Name-that-dog-filter: Her Serene Highness la Principessa McWigglebottom
January 31, 2015 5:44 PM Subscribe
Today we brought home our new puppy. (pictures here, here and here) She's a 5 month old, 10lb (5kg) maltipoo - black with a grey muzzle, and she needs a name. Suggestions?
Little Miss Anonymous has been going by the title of this post since we got her home this afternoon, but realistically, she needs something more streamlined. She's smart, stubborn, and presently looks like an overgrown haystack. We've tried Moppet, but it doesn't quite suit - and it's not a collection of syllables that can be said with any sort of firm authority. (And we're gonna need authority - like I said, smart and stubborn.)
We're fans of the mildly whimsical - we used to joke that we'd get two miniature poodles and call 'em Biff and Steve. Or Wayne and Reg. Or a German Shepard named Squeak. We know a Shi-tzu called Noodle, and always reckoned that was a pretty good name.
Suggestions please - whimsical or otherwise!
Little Miss Anonymous has been going by the title of this post since we got her home this afternoon, but realistically, she needs something more streamlined. She's smart, stubborn, and presently looks like an overgrown haystack. We've tried Moppet, but it doesn't quite suit - and it's not a collection of syllables that can be said with any sort of firm authority. (And we're gonna need authority - like I said, smart and stubborn.)
We're fans of the mildly whimsical - we used to joke that we'd get two miniature poodles and call 'em Biff and Steve. Or Wayne and Reg. Or a German Shepard named Squeak. We know a Shi-tzu called Noodle, and always reckoned that was a pretty good name.
Suggestions please - whimsical or otherwise!
I actually like Moppet--but the first thing that came to my mind when I saw that first adorable picture was Gwendolyn.
posted by bookmammal at 5:55 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bookmammal at 5:55 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
If she's part maltese, how about "Falcon" ?
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 5:56 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 5:56 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Henrietta
posted by unreasonable at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by unreasonable at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015
A few popped into mind:
Dora
Derp
Eleanor (Ellie when she's not in trouble)
"Munzell Huxlief" is Maltese for haystack.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015
Dora
Derp
Eleanor (Ellie when she's not in trouble)
"Munzell Huxlief" is Maltese for haystack.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015
She looks like a Gertie to me.
posted by xingcat at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by xingcat at 5:59 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Natasha is what came to mind but Eleanor would be even better
posted by bluesapphires at 6:03 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by bluesapphires at 6:03 PM on January 31, 2015
Janis, or Joplin, or Janis Joplin. All that hair!
Also consider Mabel or Vanessa.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:05 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also consider Mabel or Vanessa.
posted by That's Numberwang! at 6:05 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Mathilda!
posted by Glinn at 6:07 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Glinn at 6:07 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Banjo
posted by Sassyfras at 6:09 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Sassyfras at 6:09 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
She looks like a Biscuit to me.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:10 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:10 PM on January 31, 2015
Best answer: That dog's name is Pippa. You can call her Philippa when she's in trouble, but she's a Pippa.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:11 PM on January 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 6:11 PM on January 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
I'm not sure why, but Shazbot.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:17 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by Room 641-A at 6:17 PM on January 31, 2015
Moxie.
posted by argonauta at 6:30 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by argonauta at 6:30 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
Roxie!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:33 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:33 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hazel.
Hazelnut when she's being a goofball.
Hazelnut McWigglebottom.
posted by BoscosMom at 6:54 PM on January 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
Hazelnut when she's being a goofball.
Hazelnut McWigglebottom.
posted by BoscosMom at 6:54 PM on January 31, 2015 [6 favorites]
Crumpet
posted by chaoticgood at 7:04 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by chaoticgood at 7:04 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
Mathilda!
Matilda was the very first thing that popped into my head when I saw that sweet pup. I vote this one.
posted by phunniemee at 7:05 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Matilda was the very first thing that popped into my head when I saw that sweet pup. I vote this one.
posted by phunniemee at 7:05 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Gladys!
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:07 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:07 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
My boyfriend's lovely departed dog was named Penelope officially, but we all just called her Penny. I vote for that, but I'm pretty biased. I also think they're both great names for a dog, though, and I think it would suit her well.
I also think she looks like a Stella.
posted by darksong at 7:12 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
I also think she looks like a Stella.
posted by darksong at 7:12 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: We have a smart and stubborn Maltese mix who responded most to "Quincy" of all the names we tried, and I think it was because of the hard K sound. So, maybe Kiki, or Kitty? Queenie?
I like Roxie, too and it has that attention-getting sound in the middle.
You might try a variety of names, even ones you are not interested in, and see if there's a particular sound that attracts her attention, to help narrow down your search.
That said, based on the picture, Stella, because you'll probably be yelling it a lot. She's a cutie!
(On preview, seconding darksong on Stella)
posted by hiker U. at 7:14 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
I like Roxie, too and it has that attention-getting sound in the middle.
You might try a variety of names, even ones you are not interested in, and see if there's a particular sound that attracts her attention, to help narrow down your search.
That said, based on the picture, Stella, because you'll probably be yelling it a lot. She's a cutie!
(On preview, seconding darksong on Stella)
posted by hiker U. at 7:14 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
Dame Maggie Sniff or Dame Judi Fetch.
posted by coppermoss at 7:32 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by coppermoss at 7:32 PM on January 31, 2015 [3 favorites]
FLOPSY
posted by poffin boffin at 7:42 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by poffin boffin at 7:42 PM on January 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ms. McWigglebottom is a great name. I'd love to be in the same park as you when she doesn't obey and you yell "Come here, Ms. McWigglebottom!"
But that's probably not for you, so I'm going to say Serene, which may be more up your alley, considering how you've described her personality, but also works really well as a name.
One more name I feel could be good for her is Macadamia. And yes, she looks like she's (a) little nuts.
posted by Promethea at 7:45 PM on January 31, 2015
But that's probably not for you, so I'm going to say Serene, which may be more up your alley, considering how you've described her personality, but also works really well as a name.
One more name I feel could be good for her is Macadamia. And yes, she looks like she's (a) little nuts.
posted by Promethea at 7:45 PM on January 31, 2015
My dad was Maltese and used a few Maltese words at home when I was a kid. He called me "qalbi" which is sort of pronounced "al-bee" and means "my heart" (the Maltese "q" is not really voiced and is a glottal plosive sound). I think Albee would be cute and kind of references Malta.
My dad's name was Victor. If you decided to call her Vickie, you could say she was named for a "Maltese acquaintance" (my dad, who loved all animals, would have been thrilled).
posted by angiep at 7:54 PM on January 31, 2015 [5 favorites]
My dad's name was Victor. If you decided to call her Vickie, you could say she was named for a "Maltese acquaintance" (my dad, who loved all animals, would have been thrilled).
posted by angiep at 7:54 PM on January 31, 2015 [5 favorites]
Abigail came into my head when I saw the photos, but I like Gwendolyn and Eleanor as well. She has that air of a 1920s English flapper slightly aged out of her first blush of youth but still prone to risque adventures.
posted by jaguar at 7:59 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by jaguar at 7:59 PM on January 31, 2015
Actually, I think you guys are on the right track. Her name is Serena.
posted by Sara C. at 11:08 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by Sara C. at 11:08 PM on January 31, 2015
Truffle
posted by brujita at 11:34 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by brujita at 11:34 PM on January 31, 2015 [2 favorites]
A vote for Eleanor!
posted by Yoko Ono's Advice Column at 11:54 PM on January 31, 2015
posted by Yoko Ono's Advice Column at 11:54 PM on January 31, 2015
Maise or Arya. Game of Thrones references.
Or Moxie. I like Moxie for your stubborn pupster.
posted by futz at 12:10 AM on February 1, 2015
Or Moxie. I like Moxie for your stubborn pupster.
posted by futz at 12:10 AM on February 1, 2015
The three names that sprang to mind for me were Daisy, Clementine and, yes, Matilda.
posted by carmicha at 3:02 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by carmicha at 3:02 AM on February 1, 2015
Edna
posted by sciencegeek at 5:10 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by sciencegeek at 5:10 AM on February 1, 2015
Daphne.
Dog names should have two syllables and end with a vowel.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:14 AM on February 1, 2015
Dog names should have two syllables and end with a vowel.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:14 AM on February 1, 2015
Marquis
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:33 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by Ms Vegetable at 6:33 AM on February 1, 2015
Second "Eleanor" (Ellie) and "Hermione" for the personality you describe. Monet's haystacks were painted in Giverny, which sounds kind of feminine and is certainly unique. You could call her the French-sounding "Givvy," for short.
posted by R2WeTwo at 6:35 AM on February 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by R2WeTwo at 6:35 AM on February 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tilly
posted by catywampus at 7:49 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by catywampus at 7:49 AM on February 1, 2015
Well, you have to have a fancy pants 'dog show' name, and then the normal name you use day to day. So I'd go with Lady Abigail McWigglebottom, and then call her Abby.
posted by spilon at 7:53 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by spilon at 7:53 AM on February 1, 2015
Gizmo
posted by catywampus at 8:00 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by catywampus at 8:00 AM on February 1, 2015
List of Maltese baby names has some cute ideas (scroll down for list). Filomena, Gulina, and Lola are my favorites for her.
posted by jaguar at 8:08 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by jaguar at 8:08 AM on February 1, 2015
Pepper!
posted by Boogiechild at 8:10 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by Boogiechild at 8:10 AM on February 1, 2015
Or Agatha, for the first female president of Malta.
posted by jaguar at 8:13 AM on February 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by jaguar at 8:13 AM on February 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Mopsa, after Shakespeare's shepherdess.
posted by notquitemaryann at 8:46 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by notquitemaryann at 8:46 AM on February 1, 2015
She's a Pepper if I ever I saw one.
On preview seconding boogiechild!
posted by billiebee at 11:28 AM on February 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
On preview seconding boogiechild!
posted by billiebee at 11:28 AM on February 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
That fetching pup is an Ethel if there ever was one.
posted by lois1950 at 11:59 PM on February 1, 2015
posted by lois1950 at 11:59 PM on February 1, 2015
Response by poster: Thank you so much, everybody! There are some fantastic suggestions here and I wish she could have a name a dozen words long We have christened her Pippa. Or Pip. We tried several and that hard P sound was one she has been really responding to. So - Pip!
posted by tabubilgirl at 4:26 PM on February 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by tabubilgirl at 4:26 PM on February 3, 2015 [4 favorites]
Best answer: When she's old and grumbly and likes her Special Spot on the sofa, you can call her the Old Took!
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:37 PM on February 3, 2015
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 4:37 PM on February 3, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 5:50 PM on January 31, 2015