Name my family's dog, botanical edition.
November 29, 2015 5:58 PM Subscribe
My family has just received approval to adopt this adorable little guy, and we are in the process of selecting a name. We have a tradition of giving dogs floral and botanical names. I am allowed to put two names on the ballot for the family to vote on, and I'm turning it over to y'all.
As you can see in the ad above the fold (here's an alternate link in case the ad gets taken down) what we're looking at here is a male Great Pyrenees/Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, with a ridiculously adorable face. We don't have the puppy yet (we can go get him on December 12th) but we're all super excited and we're trying to pick out a name. The family has decided that everybody will get to choose two names to put on the ballot, which we'll then vote on as a group. I'm not very good at this game, so I thought I'd put it up to the good people of AskMe to provide some naming suggestions.
Here are my thoughts, as far as what might make a good name. We have a tradition of naming dogs after flowers and plants; past dogs were named Daisy, Cosmos, etc. A floral or botanical name is not a requirement, but such names will undoubtedly have an advantage on voting day. It's also important that it be something shoutable. Puns are definitely welcome, as are long fancy names that shorten down to something cuter. I imagine the voters (aka family members) will be drawn to something that's friendly without being too precious, so no Killers or Fangs, but no Fifis or Fluffies either. People will probably shy away from anything perceived as too cliché, as well. Finally, this is likely to turn out to be a big dog so it would be nice to have a name with a little heft to it.
I'm at a loss though as to what actual names might be well-liked, so please help me pick out a couple of good ones! I'll be sure to let everyone know what the eventual winner is!
As you can see in the ad above the fold (here's an alternate link in case the ad gets taken down) what we're looking at here is a male Great Pyrenees/Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, with a ridiculously adorable face. We don't have the puppy yet (we can go get him on December 12th) but we're all super excited and we're trying to pick out a name. The family has decided that everybody will get to choose two names to put on the ballot, which we'll then vote on as a group. I'm not very good at this game, so I thought I'd put it up to the good people of AskMe to provide some naming suggestions.
Here are my thoughts, as far as what might make a good name. We have a tradition of naming dogs after flowers and plants; past dogs were named Daisy, Cosmos, etc. A floral or botanical name is not a requirement, but such names will undoubtedly have an advantage on voting day. It's also important that it be something shoutable. Puns are definitely welcome, as are long fancy names that shorten down to something cuter. I imagine the voters (aka family members) will be drawn to something that's friendly without being too precious, so no Killers or Fangs, but no Fifis or Fluffies either. People will probably shy away from anything perceived as too cliché, as well. Finally, this is likely to turn out to be a big dog so it would be nice to have a name with a little heft to it.
I'm at a loss though as to what actual names might be well-liked, so please help me pick out a couple of good ones! I'll be sure to let everyone know what the eventual winner is!
Since the Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog of Louisiana, you could go with Cypress (the Louisiana state tree). Or Cane (short for sugarcane).
Since he's lightly colored - Ash or Asher.
Since he's gonna be large - Majus is Latin for "bigger" and is used frequently in plant names.
He's adorable, congrats!
posted by tryniti at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Since he's lightly colored - Ash or Asher.
Since he's gonna be large - Majus is Latin for "bigger" and is used frequently in plant names.
He's adorable, congrats!
posted by tryniti at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
The Androsace is an awesome meadow flower in the Pyrenees. Andro!
posted by ReluctantViking at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ReluctantViking at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Sassafras! So shoutable, and it can be shortened to Sass.
posted by Empidonax at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by Empidonax at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
Cypress
Cedar (it looks like he will have a patch of cedar-y color, and I'm thinking of the 50+' western cedars we have all over the place here in Southern California)
Snapdragon
There's also the botanists Gregor Mendel, Carl Linnaeus (and if your family has any Swedish roots, there's a ton of stuff named Linné*** after him), Charles Darwin, Luther Burbank (who revolutionized the potato), and George Washington Carver.
There is also Chervil, which sounds like the fourth son of a family of means in an Austen novel.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Cedar (it looks like he will have a patch of cedar-y color, and I'm thinking of the 50+' western cedars we have all over the place here in Southern California)
Snapdragon
There's also the botanists Gregor Mendel, Carl Linnaeus (and if your family has any Swedish roots, there's a ton of stuff named Linné*** after him), Charles Darwin, Luther Burbank (who revolutionized the potato), and George Washington Carver.
There is also Chervil, which sounds like the fourth son of a family of means in an Austen novel.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:10 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oh! Also Mandrake, which sounds like the butler for Chervil's family.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:11 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Lyn Never at 6:11 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Sage is always a nice choice. He'll grow into it.
posted by sweetkid at 6:13 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sweetkid at 6:13 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Juniper! June, Juni, or Nipper for short.
posted by erst at 6:14 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by erst at 6:14 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Helianthus Brown.
posted by mochapickle at 6:15 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 6:15 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
It's not her actual name, but I often call our Great Pyr mix "Bear" so that was my first thought when I saw the picture. I know, not exactly flower related, but very shoutable.
If you wanted something less literal, you could call him Bjorn (technically, Bjørn) which translate to bear in Danish (and several other languages), and is also used as a first name.
Also, he is so incredibly adorable! Please update with final name choice (and maybe some more pictures) once you guys actually get him.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:15 PM on November 29, 2015
If you wanted something less literal, you could call him Bjorn (technically, Bjørn) which translate to bear in Danish (and several other languages), and is also used as a first name.
Also, he is so incredibly adorable! Please update with final name choice (and maybe some more pictures) once you guys actually get him.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:15 PM on November 29, 2015
Despite his puppy-cuteness, he needs a name with a certain gravitas, appropriate for the grand dog he will become. Hence: Izarra, after the wonderful Pyrenees botanical liqueur. (You can call him Izzy for short.)
posted by neroli at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by neroli at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
Oh, and here's a listing of plants typically found in the Pyrenees mountain region if you want to use that as inspiration based on his Pyr half.
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by litera scripta manet at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015
Calyx (part of flower anatomy)
Spadix (part of aroid flower anatomy :) )
posted by Drosera at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015
Spadix (part of aroid flower anatomy :) )
posted by Drosera at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015
Woody!
Can be lengthened to Woodrow for more formal occasions.
Either way , very shoutable.
(He is adorable! Congratulations on your new member of the family!)
posted by bookmammal at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
Can be lengthened to Woodrow for more formal occasions.
Either way , very shoutable.
(He is adorable! Congratulations on your new member of the family!)
posted by bookmammal at 6:18 PM on November 29, 2015 [6 favorites]
Adorable! My husband is a woodworker and we usually have wood-related animal names. We currently have a Sassafras. Others who have come and (sadly) gone from this world: Holly, Willow, Cinder, Mahogany, Teak. Although it's pretty hard to beat Helianthus Brown. Birchbark Jones? Sycamore Valentine?
posted by SinAesthetic at 6:20 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by SinAesthetic at 6:20 PM on November 29, 2015
Acer, the genus name for maple trees.
posted by katemonster at 6:21 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by katemonster at 6:21 PM on November 29, 2015 [3 favorites]
Quercus! It's the scientific name for a large genus of oaks, and I've always loved it so much that it's come up in several pet-naming discussions but never quite fit because it's sort of a big hefty-but-silly name. I think this little guy will grow into a perfect Quercus. Querc (pronounced "Quirk" or "Quork" depending on your preferences) is a great nickname too!
Congratulations on the new baby!
posted by theweasel at 6:40 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Congratulations on the new baby!
posted by theweasel at 6:40 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Basil - a Greek word of pre-Hellenic origin meaning "king",
Avery - The birthplace of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, Avery Island
posted by JujuB at 6:43 PM on November 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
Avery - The birthplace of TABASCO® brand pepper sauce, Avery Island
posted by JujuB at 6:43 PM on November 29, 2015 [4 favorites]
I vote Parsnip but offer up Nipper as a nickname instead of Snippy.
posted by Hermione Granger at 6:45 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Hermione Granger at 6:45 PM on November 29, 2015
Patchouli-a botanical fragrance, looks like he is already named Patches so he is used to it.
posted by Oyéah at 6:51 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Oyéah at 6:51 PM on November 29, 2015
Mount Swampy Regnans.
Named after Eucalytpus Regnans, the tallest flowering plant (tree) on earth, also known as Mountain Ash or Swamp Gum. Shorten to Swampy or Reggie, both yell-able.
posted by Thella at 6:54 PM on November 29, 2015
Named after Eucalytpus Regnans, the tallest flowering plant (tree) on earth, also known as Mountain Ash or Swamp Gum. Shorten to Swampy or Reggie, both yell-able.
posted by Thella at 6:54 PM on November 29, 2015
Plantagenet seems like it might work for a regal fellow (works best if you think the Catahoula hound also has a French origin, but the Angevin empire stretched to the Pyrenees).
posted by notquitemaryann at 7:41 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by notquitemaryann at 7:41 PM on November 29, 2015
As I was 2nding Basil, it occurred to me that Basil Rathbone might be an excellent name for a dog.
posted by WesterbergHigh at 7:46 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by WesterbergHigh at 7:46 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Kudzu!
I like Carver after George Washington Carver, as suggested above, but also because of the alpine skiing connotation.
Cotton is a fine name (and textile), unless it makes people think of Cotton Mather.
Walden? As in the pond?
posted by homelystar at 7:52 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
I like Carver after George Washington Carver, as suggested above, but also because of the alpine skiing connotation.
Cotton is a fine name (and textile), unless it makes people think of Cotton Mather.
Walden? As in the pond?
posted by homelystar at 7:52 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Herb--short, sweet, & shoutable.
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 7:56 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Nosey Mrs. Rat at 7:56 PM on November 29, 2015
Capsy (derived from capsicum annuum - pepper)
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 7:57 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 7:57 PM on November 29, 2015
"Aloe" is a good shouting name.
posted by Spathe Cadet at 7:57 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Spathe Cadet at 7:57 PM on November 29, 2015
Basil thirded. Here is a link to a primer for properly shouting BASIL!
There was also a football player in the 60's name Rosey Grier. He used to relax by doing needlepoint. Sounds botanical anyway.
posted by BoscosMom at 7:58 PM on November 29, 2015
There was also a football player in the 60's name Rosey Grier. He used to relax by doing needlepoint. Sounds botanical anyway.
posted by BoscosMom at 7:58 PM on November 29, 2015
Sweet Pea! And congratulations!! (MeFi helped me name my new adopted pup in September - best place for names!)
posted by mulcahy at 8:00 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by mulcahy at 8:00 PM on November 29, 2015
Catalpa! Call him Cat for short. :)
posted by stormyteal at 8:07 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by stormyteal at 8:07 PM on November 29, 2015
In the early Burke novels by Andrew Vachss, Burke had a Neapolitan Mastiff named Pansy. The name was chosen specifically to be non-threatening, because having an enormous guard dog named Killer is just bad PR.
posted by Bruce H. at 8:13 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Bruce H. at 8:13 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
Campion.
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:13 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Iris Gambol at 8:13 PM on November 29, 2015
Fir (for puns, and for trees in the Pyrenees)
Persimmon or Sweetgum (for trees in Catahoula's nature preserve)
Magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana, and if that dog were female, that would absolutely be my top recommendation. If you're comfortable with gender-bending-ish dog names, that may be another option.
posted by jaguar at 8:17 PM on November 29, 2015
Persimmon or Sweetgum (for trees in Catahoula's nature preserve)
Magnolia is the state flower of Louisiana, and if that dog were female, that would absolutely be my top recommendation. If you're comfortable with gender-bending-ish dog names, that may be another option.
posted by jaguar at 8:17 PM on November 29, 2015
Nthing Basil. It's written all over his face.
posted by bricoleur at 8:23 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by bricoleur at 8:23 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
how about Birch?
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:33 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 8:33 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Dogwood! Or cornus if you want to sound all sciencey and stuff.
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:35 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:35 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
For no good reason (other than to try to tip the scales), I'm going to add a Basil anecdote here. When I was a kid, our near neighbor was Basil Woon. He lived just over the hill on the same dirt road. He had two acres. Half of it was a nice looking modern house and grounds; the other half consisted of a barn and four paddocks. He had no livestock, so the barn and paddocks must have been there when he bought it. As kids, we spent many happy hours playing in the barn and riding our horses in the paddocks, and never once did anyone from the "big house" come out and shoo us away. On Halloween, there was a huge bowl of candy on the doorstep, but no response from inside the house. As far as all the neighborhood kids were concerned, he was the neighborhood recluse, benign but completely aloof.
The cool thing, though, was that the only times we actually saw him were when he went out. He would drive past our house (on a dirt road) in a gold Rolls Royce Phantom. He had a splendid white goatee.
posted by bricoleur at 8:37 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
The cool thing, though, was that the only times we actually saw him were when he went out. He would drive past our house (on a dirt road) in a gold Rolls Royce Phantom. He had a splendid white goatee.
posted by bricoleur at 8:37 PM on November 29, 2015 [2 favorites]
I vote for Hemlock specifically, and the name of a tree, generally.
posted by Grandysaur at 8:41 PM on November 29, 2015
posted by Grandysaur at 8:41 PM on November 29, 2015
I came here to throw out some names now that I've had a chance to look at the wiki article about plants in the Pyrenees region, specifically:
Ash
Rowan
Olive Gromwell
Adonis
But actually, I really love the name Basil, so I guess I'm just going to nth that.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:57 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ash
Rowan
Olive Gromwell
Adonis
But actually, I really love the name Basil, so I guess I'm just going to nth that.
posted by litera scripta manet at 10:57 PM on November 29, 2015 [1 favorite]
You can steal one of my birds' names if you want!
Chicory
Fennel
Fernet
Sorrel
Chervil
Verbena
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:45 AM on November 30, 2015
Chicory
Fennel
Fernet
Sorrel
Chervil
Verbena
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:45 AM on November 30, 2015
We got a pup this summer and named her Torch after my favorite garden flower, torch tithonia, or tithonia rotundifolia. It's a nice sounding word, short and doesn't sound similar to our other dog's names.
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 9:09 AM on November 30, 2015
posted by RichardHenryYarbo at 9:09 AM on November 30, 2015
I think he should be called Fern or Chard.
posted by floweredfish at 4:38 PM on November 30, 2015
posted by floweredfish at 4:38 PM on November 30, 2015
So did you get the puppy?
posted by mochapickle at 10:54 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mochapickle at 10:54 AM on December 15, 2015 [2 favorites]
What is the puppy's name???
posted by JujuB at 7:57 PM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by JujuB at 7:57 PM on January 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
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Snippy for short.
posted by prewar lemonade at 6:05 PM on November 29, 2015 [7 favorites]