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Baby names

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Original poster

Why do people say "Ergh... that's a dog's name!"?

81 replies

NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 15:03

First it was Lily and Molly - people would say they knew a dog with that name, like that's a reason it should never be used on a human Hmm

Now I see the same for some boys names - Toby and Monty, I'm looking at you Smile

This makes no sense to me. Names take a few years to filter into the public consciousness. I always thought we 'try out' names on our dolls and our pets as children ... and then when we're grown up we get to use the ones we like the most on real live babies! Grin

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BackforGood · 05/02/2012 16:42

As somebody said earlier, people respond subjectively to names.
If you were bullied at school by a Barry or a Jane, or you are a teacher who had a right little so-and-son in their class, while pregnant, called Tarquin or Felicity, then you associate those names with those people, so don't choose them for your own children. Objectively, and rationally you know that your child will be what they will be, whatever you call them, but choosing names for our children isn't rational or objective - you choose names you like.
If you've only heard Rover, Rex, and Fido being used for dogs, then that's what you are going to associate the names with 0 in the same way Chardonnay and Baileys are associated with alcohol, and Mercedes is a car to me. Other people can use them if they want, but then can't really be surprised when a lot of people associate them with what they are either usually, or originally used for.

CupOfBrownJoy · 05/02/2012 16:38

My dog is Danny, but its more that he has a human name, than Danny being a dog's name, iyswim...

Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 16:34

lolli the fat boys are all called Cuthbert

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Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 16:33

bran - yes, you're essentially giving a name a trial run on a pet before you commit to giving it to a human being. Same for cats/dolls/budgerigars

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury... I give you Lily/Molly/Polly/Lucy - all our best loved girls names have been extensively trialled on dogs and dolls and hamsters... and passed the test!

So when people ask about Toby and Monty I would love them to think of something better to say than 'eugh that's a dog's name'

OP posts:
lollipoppet · 05/02/2012 16:32

mandy please tell me the fat boy names!!

YNK · 05/02/2012 16:32

My cat's called Cassie. My dog's called Rita.

Charlotteperkins · 05/02/2012 16:31

Unless its rover then I think anything goes.

bran · 05/02/2012 16:27

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LizzieChickens · 05/02/2012 16:26

Because they're rude fuskers. (My sister's name is Cassie... Not Lassie! Cassie. Perfectly good name for a human being.)

lockets · 05/02/2012 16:24

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RustyBear · 05/02/2012 16:21

Maybe she should have called him Vexorg

YNK · 05/02/2012 16:15

Nearly 30 years ago I had lot's of people telling me I could not call my DS Jake since it was an old mans name!
He's called after my much loved granda too.
Bloody cheek!!!
The name realy suits him and it's not uncommon these days.
Tell people to mind their own bloody business.

MandyT68 · 05/02/2012 16:15

My mother always used to refer to some names as "Fat boy names" and now in teaching we have "bad boy/girl names" What is left? My mother's dog is Ben and we have had an Ella in the past, both lovely names and further reducing the available pool. Is it any wonder children are now named after brands? I know a Diesel, an Armani and a Lexus!

Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 16:14

workshy Grin

Next cat I get is going to be called Gavin Wink just so I'm not ruining any names for anyone else

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workshy · 05/02/2012 16:10

I once witnessed a woman looking at those pens and things with names on with her little boy

she turned to him and said 'we never find anything with your name on do we?'

the woman running the shop asked the little boy's name and was told it was Rex

her response.....

'well you might find something in the pet shop!'

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 05/02/2012 16:08

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GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 05/02/2012 16:07

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fhdl34 · 05/02/2012 16:07

One of my dog's called Molly Grin

Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 16:00

Dexter yeah, me too - we had to hurriedly rename our puppy when my uncle started going out with a woman named Ginny.

Dog got 'Toffee', which is a great dog name IMHO.

Uncle's GF didn't last Grin

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QueenPodling · 05/02/2012 15:57

Hmm, my parents had dogs named Ben, Daniel and Sam. I liked the first and last for DS but it would have felt odd.
But it wouldn't occur to me to actually say 'that's a dogs name' to someone. Unless like Cupofbrownjoy says the name is Fido.

nenevomito · 05/02/2012 15:50

I had an ex called Toby, but I'd never say it was a Dog's name the name of an utterly fucked up selfish wassok yes but not a dog

Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 15:49

HolyNoShe It was a joke about Pavlov's Dog

coconutty - Spike is a sexy vampire name Grin

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HolyNoSheDittantBatman · 05/02/2012 15:45

I think everyone does don't they?

You can't say 'oh that's objectively a nice name/dogs name/posh name/horrible name etc etc' it's just what your response to the name is.

Original poster
NatureAbhorsAHoover · 05/02/2012 15:42

HolyNoShe - so you have a Pavlovian response to names you hear.

Oh the ironyGrin

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Sluttybuttons · 05/02/2012 15:40

I named my 2 cats Alfie and Archie because they were my 2 favorite boys names and at the time i was sure i would be having no more children. I then went on to have twins (B/G) and dts would have been called alfie if i hadnt used my favorite boys names on the cats. It turns out he suits his name to perfection and i cant see him having suited Alfie.

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