It’s a great time during Pride to name your new pet something meaningful and fun! These names are inspired by awesome queer figures in music, activism, and writing. They work great for pets too!
Music icons
Some iconic queer musicians sound like they were named after pets.
- Freddie — Mercury. Two syllables, ends in a vowel, impossible not to say with love. Perfect for a dramatic, charismatic animal.
- Elton — Elton John's decades of out-and-proud glam make this a meaningful pick. Suits a flashy, extroverted personality.
- Chappell — Chappell Roan exploded into the cultural moment as a queer icon, and her name has a cool, slightly old-fashioned charm that works for pets with flair.
- Troye — Distinctive without being unpronounceable. Great for a sleek, graceful cat.
- Nas — Lil Nas X probably won't work at the dog park, but Nas on its own? Confident and crisp.
Activist legends
These names are a big deal, and that’s what matters. Naming a pet after someone who made a big difference is a sweet way to remember them.
- Marsha — Marsha P. Johnson, activist and Stonewall icon. Warm, classic, and carries enormous meaning.
- Harvey — Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. Quiet gravity in two syllables.
- Sylvia — Sylvia Rivera, co-founder of STAR and fierce advocate for transgender rights. Elegant and strong.
- Bayard — Bayard Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington, then got pushed aside for being gay. A distinguished name for a distinguished animal.
- Alan — Alan Turing cracked the Enigma code and was criminally prosecuted for his sexuality. A quiet name for a very smart pet.
Writers & artists
Queer lit and art history is packed with names that feel timeless on a pet.
- Oscar — Oscar Wilde. Two syllables, classic, slightly pompous in the best possible way. Ideal for a cat who knows they're better than you.
- Virginia — Virginia Woolf. Soft, literary, beautiful. Perfect for a dreamier, contemplative animal — though you'll probably shorten it.
- Frida — Frida Kahlo was bisexual, bold, and one of the most recognizable artists in history. Great for a pet with personality to match.
- Audre — Audre Lorde called herself "Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet." Short, strong, worth carrying forward.
Athletes
Queer athletes have had to work twice as hard to be seen, and their names reflect that resilience.
- Billie — Billie Jean King came out publicly in 1981 and never stopped advocating. Cheerful, energetic, perfect for an athletic dog.
- Megan — Megan Rapinoe, World Cup champion and outspoken queer activist. Friendly and approachable, works on any pet.
- Gus — Gus Kenworthy is an Olympic freestyle skier and one of the most visible out athletes in action sports. Short, likable, easy to call across a yard.
Will that name work?
A good tribute name still has to work as a real pet name. Just double-check a few things before you go ahead:
- Can you yell that across a park? Marsha, Freddie, and Oscar all didn’t make it. Virginia could use a nickname (how about Ginny?).
- Does this come across as bossy? Say “Ru” and “no” out loud to see if they sound too similar. Try it before you get the tag engraved.
- Two syllables is just right. Freddie, Elton, Billie, Frida — most of them just end up there.
Whatever name you choose, you’re carrying a little piece of history every time you call it. That’s worth something.
If you want help narrowing it down, take our pet name quiz — it factors in your pet's personality and finds names that actually fit.