Naming a child vs naming a pet?

[Phalex]

I usually go for non human names for pets. My dog is named after a legume. (Peanut). Elemental names like Thunder, or Lightning, Stormy....... That sort of thing are usually good.

[DerHoggz]

My family has two dogs that were already named when we got them, Rufus and Pete.

[Tat2dHeart]

Naming living beings is a personality thing for me. For my human living things, I wanted names that suited their personality (as much as you can tell in 48 hours at least), but weren't common and weren't going to get them picked on their entire lives. I ended up with Brenna, Tristan, Katherine and Whitney (I didn't get to name the last two). My two eldest daughters picked up on the interesting/uncommon name trend, and one daughter added second middle names to all hers, so my grandkids are Ashton Blade Houston lastname, Brynlee Grace Charlie lastname, Rebel Journey James lastname and Emeri Alyvia lastname.

Pet living things sometimes go for weeks without names until I decide what fits them. Even with a fit, I like clever, as well, so my big dog is Ender, my little dog is Gingie (grandson named this one), and my cats are Faux Paw and Schroedinger.

[Munjibunga]

I know some people who named their son Senator.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Tat2dHeart

Naming living beings is a personality thing for me. For my human living things, I wanted names that suited their personality (as much as you can tell in 48 hours at least), but weren't common and weren't going to get them picked on their entire lives. I ended up with Brenna, Tristan, Katherine and Whitney (I didn't get to name the last two). My two eldest daughters picked up on the interesting/uncommon name trend, and one daughter added second middle names to all hers, so my grandkids are Ashton Blade Houston lastname, Brynlee Grace Charlie lastname, Rebel Journey James lastname and Emeri Alyvia lastname.

Pet living things sometimes go for weeks without names until I decide what fits them. Even with a fit, I like clever, as well, so my big dog is Ender, my little dog is Gingie (grandson named this one), and my cats are Faux Paw and Schroedinger.

I like the way you think...

I also like human names that are distinctive - even a bit elegant or sophisticated, with a dash of panache - but without the "weird" factor that could make them a target throughout childhood.

Favorite male name: Alexander or Alex, although Miles & Nathaniel aren't bad either. Favorite female names: Rachel, although Ashleigh & Celeste are rather nice as well. With a little more creative thought, I'm sure I could up with even more distinctive options.

As for critters, I like to have fun with it. In particular, allow them to suggest their own names, by displaying their individual personalities.

My cats aren't actually named "Edward" & "Elizabeth" - I generally dislike human names for animals. My male cat is named "Rufus" - because he's kind of a rowdy punk, and I associate "Rufus" with rowdiness; and my female cat is named "Chi-Chi" - because she's kind of a feline princess, and I wanted a name that connotes "ostentatious elegance" in order to convey her personality.

MM

[bolophonic]

My cat is named "Maybe." As in: "maybe we can keep her?" She is a horrible alley cat who I have been looking after since my equally horrible ex left her here 10 years ago.

[machine gewehr]

If I'll have a dog in the future, I'll name him "shoo" just to mess with him.

Shoo, come here boy, shoo!!!

[machine gewehr]

This thread reminded me of...

One of my father's friend's name was "lieutenant colonel" in Turkish.

So one day my father wants to make a joke and askes him how the "colonel"(in Turkish) is doing. He replies:"he's fine, thanks for asking". Ehh?

His brother was named "colonel" (in Turkish).

It was a family tradition for them to name the children as military ranks. Go figure.

[Lobster11]

I'm the "step-dad" to two dogs that were named, when they were pups, by my wife and her ex to reflect what they hoped the dogs would turn out to be like. One was named "Gali" -- short for "Galileo" -- in hopes of somehow imbuing her with great intelligence. Turned out to be dumb as a bag of rocks. The other was named "Bay" to reflect the serenity of a tranquil body of water. Again, epic fail. Alternative strategy recommended.

[hover]

Originally Posted by AnchorHoy

Seems to me it would be more difficult to name your kid than a pet

The name you give your kid can have serious repercussions later on in life. It also reflects directly upon you, among both peers and strangers

Exactly. Ain't no one batting an eyelash if you name your cat "Malomar"...kid on the other hand? Eeeesh.\

What's creepier, and I mean no offense to anyone by this, is I have so many friends who are "dog people" who consider them their "kids" and give them absurdly humanesque monikers...

no. Stop it.

[guitfiddle0409]

I know one couple who gave their newborn baby the same name as their cat. Granted, it was a normal, human name but I still came away scratching my head a little bit on that one.

[spector_boogie]

my cat's name is Fat Kitteh. simple, effective, and she is one.

[DwaynieAD]

my last 3 cats were: PJ, Wednesday, and Zazzles
my last 2 dogs were: California and Dukiie
my last 2 kids were: Dante and Gabriel

[KiDD QuE]

Its probably easier to name a child because you probably have been thinking or getting ideas of what you would name your children. I dont think people would just think about hmmm if i get a cat or a dog im going to name him or her this.

[Oneirogenic]

I had a Rottweiler named by her previous owner Katta (attack backwards). Sweetest and probably worst guard dog ever. She would lick an intruder death.

[Bloodhammer]

Originally Posted by KiDD QuE

Its probably easier to name a child because you probably have been thinking or getting ideas of what you would name your children. I dont think people would just think about hmmm if i get a cat or a dog im going to name him or her this.

I want to get a male F1 Savannah cat and name him Hobbes.

I'd train him to put his front paws onto guests' shoulders and lick their faces! It would be hilarious to see people's reactions when introducing them to my cat. Now I just need thousands of dollars and a house in the country....

[bassinplace]

I always thought if I got another dog I would name it Zappa. If I got a second one I would call it Mingus.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by bassinplace

I always thought if I got another dog I would name it Zappa. If I got a second one I would call it Mingus.

Dat's cool...

MM

[hover]

My last cat was named "Catz Domino"...because he was a badass tubby kitteh...

[sloasdaylight]

My girlfriend's and my cat is named Daisy, because her 6 year old daughter named her, my folks have 3 cats, named Tubbers, Babar, and Stella. They have 3 dogs named Felix, Spot, and Thor (Thor is a girl, FYI.). Their chickens are named after famous women, Susan B. Anthony, Betty Crockery, and, I kid you not, Aunt Jemima. All of these animals were named by my father expect for Felix, who is my dog.

Thankfully my mother picked my and my sisters' names.

Edit: Our first cat was named Slats.