, tucker means food.
  • Tulip (Dutch, girl): The flower of the Netherlands.
  • Tundra (Russian, boy or girl): The treeless Arctic plain; the word came into English through Russian.
  • Tyr (Old Norse, boy): Norse god of war and justice, who lost his hand to the wolf Fenrir.

U

  • Ulv (Scandinavian, boy): Norwegian and Danish for 'wolf'.

V

  • Valkyrie (Old Norse, girl): Old Norse for 'chooser of the slain'; warrior maidens of Odin.
  • Venus (Latin, girl): Roman goddess of love, and the brightest planet.
  • Vera (Russian, girl): Russian for 'faith'; also Latin for 'true'.
  • Viking (Old Norse, boy): A Norse seafarer and raider.
  • Villam (Hungarian, boy): Hungarian villám, 'lightning'.
  • Violet (English, girl): The small purple flower.
  • Volk (Russian, boy): Russian for 'wolf'.

W

  • Waffles (Dutch, boy or girl): The grid-patterned batter cake, from Dutch wafel.
  • Waldi (German, boy): Classic German Dachshund name; Waldi was the first Olympic mascot, at Munich 1972.
  • Wallace (Scottish, boy): Scottish surname meaning 'foreigner, Welshman', borne by hero William Wallace.
  • Wangcai (Chinese, boy): Chinese for 'prosperous wealth', a classic Chinese dog name.
  • Whiskey (Irish, boy or girl): From Irish uisce beatha, 'water of life'; suits an amber coat.
  • Willow (English, girl): The willow tree, known for its graceful, drooping branches.
  • Winnie (Welsh, girl): Pet form of Winifred, from Welsh words for 'blessed' and 'peace'. Also Winnie-the-Pooh.
  • Winston (English, boy): English surname from the Old English name Wynnstan ('joy' and 'stone') or from a place name. Made famous by Winston Churchill.
  • Winter (English, boy or girl): The cold season.
  • Wolf (English, boy): The wild ancestor of the dog.
  • Wolfgang (German, boy): German name joining 'wolf' and 'path'.
  • Wren (English, girl): A tiny brown songbird.

X

  • Xiaobai (Chinese, boy or girl): Chinese for 'little white', a favourite name for white dogs.
  • Xing (Chinese, boy or girl): Chinese for 'star'.
  • Xolotl (Nahuatl, boy): Aztec god of fire and lightning, linked with dogs; the Xoloitzcuintli is named after him.

Y

  • Yasmin (Persian, girl): From Persian yasamin, 'jasmine'.
  • Yeller (English (US), boy): Old Yeller, the brave yellow dog of Fred Gipson's novel.
  • Yeti (Tibetan, boy or girl): The Himalayan 'abominable snowman' of Sherpa legend.
  • Yildiz (Turkish, girl): Turkish yıldız, 'star'.
  • Yoshi (Japanese, boy): Japanese for 'good' or 'lucky', depending on how it is written.
  • Yuki (Japanese, boy or girl): Japanese for 'snow' (or 'happiness', written differently).
  • Yukon (English (Canada), boy): The Canadian territory and its great river.

Z

  • Zeus (Greek, boy): King of the Greek gods, ruler of sky and thunder.
  • Ziva (Hebrew, girl): Hebrew for 'radiance, splendour'.
  • Zoe (Greek, girl): Greek for 'life'.
  • Zorro (Spanish, boy): Spanish for 'fox'; also the masked hero of Californian legend.
  • Zuri (Swahili, girl): Swahili for 'beautiful, good'.

Frequently asked questions

What does the dog name Luna mean?

Latin for 'the moon'. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon. It was the most popular girl dog name in the AKC's 2025 rankings.

What does the dog name Max mean?

Short for Maximilian or Maximus, from Latin maximus, 'greatest'. Also the Grinch's loyal dog. Max was the AKC's most popular boy dog name in 2025.

What is a dog name that means loyal?

Fido comes from Latin fidus, 'faithful', and is the classic name for a loyal dog. Famous loyal dogs give you more: Hachiko, Argos (Odysseus's dog in the Odyssey), Greyfriars Bobby and Gelert from Welsh legend.

What is a dog name that means strong or brave?

Koa means 'brave, warrior' in Hawaiian, Angus means 'one strength' in Scottish Gaelic, Matilda means 'might in battle', and Leo and Aslan both mean 'lion'. Search the finder for 'lion', 'wolf' or 'bear' for more.

Why are some popular names missing?

We left out names whose meaning is disputed or unknown, rather than guess. Milo and Oliver, for example, have several competing explanations, so they are not in the list yet.

Sources

  1. Behind the Name: the etymology and history of first names
  2. Online Etymology Dictionary
  3. AKC: Most popular dog names of 2025
  4. AKC: How to choose your dog's name

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