What should we name our new dog?

September 4, 2013 8:32 PM

This guy came home with us from the shelter tonight. Help us name him .

So far the only name we kind of agree on is Chet (after Chet Baker) but I would really prefer a two-syllable name, or maybe something slightly silly or outlandish.

Our 2.5-year-old has already rejected Omar (after The Wire) which is the only other thing we both liked.

posted by rabbitrabbit to Pets & Animals (92 answers total)

He looks like a Scooter to me. Or a Buster.
posted by entropone at 8:35 PM on September 4, 2013

Patrick? Tomas?
posted by justjess at 8:36 PM on September 4, 2013

Ralph
posted by sammyo at 8:37 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

He looks like a Sebastian to me.
posted by jaguar at 8:37 PM on September 4, 2013

Rover!
posted by scratch at 8:37 PM on September 4, 2013

Kirby
posted by Area Man at 8:39 PM on September 4, 2013

Goofball. He looks like a Goofball to me.

But I'm not the person to ask. I named my cat BuddyFriend.
posted by k8lin at 8:40 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

MR WAGGY BUNS
posted by elizardbits at 8:41 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

Earnest.

Ernie.
posted by slateyness at 8:44 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Wikipedia says that Chet is short for Chesney.
posted by catalytics at 8:45 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

Snowflake
posted by rmless at 8:47 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Rocko. (Or Rocco, depending on your spelling preference.)
posted by jferg at 8:48 PM on September 4, 2013

You could name him Cerberus and call him Chet sometimes.
posted by slkinsey at 8:49 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

For some reason I'm thinking two syllables, starts with the letter C or maybe K.

Chavo?

Kobi?

Corey?

I'll second Kirby.

Caillou? (That's pronounced Kye-You, btw)

Cooper?

Today I met a dog named Ginsberg, which is a pretty rad name for a dog.
posted by Sara C. at 8:51 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Roger.
posted by greta simone at 8:51 PM on September 4, 2013

That's a Rodney if I have ever seen one.
posted by right_then at 8:52 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Chet Baker is a fine name. What's the problem? It's a name, and it's funny in its own way, and no one else's dog is named Chet Baker. I like it.
posted by heyho at 8:57 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

That's a Fred or a Freddie if there ever was one.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 8:58 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

It's three minutes to midnight, I saw your post, knew it would be a pup (well, it could have been a kitty, but...didn't seem likely.)... I cleared my mind, I clicked, I looked into his eyes... his name is Max.

Trust me, his name is Max... He needs a simple, one syllable name, one he will hear, one he will listen to.

Plus, Max was my dad's name...
posted by HuronBob at 9:00 PM on September 4, 2013 [5 favorites]

Congratulations on your handsome guy! Shelter dogs are the best.

You could always go with one of my favorite jazz trumpeters and call him Dizzy. Or, continuing in that theme, you've got Percy, Muggsy, Woody or Wynton. I also think he'd make a great Marvin, Walter or Clarence. And I second Ernie. I knew a great dog named Ernie. Whatever you pick, I hope the little fella brings you buckets of joy. He looks like a real peach.
posted by diamondsky at 9:00 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]

How about "Hunky?" a: Cause he's such a good looking dog (a hunk), and b: Cause he looks like he's so happy that everything is "Hunky-Dory."

Enjoy your new family member!!
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:05 PM on September 4, 2013

Peter
posted by Neekee at 9:06 PM on September 4, 2013

He is so sweet! Thank you for saving him.

I'd name him Bongo or Samson.
posted by divined by radio at 9:06 PM on September 4, 2013 [3 favorites]

Dutch.

Papi.

Sylvester.
posted by shiggins at 9:06 PM on September 4, 2013

Ghost
posted by katypickle at 9:07 PM on September 4, 2013

+1 for Buster
posted by dchrssyr at 9:09 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Name him 7 (Seven) but call him Seve.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:09 PM on September 4, 2013

Mr. Pink. Everyone wants to be Mr. Black, so you're Mr. Pink.
posted by bensherman at 9:10 PM on September 4, 2013 [6 favorites]

Best answer: I'm loving Chet. And go you! because SHELTER DOG!
posted by michellenoel at 9:11 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

He looks like a Teddy to me...
posted by MelanieL at 9:11 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Dally!
posted by Nightman at 9:12 PM on September 4, 2013

Maybe if Omar was rejected, you could circle back around to Bubbles? Or Bodie?
posted by macrowave at 9:14 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Baltimore!
posted by argonauta at 9:16 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Bunk, like Bunk Moreland You can call him Bunky. I want to name a future dog McNulty so that I can often shout "Godammit McNulty!" You can use that one too if you like, but Bunky would be good for this guy too.
posted by macadamiaranch at 9:22 PM on September 4, 2013 [4 favorites]

Miles
posted by rhizome at 9:24 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

No, wait, Barksdale of course!
posted by macadamiaranch at 9:26 PM on September 4, 2013 [5 favorites]

Sparky
posted by calgirl at 9:27 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Fenton!
posted by troll at 9:38 PM on September 4, 2013

Banjo.
posted by Sassyfras at 9:52 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Chester Twenty-one after Chester Arthur the 21st US president.
posted by jessamyn at 9:55 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Atticus - he looks like a very intelligent dog with good moral principles
Darcus - because he is dark (childhood friend had this name)
Ace of Spades - nickname Asa
Nimbus - from the Latin for "dark cloud"
Digger
Bentley
Mr Chew
posted by JujuB at 9:56 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

If he were my dog, his name would be Snowball. But then, my other dog's name is King Arfer.

What an adorable guy, and nthing Shelter! Way to go!
posted by kestralwing at 9:59 PM on September 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

With the way that gorgeous tail's beating the floor, I'd name him after a drummer instead of a trumpeter.

Buddy Rich? Chick Webb? Gene Krupa? Tito Puente?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:03 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Clark!
posted by a birds at 10:05 PM on September 4, 2013

Best answer: Although, I've gotta say, Chet Baker is a pretty awesome dog name, and you'll probably be the only people on the block calling, "Here, Chet!" And, if he's got a good bark on him, a trumpeter name might be better than I thought.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:06 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Pup!

Blacky!

Doggie!
posted by mazola at 10:14 PM on September 4, 2013

Spot
posted by nmiell at 10:15 PM on September 4, 2013

Sporto (the breakfast club)
Zorro
Ace
posted by jcworth at 10:17 PM on September 4, 2013

oooh, I kinda love Krupa.
posted by Sara C. at 10:21 PM on September 4, 2013

OH THAT CUTE FACE

I vote "Alfonso."

To shore up this vote, I've heard that it's good to end a dog name on a vowel (maybe to make it easier to holler? Alfonsooooooooo!). May you have many happy years together.
posted by feets at 10:23 PM on September 4, 2013

Cholmondeley (chum-ley)
Bernard
Montmorency (not two syllables, but I always wanted to name a dog Montmorency after reading Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)).

I like Wynton and Atticus too!
posted by fever-trees at 10:30 PM on September 4, 2013

Slartybartfast
posted by zardoz at 10:30 PM on September 4, 2013

Some favorites here: Radar, Scout, Willie

He is super adorable, by the way!!!
posted by fyrebelley at 10:31 PM on September 4, 2013

He looks like he's at attention, "...reporting for duty, Sir!" I'd go with Sergeant--Sergeant Chet, if you want or Sergeant Baker.
posted by agatha_magatha at 10:38 PM on September 4, 2013

How about some exotic Serbian names? The stress is on the first syllable:

Marko
Miloš (pronounced 'MEE-losh')
Duško (pronounced 'DOO-shko')
Gvozden (I knew a dog very much like yours named this, it means the Iron One)
Dragan
posted by Dragonness at 10:38 PM on September 4, 2013

That is a sweet looking doggy, I bet he loves bacon, ergo, Kevin.

Kevin Bacon, Esq. Or just Kev.
posted by dbiedny at 10:44 PM on September 4, 2013

Raffles.

It's an apt name for greedy labs, who are prone to removing things from your plate if you turn your back. Name your dog after a gentleman thief.
posted by MuffinMan at 10:54 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Higgins.
posted by hoodrich at 11:16 PM on September 4, 2013

Sombra
Carbon (accent on the o, Spanish for coal)
Cano

...Or just Chet Baker. Pretty sweet dog name. I can imagine the chastising moment echoing through the neighborhood; "Chet Baker, you come back here!" or "Chet Baker! I can't believe the size of this hole!" and definitely "Chet Baker, you are the best dog in the whole world and I love you!!"
posted by Temeraria at 11:34 PM on September 4, 2013

Governor.
posted by HotToddy at 11:37 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

Biff.
posted by shibori at 11:51 PM on September 4, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'm liking Buddy. Some of the other names here are good too... I'd go for a simple name for a good dog.
posted by sesquipedalian at 12:50 AM on September 5, 2013

Spatch (which, while short for "Spatula", could be forced into duty as a nickname for "Sebastian", suggested upthread).
Mister Snuzzlebuttums (You're on your own for short versions of that. Ostentatious variations in title, e.g. "Prince Rogers Snuzzlebuttums", are always an option, if you're into that sort of thing).
Reginald.
St. Boniface.
Shadow, since it looks like he doesn't have much in the way of markings.
Skriker, or Moddey Dhoo, if you wanna get all ghostly.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 1:09 AM on September 5, 2013

Right away I thought: Bruno.
posted by like_neon at 1:10 AM on September 5, 2013

Captain Midnight

Inky

Mr. [and pick one of the crazy last names from here]
posted by zardoz at 1:32 AM on September 5, 2013

I'm sorry, but based on your posted picture, the only name that seems to fit the beast staring into the camera is "Killer."

In future, when photographing your new pet, at least give the poor mutt the dignity/plausible deniability of an off-angle shot, favoring his "good" side, wherein he isn't staring into the camera.
posted by paulsc at 1:37 AM on September 5, 2013

Magneto. I would totally name your dog Magneto.
posted by monkey!knife!fight! at 1:47 AM on September 5, 2013

BAILEY. What a beautiful dog!
posted by sara is disenchanted at 2:20 AM on September 5, 2013

Ok, there is no way I personally could call that dog anything but Solomon, because wisdom and care are etched all over his face. I know it's more than two syllables.

I always think Cafall is a good name for any dog, for many of the same reasons.

I don't know why I also want to say Eustace, but it's probably because I read too many Narnia books as a child and also last week. But yeah, he looks like a pretty good Eustace. Post-Dawn Treader, obviously.

Also, I disagree with paulsc: whatever his name is going to be, he communicates very well visually and is very photogenic. So any shots where we get to see those soulful eyes are just fine by me.
posted by Errant at 2:47 AM on September 5, 2013

Interceptor.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:14 AM on September 5, 2013

He is a serious dog, deserving of a dignified name.

Name him Henry. It is a king's name. It is what he deserves.
posted by tel3path at 4:23 AM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Bishop

I always wanted a dog called Bishop
posted by 0bvious at 4:24 AM on September 5, 2013

I like Max or Mick! He's a good looking fella!
posted by pamspanda at 5:34 AM on September 5, 2013

Alex
posted by little_dog_laughing at 5:36 AM on September 5, 2013

Ozzie
posted by PussKillian at 5:45 AM on September 5, 2013

Shatner.
posted by sodium lights the horizon at 5:57 AM on September 5, 2013 [4 favorites]

Boyo
posted by jbickers at 6:19 AM on September 5, 2013

>Bruno

You mean Nero, of course.
posted by Dragonness at 6:27 AM on September 5, 2013

All I know is that that dog's name ends in "o." You've already gotten many good options for that in this thread (Rocko and Magneto are my favorite so far), but for what it's worth, "Jocko" is what came into my head when I looked at him.

Congratulations to you and him both; here's wishing you many joyful years together!
posted by DingoMutt at 6:28 AM on September 5, 2013

Phineas. Fin for short. Also YAY shelter dogs.
posted by wwax at 6:30 AM on September 5, 2013

Winston
posted by Z. Aurelius Fraught at 6:55 AM on September 5, 2013

Marlowe
Licorice
Mooch
posted by tafetta, darling! at 7:22 AM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Mr. [and pick one of the crazy last names from here]

I love pet names that are Mr. or Mrs. [Lastname]. Then, you can sub in first names that suit the occasion or suit the beastie at different life stages. My aunt's black cat is named Blackie, but I call him Mr. Blackwell. Sally's cat on The Dick van Dyke Show was named Mr. Henderson.

Shatner.

Might make for some interesting jokes during walkies and scooping time. But definitely a strong, vigorous name the other dogs can't help but respect.

Chester Twenty-one after Chester Arthur the 21st US president.

Although Baker's full name was Chesney, Chet is often short for Chester. So this one could be combined with the Chet Baker idea.

It just occurred to me that if you're thinking of musician names, you might do worse than the one who dressed all in black; a dog named Johnny Cash would be pretty awesome. (Especially if you ever have a son named Sue.)
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:44 AM on September 5, 2013

I do like many of the dignified-style names above, but when I looked at his awesome visage, I saw Meetoo.
As in "Oh, you are going for a walk? Me too, me too!!"
"Oh you are going in the car? Me too!"
Frisbee?! Meetoo!
Etc.
posted by bebrave! at 7:49 AM on September 5, 2013

Response by poster: I'm really, really torn between Bunk (what a great name! he is big and black and looks imposing but is a real teddy bear!) and Chet Baker (it didn't occur to me to give him the full name, but I really like that idea). I will check with the spouse tonight and report back. A lot of these suggestions are really excellent, thank you all, I'll go back and mark favorites as well as best answers. I'll report back when we have a final decision.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 8:34 AM on September 5, 2013 [2 favorites]

Schmooshy-face!

Heh.. he adorable.. looks like mine - named Eco (Eco the Explorer) - you can't have that name! Well, if you want it, you can.

You could always go with "MeFi"

Dusky? Nightfall? Or go opposite with Sunny?
posted by rich at 8:55 AM on September 5, 2013

Baker.
posted by bongo_x at 9:25 AM on September 5, 2013

Casper!
posted by futz at 10:22 AM on September 5, 2013

Coco. That's it.
posted by kathrynm at 11:04 AM on September 5, 2013

Um.
Chet Barker?
posted by inigo2 at 12:47 PM on September 5, 2013 [2 favorites]

My gut reaction was to call him Rufus. On second look he could also be a Scooter.
posted by bgrebs at 2:13 PM on September 5, 2013

Response by poster: Chet Baker is his name!
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:25 PM on September 5, 2013 [10 favorites]