One of the most exciting parts about getting a new puppy, is choosing his name. There are so many cute names out there, and although deciding on one is fun, it also requires careful consideration to choose the ideal name. He will, after all, have this name for the rest of his life, and you don’t want to regret calling him something too peculiar or embarrassing.
1. Research
Googling dog names can offer some very interesting ideas, but can also provide extensive name lists, which can make it more difficult to choose. Instead of searching for ‘cute dog names’ type in more specific keywords, such as adding the breed of your dog. Make a note of the names that catch your attention. Keep in mind that two syllables work best and ensure that the name doesn’t rhyme with a cue, such as ‘sit’ or ‘down’.
2. Breed
The breed of your dog can also help you with ideas. For instance, if it is a French Bulldog, think of something with a French feel, like Louis. If your dog falls into the category of highly intelligent canines, like a Border Collie, consider names such as Einstein or Newton.
3. Origins
Where your dog originates from can also spark some ideas. A dog that originates from the USA, for example, could be called Churchill or Nixon. Or if your dog comes from Japan, you could name him something like Sushi – but first ask yourself if this is a name that you would want to call out in a restaurant or a public place.
4. Easy to pronounce
An important factor to keep in mind, is easy pronunciation. You don’t want a tongue twister when the groomer or vet needs to call your dog – or even worse, you could struggle with the name yourself. Take a few moments to imagine being at the park, trying to call your dog, before settling on a name.
5. Personality
Ask the breeder if your puppy has shown any personal traits that you could link to a name. Your breeder would have interacted with all the puppies and would soon pick up on something that could help with choosing a name.
6. Personal interests
Use your personal interests to guide you as well. If you are a sports fan, think of big names in that field and try them out as names for your dog. Or think of your favourite band or singer – could that name work?
7. Celebrity names
They say that owners and dogs often look alike. Although you don’t know for sure what your puppy will look like one day, you’ll have a good idea what the breed looks like as an adult. Use this information and think of celebrities that look a little like a certain breed. Or take a leaf out of a celebrity’s book and see what they named their dog – but then again, sometimes celebrities like giving funny or ‘punny’ names. Who doesn’t remember Paris Hilton’s famous Tinkerbelle?
8. Movie and TV characters
You could always name your dog after your favourite TV show, or after a character in the show. For example, 50 Cent named his dog Oprah, David Beckham named his dog Elton John, and Taylor Swift named her cat Olivia Benson – the main character of Law and Order: SVU.
9. Trendy names
As with children’s names, it often happens that certain pet names are trendy at a particular point in time. If you want to give your dog a trendy name, bear in mind that there is a possibility that other dogs will respond to it too. The last think you want is to be in the park and half a dozen dogs respond to your call…
10. Have fun!
Enjoy the process of finding the right name. Make a list of all the names that work for you and start a process of elimination. Also ‘try on’ a few names and see if they work with the puppy. Does he look like a Churchill, or does Einstein seem like a good fit with his personality?
