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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Can we name a baby after a dog?!

45 replies

Sranso · 23/10/2018 11:56

Hi all, DW and I are due in the new year with our second daughter. DD1 is 3 and a half and wants to have a part in naming her sister. She'd like to call the baby Ruby and has been doing so since we told her we were expecting about three months ago. The problem is, neither DW or I are sure on it, and she only wants it because she briefly met a dog called Ruby...once

She's really stuck on it though.

Wanted to get views on the name, whether it's OK to name a child after a dog we don't really know (!), and how to manage her disappointment if not.

Other options we're considering are Isobel and April.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ZackPizzazz · 23/10/2018 11:58

Well, it's a perfectly good name. Why would it matter that a dog somewhere once had it? There are probably dogs out there with every baby name conceivable. There's probably a dozen with my name. (I like to think they're all golden retrievers).

If you just plain don't like the name, deal with your DD on that basis, but leave the dog out of it.

Soubriquet · 23/10/2018 11:58

My 6 year old brother is called Alfie

My Nan has a dog called Alfie

My 5 year old dd is called Molly....my Nan..yep she had a dog called Molly too.

Her Molly was pts last year so there’s no more confusion

If you like the name, use it. The dog isn’t going to exactly protest at its name being used

Charm23 · 23/10/2018 11:59

As nice as it is that you want your DD to feel included in the naming of your new baby, ultimately you are the parents and should decide. You've already said you're not sure on Ruby so go for something you do like. Start asking your DD which of your choices she likes instead.

ZackPizzazz · 23/10/2018 11:59

You can always tell people you were inspired by the current season of Bake Off. Or just that your DD picked it. Who cares why?

SpottingTheZebras · 23/10/2018 12:01

Is she naming after the dog or did the dog happen to have a name that she liked?

GinIsIn · 23/10/2018 12:02

Oh I like the name Ruby! Surely that’s what matters?

GinIsIn · 23/10/2018 12:02

That it’s a nice name, I mean, not that I happen to like it...

whiteroseredrose · 23/10/2018 12:06

BIL considered Max for his DS but decided it was too much of a dog name. So they went for Rex instead!

Wherever you go there will be dogs and cats with human names so pick a name you like.

(However Ruby, Jade and Amber were the names on cards in phone boxes back in the day).

Original poster

Sranso · 23/10/2018 12:08

Just to clarify, we don't think the dog would be offended either way. Nor do we think it's a bad idea to name a baby after a dog (or vice versa) it's more that the dog made a fleeting appearance in our lives, and it has become central to her (admittedly toddler) reasoning.

I guess my point is more, now that she's normalised it so much in her head, can we really go against her. Her bond is formed with 'Ruby'.

OP posts:

Original poster

Sranso · 23/10/2018 12:10

Also I don't want my daughter asking me one day why we named her what we did, and having to say that in a way that might leave her feeling like we didn't put a lot of thought into it! Maybe just being a bit over-sensitive.

Any thoughts on Isobel or April?

OP posts:

DC2018 · 23/10/2018 12:14

Tbh I like Ruby best out of your 3 options x

ZackPizzazz · 23/10/2018 12:14

My sister chose my name. I have no idea where from, and I feel pretty fine about it. I like that they were apparently excited about my arrival.

I think the dog is a bit of a red herring here. Your DD likes the name Ruby, you don't apparently, but you've opened the door to this whole thing by asking her. You either have to name your new DD Ruby (which is a lovely name and it really won't matter where her sister got the idea) or tell her clearly that's not going to happen.

The other names are fine.

Mummaluelae · 23/10/2018 12:15

A name is a name whether for a person or pet. Along as you dont call a child fluffy or snowy
My cousin had a dog growing up called Dillon. Years later when he had a son, he was called Dylan!

Rebecca36 · 23/10/2018 12:19

Bless her heart, your daughter sounds really sweet. Ruby is quite a nice name, if you're happy with it, why not? It will be fun when Ruby is growing up and asks how you chose her name, you'll all have a laugh about it. However it's a good name, it isn't Rover or Fido or anything like that (if people still call dogs by those names).

LarkDescending · 23/10/2018 12:20

The brief acquaintanceship with a dog is neither here nor there. And yes, you can overrule your toddler’s name choice if you don’t love it! She will get over it quickly, just as my DD rapidly got over the fact that, despite her determined campaign, her brother did not end up named Bob (the Builder).

Original poster

Sranso · 23/10/2018 12:29

Sage advice. I guess the reason it's still in the offing is because she likes it. But ultimately, she's unlikely to remember any of this in a year, let alone ten or 20.

I guess I'm just not very good at saying no to her!

OP posts:

newrubylane · 23/10/2018 13:50

I personally love Ruby (points to username)

I think it would make a sweet middle name with Isobel or April.

When my brother was born, when I was three, my parents got me involved by saying 'we were thinking of calling him X. What do you think?' It was a nice way of making me feel like I'd had a say, when I'm sure really it was already chosen!

MimiSunshine · 23/10/2018 13:53

Of course you don’t go with Ruby if the only reason to do so is because your small child likes it.

Just stop mentioning Ruby and if she does say we’ll we’ll have to see what the baby is called when she arrives.
Pick a name you love in the same way you did for your DD and write it on a gift tag round the baby’s wrist and show it to DD saying something ‘babies come with their names and your little sister is called...’.

This child isn’t an extension of your existing one so deserves to have a name chosen her parents love, not because they struggle to say no to her sister

daisypond · 23/10/2018 14:02

I don't think a toddler/preschooler should have any say in naming her sibling. Ruby is a nice name, but only if you like it. But don't let your small child pick the name.

Original poster

Sranso · 23/10/2018 14:02

@mimisunshine I know she deserves a name chosen by us - hence the point I made previously. I also want to ensure current DD is as involved as possible in what is going to be an enormous change for her.

@newrubylane I think a middle name is going to be the way to go!

OP posts:

Original poster

Sranso · 23/10/2018 14:05

@daisypond The title of the thread is perhaps slightly misleading. To my mind, it's more about how we manage that process, and how we ensure she feels involved, than actually allowing her to name her - which we obviously wouldn't let her do (unless we loved it, I guess).

OP posts:

florafawna · 23/10/2018 14:12

DD has good taste!

SilverySurfer · 23/10/2018 14:42

Ruby is a nice name. I think as your DD only met Ruby the dog one time, it's fine, not like you currently have a dog called Ruby.

TheGrassIsGreener3 · 23/10/2018 15:29

Ruby is a perfectly okay name. Just because your DD first heard the name as that of a dog, it doesn't stop it being a human name too.

I personally don't like Ruby. It's bland and drippy. Not my cup of tea.

Icklepup · 23/10/2018 16:03

Isobel Ruby

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