Barktique and Meow
  • Send a gift
  • Image Upload Portal

Tips on How to Choose a Name for Your Pet

6/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Pet names are created in a variety of ways. I once met a woman who named her dog Dog. He was a stray that found his way into her life without ceremony, and his name served its purpose. He came when he was called.

​I also know a busy working woman who adopted two sibling cats and called them Brother and Sister – just as placeholders, but the names stuck because she didn’t have the time or energy to think of better ones.

No approach to naming a pet is better than another, as long as our pets are given the love and care they deserve. However, some of us recognize the fun in choosing a pet’s name and we want to put more thought into it. Even when we’re enthusiastic about it, exactly how to name a pet can elude us.

Here are some ideas that may generate the perfect name for your pet.


Your Pet’s Appearance
Plenty of pet names are inspired by physical appearance. These tend to be friendly names that make people smile, because they’re understood immediately. Who wouldn’t grin at a chocolate lab named Hershey, or a big gray British Shorthair cat called Stormy?


Some things to consider:
Color or texture of coat
Examples:
  • Pepper
  • Curly-Q
  • Patches
  • Peaches
  • Cinnamon    

Body type or size
Examples:

  • Mini
  • Tank
  • Butterball
  • Hulk    
  • Nugget
  • Biggie


Behavior Clues
Sometimes a pet’s innate or unique behavior can inspire a name, whether it’s in their speed or athleticism, a habit, or their personality.

Energetic pets

Examples:
  • Twitch
  • Rocket
  • Sport

Affectionate pets
Examples:
  • Cuddles
  • Kissy
  • Lovergirl

Exceptionally serene or even lazy pets
Examples:
  • Siesta
  • Buddha
  • Couch


Your Favorite Things
Many a pet name has been inspired by its owner’s passions and hobbies.
Think about:

Favorite TV shows, movies, books, and their characters
Examples:
  • Spock
  • Fargo
  • Rhett
  • Tatooine
  • Villanelle

Hobbies and InterestsExamples:
  • Ferrari (car enthusiast)
  • Risotto (foodie or cook)
  • Polo (sport)
  • Hops (home brewer)
  • Peony (gardener)

Favorite celebrities, athletes, and people from historyExamples:
  • Kobe
  • Cleopatra
  • Stallone
  • Tesla
  • Scarlett


Popular Pet Names
In 2020, these were the top ten most popular dog names among BarkBox subscribers:

  1. Bella
  2. Luna
  3. Charlie
  4. Lucy
  5. Cooper
  6. Max
  7. Bailey
  8. Daisy
  9. Sadie
  10. Lola

​Travel + Leisure published the entire list of the top 100 here.

Curious about popular cat and dog names over the past 100 years? This fun article from Mental Floss lists them by decade. “Smokey” and “Max” are high-rankers.


You Look Like a Bartholomew
​After all of this, if you’re still having trouble deciding on a name for your pet, sometimes it just takes one good look at their sweet face. Your gut may tell you what to name your pet, and that perfect moniker – whether it’s Princess, Zeus, of Foo-Foo – will pop right out of your mouth.
CONTENT WRITER, BARKTIQUE + MEOW

Kim Brittingham

Kim Brittingham is a content writer for Barktique + Meow, animal lover, and history buff residing at the Jersey Shore. She is the author of Read My Hips (Three Rivers Press/Random House, 2011) and Write That Memoir Right Now (Blackstone, 2013). She's a willing servant to a rescued miniature poodle named Clarice.

0 Comments

    Barktique + Meow Musings

    Pets make the world go round. From our heart to yours.

    Archives

    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021

    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Cat
    Cat Adoption
    First Pet
    Great Dane
    Great Dane Rescue
    Kids And Pets
    Kitty Adoption
    New Pet
    Older Pet Adoption
    Packaged Gifts
    Pet Adoption
    Pet Dangers
    Pet Estate Planning
    Pet Funeral
    Pet Gift
    Pet Loss
    Pet Memorial
    Pet Naming
    Pet Nutrition
    Pet Party
    Pet Planning
    Pet Proof
    Pets And Fastfood
    Pets And Summer
    Pets And Travel
    Pet Support
    Pet Trusts
    Road Trip With Pets
    Send A Pet Gift
    Summer Pets
    Swimming With Pets
    Welcome Pet Gift
    What To Know

    RSS Feed

Picture

 

BARKTIQUE BLOG

What to Consider When a Loved One Loses a Pet

Picture
read more

QUICK LINKS

Support

Contact
Barktique Blog
FAQ
Terms of Use
© 2024 Barktique and Meow LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Send a gift
  • Image Upload Portal