The Official 'Name my dog' thread.

[Joseph]

Ok gang, just got a new 4 month old female black lab and can't think of a name for the little gal. Anyone have any suggestions?

[919191]

My grandparents back in the mid 1960's, when they lived in the country, had an old hound dog named "Boy". Yes, "Boy". Boy has been gone for a long time, so I am sure that name is open.

[Joseph]

The wife didn't go for that one, but thanks

[KronoRed]

Sally

(what I named a black lab as a kid)

[cincinnati chili]

I vote for Myrna.

[pedro]

Blackie O

[savafan]

Chica

It is the feminine form of Chico, the name of my black lab I had for 12 years until he died from leukemia a year and a half ago. He was the best dog I ever had, very much a part of the family. We all still miss him.

[jmcclain19]

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/what-s-...dog/page1.aspx

Section: Naming Your Dog

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.
Book of Proverbs

Some people believe that names can affect the way people behave and how they feel about themselves. Puritans believed this and gave their children names like Felicity and Obedience in hope that the children would live up to their names. But could the same thing be true of dogs? Would you feel as comfortable petting a dog named Killer or Psycho as you would petting Waggles or Molly? Choosing the name for your dog is an important decision, but along with showing off your originality, perhaps you should try to capture the essence of your dog, too.

In the past we tended to name our dogs based on some physical or personality trait, like Spot or Rover. However, today we think of dogs as real family members, and the latest trend is to give dogs human names, names that we would give our children. According to the ASPCA’s official list of top 30 pet names, the two most popular names are Max, Maxie, Maxwell or Maxine, which means “the greatest” in Latin, and Sam, Sammie or Samantha, which means “listener.” Scanning the list you will also find Buddy, Ginger, Jake, Maggie and Charlie, a list not unlike a grade school attendance roster.

But not every dog is given a human name. The list also contains some tried-and-true oldies that are still popular, like Lady, Buster, Patches and Pepper. And these names give you an idea of the dog, either his personality or appearance.

Dog names arise from many popular categories. For example, movies and television have inspired such names as Beethoven, Radar, Scully, and Rocky, while the arts have given us Beowulf, Bronte, Plato, Elvis and Mozart. Chanel and Calvin materialized from the fashion world, and geographically speaking, Dakota, Sydney and Paris are also on the map.

But let’s not forget about the dog’s personality. Names that reflect the very nature of your pet may be the way to go. After all, we probably have a pretty good picture of a dog that’s called Mayhem, Frisky, Adipose, Morpheus or Couch Potato.

How do you go about naming your dog? You might want to observe your new pet for a few days and see if the personality suggests a name. But, for a start, keep the following tips in mind:

The general sound and rhythm of the name is important. You will say it and your dog will hear it over and over again. If the name is too long or too difficult to say, your pup will become confused or lose interest by the time you get to the fourth syllable.


Choose a name that your pet will easily recognize. Some experts say the ideal name is two syllables ending with a vowel sound, like Sami or Lassie.


Avoid names that sound too much like standard commands. For example, when you call Snowy or Joe, your dog might only hear “No.”


Pick a name that will be just as appropriate once your pet is full-grown. A pup named Damage or Havoc may eventually grow up to be a quiet, stately dog.


Pick a name that you will be proud to call. Shadow or Molly might be less embarrassing than Ooga Booga or HeyYou.

Once you have named your dog, be sure to use it often so he will learn it quickly. But remember, you want your dog to like his name. Try to use it only when you are playing with him, petting him, hugging him or trying to get his attention. Don’t use it when you are angry or reprimanding him. If you raise your voice every time you use his name, he won’t come when you call.

Dr. John Wilson, a veterinarian in Ireland believes that naming a dog is serious business. It’s a major family decision to find the correct name. Wilson says, “Creativity, aptness, sensitivity, nastiness and, in some cases, a sense of humor can be involved in naming the pet."

Then he adds, “Picking the name is an art form.”

Top 30 Male Dog Names

1. MAX
2. BUDDY
3. JAKE
4. ROCKY
5. BAILEY
6. BUSTER
7. CODY
8. CHARLIE
9. BEAR
10. JACK
11. TOBY
12. DUKE
13. LUCKY
14. SAM
15. HARLEY
16. SHADOW
17. RUSTY
18. MURPHY
19. SAMMY
20. ZEUS
21. RILEY
22. OSCAR
23. WINSTON
24. CASEY
25. TUCKER
26. TEDDY
27. GIZMO
28. SAMSON
29. OLIVER
30. BANDIT

Top 30 Female Dog Names

1. MOLLY
2. MAGGIE
3. DAISY
4. LUCY
5. SADIE
6. GINGER
7. CHLOE
8. BAILEY
9. SOPHIE
10. ZOE
11. PRINCESS
12. BELLA
13. ANGEL
14. LADY
15. SASHA
16. ABBY
17. ROXY
18. MISSY
19. BRANDY
20. COCO
21. ANNIE
22. KATIE
23. SAMANTHA
24. CASEY
25. GRACIE
26. ROSIE
27. MISTY
28. EMMA
29. SANDY
30. HEIDI

[remdog]

Josephine?

Rem

[Red in Chicago]

i like mcclain's "pepper"

how about ebony...gives her some street cred

[Yachtzee]

snowball

[IslandRed]

Pick a name that you will be proud to call. Shadow or Molly might be less embarrassing than Ooga Booga or HeyYou.

That's time-tested advice right there. Make sure the name is something you won't be ashamed to holler at the top of your lungs, in front of your neighbors, if the little dear gets loose and takes off down the street.

Come to think of it, the same advice should apply to naming kids.

[rah-ri]

Nelly
Roxie
Larkin

[Hollcat]

Klu
Nuxie
Sparky

Someday I will have three dogs and there names will be Willie, Micky and Duke.

[Patrick Bateman]

Casey