Naming a dog and naming a baby, while similar in some respects, are two totally different tasks. We have different requirements for our pet names and our baby names. Children need names that can serve them in multiple contexts over the many stages of life. Dogs don’t.

　　This is why you can call your dog Oreo, but your daughter has to be Oriana.

　　People just have more fun with dog names. They tend to be snappier and nickname-ier than the names we choose for our children. Pet parents are also more willing to give dogs names that are on the edge of style. Chester might seem too dusty for a baby boy, but on a Boston Terrier? Adorable.

　　So there’s more freedom when it comes to the cutesiness and casualness of a dog’s name, but there are also restrictions. According to experts, dog names should ideally be two syllables — long enough that they can hear the inflection in your voice, but short enough that they easily learn to respond to it.

　　Now, you don’t have to follow that advice (there are plenty of well-adjusted pugs and poodles out there named Pearl and Penelope), but for the sake of this list, we’ve mostly suggested two-syllable names.

　　Below are unique dog names that are alternatives to the 100 most popular dog names for female dogs. Because even though there’s less pressure when naming a dog, we know you name-nerds still aren’t going to settle for something in the Top 100.

Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name

　　Bella → Della

　　Daisy → Maisie

　　Lucy → Clara

　　Lily → Violet

　　Zoe → Zola

　　Lola → Lula

　　Sadie → Zadie

　　Bailey → Lainey

　　Stella → Zella

　　Coco → Kiki

　　Molly → Polly

　　Maggie → Greta

　　Penny → Peggy

　　Nala → Kahlo

　　Rosie → Ruthie

　　Roxy → Romy

　　Ruby → Gemma

　　Chloe → Effie

　　Sophie → Sylvie

Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name

　　Willow → Willa

　　Piper → Pippa

　　Millie → Lulie

　　Gracie → Flossie

　　Mia → Pia

　　Pepper → Saffron

　　Nova → Lyra

　　Callie → Hallie

　　Winnie → Edie

　　Lulu → Zuzu

　　Hazel → Haven

　　Harley → Hadley

　　Ginger → Clover

　　Olive → Vida

　　Abby → Agnes

　　Charlie → Darcy

　　Honey → Blossom

　　Lexi → Kenzie

　　Athena → Aura

Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name

　　Izzy → Kizzy

　　Remi → Rori

　　Maya → Gaia

　　Layla → Isla

　　Lady → Lottie

　　Kona → Cora

　　Sasha → Shiloh

　　Poppy → Pippi

　　Dixie → Dottie

　　Phoebe → Daphne

　　Annie → Sally

　　Cookie → Dulcie

　　Belle → Estelle

　　Ella → Elsie

　　Scout → Sloane

　　Emma → Ida

　　Marley → Marlowe

　　Princess → Queenie

　　Ivy → Jovie

Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name

　　Maple → Apple

　　Maddie → Marnie

　　Minnie → Minnow

　　Gigi → Vivi

　　Mocha → Sable

　　Dolly → Goldie

　　Leia → Lena

　　Cleo → Clea

　　Josie → Posy

　　Blu → Navy

　　Skye → Twyla

　　Dakota → Bristol

　　Koda → Cedar

　　Harper → Harbor

　　Frankie → Billie

　　Ava → Evie

　　Holly → Noelle

　　Bonnie → Lindy

　　Mabel → Sybil

Popular Dog Name → Uncommon Dog Name

　　Pearl → Opal

　　Freya → Juno

　　Sage → Zen

　　Aspen → Winter

　　Penelope → Portia

　　Tilly → Tiggy

　　Sunday → Tuesday

　　Oakley → Finley

　　Xena → Xanthe

　　Georgia → Jolene

　　Fiona → Flora

　　Sky → Cyan

　　Birdie → Betty

　　River → Rainy

　　Peanut → Pixie

　　Sugar → Lolly

　　Shelby → Ashby

　　Missy → Lissy

　　Mochi → Miso

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About the Author

Sophie Kihm

　　Sophie Kihm has been writing for Nameberry since 2015. She has contributed stories on the top 2020s names, Gen Z names, and cottagecore baby names. Sophie is Nameberry’s resident Name Guru to the Stars, where she suggests names for celebrity babies. She also manages the Nameberry Instagram and Pinterest.

　　Sophie Kihm's articles on names have run on People, Today, The Huffington Post, and more. She has been quoted as a name expert by The Washington Post, People, The Huffington Post, and more. You can follow her personally on Instagram or Pinterest, or contact her at [email protected]. Sophie lives in Chicago.

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