Congratulations, you’ve just come home with a brand new dog! Before you even look into a pet insurance plan for him, you'll have to find the perfect name.
For some reason, people seem to have more trouble coming up with boy dog names than they do girl names. In fact, the top five male dog names on almost any list are cute but pretty ordinary. Chances are you want something more original than “Max”. (No offense to those who love classic names!) Here’s how to get some inspiration.
1. Remember the moment you adopted him
Think about when and where you found your dog. Was the street name interesting? Whether he was from a breeder, a shelter or running loose-- would any of the associated names be a good fit? How was the weather that day? Was it on a holiday? Questions like these can lead you to unique or funny names with personal meaning, like Cole, Sunny or Turkey.
2. Think of your favorite cities
If you’ve traveled and found places you really love, consider using one of those names for your dog. Some of our Facebook friends have named their dogs Holbrook, Cutler, Brooklyn, Aspen and Dallas, after cities they love. One friend named her dogs after rivers in Ireland. London, Phoenix and Hamilton would also make proud dog names.
3. Name him after another animal
Does your new pup behave like another type of animal? Maybe he hops, hides, or makes funny squeaky noises. If so, consider names like Bunny, Turtle, Bear, Birdie or even Kitty.
4. Go through your Facebook lists
If you like giving pets people names, Facebook can be a great resource. Where else can you find thousands of names in just a couple of clicks? You may not want to name your dog after someone you already know, so poke around friends-of-friend’s lists and see if you find anything you really like. I’ll admit I found my dog’s name that way. I asked a friend to read through her friends list and when I heard “Jayda”, it immediately made my short list.
5. Honor your favorite famous person …or beverage
Think about your favorite movies, TV shows, sporting events or historical figures. You could name your dog after a funny character (stage name or real name), or after an athlete you find impressive. One Facebook friend named her cats Monet and Picasso, and another named her dog Stoli Vanilla. There’s even an adorable Aldo Ray, named after the American actor of the ‘50s – ‘80s.
Once you’ve chosen a name, think through your family members’ names and make sure none are too similar sounding – that could cause problems when training your new dog. And if the day comes when you’re having second thoughts, check out our blog with great tips on how to change your pet’s name.
After you've decided on something that fits your pet perfectly, be sure to sign him up for dog insurance.
For more information about pet health and behavior, or for more information about pet insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.