Nyet, Natasha is too many syllables!

November 11, 2007 11:42 PM

Need female russian authors with two syllable names. To name a dog.

I realize there has been "name my dog" questions before, but I haven't found one like this. Specifically, my Aunt who used to work with Penguin Books, ran her own book store in Hong Kong, and who is an extremely literate person, is getting a new dog. She has a standing tradition of naming her animals (currently 2 dogs, 2 cats, and over 10 birds) after authors.

She is now rescuing a 6 year old female red and white coated siberian (this is where the russian comes in) husky, and has asked me to help find more Russian names for the new member of the household. Currently on the table is Anya and Maya (not russian, but after the Angelou). Some names used in the past or current are: Shelley, Dickens, Beckett, Poppet, Yoa Ling, and Pushkin.

posted by mrzarquon to pets & animals (13 comments total)

Ayn Rand!
posted by InnocentBystander at 11:57 PM on November 11, 2007

Bella (Akhmadulina)
Anna (Akhmatova, Politkovskaya)
Véra (Slonim Nabokov)
Ginzburg (Evgenia)
posted by rob511 at 12:16 AM on November 12, 2007

Anna.
posted by team lowkey at 12:18 AM on November 12, 2007

Orman (Suze)
posted by Mr_Crazyhorse at 12:27 AM on November 12, 2007

Lera
Olga
Sasha
Yanka
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:35 AM on November 12, 2007

My lovely Latvian friend suggests Teffi.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 2:26 AM on November 12, 2007

Nina [Berberova]
posted by ijsbrand at 3:56 AM on November 12, 2007

Different Olga (why no English Wikipedia article?)

Different Vera (Note to rob511: Vera Nabokova was a fine woman but not a writer)

I second Teffi; she was a delightful writer, and that would be a great name for a dog.

As for the two-syllable thing, virtually all Russian names have two-syllable nicknames; she could name the dog after Marina Tsvetaeva, for instance, and call her Musya (the poet's childhood nickname). If she has a favorite three-syllable writer, I'll be happy to provide an appropriate short version!
posted by languagehat at 7:21 AM on November 12, 2007

Pushkin!
posted by munchingzombie at 8:47 AM on November 12, 2007

Teffi would be such a great name for a dog.
posted by arcticwoman at 9:06 AM on November 12, 2007

Thanks all, I emailed my aunt, and Teffi and Nina are on the list, depending on what will work with the personality of the dog (doggie is still at the shelter). I am hoping for Teffi, since it is a name I haven't heard before.

Shasha is out, because that was Lau Ling's original name when she was picked up from the shelter.

If you want, I can post a pic of Anya/Maya/Nina/Teffi later this week in Meta Talk, or in this thread.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:44 AM on November 12, 2007

Note to l-hat: I debated including Véra Nabokov(a), but decided to do so because (1) she was well known as an editor of VN's stuff; and (2) she translated Pale Fire into Russian, a considerable achievement (if done well). And Vera's a pretty name too!
posted by rob511 at 1:43 PM on November 12, 2007

she translated Pale Fire into Russian

I did not know that! I am suitably impressed and withdraw my objection.
posted by languagehat at 2:02 PM on November 12, 2007