Dog Names: Do you name your pet way in advance?

... or wait until you meet the pet?

I am such a name freak. I have no second dog, and no plans for one in the immediate future, but I am always coming up with names I like for my second dog, LOL.

Random thought- I've been on such a Dennis Quaid kick lately again (watching his movies, etc - I do this with a lot of different actors, go through my phases, LOL!) and started thinking that Quaid could be a kind of cool dog name and really unique. I like unique names that you won't hear at the dog park much, if ever. I also am a last name for first name type person... like, I've always loved the names Tanner, Carter, Walker, Parker, etc.

Do you think Quaid is kind of stupid though? Honestly? I can't decide if I'd be embarrassed saying it out loud or not, hahaha. I think it's kind of cool *shrugs* like a male version of Quinn or something. :lol-sign:

Am I the only weirdo?

Quaid is aweosme.

I had the name Quinn picked out for about 4 years before I got Quinn. I have my next BC named already aswell.

I picked the name zeke for a harl dane oh, probably 10 years ago...but ended up with a mantle merle female. I did pick Ivy's name before I got her, but was open to change if it didnt fit.

I did the same for my skin kids...Lilah was picked way before I even got married or pregnant. Cian was originally going to be keifer but I changed it before getting pregnant with him

I like Quaid!

I didn't name Quinn before I got her. I had a short list of names but didn't make a decision on the one until probably 5 days after I got her.

I already have names picked out for my next dog though, which I'll hopefully be getting in 2-3 years. If it's a GSD his name will be Kipling, Kip for short. If it's an ES his name will be Rooster, or Boon (no 'e') if Rooster really doesn't suit him.

I have a vague list of names I like, but I don't actually name a dog until I meet it. For example, I really like the name Fig!, but I haven't yet met the dog that fits it. Someday, though. Someday.

I had Roman's name picked out like a year in advance but for my next dog, eh. I have some names I like, but I'll decide when I bring it home. That's what I've started doing with pets and I've found I like letting them grow into a name instead of having something already picked out.

I go through 20 names before I get the dog, and usually 2-3 more once I get the puppy *and never use any of the first 20 names I had chosen*. lol

And just a quick funny - poor Tibby. Several people have thought I said her name was "titty". Poor little titty baby!

Depends. I have a list of names that I would love to use on another dog or cat, but things don't always work out that way.

For instance, when we went to pick out Morgan at the shelter, his name was going to be "Roland" or "Cooper". By the time we took him out of the car on his first day home, we knew that neither name fit this puppy. It took us three days to find the right name for him.

I should add it as good luck naming Quinn, I had the name picked out for a long time but wanted to make sure it suited her, from 4 weeks old it was obvious it did. The other name I was toying with was Monroe but she's too silly and immature for that, maybe the next puppy.

I'll be happy just to get a pet that I CAN name! Sierra kept the name she had pre-adoption, I didn't name Buddy, and I'm keeping the name that new-kitty comes with too (announcement pending once he arrives in the house). I named Nya, and being a huge name nerd, I look forward to naming future pets.

Traveler was Traveler before the breed was even set. I remember when I first joined I noticed Baxter's Traveler and just loved the name and it stuck with me. Then I was thinking of an ACD and I thought the name sounded like it would fit a rustic, hardy herding breed. Then the ACD turned into a Koolie and the Koolie ended up coming from Australia and it was more apropos.

Though, now everyone thinks I named him that because he traveled

I do have a decent list of names on the back burner. Zhaan for a blue merle female, Roo (Kangaroo) for a red girl, Didgie (Didgeridoo ) for either to name a few and then I have to work my way through Firefly cast

But, I don't have one set in stone until the dog is there, may have a great idea of what it will be but I won't make it final until I have the dog

Linds we can both have Roo_____s!

This. lol

Yes!! Both named after animals. I like it!

And Rooster is the cutest name ever by the way

Thank you! Named after a well known horse, just like Quinn was. I like this theme! It seems all my favorite ES breeders are having puppies this summer - I want one sooo bad.

I know... I have puppy fever already. Partly because Quinn is in full flight of being a teenager and is trying to flip me off more often.

Hopefully in a few months we'll have another baby here and I'll just be glad it isn't me that has to do the 5am toilet breaks.

Each dog that I've named in advance has wound up with a different name when they came home.

Ripley was originally going to be Pepe. Dakota was originally going to be Bruiser. Eve (prior to being born) was going to be Spark or Tyler.

Wink was Verde before I met her, Poquita before she came home with me, Wink within a week of coming home, and now she is only ever called Wink when I am angry with her. 99% of the time she is called Roo. Poor confused dog.

*raises hand* The real explanation is way more interesting, glad I've learned it!

I'm SO BAD at names. Keegan's almost 6 months old and I have NO names on my list for his registered name. I'm pretty sure the first show we'll walk into, they'll ask me his registered name and like a doofus I'll be like, "ummm.... Keegan?" LOL! One day I'll decide to start a thread for ideas.

I do have a name picked out for my belgian shepherd.... Though IF I get one it'll be probably at least 10 years down the line. It's a really good name, though, I keep reminding myself so that I don't forget it. (And NO, I'm not going to post it or else someone will STEAL it! ) I like names that come from the breed's country of origin ("Luna" for my chihuahua, "Keegan" for my collie (don't tell him the name's actually Irish, not Scottish)), so this particular name for my belgian will not work for, say, my bichon. So we'll see if I ever use it.

When I worked at the shelter, I kept a running list of names I liked, probably 35-40 for each gender, so that I could have some creative ones for the dogs there. When I started fostering "Fred", I picked 5 or 6 that suited him, then chose Argon from them.

Gambit started out 'Jonathon' I picked Token, the changed it to Gambit a week later. So not only did he not have a name in advance, he didn't have a name period!