Comments on: What should we name our hedgehog?

Question: What should we name our hedgehog?

MadamM — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:07:38 -0800

What should we name our hedgehog? My boyfriend and I just got a pet hedgehog and are having trouble deciding on a name. He's a boy, and we're thinking about a New Orleans-y name since we just moved here. Please help.

So far, the best New Orleans-y option is beignet, but it doesn't sound much like a pet name to me. In my mind, the best pet names are easy to say, should have strong consonants (so a lot of French derived names, like beignet, don't work), and have lots of good nickname options. I floated Henry last night, which is looking like a contender.

About Mr. Hedgieman (what I'm currently calling him): he has blue eyes, loves hiding in his igloo and climbing up our arms when we hold him, and is a little scared of toilet paper tubes but can get into them (partially) when the mood strikes him. He's pretty friendly and cuddly so far. He's not a fan of politics (he fell asleep during the last debate).

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By: 2bucksplus

2bucksplus — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:11:37 -0800

Is Sonic too obvious?

By: bitdamaged

bitdamaged — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:11:50 -0800

Jazz

By: Sal and Richard

Sal and Richard — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:13:14 -0800

Pierre

By: The demon that lives in the air

The demon that lives in the air — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:14:13 -0800

I'd go with Ti-Jean (little John), if you want to go the Cajun/French route.

By: selfnoise

selfnoise — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:14:27 -0800

For the record, beignet would be an awesome name for a hedgehog.

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:14:33 -0800

My aunt has a dog named Beignet. He's a fluffy white Bichon, so it works perfectly. She also has a Dachshund with a New Orleans food name, but I'm blanking on whether it's Lucky or Andouille. Boudin? Could it be Boudin?

All of which would be fine names for a Hedgehog, I suppose, though not very Hedgehoggish.

Muffy, for Muffaletta?

Tchoupitoulas?

Gumbo? More Louisiana in general than New Orleans in particular, but still a great name.

Audubon? Pontalba?

By: Dansaman

Dansaman — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:15:01 -0800

Marty (or Marti, as in Mardi, as in Mardi Gras). Lots of nicknames possible depending on the situation. If he's flatulent, he's Farty Marty. If he's slow, he's Tardy Marty. If he's overweight, he's Lardy Marty.

By: sculpin

sculpin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:15:58 -0800

Professor Bristlehair?

By: cecic

cecic — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:17:50 -0800

Easy?

By: jeather

jeather — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:18:27 -0800

Everyone loves Hedgical Trevor.

By: rumposinc

rumposinc — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:18:48 -0800

Voodoo? (what with the pins and all, perhaps not sensitive to the culture?)

By: drlith

drlith — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:21:58 -0800

Bon-Ton

By: phunniemee

phunniemee — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:24:07 -0800

I have decided to answer all pet name questions with the very first name that pops into my head when I see the picture.

For this little dude, that was Gobstopper.

If you remember from the movie, the everlasting gobstoppers were spiky. I think it fits.

By: herbplarfegan

herbplarfegan — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:25:27 -0800

Rage cage

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:25:47 -0800

If you want to go on the "hog" angle, what about Bouchon?

The internet tells me that the French word for Hedgehog is "herisson". That said, it's not like New Orleanians speak French, or like Hedgehogs are part of the local flora and fauna. But it would be a funny linguistic joke if you had a Hedgehog called Harrison.

Other random New Orleans/Cajun/Louisiana ideas:

Haricot? (Supposedly the origin of the word "Zydeco", which would also be an idea.)

Marigny?

Papa Legba, if you want a nod to Voodoo. Or Marie Laveau.

Rodrigue is the name of the blue dog in those paintings you see everywhere.

Boudreaux or Thibodaux would be good Cajun names. (If you ever think you might get a second 'hog, I highly recommend going with one of these, because Boudreaux and Thibodaux are characters in a famous series of Cajun jokes.)

By: tuesdayschild

tuesdayschild — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:31:15 -0800

Beauregard, shorten to "Bo" as needed.

By: jamjam

jamjam — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:35:50 -0800

'Fundy'.

Or, 'Fawkes'-- 'Faux', perhaps.

By: Frowner

Frowner — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:36:09 -0800

That hedgehog looks like a "Sparky" to me. But you could also name him "Everett" for Everett Maddox, New Orleans poet and author of one of my favorite poems, "Moon Fragment". I'm not sure I'd go with anything associated with voudoun - that could easily seem a bit in poor taste to anyone who is/knows actual practitioners, especially given how it is treated in popular/white culture.

Although he also looks kind of like a Pierre.

By: Fig

Fig — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:37:11 -0800

Baguette - maybe a little too French, but still cute. How about Chicory? Bourbon? Crawfish? Crawdad?

Across the lake, you could go with Abita.

I really like Gumbo.

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:38:44 -0800

Crawdad?

A hundred times more offensive than the most ill-informed voodoo reference.

By: halogen

halogen — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:39:45 -0800

Lafitte. Or Bourbon, like Fig suggested.

By: Fig

Fig — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:40:45 -0800

It's unintentional, sorry! Was not aware that was offensive. Thanks for informing.

By: mullacc

mullacc — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:42:00 -0800

Fishface.

By: VelveteenBabbitt

VelveteenBabbitt — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:43:13 -0800

Croquembouche?
Ignatius?

By: Tanizaki

Tanizaki — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:45:37 -0800

I'll bite. Why is "crawdad" offensive to some people?

By: contraption

contraption — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:45:46 -0800

Sazerac? Really, though, Henry Hedgeman (pronounced with a de-emphasized "muhn" like most names ending in "man") is a fine name. I don't think you need to look further.

I didn't realize "crawdad" had offensive connotations, either. Would Mudbug be any better?

By: The corpse in the library

The corpse in the library — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:45:56 -0800

Pokey

By: gingerbeer

gingerbeer — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:47:08 -0800

I came to say "Sazerac" so am agreeing with contraption on that.

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:49:09 -0800

Hahaha, guys, Crawdad is not literally offensive. It's not a racial slur or anything.

But in Louisiana, we say crawfish.

Uttering the word crawdad marks one as the most hideously rank amateur. Someone who will never belong.

If MadamM names her hedgehog Crawdad, it would be really embarrassing. I cringe at the thought of her even telling a local that she'd named her hedgehog that.

Mudbug, on the other hand, could work.

By: Fig

Fig — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:52:15 -0800

Oh geez, dang. I was really embarrassed there for a while. That's what happens when a Yankee suggests Cajun names ;)

Mudbug is 100X cuter anyhow.

By: wwax

wwax — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:53:40 -0800

Spike.

By: rhizome

rhizome — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:55:08 -0800

From the pictures, I'd probably name him "Carpet," so that you're always reminded to look out for him camouflaged on the floor!

By: macadamiaranch

macadamiaranch — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:57:27 -0800

Big Chief.

By: prentiz

prentiz — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:57:55 -0800

How on earth has no-one else suggested Spike? Bonus points because he kinda looks a bit like the Buffy character.

By: prentiz

prentiz — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:58:30 -0800

Curse you wwax...

By: Dasein

Dasein — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:04:49 -0800

Mr. Tiggy-Winkle

By: HeyAllie

HeyAllie — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:09:09 -0800

Cold Chef. CC for short.

By: orthicon halo

orthicon halo — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:09:17 -0800

Someone I know named her hedgehog Norman -- inspired by Monty Python's Piranha Brothers sketch, one of whom was convinced that he was being watched by a giant hedgehog whom he referred to as 'Spiny Norman' ... Normally Spiny Norman was wont to be about twelve feet from snout to tail, but when Dinsdale was depressed Norman could be anything up to eight hundred yards long.

... a description which matches neither the photograph nor your description of his personality, sadly. But it's a cute name for a hedgehog. Sadly she couldn't abide picking it up or touching it -- poor planning on her part -- so she ended up giving it to a friend, who renamed him Draco and gave him a good home.

By: dtp

dtp — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:10:28 -0800

I came to say Spike, or Mr. Prickles.

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:12:32 -0800

Why call him Spike when you could name him Lestat?

By: lizbunny

lizbunny — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:12:45 -0800

I vote Henri or Harrison for the French word for hedgehog (herisson). Also very appropriate considering the word to make someone 'bristle' in anger is herisser;) I laugh that my own 'hog always seems a little angry :P

I named my hedgehog Tank because my fiancé is military and the little guy reminds me of a tank lumbering along, armored;)

By: elizardbits

elizardbits — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:16:27 -0800

I would totally name him Mr Booty.

By: likeso

likeso — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:25:08 -0800

Urchin.

(And I can never see a hedgehog without thinking of the one who related he "be'nt no common tiggy, measter, for to be munched and mumbled" in The Once and Future King. He wouldn't uncurl, but he sent some dry leaves - with bonus fleas - as a coronation present to the Wart.)

By: Doofus Magoo

Doofus Magoo — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:26:34 -0800

Jumbo, short for jambalaya.

By: beniamino

beniamino — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:27:34 -0800

BurGUNdy?

By: okbye

okbye — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:35:54 -0800

Renee (the French movie Hedgehog is so good)

By: mochapickle

mochapickle — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:53:03 -0800

Remy!

By: dhammond

dhammond — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:59:28 -0800

Fats

By: tryniti

tryniti — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:00:46 -0800

I say name him after a Mardi Gras parade - he looks like a Bacchus to me!

Other good Krewe names:

Rex
Endymion (Endy?)
Chaos
Argus
Morpheus
Thoth
Tucks

By: barnone

barnone — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:16:33 -0800

Louie
Dixie (Dixieland)
Emeril (from New Orleans)

By: radioamy

radioamy — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:23:53 -0800

New Orleans food names are very popular for pets there - I've met my share of Gumbos and Rouxs. Beignet is definitely a pet name, I knew a yellow lab in New Orleans named Beignet. That said, your little guy doesn't look like a Beignet to me.

Rex would be hilarious because he's the king of Mardi Gras and your little guy is so small and adorable! Ignatius also because the character was such a big dude. But I like ironic names!

By: bensherman

bensherman — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:37:17 -0800

I have a tendency to name animals after the food they would be in benshermanville (my cat is named Kung Pao). If this hedgehog isn't named Muffaletta by the end of the day, I will be crushed.

Come here Muffy, you little prick!

By: srboisvert

srboisvert — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:46:06 -0800

Farragut

By: Specklet

Specklet — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:48:28 -0800

François!

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:50:52 -0800

Prudhomme?

By: ZipRibbons

ZipRibbons — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:51:38 -0800

Twatbadger

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:52:39 -0800

If you had gotten a snake, I would sugget Carville.

By: pompelmo

pompelmo — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:13:05 -0800

Oh wow, so many good choices. I suggest Oyster (because I think it's cute sounding). Or Erster. Or PoBoy.

By: Cloudberry Sky

Cloudberry Sky — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:20:54 -0800

My 7 year old suggested Nipples. I have NO idea why, but it's probably more appropriate for New Orleans than he knows.

By: bondcliff

bondcliff — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:21:18 -0800

Bourbon

Frank
(President Nixon's got a hedgehog named Frank)

By: box

box — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:43:09 -0800

Fats Domino.

By: esmerelda_jenkins

esmerelda_jenkins — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:58:08 -0800

Claude.

By: mannequito

mannequito — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:05:20 -0800

Jean-Francois (can be shortened to JF or Jiffy)

By: coppermoss

coppermoss — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:09:51 -0800

He looks like a Philip to me.

By: heyjude

heyjude — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:39:26 -0800

I would call him Ralph - although I have no idea why!

By: JDHarper

JDHarper — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:45:51 -0800

When I looked at him I decided on the name Sparkbrush. (I don't think that's even a thing. Maybe Sparky for short.)

By: Wordshore

Wordshore — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:48:28 -0800

Pinhead.

By: Confess, Fletch

Confess, Fletch — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 18:55:18 -0800

Ignatius J. Reilly, Iggy for short.

By: calgirl

calgirl — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:11:22 -0800

Jambalaya--
Jam-jam, JB, or Jammy for nick names

By: hypersloth

hypersloth — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:26:52 -0800

Aural

By: a humble nudibranch

a humble nudibranch — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:16:30 -0800

Po'boy!

By: maxwelton

maxwelton — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:38:46 -0800

Dexter. Sorry, but my wife insists that's the right name.

By: slightlybewildered

slightlybewildered — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:01:46 -0800

Martin Freeman.

By: lalala1234

lalala1234 — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:17:37 -0800

Morgus!

By: mannequito

mannequito — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:34:02 -0800

actually now that I looked at the picture, he looks like Rod Stewart to me

By: unsub

unsub — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:43:14 -0800

I think there are NOLA street and place names that would be good for a hedgehog. Tchoupitoulas has already been mentioned, but there are plenty of others, e.g.:

Carrollton
Delgado
General Pershing

By: Katemonkey

Katemonkey — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 01:56:14 -0800

Oh, if we're going street names, I think Freret would be hilarious.

"Ferret?"
"No, Freret. Feh-ret."
"Ferret."

Or Calliope. Because it's Cally-ope, not Ka-lie-o-pee

But I gotta say, Morgus would be fantastic for getting in old nerdy New Orleans pop culture and having a very consonant-heavy sound.

By: St. Sorryass

St. Sorryass — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 03:29:48 -0800

How about Coco.

By: lauranesson

lauranesson — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 05:56:31 -0800

Oooh, I really want you to name him Wynton.

By: MuffinMan

MuffinMan — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:10:06 -0800

Davis.

All hedgehogs look like Steve Zahn.

By: Sara C.

Sara C. — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 09:39:04 -0800

Oh my god. Morgus. PLEASE name him Morgus! Please.

(If for some reason you have an irrational dislike of the name Morgus, what about Rougarou? It's the local pronounciation for what St. Sorryass' wikipedia article calls the "Loup Garou".)

By: youngergirl44

youngergirl44 — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:57:27 -0800

I named my hedgehog Mango because I liked to say it. MANGO! I'd take all of these wonderful suggestions, figure out which you have the most fun saying, and go with it. He's adorable BTW.

By: Carbolic

Carbolic — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 12:29:03 -0800

Not Emeril (he's from Massachusetts not Louisiana)

By: moonmilk

moonmilk — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:19:18 -0800

Lagniappe.

By: amosl

amosl — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:40:59 -0800

Little Lord Pinecone

I once considered getting a hedgehog and this was my name choice.

By: Chaussette and the Pussy Cats

Chaussette and the Pussy Cats — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:48:54 -0800

Sonic Po'boy or Sonic Prodhomme.

By: barnone

barnone — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 17:06:01 -0800

Not Emeril (he's from Massachusetts not Louisiana)
D'oh! Coulda sworn I saw something the other day about him being from New Orleans but it's probably just wishful thinking? Sorry!

By: taz

taz — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 02:10:25 -0800

Splinters

By: MadamM

MadamM — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 12:19:50 -0800

I think we're going with Henry Harrison Hedgehog (esq., the third, the honorable, etc.). Henri if he's feeling particularly saucy/Gallic.

My boyfriend and I came to the conclusion that most of the New Orleans-y names you guys have provided (so many! I hope this thread will be useful for future NOLA pet owners) is that since we've only lived here for a couple of months, the names just don't really resonate with us. Sorry to disappoint anyone!

By: jamjam

jamjam — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 12:33:05 -0800

"Pinecone" is a great idea, amosl.

In the same spirit, how about "cockleburr"?

Translated into Cajun French, that becomes l'herbe coquine, and taking coquine from that, or rather coquin, since he's a boy, you would end up naming him the French for

1. rascal, scoundrel
2. (colloquial) lucky dog

By: BlueHorse

BlueHorse — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 20:45:21 -0800

Wonderful name!

By: Carbolic

Carbolic — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:02:14 -0800

He's by far one of the more welcome aliens

Name it Justin Wilson, my some sort of cousin some times removed (grandmother's first cousin's kid)

By: Carbolic

Carbolic — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:07:10 -0800

Clay Shaw
Carlos Marcello
Jim Garrison (all in the NOLA court case renegading the JFK assassination)