10+ Names I Would Never Give My Dog

Dog Names to Avoid

My dog and I had this conversation last week. As a puppy, she was light brown and ran through my house like a whirling dervish—and so I named her “Sandstorm." But now she is tired of that name and wants to be called something different.

“The choices are limited,” I explained, “since there are some names I would never give a dog.”

“What are they?” she asked.

1. Max, Jake, Buddy (or Anything Too Popular)

These overused names would all be off the list if I were to adopt a male dog. Molly, Bella, and Daisy are female dog names I would avoid like the plague. Jack, Cody, and Charlie are almost as bad, and Bailey, Rock, Sam, and Buster are also too popular to use for my dog.

2. DiOhGee

Besides sounding like she stepped out of a Snoop Doggy Dog song, DiOhGee has been used a lot, and the comic value is gone. Not every dog has comic value, but at least if she does, it shouldn't be wasted on a bad name.

3. Rover or Spot

Neither one of these are on the "most popular" lists, but both names have all the freshness of a moldy dish towel. Spot (at least in Portuguese) is a good name for a spotted goose, but Rover isn't fit for use.

4. Anything Controversial

I wouldn’t want to brand my dog with any controversial name. Can you imagine calling his name out in a dog park? Strike those ideas off the list.

5. Fluffy, Felix, Sylvester (or Other Cat Names)

I want my dog to be a dog. Okay, maybe my seven-pound Maltese had some masculinity issues, but even when his hair was dyed blue, he still knew he was a dog.

6. Dummy, Doofus (and Other Stupid Names)

A few of them are funny, but would you want a kid named like that? Dopey, Barfy, and Barky rank right up there.

7. Rambo, Rocky, Benji (and Other Movie Names)

It happens with names, but as everyone who volunteers in an animal shelter knows, it also happens with breeds; as soon as a dog movie comes out and becomes a hit, the breed becomes popular, and the sales go up. Several months later, the dogs are dumped at the local humane shelter.

8. Chain, Dishpan, Laptop (and Other Household Objects)

This is probably a personal quirk, but I accept that I have a phobia about everyday things. My therapist is trying to help me get over this.

9. Nit, Rit, Jay (or Anything That Sounds Like Basic Obedience Commands)

My dog is really smart ... but come on! She does get confused.

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10. Anything I Can't Pronounce

Long words are out, as well as any words from languages I don't know.

Happy Naming!

I think my pup accepts that I am not going to change her name. Her name is beautiful, and when I hear it, I will always picture her running on the beach, “attacking” me from behind a sand dune, or just walking by my side when we go out for a last stroll in the middle of the night.

Her name will be one of the few things I can remember her by. Like all dogs, she will be gone too soon.

© 2013 Mark dos Anjos, DVM

Comments

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on April 05, 2013:

Thanks for coming by and sharing, Eiddwen. Nice to see you again!

Eiddwen from Wales on April 05, 2013:

Another wonderful hub by you.

Voted up and shared.

Have a great day.

Eddy.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 06, 2013:

That needs to be number 11: Rapper names. NEVER!

Bob Bamberg on March 06, 2013:

I would have thought Tetley a rather dignified alternative. Isn't there a rapper named Ice T? The dog is a retired brood bitch from NY and came with that name.

I think she has some impressive blood lines and Iced Tea is just a fraction of her full name, which is probably something like: Iced Tea That Doesn't Come From A Can But That You Lovingly Brew From Scratch.

Scooter, while engendering visions of a dog with anal sac problems, also engenders visions of a dog with quick, unpredictable movements.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 06, 2013:

Scooter=the dog who scoots his bottom across the carpet. Maybe that is just my sick mind. I am sure Scooter can be a perfectly benign name, just not one I would use!

Did your neighbors already have a dog named Aspartame? How about Sugar?

Bob Bamberg on March 06, 2013:

What's wrong with Scooter? I think that's a most endearing name. I'm still trying to get used to hearing my neighbors playing with their new dog. Her name is Iced Tea.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 05, 2013:

Stains is bad in so many ways. Worse than Scooter.

William E Krill Jr from Hollidaysburg, PA on March 05, 2013:

I'd never name a dog 'Stains' due to the command problem.

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 05, 2013:

Thanks for commenting, Seeker7! Kids pick some silly names, but you are definitely right--we love them all the more.

Helen Murphy Howell from Fife, Scotland on March 05, 2013:

Great hub about dog names!!! I can't believe anyone would still want to call their poor dog 'Rover' or 'Spot' but you never know, maybe some folks like being nostalgic.

My male Border Collie was given his name in the shelter and it's Roy - I didn't like the name at first but it does actually suit him! We've got our 11 month old madam whose called 'Kassy' and that was my young nieces and nephews who picked that one for her, so of course I love it! But have you noticed how some names do suit a dog and others don't?

This was a brilliant and entertaining hub that's really brightened up my evening - thank you!

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 05, 2013:

That is a good one. I think Cujo could be used though, but only if you had a 5 pound Morkie!

Bob Bamberg on March 05, 2013:

Thanks, I think it's interesting, too. I hope more people chime in. Cats and ecology...two lightning rod subjects!

Mentioning Sujo made me think of Cujo...another name that shouldn't be used. I know a person who jokingly used the name when referencing her dog, but Cujo eventually stuck. To those "in the loop" it wasn't an issue but, like you say, "Can you imagine calling his name out in a dog park?"

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 05, 2013:

Years ago I adopted a white dog that showed on the street in front of my B&B covered in mud. I named him "Sujo", which is Portuguese for "Dirty" and after I had bathed him and groomed him no one could understand his name. It wasn´t demeaning at all but every time I called him I thought of our first meeting on the street. I can certainly understand "Mudslide".

Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I am following the comments on your Cat Ecocriminal hub-very interesting.

Bob Bamberg on March 05, 2013:

Friends of mine had this disheveled dog, caked with mud but no tags, show up in their yard. After calls to Animal Control and a brief waiting period they adopted him. They named him Mudslide. I think that's a great name, but others think it's demeaning.

Another fun, thought provoking hub. Voted up and useful.

Marie Hurt from New Orleans, LA on March 04, 2013:

Funny hub. Had a good time reading it and love your pictures. I think sandstorm is a fine name for your dog.

Shay Marie from California on March 04, 2013:

My number one rule: I will never give my dog a name that someone I actually know already has. I'm hoping I never meet a person named Penny...

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on March 04, 2013:

Annamaeve--that sounds like a great article: "Dog Names That Your Dog Will Ignore"

torrilynn--what a great name. Do you know where it is from? I know Leila, pronounced the same way, is an Arabic name, but have never seen Lalu.

torrilynn on March 04, 2013:

Hi DrMark1961,

thanks for the read of what names not to give your dog.

my dog has a unique name or at least I would like to think which is Lalu

which is pronounced Lay-Luh. I didn't give her the name but I like it all the same

thanks again. voted up and shared.

annemaeve from Philly Burbs on March 04, 2013:

Good rules to live by. I name all my animals after vodkas, so I picked Pravda for my first dog. Very quickly changed it to Avi since nobody could spell it. He ignores both equally, so I'm not sure which one he would prefer.