A
Abby	Short for ABIGAIL, which means "my father is joy."
Ace	A nickname meaning "highest rank."
Ali	Short for ALICE, meaning"noble, truth."
Alice	"Noble and kind"
Alpha	The first letter in the Greek alphabet, A. Also refers to the "first" or "best."
Amber	An orange-yellow color.
Amigo	"Friend"
Amy	"Beloved"
Angel	The heavenly creature whose name means "messenger."
Angus	"One strength"
Annabelle	"Lovable"
Annie	From HANNAH, which means "favor" or "grace."
Apache	The Native American tribe of the southwest United States.
Apollo	The Greek God of the sun and light.
Archie	From ARCHIBALD, meaning "genuine and bold."
Ariel	"Lion of God"
Armstrong	"Strength and masculinity"
Ash	Could refer to an ash tree or ASHLEY which means "ash tree clearing."
Astro	From the Greek word for "star."
Austin	From AUGUSTINE and AUGUST, meaning "great", "majestic", "venerable."
Autumn	From the name of the season and sometimes the colors it represents.
B
Babe	A child or infant; innocent or naive; a sweetheart or dear; Babe Ruth, baseball hero.
Babs	Short for BARBARA, meaning "foreign."
Baby	Young child or infant; a sweetheart or dear; the youngest of the family.
Bailey	Short for BAILIFF, an officer of a court. In England, a sheriff's deputy, steward and overseer of an estate.
Bambi	"Child."  Also the title character, a male deer, from the cartoon by Walt Disney.
Bandit	An ability to overcome an adversary. Also a robber, thief or outlaw who masked his eyes.
Barley	A cereal grass. Its grain is used in breakfast foods, livestock feed and malt beverages.
Barnaby	From BARNABAS, meaning "son of the prophet" or "son of encouragement."
Barney	Short for BARNABAS/BARNABY or BENARD ("brave or hardy bear").
Bear	For the animal of the same name.
Beauty	Being beautiful; pleasing to see or experience.
Beethoven	Ludwig van Beethoven, historic German composer; also the St. Bernard in the film Beethoven.
Bella	Italian for "beautiful."
Belle	French for "beautiful."
Ben	Alone, it means "son." Short for BENJAMIN, it means "son of the south" or "son of the right hand" and for BENEDICT it means "blessed."
Bennie	Short for BENJAMIN ("son of the south" or "son of the right hand") and BENEDICT ("blessed").
Benson	From a name which originally meant "son of BENEDICT."
Bertha	From the German word for "bright, famous."
Bessie	Short for ELIZABETH, which means "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance."
Bianca	Italian form of the name BLANCHE, which is French for "white" or "fair."
Billy	Short for WILLIAM. In German means "protection of the will" or "protection of desire."
Bingo	From the game of the same name. Also used to shout out success. "Bingo!"
Blaze	Usually refers to a white or light-colored marking on the face of an animal. It could also mean speed or quickness.
Blondie	A name for someone with blonde or light-colored hair.
Blossom	Burgeoning, of a flower.
Bo	A form of BEAU, a male name which is French for "beautiful." Also a nickname from the Old Norse word for "to live."
Bobbie	Short for ROBERT, meaning "bright flame."
Bonnie	"Pretty"
Booker	Once meant "a maker of books." Is used to refer to one who can move quickly.
Boots	Popular for dogs with a coloration on their legs that resembles boots.
Boris	Could be Russian for "fame in battle" or from the Turkish for "short" or "wolf."
Bosko	The name of the first major Looney Tunes character which first appeared in 1929.
Bouncer	One that bounces, like a ball. Also, someone who keeps order at a club.
Bracken	Named for a fern that grows in dense thickets or an place that is overgrown with this plant.
Brandy	A female with a fiery spirit.
Branston	Family surname. Also a popular brand of pickle in the United Kingdom.
Bridgette	From the Irish for "exalted one."
Brittany	From the name of a region in northwest France.
Broadway	The famous street of New York City. It's name literally means "wide road."
Brody	From a family name which originally meant "ditch" in Gaelic.
Brown Sugar	Particularly sweet natured. A name for a brown-colored pet.
Brownie	Popular dessert. A name for a brown-colored pet.
Bruno	"Brown"
Bryant	Comes from the name BRIAN, which could mean "high" or "noble."
Bubba	Now generic term for a man from the south, it comes from the word "brother."
Bubbles	Sometimes a nickname for one with an effervescent or "bubbly" personality.
Buddy	"Friend" or "pal"
Buffy	Short for ELIZABETH, which means "my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance."
Bunny	Little rabbit.
Buster	A nickname for one who is good at breaking things.
Butter	A nickname that refers to the color of butter of one who is known for "buttering" up to others.
Buttercup	A term of affection used for a loved one that refers to the flower of the same name.
Buttons	Popular name for pets deemed to be "cute as a button."
C
Candy	Particularly sweet natured.
Caramel	A warm color consisting of brown and honey tones. A popular candy.
Carlos	Spanish for CHARLES, which was German for "man."
Carter	From a family name which meant "one who uses a cart."
Cartman	A popular character from the cartoon South Park, also means "one who uses a cart."
Casey	Masculine, from an Irish family name meaning "vigilant." Feminine, a form of CASSANDRA, Greek for "to shine upon man."
Cassidy	From an Irish family name which meant "curly haired."
Cassie	Short for CASSANDRA, Greek for "to shine upon man."
Charlie	German for "man."
Chelsea	A district on London. It means "chalk wharf" or "chalk on the sea."
Cherry	Can simply mean the fruit or come from CHERIE, the French for "darling."
Chili	"Spicy, full of fire."
Chili-Pepper	Hot and spicy vegetable used to season foods. Popular name for high energy pets.
Chubs	Slightly overweight but well-loved.
Clayton	From a family name meaning "clay settlement" or "clay town."
Coco	Powder from the cacao plant. From COCOA. Name for dark-colored pets.
Cody	From a Gaelic family name which literally means "Son of Otto."
Comet	Racing, streaking meteor. A pet that loves to run might get this name.
Copper	From the earth, essential to life.
Cory	"Hollow."  Popular for both genders.
Cosmo	Originally Greek, meaning "order" and "world."
D
Daisy	Flower
Dakota	"Friend"
Derby	Like the hat. Also "deer town" from the Old Norse.
Dewey	A form of the name DAVID, meaning "beloved."
Diego	Can mean "Teaching" and also SANTIAGO, which is Spanish for Saint James.
Dillon	A form of DYLAN, the Welsh sea god whose name means "great sea."
Diva	"Goddess"
Dobie	Possibly short for DOBERMAN.
Dodge	The ability to avoid trouble. An American-made car.
Dolly	Classic Southern name in the United States. Also American for "cute child."
Doogy	Form of DOUG.
Dottie	Short for DOROTHY or DOROTHEA, meaning "gift from God."
Dryfus	Family surname.
Duke	The English noble title which means "leader."
Dylan	The Welsh sea god whose name means "great sea."
E
Eddie	Short EDWARD "blessed guard", EDWIN "blessed friend" and EDMUND "blessed protector."
Emma	"Universal"
Eros	Means "love", after the Greek god of love.
F
Fallon	"Of a ruling family or in charge." Also from FAOLAN, meaning "little wolf."
Finnegan	From an Irish surname O Fionnagain, meaning "descendent of Fionnagan."
Fletcher	"Arrow maker"
Freddy	From the name FREDERICK, meaning "peaceful ruler."
G
George	Derived from the Greek word georgos, meaning "farmer, earthworker."
Gin	Japanese for "silver."
Ginger	A pet form of VIRGINIA. Also from the English word for the spice or the reddish brown color.
Goldy	From the name GOLDA, meaning "made of gold."
H
Haley	Also HAYLEY, meaning "hero."
Hannah	From the Hebrew name CHANNAH, meaning "favor" or "grace."
Harley	"Spacious meadow"
Harry	From the name HAROLD. Means "Leader of the army." Dericed from Old English term "army" and world "leader, ruler."
Harvey	"Army warrior"
Holly	Plant with red berries. From the name of the tree, derived from Old English holen.
Homer	Greek, Homeros, meaning "hostage, pledge." Also "promise." Homer, the Greek epic poet. Cartoon father on "The Simpsons."
Hooch	Slang for alcohol.
Houdini	Famous escape artist.
Hunter	One who hunts. From the occupational English surname.
I
Ian	Meaning "God is gracious." Modern Scottish form of JOHN.
J
Jack	Derived from Jacking (earlier Jankin), a medieval pet form of JOHN.
Jade	From the name of the precious green gemstone often used in carvings.
Jake	From the name JACOB, also the Medieval variant of JACK.
Jasmine	From Persian YASMIN, the name of a climbing plant with fragrant flowers used for making perfumes.
Jasper	Persian for "treasurer." One of the three wise men who visited the newborn Jesus in the New Testament.
Jaws	Famous killer shard of the classic 1975 film.
Jax	Form of JAXON, meaning "son of JACK."
Jessie	Scottish pet form of JEAN. Also from JESSICA.
Jewel	Joy, precious stone.
Joe	From the name JOSEPH, meaning "God will increase."
Joey	From the name JOSEPH, meaning "God will increase."
K
Katie	Pet name for KATE meaning "pure, virginal."
Khan	Ghengis Khan, ruler, created the Mongol Empire in 1206. Character played by Ricardo Montalban in the 1982 Star Trek film.
Kobe	"Tortoise" (Swahili), also derived from the name of an African tribe. Hebrew, "supplanter."
L
Lacy	From the name LARISSA.
Lady	A term used by English nobility.
Lexi	From the name ALEXANDRA, meaning "protector of mankind."
Lily	From the name of the flower, a symbol of purity.
Lilybell	"Flower"
Lobo	"Wolf"
Logan	Means "little hollow" in Scottish Gaelic.
Lucky	"Fortunate, light." Also a pet form of LUKE.
Lucy	"Bringer of light"
M
Madison	Son of MATTHEW. Greek, "gift of Saint Matthew."
Maggie	From the name MARGARET, meaning "pearl."
Magic	"Stealthy, deceptive"
Makenzie	From MACKENZIE, meaning son of KENNETH, "handsome."
Mason	From a surname meaning "stoneworker" in Old French. Germanic/Old English, "macian" "to make."
Maverick	Meaning "independent." Derived from the surname of a 19th-century Texas rancher who did not brand his calves.
Max	Short form of MAXMILIAN or MAXWELL.
Maya	Means "illusion" in Sanskrit, "water" in Hebrew, a great civilization in southern Mexico and Latin America.
Melody	"Song, to sing"
Midnight	"Darkness"
Missy	Short for MELISSA, meaning "young girl."
Mojo	"A spell, energy, luck"
Molly	Pet form of MARY, meaning "bitter."
Monty	Pet form of MONTAGUE or MONTGOMERY, meaning "meaning mountain hunter."
Murphy	"Sea warrior"
Mylo	Also MILO. Latin, "miles."
O
Oliver	Latin, "oliva" as associated with an olive tree, peace.
Onyx	Gemstone, "black magic."
Opal	From the English word for the birthstone of October.
Orion	The name of a constellation, a hunter in Greek mythology.
Oscar	Accurate spearsman. Gaelic, "deer lover."
Otis	One who hears well. From a surname derived from the first name OTTO.
Ozzie	"God's divine power"
P
Parker	From a surname which meant "keeper of the park" in Old French.
Peaches	Sweet fruit.
Penny	Silent worker. From PENELOPE.
Pepper	From the pepper plant.
Phoebe	"Bright, shining one"
Piper	"Pipe or flute player"
Podgy	From PUDGY. Affectionate name for the slightly overweight pet.
Precious	"Valuable"
Princess	Royal daughter. Feminine form of PRINCE.
Pugsy	Popular name for Pug dogs.
Q
Quincy	Fifth son's world.
R
Rachel	Innocent lamb. Means "ewe" in Hebrew.
Ranger	"Forest protector"
Rascal	"Ornery, mischievous"
Rex	A 19th-century name based on Latin rex "king."
Rickie	From the name RICHARD, meaning "powerful ruler" or "brave one."
Ricky	From the name RICHARD, meaning "powerful ruler" or "brave one."
Riley	A small stream.
Rocky	Pet form of ROCCO.
Rory	Irish, Scottish, famous ruler, red.
Rosie	Like a rose. From ROSE.
Roxie	Graceful rose. From the name ROXANNE or ROXANA.
Ruckus	Causing chaos, mischief.
Rudy	Short for RUDOLPH, meaning "wolf."
Ruffles	Shaking things up. Having feathers.
Rufus	Redhead. "Red-haired" in Latin.
Rusty	For red or brown-colored hair.
Ryker	Surname for RICHARD. Character, Commander Riker on the TV show "Star Trek: The Next Generation."
S
Sadie	"Princess"
Sam	"God hears." From SAM or SAMANTHA.
Samantha	"Listener of God"
Sammy	From SAM or SAMANTHA, meaning "to hear."
Sandy	From the name SANDRA, meaning "helper of humanity."
Sasha	Russian pet form of ALEXANDER or ALEXANDRA, meaning "protector of mankind."
Scooter	Pet name for SCOTT. Popular nickname one who is fast-paced.
Shadow	"Shade from the sun"
Shelby	"A sheltered town"
Sherlock	"Fair haired"
Sherri	"Beloved"
Skipper	"Shipmaster"
Sky	"Sky, cloud"
Snoopy	From the dog created by Charles Shultz in the comic strip, "Peanuts."
Snowball	"Pure white. Of clean, freshly fallen snow."
Sophie	"Wisdom." From the name SOPHIA.
Sparkle	"Shines brightly."
Sparky	"Full of life, ideas, and energy."
Spencer	From a surname which meant "dispenser of provisions" in Old French.
Sugar	Sweet, affectionate, giving love.
T
Taffy	Sweet treat. A joy to be around.
Tasha	Born on Christmas. Short for NATASHA.
Taz	Possibly a form of TASHA, or TASMANIAN. The wild, destructive "Tasmanian Devil" cartoon character.
Tess	Greek for "fourth born."
Tessa	Italian for "countess."
Timmy	Pet form of TIMOTHY, meaning "honoring God."
Tinkerbell	Refers to the Disney character. Popular name for small pets.
Toby	"The Lord is good." Short form of TOBIAS.
Toto	Refers to the dog in the "Wizard of Oz" film of the 1930s.
Travis	"Crossroads."
Troy	"Water or foot soldier"
Tyson	"Explosive"
W
Whisper	Quiet, reserved, secretive.
William	"Protector"
Willy	Short form of WILLIAM, meaning "protector."
Winston	"Victory town."
Wishbone	"Bringing luck."
Y
Yoshi	Means either "goodness, luck" or "free" in Japanese.
Z
Zack	"Remembrance of the Lord." Short form of ZACHARY or ISAAC.
Zani	Form of ZANY. Crazy, carefree, uninhibited.
Zeus	"Powerful one"
Ziggy	Ziggy Marley, son of Reggae legend Bob Marley, also Ziggy Stardust, the character created by rock icon David Bowie.
Zion	Refers to a Jewish homeland and to heaven.