Meaning & Story
Wellington is an English habitational surname and place name derived from Old English, likely meaning Weola's settlement or estate of the wealthy people. The name gained its most famous association through Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, the British military commander who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. Today Wellington is also the capital city of New Zealand. For pets, it projects aristocratic grandeur with a side of gentle absurdity.
Wellington is a magnificently pompous name for a male companion who takes himself very seriously, and all the more lovable for it. Whether your pet is a dignified Basset Hound, a proper English Bulldog, or any companion with the bearing of a retired general, Wellington suits a pet who conducts himself with unhurried authority. The nickname Welly or Well is an equally charming alternative for daily use. Owners who choose Wellington have clearly decided their companion deserves a title, if not an outright estate.