Lydia is an ancient name from Lydia — the historical region in western Anatolia, modern Turkey — meaning "woman from Lydia" in Greek. It's one of the oldest names in continuous Western use, carried by a merchant of purple cloth in the New Testament and multiple literary characters across centuries. On a female dog or cat, it's unmistakably human and unmistakably classical.
The Literary and Austen Connection
Lydia Bennet in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813) is the youngest and most impulsive of the five Bennet sisters — a character whose name became one of the most recognizable in English literature. Owners who love Austen have a specific reason to choose this name. The human name Lydia has been climbing in baby name popularity since 2010, which adds a current-feeling human-name energy to a very old source.
Breed Fit and Temperament Match
Lydia works best for elegant, somewhat independent breeds: Whippets, Afghan Hounds, cats of any variety. The name has an upright, slightly aristocratic quality that suits breeds whose carriage matches.
The Counter-Reading: Literary Expectations
A dog named Lydia may attract comments about Jane Austen from people who love the novels and know the character's impetuous reputation. Whether that's a charming conversation starter or an occasional mild irritant depends entirely on the owner's enthusiasm for Regency literature.