Naming a dog can be tough. And it’s a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your dog is counting on you. They’ll be called by their name for years to come, so you better get it right. Plus, you’ll be saying it out loud a lot, so you want it to be something you are proud of.
So, how does one come up with a name for a furry friend? Well, many people look for a name that matches their dog’s personality or appearance (e.g., Joker, Frisky, Pepper, Yuki). Others look to pop culture, current trends, favorite foods, and more for inspiration (e.g., Kramer, Loki, Mochi, Taco) . And still others prefer traditional dog names like Spot or Buddy.
In recent years, a trend of giving pets humans names has emerged. Classic (old-fashioned) people names are great options, as many people aren’t using them these days. Let’s take a look at some of these unique gems – who knows, maybe you’ll find your dog’s name on the list.
Also, be sure to check out our office pups for more inspiration.
BOY NAMES
Atticus
Atticus is an ancient masculine name of Greek/Latin origin, meaning “from Attica,” or simply “Athenian.” Synonymous with the beloved character Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s classic 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the name continues to gain popularity and usage as a baby name in the United States. Common adorable nicknames for Atticus include Ace, Cus, Gus and Atta.
Alfred
Alfred is a masculine name of English origin, derived from the Old English name Ælfræd, meaning “elf counsel.” A popular name in European countries like England, Wales, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Alfred is used less frequently in the United States. Adorable diminutives of Alfred include Al, Alf, Alfie, Fred and Freddy.
Barnabas
Barnabas is a masculine biblical name of Aramaic origin, meaning “son of encouragement.” Chances are you have never met a Barnabas, considering the name is not commonly used in the United States. However, the English variant Barnaby was popularized in the ‘70s through the American detective television series Barnaby Jones. If Barnabas proves to be a bit of a mouthful, you can always go with Barnaby, or simply call your dog by the adorable diminutive Barney.
Mortimer
Mortimer is a masculine name of English/French origin that means “dead sea.” One of the least used given names in the United States, the chance of you meeting another Mortimer is quite rare. In fact, according to the Social Security Administration’s US Census Data, only 6 baby males were named Mortimer in 2021. The diminutive of Mortimer is Morty, which makes it the perfect name for fans of the animated television series Rick and Morty.
Oswald
Oswald is a masculine given name of English/German origin that means “divine power.” Although it is a rather strong name with ties to the medieval King Oswald of Northumbria, it is also the playful name belonging to one of Walt Disney’s earliest cartoon characters, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. With Oswald you get to choose from some fun nicknames, like Ossie, Ozzie/Ozzy, Oz, and even Waldo.
GIRL NAMES
Astrid
Astrid is a feminine name of Scandinavian origin that dates back to the 10th century. It means “divine beauty,” and it was usually given to Scandinavian women of royalty. It isn’t a common name in the United States, but several characters named Astrid have recently appeared in film (Crazy Rich Asians) and television (Fringe, Vikings), so it has gained in popularity. A common nickname for Astrid throughout Scandinavia is Asta.
Constance
Constance is an English feminine virtue name of French origin, meaning “steadfastness.” In the United States, the name Constance reached its peak of popularity in 1949. However, the popularity of actress Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat) might have the name poised to make a comeback. The most common and cutest nickname for Constance is Connie, but other options include Con, Stance, Stancy and Nie.
Dorothy
Dorothy is a feminine name of Greek origin derived from the name Dorothea that means “gift of God.” It’s a classic name that many of us associate with the main protagonist of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz – or with Dorothy from The Golden Girls. It was once one of the most popular names in the United States, remaining in the top ten from 1904 to 1939. Dot, Dottie and Dolly are the most common diminutives of the name, but there are many others, including Dodi, Dory, Tea and Thea.
Winifred
Winifred is a feminine name of Welsh origin, meaning “joy and peace.” Usage of the name was inspired by martyred 7th century Welsh saint, St. Winifred, but in the United States, the name has a bit of witchy connotation. This is due to Bette Midler’s character, Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, from Disney’s 1993 film Hocus Pocus and its 2022 sequel. For nicknames, Winnie or Freddie make super cute diminutives of Winifred.
Zelda
Zelda is a feminine name of German origin, derived from the name Griselda that means “grey fighting maiden.” In the United States, the name Zelda is somewhat rare in usage, however the name is rather well known due to the popularity of Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda video game franchise. The name Zelda is super cute on its own, but you may find yourself using equally cute nicknames like Zeldie, Zi Zi, Zel, and Zellie.
