Christian — from the Latin Christianus, meaning "follower of Christ" — is one of those names so thoroughly absorbed into general usage that it reads as a plain given name rather than a religious statement. On a pet, it signals the full human-name-for-pet philosophy: this animal deserves a complete, formal name with history behind it, not a nickname or a word-concept.
The Real-Life Famous Pet Angle
Christian the Lion — the lion cub purchased from Harrods in 1969 by two Australians, raised in London, released to the wild in Kenya, and famously reunited with his owners a year later — is one of the most celebrated animal stories of the 20th century. The YouTube reunion video has tens of millions of views. Naming a large dog Christian is a quiet tribute to that story's extraordinary loyalty.
Human Name as Full-Personhood Statement
Christian reads as a complete human name, which some owners choose deliberately. Their pet is a full household member with a full name. German Shepherds and noble large breeds suit the dignity. The human name Christian remains strong in US data. Browse more at pet names.
The Counter-Reading: Religious Connotation
For secular owners, the name's religious root is invisible. For devout owners who don't want that invocation on a pet, it gives pause. Worth considering, though the Latin root is now largely ornamental in daily use.