Popular dog names sound downright human

KARE 11 News ^ | 4-1-2008

[Cagey]

Fido and Rover are 'so' yesterday.

When it comes to naming dogs, Americans are opting for names that are downright human. A survey using data from the computers of Veterinary Pet Insurance says the top four male dog names are Max, Buddy, Rocky, and Bailey. For female canines, it's Bella, Molly, Lucy, and Maggie.

The trend is no accident, according to those who work with dogs and humans at the Animal Humane Society. "What strikes me most about the list is the amount of people names on that list, and it all just gets back to the human/animal bond," commented Kathy Johnson, AHS Director of Veterinary Services. "Animals are being valued more in our society. There are places we don't even refer to ourselves as 'their owners', we're their guardians now, so I think this is just a trend we're seeing, that they're a part of our family." AHS President and CEO Janelle Dixon agrees, noting that people who used to keep their dogs in a kennel out back are now pushing them down the street in strollers. "People say animals have moved from the back yard, to the house, to the bedroom."

An informal survey at the Lake of the Isles dog park generally supports the trend. While dogs named Snapper and Dasher sprinted around to their hearts content, they were accompanied by furry pals with human sounding names; Vinny, Rosie, Riley, and Pearl. "Don't most dogs have human names?" Riley's chaperone, Gretta Morrison asked. "I think they do." Even those who opted for less human names chuckled at the thought of calling for a dog named Jim. "I think human names are funny, actually," said Mark McMillan, as his wife Katherine nodded. "Whatever works, you know."

[Chickensoup]

For many Americans, pets are substitutes for the children they never bothered to have, are putting off having, or are estranged from due to divorce.

Sad. This morning I was thinking of my college friends. How few of us had children and out of all of them who did have children how 60% were adopted. Not a bad thing, but an even twenty adult who did not contribute to the future.

[wideminded]

1. Bella 2. Molly 3. Lucy 4. Maggie 5. Daisy 6. Sophie 7. Sadie 8. Chloe 9. Bailey 10. Lola

I have trouble believing that there are very many dogs named Lola or Bailey.

[pax_et_bonum]

Dubya’s current fascination is the occasional water turkey in the bay.

Seems like he should be focusing on world affairs, doesn’t it?

;-)

[wideawake]

but an even twenty adult who did not contribute to the future

Indeed.

I can report a similar situation.

Of course, if you went to college in the 70s, a random sampling of twenty Mexican adults from the same timeframe would have yielded approximately 60 natural offspring.

Some of our current political controversies were, in retrospect, extremely predictable.

[Arrowhead1952]

....people who used to keep their dogs in a kennel out back are now pushing them down the street in strollers.

That ain't all people are spending their $$$$s on for dogs.

Doga: Yoga for you and Your Dog!

[edcoil]

We have one puddle in our neighborhood where the own does this. I don’t think you can get any more silly.

[jmc813]

Here in Manhattan you will see plenty of unmarried or divorced 30-something career women who refer to their lapdogs as "my little baby", who carry them around in their arms as much or more than they walk them, who buy or make little outfits for them, who enroll them in classes, take them regularly to specialty salons, throw birthday parties for them, etc. There is a parallel in the suburbs for 40 something men, typically divorced and living alone, who have multiple big dogs and take them everywhere, plan vacations around activities for their dogs, etc.

There are a lot of us out there who happen to like dogs more than humans. Considering how scummy so many people caan be, I really don't think this is an unreasonable position.

[wideawake]

There are a lot of us out there who happen to like dogs more than humans.

Your admission that you value beasts over humans explains much.

Thanks for that insight.

[LucyT]

Cats: Teak, Bonnie, Sam, Basil, Max
Dogs: Sam, Pippin, Cassie, Molly

[jmc813]

Your admission that you value beasts over humans explains much. Thanks for that insight.

No problem, brah. I'm guessing you're not a dog owner. A dog will never screw you over, steal from you, betray you or break your heart. A whole lot of humans will. As far as "explains much", are you suggesting I'm not a good person because of this?

[SF Republican]

For many Americans, pets are substitutes for the children they never bothered to have - Had a boss that had a dog and a grown daughter; when I mentioned my bride and I were starting a family he advised against it, he indicated his dog took care of about 85% of his nurturing needs and children were too expensive (he was a multi-millionaire) and he would never have had a kid if he had known that before. Sad.

[blau993]

Our yellow lab is Buckwheat. He is named after a black lab given to us many years ago (who, of course, had been named for the character in the "Our Gang" comedies). We lived at that time in a very racially mixed neighborhood, so we changed his name to Buckley (after Bill). He never knew the difference. However, we always liked the name, so when we got this wheat-colored yellow lab, we resurrected it.

Our black lab is Teddy. His breeder had a tradition that all pups of a particular litter would have names starting with the same letter. Teddy's was an "R" litter, and because of his thick, rough coat we chose as his official AKC name, "Rough Rider." "Teddy" was the natural pick for his everday name. Since Teddy is a big boy, he has also picked up the nickname "Bear" and will answer to either name.

We do have a "Lucy" next door.

[najida]

Dog- Buddy

Cats- TomTom, Sal, Nimbus, Phantom, Witchblade, Lizze Borden, Xena, Buffy

Birds- Diva, Brat, Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum

Rabbits- Thumper, BunBun, Petie, ButtSpot, Dal(mation), Lance

Chickens- Puff Daddy, Montezuma, Butterscotch, The Church Ladies 1234, Prissy, Beyonce’, Emma, Mary Kate and Ashley, Bodica

[wideawake]

No problem, brah. I'm guessing you're not a dog owner.

I was the owner of a rescued German shepherd for 16 years. Wonderful animal. I miss him and think of him often.

A dog will never screw you over, steal from you, betray you or break your heart. A whole lot of humans will.

Correct.

As far as "explains much", are you suggesting I'm not a good person because of this?

Not at all. What it does tell me is that you focus on the return side of the relationship equation.

It is very easy to provide for all of a dog's needs - they ask so little of us and they give all of themselves unconditionally in return.

A child, an aged parent, a spouse - these are all relationships which make far greater demands on our emotional and temporal resources than a dog ever could. And unlike with a dog, the outcome of all this effort is uncertain.

[wideawake]

Had a boss that had a dog and a grown daughter; when I mentioned my bride and I were starting a family he advised against it, he indicated his dog took care of about 85% of his nurturing needs and children were too expensive (he was a multi-millionaire) and he would never have had a kid if he had known that before. Sad.

He said quite a bit about himself in that conversation.

[najida]

Not everyone should be or is meant to be or will become a better person by being a parent.

Jails and threads here are full of stories of those who either shouldn’t have had offspring and the victims of their botched attempts.

[Political Junkie Too]

Male dachshund named Casey.

My sister has a female Jack Russel Terrier named Bubba.

-PJ

[Petronski]

Miniature Poodle: Scoobie
Tabby Tomcat: Aretha

[ozark hilljilly]

Dogs in my life since 1959 to present:
Sid
Margaret
Ben
Doug
Steve
Zeke
Hannah
Dennis

I was always ahead of the trend and never knew it!

I’ve had one cat who lived in the barn-her name? “Barn Cat”.

[Titan Magroyne]

Dogs: Olive & Xena
Cat: Pearl

Gone but not forgotten: Patches, Whitey, Redford, Benji (1 & 2), Crybaby, Sikoshi, Aphrodite, Joe, Valentine, Houdini, Luna, Mouse, Merlin, George & Gracie

I’ve never “walked” a pet in a baby stroller but did buy a large van so my arthritic dog could roadtrip with me in comfort. Saved on trying to find a motel on the road, too.