How To Choose The Perfect Pet Name

Choosing a name seems so easy. People have all different methods for choosing a name. Some wait until they first see the dog, while others have the name picked out long before they even choose a dog. Some of us get the dog home and are completely clueless. Everyone has these cute dog names, and all we can think about are the basics: Spot, Rover, and Max. For those of you who are having a hard time picking out a name, here are some tips that can help you make a decision.

The biggest tip I have ever heard was from someone very close to me. When I was young, I wanted to name my dog Garth after my favorite country music singer. I was told, “Think of how crazy you’ll sound when you go outside and call the dog. The neighbors will think you lost your uncle.” A funny comment, but I haven’t forgotten it to this day. The best advice you’ll ever receive: no matter what you name your dog, think about the places you will be calling him. It would sound pretty funny for a person to stand on the porch and yell “Here Garth” over and over. Similar to “calling your uncle”, try not to name your pooch or kitty in memory of a relative. Stay away from your friend’s and family member’s name. Who knows, your friend Todd may take offense to you naming your dog Todd.

Many people bring a pet home and name the pet from its physical characteristics, hence Spot, Socks, and Boots. However cute this may be, try to get a little more creative. Instead of going with Spot for your spotted dog, translate the name into another language. Manchita in Spanish roughly means Little Spot. Instead of naming your black cat Midnight, call her Ponoć which means midnight in Croatian. No, you may not be able to properly pronounce the words, but it is a fun way to come up with a new name. Play with language aside from physical characteristics, too.

Don’t be afraid to use acronyms. I met an owner one time with a dog named K.D. For the longest I thought she was calling her pet Katie until I saw K.D. written on the food bowl. When I asked what the acronym stood for, the owner (named Kate) told me that it stood for Kate’s Dog. Someone else had actually come up with the name for her. Kate could not decide what to name her puppy, so everyone called the puppy Kate’s Dog, which soon led to K.D. Although not everything works out as well as K.D., with a little brainstorming and creativity you can come up with your own fitting acronym.

“Firsts” are easy ways to name your pet. If you get your pet outside of your home town, then consider naming him after the city or county where you adopt him (the first place you met him). If there is a favorite food that your puppy heads straight for, then use a form of the food name. For instance, a dog who loves apples may pick up the name Gala, since Gala is a type of apple. I know owners who named their cat after a character on the movie Ice Age. The owner’s grandchildren were watching the movie when they first brought the kitten home. Strangely, the kitten was so intrigued by the cartoon characters, she intently watched the entire movie, landing her a fitting name.

Don’t be afraid to use your imagination. You can find an appropriate name in almost anything. If the pet reminds you of a favorite television show character, then use the name. Parks and destinations can even provide names. Spending time in San Simeon State Park in California led a friend to name his pooch Simeon. You never know how a name will pop up.

You do not have to have a name picked out before you even pick up your pet. Take time and consideration when choosing a name, because it will stick with the pet for a lifetime. A little creativity can lead to a variety of name ideas. If all else fails, you can always search the Internet for a fitting pet name.