105 names

105 girl dog names (with meanings)

A good girl dog name is easy to say, easy to hear and feels right the first time you call it across the yard. Whether you want something classic like Bella, sweet like Rosie or bold like Juno, the best choice is the one that fits your dog's face and personality.

This list covers timeless favorites, short and sweet one-syllable names, elegant classics, spirited picks and playful, sparkly ones. Each name has a short note with its origin or meaning, so you know what you are saying every time you call.

Keep it to one or two syllables if you can, and steer clear of names that sound like a cue you already use. Fay and Rae are clear and distinct, while a name like Flo can blur with no when you are calling in a hurry. Say your favorites out loud a few times, and ask the people who live with you to try them too.

Girl Dog Names
Photo: Meine Mutter (Erlaubnis liegt vor) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Timeless favorites

  • Bella♀Italian for beautiful
  • Luna♀Latin for moon
  • Lucy♀Latin for light
  • Lola♀Pet form of Dolores
  • Molly♀Pet form of Mary
  • Maggie♀Pet form of Margaret, meaning pearl
  • Stella♀Latin for star
  • Zoey♀Greek for life
  • Ruby♀Red gemstone
  • Piper♀One who plays the pipe
  • Rosie♀Pet form of Rose
  • Abby♀Pet form of Abigail, meaning father's joy
  • Annie♀Pet form of Anne, meaning grace
  • Ellie♀Pet form of Eleanor or Ellen
  • Emma♀Whole or universal
  • Gracie♀Pet form of Grace
  • Holly♀Evergreen shrub with red berries
  • Josie♀Pet form of Josephine
  • Layla♀Arabic for night
  • Lexi♀Pet form of Alexandra
  • Nina♀Little girl in Spanish
  • Sophie♀Greek for wisdom
  • Callie♀Often a short form of Caroline
  • Brooklyn♀New York borough
  • London♀English capital
  • Sadie♀Pet form of Sarah, meaning princess
  • Maisie♀Pet form of Margaret
  • Zoe♀Greek for life
  • Penny♀Pet form of Penelope; also a copper coin
  • Jessie♀Pet form of Jessica
  • Lacey♀Lace-like
  • Macy♀From a French surname
  • Paisley♀Scottish town known for its swirling pattern
  • Aubrey♀Elf ruler
  • Joy♀Happiness
  • Hope♀Confident expectation
  • Faith♀Trust
  • Grace♀Elegance and kindness
  • Haven♀Safe place

Short and sweet

  • Ada♀Noble
  • Bea♀Pet form of Beatrice
  • Cleo♀Pet form of Cleopatra, meaning glory of the father
  • Eva♀Life
  • Fay♀Fairy
  • Gia♀Pet form of Gianna
  • Jo♀Pet form of Josephine
  • Neve♀Italian for snow; also an Irish spelling of Niamh
  • Nia♀Swahili for purpose
  • Pia♀Pious
  • Rae♀Ray of light
  • Uma♀Sanskrit for tranquility
  • Kiki♀Playful pet name
  • Pippa♀Pet form of Philippa
  • Tess♀Pet form of Theresa
  • Edie♀Pet form of Edith
  • Lena♀Short for Helena
  • Lila♀Sanskrit for play
  • Nell♀Pet form of Eleanor or Ellen

Elegant classics

  • Eleanor♀Old French form of Helen
  • Charlotte♀Feminine of Charles, meaning free man
  • Clara♀Clear and bright
  • Eloise♀Long-loved classic
  • Esme♀Esteemed or beloved
  • Isla♀Scottish island name
  • Matilda♀Mighty in battle
  • Olivia♀Olive tree
  • Rosalind♀Shakespeare's heroine in As You Like It
  • Vivian♀Alive
  • Adeline♀Noble
  • Amelia♀Industrious
  • Cordelia♀Shakespeare's loyal daughter in King Lear
  • Ophelia♀Shakespeare's tragic heroine in Hamlet
  • Eliza♀Pet form of Elizabeth
  • Alice♀Noble
  • Anna♀Grace
  • Felicity♀Happiness
  • Imogen♀Shakespeare's heroine in Cymbeline
  • Portia♀Shakespeare's clever lawyer in The Merchant of Venice
  • Beatrix♀She who brings happiness
  • Winnie♀Pet form of Winifred

Bold and bright

  • Juno♀Roman queen of the gods
  • Roxy♀Short for Roxanne
  • Rebel♀One who resists convention
  • Delilah♀Biblical name
  • Scarlett♀Bright red
  • Harper♀One who plays the harp
  • Zara♀Bright and bold
  • Blaze♀Bright flame
  • Briar♀Thorny wild rose bush
  • Thea♀Goddess

Playful and sparkly

  • Sparkle♀Glittering shine
  • Pixie♀Mischievous little fairy
  • Bubbles♀Light, floating spheres
  • Twinkle♀Shimmering light
  • Dazzle♀Bright, impressive glow
  • Giggles♀Laughter
  • Jinx♀A bit of mischief
  • Jazz♀Lively music
  • Misty♀Foggy or dreamy
  • Missy♀Little miss
  • Sunny♀Bright and cheerful
  • Wiggles♀Happy full-body movement
  • Fizzy♀Bubbly
  • Bonnie♀Scottish for pretty
  • Sweetie♀Term of endearment

Tips for choosing

Try the name on the actual dog. A puppy who is all legs and wiggles might be a Pixie or a Pippa, while a poised older girl might feel more like an Eleanor or a Clara. If a name feels wrong after a week, it is okay to try another before it sticks.

Long names are fine if you pick a short call-name to match. Cordelia can be Cordie, Josephine can be Josie, and Matilda can be Tilly or Mattie. Use the same short version each time.

Need more ideas? Browse boy dog names, cute dog names or our dog name generator.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most popular girl dog names?

Bella, Luna, Lucy, Lola, Molly, Stella, Ruby and Daisy are classic favorites that show up on name lists everywhere. Many are on this page, along with less common options if you want something different.

What are some unique girl dog names?

Cordelia, Ophelia, Juno, Esme, Rosalind and Pippa are less common but still easy to say. For even more unusual ideas, see our unique dog names.

What are good short girl dog names?

Ada, Bea, Cleo, Eva, Fay, Jo, Neve, Pia, Rae and Uma are all one or two syllables and easy to call. Short names are quick to say and simple for everyone in the household to use consistently.

How do I choose between two names I like?

Say both out loud in a happy voice and a firm voice, then use each for a day or two. Notice which one you reach for naturally. If you can't decide, use one as the call name and the other as a fun full name on paperwork.

More name ideas

All lists