Names for your pets.

[jenluckenbach]

When you name a pet, do you prefer a common/well used name or something more original??

I prefer names that have not been used a lot but at the same time, are something recognizable.

My examples for the poll.

Over used names (names used a million times): Buffy, Fluffy, Max, Bailey (etc)

Common/popular (names often used): Ashley, Simba, Misty (etc)

Uncommon names (real names or words that are hardly ever heard for a pet): Rutherford, DaVinci, Fister (etc)

outlandish names (names that you wouldn't even think could be an pet name): Yummy, Panang, Aramingo (all names I have heard for pets) :rolleyes:

And while we are voting, do you ever re-use names? Like Sam and Sam the 2nd...... or Pouncer and Pouncette?

I try to never do this. I think each pet needs a special identity all their own. They shouldn't be a "rerun" of a former loved pet.

disclaimer: I know that everyone will have a different opinion as to whether a particular name is "over-used" or simply "common", so just use YOUR definition when you vote.

[Argranade]

I rather make name's that are uniqe and different from all the others.

SunDance,Tears of Rain,Rainbowfeather,Dancingfeet,Loudheart ect...

They seem more speacail to me. :)

Altho there was this wild pigeon who's name I didint make but he kinda told me it was Jasper yes it used sometimes but it completly fitted that feral pigeon lol.

I NEVER re-use name's its like recycling somthing that should have not been recycled. But then thats me....

[k9krazee]

I would consider most of my pet's names to be in the Common/popular section. Shadow, Jack, Batman and Jasper especially. I have met a few Micki and Minis but not spelt the way they are. I have a cat named Motchka which I think is pretty unique!

However, when I pick a name for my pet, I really don't really think about the popularity, I name them whatever I think fits. For Jack I had my heart set on Romeo or Bonzai, my mom wanted to name him Jack and I absolutely hated it (because its so popular) but it fits him!

I NEVER reuse names!

[kuhio98]

I guess I'd say slightly unique. Kuhio ~ Halo ~ Cammie ~ Pepper
Cammie and Pepper aren't that original. But it fits their personalities. I keep thinking I'll name a kitty "Kiwi", but it doesn't seem to fit any kitty so far.

[chrissycat21]

All of my pets seem to have pretty common names. I guess I'm just not that creative when it comes to thinking of them!

There is an older man that lives behind us that always names his dog the same thing, Princess. So far I think we're on Princess the VII or something.

[Laura's Babies]

Well, when I named Chester, the name just fit him better than any I thought of, I didn't realize it was a common pet name until the vets office said they have a lot of cats and dogs with that name.

Amy's was one that fit her cuteness, sweetness and personality... we had a session where we just threw out names and "yes" or "no'ed" them. When the name Amy was put out, everyone said "YES!"....

Giz, I didn't name, she had her name when they gave her to me.. I don't like the name but it FITS!! I call her "Dizzy Gizzy" sometimes..

Samantha, well, I didn't realize that was a common name either when I selected that one for her. I wanted to name her as a rememberance of my RB blackie Sambo and needed a female name, Samantha fit and stuck.

I don't reuse names, preferring each to have their own name, special just to them.

[*iluvskipper*]

jeeze laweeze how could someone use the same name twice for 2 different pets?!?! well i guess its not so bad if you say like "the 2nd" or "jr." or something like that...

[RedHedd]

I voted unique, but realistic. I've had a Syee for a Siamese mix, Katusha (nicknamed Kate) for a tabby, Goldie for my golden girl, Mishi - whose full name is Mishigass, and Mitzi who was named for her white mitts. I would never reuse a name - each pet is unique and deserves a name of their own IMHO

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I like names that are somewhat common, but not extremely common (over-used). Something that you'll only here of every once in a while, instead of daily. Tango's name is a name that I'd put into this category, as it's not insanely popular but I have met a few other dogs with the same name. I also like names that are unique. Something you don't hear often, if ever, but still sounds normal.

I'm not one to re-use names ever.

[jazzcat]

I like unique names but not too out there.

[catnapper]

I voted realistic but unique names.... though all my guys have common names! :p Thats because I have to also honor the wishes of the rest of the family.

I also voted NOT to use and reuse the same name, Its weird to me, even though I grew up with Tiny, Tiny II, and Tiny III. I swear the only reason there was a Tiny II and III was because my mom and grandmom couldn't think up a new name. As much as I love the name Molly for a dog I would never use it because I already ahd a Molly and nobody could replace her. I don't think I'd be honoring her by naming a new dog the same name.

I would also be REALLY upset if someone else came along and named their new pet in honor of my RB pet. I'd never be able to look at the "new" so-and-so's photos without crying for MY so-and-so. Its one thing to have it coincidentally like Harry, its common enough and easy to think they'd just happen to name their pet that name, but not Flutter. Thats too unusual to be coincidental, it would have to be in honor of her once she's gone to the RB.

Though on the same token, I'd be super honored to have a pet named after me, go figure :o

[Chilli]

I really prefer to use names that aren't heard of alot. Like my Norri, Garber, Hinge, Khaith, etc.
I REALLY like human names for some reason... like my Melani, Kayla, Skylar, Ethan, Mark, Ophelia, Sid, Otto, Mitch, & countless others.

Honestly, when it comes to a pet, whatever just fits is what stays =)
Frisk is an example of a VERY over-used name, while Khaith is one of those names you usually hear only once in a lifetime.

[IRescue452]

I use whatever sticks, and sometimes it takes a while to find a name that sticks.
Autumn and Sonny are pretty common.
The fish all have uncommon names.

[Danegirl2208]

Unique, but realistic, names...though the name "chloe" is VERY common..and Malakai's name isnt very unique either, but theres not many dogs (that i know of) named the same..i really prefer naming my dogs somthing unique that you dont hear very oftan

[Soapets]

I try to use names that describe my pets' colors: Sandi is the color of sand, tan and black and some white mixed in, but she's female so I thought the "i" at the end was better than spelling it with a "y"; Oreo is a very dark brown, with a little bit of white (the "frosting" got licked off, mostly! ;) ); Angel was white when she was a kitten, when we first got her, and SO-O-O-O tiny and "angelic" looking!; Shadow is black; Little Orphan Annie is calico, but she was so little, and such a helpless orphan, that the name just seemed to fit her---and I know someone named Annie whose hair is the color of the reddish-orange in my Little Orphan Annie's fur; and baby Dottie is black and white, like a huge black dot got splattered all over her back, and another one on her chin.

None of your categories really matched my names, so I didn't vote! :rolleyes:

Deb

[Zippy]

I like common easy to say names or different easy to say names :)
I love names that end in a y.
I never reuse names.It just doesn't seem right IMO

[Suki Wingy]

Unique names that don't confuse everybody in how they should be said or used (well, I slaughtered the pronunciation of Nuria but I don't care) I tend to like names of Spanish origin, I think because of Niño and his history.
I will NEVER re-use a name. I might name a child Layla, (my first dalmatian, motivated me to want to breed propper dals) or name a registered name kind of similar but I won't name them the same thing. I have Dizzy as a call name picked out and my horse's name was I'm A Player, so a horse name I have in mind is Dizzy Player. (I know :rolleyes: :p )

[Sevaede]

I don't like to reuse names even though I might name someone after someone else, y'know.

I thought Isis was somewhat sparse but it's not really that uncommon. I've met and heard of quite a few Isis'. BUT, it fits her! She is just like her namesake.

The pronounciation of Soni is common but it was just THERE in my head, as if it had always been. It fits because he was the sunny day I needed when my Tier passed away. :)

Chocky (Chocolate) is named after Vermontcats RB gerbil Chocolate. Bijou and Rota were names that I had picked out for my then to-be dog. I got two gerbilly girls and the names fit. I think they're semi-uncommon.

Spanky went through a slew of names and none of them clicked. We went through Molly, Maisy, Sasha, Gypsy, etc. I finally decided on Spunky (even though that didn't click, really, and I wasn't too fond of it). Then, Dionne suggested Spanky and I went with it! :D

[lute]

i don't have a favorite kind of name for a pet. just whatever fits the animal.

[Giselle]

Unique, but realistic names. I don't like outlandishly original names because you have to keep repeating them over and over for others to understand :p

I like names with meaning. Giselle, for example, has a very beautiful meaning behind her name and I hold it very sacred to me. While Giselle isn't that unique of a name for humans, you certainly don't hear it everyday on dogs!

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

My dog is named Bailey - which is pretty common. My cats are Amadeus, Sebastian and Augustus.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I voted common names used by some. My cat Storm already had his name and I liked it so I kept it even though it's fairly common. I named my orange cat Sunny even before I adopted him and it worked out perfectly because it really fits his personality and coloring.
I also used to have a Pepper and I never realised just how common this name was. When Pepper passed on, I had Storm and Sunny left so I decided to try to stick with a weather theme and this is how I ended up with the names Sky and Starr. Pearl and Ziggy Stardust were already named and I loved their names so I kept them.:)
I don't think that I'd ever reuse a name because each new pet deserves a new name and their own identity.:)

[Litterati]

Although I tend to go for creative, literary names. Then again I have only been owned by 2 cats, both fortunate to have been featured COTD stars, My sweet RB prince Nicky's "official' name was Dominick, because as a tuxie he looked a bit like a Dominican friar and also a dominatrix (male version if such a thing exists.) My current master Dorian Grey is a classic silver gray tabby. But the name is too "official" so I call him Dorry, Dorry-boy, Dorry-doodle, whatever. It is amusing when we go for his vet check and they say "you can bring Dorian Gray in now" and half the waiting room looks up, at least those with an English Lit degree. :D

[mrspunkysmom]

I try to have my cats' names fit the individual cats. No particular rhyme or reason. It changes as I mature. :D

[sallyandsnowx]

All throughout my life, my pets have had the "popular" names. Snow, Lucky, Angel, Sally etc. In my opinion, I love the unique, exotic names. If it was up to me, all my animals would have some crazy name, haha! Unfortunately, I was never alone with naming my pets. All my pets came from shelters so they were previously named, except for our guinea pigs; my sister chose their names. When we first got Lucky, I really wanted to name him after one of the Greek Gods. I really liked Apollo, but my sister approve of that. So Lucky it was!

[Bengalz]

I like to give my pets a name that suits their personality and gives them an identity, just like humans:D.

My first cat - Sam - was a big manly cat (with a sweet soul:D) - he grew into his name beautifully. Our second cat cat - August - had an old soul and was a true gentlemen, even as a kitten:); he suited his name well. Our third cat - Roxy - was a pretty maine coon and very flirtatious - Foxy Roxy suited her well;). Our little kitty girl - Eve - was named before we knew her and I love her name - very feminine (as she is) and elegant:love:.

[Barbara]

Unique and realistic- that's the idea. Of course if you have an Aby than it must be borderline to outlandish extravagant;) But I would never name them Artaxerxes or so;)
And I feel you cannot repeat names as they belong to a different personality. In the 18th century it was not unusual to give a kid the name of an older brother or sister who had died- but we would feel different about that now I think.

[Kirsten]

I have no idea in which category Luna and Lily would fit. When I adopted my girls, I thought their names were more or less unique; and Luna has been my favourite name many years before, so I guess that decision had been made long before she was born. ;) And it's been the same with Lily. Meanwhile, however, both their names have become really popular. :o

As for renaming: No, I wouldn't do that, they all deserve their own identity.

[Taz_Zoee]

Growing up we had several kitties over the years named Dusty. But they always had a number with it. I think we got up to Dusty #5. We had two Shadow's too.

I like unique names. Taz was unique when I used it originally, now it's not so much. Zoee wasn't as common back then as it is now. Taggart (I didn't name, it was his shelter name) was very unusual and then I come to Pet Talk and there are two other Taggarts (one spelled Taggert). Paizly is super unique, spelling included. But I did see a dog named Paisley on PT before. And Jax isn't very unique, but we liked the spelling.

My sister likes people names for her dogs. Kodi, BeeJay, Trevor, Dax (Star Trek character), Brodie, Quinn. The only one she's had that wasn't a human name was Brix (pronounced Bricks) because that was his name when he retired from the police force and she couldn't change it.

[robinh]

I don't have any specific type of name I choose - the name somehow seems to pick the dog.

Molly's full name is "Miss Molly Cupcake", my SO had a thing for snack treats. She's called Molly Monster now since she's my wild child.

Kirby came with the name when we rescued him and it fits. But he also answers to it and also to Dude.

Muffin's full name is "Miss Honey Muffin" - see what I mean about the snack treats? The vet's office keeps trying to use Honey, but she's Dick's "Muffin Puppy".

Shamus came with the name - funny that it's an Irish name and he's a good little German dog (dachshund); but he answers to it and I'm not gonna try and change that.

Woofie was named "Richard" when we adopted him but since SO's name is Richard - that was not going to work. We started out at Wolfgang and it morphed into Woofie because he does woof (a lot).

[Karen]

Woofie was named "Richard" when we adopted him but since SO's name is Richard - that was not going to work. We started out at Wolfgang and it morphed into Woofie because he does woof (a lot).

Hee hee! When I was in high school, a neighbor, Jean* adopted a rescue Irish Setter that she introduced to us as Carrie. It wasn't until several years later that I learned the dog's name had been Karen when she adopted her, but Jean quickly adapted it to Carrie, as it would have been too confusing, particularly as I was often her summer dog walker/sitter!

*not her real name

[redbird]

I like names that are unique to the cat. I named Autumn her name because she is a tortie and has the colors of the Fall season. It fits her. My first cat was named Misty because it was a misty day when I brought her home for the first time.

[Suki Wingy]

I see many, many names at work. I do not like names that describe the coloring of the animal. I tend to like human names that are not overly cutesy.
I'm on a "naming animals after foods and objects" kick right now. My newest betta is Cucumber.

Reusing names still creeps me out.