Lyra has a dual identity that makes it one of the more interesting pet names in this rank range. It's the name of a constellation and of Philip Pullman's fierce protagonist in His Dark Materials — two reference points that both suggest something luminous and strong. For a pet name, that's a useful combination.
The Pullman Effect
Since the BBC/HBO adaptation of His Dark Materials aired from 2019 onward, Lyra Belacqua has been the most visible bearer of this name in popular culture. She's curious, brave, and slightly feral — qualities pet owners sometimes want to project onto a spirited animal. The name's literary cachet sits comfortably alongside names like Arya and Luna in the fantasy-inspired bracket.
Sound and Celestial Weight
Lyra is the lyre constellation, named for the instrument of Orpheus in Greek mythology. Two syllables, the liquid L opener, the -ra ending that flows: it sounds like it belongs in a fantasy novel and on a veterinary intake form in equal measure. It works especially well on Siberian Huskies and other northern breeds, where the celestial angle feels earned. Compare it with the human name Lyra, which has been rising on baby name charts for the same reasons.
Breed and Aesthetic Fit
Lyra skews strongly female in registry data. Owners reaching for it tend to want something that feels mythological but not overused — a step beyond Luna without abandoning that celestial category. Nova and Stella are natural companions in the same aesthetic family.