Just please not Avon Barksdale.
July 16, 2012 8:03 PM   Subscribe

NameMyDogForTheMillionthTimeFilter: On Saturday I'll be bringing this guy home from the shelter. He's incredibly shy and distrusting of humans. What shall I call him?

I'm a fan of historical and literary names. So far all I've got is Huckleberry and Raleigh (neither very timid guys, but that could be charming on him). I'm open to pretty much anything that isn't a run of the mill human name, nerdy pop culture references especially welcome.
posted by Roman Graves to Pets & Animals (80 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
The Duke of Wellington, aka "Duke"
posted by Ironmouth at 8:07 PM on July 16, 2012


An old and respected surname in England is Featheringstonehaugh. However, this delightfully complex word is in actual practice pronounced "Fanshaw".
posted by seasparrow at 8:09 PM on July 16, 2012 [8 favorites]


Cheney
posted by 4ster at 8:11 PM on July 16, 2012


He reminds me of Beauregard Houn'dog from the old Pogo comic strip.

Picture
posted by moonmilk at 8:12 PM on July 16, 2012 [3 favorites]


He looks like a Milo or a Miles to me.
posted by erst at 8:15 PM on July 16, 2012


Wilbur
posted by mattbucher at 8:15 PM on July 16, 2012


Ben.
posted by oneirodynia at 8:15 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


That dog's name is (should be) Rusty.
posted by heathergirl at 8:17 PM on July 16, 2012 [4 favorites]


Rhubarb!
posted by shortyJBot at 8:17 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I have to second Rusty, because that is clearly his name.
posted by ellF at 8:20 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


He definitely looks like a Milo to me.
posted by SisterHavana at 8:21 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Mugsy.
posted by dtp at 8:22 PM on July 16, 2012


Champ.
posted by shiny blue object at 8:23 PM on July 16, 2012


Nerdy pop culture references? Joss.
posted by argonauta at 8:27 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Hal? Not a particularly shy name, but he looks like a Hal to me (And kudos for you for adopting one of the anxious ones. I love his expression. I have a scared guy too ... he's my sweetest boy and it's been worth every bit of the extra patience he's required.)
posted by Cocodrillo at 8:32 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Tiddlywink
posted by MT at 8:33 PM on July 16, 2012


Came to say Hal, so Hal--seconded.
posted by shesdeadimalive at 8:33 PM on July 16, 2012


Best answer: You could pick some sort of theme for your dogs' names like English monarchs (for example, when we finally live somewhere that will let us have dogs I have selected president's names so our first dog will be Chester A. Arthur Pterodactyl followed by maybe Theodore Roosevelt Pterodactyl or something, depending on the dog in question). I think he could be like an Edmund the Peaceful or something, or even just Henry. He would be a lovely Henry (even though it's a normal human name).

Whatever name you choose he is an absolutely beautiful doggy! I am so glad he has found a loving home with you.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:35 PM on July 16, 2012


I feel like he's a 'Wade'. And brace up for the incredible cheesy goodness coming your way, but it's because he's shy and nervous and is thus going to be wading into new territories of trust with you. In short: I'm glad you're taking him home.
posted by involution at 8:37 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Sir Lobeau
posted by SpecialSpaghettiBowl at 8:38 PM on July 16, 2012


No points for originality but Max? He is so cute. Enjoy your new life with your new pal!
posted by bquarters at 8:38 PM on July 16, 2012


Or also unoriginal but maybe more historical- Oliver? As in Twist?
posted by bquarters at 8:39 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Caspar, after Mr. Milquetoast, the timid soul.

Mitty, after Walter.
posted by scratch at 8:45 PM on July 16, 2012 [3 favorites]


I like Huck a lot - he looks like he could be a Huck.

Along the lines of Fanshaw, you might also consider Sinjun (St John).
posted by hms71 at 8:47 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I totally think that doggie is Obi-Wan Kenobi. You THINK he's a shy quiet hermit but he's really a hero.

Plus, lookit his face! How is he not Obi-Wan?
posted by Snarl Furillo at 8:55 PM on July 16, 2012


Reuben/Rube?
posted by freeform at 8:59 PM on July 16, 2012


I tend to name dogs after food items, and that dog right there looks like a Chicken to me.
posted by elizardbits at 9:12 PM on July 16, 2012


Sherlock.
posted by calgirl at 9:20 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Seymore
posted by Salvor Hardin at 9:21 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I just got a puppy and named him Truman. I was also looking at nerdy names. Here were others on my list that didn't fit my little guy quite so well:

Harvey (William)
Conrad (Roentgen and Joseph)
Carl (Sagan)
Ambrose (Bierce, Burnside, Parè)
Franklin (Rosalind, Roosevelt, Ben)
Jeff/erson (Thomas)
Atilla
Bruce
Alfonso

I could easily see your adorable little dude as a Conrad.
posted by phunniemee at 9:26 PM on July 16, 2012


Solomon. Sol. Solly.
posted by facetious at 9:29 PM on July 16, 2012


My all time favorite name for a rescue dog is Mulligan. He is adorable!
posted by a girl and her dog at 9:57 PM on July 16, 2012 [2 favorites]


Rosencrantz, Caliban, Shakespeare

Achilles, Homer, Ajax, Caesar

Atticus
posted by bluedaisy at 10:02 PM on July 16, 2012


Encyclopedia Brown?
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 10:03 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Romulus or Howard
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:12 PM on July 16, 2012


Just make it at least 3 syllables, so you can make it soothing and musical when you call him. One syllable names don't work the same way.
posted by mediareport at 10:13 PM on July 16, 2012


That dog's name is Donald.
posted by philip-random at 10:26 PM on July 16, 2012


I suggest you name him Hodge, after Dr. Johnson's cat.
posted by trip and a half at 10:33 PM on July 16, 2012


Nixon
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:50 PM on July 16, 2012


Voltaire
posted by Algebra at 10:59 PM on July 16, 2012


He's incredibly shy and distrusting of humans

or how about Pynchon
posted by Algebra at 11:04 PM on July 16, 2012


He's a Charlie, through and through. My sweet girl is named Dirtbike, and I helped choose Shackelton for flyingsquirrel. There are so many wonderful and awesome folks names Charlie or Charles, that you really have your pick. That sweet face deserves a little cooing of charlie-chukka-choo-choo and some hearty ear rubs. Whatever you decide, please follow up!
posted by Bohemia Mountain at 11:09 PM on July 16, 2012


Response by poster: You're inside my head, Bohemia. Charlie was what I first called him on instinct, and I thought of Shackleton for him too, but then thought maybe it was unwieldy for a dog.

There are some amazing suggestions here, I hope to see more!
posted by Roman Graves at 11:14 PM on July 16, 2012


Fred
posted by brujita at 11:21 PM on July 16, 2012


I would name him after Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran, Nobel Prize Winner (Medicine) and discoverer of the cause of malaria.

I would call him "Charlie" for short.
posted by Scientist at 11:47 PM on July 16, 2012


Turk.
posted by Catch at 11:57 PM on July 16, 2012


Famous misanthropes:

- Soren Kierkegaard [Kirk]
- Sherlock Holmes [Sherlock, Locky, Holmes]
- Jonathan Swift [Swifty]
- Alceste [Al, Alceste]
- Arthur Schopenhauer [Art, Schoppy, Schopenhauer]
posted by MuffinMan at 11:59 PM on July 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


I saw a Bert. Possibly a Bertrand (Russell?)
posted by sianifach at 12:14 AM on July 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


Seamus? Fergus? Whatever you decide, thank you for choosing to adopt! Enjoy your beautiful new friend:)
posted by Iamthepassenger at 12:26 AM on July 17, 2012


Have you seen this list of literary dogs? I would want to name him Tock!
posted by DarlingBri at 2:45 AM on July 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


He looks like an Augie to me. Then you can call him Augie Doggie.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 3:14 AM on July 17, 2012 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Not Sherlock... WATSON. He is totally a Watson.
posted by nkknkk at 4:39 AM on July 17, 2012 [2 favorites]


Stong.
posted by Segundus at 4:47 AM on July 17, 2012


For some reason, I thought he looked like a Grover.

Could be Grover Cleveland, or Grover the monster. Either is good.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:31 AM on July 17, 2012


I favourited a couple, and then I realized I just really like "Huck." You can say it soft, and you can say it loud.

But try them all, and see which one he wants to be called.
posted by peagood at 6:39 AM on July 17, 2012


How about Tycho (for Tycho Brahe)? I also like Charlie and Huck for this sweet guy.
posted by Spinneret at 7:04 AM on July 17, 2012


Yeah, Huck. Nice and laid back sounding
posted by Dolley at 7:07 AM on July 17, 2012


Best answer: I name my dogs for counties in my home state. You've got some great choices in your home state; Boone, Harlan, Elliot, Larue, Morgan, Mercer, Rowan, Morgan and even Wolfe - which is more literary than just wolf.
posted by X4ster at 7:13 AM on July 17, 2012 [2 favorites]


I actually prefer "Walter" to "Mitty," per Scratch's suggestion. He looks like a Walter to me. (Harboring greatness despite the shy exterior--and, like Walt Whitman, containing multitudes!)
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:22 AM on July 17, 2012


(Oh, and there's always Eeyore. . .)
posted by dlugoczaj at 7:23 AM on July 17, 2012


Ronnie, as in, Shy Ronnie ('cause I love that skit)
posted by VTX at 7:28 AM on July 17, 2012


Mr. Fiddlesworth
posted by gohabsgo at 7:46 AM on July 17, 2012


Toby
posted by acm at 7:47 AM on July 17, 2012


Robinson.
posted by TryTheTilapia at 7:57 AM on July 17, 2012


Matthew Cuthbert - from Anne of Green Gables. Matthew is shy yet very loving and devoted; he and Anne are kindred spirits. You could call him Mattie, Cuthbert, or Bert.
posted by yawper at 8:09 AM on July 17, 2012 [2 favorites]


Teen Wolf
posted by mattbucher at 8:23 AM on July 17, 2012


I really like Shackleton and Matthew Cuthbert. What about Harvey (like the rabbit)?
posted by ChuraChura at 8:35 AM on July 17, 2012


Incredibly Shy and Distrusting of Humans
posted by nooneyouknow at 9:20 AM on July 17, 2012 [2 favorites]


I always feel that rescued dogs should be named Lucky. :)
Maybe as a middle name?
posted by mon-ma-tron at 9:24 AM on July 17, 2012


Neville (Longbottom)
posted by stampsgal at 9:35 AM on July 17, 2012 [3 favorites]


Ruben
Nestor or Miles could work too. But, honestly, your awesome dog's name is Ruben.
posted by bluejayway at 11:59 AM on July 17, 2012


Sherlock Baskerville

Abner Doubleday
posted by jaimystery at 12:03 PM on July 17, 2012


He looks like a Sherlock to me too! I also approve of Neville and Charlie. There is something British about him, which is weird since he looks at least part German Shepherd.
posted by TooFewShoes at 12:33 PM on July 17, 2012


Oh, boy. That photo definitely got me to consider adopting a dog.

I'm pretty sure his name could be Ernie, short for Earnest. That's the impression I got from his nice face.
posted by smirkyfodder at 1:19 PM on July 17, 2012


Louis Armstrong
posted by superfish at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2012


Or Satchmo
posted by superfish at 1:32 PM on July 17, 2012


Seconding Sherlock and Watson (although my dogs name is Watson, but who cares!! He does look Watson-esque).

I also like Rupert.... or Giles.

Maybe Ford or Arthur. Actually he looks like an Arthur to me.
posted by Quincy at 3:20 PM on July 17, 2012


Wee Broon Dog , from the anecdote about the Edinburgh vet.
posted by Jane the Brown at 6:52 PM on July 17, 2012


Henry
posted by deborah at 8:29 PM on July 17, 2012


Response by poster: So many great suggestions in this thread! I really wanted to name him after a president, but none that I liked seemed to fit him. I also thought the names of counties in my home state was a great idea. But in the end, my love of historical figures melded with my love of puns, and he is now Aleister Howley, master of the occult. His fear of people is also (very) slowly subsiding and we're becoming great friends.
posted by Roman Graves at 10:48 PM on July 23, 2012


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