Meaning and background
The story behind Target
A target is an object or mark one aims at, or a result one wants to achieve. The English word therefore has a recognisable sporting and goal-setting sense, not an inherited personal-name meaning. As a dog name it sounds clear and direct, although the word does not suggest that the animal should be chased or treated as a target.
- Meaning
- An object or mark aimed at; a goal or result to be achieved. Source
Try Target out loud
Everyday moments“Target, come here!”
Say it as you would on a walk or at home. Does it feel natural alongside your usual commands and other pets’ names?
About Target
Recorded as a dog’s name
Target appears in 2 dog licence records in the 2022 New York City dataset.
How to read this count
These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.
Pronunciation and rhythm
/tɑɹɡət/
US English sound sequence, converted from the CMU dictionary. Stress marks are shown separately.
Stress on the first syllable in the recorded US readings.
Other dictionary readings and notation
/tɑɹɡət/ · primary stress on syllable 1T AA1 R G AH0 T
/tɝɡət/ · primary stress on syllable 1T ER1 G AH0 T
These are US dictionary readings. Personal, regional and other language pronunciations may differ.
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Sources and research notes (3)
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.
- Carnegie Mellon University / CMU Sphinx maintainers CMU US English Pronouncing Dictionary — US English dictionary readings; not owner-specific or exhaustive multilingual pronunciation
- City of Seattle Seattle Pet Licenses — DOG-only name aggregate, current source dated 6 October 2026 — Secondary spelling corroboration from dog-only licence rows. No cats, owner fields, national ranking or unique-dog claim.
References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.