Human Names for Dogs

A friendly form of Abigail, "father's joy".

A warm pet form of Alfred, "wise counsellor".

Golden fossilised tree resin — warm and glowing.

A heavenly messenger — worn with varying accuracy.

Means "one strength"; also a very good cow.

A warm pet form of Anne, "grace".

A friendly form of Archibald, "genuinely bold".

Linked to avis, "bird" — sleek and simple.

An old word for a castle wall; also "bailiff".

A jovial form of Barnaby, "son of comfort".

An old trade name meaning "baker".

The big, huggable animal — great for gentle giants.

Means "handsome".

Means "beautiful" — a warm, timeless favourite.

A soft form of Benjamin, "son of the right hand".

A cheerful form of Benjamin.

A friendly form of William, "resolute protector".

The colour of sky and heelers — a farm-dog classic.

Scots for "pretty, charming".

Means "fair-haired"; forever linked to David Bowie.

The warming spirit — golden and mellow.

Means "brown" — a natural for brown coats.

Literally "friend" — the classic companion's name.

Vintage tough-guy charm with a wagging tail.

Means "at the byres"; the romantic poet who loved his dog.

The great Roman general — a long-serving dog classic.

Means "vigilant, watchful".

For Johnny — the man in black.

A pet form of Cassandra, the prophetess of Troy.

A friendly form of Charles, meaning "free man".

From castra, "fortress" — an old English city name.

Means "boy, small" in Spanish.

Means "young green shoot" — fresh and springlike.

Short for Cleopatra; from kleos, "glory".

A playful name with chocolate and Coco Chanel associations.

From an Irish surname meaning "helpful".

Means "pup, young creature" in Gaelic — genuinely.

An old trade name for a barrel maker.

The cheerful white-and-yellow flower; from Old English "day's eye".

Means "right-handed, skilled".

Engine power — for dogs with torque.

An English place name, "farm by the ditch" — very good for diggers.

A bright, jazzy name from the American South.

A pet form of Dorothy; forever Parton's.

Aristocats royalty — for dogs who outrank you.

A noble rank — dignified with a soft spot.

Means "dark warrior" — a sturdy Scottish classic.

Means "son of the sea"; folk-rock royalty.

A friendly form of Edward; Frasier's famous terrier.

Means "all, completely"; jazz royalty via Fitzgerald.

A friendly short form of Eleanor, "shining light".

The King — blue suede paws optional.

Means "whole, universal" — a timeless classic.

A warm form of Ernest, "serious" (ironically, rarely).

A form of Eve, meaning "life".

Means "happy, lucky".

The lush green forest-floor plant.

Means "fair, bright"; a legendary Irish hero.

A friendly form of Frank, "free one".

A solid short form of Frederick, "peaceful ruler".